The LaPenta School of Business at Iona University provides students with a rigorous, hands-on business education that emphasizes experiential learning, professional development, and industry engagement. Located in New Rochelle, New York, just 20 miles from New York City, the school offers students unique access to one of the world’s largest business and financial hubs. This proximity provides students with invaluable networking and internship opportunities, enhancing their career prospects and exposure to real-world business environments.
In the 2025 Poets&Quants rankings, the LaPenta School of Business ranked 73rd among the best undergraduate business schools in the U.S. It placed 98th in Admission Standards, 79th in Career Outcomes, and 14th in Academic Experience which is based on the alumni survey.
The school maintains an 88% acceptance rate, with an average SAT score of 1204 and a six-year graduation rate of 65%.
The LaPenta School of Business emphasizes career readiness through internship programs, professional networking, and corporate engagement. Employment data shows that 89.55% of the Class of 2024 secured full-time jobs within three months of graduation. Graduates reported an average starting salary of $72,600.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The LaPenta School of Business opened a new, state-of-the-art facility in 2020, featuring world-class educational resources designed to foster hands-on learning. A key highlight of the building is the LaPenta-Lynch Trading Floor, which is equipped with Bloomberg terminals, providing students with real-time access to financial data and preparing them for careers in finance, investment, and analytics.
Students benefit from C-Suite Talks, a speaker series that brings top executives from major corporations to campus to discuss industry trends, leadership insights, and career development. Recent speakers have included leaders from Visa, Heineken USA, and Steve Madden. The school also prides itself on its 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized mentorship and close faculty-student engagement.
The LaPenta School has introduced several key curriculum enhancements in recent years to align with industry demands and expand student career opportunities. A new major and minor in Entrepreneurship have been added, alongside minors in Business Analytics and Sports Business, allowing students to specialize in high-growth industries. The school has also introduced new courses in Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, and Python Programming, ensuring students develop the technical and analytical skills needed in today’s job market.
A strong focus on professional skill-building is embedded into the curriculum. The school recently introduced three new required core business courses—Professional Skills I, Professional Skills II, and Excel—to strengthen students’ workplace competencies. Additionally, International Business majors must now complete a Study Abroad business course and fulfill a second-language requirement, reflecting the school’s commitment to global business education.
To further enhance real-world learning, senior business courses now integrate experiential learning opportunities, requiring students to work on industry projects and case studies. The school is also expanding its alumni mentorship program, engaging successful graduates as mentors for students enrolled in Professional Skills II.
NEW YORK CITY CONNECTIONS
The LaPenta School offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate business majors leading to a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. Students can pursue Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics & Information Systems, Entrepreneurship, Finance, International Business, Management, and Marketing. These programs are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in business fundamentals while allowing them to tailor their studies to their specific career goals.
Thanks to its proximity to New York City, the LaPenta School of Business maintains close ties with leading companies in finance, technology, consulting, and consumer industries. Students benefit from corporate visits, networking events, and mentorship programs with industry leaders. Notable alumni include Al Kelly, former CEO of Visa; Maggie Timoney, CEO of Heineken USA; and Zine Mazouzi, CFO of Steve Madden.
Students have participated in corporate site visits at Google, L’Oréal, and Yankee Stadium, gaining firsthand insights into business operations and career opportunities. Through its commitment to academic excellence, professional development, and industry partnerships, the LaPenta School of Business at Iona University prepares graduates to thrive in today’s competitive business environment.
ALUMNI SAY
“I was part of a student-managed investment fund which acted as a course while teaching students the different approaches to investing. The hands-on approach of actively managing an investment portfolio allowed me to gain significant insight and knowledge of the financial markets. It also served as a great course to list on my resume which helped me stand out in comparison to other candidates.”
“The internship at Iona highly encouraged allowed me to earn money, build skills, and grow acclimated to the process of joining the workforce without compromising my ability to maintain a high G.P.A.”
“I wish I could experience my time at Iona all over again.”
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my amazing finance professor at Iona University. Thank you Professor Carey for all your guidance and insights!”
“I could not recommend Iona University’s LaPenta School of Business enough. Combine the amazing faculty, resources, and location and you’d have a difficult time finding a better school to pursue a business degree. The level of engagement, support, and encouragement from the faculty was amazing.”
