Best Online Business Administration Programs in Columbus, MS (2026)

Columbus, Mississippi has a population of about 23,616. The city’s median household income is $40,588 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Columbus, with tuition ranging from $3,420 to $33,200 per year. In Mississippi, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $105,970 annually (BLS, May 2024).


Closest Business Administration Schools to Columbus

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Columbus city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS22.0 mi$9,815 - $26,922
East Mississippi Community CollegeScooba, MS47.0 miContact school for pricing
Itawamba Community CollegeFulton, MS53.0 mi$3,420 - $11,557
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL54.2 mi$11,900 - $33,200
University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL64.3 miContact school for pricing

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi business administration page.


Business Administration Wages Near Columbus

OccupationMedian Annual Wage (Mississippi, statewide)
General and Operations Manager$88,290
Administrative Services Manager$90,710
Financial Manager$105,970
Human Resources Manager$103,150
Management Analyst$70,010
Project Management Specialist$77,500
Accountant or Auditor$64,170
Training and Development Specialist$52,160
Office and Administrative Support Supervisor$53,440

Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.


Columbus at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population23,616Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$40,588Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+25.8%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Business Administration-related employment in Lowndes County198 workers, 44 establishmentsBLS QCEW 2024 annual

Other Columbus-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited business administration programs are near Columbus, MS?

Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Columbus. The closest is Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS (22.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of West Alabama (64.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying business administration roles in Mississippi?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles in Mississippi are: Financial Manager ($105,970), Human Resources Manager ($103,150), Administrative Services Manager ($90,710). Wages for Columbus workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Starkville instead of Columbus?

Starkville, MS is 24.2 miles from Columbus and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.

Is Columbus an affordable place to study business administration?

Columbus’s median household income of $40,588 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbus while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.

How do I verify a program is accredited?

Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.