UA’s MBA programs recognized in The Princeton Review rankings

The Princeton Review has once again recognized The University of Akron's (UA) College of Business for its online MBA degree program.

For the second consecutive year, the College's online MBA program is ranked No. 41 in the U.S., according to The Princeton Review's recent announcement of the top 50 online MBA programs for 2027. UA was one of just three Ohio public universities to earn this accolade. This list is part of The Princeton Review's Best Business Schools for 2027 report, which also included the College of Business as one of 208 institutions named to its list of the best on-campus MBA programs.

"We are proud that online MBA has once again been recognized among the nation's top 50 programs by The Princeton Review," said Dr. Terry Daugherty, dean of College of Business. "Earning the No. 41 ranking for 2027 reflects our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, innovative instruction and providing a flexible, high-quality educational experience that empowers working professionals to achieve their career goals."

The latest rankings underscore the fact that UA's online MBA degree is one of the highest regarded programs of its kind in Ohio. With an affordable price, it is designed for busy professionals seeking to advance their careers through strategic, real-world learning.

The Princeton Review bases its rankings on two sets of data, including surveyed administrators at 145 business schools offering online MBAs and more than 11,900 students enrolled in the schools' online MBA programs. The administrators' survey evaluates more than 30 fields, covering admissions selectivity, graduation and retention rates, faculty training and credentials, technological infrastructure, student indebtedness and career outcomes, and more.

The survey for students, which also assesses more than 30 unique fields, allows students to rate their faculty, their fellow students, career preparation, academics, the technology platform and overall satisfaction with their programs.

As one UA student shared in the survey, faculty "bring real world, practical knowledge that is second to none" and inform you of job opportunities, workshops, internships, clinics, etc."

Another student noted that faculty "made sure that we learned through discussions and active participation."

Classes are taught in two eight-week asynchronous sessions each semester, allowing working professionals the opportunity to focus on just one or two classes at a time. This approach works for a range of students, from those striving to finish in one year to those taking a standard two-year approach or engaging with a longer part-time path.

The curriculum focuses on strategic thinkings and real-world skills to ensure that graduates are ready to elevate their careers. Graduates have built careers at top companies such as Amazon, Progressive Insurance, Sherwin-Williams, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, KeyBank and the Cleveland Clinic, working in operations, finance, marketing and more. Students benefit from the University's connections to the local business community, including a network of more than 200 volunteer senior executives who serve as mentors, speakers and hiring partners.

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