Best Online Business Administration Programs in Columbia, MO (2026)
Columbia, Missouri has a population of about 127,200. The city’s median household income is $64,488 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 56.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering business administration programs near Columbia, with tuition ranging from $28,200 to $49,646 per year for indexed programs. In the Columbia, MO metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Human Resources Manager at a median $127,540 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Columbia
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 24 schools in our directory that offer business administration programs near Columbia. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia, MO | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stephens College | Columbia, MO | 0.5 mi | $28,200 - $42,694 | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, MO | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westminster College | Fulton, MO | 21.1 mi | $34,188 - $49,646 | – |
| William Woods University | Fulton, MO | 21.1 mi | $28,860 - $44,907 | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette, MO | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette, MO | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City, MO | 27.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Christian College of the Bible | Moberly, MO | 31.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moberly Area Community College | Moberly, MO | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Columbia
Columbia is part of the Columbia, MO metro area (BLS area code 17860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $75,300 | Columbia, MO | $84,228 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $104,210 | Columbia, MO | $116,566 |
| Financial Manager | $121,720 | Columbia, MO | $136,152 |
| Human Resources Manager | $127,540 | Columbia, MO | $142,662 |
| Management Analyst | $84,620 | Columbia, MO | $94,653 |
| Project Management Specialist | $83,670 | Columbia, MO | $93,591 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $68,170 | Columbia, MO | $76,253 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $60,750 | Columbia, MO | $67,953 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $62,560 | Columbia, MO | $69,978 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,488 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 56.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Boone County | 3,843 workers, 223 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Jefferson City, MO – 27.5 mi away (58,439 pop)
- Sedalia, MO – 51.7 mi away (26,302 pop)
- Rolla, MO – 75.7 mi away (20,692 pop)
- Warrensburg, MO – 76.5 mi away (22,227 pop)
- Wentzville, MO – 79.0 mi away (37,395 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration schools are near Columbia, MO?
Our directory has 24 accredited schools offering business administration programs near Columbia. The closest is University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, MO (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Moberly Area Community College (33.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Columbia are: Human Resources Manager ($127,540), Financial Manager ($121,720), Administrative Services Manager ($104,210). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Jefferson City instead of Columbia?
Jefferson City, MO is 27.5 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study business administration?
Columbia’s median household income of $64,488 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in Missouri
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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