The benefits of an undergraduate degree in business are innumerable. A report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce entitled "The College Advantage: Weathering the Economic Storm," makes the point: "It is a tough job market for college graduates but far worse for those without a college education," states author Anthony P. Carnevale. Results of this study included that 80% of those who lost their jobs during the past recession had only a high school education or less, college-educated employees earn an average of twice as much as workers with only a high school diploma, and today's unemployment rate among undergraduate degree holders is a healthy 4.5 percent.
The importance of a business career is also stressed throughout the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's 2012 Occupational Outlook Handbook, making mention that of the 20 top-earning careers, five are in the field of business. Of the nation's most-lucrative careers, Financial Managers reported a $103k salary, Marketing Managers earned $112k, Computer and IS Managers earned $115k, Architectural and Engineering Managers earned nearly $120k, and Chief Executives reported a median salary of $165k. In addition to this, students interested in pursuing a degree in business to become entrepreneurs or open small businesses will be happy to hear of the U.S. Small Business Administration's reporting an upswing in new businesses in recent years.
All of this data helps confirm the point that an undergraduate degree in business is a smart move for those interested in a stable and lucrative career in business and leadership. Though there are several factors to consider in looking for the best return on investment of education, one can begin with the simple balance between cost of tuition and salary potential for that chosen career. Also, since the state of New York features the cultural melting pot and global epicenter for business in New York City, a list of several of the state's best business schools regarding return on investment for an undergraduate business degree is even more vital for those students poised to choose a program. With that in mind, here are some undergraduate business degrees offered at the upper echelon of business schools in New York.
At the top of our list is Baruch College's undergraduate business program, within the Zicklin School of Business. Not only has this program been recently ranked at the 77th best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, but at a most-impressive $6,810 average tuition and fee rate per year, some students of this business school have reported an early career salary of $51,700 upon graduation. Another program worth considering is one accredited by the prestigious AACSB International. In the School of Management at Binghamton University, SUNY, graduates have reported early-career salaries of over $50,000 a year, and combined it with attractive annual average undergraduate tuition and fee rates of less than $9,300. And lastly, students interested in the School of Business at the University at Albany, SUNY have four undergraduate business programs to choose from including Accounting, Business Administration, PwC Scholars Program, and Management Adjunct. With a total average undergraduate tuition rate of just $36,932 for four years, some graduates of the School of Business report an average early career salary of $44,800, revealing a strong return on the investment of education.