Study business for a brighter future

The best jobs in the US for 2022 are related to the business industry. They make up nine of the top 25 jobs for work-life balance, great pay and low stress levels in a US News and World Report ranking. These roles include Marketing Manager, Actuary, Management Analyst and Financial Manager; salaries can go as high as US$142,000. Business is the second least-regretted college major as well, according to a ZipRecruiter survey.

These stats are testament to the success of US universities’ business degrees. They produce graduates equipped with excellent communication, superb project management and problem-solving skills. Armed with these, they understand how business works, how to make difficult decisions and how to help their organisations grow. 

More importantly, they can help businesses become more sustainable. As organisations realise they have to address environmental and social issues systematically, they see more value in hiring graduates with acute business know-how to not just navigate them out of the pandemic, but through the climate crisis too. A look at the work famous graduates like Melinda Gates and Indra Nooyi have done shows just how far-reaching a robust business education and a philanthropy streak can do for the environment.

If you plan to follow their change-making path, these universities offer the best starting points:

Graduate Business Programs at Western Carolina University

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, Western Carolina University (WCU) attracts over 12,000 students from all over the world. Student-focused, with emphasis on engagement and experiential learning, it is little wonder that WCU is ranked among the top 10 public regional institutions in the South.

Source: Western Carolina University College of Business

WCU’s AACSB-accredited College of Business (COB) has over 70 highly experienced full-time faculty members who are academically and professionally qualified. Each cares deeply about students. They lead industry-relevant curricula that incorporate professional development opportunities in a collaborative environment. The COB’s five Graduate Programs are a diverse offering, spanning in-person, hybrid, and completely online formats.

WCU’s hybrid MBA is taught by faculty with substantial industry experience. Its flexible format encompassing eight in-person sessions per semester is geared toward working professionals. Students also have the option to complete a specialization. The residential Master of Accountancy is ideal for current and aspiring accounting professionals. The program provides scholars with a solid foundation for careers in public accounting, industry, government, and not-for-profit institutions, as well as a path for professional certifications such as the CPA designation.

The Master of Project Management is the oldest of its kind in the US, PMI-GAC-certified, and taught by practitioner-researchers who are experts in their field. The one-year, all-online Master of Science in Sport Management – the only such program in the world — teaches upskillers and reskillers to administer program, manage people and organizations, as well as plan and execute special and ongoing projects. Faculty members hold terminal degrees in the field from accredited institutions, plus professional experience, recognition for teaching excellence and distinction in scholarship. Graduates, armed with an MS in Sport Management and Project Management certificate — will be prepared for various leadership roles across sectors such as professional sports, college athletics, and interscholastic and youth sport programs.

In the 18-month Master of Entrepreneurship in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship, experienced faculty lead students through hands-on projects designed to develop new business ideas, advance existing ventures, leverage entrepreneurial thinking and innovation processes within organisations, and more — all while learning online.

California State University, Fullerton – College of Business and Economics

The US News and World Report ranks California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) as the fourth best public school, and as one of the top regional universities of the West (2020). Attracting over 41,000 students yearly, CSUF holds many high rankings including being among the top 5% of the best colleges for value (Money, 2020).

Source: California State University, Fullerton, Facebook

In particular, the College of Business and Economics (CBE) is California’s biggest business school on the West Coast. CBE is only one of five California schools to have AACSB dual accreditations for their nationally recognised accounting and business programmes.

Being located in one of America’s most exciting and entrepreneurial business communities, CBE offers students world-class graduate programmes which combine classroom education with best business practices. On top of these, the technology, award-winning research, applications and real-world experience help students apply learning concepts in a more tangible way.

Seven departments including accounting, finance, economics and management, together with other schools and centres at CBE allow students to have a well-rounded yet highly individualised business education. At the same time, with over 70,000 alumni and business partners spread across Southern California, CBE students can expect many networking opportunities.

Pittsburg State University – Kelce College of Business

Due to the local community’s strong international history, Pittsburg State University has been welcoming over 400 international students coming from 40 countries. Located in Kansas, this fully accredited university offers some 200 outstanding academic programmes.

Source: Kelce College of Business, Facebook

In fact, the Kelce College of Business is well regarded as one of America’s leading schools of business. Having AACSB accreditation and being a consistent top performer on the annual Princeton Review (Best Business Schools) makes Kelce particularly attractive to those who want a reputable school to enrol in.

Kelce is included among the top five family-friendly schools in the whole of the US as well. Furthermore, their high quality, standards and value have led the Knowledge Review Magazine to rank Kelce among 2019’s 10 Best Business Programmes in America.

Small class sizes and student-centred instruction mean close personal relationships are constantly forged with Kelce’s faculty in the classrooms. This strong bond is central to why nearly 90% of Kelce’s students thrive and later  become sought after graduates by businesses within the region, nationally and all over the world.

Kelce’s programmes include seven BBA majors such as Accounting, and graduate options like the residential MBA and the new Professional Online MBA. 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International