The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Program in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business prepares students for a career and a full life during their first job and beyond. In addition to specialization in eight majors, the college also offers a minor in Business Administration and three certificate programs. Graduates have opportunities for careers worldwide and for graduate study in many fields.
The BBA program takes full advantage of the university’s liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students acquire the verbal and quantitative reasoning skills they'll need for today’s business careers along with basic and specialized knowledge of business.
Business Majors
The college offers eight undergraduate majors that lead to a BBA degree:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics and Information Systems
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Risk Management and Insurance
Certificate Programs in Business
Certificate programs are open to students in any major and are usually completed to supplement a degree.
- Entrepreneurial Management
- International Business
- Risk Management and Insurance
- Strategic Sales
- Wealth Management
Minor in Business Administration
For undergraduate students who are not majoring in business, the college offers a Minor in Business Administration.
Why Iowa?
The Tippie College of Business is known for the strength of its academic departments and the community built by its students, faculty, and staff. U.S. News & World Report ranks Iowa's undergraduate business program in the top 25 public universities nationwide. Individually, the college’s six departments have earned high marks in national rankings and studies of academic programs.
Students in the college's eight majors will focus on a core academic discipline but are able to supplement their degree with interdisciplinary certificates, minors, or a second major in another college. Academic pursuits are complemented by an array of leadership opportunities, internships, research, service-learning, and Study Abroad programs.
The college's Direct Admission program for qualifying first-year students provides a variety of activities that enhance student development, such as housing in the Connect2Biz living learning community, which is located in the University of Iowa residence halls. Direct Admission students also may apply for the Tippie First-Year Scholarship, valued at $1,500 to $3,000.
If you know that a Tippie degree is right for you, start in the BA program in Economics and decide whether to pursue admission to the BBA program, or gain early admission to the BBA program right out of high school. If you’re not sure whether Tippie has what you want, you can start as a Pre-Business student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to explore everything Iowa has to offer.
Admission to Tippie is slightly different depending on which degree you want and where you’re coming from.
Admission Requirements
BBA Admission
Admission to all of Iowa's undergraduate Business majors is selective. Students may be admitted to the Tippie College of Business BBA Program either through Direct Admission or Standard Admission.
Direct Admission is for first-year students with a 3.60 high school grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale and an ACT composite score of 26 or higher. Applicants who meet the high school course requirements and either the GPA or test score requirement will be carefully considered for Direct Admission. Standard Admission is for current UI Business Interest students that meet the established admission criteria, typically after their first year.
Information
Related Links
First-Year
Transfer
International
Careers and Outcomes
Within six months of graduating, 95 percent of Iowa graduates are employed, continuing education, or not seeking work. Our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Student Opportunities
Iowa students choose from more than 600 student organizations and multiple undergraduate research opportunities.
Students use UI academic resources such as the University of Iowa Honors Program, internships and career preparation offered by the Pomerantz Career Center, and Study Abroad. They also participate in College of Business Student Organizations, leadership conferences, and case studies that provide leadership opportunities.
Study Abroad
In today's global economy, students must prepare to work with people around the world. Study Abroad provides opportunities to develop multicultural skills and increase proficiency in a world language. UI Study Abroad coordinates a wide selection of programs open to all undergraduates. In addition, the Tippie College of Business offers the following programs for its students:
- Business program in London: A Tippie College of Business faculty member teaches this course during the UI winter session (late December to January). You'll live in a student apartment in central London, visit businesses, learn from business leaders, and take in cultural and historic sites. Class offerings vary from year to year.
- International Business in Sydney: Gain a deeper understanding of international business in Sydney, Australia. Focus on global business in the Asia Pacific region through company presentations, tours, cultural activities, and course led by University of Technology, Sydney. This course is during the UI Winter session (Late December to January).
- Introduction to Global Business in Singapore: Gain a deeper understanding of international business in Singapore. The program focuses on global business in the Asia Pacific region through company presentations, tours, cultural activities, and a course led by a local faculty member. This program is offered during May session and open to all Tippie students, but it is ideal for students coming out of their first or second year who need to complete their International Global Issues general education course and Tippie RISE for their BBA.
- Santiago Summer Session: Gain a deeper understanding of international business in Santiago, Chile, through this two-week program in May. This course will be taught by Tippie faculty and students will engage in course material and will visit local businesses, hear from guest lecturers, explore Chilean culture, and have an opportunity to meet local university students.
Scholarships
The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students.
For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college. Over 300 scholarships are available to business students, some designed specifically for first-year students.
The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.
Coursework
In addition to required coursework for the major, all students must complete the college's General Education Requirements. Introductory Business courses in accounting, business technology and AI, economics, calculus, and statistics must be completed before beginning the following core Business courses:
- Business Communication and Professionalism
- Foundations of Business Analytics
- Introductory Financial Management
- Introduction to Law
- Introduction to Management
- Information Systems
- Operations Management
- Introduction to Marketing Strategy
View Bachelor of Business Administration in the UI General Catalog to learn about required coursework, graduating with honors, and the Tippie College of Business Undergraduate Honor Code.
Tippie RISE
All Tippie College of Business undergraduate students must successfully complete at least one Tippie RISE experience (research, an internship, Study Abroad, or experiential learning). Students will bridge the classroom with the real world and gain a competitive edge in the job market and in admission to graduate school.