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2024 Best General Business/Commerce Schools

470 Colleges in the United States
56,779 General Business Degrees Awarded
$45,206 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #16 in popularity, general business/commerce is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 470 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of general business/commerce. Combined, these schools handed out 56,779 degrees in general business/commerce to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Business/Commerce School

Best General Business/Commerce Schools Your choice of general business/commerce school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for general business/commerce schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your General Business/Commerce Degree Level

Associate Degrees in General Business
Bachelor's Degrees in General Business
Master's Degrees in General Business
Doctor's Degrees in General Business

The general business school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best General Business/Commerce Schools. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for General Business/Commerce in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the general business degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in General Business

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 General Business Degrees Awarded
$162,478 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Northwestern University if you wish to pursue a degree in general business/commerce. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 112 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from Northwestern University earn $117,272 more than the average general business graduate.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Northwestern University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In PA
38 General Business Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat University of Pennsylvania if you wish to pursue a degree in general business/commerce. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were about 38 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Pennsylvania

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
439 General Business Degrees Awarded
1.6% Growth in Graduates

New York University is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 439 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from New York University earn a boost of about $32,581 above the average earnings of general business/commerce majors.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from New York University

3
$170,089 Median Starting Salary
$41,000 Median Student Debt

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in general business/commerce. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

Degree recipients from the general business/commerce program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology make $124,883 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3,205 General Business Degrees Awarded
4.2% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in general business/commerce has to look into Indiana University - Bloomington. IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bloomington. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 3205 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from Indiana University - Bloomington make $40,715 more than the typical general business student.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Indiana University - Bloomington

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
121 General Business Degrees Awarded
0.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were approximately 121 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from University of Notre Dame get an earnings boost of about $19,064 above the typical earnings of general business/commerce graduates.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Notre Dame

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
371 General Business Degrees Awarded
15.9% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 371 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce degree program at Johns Hopkins University earn $64,748 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Johns Hopkins University

7
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$133,992 Median Starting Salary
$47,269 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were approximately 5 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from Emory University earn $88,786 more than the standard general business student.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Emory University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In IL
12.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 16 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Chicago

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,124 General Business Degrees Awarded
9.2% Growth in Graduates

Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Boston. A Best Colleges rank of #59 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northeastern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 1124 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent data year. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from Northeastern University earn $40,005 more than the typical general business student.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Northeastern University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
717 General Business Degrees Awarded
$67,205 Median Starting Salary

Mizzou is a very large public university located in the city of Columbia. This university ranks 4th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were approximately 717 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent year we have data available. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from University of Missouri - Columbia receive $21,999 more than the standard general business student.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Missouri - Columbia

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
224 General Business Degrees Awarded
1.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 224 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison get an earnings boost of around $67,184 over the typical earnings of general business/commerce majors.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Wisconsin - Madison

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In MA
59 General Business Degrees Awarded

WPI is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Worcester. A Best Colleges rank of #53 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means WPI is a great school overall.

There were approximately 59 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at WPI in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
337 General Business Degrees Awarded
$61,320 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Spokane, Gonzaga is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 337 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Gonzaga in the most recent year we have data available. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from Gonzaga University receive an earnings boost of about $16,114 over the average earnings of general business/commerce majors.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Gonzaga University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 General Business Degrees Awarded
19.3% Growth in Graduates

Tulane is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New Orleans. This university ranks 1st out of 29 colleges for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were approximately 114 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce program at Tulane University of Louisiana make $24,838 more than the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Tulane University of Louisiana

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
333 General Business Degrees Awarded
28.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Denver, DU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 33 colleges for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were roughly 333 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent year we have data available. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from University of Denver make $20,945 more than the standard general business grad.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Denver

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
340 General Business Degrees Awarded
20.6% Growth in Graduates

Texas Tech is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Lubbock. This university ranks 9th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 340 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from Texas Tech University receive an earnings boost of about $16,636 over the average earnings of general business/commerce majors.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Texas Tech University

17
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
230 General Business Degrees Awarded
11.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 230 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Drexel in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce program at Drexel University get $29,863 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Drexel University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
127 General Business Degrees Awarded
21.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 14th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 127 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis in the most recent data year. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from Brandeis University earn $16,804 more than the typical general business grad.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Brandeis University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
172 General Business Degrees Awarded
5.2% Growth in Graduates

SMC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Moraga. This college ranks 30th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 172 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce program at Saint Mary's College of California earn $7,381 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Saint Mary’s College of California

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
233 General Business Degrees Awarded
13.7% Growth in Graduates

KU is a very large public university located in the small city of Lawrence. This university ranks 1st out of 47 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were about 233 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent data year. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from University of Kansas make $24,050 more than the standard general business grad.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Kansas

21
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 General Business Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Bethlehem, Lehigh is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 6th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 59 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh in the most recent year we have data available. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from Lehigh University earn a boost of around $17,493 over the average earnings of general business/commerce graduates.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Lehigh University

22
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA

Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were approximately 11 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce degree program at Virginia Tech get $22,261 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Virginia Tech

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
484 General Business Degrees Awarded
7.4% Growth in Graduates

UK is a very large public university located in the city of Lexington. This university ranks 1st out of 38 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were approximately 484 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce major at University of Kentucky make $8,221 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Kentucky

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
330 General Business Degrees Awarded
56.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 330 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce program at Florida State University earn $6,939 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Florida State University

Rest of the Top Best General Business/Commerce Schools

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Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
30
31
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
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36
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
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Skidmore crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
50

Remaining Award Winners

This section represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best General Business/Commerce Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 470 different United States general business/commerce schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
51South Texas CollegeMcAllen, TX
52Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE
53Saint Anselm CollegeManchester, NH
54Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
55Normandale Community CollegeBloomington, MN
56Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO
57Columbia CollegeColumbia, MO
58University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD
59Anoka-Ramsey Community CollegeCoon Rapids, MN
60University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
61Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC
62SUNY Empire State CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY
63University of North TexasDenton, TX
64Belmont UniversityNashville, TN
64Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA
65University of Nevada - RenoReno, NV
66California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA
67Widener UniversityChester, PA
68Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT
69Salt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake City, UT
70Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for General Business/Commerce students that almost earned our Best General Business/Commerce Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
71Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY
72Boise State UniversityBoise, ID
73Mount St Mary’s UniversityEmmitsburg, MD
74University of New Hampshire - Main CampusDurham, NH
75University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY
76Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake, MN
77Strayer University - Global RegionWashington, DC
78University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY
79University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
80Truckee Meadows Community CollegeReno, NV
81Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
82Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo, MI
83Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA
84Brigham Young University - ProvoProvo, UT
85Southwestern UniversityGeorgetown, TX
86Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS
87Saint Norbert CollegeDe Pere, WI
88Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI
89Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA
90North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park, MN
91Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL
92San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena, TX
93St Lawrence UniversityCanton, NY
94Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI

General Business/Commerce by Region

View the Best General Business/Commerce Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, General Business/Commerce has other similar majors worth exploring.

General Business Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
General Business/Commerce56,779

View All General Business Focus Areas >

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Business Administration & Management403,753
Accounting93,982
Finance & Financial Management54,690
Marketing52,078
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods48,037
Human Resource Management27,074
Business Support & Assistant Services19,686
Hospitality Management16,015
Management Information Systems12,429
Entrepreneurial Studies12,241

View All General Business Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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