Broad online master’s programs ranked No. 2 nationwide, No. 1 for veterans

At Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business, we are dedicated to making an extraordinary impact on business, people and society. One way we accomplish this is by offering exceptional graduate programs that provide our students with the knowledge, opportunities and tools to inspire the future of business.

And our efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Master’s in Business Programs ranking, released today, places the Broad College at No. 2 among U.S. public schools — marking an eight-year streak in the top 25 nationwide and our best standings ever.

“This ranking is a testament to the thought leadership and creativity of the Broad College faculty and staff who make our graduate programs so impactful, enhancing our students’ careers and engaging with them as lifelong learners,” Judith Whipple, interim dean of the college, said.

In five years’ time, the college has made significant progress in this ranking, climbing up from No. 16 in 2019. This year’s ranking also places Michigan State at No. 4 overall, tied with the University of Georgia. “As we have climbed in the rankings from No. 16 in 2019 to No. 2 among public universities now,” Whipple continued, “we are honored to earn our place as one of the top business schools in the nation.”

The ranking encompasses three Broad programs: the Master’s in Management, Strategy and Leadership, Master’s in Healthcare Management and Master’s in Marketing Research and Analytics. Across our entire master’s program portfolio, Broad faculty and staff are passionate, inclusive and committed to excellence.

“As an early entrant in sphere of online M.S. programs, the Broad College has always had a strong sense of what works best for online education,” Richard Saouma, associate dean for MBA, Executive MBA and professional master’s programs, said. “Over the last five years, we have merged these learnings with the very faculty and curricula that make our on-prem programs so successful, creating an unparalleled upskilling opportunity for working professionals seeking to accelerate their careers.”

No. 1 in Best for Veterans category

Since 2022, U.S News’ ranking has positioned the Broad College as a frontrunner in its Best for Veterans category. This year, we reached a new high: No. 1 among U.S. public institutions and No. 2 overall, up from No. 3.

According to the ranking’s methodology, the best online programs for veterans must be ranked in the top half of schools in the Best Online Business ranking, must be certified for the GI Bill® and must have enrolled a “critical mass of students with military backgrounds.” At Broad, we enroll more than 50 military veterans and active service members across the three programs included in this ranking.

The Broad College also performed well across many specialty areas in U.S. News’ rankings, rising to No. 1 in several of them. This year’s complete list:

• 1 in General Management
• 1 in Health Care Administration
• 1 in Human Resources Management
• 1 in Leadership
• 1 in Marketing
• 1 in Organizational Behavior
• 2 in International Business

Program innovations

Something we’re truly proud of at the Broad College is our ability to collaborate, embrace new ideas and innovate. This is evidenced by the changes and updates made to each of the graduate programs included in this ranking.

For the M.S. in MSL program, that has meant offering new opportunities for students to customize their academic experience. In 2023, the program launched two concentrations in strategic management and human resource management. In addition, the curriculum expanded to include two new courses in innovation and entrepreneurship and strategic control.

“Delivering a first-class business education takes a great deal of effort, interaction and focus,” Glenn Hodges, director of the program, said. “Our goal since the inception of our program has been to deeply understand the needs of our students and employers and to deliver a program and curriculum that will significantly enhance our students’ skills and career success.”

From 2015 to 2021, the M.S. in MSL was the university’s only program in business included in this ranking, consistently earning its place in the top 25. “Our top-ranked faculty and administrators remain dedicated to evolving the M.S. in MSL program to an ever-higher state of excellence,” Hodges continued. “However, it is our incredible, diverse, highly experienced students located throughout the United States and beyond, and working in top private-sector companies and public organizations, who really make the program.”

The M.S. in Healthcare Management program delivers healthcare-specific courses in disciplines such as economics, law, information systems, marketing, policy, supply chain and strategic management.

“We are very proud of the superb ranking of the online M.S. in Healthcare Management program, which is healthcare-focused and business-centric,” Michael Rip, director of the program, said. “It is this emphasis on business acumen and skills that sets us apart and is most highly valued by our students.”

Notable changes were made to the M.S. in Marketing Research and Analytics program in 2023: it earned STEM designation, renamed and evolved to incorporate analytics and insights into the curriculum, which enrich and expand career opportunities for all students.

“As a global thought leader, the STEM-designated M.S. in Marketing Research and Analytics program consistently delivers a top-tier educational experience,” Jessica Richards, director of the program, said, “which is supported by a robust industry network of over 100 leading companies and a decade of alumni success stories.”

This annual U.S. News & World Report ranking evaluates student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology for non-MBA, fully online master’s programs in business. It also assesses programs’ reputation among their peers and the selectivity of admissions.

For the full 2024 Best Online Graduate Business Programs rankings, visit usnews.com.

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at benefits.va.gov/gibill.