5 Reasons to Choose the University of Utah for Your MBA

5 REASONS TO CHOOSE THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH FOR YOUR MBA

Pursuing an MBA is an important investment in your future, both personally and professionally, as it shows employers that you are determined, your skills are refined, and you are ready to take on leadership responsibilities. The return on investment in your education can make you more competitive in the job market and better prepared to take on leadership roles in your organization. When considering and applying to MBA programs, preparation and research can ensure you are focused on schools that will help you best reach your career goals.

There are many factors to take into consideration when deciding where to pursue your MBA, including the return on your investment, career advancement opportunities, flexibility of the program, ranking, and quality of the faculty and curriculum.

In order to be competitive and successful in an MBA program, you need to choose the program that best fits your learning style and career goals. In this guide, you will hear from David Eccles School of Business alumni on why they decided to pursue an MBA at the University of Utah and what factors they considered when making their decision.

“I was stretched, pushed, pulled, and prodded to new levels by some of the world’s greatest professors, and I soaked it all up like a sponge. I’m grateful for the experience for how this knowledge has equipped me for the days to come.”

Andrew West University of Utah Professional MBA

1. National and Global Recognition

MBA program rankings can provide valuable insight into a program’s curriculum, faculty, and overall return on investment. The David Eccles School of Business MBA programs have been rising significantly in the rankings.

• Full-Time MBA: Ranks top 10 in the west, and top 50 in the U.S.

• Professional MBA: Ranks no. 1 in Utah, and top 10 in the west

• MBA Online: Ranks top 10 in the world

• Executive MBA: Ranks no.1 in Utah and top 25 in the U.S.

These high rankings are a tribute to the quality of our faculty, our worldclass curriculum, the networking and career outcomes provided by our faculty and career advancement centers, and the success of our students after they graduate. The value of our MBA can be clearly seen, as Eccles alumni have been hired by some of the most prominent companies in the state and the nation, including Adobe, Intermountain Healthcare, Disney, Facebook, USAA, Google, Microsoft, and many more.

“The University of Utah is ranked high among schools. I chose the University of Utah because of the recognition that it has nationally and globally.”

Vitaly Magidov Kirkpatrick University of Utah MBA Online

2. Format to Fit Your Schedule

Students are able to make the most of their program when the classes work around their personal and professional schedule.

Full-Time MBA: For those seeking an immersive, experiential, and cohortoriented program to connect to high-impact careers and networks. It is an immersion program with day and evening classes. The average work experience is 5 years.

Professional MBA: For early to middle career professionals seeking to achieve career advancement or begin a new career track. Classes are twice a week in the evening from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., one on campus and one online. The average work experience is 6 years.

MBA Online: For working professionals seeking a flexible online solution to achieve career advancement or begin a new career track. Classes are online with optional live webinar sessions. The average work experience is 8 years.

Executive MBA: For experienced, senior-level professionals seeking to gain executive-level strategy and leadership skills. Classes are held two weekends a month on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every other week on campus. The average work experience is 13-16 years.

“I decided that if I was going to do an MBA, I was going to immerse myself in it — no distractions — and just do the best that I could for two years, knowing that the reward for doing so would be a great job that I was qualified for.”

Jason Zippro University of Utah Full-Time MBA

3. Specialized Degree and Curriculum

One of the most important factors to consider when deciding where to pursue your MBA is the quality of the faculty and the curriculum of the program. Faculty provide valuable resources to prepare students for the ever-changing business climate and provide them with relevant course work that makes them more competitive in the job market.

The faculty at the David Eccles School of Business are world renowned, and we are consistently recognized as a tier-1 research university and ranked top 10 in research productivity. Our faculty come from a variety of industries and can provide world-class insight into the business market. Their experiences include decades of managerial work, teaching at other top institutions (including Wharton and Kellogg business schools), and research publication in the top business journals.

Our program also provides opportunities to individualize your education through:

• Dual and concurrent degrees

• Certificates

• Elective options

• International trip electives

“I look at variance reports every month, so I apply my accounting and finance classes to work every day, which is something I didn’t think I would do.”

Ana Slavoff University of Utah

MBA

4. Career Advancement Services

Earning an MBA can boost your career, and through career advancement services, students can receive the needed assistance to identify and reach their career goals.

Full-Time MBA career outcomes are often seen as higher risk, since they require you to leave the workforce, but they also have a higher return. The Career Management Center for students in our Full-Time MBA program takes a hands-on approach to helping you navigate the process of landing an internship and full-time career in a field you love with a company suited to your personal strengths. Some of their resources include resume development, interview practice and polish, networking, goal setting, salary negotiation, and more.

The Career Advancement Center for MBA students in our part-time programs assists students in maximizing their MBA by leveraging their academic learning, as part of achieving their leadership, professional, entrepreneurial, and career goals. Career Advancement Center coaches help students create a professional development plan focused on what is important to them. Coaches assist students with leadership and soft skills development, preparation for a promotion or external move, assisting with a

“One tangible benefit is the MBA network, and in a cold call or business conversation you have this network to rely on that makes things warm. In addition, connections to future employment opportunities are endless.”

Nick Wilkes University of Utah Professional MBA

5. Return on Your Education

An MBA can provide a boost to your career, and it is valuable to identify how the program will provide benefits to you in your short-term and longterm career goals. Successful career outcomes show how the program is able to maximize internship, networking, and other career advancement opportunities for students.

Full-Time MBA

• Average 98% salary increase upon graduation

• 90 - 95% of incoming students receive a scholarship

• About 30% receive a full tuition scholarship

Professional MBA

• Average 34% salary increase by graduation

• Average 56% receive a promotion while in program

MBA Online

• Average 36% salary increase by graduation

• Average 50% receive a promotion by graduation

Executive MBA

• Average 35% received promotions by graduation

• Average 50% salary increase 3 years post graduation

“An MBA is an investment in your future, and it can help you achieve your career goals. The master’s degree made a lot of sense to me. It carries weight; people trust me more in leadership positions.”

Brian Barker

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