What Is Business?
Business is the study of applying ideas to create or add value to a product or service to generate profits. As a business major, you’ll learn how to conduct quantitative research, then apply that research to develop new ideas and solve problems.
Studying business is a great option for international students who want to pursue lucrative careers in diverse industries and roles. Shorelight’s best business schools offer advanced programs in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management, marketing, supply chain management, and more in a supportive learning environment where you can grow at your own pace with expert guidance every step of the way. Shorelight universities’ well-rounded business curricula cover in-depth technical skills alongside hands-on learning experiences through internships, co-ops, mentorship programs, and more.
Work toward a wide variety of rewarding careers as an accountant, business analyst, website designer, marketing executive, operations manager, and many other roles in retail, manufacturing, design, human resources, and finance. Your career options are limitless with a business degree from Shorelight’s best business schools in the US.
higher than average full-time employment rate (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025)
median annual wage with a business degree
projected growth rate for employment in business and financial occupations by 2033
Featured Universities
- Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VirginiaAverage Tuition$15,000Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment1,450RegionNortheastNolen School of Professional Studies
- Business Administration
Less - Business Administration
- Heriot-Watt University UKScotland, United KingdomStarting Tuition£19,456Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment9,883RegionNon USThe School of Social Sciences
- Business Administration, BBA (Hons)*
- International Business Management, MA (Hons)**
- International Business Management with Year Abroad, MA (Hons)**
- Economics and Business Management, MA (Hons)**
- Business and Finance, MA (Hons)**
- Modern Languages for Business Management, MA (Hons)
Global College- Bachelor's Degree Accelerator Programme
- – BA Business with Accelerator Programme
Less - Business Administration, BBA (Hons)*
- #117 U.S. News RankingUniversity of Central FloridaOrlando, FloridaAverage Tuition$17,000Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment68,571RegionSouthCollege of Business
- Business Economics
- Integrated Business
College of Sciences- Human Communication (BA)
- – Business & Professional Communication
Less - Business Economics
- #75 U.S. News RankingUniversity at BuffaloBuffalo, New YorkAverage Tuition$24,990Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment32,332RegionNortheastSchool of Management
- Business Administration
School of Management Combined Degree Programs- Business Administration BS/Management Information Systems MS
- Business Administration BS/MS Finance
Less - Business Administration
- #97 U.S. News RankingFlorida International UniversityMiami, FloridaStarting Tuition$21,012Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment58,064RegionSouthBusiness, Finance & Economics
- Business Administration
- – International Business
- Business Analytics - STEM designated
Social Sciences & Humanities- Interdisciplinary Studies
- – Business
Less - Business Administration
- #222 U.S. News RankingUniversity of WyomingLaramie, WyomingStarting Tuition$22,020Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment10,814RegionWestCollege of Agriculture, Life Sciences, and Natural Resources
- Agricultural Business
College of Business- Business Economics
College of Education- Agricultural Education
- – Agricultural Business
Less - Agricultural Business
- #84 U.S. News RankingUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IllinoisStarting Tuition$31,996Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment33,390RegionMidwestEngineering
- Data Science
- – Business Analytics
College of Business AdministrationArchitecture, Design, and the Arts- Music
- – Business
Liberal Arts & Sciences- Germanic Studies with a Business Minor
Less - Data Science
- #102 U.S. News RankingAuburn UniversityAuburn, AlabamaStarting Tuition$38,314Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment30,440RegionSouthRaymond J. Harbert College of Business
- Business Administration
- – International Business
- Business Analytics - STEM designated
College of Agriculture- Agricultural Business & Economics
College of Education- Business & Marketing Education
Less - Business Administration
- #127 U.S. News RankingUniversity of South CarolinaColumbia, South CarolinaStarting Tuition$37,292Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment34,795RegionSouthDarla Moore School of Business
- International Business
Less - International Business
- #97 U.S. News RankingRutgers University - CamdenCamden, New JerseyAverage Tuition$30,600Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment7,762RegionNortheastSchool of Business–Camden
- Business Administration
Less - Business Administration
- #213 U.S. News RankingUniversity of Massachusetts BostonBoston, MassachusettsStarting Tuition$38,620Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment15,989RegionNortheastCollege of Management
- Information Systems & Business Analytics, BS
Less - Information Systems & Business Analytics, BS
- #102 U.S. News RankingGonzaga UniversitySpokane, WashingtonStarting Tuition$56,140Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment7,500+RegionWestSchool of Business Administration
- Business Administration
- – International Business
Less - Business Administration
- #139 U.S. News RankingUniversity of the PacificNorthern CaliforniaStarting Tuition$57,824Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment6,852RegionWestEberhardt School of Business
- Business Administration
- – Business Analytics
- Business Analytics, BS
Less - Business Administration
- #198 U.S. News RankingAdelphi UniversityGarden City, New YorkStarting Tuition$49,252Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment7,520RegionNortheastRobert B. Willumstad School of Business
- Business
College of Arts and Sciences- Interdisciplinary Studies
- – Business
Less - Business

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Bachelor of Business Degree FAQs
Many universities in the USA offer top-ranked bachelor business degrees in the USA and graduate programs in business. Shorelight collaborates with top-ranked business universities in the USA like Adelphi University, American University, Auburn University, Florida International University, the University of Dayton, University of Illinois Chicago, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Utah.
What are the undergraduate business courses in the USA for international students?
Business degrees are designed to provide theoretical and practical knowledge in key business concepts and help students develop strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Undergraduate business courses offered at business colleges in the USA for international students include:
Accounting
Business administration
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Human resources
International business
Management
Marketing
Operations and supply chain
Real estate
Risk management and insurance
Shorelight advisors, instructors, and tutors are here to help you with dedicated international student advisory services such as English language development, dedicated workshops, and more. For more information, please visit International Student Support.
Which undergraduate degree is best for business?
Students can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with concentrations in accounting, finance, management, and international business. All undergraduate business degrees provide a fundamental understanding into the principles and theories of business, marketing, human resources, supply chain management, and finance. Shorelight education counselors can direct you toward a bachelor business degree in the USA that suits your career goals. Fill out our School Match Form to compare programs and see which is the best fit for you.
How much does it cost to get a bachelor of business degree?
Programs offered at business colleges in the USA may range from $16,835 to $49,612, depending on the location, modality, facilities, and more. Business universities in the USA provide students access to expert faculty and state-of-the art facilities so they may gain a well-rounded academic experience. Students who wish to know more about scholarships available and the types of financial aid they are eligible for can visit Research and Resources.
What requirements are needed to study undergraduate business in the US?
The entry requirements to apply for a bachelor of business degree in USA generally include a high school diploma or equivalent with a sufficient GPA, and English language proficiency.
The entry requirements to apply for a graduate business degree in the US generally include a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, English language proficiency, GMAT/GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. However, these requirements may vary depending on the university you hope to attend. Our advisors are here to help you with deciding the best business major for you, dedicated college application help, preparing for your English exams, and more.
How many years does it take to earn a bachelor of business degree in the US?
Typically, an undergraduate business degree will take three to four years to complete — depending on the degree program and the university you attend. A master’s degree program in business may require one or two years to complete.
For more information on master’s degree programs, please visit graduate business programs.
What can you do with a bachelor of business degree?
A bachelor of business degree provides you with many career opportunities in accounting and finance, management, consultancy, retail and sales, marketing and advertising, and human resources. You can work as a:
Accountant
Actuary
Business analyst
Business development officer
Financial advisor
Financial analyst
Investment banker
Management consultant
Product manager