EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University's College of Business has been ranked one of the nation’s best graduate business schools for the 16th consecutive year, according to The Princeton Review.

The education services company profiles Eastern in its recently reported list, "Best Business Schools for 2020." The Princeton Review posted the list this week at the special Princeton Review website for top business schools.

The EMU College of Business seeks to support the economic development of southeastern Michigan by preparing its graduates to perform effectively in the global business community. Its stated mission is to develop outstanding business professionals through a rigorous, applied educational experience.

“This ongoing and significant recognition by The Princeton Review highlights that our faculty members are providing a distinct, focused and highly beneficial education to our students, who are graduating and then enjoying successful and fulfilling careers in a variety of high-demand areas," said Kenneth Lord, dean of EMU's College of Business.

Student surveys play role in rankings

The Princeton Review bases its methodology and rankings of business schools on school-reported data along with feedback from students. The Review surveyed more than 26,000 students attending the 248 business schools in the book. The Review does not rank the business schools on a single hierarchical list from 1 to 248. 

The Princeton Review's survey asked students at the b-schools about their school's academics, student body, and campus life as well as about themselves and their career plans. The student surveys that were used for this edition were completed online and conducted over the past four years.

“Great support for students”

Comments about the EMU College of Business MBA programs in the 2020 book’s profile on Eastern include:

• With its convenient location, experienced professors, and low tuition, the MBA program at Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business offers a great return on investment.

• Designed for working professionals, EMU’s courses are offered in the evenings, online, through hybrid online/classroom delivery, and even some Saturdays. The format is flexible, and students can take as little as one class per semester and up to a full load.

• While balancing a career and an education can be tricky business, students say EMU provides excellent support and a top-notch atmosphere for learning.

• Most of the professors are exceptional, with close to 100 percent of the school’s faculty holding the highest degree available in their field.

• Graduate class sizes average fewer than 20, which gives students the opportunity to work directly with professors who provide PhD-level class time, rather than having to work through a teaching assistant. The result is a dynamic classroom environment, in which discussion is encouraged and professors challenge you to develop your own opinions regarding business and economies.

• In addition to the professors, there is “lots of diverse work experience among the students,” adding even more depth to the academic environment.

• Catering to its diverse student body, EMU offers specializations in a variety of business fields, including business analytics, e-business, entrepreneurship, internal auditing, international business, management, and nonprofit management, as well as the opportunity to pursue a general MBA with no specialization (in that case, students can choose from a variety of electives to meet the units required for graduation).

Appealing to every career stage

EMU's College of Business offers graduate programs that are appropriate to students at every stage of their career, and classes may be taken full-time or part-time, and in some cases online or through a hybrid of online and in-class coursework.

The College of Business has more than 2,500 students pursuing one of 14 majors or an MBA, Masters of Information Systems, Masters of Integrated Marketing Communications, Masters of Human Resources and Organizational Development, Masters of Accounting, Masters of Taxation or a graduate certificate. This fall the COB launched a Master of Science in Finance program, tailored to developing students for a variety of high-demand, well-paying careers.

The Princeton Review is also known for its classroom and online test-prep courses, tutoring and its other education services. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, the Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University and it is not a magazine.

To learn more about the EMU College of Business, please visit the COB website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.