Choices of Colleges in and around Concord, NC

What viable options do I have if I'm looking for colleges in and around Concord, NC? And has anyone heard anything about their business courses? Do they rank well?

Sure, there are several good college options in and around Concord, NC to consider. You might want to look into:

1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Not directly in Concord, but a quick 20-minute drive. They have a well-regarded Belk College of Business with a variety of undergraduate business programs.

2. Johnson & Wales University (Charlotte campus) — Offers a variety of specialized business programs. This campus also has a culinary business program, in case you have interest in both fields.

3. Davidson College — About a 30-minute drive from Concord, known more for liberal arts but they have a strong economics department which could be relevant.

4. Pfeiffer University — A small private university located in Misenheimer, about a 30-minute drive from Concord. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business.

As far as rankings, it's essential to note that different ranking sources can yield different results based on the metrics they use. Specific program rankings, especially for business, can vary widely depending on whether you look at undergraduate or MBA rankings, and whether you focus on specific specialties within business.

However, UNC Charlotte's Belk College of Business is often well-regarded, particularly their Part-Time MBA program. Davidson College also has a national reputation for the quality of its undergraduate programs, even though it doesn't offer a specific "business" major.

Before you make any decisions, I'd highly recommend visiting these campuses (if possible), talking to current students, and connecting with the admissions offices. This will give you a more in-depth understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each program, beyond what you can glean from rankings alone.