10 Undergraduate Business Schools To Watch In 2025

Trinity University Michael Neidorff School of Business

This up-and-coming business school in San Antonio, Texas, certainly caught our attention this year by claiming the highest debut in our 2025 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S.

For 2025, we ranked 19 business programs not previously ranked, and Trinity’s Michael Neidorff School of Business beat them all, landing at No. 27 out of 104 ranked programs. Neidorff alumni ranked the school exceptionally well, giving it the 12th-highest score in our Academic Experience category, which is based solely on our alumni survey.

“The Neidorff School of Business is unique because it allows students the opportunity to earn a degree from an AACSB-accredited business school, all while immersed in a liberal arts institution,” one Class of 2022 alumnus told us.

“Classes are taught by experts in their respective fields whose focus is on advancing undergraduate excellence through research, global scholarship, professional certification, and experiential learning. Graduates emerge with deep knowledge of business fundamentals and practical application of advanced trends, making them highly sought after in their industries.”

Trinity Neidorff’s brand of business education is rooted in the liberal arts. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business for students who want to double major in another subject as well as a Bachelor of Science with six possible majors: Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, and Marketing.

Neirdorff also emphasizes experiential, practice-based learning across its programs. For example, fourth-year Business Analytics and Human Resource Management majors act as consultants to nonprofits and small businesses, using their classroom learning to address real-world business challenges. Its Student Managed Fund, among the largest in the country, tasks students with managing a portion of the university’s endowment.

In the next academic year, Neidorff will welcome a new dean, Raquel Meyer Alexander, the founding dean of Freeman College of Management at Bucknell University, which launched in 2017. Under her leadership, Freeman secured more than $80 million in philanthropic support, launched innovative academic programs, and earned national recognition – including a top-20 finish in P&Q’s 2022 ranking.

Consider yourself on notice, Neidorff. We’ll be watching.

Q&A WITH ROBERT F. SCHERER

Current Dean Robert F. Scherer tells us what makes Neidorff Business so special in the Q&A below.

What are recent and upcoming program developments and innovations that will enhance the experience of future students?

Our program continues to evolve in meaningful ways to enhance the student experience, with recent and upcoming innovations focused on technology integration, hands-on learning, and expanded industry engagement.

One of the most exciting developments is the creation of a new social science lab in the recently renovated Chapman Center. Equipped with advanced technology such as virtual reality headsets and eye-tracking equipment, the lab offers students in marketing and management the opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art tools used in the industry. The space also serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and student-faculty collaboration.

In addition, we are incorporating artificial intelligence projects into courses such as Business Analytics, giving students early exposure to emerging technologies and their real-world applications.

Our strong connection to the business community continues to be a hallmark of the student experience. Through active student organizations such as the American Marketing Association and the Society for Human Resource Management, students engage regularly with industry professionals. Many also participate in competitive events, both regionally and nationally, across nearly all majors, guided by faculty mentors like Drs. Diana Young, Tianxi Dong, and Dante Suarez.

Any other notable news coming for 2025 that readers should know?

For the 2025–26 academic year, the Neidroff School of Business is proud to welcome Raquel Meyer Alexander, Ph.D., as its new dean. Dr. Alexander is a seasoned academic leader with over two decades of experience in higher education and a strong commitment to integrating business education within the liberal arts landscape.

The school is also excited to welcome three new faculty members, two in Marketing and one in Business Analytics. These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to providing students with access to expert, engaged faculty who are dedicated to their academic and professional experiences at Trinity.

At the University level, this is a defining moment for Trinity. Through our strategic plan Ready. Set. Rise, we are committed to redefining liberal arts education for the 21st century. As part of this bold vision, we remain deeply committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. By combining innovative program developments rooted in liberal arts, we are preparing our students to become agile, ethical, and globally minded leaders, fully equipped to thrive in an interconnected world.

What are your program’s two biggest differentiators from other top undergraduate business programs? How do these prepare students for their careers?

Two key differentiators set our undergraduate business program apart from other top programs: a strong emphasis on practice-based learning and the unique opportunity to study business within a liberal arts institution.

Our curriculum integrates real-world, practice-based experiences across multiple disciplines. For example, fourth-year students in Business Analytics and Human Resource Management serve as consultants to nonprofit organizations and small enterprises, applying their classroom knowledge to solve real business challenges. This hands-on approach to learning develops critical skills essential for career readiness.

Our Student Managed Fund is one of the largest undergraduate-managed funds in the country, currently valued at over $12 million. This two-semester class provides students with the opportunity to manage a portion of the University’s endowment, gaining practical investment experience and financial decision-making skills in a high-stakes environment.

Rooted in the liberal arts, these experiences equip students with both the technical expertise and the critical thinking skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

What separates your graduates from other business school graduates?

In addition to being career-ready upon graduation, our graduates possess a unique blend of technical proficiency and broad-based competencies developed through Trinity’s integration of liberal arts and business education. Our students graduate with strong analytical, technological, and decision-making skills. They also excel in communication, teamwork, and interpersonal collaboration – skills that are increasingly critical in today’s complex and dynamic business environments.

Through hands-on learning opportunities and a curriculum that emphasizes both depth and breadth, our graduates are equipped to think critically, lead with integrity, and contribute meaningfully from day one.

Explain the career services, programming, and extracurriculars that give your students an advantage in career outcomes.

All Trinity University students have access to the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS). CELCS offers a wide array of resources that prepare students for their careers and post-graduate pursuits, including internships, service learning, job searches, graduate school advising, and the Find Your Direction Fund, which helps financially support students pursuing experiential learning. These comprehensive services equip students with the tools they need to thrive professionally and make an impact beyond Trinity.

Students also engage in a wide variety of extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities that develop leadership, communication, and professional skills. These include student-run organizations, academic clubs, leadership development programs, and professional networking events. Trinity also offers more than 100 majors and minors, along with interdisciplinary and advising programs that allow students to tailor their academic journey. More than 70% of students participate in clubs or intramural sports, further enriching the student experience through community, collaboration, and teamwork.

Together, resources like CELCS and Trinity’s holistic approach to student development play a vital role in achieving the University’s 98% outcomes rate, with 98% of recent graduates employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.

When alumni look back on their time in your undergraduate business program, what would they consider to be their signature experience?

When alumni reflect on their time within the business program, they often point to the school’s distinctive blend of academic rigor, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary programming as their signature Trinity experience. The University uniquely offers the best of both worlds, an intimate, close-knit community with the flexibility and personal attention of a small college, combined with the cutting-edge resources, expert faculty, and robust facilities more commonly found at larger universities. In the heart of San Antonio and one of the fastest-growing cities in America, Trinity serves as a “living laboratory” for students. The city’s dynamic economy, driven by thriving sectors such as medical and biomedical research, biotechnology, energy, manufacturing, tourism, technology, and the military, provides unmatched opportunities for real-world learning, internships, and career development.

What resonates most with graduates is the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning. Whether consulting for local organizations, managing investment portfolios, or collaborating with faculty on research projects, these immersive experiences deepen students’ technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills while also building confidence and career readiness.

In addition, many alumni point to the transformative impact of studying abroad. With access to a range of global programs, students gain first-hand exposure to international cultures and economies. This experience broadens their worldview, enhances cross-cultural skills, and prepares them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

What is the most underrated feature of your undergraduate business program and how does it enhance the experience for your business majors?

Our faculty are not only experts in their fields but also deeply committed to student success, engaging with students both inside and outside of the classroom. Access to mentorship, personalized guidance, and a collaborative learning environment is rare at the undergraduate level.

Another distinctive feature is the option to earn a B.A. in business, which allows students to combine the core business curriculum with a second major outside of the business school. This interdisciplinary approach provides students with the opportunity to tailor their education to their interests, whether in the arts, sciences, or social sciences, giving them a competitive edge in today’s dynamic job market.

Our strong emphasis on undergraduate research further enhances the student experience and is a clear reflection of our commitment to academic excellence. Through year-round opportunities and summer undergraduate research fellowships, students across all majors can work directly with faculty on meaningful research projects. Faculty such as Drs. Mario Gonzalez, Amy Holmes, and Julie Persellin have actively mentored undergraduate researchers, offering students hands-on experience, personalized guidance, and the opportunity to contribute to scholarly work that extends beyond the classroom.

Together, these elements create a business program that is not only academically rigorous but also rich in access, excellence, and opportunity.

Which employers are the biggest consumers of your undergraduate talent and what have they told you about your alumni that make them so special?

Our undergraduate business students are highly sought after by leading employers across a wide range of industries. Top companies such as Dell Technologies, Valero Energy Corporation, Frost Bank, USAA, and the Big Four accounting firms consistently recruit our graduates. Regional and national investment firms, commercial banks, consulting companies, and nonprofit organizations actively seek our students through on-campus recruiting and internship opportunities developed in partnership with Trinity’s Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success.

Employers consistently highlight the career readiness of our alumni as a distinguishing factor. Many point to the hands-on learning experiences our students have as key to their ability to contribute from day one. Trinity’s emphasis on a liberal arts foundation combined with a rigorous business education ensures our alumni are not only technically proficient but also strategic thinkers and collaborative problem solvers.

What else would you like readers to know about your program?

Our program is distinguished not only by its academic rigor and faculty mentorship but also by the outstanding outcomes our students achieve.

We are proud of our students’ strong performance on professional certification exams, including a 100% pass rate on the SHRM-CP human resources certification exam and consistently high pass rates on the CPA and Excel certification exams. These outcomes reflect the quality of our curriculum and the holistic preparation our students receive.

Our students are also highly successful in launching their careers post-graduation. University-wide, 98% of recent graduates report positive outcomes, either employed or Michaeel Neidorff School of Business, and this success is even more apparent. The fifth-year Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program boasts a 100% employment rate upon graduation, while Business Analytics and Human Resources report nearly 100% placement in either full-time employment or graduate school.

Since 1998, all our business programs have been accredited by AACSB International. This accreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and the highest standard in business education.

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