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2025 Best General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region

104 Colleges in the Southeast Region
14,578 General Business Degrees Awarded
$51,660 Avg Early-Career Salary
General Business/Commerce is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #16 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 104 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for general business/commerce students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 14,578 degrees in general business/commerce annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Business/Commerce School

Best General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region The general business program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Business/Commerce rankings. For our Best Overall General Business/Commerce School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

General Business/Commerce Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in General Business
Bachelor's Degrees in General Business
Master's Degrees in General Business
Doctor's Degrees in General Business

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for General Business/Commerce in the Southeast Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general business degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Southeast Region Schools in General Business

1
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
154 General Business Degrees Awarded
14.9% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat Wake Forest University if you wish to pursue a degree in general business/commerce. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #76 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Wake Forest University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 154 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from Wake Forest University earn a boost of around $25,062 above the average earnings of general business/commerce graduates.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Wake Forest University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In VA
272 General Business Degrees Awarded

Any student pursuing a degree in general business/commerce needs to take a look at George Mason University. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were about 272 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from George Mason University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 General Business Degrees Awarded
19.3% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat Tulane University of Louisiana if you wish to pursue a degree in general business/commerce. Located in the large city of New Orleans, Tulane is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #95 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Tulane is a great university overall.

There were about 114 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent data year. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from Tulane University of Louisiana make $26,350 more than the typical general business grad.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Tulane University of Louisiana

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
484 General Business Degrees Awarded
7.4% Growth in Graduates

It is difficult to beat University of Kentucky if you wish to pursue a degree in general business/commerce. Located in the large city of Lexington, UK is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #220 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UK is a great university overall.

There were approximately 484 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from University of Kentucky earn a boost of about $3,852 over the typical income of general business/commerce graduates.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Kentucky

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
196 General Business Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #180 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UA is a great university overall.More information about a degree in general business/commerce from The University of Alabama

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
392 General Business Degrees Awarded
$56,737 Median Starting Salary

VCU is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Richmond. A Best Colleges rank of #189 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means VCU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 392 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce major at Virginia Commonwealth University get $5,076 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Virginia Commonwealth University

7
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In VA
27.3% Growth in Graduates

Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were approximately 11 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Virginia Tech

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
381 General Business Degrees Awarded
11.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #198 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USF Tampa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 381 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, general business degree recipients generally earn around $45,357 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of South Florida - Main Campus

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #99 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UofSC is a great university overall.More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of South Carolina - Columbia

10
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
345 General Business Degrees Awarded
27.0% Growth in Graduates

American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the fringe town of Charles Town. This university ranks 1st out of 25 schools for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were about 345 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the general business program report average early career income of $44,027.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from American Public University System

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In SC
285 General Business Degrees Awarded

The Citadel is a small public college located in the midsize city of Charleston. This college ranks 4th out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were approximately 285 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at The Citadel in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Citadel Military College of South Carolina

12
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
330 General Business Degrees Awarded
56.4% Growth in Graduates

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.

There were about 330 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from Florida State University get an earnings boost of about $17,305 above the typical earnings of general business/commerce graduates.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Florida State University

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
825 General Business Degrees Awarded
$59,046 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #217 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCF is a great university overall.

There were roughly 825 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent data year. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from University of Central Florida receive $7,386 more than the typical general business student.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Central Florida

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 General Business Degrees Awarded
25.5% Growth in Graduates

UGA is a very large public university located in the city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 55 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from University of Georgia receive an earnings boost of about $9,235 over the average income of general business/commerce majors.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from University of Georgia

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
246 General Business Degrees Awarded
24.8% Growth in Graduates

Georgia State is a very large public university located in the large city of Atlanta. This university ranks 17th out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 246 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State in the most recent data year. General Business/Commerce degree recipients from Georgia State University get an earnings boost of about $57,335 over the typical earnings of general business/commerce graduates.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Georgia State University

16
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
95 General Business Degrees Awarded
$60,893 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were about 95 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Belmont in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general business/commerce degree program at Belmont University earn $9,233 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Belmont University

17
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
121 General Business Degrees Awarded
$43,425 Median Starting Salary

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg. This university ranks 11th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 121 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, general business degree recipients generally make an average of $43,425 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Liberty University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
330 General Business Degrees Awarded

FSCJ is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Jacksonville. This college ranks 19th out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.More information about a degree in general business/commerce from Florida State College at Jacksonville

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
186 General Business Degrees Awarded
$68,347 Median Starting Salary

WVU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Morgantown. This university ranks 2nd out of 25 schools for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were about 186 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at WVU in the most recent year we have data available. Those general business/commerce students who get their degree from West Virginia University earn $16,687 more than the standard general business student.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from West Virginia University

20
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
119 General Business Degrees Awarded
1.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Lake Charles, SOWELA is a public college with a small student population.

There were approximately 119 general business/commerce students who graduated with this degree at SOWELA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the general business program state that they receive average early career earnings of $31,941.

More information about a degree in general business/commerce from SOWELA Technical Community College

Rest of the Top Best General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for General Business/Commerce students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
21 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY
22 Georgia Military College Milledgeville, GA
23 John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR
24 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
25 Randolph - Macon College Ashland, VA
26 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
27 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
28 Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN
29 Transylvania University Lexington, KY
30 Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FL
31 Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA
32 University of Mississippi University, MS
33 Augusta University Augusta, GA
34 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR

Best General Business/Commerce Colleges by State

Explore the best general business/commerce colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 2,025
Florida 282 1,813
North Carolina 279 494
Virginia 274 1,437
Tennessee 269 664
South Carolina 248 832
Kentucky 244 2,455
Louisiana 242 709
Mississippi 234 607
Arkansas 234 663
Alabama 233 302
West Virginia 207 870

View All Rankings >

General Business/Commerce is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.

General Business Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Business/Commerce 14,578

View All General Business Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Business Administration & Management 104,286
Accounting 22,857
Marketing 14,376
Finance & Financial Management 13,165
Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods 9,789
Hospitality Management 5,474
Business Support & Assistant Services 5,212
Entrepreneurial Studies 4,338
Human Resource Management 3,734
Management Information Systems 3,263

View All General Business Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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