Marquette’s MBA program has long been a draw for current and future professionals aiming to gain the business knowledge to succeed while building a solid foundation in ethical leadership.
Now, more national leaders in business education are taking notice.
Marquette’s main MBA program, which blends on-campus and online instruction, was ranked 49th in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 ranking of part-time MBA programs, while the online MBA program is ranked No. 55 among its peer programs. Marquette’s third pathway to a master’s in business administration, the Executive MBA, was already ranked No. 16 nationally by U.S. News. In the latest rankings, 50 percent of the overall score for the part-time MBA is based on peer assessment from other business program leaders.
“Our rankings are being driven by what our peers see we’re doing well,” says Dr. Andrew Meyer, associate dean of the Graduate School of Management. “What we’re doing is being noticed by people at other universities, and we’re proud of the fact that leaders of other top business schools recommend us.”
These rankings show Marquette offering highly ranked programs for business master’s students wherever they are in their careers or lives. That’s significant as demand grows nationally for flexible online and part-time MBA education among full-time working professionals. The executive MBA option appeals to managers and other established professionals preparing for positions of higher-level responsibility. These are trends school leadership noted in its strategic priorities for growth and development, leading to two key personnel moves to help continue this upward trajectory.
Mindful growth
Meyer, a professor of economics who has worked in multiple academic units across the university since 2014, was named to his new role in the Graduate School of Management in July and became director of MBA education. Sofie Sanchez, a veteran recruiter with a record of success building strategic partnerships and enrollment growth in previous positions, was promoted to a key administrative and enrollment leadership position, director of Graduate School of Management programs, this fall.
“The quality of the professors I’ve had is exceptional.”
Sofia Hernandez, MBA student
“We’ve done a lot of work to ensure we’re always moving forward in this fast-moving business education landscape,” Sanchez says. “It’s essential to keep pushing the envelope and to not be afraid to fail. We have tremendous support from the deans to go for it and do it.” That means moving quickly to take decisive actions geared toward developing the program and its broad appeal. Sanchez says she and Meyer have similar visions about ensuring that the program employs “mindful growth” — attracting more students while delivering a holistic, whole-person educational experience with a broad range of class offerings, connections to the university career center and networking opportunities with the university’s vast alumni network.
A virtuous faculty-student cycle
Meyer says one key to the program’s success is its use of an applied teacher-scholar model. Students interact with renowned academic researchers and experienced practitioners who have long careers in their respective industries — a mix that delivers relevant knowledge, strong industry connections and practical insights. “Strong faculty help attract strong graduate students and strong graduate students collaborate on projects that elevate the reputation of our college,” Meyer says. “It creates a virtuous cycle of success.”
MBA student Sofia Hernandez concurs. “The quality of the professors I’ve had is exceptional,” she says. “They truly challenge us to think critically and apply concepts in meaningful ways. I’ve enjoyed seeing how each course builds on the last to deepen my understanding.”
Another measurement of that success is career placement. Six months after graduation, Graduate School of Management students in the Class of 2023-24 had a 93 percent employment rate and a 94.8 percent full-engagement rate, which includes people continuing their education, serving in the military or working in a paid service position. Graduates from the last three classes reported a $105,000 average salary, with a $125,000 mark for those at the 75th percentile.
As the program grows, more courses on AI will be added, from a core class for all students to advanced electives. The ethical implications of technology and AI will be integrated throughout the curriculum, as students will be challenged to consider how to use AI both strategically and responsibly in their businesses, continuing the Jesuit ethos of business with a purpose.
Meyer and Sanchez say part-time and online MBA students have also asked for more opportunities to connect with the Marquette community, a challenge since many spend limited time on campus. This fall, the Graduate School of Management is hosting multiple events where all MBA students, faculty, local businesses and alumni connect, including a welcome event at the start of the school year and a “Nets and Networking” meetup at a women’s volleyball game. On tap are Business Brew events at local breweries or coffee shops and a holiday networking event co-sponsored by the Marquette Business Alumni Association to bring together students, alumni and business partners.
Hernandez joined the award-winning Marquette Mentors program and found herself connecting with other MBA students, even before she had an opportunity to learn from her alumni mentor. Her mentor then introduced her to other alumni and local organizations in Milwaukee. Hernandez has also participated in Coffee Connections, a Marquette Mentors program that offers more informal opportunities to meet professionals and learn about their career paths. She says she hopes to continue those connections when she begins working full time in Milwaukee.
Her experience matches the expectations MBA leaders have for their top 50 program. “We want to build a culture where, from the moment somebody joins our program — whether they’re attending classes online, in person or hybrid — to the point where they become alumni, there’s a connection to Marquette Business,” Meyer says.
