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2024 Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

248 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
52,496 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$50,279 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #2 in popularity, business administration & management is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 248 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 52,496 degrees in business administration & management to qualified students.

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

Choosing a Great Business Administration & Management School

Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region The business administration program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Business Administration & Management rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for business administration & management 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.

Business Administration & Management Rankings by Degree Level

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

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region list to help you make the college decision. 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 Business Administration & Management in the Great Lakes Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the business administration degrees they offer, see the list below. 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 Great Lakes Region Schools in Business Administration

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
465 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
30.1% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in business administration & management. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 465 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Northwestern University make $70,430 more than the average business administration graduate.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Northwestern University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
180 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$124,439 Median Starting Salary

University of Notre Dame is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in business administration & management. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were about 180 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from University of Notre Dame get an earnings boost of approximately $74,160 over the average income of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Notre Dame

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,461 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
1.0% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in business administration & management has to look into University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. U-M is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1461 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn $61,184 more than the standard business administration graduate.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,212 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
30.9% Growth in Graduates

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in business administration & management. Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 1212 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management major at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn $30,178 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
796 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$81,765 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were about 796 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management major at Michigan State University get $31,486 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Michigan State University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
92 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$159,677 Median Starting Salary

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

There were about 92 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management major at University of Chicago make $109,398 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Chicago

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
218 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
17.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large 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 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 218 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison earn $3,015 more than the typical business administration graduate.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Wisconsin - Madison

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
610 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$73,925 Median Starting Salary

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Columbus. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were about 610 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management program at Ohio State University - Main Campus get $23,646 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Ohio State University - Main Campus

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
810 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$72,006 Median Starting Salary

Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the small city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were approximately 810 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Purdue University - Main Campus earn $21,727 more than the average business administration student.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Purdue University - Main Campus

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
263 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$65,450 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 263 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Loyola University Chicago receive $15,171 more than the average business administration graduate.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Loyola University Chicago

11
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
732 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
29.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 732 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from DePaul University earn a boost of around $18,040 above the average earnings of business administration & management graduates.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from DePaul University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
172 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$81,427 Median Starting Salary

Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #63 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Case Western is a great university overall.

There were roughly 172 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management major at Case Western Reserve University make $31,148 above the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Case Western Reserve University

13
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
23.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Milwaukee, Marquette is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #130 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Marquette is a great university overall.

There were approximately 194 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Marquette in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Marquette University make $24,261 more than the average business administration grad.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Marquette University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
723 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$58,638 Median Starting Salary

Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 723 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at IWU in the most recent year we have data available. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global make $8,359 more than the typical business administration student.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
488 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
12.5% Growth in Graduates

UC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati. This university ranks 5th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 488 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available. Business Administration & Management degree recipients from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of approximately $3,609 above the average earnings of business administration & management majors.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

16
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
870 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$68,660 Median Starting Salary

Central Michigan is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant. This university ranks 10th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 870 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the business administration & management program at Central Michigan University earn $18,381 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Central Michigan University

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
633 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$53,864 Median Starting Salary

OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the town of Athens. This university ranks 9th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 633 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management degree program at Ohio University - Athens Campus get $3,585 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Ohio University - Athens Campus

18
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
89.5% Growth in Graduates

Xavier is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cincinnati. This university ranks 12th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 200 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Xavier in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management program at Xavier University earn $16,003 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Xavier University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
208 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$47,565 Median Starting Salary

UW - Whitewater is a large public university located in the distant town of Whitewater. This university ranks 6th out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 208 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Whitewater in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the business administration program state that they receive average early career income of $47,565.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
144 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$83,526 Median Starting Salary

Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public university located in the town of Oxford. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Miami University - Oxford is a great university overall.

There were about 144 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the business administration & management program at Miami University - Oxford make $33,247 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Miami University - Oxford

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
314 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$63,669 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 314 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the business administration & management program at Western Michigan University earn $13,390 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Western Michigan University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
101 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
22.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 14th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 101 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Bradley in the most recent year we have data available. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Bradley University receive $12,439 more than the typical business administration grad.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Bradley University

23
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
184 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
7.6% Growth in Graduates

Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Elmhurst. This university ranks 18th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 184 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst in the most recent data year. Those business administration & management students who get their degree from Elmhurst University earn $9,453 more than the typical business administration grad.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Elmhurst University

24
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
163 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$38,601 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 8th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were roughly 163 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, business administration degree recipients typically make an average of $38,601 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from Madison Area Technical College

25
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
227 Business Administration Degrees Awarded
$47,967 Median Starting Salary

UW - Stout is a medium-sized public university located in the distant town of Menomonie. This university ranks 11th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 227 business administration & management students who graduated with this degree at UW - Stout in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the business administration program state that they receive average early career income of $47,967.

More information about a degree in business administration & management from University of Wisconsin - Stout

Rest of the Top Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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27
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
28
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30
31
32

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35
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
36
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
37

 

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Business Administration & Management students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Business Administration & Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
38 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
39 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
40 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI
41 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
42 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
43 Eastern Gateway Community College Steubenville, OH
44 Illinois State University Normal, IL
45 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH
46 Benedictine University Lisle, IL
47 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
47 ,
48 Lewis University Romeoville, IL
49 Franklin University Columbus, OH

Best Business Administration & Management Colleges by State

Explore the best business administration & management schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 9,225
Ohio 314 10,249
Illinois 304 12,631
Indiana 294 6,565
Wisconsin 273 5,326

View All Rankings >

Business Administration & Management is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.

Business Administration Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Business Administration and Management 41,109
Interior Design Management 2,729
Organizational Leadership 2,474
Supply Chain Management 2,069
Operations Management 1,876
Office Administration 677
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management 464
Project Management 429
Retail Management 206
Transportation/Mobility Management 184

View All Business Administration Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Accounting 14,839
Marketing 9,982
Finance & Financial Management 9,758
General Business/Commerce 9,301
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 7,693
Human Resource Management 5,374
Business Support & Assistant Services 5,143
Hospitality Management 2,087
Management Information Systems 1,926
Entrepreneurial Studies 1,870

View All Business Administration Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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