The University of Nebraska–Lincoln online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program ranked No. 1 Best Value in the U.S. by Financial Times. This marks the third time in the past five years that the Nebraska MBA received the publication's top national recognition for value.

“The Financial Times ranking is important to us because it reflects our alumni's experiences in and after the program. Our ranking is a testament to the program's value, the quality of our faculty and the strong outcomes our graduates achieve,” said Aaron Crabtree, associate dean of master's programs and executive development, KPMG Faculty Fellow in Professional Accounting and associate professor of accountancy.

High Return on Investment

Alumni surveyed for the ranking reported an average 25% salary increase after earning their Nebraska MBA, with recent graduates earning an average salary of more than $164,000.

“Many students receive promotions and new opportunities as they apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to their professional roles,” said Gretchen Holthaus, director of MBA and online graduate programs. “Our graduates reported to Financial Times that their increased earnings nearly cover the full cost of the Nebraska MBA program in just one year. We strategically keep the total cost at $34,000 to provide a high return on investment.”

While an MBA student, Jason Alsup, '24, was promoted to the head of computational sciences in Global Product Supply at Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis, Missouri.

"My MBA studies played a pivotal role in securing the new position within my company," Alsup said. "Graduating from Nebraska was a huge milestone for me, and the best thing about being a graduate is finding other Huskers in everyday interactions."

Flexible Learning in a Connected Community

Nebraska’s fully online MBA program is designed for working professionals and those serving in the military. The program’s accessibility earned it the No. 2 ranking for best program delivery and No. 5 for online interaction in the U.S.

Megan O’Brien, ’24, of Charlotte, North Carolina, found the program’s mobile-optimized classes enabled her to earn her degree while continuing to work and manage personal commitments. The eight-week courses use the Canvas platform and include guided video overviews and live group discussions.

“My favorite part was the flexibility to continue working full-time while advancing my education,” said O’Brien, a business consultant in supply chain planning at EY. “I enjoyed learning in a classroom setting again without having to pause my career. It was beneficial to apply concepts from class directly to my role.”

The quality online interaction between students, faculty and staff helps build a community not often found in an online degree program. Students can also take advantage of optional in-person experiences including a course on adaptive leadership with a one-week residency on campus, study abroad and opportunities like national case competitions and career expeditions.

"I met so many students with diverse backgrounds in different parts of the world, including people from California, Oregon, Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina and many more. In my classes, I heard experiences from people in pharmaceuticals, nonprofits, engineering, the military and so much more," O'Brien said. "I have been able to stay in touch virtually since our interactions were all virtual, to begin with."

Top-Ranked Career Support

Nebraska also ranked No. 5 in the U.S. for career services. Students have access to one-on-one coaching through the College of Business Career Center, where they can receive resume reviews, interview preparation and career change guidance.

"Our Business Career Center team takes pride in providing innovative, personalized career coaching and programming that empowers Nebraska MBA students to graduate feeling confident, professional and well-connected as they advance or transition in their careers,” said Rachel Larson, assistant dean of academic and career development. “We are honored that our MBA alumni recognize the value of our services, ranking them among the best in the world.”

Professionals looking to enhance their skills without committing to a full master’s program can begin with an online graduate certificate. Each certificate consists of four online courses, which can later be applied toward the Nebraska MBA or a Master of Science program at the College of Business.

To learn more about the Nebraska MBA, register for an upcoming online information session. The MBA application deadlines are April 15, July 15 and Dec. 1.