The Best Business Schools Near Cincinnati for 2027

The University of Cincinnati offers a Bachelor of Applied Administration in Healthcare Leadership, an online degree-completion program for healthcare professionals. Students enter with an associate degree in an allied health or health-related field from an accredited institution plus certification or licensure in their area of practice, so they lose no credits from the associate degree. A non-health associate degree is also accepted with a healthcare certification and at least five years of work experience. Students complete 60 credit hours at Cincinnati and enroll as juniors. Courses run on a carousel, so students can begin any semester, with full-time (five semesters) and part-time options. The program aims at supervisory, managerial and administrative roles in healthcare organizations.

Cincinnati admits 85% of applicants and graduates 75% of its students. In-state tuition is $11,685, compared with $27,019 for out-of-state students. The program's Program Score is 85.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits working clinicians such as technicians and therapists who already hold credentials and want a bachelor's degree they can complete online around a job. It is not a fit for students starting college without an associate degree. The university enrolls 45,026 students.

Based in Lexington, KY, University of Kentucky is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #5 of the 10 ranked here, earning an 81.2 Program Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 80.6 group average, in the middle third of the 10 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Kentucky admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 59% rate at Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 80%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 34,709 students.

On cost, Kentucky charges $12,109 a year in-state, roughly 2.7x the $32,747 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $11,685 at Cincinnati to $49,195 at Xavier. The spread makes the program a clearer value for KY residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration for students who want a work and study balance. The 120-credit curriculum covers finance, human resources, marketing, analytics and healthcare policy, with courses such as Health Care Law, Health Care Policy, Financial Management of Health Care Institutions and Health Care Strategic Planning. A partnership with The Christ Hospital supports capstone and on-site internship options, and in the final term students can complete a for-credit internship in areas such as finance, technology, revenue cycle management or human resources. The college lists a 2.0 minimum GPA for first-time students and treats ACT and SAT scores as optional.

Federal data show a 56% graduation rate and a 59% admit rate at the college, with tuition listed at $17,325 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program's ranking rests on its Program Score of 79.5 out of 100. The format suits working adults and first-time degree seekers who want a healthcare-specific business degree with a hospital connection, and it also prepares graduates for later study such as an MHA or MBA. Students who need a campus-based experience may prefer another route, since the program is delivered online.

Xavier University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting through its Williams College of Business, which the school reports is AACSB accredited. The page describes a four-year curriculum covering introductory and intermediate financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, accounting information systems, auditing and a business capstone, with a choice of accounting electives and VITA tax-service options. Xavier says the degree is a step toward the 150-hour requirement that Ohio and other states set for the CPA exam. Students who want to finish those hours can pursue the five-year Master of Science in Accountancy, which combines the BSBA in Accounting with an MBA. Graduates can move into accounting, information systems, cost management, taxation or auditing.

Federal figures show a 69% graduation rate and an 86% admit rate. Tuition is $49,195 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, since Xavier is a private nonprofit. The program earns a Program Score of 79.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who already know they want the CPA path and are willing to pay private-school prices for a structured curriculum, a defined route to the 150-hour requirement and a Jesuit liberal arts core.

Based in Kettering, OH, Kettering College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #8 of the 10 ranked here, earning a 76.7 Program Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 80.6 group average, in the lower third of the 10 ranked programs. The program graduates 65% of its students, below the 69% average across the ranked schools. Kettering College admits 77% of applicants, more selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 59% rate at Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 80%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 757 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.

On cost, Kettering College charges $16,320 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $11,685 at Cincinnati to $49,195 at Xavier. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Lexington, KY, Transylvania University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #9 of the 10 ranked here, earning a 75.3 Program Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 80.6 group average, in the lower third of the 10 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 69% average across the ranked schools. Transylvania admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 59% rate at Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 80%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,006 students.

On cost, Transylvania charges $44,880 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $11,685 at Cincinnati to $49,195 at Xavier. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.

Based in Georgetown, KY, Georgetown College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 10 ranked here, earning a 60.8 Program Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 80.6 group average, in the lower third of the 10 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 69% average across the ranked schools. Georgetown College admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 59% rate at Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 80%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,345 students.

On cost, Georgetown College charges $41,840 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $11,685 at Cincinnati to $49,195 at Xavier. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. It earns its place in the top 10 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.