Why a University of Oregon Business degree sets you apart from the crowd

Looking to earn a business bachelor’s degree in the USA? If so, the University of Oregon (UO) is an excellent choice!  

Along with ranking among the top 60 public universities in the USA, the University of Oregon is also in the top 50 for Business (U.S. News & World Report 2026) — placing it within the top 1% of all US universities.  

Here’s what makes the University of Oregon a top destination to study business in the USA. Or, if you’re ready to apply now, you can do so below! 

Strong rankings 

As a business student at UO, you’ll join the Lundquist College of Business — a high-ranking business school that has climbed even further in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Business School rankings.  

Some key rankings include:  

• #41 Best Business School (a 12-place rise from 2025) 
• #26 Best Public Business School 
• #14 Best Business School West of the Mississippi River 
• #10 Best Public Business School West of the Mississippi River 
• #5 Best Business School on the West Coast (California, Oregon, and Washington) 

These rankings highlight Lundquist’s recent success in boosting student outcomes and strengthening its reputation among employers. Business bachelor’s graduates from UO have a median starting salary of $65,000 (Class of 2023 first destination survey) — proof that a Lundquist degree is highly valued by employers across the West Coast and beyond! 

And when you join Lundquist, you’re not just joining a respected business school — you’ll also be part of a university that consistently boasts strong national and global rankings. 

Choose your area of expertise

Through Kaplan, you can study a Pre-Major in Business Administration at UO, which opens doors to a variety of concentrations.  

After completing a set of ten core courses and seven additional electives, you can then go on to specialize in:  

• Accounting 
• Entrepreneurship 
• Finance 
• Marketing 
• Operations and Business Analytics 
• Sports Analytics 

So, not only will you develop a robust general foundation in business, you’ll also get to study what interests you! For instance, if you want a career in mergers and acquisitions, or taxes, you could pursue the accounting concentration.

Alternatively, you may want to unpack how the stock market works, or learn how to identify and implement new business opportunities. If so, you could specialize in finance or entrepreneurship respectively.  

You can also combine business concentrations to support your specific career goals. An accounting concentration paired with finance, for example, would be ideal if you’re preparing for a career in asset management or investment banking. So, no matter what your ambitions are, you can choose a concentration that readies you for success in your chosen field.  

Adding to its strength, this program holds dual business and accounting accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) — the world’s leading business school accreditor. Only 1.5% of business schools worldwide have earned this distinction, making it a truly prestigious program that sets you apart from the competition! 

Hands-on learning  

“Learning by doing” is at the heart of the University of Oregon’s teaching philosophy. Studying business here goes far beyond textbooks; you’ll gain hands-on experience managing real dollars and working with companies on projects relevant to your studies. 

As part of its immersive teaching, the Lundquist School of Business offers a wide range of tours and site visits. This could involve visiting various companies in Portland, Oregon’s state capital, such as Mazama Capital Management or Morley Financial Services. Other opportunities take you even further afield to New York City, Seattle, and San Francisco for visits to major companies like Microsoft and Amazon!  

On top of this, Lundquist boasts four centers of excellence — designed to connect students with the region’s business industries: 

• Cameron Center for Finance and Securities Analysis — gain real-world experience managing live funds and engaging with Pacific Rim financial industries 
• Center for Sustainable Business Practices — work with industry professionals to learn how to balance social, environmental and financial responsibilities 
• Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship — connects students with resources, mentors, internships, and investors, giving them direct access to Oregon’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and beyond  
• Warsaw Sports Business Center — learn marketing and business principles in the context of sports 

And the opportunities don’t stop there! You’ll also have the chance to test your ideas in business plan, financial, and entrepreneurial pitch competitions — an exciting way to put your learning into practice and build confidence in real-world scenarios. 

Tailored career services 

In addition to its hands-on teaching approach, the University of Oregon offers a series of dedicated career support services. As a business student, you can take advantage of Lundquist Connect, which gives you access to 1,000+ alumni, providing a valuable source of expertise, support, and connections that can launch your career! 

UO also offers career resources designed specifically for international students. Through the Career Readiness Program, you can attend workshops and access a range of tools and guidance to help you prepare for career success, such as: 

• exploring jobs in your field through Handshake, UO’s dedicated job board 
• finding a job on campus 
• finding off-campus internships (paid or unpaid) 
• mock interviews  
• learning how to develop a résumé 
• tips for networking with professional organizations 

88% of UO students participate in at least one career experience (2021-22 First Destination Survey), so why not be one of them! With all these excellent resources — combined with 500+ companies visiting campus for career fairs and interviews each year — it’s no surprise that UO graduates have gone on to jobs with some of the world’s top companies, including:  

• Adidas  
• Amazon  
• Apple  
• Google  
• Meta  
• Microsoft  
• Nike  
• Salesforce 

Apply through Kaplan to the University of Oregon

Ready to launch your business career at the University of Oregon? If so, Kaplan is here to guide you.  

In addition to waiving your UO application fee, our friendly team of experts can give you a free call to advise on things like deadlines and scholarships to keep you on track. We’ll also assess your transcripts and personal statement, helping you put together the best application you can, to increase your chances of getting admitted to the University of Oregon.  

To learn more, feel free to get in touch and we’ll help you get started on your journey to becoming a mighty Oregon Duck!