Best Online Business Administration Programs in Columbia, TN (2026)
Columbia, Tennessee has a population of about 43,971. The city’s median household income is $61,204 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Columbia, with tuition ranging from $4,498 to $17,698 per year. In the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $140,440 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 37.0 mi | $4,498 - $17,698 | – |
| Belmont University | Nashville, TN | 38.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 38.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 39.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Columbia
Columbia is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area (BLS area code 34980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $108,380 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $112,544 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $132,060 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $137,134 |
| Financial Manager | $140,440 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $145,836 |
| Human Resources Manager | $128,810 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $133,759 |
| Management Analyst | $102,080 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $106,002 |
| Project Management Specialist | $86,930 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $90,270 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $79,310 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $82,357 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,920 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $64,299 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $68,170 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $70,789 |
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 | 43,971 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,204 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Maury County | 691 workers, 206 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Spring Hill, TN – 11.3 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Franklin, TN – 23.4 mi away (74,794 pop)
- Brentwood, TN – 29.7 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 34.6 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Smyrna, TN – 38.1 mi away (48,596 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Columbia, TN?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN (36.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Trevecca Nazarene University (39.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
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: Financial Manager ($140,440), Administrative Services Manager ($132,060), Human Resources Manager ($128,810). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Spring Hill instead of Columbia?
Spring Hill, TN is 11.3 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 $61,204 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee 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 Tennessee
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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