Best Online Business Administration Programs in Hickory, NC (2026)
Hickory, North Carolina has a population of about 43,747. The city’s median household income is $63,361 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Hickory, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $32,494 per year. In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $132,480 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Hickory
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Hickory city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory, NC | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 3.7 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 30.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 36.9 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
| Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Hickory
Hickory is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area (BLS area code 25860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $91,030 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $102,859 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $86,690 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $97,955 |
| Financial Manager | $132,480 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $149,695 |
| Human Resources Manager | $112,070 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $126,633 |
| Management Analyst | $73,470 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $83,017 |
| Project Management Specialist | $92,580 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $104,610 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $77,190 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $87,220 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $50,060 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $56,565 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $59,280 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $66,983 |
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.
Hickory at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,747 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,361 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Catawba County | 2,581 workers, 278 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hickory-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 19.1 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Statesville, NC – 25.5 mi away (26,506 pop)
- Mooresville, NC – 30.0 mi away (36,543 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 30.9 mi away (28,515 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 33.7 mi away (27,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Hickory, NC?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Hickory. The closest is Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Appalachian State University (38.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Hickory?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Hickory are: Financial Manager ($132,480), Human Resources Manager ($112,070), Project Management Specialist ($92,580). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lincolnton instead of Hickory?
Lincolnton, NC is 19.1 miles from Hickory 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 Hickory an affordable place to study business administration?
Hickory’s median household income of $63,361 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hickory while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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