University of Utah - Eccles School of Business

The University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, located in rising tech hub Salt Lake City, provide students with a “unique MBA experience,” with an “emphasis on technology and analytics.” Multiple dual-degree programs, including concurrent degrees are offered in Information Systems, Finance, Business Analytics, or Engineering (MS), Game Production and Development (Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering, or MEAE), Healthcare Administration (MHA), JD, or MD. There is, in fact, a “high percentage of dual degree MBA students, and the new MBA/MEAE is ranked highly among similar programs across the country. The professors are “all dazzlingly adept at their work,” and “clearly demonstrate that they have deep knowledge of their subject both from a technical standpoint and a ‘this is the real world’ viewpoint.” The “fantastic” administration is “highly receptive to student needs” and “works tirelessly to assist students with whatever they need.” Students praise the “hands-on learning opportunities” like the “Bench to Bedside medical device design and business plan competition” and the “Lassonde New Venture Development program.” Students also found Eccles to do well in its “involvement with sustainability initiatives” and “focus on entrepreneurship and strategy.” Last but not least, the Sorenson Impact center attracts mission-driven MBA students and focuses on “impact investing, impact measurement, program performance and innovation, and field-building.”

Helping students prepare for internships and interviews, the Career Center is a “shining beacon of the school,” with career coaches that are “simply fantastic and helpful to work with.” The “absolutely fantastic” MBA Career Management department offers advisers that help “build resumes, network with alumni or [other] contacts, [and] work on interviewing skills/techniques.” The majority of the student body focus on jobs in “marketing, product management, operations, and above all, healthcare administration.” “Only two or three students from my class went into finance and accounting,” said one student. And others agreed, saying that the “finance and accounting are probably the weakest areas for the career center” in terms of networking. “If you want to work with a big east coast finance firm then go to an east coast school with their alumni network,” advised one student. “If you want to build a business, get it funded, test it, and have the support to move it forward then come to the University of Utah.”

“Location, location, location!” The University of Utah sits along the “foothills of the Wasatch Mountains,” which means “plenty of opportunities for study breaks to go biking, skiing, hiking,” and so on. Salt Lake City has a “great public transportation system that makes it easy to get from campus to downtown and surrounding suburbs.” Downtown Salt Lake is a “ten-minute TRAX ride away” and free for students.” The campus is “beautiful,” but “parking can be a pain.” The school also has “incredible sports teams” and “campus-coordinated events are also very entertaining.” While Salt Lake City has no shortage of restaurants and bars, students who need to eat on campus can take advantage of the “growing food-truck plaza for lunches that offers a wide variety of food.”