WMU named a top school for an MBA by The Princeton Review
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Princeton Review has released its “Best Business Schools for 2027” rankings, and Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business has made the list as a top school for an MBA. Data on Western’s MBA program quality and the student testimonials collected through the survey certify the value of the program for working professionals—the primary population that earns a WMU MBA. More than 430 business school administrators and over 37,500 students were surveyed, with 60 data points considered in creating the final rankings.
WMU Haworth’s MBA program was given high marks for its flexible schedule for working professionals, ability to customize the degree with elective courses or certificates, stellar faculty and global business focus. Small class sizes, the ability to attend courses online or in person, and a challenging yet manageable workload enhanced the program’s value proposition for students.
“The WMU Haworth MBA program is versatile, preparing graduates to become strong decision-makers in a variety of functional areas and industries,” says Dr. Satish Deshpande, dean of the Haworth College of Business. “In designing an MBA that is compelling for students and hiring managers, we have focused on relevant, real-world application of complex business concepts, paired with technology, communication and team skills that support managerial decision-making.”
One of the great strengths of the program is its ability to speak to the needs of the current business environment broadly, as well as the individual needs of students.
For Dhyan Bopanna, an MBA student and entrepreneur looking to bring his existing business to the U.S., the MBA program gave him the business context to meet his goals and the advanced conceptual knowledge to refine his existing business practices.
“The MBA program has helped me work on my goals and has motivated me to keep positioning my brand in the U.S., the U.K. and India, building on our business-to-business success in Australia, Oman and Portugal,” says Bopanna. “I am ready to register my business here in Michigan, and the program helped me build meaningful connections with local businesses who are potential business partners.”
Helping prospective MBA students find the best program for their needs, from career goals to cost, has been the long-held goal of The Princeton Review’s “Best Business Schools” list.
“Since 2004, when we debuted our business school rankings, our purpose has been to give b-school applicants multiple resources to help them choose their best-fit school and MBA program,” says Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief.
“We don’t believe any one business school is ‘best’ overall,” he adds. “Hierarchical rankings that crown a single b-school as ‘best’ are of limited value, as, ipso facto, the majority of applicants will hence attend a ‘less than best’ school. The b-schools we name to our lists differ importantly in program offerings, specializations, requirements and campus culture. But they have foundational characteristics that are central to our selection criteria: strong academics, robust opportunities for experiential learning, excellent career services, and positive feedback from their customers, their very own students.”
Finding your fit: WMU MBA at a glance
Designed for working professionals with a flexible format that allows students to attend online or in person, the WMU MBA boasts Experience-Driven Learning that readies students to make an immediate impact on their workplaces while earning their degree and upon graduation.
The latest WMU Career Outcomes report validates the findings of The Princeton Review, using WMU’s own data, which demonstrate:
- 100% of MBA graduates felt their education and experiences as a student at WMU prepared them for their profession.
- 97% of MBA graduates are working or continuing their education quickly after earning their degree.
- $100,000+ median starting salary for MBA graduates working full time.
The WMU MBA offers the ability to customize the degree with additional certificates, which can be earned through electives; certificate options include business analytics, cybersecurity, food marketing and supply chain management.
Learn more about the WMU MBA program.
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