Student experience, connection with faculty and services drive high performance in rankings

Continuing its tradition of excellence, the College of Business’ Online MBA has been ranked among the Top 10 Online MBA programs nationwide and Top 25 Online MBAs worldwide by the prestigious British ranking institution QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

“Colorado State’s land-grant mission of access to an exceptional high-quality education was central when we designed our Online MBA to offer flexible options based on individual needs,” College of Business Dean Beth Walker said. “Our programs incorporate leading-edge technology to engage learners in formats that place the student experience first. This incredible achievement is a testament to the quality of our staff, faculty and program that is custom-made for students who strive to create a better future for themselves, their families and the world.”

This achievement recognizes the program’s world-class student support and reflects the College’s leadership in providing flexible student experiences in online and distance education for nearly 50 years. The rankings also acknowledge the Online MBA’s long history of embracing innovative technology, including the immersive Mosaic experience that allows online students to interact with their peers in the classroom in real time through 27 video screens and dynamic video capture.

Though the Online MBA has one of the largest enrollments in the country of a program of its kind, students always receive individual attention and support. As an AACSB-accredited program, students learn directly from faculty who bring their latest research insights into the classroom as they are published in leading academic journals. Students benefit from small class sizes of about 40 students, while dedicated Instructional Coordinators provide personalized attention to small groups to supplement material presented by faculty.

“I found the faculty to be extremely supportive, helpful and best-in-class within their areas of expertise,” Tim Makens, a 2018 Online MBA graduate said. “As a student you develop relationships with classmates that, for me, will last a lifetime.”

This combination of flexibility and individualized support has proven highly effective in providing diverse students the opportunity to earn an MBA regardless of personal or professional priorities, distance from campus or learning style. As a result, the program has seen a 13-percent increase in women enrolled as well as a 12-percent increase in active military and veteran students.

“Everything we do promotes ease of learning and student access to business education,” Associate Dean of Graduate Programs Travis Maynard said. “We have the curricular choices and the flexibility in delivery that many professionals demand. We focus on providing our students the tools they need to make connections that will shape their future, contribute to their organizations even while they are students in our program, and ultimately, use business as a force for positive change.”

The success of the Online MBA goes beyond academics with outstanding support services helping students achieve their goals. All online students receive personalized advising to select the best format, course of study and timeline, as well as career development services from the College of Business Career Management Center, which are available even after graduation.

In addition to the QS rankings, the College of Business continues to remain highly ranked among the world’s top online MBA programs, and it recently earned a No. 30 ranking among Fortune’s Best Online MBA programs. Even though it is one of the 10 largest programs by enrollment on Fortune’s list, the program’s focus on individualized student support has helped it maintain a first-year retention rate of 91 percent, one of the highest among Fortune’s rankings.

“We want to increase access to a career-advancing MBA to as many students as possible,” Walker remarked. “If a student has the drive to pursue their degree and can demonstrate a strong academic baseline to show their preparedness, our world-class Online MBA is within their reach.”