Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: If you want to major in business, you can apply to a dedicated undergraduate business school, such as Wharton, Ross, or Stern, or study economics, finance, marketing, or a related field elsewhere. Business is the most popular bachelor’s degree field in the US, so competitive applicants show rigorous math coursework, leadership, business activities, and specific supplemental essays.
Why So Many Students Choose to Major in Business
Business is the most popular bachelor’s degree field in America. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, colleges conferred about 375,400 business degrees in 2021–22, or 19 percent of all bachelor’s degrees, well ahead of the next most popular field, health professions. [1] Undergraduate business programs appeal to students of all genders, races, ethnicities, and nationalities. As a result, the competition is also tough. To help you figure out what you need to succeed pursuing a major in business, I’ve included a list of top undergraduate business schools, extracurricular and leadership expectations, top business summer programs, and finally, how to gear your supplemental essay towards explaining your interest in the world of business.
Business Major Programs to Consider
When we think about high school students wanting to major in business, we might refer to students eager about any of the following:
- Business
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing/Sales
- Management/Leadership
- Operations
- Entrepreneurship
- Accounting
- HR
- Statistics
- International Business
- Supply Chain Management
Students may choose to attend specific undergraduate business colleges or pursue one of these majors at any other university.
Building Your School List
Top students should aim for the best undergraduate business schools. Many students prefer studying business in undergrad rather than waiting for an MBA or majoring in economics due to the real-world, hands-on experiences these programs provide. Business students are prepared to take on practical challenges from the very first year in programs like USC Marshall’s experiential learning, travel, and mentorship programs. Below are 20 well-known undergraduate business programs and their locations, listed alphabetically. Visit each school’s site to compare curriculum, experiential learning and how students apply.
| School | Location |
|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Cornell University (Dyson) | Ithaca, NY |
| Emory University (Goizueta) | Atlanta, GA |
| Georgetown University (McDonough) | Washington, DC |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller) | Atlanta, GA |
| Indiana University, Bloomington (Kelley) | Bloomington, IN |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) | Cambridge, MA |
| New York University (Stern) | New York, NY |
| Ohio State University, Columbus (Fisher) | Columbus, OH |
| University of California Berkeley (Haas) | Berkeley, CA |
| University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign (Gies) | Champaign, IL |
| University of Michigan (Ross) | Ann Arbor, MI |
| University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler) | Chapel Hill, NC |
| University of Notre Dame (Mendoza) | Notre Dame, IN |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of Southern California (Marshall) | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Texas, Austin (McCombs) | Austin, TX |
| University of Virginia (McIntire) | Charlottesville, VA |
| University of Wisconsin, Madison | Madison, WI |
| Washington University in St. Louis (Olin) | St. Louis, MO |
You might notice that the rankings include schools you might not expect to see among top universities, such as Indiana University. At Kelley, 96% of actively seeking Class of 2025 graduates reported a full-time job or graduate school acceptance within three months of graduation. [3] If you are looking for solid business programs specifically, look past preconceived notions of top schools because programs like Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business are definitely ones to consider.
Remember, your school list should always be balanced with reach, fit, and safety schools. One good way you can choose is by narrowing down the focus of the sector of business you want to study, whether it is finance, sales & marketing, management and administration, or international business. All of the top schools are ranked highly for a reason. Apply to undergraduate business schools where you feel that your style of learning and specific interests can thrive.
Benefits of Undergraduate Business Schools After Graduation
Top undergraduate business schools also report high placement rates. For example, Michigan Ross reports that 98% of its BBA graduates received a job offer by September 30. [4]
When you research programs, read each school’s published employment report. These reports show where graduates go, which industries recruit on campus, and how quickly students land roles.
As you compare schools, look for these signals:
-
Placement rates for recent graduates, including the share who found a job or started graduate school.
-
Access to internships, since many business students complete one or more before senior year.
-
How early students can join business clubs, case competitions, and recruiting events.
Together, these details tell you more about a program’s career support than a ranking alone.
Why Is Business So Popular?
You might be curious as to why business remains so popular. In general, majoring in business opens up job prospects sooner. Graduates may move into roles in consulting, finance, or marketing as soon as they finish undergrad. Because business courses teach a wide range of skills, students have flexible career path options, business is a practical major that can be applied in any industry. Students might also apply for the practical experience in college as there are a growing number of hands-on opportunities in the classroom.
Potential Career Paths for Students Who Major in Business
Students who have graduated with business majors [2] have gone on to the following industries:
- Management Consulting – Bain, McKinsey, BCG, etc
- Finance – investment banking, private equity, venture capital, trading, etc.
- Marketing/sales
- Entrepreneurship
- Accounting
- Operations
- Startups
- HR
You could also join the business side of an entertainment company or even a law firm. Really, you can do anything you’d like!
How to Prepare for a Major in Business
There are several qualities that admissions officers look for in applicants interested in business:
- Academics: Quantitative and analytical aptitude
- Clear and focused interest within business
- Demonstrated excellence in business-related activities
- Solid evidence of leadership
- Effective communication skills, written and verbal
Academics
There are several ways you could show your potential to succeed as a business major.
If you submit SAT or ACT scores, a high math score helps show quantitative readiness, so check each school’s current testing policy. Students admitted to top business programs typically rank near the top of their high school class. You should take rigorous classes such as AP Calc BC or above and AP Micro/Macro a plus if offered. You should of course score well on your APs, particularly aiming for 5’s on Math-related APs should help you. Lastly if you have impressive academic honors such as National Honor Society, AP Scholar, etc. that is certainly a bonus.
Extracurriculars and Leadership
High school students interested in a business major should go beyond the classroom to showcase how they’re invested in the field. Undergraduate business schools are looking for applicants with mature, proven interests in business to fill their coveted spots. Take advantage of extracurricular opportunities to really get noticed among your peers. Here are a few ways to do so:
- Start Your Own Business: A significant amount of high school students interested in business have now started launching their own company, selling a product or a service which in turns boosts their college application. There are several steps involved in the process. These are:
- Brainstorming your business
- Market research
- Setting a price
- Executing your business
- Publicizing your business
- Gathering funds
If you’ve got the time and you’re truly interested in introducing a new product or service in the market, this can be a great place to get started with gaining industry experience. You can find out more about each of the steps in our how to start a business in high school blog.
- Start A Non-Profit: If starting your own business isn’t feasible right now, or you want your profile to reflect a more philanthropic side, why not start your own non-profit? The easiest place to start is by looking at your own community. What are some facilities that need developing in your neighborhood? Is there a technology that your school lacks? What is something you’ve always been interested in but don’t have access to in your area? Ask yourself questions to narrow down your interests and solicit information from members in your community to find out what initiative you can start to get noticed as a resourceful leader.
- Enter Business or Entrepreneurial Competitions: If you know as early as sophomore or junior year that you want to study business for undergrad, consider business or entrepreneurship competitions, which let your creative and entrepreneurial side shine. Blue Ocean and the Diamond Challenge are two well-known competitions for high school students interested in business. Competitions like these are also a natural way to build leadership experience.
- Find a Job: Admissions officers at undergraduate business programs appreciate knowing you’re hardworking and responsible. An effective way to demonstrate that you would bring these traits to their school would be by seeking a job or internship at a firm, or even elsewhere. While working for a year or two under your belt isn’t required for college applications, undergraduate business school admissions officers appreciate candidates who have spent time gaining hands-on experience in the real world. Your school counseling office and local businesses are good places to start looking for roles open to high school students.
Summer Programs
Since top undergraduate business schools are highly selective, you need to figure out a unique route to get noticed. One way to distinguish yourself from other high school students interested in business is to take advantage of business summer programs hosted by prestigious institutions. Some of the most competitive ones are:
- Launch X: Launch X should be your go-to if you wish to make your own start-up. Launch X is a program that helps young entrepreneurs conceptualize and get their own startups in motion. If you’ve got an idea that you’d like to develop but don’t have the resources for executing, Launch X can help you get there. The program runs in-person sessions in San Diego as well as online programs. Launch X provides students with mentorship that encourages them to make a positive impact on the world, deal with challenges, as well as practice conflict-resolution and teamwork skills. In terms of admission, the committee looks for students who are ambitious and driven, excited to discover innovative opportunities, and ready to conduct market research.
- Wharton Leadership in the Business World: If you’re a solid student interested in studying business, you probably have your eyes set on the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Here’s your chance to show further commitment not only to the field of business, but to Wharton itself, by participating in its summer program: the Wharton Leadership in the Business World. You’ll have the chance to engage in classroom discussions and learn from Wharton faculty. Often at university-organized summer programs, actual professors don’t teach the courses. This is definitely a factor that distinguishes Wharton over the others because while still in high school, you’ll receive a unique opportunity to attend lectures by people who could end up as your future professors! You’ll also have the chance to network with executives as well as hone your leadership skills through team-based projects. Leadership in the Business World also helps you work on collaboration skills with your peers, and organizes cultural and social activities each weekend so you can get to know them outside the classroom.
- Wharton Essentials of Finance and Essentials of Entrepreneurship: Wharton Global Youth also offers on-campus summer programs focused on finance and entrepreneurship, alongside Leadership in the Business World. [5] These programs suit students who already know which area of business interests them most.
- Berkeley Business Academy for Youth: The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth, also known as B-BAY, is a college prep program for aspiring entrepreneurs hosted by UC Berkeley’s Haas School. You’ll have the chance to connect with Haas professors and guest speakers, and attend talks on leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, game theory, and more. B-BAY also allows students to conduct their own independent research, team up with peers to create a comprehensive business plan, and at the end of the program, present their efforts. B-BAY now offers several high school options, including an Entrepreneurship Residency, a Founder Bootcamp, and a Startup Launchpad, as well as a middle school program. [6] If Haas is on your list, B-BAY is worth a close look.
Supplemental Essays
High school students interested in business will likely apply to multiple schools. For each school you apply to, make sure that your supplemental essays are as specific as possible to each program. Thoroughly research what makes each school unique, whether it is the sunny Los Angeles setting of Marshall or the chance to work with a particular professor at Wharton. It can be tempting to want to take a lazier route and make one or two tweaks to each essay before sending to different schools. Do not fall for this. Each of these schools have distinguishing features. Let’s take a look at a couple of business-specific prompts, and see our Georgetown supplemental essays guide for more.
Georgetown University
Describe your primary motivations for studying business at Georgetown University. (500 words) [7]
The McDonough School wants to know how you hope to benefit from a business degree from Georgetown specifically. They want to know what you want from a business degree at this stage, how will you take advantage of Georgetown’s hands-on opportunities? What impact have you made on your community and what are you bringing to the classroom? How will you add to the diversity of your cohort?
The word limit allows you to go into details about discovering your love for not just business, but your specific interest in the discipline. Whether it’s marketing or accounting, ask yourself questions to start brainstorming exactly what motivates you. Was there one instance that catalyzed your interest and goals? How have you explored the subject of your interest since then? How has your curiosity about the topic grown? The majority of your essay should be dedicated to tying your interest in with what McDonough has to offer. Note which professor you can’t wait to learn from or a class that matters to you on your way to becoming a future entrepreneur.
Babson College
Babson gives applicants the option of submitting a video essay, so check the current application for the exact prompt and format. [8]
When you can choose between writing and video, pick the format that lets you play to your abilities. If you are a filmmaker or a solid public speaker, you can choose the video route. If you prefer to reflect on your background and interests through writing, you may choose the essay.
Whichever you choose, make sure your supplement brings out the leader in you. Since Babson is business-specific, the admissions officers are asking you what appeals to you about Babson, not only as a business school, but in the unique opportunities it offers. You have to be as detailed as possible in talking about what led you to the decision to apply to Babson. You could talk about the first time you heard about a specific course, or how your campus visit affected your decision. Whatever the answer, make sure your individuality shines through in your application so that admissions officers can understand just how suited you would be for their institution.
High school students interested in business should work hard to convey that they have got what it takes to succeed in the field long-term. As a result, it’s best to prepare starting as early as you can. Think about your specific interests in business and go all out. Start your own company, apply to summer programs, help out your community. Your profile will come together naturally if you are genuinely dedicated and put yourself out there. You’ve got this!
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