10 Best Business Schools in New York - Top Management Degrees

Date Updated: October 27, 2020

Business school graduates qualify for a variety of careers in business, management, and finance. Those who attend undergraduate business schools in New York are especially equipped for versatile, lucrative jobs in management. As the nation's finance capital, New York houses high concentrations of business and finance workers.

The minimum education requirement for most management jobs, an undergraduate business degree imparts highly adaptable career skills.

Among business schools in NYC, the best provide programs emphasizing soft skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership. Graduates can apply their skills in high-paying jobs like business analysis or global business and finance.

New York is the highest-paying state and among the largest employers of management occupations. Management jobs across the U.S. pay an average annual wage of $122,480, and New York managers can earn as much as $157,440. Of the national employment of more than 8 million management professionals, roughly 500,000 work in New York.

Additionally, chief executive opportunities abound in NYC. Business Insider ranked chief executives among the highest-paid positions in New York in 2019, earning upward of $200,000 per year. The BLS lists a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field as the minimum education requirement for top executive positions.

The following guide and ranking can help students choose a top business school in New York.

Recommended Online Business Programs

10 Best Bachelor's in Business Degrees in NY

Rank	School	Location
1	Baruch College	New York, NY
2	University at Buffalo, SUNY	Buffalo, NY
3	Binghamton University, SUNY	Vestal, NY
4	University at Albany, SUNY	Albany, NY
5	SUNY Geneseo	Geneseo, NY
6	Rochester Institute of Technology	Rochester, NY
7	Cornell University	Ithaca, NY
8	New York University	New York, NY
9	Syracuse University	Syracuse, NY
10	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Troy, NY

See Detailed Rankings

Why Get a Business Bachelor's in New York?

Some students question whether attending a business school in New York is "worth it." The answer lies in the generous return on investment (ROI) of a degree such as a bachelor of business administration (BBA), which yields high earning potential, job versatility, and networking opportunities. The following explains a few of the many professional and personal benefits of pursuing an undergraduate business degree.

- – Earning Potential: Graduates of a business program typically enjoy high earning potential. For example, quantitative business analysis majors already enjoy a starting salary higher than the national average, with the possibility of doubling by midcareer.

- – Job Versatility: Business programs are among the most adaptable college degrees, qualifying graduates for careers in management, finance, and global commerce.

– Networking Opportunities: Business schools in New York, especially those with online programs, can provide exclusive access to invaluable networking opportunities. Business students often participate in global study trips, professional events, and mentorship opportunities.

New Yorkers equipped with a business degree can pursue their choice of jobs. For recent graduates of business schools in NYC, many local entry-level career opportunities are offered through global conglomerates. There is no shortage of jobs in fields like banking, finance management, or executive management in New York.

Will You Need To Pursue Additional Business Education?

While many jobs require only a bachelor's degree, graduates of an undergraduate business program can pursue additional education. Careers in executive leadership, especially in large corporations, often require candidates with an MBA. Additionally, business professors typically hold a master's or doctoral degree in the field.

Beyond the minimum education requirement for entry-level business jobs, MBAs can offer job advancement and higher salary potential. MBAs enable students to delve deeply into a specialization of their choice. Many business schools in New York offer traditional and online MBAs, with concentrations including entrepreneurship, global business, and corporate finance.

Students who complete an undergraduate business program may also pursue professional certification or licensure. Depending on a candidate's area of expertise, they might pursue optional certification in a field like records management, HR management, or management consulting. Many students who study accounting in an MBA pursue CPA licensure.

– Top MBA Programs in NY

The 10 Best Business Schools in New York

Selecting the right business school in New York involves a variety of criteria. Students often consider factors including location, cost, and available concentrations, seeking out a customized program to accommodate their career goals. Business schools in NYC offer affordable, flexible programs on campus and online.

The following ranking includes some of the best business schools in New York. We included schools accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE). These schools offer comprehensive business programs, many with in-state tuition rates for online learners. Our ranking provides a starting point for students seeking New York's best business degrees.

– Our Ranking Methodology

1. Baruch College

Public university in New York, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Celebrating its centennial in 2019, Baruch's Zicklin School of Business offers nationally ranked business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Zicklin enrolls nearly 13,000 students and offers more than 30 degrees.

Zicklin School of Business

Zicklin offers a comprehensive BBA comprising 124 credits. Students must complete a series of arts and science, required business, and free elective courses, including the signature Baruch Pathways curriculum. The pathways module supersedes the Baruch common core sequence in fulfilling college-level liberal arts requirements.

Zicklin's business degrees emphasize global commerce. BBA course topics include business policy, principles of finance, and fundamentals of management, culminating in a capstone requirement. Applicants must complete eight pre-business courses in subjects like accounting, statistics, and economics with a minimum GPA of 2.25 to qualify for admission.

Baruch's Business Degree Concentrations

2. University at Buffalo, SUNY

Public university in Buffalo, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Offering its first undergraduate business program in 1923, UB's School of Management today enrolls more than 3,800 students in nationally renowned undergraduate, MBA, and MS degrees. The school receives accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

University at Buffalo School of Management

UB offers BS in business administration (BSBA), BS, and combined 4+1 BS/MS degrees. BSBA students may choose from one of seven concentrations, while the BS offers majors in accounting or information technology and management. All students complete general education and prerequisite coursework first, followed by major coursework in junior and senior years.

BSBA students may opt to complete a three-credit internship. They must complete at least three upper-level management electives outside of their concentration. An exclusive group of less than 5% of business and accounting students may qualify to participate in the school's elite Undergraduate Honors Program.

UB's Business Degree Concentrations

3. Binghamton University

Public university in Binghamton, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Bolstered by a powerful New York-based alumni network of more than 140,000, Binghamton established its School of Business in 1970, now called the School of Management (SOM). All six programs offered through SOM are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

School of Management

Binghamton offers a BS in business administration (BSBA) comprising 126 credits in management, non-management, and concentration requirements. The BSBA culminates in a global strategic management capstone. Students may also pursue a dual BS/MS degree in accounting or a 4+1 MBA, each completed over five years.

Binghamton offers the SOM Scholars Program, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCooper, to undergraduate students of extraordinary academic merit. The program develops exclusive networking, community service, and fundraising experience through mentoring services, a signature speaker series, and an international trip. Binghamton is NYC's top provider of new hires to Earnst & Young and PricewaterhouseCooper.

Binghamton's Business Degree Concentrations

4. SUNY at Albany

Public university in Albany, NY, accredited by MSCHE

UAlbany employs more than 130 faculty and staff members and enrolls nearly 5,000 students through its School of Business. The school maintains dual-accreditation for business administration and accounting through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

School of Business

UAlbany's business school offers students four BS degrees: accounting, business administration, digital forensics, or interdisciplinary studies-financial market regulation. Within the BS in business administration (BSBA), students may choose from multiple concentrations. Most UAlbany business students complete an internship, many through renowned NYC companies.

BSBA students conclude the degree with a strategic management capstone course. The digital forensics program culminates in a dual-capstone course requirement. Business students at UAlbany collectively maintain a mean GPA of 3.4. Half of all accounting students go on to work for New York institutions including Deloitte and Ernst & Young.

UAlbany's Business Degree Concentrations

5. SUNY Geneseo

Public university in Geneseo, NY, accredited by MSCHE

As the recipient of numerous SUNY awards for excellence in teaching and scholarship, Geneseo's School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The school also boasts affiliations with the CFA Institute and Principles for Responsible Management Education.

School of Business

Geneseo students can choose from undergraduate business programs in accounting, business administration, or economics. Each of the BS degrees require completion of 120-121 credits and span four years. While course topics vary by major, each program combines basic and related course requirements.

The accounting and business administration programs culminate in a capstone in strategic management and international finance or business. Programs emphasize analytical, quantitative, and communication skills through internships and hands-on learning experience. Geneseo hosts the VentureWorks Entrepreneurship Program for business majors aspiring to establish a start-up tech company.

Geneseo's Business Degree Concentrations

6. Rochester Institute of Technology

Public university in Rochester, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Enrolling more than 1,000 students in upstate New York, RIT's Saunders College of Business is the nation's oldest and largest cooperative education program. RIT consistently ranks among the best business schools in New York according to U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Saunders College of Business

RIT's undergraduate business program ranked No.1 in western New York in 2020 by U.S. News & World Report. Students can choose from one of 11 business majors and minors, or pursue RIT's Business Exploration and Freshman Experience program, ideal for undecided majors. RIT boasts a 94% graduate placement rate.

Most majors require 123-124 credits and span four years, except for the accounting program, which requires 151 credits over five years. Requirements include business core, major, general education, and optional minor coursework. Additionally, all students must complete a cooperative education experience, which provides full-time, paid work in their major.

RIT's Business Degree Concentrations

7. Cornell University

Public university in Ithaca, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Serving more than 3,000 students, Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business comprises three schools offering applied economics and management, hotel administration, and graduate management programs. The college's unique Fintech project also places it among leading financial-technology research institutions.

SC Johnson College of Business

Cornell offers undergraduate programs in applied economics and management (AEM) and hotel administration. The AEM program requires completion of 120 credits in topics including strategy, business law, and managerial accounting. Students must also complete a service-learning experience as part of the Grand Challenges program. Most students pursue internships.

The BS in hotel administration comprises 120 credits in core, elective, and "practice credit" coursework, which requires 800 credit hours of work experience in the service/hospitality industry. AEM students typically pursue 1-2 concentrations from the list below, while most hotel administration majors choose one of three program options.

Cornell's Business Degree Concentrations

8. New York University

Private university in New York, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Enrolling its first class in 1900, NYU's Stern School of Business is one of the first of its kind in the United States. The school employs 200 business professors, including four Nobel Laureates. Roughly 50% of business students spend at least one semester studying abroad.

Leonard N. Stern School of Business

NYU Stern offers a BS in business with 13 concentrations. Students can also pursue bachelor's degrees in business and political economy or business, technology, and entrepreneurship. Alternatively, NYU Stern features a BS in business/MS in accounting and a BS in business/BFA in film and television.

All undergraduate business programs develop a foundation in the liberal arts. Students must complete a signature series of core social impact coursework in topics like professional responsibility and business and society. In addition to concentrations, students may choose a "track" in a business discipline of their choice, incorporating interdisciplinary curriculum.

NYU's Business Degree Concentrations

9. Syracuse University

Private university in Syracuse, NY, accredited by MSCHE

Established in 1919, Syracuse's Whitman School of Management is one of the nation's oldest business schools and only the 16th to receive accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The school enrolls more than 4,000 business students.

Whitman School of Management

Whitman provides a comprehensive undergraduate business program including a choice of nine major areas of study. Students may choose a single-, double-, or triple-major. The program requires a core series of 12 business courses over the first two years, followed by intensive study in the major for junior- and senior-level students.

Students build soft skills and enjoy career development opportunities through the Goodman IMPRESS Program, required of all business undergraduates. Most students complete at least one internship during the course of the degree. Whitman also offers dual degrees in business and information studies, arts and science, public affairs, communications, or law.

Syracuse's Business Degree Concentrations

10. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Private university in Troy, NY, accredited by MSCHE

With a focus on 21st-century digital business programs, the Lally School of Management at Rensselaer counts Google, Amazon, Boeing, and Facebook employees among its alumni. The school is accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Lally School of Management

Rensselaer offers a BS in business and management or business analytics. Students may also pursue a BS+MS, a BS+MBA, a BS+JD, or five-year engineering or science MBAs. The BS in business and management or business analytics requires completion of 124 credits over four years, culminating in a capstone requirement.

The business and management program explores financial accounting, marketing principles, and business law and ethics. The analytics program incorporates statistics, advanced math, and econometrics courses. Students may apply in the fall or spring. Applicants require ACT or SAT scores, transcripts, an essay, and a letter of recommendation.

Rensselaer's Business Degree Concentrations

What the Best Business Colleges in New York Have in Common

While schools vary, many of the top business schools in New York share similar characteristics. We used metrics including those listed below in our rankings methodology, while also accounting for inherent diversity among college experiences. For example, though individual tuition and graduation rates may vary, each school is considered for the following qualities:

- – Accreditation: Schools in our rankings are always accredited, most of them regionally. On this page, all schools are accredited through MSCHE. Some of the programs are also programmatically accredited by organizations like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

- – Affordability: Among the leading concerns of college students choosing a business program, affordability is one of the key metrics in our methodology. All programs ranked here offer affordable tuition rates and flexible scheduling options for business students.

- – Average Salary: Historically a lucrative degree for students, business programs provide higher starting salaries compared to other majors. Our rankings include schools that yield some of the highest average salaries for business graduates.

- – Prestige: There is a reason many schools consistently appear on our rankings lists. Some of the best business schools in New York have developed a prestigious reputation for producing successful graduates and tight-knit alumni networks in business and finance.

What To Expect From New York Undergrad Business Programs

While programs vary, the experience of earning a bachelor's in business includes some commonalities. Most bachelor's degrees take four years to complete, though programs like BBAs are commonly offered in accelerated format, especially online. Many business schools in New York offer options like 4+1 MBAs, producing both a bachelor's and master's in five years.

Students may choose to earn their degree on campus or online. Many programs also allow students to choose whether they enroll full time or part time. Most bachelor's degrees in business require completion of 120 credits and culminate in a capstone course. Some programs include a practicum or internship.

Business programs are diverse in their concentrations and course options. Learners can expect to develop soft skills through core coursework in subjects like communication, marketing, and problem-solving. Business schools in NYC also offer customizable electives and specializations to meet students' career goals. Costs vary per program.

Admission Requirements for Business Bachelor's Degrees

While program requirements vary, most bachelor's in business require a common set of admission criteria. Business schools in New York typically require applicants to apply through Common App by submitting an application, official transcripts, and an application fee. Schools may accept applications on a rolling basis, or on a fall- or spring-semester deadline.

Most bachelor's in business degrees require general knowledge prerequisites in English and math, along with program prerequisites in subjects including business, economics, and accounting. Students aspiring to a specific specialization may require additional prerequisite coursework. Most business schools in New York require candidates with competitive SAT or ACT scores.

Students may apply immediately after graduating high school or earning college credits. Most programs require applicants to possess a GPA of at least 2.0 for previous coursework, including prerequisites. Some schools require a written statement of purpose with admission materials. Learners with work experience may be able to apply credits toward degree requirements.

Business Degree Types and Concentrations

Schools in New York offer several options for bachelor's in business degrees.

While BBAs are common, some schools also offer bachelor of science in business administration (BSBA) or bachelor of arts in business administration (BABA) programs. Each offers its own benefits for students aspiring to a career in management or finance.

BBAs provide a broad foundation in business and leadership, enabling students to customize the degree to their needs. BBA enrollees may choose a concentration such as operations management, retail sales, or supply chain management. Many business schools in New York offer BBAs, ideal for aspiring professionals looking to enter the local workforce.

BSBAs include more technical, analytical coursework than a BBA or BABA. Enrollees in a BSBA can expect the core curriculum to emphasize math and statistics along with business skills. Graduates of BSBAs are best prepared for careers as accountants, economists, and CFOs at global NYC corporations and on Wall Street.

BABAs incorporate a liberal-arts-based curriculum, ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and media professionals. This program takes a philosophical approach to business through English, sociology, and history coursework. Graduates can become marketing or PR managers, contract negotiators, or consultants.

Popular Business Program Courses

Undergraduate business degrees offer a variety of course subjects and types. Most business schools in NYC include programs with core coursework in topics like management, financial analysis, and problem-solving techniques. Bachelor's degrees are typically structured to include core, concentration, and elective requirements, culminating in a capstone course. Some BBAs include an internship requirement.

- – Project Management: Commonly found in BBA degrees, project management courses often include a focus in global business. This course explains the core principles of project management and trains students to implement them in leadership positions. Topics include HR management, quality management, and project integration.

- – Budgeting: This course introduces students to the importance of basic budgeting methods in business. Coursework may include creating and implementing sample budgets for common business models. Topics explore understanding and preparing a variety of types of financial budgets.

- – Team Building and Conflict Resolution: Critical elements of success in business, teamwork and conflict resolution are common course requirements of a BBA. Students in this course explore methods of building cohesion and diffusing confrontation in a diverse work environment, all highly desirable skills among business employers.

- – Financial Analysis: Students learn about the critical components of financial management and analysis in this course. Topics include reading and interpreting financial statements, liquidity and activity, cash flow, and capital structure. Many business programs include this course as part of a finance concentration curriculum.

- – Capstone: Nearly all business programs conclude with a capstone course, designed to synthesize a student's newly acquired business skills and practice. Some programs require general capstones around a topic such as strategic management, though most encourage students to complete a final project in their area of specialization.

What Jobs Can Business Degrees Get You?

Earning a degree from an undergraduate business school in New York can prepare graduates for jobs across all fields and industries. Job seekers with a BBA meet the minimum education requirement for a variety of administrative, sales, and finance positions. Additionally, graduates can pursue jobs in specialized management sectors like HR, industrial production, or healthcare.

Bachelor's degrees offer a high ROI for an affordable cost and reasonable time commitment.

A bachelor's degree meets the minimum education requirement ranging from entry-level administrative management jobs to top executive positions.

Among all New York market sectors, management and business and finance occupations are among the 10 most populous employment groups. Within these sectors, chief executives, financial managers, and IT managers earn some of the highest mean annual wages in the state.

Administrative Services Manager

Administrative services managers help a business run smoothly by managing its daily operations. Tasks may include mail distribution, appointment-setting, recordkeeping, and office maintenance. While employers vary, most jobs require a bachelor's degree in business or a related field and work experience. Some candidates pursue voluntary certification in records or information management.

– Required Education: Bachelor's degree
– Job Outlook (2019-29): +6%
– Average Annual Salary in New York: $138,190

Management Analyst

Management analysts, also called management consultants, help businesses streamline their operations and run more efficiently. Many are self-employed as consultants through firms and government agencies. New York management analysts are among the nation's highest-paid.

– Required Education: Bachelor's degree
– Job Outlook (2019-29): +11%
– Average Annual Salary in New York: $112,280

Human Resources Manager

Business schools in New York commonly offer HR management as a concentration, preparing students to become HR or compensation and benefits managers. Though a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement, some employers require HR management certification.

– Required Education: Bachelor's degree
– Job Outlook (2019-29): +6%
– Average Annual Salary in New York: $158,830

Training and Development Manager

Similar to an HR manager, training and development managers help to maximize the efficiency of an organization's staff by coordinating enhancement opportunities. Managers often supervise specialists, who carry out the development activities or training exercises. Employers may prefer or require specialized training and development certification.

– Required Education: Bachelor's degree
– Job Outlook (2019-29): +7%
– Average Annual Salary in New York: $156,910

Top Executive

Many students with an undergraduate business degree aspire to positions like CEO, CFO, or CIO. Along with a business degree, work experience is paramount to qualify for top executive jobs. This sector includes general/operations managers and chief executive officers. Many large corporations require an MBA.

– Required Education: Bachelor's or master's degree
– Job Outlook (2019-29): +4%
– Average Annual Salary in New York: $155,640

Selecting Your New York Undergrad Business Program

All searches for the best business schools in New York must begin with accredited programs. Our rankings include only schools with regional accreditation through MSCHE, for example. Some business programs receive additional accreditation through organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, AACSB International, or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. Students may also consider these criteria:

- – Prestige/Reputation: Many business schools in New York offer world-renowned programs, which can give prospective employees an extra edge during the hiring process.

- – Earning Potential: Many jobs that BBA graduates land after school can earn them salaries well above the national average.

- – Alumni Network: Programs often tout business alumni among their most successful graduate groups, and alumni networks for prestigious programs can help students land jobs.

- – Concentrations/Specializations: Programs with specializations that fit students' career interests can provide training and knowledge to qualify graduates for jobs in niche subfields.

- – Cost/Financial Aid: Choosing a school with an affordable tuition or ample scholarship opportunities can help lower the overall cost of pursuing a bachelor's in business.

- – Program Length: Most schools take four years of full-time enrollment to complete a bachelor's, but some programs that offer dual degrees upon graduation can add additional years.

Should You Consider Online Schools in New York?

With the increasing prevalence of online education, bachelor's programs in business are well-suited to the virtual learning experience. Students who pursue online business programs can incorporate skill development in computers, technology, and virtual communication. Additionally, many business programs offer global networking opportunities.

The best business schools in New York enroll a diverse student group. The popularity of business programs attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world, and online programs provide the ultimate platform for learners to collaborate and develop teamwork skills.

Business students looking to gain work experience can also benefit from online programs. New Yorkers can conveniently pursue local internships or employment while earning their degree online. Representing the world's most powerful economic markets, New York City offers unmatched entry-level experience for business students.

Many business colleges in New York offer online programs that can be completed in the same length of time as traditional degrees. Students often pursue accelerated schedules and dual-degree options like a five-year BBA/MBA online. Shorter programs, along with the elimination of boarding and commuting costs, help reduce the financial burden on students. Additionally, many online programs offer in-state tuition rates, regardless of a student's residency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of business degrees are there?

Undergraduate business schools in NYC most commonly offer associate and bachelor's degrees in business administration. BBAs typically offer a variety of career-oriented concentrations in business, finance, and management.

What is the best business degree to get?

Often, the best business degree depends on a student's job aspirations. Students can tailor their business degree to accommodate their individual career goals by selecting a specialization.

How much does a bachelor's in business cost in New York?

While prices vary, the average cost of earning a degree at a public or private four-year institution is roughly $20,000-$43,000, respectively. Many business schools in New York offer tuition discounts and accelerated programs.

Does New York have online degrees?

Yes. The majority of business schools in New York offer online degrees. Amid the many benefits of a distance program, learners may enjoy in-state tuition rates, shorter completion times, and international networking opportunities.

Is New York a good place for business schools?

As the center of global business and finance in the U.S., business schools in New York prepare graduates for high-profile management roles. Local employers of BBA graduates include Time Warner, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase & Co.