Part Time MBA Rankings by US News & World Report

According to the 2012 edition of the U.S. News & World Report rankings, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business tied for the coveted top spot, reflecting the excellence of their part-time MBA offerings. At the same time, other schools, such as the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i, the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School, and Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business, also garnered significant attention for their robust part-time MBA programs.

Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management has long been recognized as a powerhouse in business education, and its part-time MBA program is no exception. Tied for the first position in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings of part-time MBA programs, Kellogg offers a flexible and comprehensive education that allows students to advance their business acumen without interrupting their professional careers. The part-time MBA program at Kellogg is designed for highly motivated working professionals who aspire to take on leadership roles across a variety of industries, including finance, marketing, management, and consulting.

One of the key features of the Kellogg part-time MBA is its rigorous curriculum, which provides students with a strong foundation in core business principles while offering opportunities for specialization through various electives. Kellogg’s emphasis on teamwork, leadership, and innovative thinking ensures that students are well-prepared to solve complex business challenges and lead organizations effectively. The program also offers flexibility through various formats, including the evening MBA and the weekend MBA, which cater to students with different schedules and career goals.

Moreover, Kellogg’s extensive global network of alumni, faculty, and industry leaders plays a critical role in providing students with access to valuable resources and career opportunities. The school's renowned leadership training programs and hands-on learning experiences ensure that graduates of the Kellogg part-time MBA program are well-positioned for continued professional success. With its excellent reputation and commitment to fostering a collaborative, dynamic learning environment, the Kellogg School of Management remains a top choice for aspiring business leaders seeking a part-time MBA education.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Also tied for first place in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report part-time MBA rankings is the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Like Kellogg, Booth is renowned for its academic rigor, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to producing highly skilled business leaders. The Booth part-time MBA program stands out for its flexible curriculum, which allows students to tailor their education to their individual interests and career goals while continuing to work full-time. This flexibility is particularly appealing to busy professionals who want to further their education without sacrificing their careers.

Booth’s part-time MBA program is offered in two formats: the Evening MBA, which takes place during the week after work, and the Weekend MBA, which occurs on Saturdays. Both formats allow students to engage in the same high-quality academic experience, with the flexibility to choose a course schedule that suits their professional and personal commitments.

Another standout feature of the Booth part-time MBA program is its emphasis on analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making. Booth has a strong reputation for its rigorous quantitative approach, particularly in the areas of finance and economics. This focus on analytics prepares students to approach business challenges with a systematic and evidence-based mindset, which is a valuable skill in today’s data-driven business environment. Furthermore, Booth’s strong focus on leadership development, its faculty’s world-class research, and its network of influential alumni make the program a top choice for students seeking a top-tier part-time MBA education.

Shidler College of Business, University of Hawai‘i

While the Kellogg and Booth schools are widely recognized for their excellence, other institutions also offer unique and valuable part-time MBA programs. For example, the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, which is ranked 105th alongside the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Lehigh University in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings, offers a program with a distinct Asia-Pacific focus. The Shidler MBA program provides a comprehensive foundation in business fundamentals, while its specialized focus on the Asia-Pacific region prepares students to navigate the unique business challenges of this dynamic and rapidly growing part of the world.

Given Hawai‘i’s location as a gateway between the United States and Asia, Shidler’s MBA program provides students with unparalleled access to businesses, organizations, and industries operating in the Asia-Pacific region. This focus on Asia-Pacific business practices, coupled with Shidler’s network of corporate partners and global alumni, offers students the opportunity to gain valuable international business experience. This makes the Shidler College of Business an appealing option for working professionals who aim to expand their expertise in global business and pursue careers that involve international trade, finance, and marketing.

University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business

The University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business has also earned a place among the top part-time MBA programs, according to the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Ranked alongside Duquesne University, San Francisco State University, and the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Merrick offers an accessible and affordable part-time MBA program with a strong emphasis on developing leadership, strategic thinking, and ethical decision-making.

Merrick’s part-time MBA program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who wish to enhance their business skills while continuing their careers. The program offers flexibility in scheduling and allows students to take courses in the evening, making it an ideal option for those with full-time jobs. Additionally, the program offers a variety of concentrations, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management, which allow students to specialize in the areas that align with their career goals.

The University of Baltimore’s proximity to the business and financial centers of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., gives Merrick students access to a wealth of professional opportunities, including internships, networking events, and job placements. As a result, graduates of the program are well-positioned to make an immediate impact in their careers and achieve a high return on their investment.

Pepperdine University Graziadio School

Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business is another notable institution in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report part-time MBA rankings. Ranked 36th among the nation’s 295 part-time MBA programs, Graziadio’s Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) program has made significant strides, rising 15 spots from 51st in the previous year’s rankings. The FEMBA program is designed for working professionals who seek a rigorous business education while maintaining their full-time jobs.

Graziadio’s FEMBA program is known for its flexible format, which allows students to choose between evening, weekend, and online courses. This flexibility, combined with the school’s emphasis on ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and global business, makes the FEMBA program a popular choice for professionals looking to advance their careers in industries such as finance, consulting, and technology. Pepperdine’s strong connections to the business community in Southern California, particularly in the areas of media, entertainment, and technology, provide students with valuable opportunities to network and secure internships and full-time employment.

Bentley University McCallum Graduate School of Business

Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business, which ranks 36th among U.S. part-time MBA programs, has also seen a significant rise in the rankings, moving up from 51st in the previous year. As the 3rd highest-ranked part-time MBA program in New England, Bentley is recognized for its strong academic curriculum and its focus on preparing students for leadership roles in the business world. The program is particularly known for its emphasis on information systems, finance, and marketing, areas that are essential in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.

Bentley’s part-time MBA program is designed to accommodate working professionals with a variety of schedules, offering both evening and weekend classes. The school’s proximity to Boston, a major business hub, provides students with numerous opportunities to connect with local businesses, attend industry events, and secure internships that can help propel their careers. Bentley’s commitment to providing a high-quality business education, along with its strong reputation in the New England region, makes it an attractive option for students seeking a top-tier part-time MBA program.