colleges for average optimistic student?

Probably wouldn’t be the “best” you could get into, but have you checked out Creighton University in Omaha, NE?
I know, when you think of Nebraska you are turned away, but Omaha is very urban (unlike the rest of Nebraska).
It has 8,000 students, private (Jesuit affiliated but isn’t pushed on the students), and a very quality business school (#1 in the Midwest).
Nebraska will give you all types of weather. There is also no football so you wouldn’t feel left out of that.
http://www.creighton.edu/program/Marketing-Major-BSBA
http://www.creighton.edu/program/Finance-Major-BSBA