Kent State University - The College of Business Administration and Graduate School of Management

A big name in Ohio education, Kent State University serves the Midwest with a range of high-quality MBA programs. Here, young professionals can jump-start their careers through an “enjoyable and enlightening” academic curriculum, offered at “a value price.” Catering to students at every stage of life, the college operates a full-time MBA on the main campus and part-time MBA. Seasoned managers can apply for the fastpaced Executive MBA and the Executive MBA for Healthcare Professionals, and “Kent is one of a few schools in the nation that has a dual-masters degree with architecture and business.” Cost effective and convenient, “Kent State is in the heart of northeast Ohio, which makes it possible to have a career in one of the surrounding cities, while going to graduate school part-time.”

Kent State maintains an accomplished team of business professors, who often come to the college from impressive executive and managerial positions. On the whole, “professors are extremely knowledgeable and eager to teach,” and they usually “stay up-to-date on current events and issues related to their fields in business.” To encourage networking and build soft skills, the program “promotes group work,” and classroom discussions are encouraged. A current student adds, “In the part-time MBA program, everyone is working, so we are able to share real-world experiences in the classroom. There is something every night in class that I can take and apply to my job.”

Whether they attend in the evenings or full-time, MBA students can expect a “fairly heavy workload” throughout the program. Fortunately, they’ll receive plenty of support from the faculty and staff. At Kent State, “the professors are incredibly interested in the students’ success,” and they are “almost always available for individual consultation on topics not necessarily related to class work.” A student shares, “I am very comfortable meeting with professors during office hours, even when I am not enrolled in one of their courses.” Administrators are also “very helpful,” and make it clear that they “really care about your future success as an individual.” Finally, Kent State is an excellent value. As a state school, “the tuition is relatively low,” while the regional reputation is excellent.

Most students in the Part-time MBA are already employed when they enter the program, and may even be receiving tuition reimbursement from their employer. As a result, the majority of these students are not actively seeking employment. However, Kent State makes an “effort to prepare students for life after graduation,” even if they aren’t look- ing for a new job. Across the curriculum, “the classes are well integrated into real-world business careers,” and practical applications are emphasized.

While completing an MBA, students have access to various professional development opportunities, including networking events, career planning workshops, and a mentor- ship program, through which students are paired with executives in their field of inter- est. Students can also “consult advisors and a career manager to know more about how to draft a career plan and get fully prepared.” With a strong reputation throughout the state, the college maintains “good contacts with potential employers” in the region. After completing the MBA program, Kent State graduates earn an average base salary of $54,167.

On the main campus, as well as the auxiliary facilities, Kent State offers a “great atmo- sphere and learning environment for its students.” Students are able to maintain a balanced lifestyle, as “the workload is enough to keep busy, but not so busy that you cannot have a life outside of school and work.” Plus, “the business school encourages students to stay involved with extracurricular activities,” like case competitions and aca- demic clubs. “Full-time students are more apt to be involved” in campus life than busy part-time students. Nonetheless, “the camaraderie among part-time students is very strong” at Kent State. Drawing students from across the globe, The College of Business Administration benefits from “rich diversity in student culture and ethnicity.” Classroom discussion can become rather lively, and “even if we don’t agree on political or social issues, there is always room for intellectual debate.”

Beyond the business college, the greater Kent State University is “large enough to offer any club or activity students are interested in.” Off campus, Kent is “a college town” that offers “opportunities for community service and professional practice,” as well as good old-fashioned fun.