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Most Popular Business Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Business Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

268 Schools Ranked
$18,070 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$27,218 Avg Student Debt

There are so many business programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Business Degree Central has created the Most Popular Business Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 268 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

2,553 Total Awards
$11,936 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,741 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Ohio State University - Main Campus to be the most popular school for business students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Great Lakes Region . This large public school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 2,553 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ohio State is $11,936. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $35,019. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,741 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ohio State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Ohio State University - Main Campus

#2

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
2,532 Total Awards
$24,867 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,532 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Michigan State accumulate an average of $24,867 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

Michigan State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Michigan State University

#3

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin
2,300 Total Awards
$10,720 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,865 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Wisconsin - Madison is a great place for business students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 2,300 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $10,720 in tuition and fees if they attend UW - Madison full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $38,608. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,865 in student loans. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

UW - Madison does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Wisconsin - Madison

#4

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
2,200 Total Awards
$11,333 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,912 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Indiana University - Bloomington is a great place for business students working on their bachelor’s degree. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 2,200 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Indiana who attend IU Bloomington full time pay an average of $11,333 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $38,352. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,912 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 36% were women.

IU Bloomington does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Report

2,094 Total Awards
$17,634 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,891 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 268 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, the large public school handed out 2,094 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Students from Illinois who attend UIUC full time pay an average of $17,634 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $37,632. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UIUC accumulate an average of $18,891 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UIUC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#6

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
1,595 Total Awards
$25,625 Avg Student Debt

Grand Valley State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. This large public school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 1,595 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,625 in student loans. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since GVSU does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Grand Valley State University

1,460 Total Awards
$16,142 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,353 Avg Student Debt

Miami University - Oxford came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,460 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Ohio pay an average of $16,142 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Miami University - Oxford. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $36,288. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Miami University - Oxford accumulate an average of $23,353 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Miami University - Oxford. During the 2019-2020 year, about 12% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Miami University - Oxford Report

1,428 Total Awards
$11,777 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,124 Avg Student Debt

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree business programs. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 1,428 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Ohio who attend UC full time pay an average of $11,777 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $27,111. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UC accumulate an average of $26,124 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UC. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#9

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
1,350 Total Awards
$9,992 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,133 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, the large public school awarded 1,350 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $9,992 in tuition and fees if they attend Purdue full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $28,794. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue accumulate an average of $19,133 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 43% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Purdue. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
1,276 Total Awards
$17,193 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,457 Avg Student Debt

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school handed out 1,276 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Students from Michigan who attend U-M full time pay an average of $17,193 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $55,097. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from U-M accumulate an average of $17,457 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at U-M, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#11

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
1,265 Total Awards
$13,968 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,109 Avg Student Debt

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Normal, Illinois, the large public school handed out 1,265 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Illinois pay an average of $13,968 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Illinois State. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $24,172. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,109 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Illinois State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

1,254 Total Awards
$27,487 Avg Student Debt

Kent State University at Kent came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 1,254 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,487 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Kent State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Kent State University at Kent

#13

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
1,212 Total Awards
$42,012 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,156 Avg Student Debt

DePaul University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,212 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

DePaul does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $42,012. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,156 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DePaul does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on DePaul University

1,101 Total Awards
$24,448 Avg Student Debt

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large public school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 1,101 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,448 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since OHIO Athens does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Report

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
1,088 Total Awards
$15,199 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,531 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Wayne State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their bachelor’s degree. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,088 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wayne State is $15,199. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $32,727. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,531 in student loans. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Wayne State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Wayne State University

#16

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
1,057 Total Awards
$10,125 Average Tuition & Fees
$42,448 Avg Student Debt

Purdue University Global ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,057 students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Indiana pay an average of $10,125 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Purdue University Global. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,436. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Purdue University Global accumulate an average of $42,448 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Since Purdue University Global is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Purdue University Global

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
1,048 Total Awards
$13,094 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,288 Avg Student Debt

Central Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 1,048 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $13,094 to cover tuition and fees at Central Michigan. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,288 in student loans. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.

Central Michigan does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 36% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#18

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
990 Total Awards
$15,032 Average Tuition & Fees
$44,637 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, DeVry University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their bachelor’s degree. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 990 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at DeVry University - Illinois is $15,032. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from DeVry University - Illinois accumulate an average of $44,637 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that DeVry University - Illinois does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on DeVry University - Illinois

#19

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
977 Total Awards
$9,610 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,297 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree business programs. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the large public school handed out 977 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $9,610 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UWM. Out-of-state students pay an average of $21,475. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,297 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UWM. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Report

#20

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
971 Total Awards
$13,434 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,986 Avg Student Debt

Western Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #20 on the list. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 971 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $13,434 in tuition and fees if they attend WMU full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,768. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,986 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.

WMU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Western Michigan University

#21

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
924 Total Awards
$10,290 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,583 Avg Student Debt

Ball State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. This large public school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 924 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Ball State is $10,290. Out-of-state students pay an average of $27,524. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,583 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.

Ball State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Ball State University

#22

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
907 Total Awards
$15,603 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,801 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 907 students in 2020-2021.

Students from Illinois who attend UIC full time pay an average of $15,603 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $30,370. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $19,801 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at UIC. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Report

#23

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
851 Total Awards
$47,808 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,570 Avg Student Debt

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 851 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago is $47,808. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Loyola Chicago accumulate an average of $23,570 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Loyola Chicago. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Loyola University Chicago Report

#24

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin
848 Total Awards
$7,730 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,228 Avg Student Debt

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 848 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from Wisconsin who attend UW - Whitewater full time pay an average of $7,730 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,602. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,228 in student loans. Around 35% of those degree recipients were women.

UW - Whitewater does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#25

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
841 Total Awards
$58,843 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,395 Avg Student Debt

University of Notre Dame ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 841 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $58,843. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,395 in student loans. Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Notre Dame, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Notre Dame Report

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#27

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#28

Northwood University

Midland, Michigan
#29

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio
#30

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#31

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio
#33

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
#34

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
#35

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#36

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#40

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin
#41

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan

View Most Popular Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular business schools ranking:

Rank School Location
42 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
43 Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OH
44 Davenport University Grand Rapids, MI
45 Butler University Indianapolis, IN
46 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
47 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
48 Northwestern University Evanston, IL
49 University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI
50 University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MI
51 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
52 Baker College Owosso, MI
53 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
53 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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