B-School Search
A state typically known for skiing, Utah is quickly making a name for itself in the business sector. Currently, the state is ranked number five for best environment for business by U.S. News and World Report and second by Forbes for best state for business. Job growth is a robust 2.4 percent, which is twice the national average. Venture capital funding is flooding into the state at a rate 1,000 percent higher than the rest of the country.
Key industries in Utah include aerospace and defence, health technology, natural products, travel and tourism, and renewable resources. Having some of the best snow in the world has also led Utah to be a leader in the sporting goods industry. With over 44 percent of the population of Utah obtaining a college degree, the workforce for these industries is educated and plentiful.
Online MBA programs in Utah provide professionals with the educational background for managerial positions, skill advancement, and networking opportunities, as well as the potential for higher salaries. Students in online programs don’t have to relocate, put their careers on hold, or sacrifice family life as coursework can be completed at any time. These flexible programs train students in key business management practices such as accounting, entrepreneurship, and management, while building skills in critical leadership, communication and teamwork. Some programs even offer students the option of taking on campus courses with valuable networking and community building opportunities.
Featured MBA programs in the state of Utah follow along with the profiles of some distinguished professors at these schools. If hybrid programs are of interest, be sure to read to the end for programs that offer a mix of online and on campus study.
Featured Online MBA Programs in Utah
The Princeton Review ranks the David Eccles School of Business online MBA as 11th in the world. This outstanding program offers interactive and flexible learning with on-demand lectures, web conferences, and in-depth team discussions.
Since students don’t need to put their careers on hold to enroll in this program; they can immediately apply what they are learning to their workplace. This enables students to move their careers forward while still in school, shortening the time it can take for job advancement.
The school offers two certificate programs in business analytics and information systems, as well as a concurrent master of science (MS) degree in information systems, all completely online.
Students are admitted three times a year for spring, summer, and fall start-dates. Admissions requirements include official undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, resume, two letters of recommendation, and an interview. GMAT or GRE scores are waived for students with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and three years of work experience, although students are required to submit an essay detailing why the test should be waived based on those requirements.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,225 per credit-hour |
The Jon M. Huntsman School of Business was created with working professionals in mind. The program features a block structure that is specifically designed to help students be successful in the virtual classroom.
The curriculum of the school was developed first to educate students in top business practices, ethics, and execution. Secondly, the curriculum aims to improve students’ employability by giving them targeted education and experiences in specific business areas.
Students in this program are strongly encouraged to participate in a global learning experience during their spring break. This trip allows students to broaden their understanding of economics, politics, social structures, and regulations by traveling to foreign countries and visiting with managers and directors of companies based there. Students have traveled to Japan, Chile, England, Estonia, and many other countries.
Courses begin three times a year in the spring, summer, and fall. To apply, students need to submit official transcripts, GMAT scores, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation. Full time work experience is required for this program, and students may use four or more years of managerial experience to waive the GMAT requirement.
Location: Logan, Utah |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,000 per credit-hour |
The Western Governors University College of Business offers a unique MBA program. Two aspects that set this program apart are competency-based education and flat fees per term of school.
Competency-based education allows students to move at their own pace. The program holistically weighs what a student already knows, how quickly they learn, and how much time they devote to studying. Rather than rehash what they already know students can apply that knowledge and quickly move onto more challenging topics. Proficiency is then evaluated through papers, projects, tests and other assessments. Graduation requirements include the completion of a capstone project synthesizing learning across all courses and running a simulated business in a team of three to four students.
Having a flat cost per term can greatly reduce a student’s overall school expenses, especially if they’re moving through the courses at an accelerated pace. Rather than pay per credit, students simply pay per term regardless of how many courses they take. Generally, students who graduate from this program have half the amount of debt as the national average.
Courses begin the first of every month, so students don’t have to wait long to start classes. Upon applying for admission and submitting official transcripts, students are required to complete a three-part online readiness assessment designed to evaluate a student’s likelihood of success. This assessment can be waived for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree.
Location: Salt Lake City , Utah |
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
Expected Time to Completion: 13 to 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $3,800 per six-month term |
Essential leadership skills for today’s unpredictable business environment are at the heart of the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business curriculum. This school offers the foundation needed for students looking to start a career in business or career advancement for established business professionals.
The school offers flexible courses and students can choose to take their classes online or on campus. Faculty at the school have a balance of academic and professional experience giving students excellent exposure to a variety of skills and areas of expertise. Courses offered cover traditional topics such as entrepreneurship, accounting, and management as well as unique classes including strategic issues in human resources and operations and supply chains.
For admission, students must submit an application, a resume, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and GMAT/GRE scores. GMAT/GRE scores may be waived for students with above a 3.3 undergraduate GPA or with significant managerial or professional experience. While not needed for admission, students are required to complete four MBA preparation courses prior to enrollment.
Location: Cedar City, Utah |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Expected Time to Completion: One year full time. Two to four years part time. |
Estimated Tuition: $355-$485 per credit |
The Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business offers a completely online project-based MBA degree. Students can gain the skills to become leaders in business from the comfort of their own homes. The focus of the program is not to merely educate their students, but to prepare them to be able to use the information they gain.
Instead of taking the courses typically offered in traditional online MBA programs, this school requires students to complete cross-disciplinary projects under the supervision of a “coach” faculty member. Students complete 25 projects over six semesters demonstrating competency in over 80 different business and executive skills. Projects look very much like work that executives complete on a day-to-day basis. Students are able to take the skills they learn and directly apply them to the workplace.
To be considered for admission, students need to submit official transcripts, a statement of intent, two professional recommendations, a resume, and GMAT scores. Additionally, the school requires an employer letter of support. Courses start in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah |
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $1,400 per credit-hour |
Hybrid MBA Programs in Utah
Many online MBA programs offer students the flexibility to take courses on campus. Students who live near institutions that offer hybrid programs can take advantage of the networking and community-building opportunities that attending classes in person can offer. Students can find the best of both worlds by attending a hybrid program that allows them to pick a schedule and study location that fits their career and family needs.
The following schools offer hybrid MBA programs in Utah:
- University of Utah- David Eccles School of Business
- Southern Utah University- Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business