The Best Business Schools in St. Louis for 2027

Lindenwood University's marketing option sits inside its Master of Business Administration. Students can add a Marketing emphasis, one of a dozen the school lists that also include Management, Leadership, Supply Chain Management and Project Management. The general MBA runs 33 to 51 credit hours, built on nine core courses and four electives, and an emphasis adds coursework beyond that. Applicants may need up to nine hours of prerequisites first. The school offers the degree in a traditional classroom setting and as an online option, with courses in 8-week terms and five terms a year, on a part-time or full-time basis.

Federal data show a 49% graduation rate at Lindenwood and a 57% admit rate, so admission is moderately selective. The program earns a Program Score of 82.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. That score is strong next to the school's overall graduation figure, and it suggests the program itself performs better than the campus-wide rate implies. The format suits working professionals who want to add marketing coursework to a general business degree, and the online path helps students who travel or work long hours. Those who want a single-subject marketing master's should note that this is an MBA emphasis rather than a stand-alone degree.

Principia College offers a B.A. major in Business Administration totaling 48 semester hours. The core covers business analytics, micro and macroeconomics, management information systems, financial and managerial accounting, marketing, operations and supply chain management, managerial finance, managing organizations and strategic management, which must be taken at Principia. Every major completes a business internship, though students may substitute a for-credit internship on request, and must choose three advisor-approved courses in an area of emphasis such as Tech Innovation, Finance, Marketing or Entrepreneurship. The Tech Innovation emphasis connects to the Center for Business and Computer Science and allows a double major. A cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher in required courses is needed to complete the major.

Principia is an open admission college, and it graduates 74% of its students. In-state tuition is $33,600, and out-of-state tuition is also $33,600. The program has a Program Score of 81.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. With only 339 students enrolled, it fits those who want a very small campus, close advising and a required internship built into the degree. Students who want a flexible emphasis, or a business and computer science double major, have room to shape the program.

Blackburn College offers an accounting major within its business program. The page describes training in building and maintaining an accounting system under generally accepted accounting principles, along with auditing, taxes and accounting information systems. Students use spreadsheets and accounting software to prepare budgets and financial statement analysis, and they present results in writing and orally. Courses include Financial Reporting, Managerial and Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation, Auditing and Accounting Information Systems. Business students also take part in labor negotiations day and field trips, and study economics, marketing, management and finance. Through the college Work Program, accounting students gain experience in the accounts receivable and accounts payable departments of the Business Office, and some positions in Institutional Advancement also use accounting skills.

Blackburn graduates 57% of its students and admits 63% of applicants. In-state tuition is $28,149, and out-of-state tuition is the same. The program earns a Program Score of 76.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a very small campus of about 513 students and paid, on-campus accounting work experience built into the degree.