For the fifth year in a row, U.S. News and World Report has ranked the Colorado State University College of Business Online MBA No. 1 in Colorado. The College’s Online Master of Computer Information Systems (MCIS) degree also took the top spot statewide among information and technology programs for the fourth year in a row.
The Online MBA ranked No. 39 among public institutions and No. 52 nationwide in the highly competitive category, placing in the top 15% of 358 programs evaluated for 2022 by U.S. News. The Online MCIS was ranked No. 21 among public programs and No. 31 nationwide and was also ranked among the Top 20 programs for veterans in the country.
These rankings among the nation’s leading programs reflect the College’s innovative approach to graduate education and helping professionals pursue their career goals. The high marks recognize the programs’ success in providing students opportunities to engage with their instructors and peers, faculty credentials, student excellence and access to effective learning technologies and support services.
“We are proud to be recognized as the No. 1 Online MBA in Colorado and among the best nationally for the high-quality education that we continue to offer our students year after year,” said College of Business Dean Beth Walker. “Our innovative delivery model and world-class faculty ensure that our online students not only receive the same exceptional education as their on-campus counterparts, but that they have a flexible and supportive environment to build the skills and competencies that today’s working professionals need to succeed and advance their careers.”
What’s New for 2022
Working in collaboration with alumni and business partners, the College has enhanced the MBA curriculum to focus on fostering the skills employers find most valuable across five competencies: innovation, financial, leadership, data analytics and using business for a better world. Students focus on the competencies that best suit their career plans, while taking advantage of a flexible curriculum where more than 40% of the program’s 42 credits can be selected by the student based on their individual interests.
“Compensation projections published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers predict that the average starting salary for MBA grads in the class of 2021 will be $87,966 – 11.3% higher than the average starting salary among 2020 grads. NACE says the pay bump is fueled partly by rising demand from the finance, insurance and real estate sectors, which tend to be lucrative industries for MBA alumni.”
– U.S. News & World Report, Best Graduate Schools website
“Every career is unique, and every individual has specialized needs. We think an MBA experience should be just as unique,” said Travis Maynard, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. “Students need the flexibility to individualize their experience and employers require the confidence that comes with a program known for its rigorous academics. The CSU College of Business Online MBA accomplishes both.”
Flexibility is a hallmark of the Online MBA program. Guided by CSU’s land-grant mission to expand access to a high-quality education, the College of Business has prioritized innovative, student-focused solutions to provide MBA students with the ability to customize their experience to suit their lifestyles. Students can choose from five annual start dates, tailor and extend their MBA with additional certificate credentials, and choose the learning format that works best for them—online, in-person or live video collaboration.
The Online MBA experience goes beyond the traditional voiceover PowerPoint provided by most programs. Class lectures are delivered on-demand or via live video in the College’s Universal Classroom, which includes a five-camera, 360-degree capture of the classroom for the best student experience. Students feel like they are in the classroom, even if they are a world away.
“The Online MBA program allowed me to pursue my degree without pausing my life. I love that the program never required me to sacrifice quality for convenience. The faculty and staff were so accessible and helpful, and I truly feel like I got a world-class education on my time and schedule. I cannot imagine any better way to get an MBA.”
– Amanda Giacalone, Managing Director of Development, CSU Advancement
Five start dates give students the opportunity to begin classwork at a time that’s not bound by a traditional academic calendar and convenient to their personal and professional schedules. Students can also complete the program in as little as 21 months or pace coursework for up to five years, offering additional options for balancing work, family and other obligations.
Removing those barriers that prevent students from participating in conventional, on-campus MBA programs has helped the Online MBA attract students not traditionally engaged. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 42% of students were female, and 13% were veterans or active-duty members of the uniformed services. Alumni from Colorado State University’s Fort Collins campus also receive a 10% tuition benefit when earning their Online MBA.
“The program helped me develop the skills, language and confidence to know that I could have a seat at the table. It enabled me to get to where I wanted to go quicker. Every single day I’m implementing the lessons I learned from the MBA.”
– Sarah Miracle, 2020 Online MBA alumna
The success of the Online MBA reflects more than academics, as students benefit from excellent support services from the time they enroll to beyond graduation. All MBA students receive one-on-one counseling with academic advisors to ensure their chosen course format, schedule and selection of classes match their life and career goals. Online students receive additional support through instructional coordinators, who provide online learning support throughout their courses. The College’s dedicated Career Management Center also offers extensive career development and placement services to all students, even after graduation.
“There may never be a time in your life when a traditional, on-campus MBA fits your lifestyle, but that shouldn’t prevent you from pursuing an MBA that advances your goals,” Maynard said. “Our Online MBA students come to us from different backgrounds seeking a variety of professional and personal outcomes. The program is uniquely structured to cater to our students’ diverse needs without compromising the quality of their education.”
About CSU’s College of Business
Business for a Better World
The College of Business at Colorado State University is an AACSB-accredited business school focused on using business to create a better world.
The College provides programs and career support services to more than 2,500 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in top-ranked on-campus and online programs. College faculty impart students with the values, knowledge, and skills to navigate rapidly evolving markets and address global challenges with sustainable business models and practices. Our students are known for their creativity and resilience—resulting in a job offer and placement rate of over 90% within 90 days of graduation and readiness to make a difference locally, nationally, and globally.
The College’s highly ranked programs include its Online MBA degree that is among the 10 largest in the nation and its Impact MBA program recently recognized by Corporate Knights as a top 20 worldwide “Better World MBA” program.
