Kelley Direct, the online MBA program of Indiana University Kelley School of Business, continues to be seen as the leader in providing a quality education and a solid return on investment, as evidenced by a new No. 1 ranking by the Princeton Review.
The Princeton Review rankings of online MBA programs released on Nov. 1 was based on comprehensive surveys during the 2016-17 academic year of nearly 4,700 students and administrators at MBA programs that offer most of their program of study online.
In each instance, students and administrators used more than 30 criteria aspects to evaluate programs. Among the factors for students were faculty quality, career preparation, academics, the technology platform, and overall satisfaction. Schools were asked to provide information about admissions selectivity, graduation and retention rates, faculty training and credentials, technological infrastructure, student indebtedness, and career outcomes.
Earlier this year, Kelley Direct was ranked the No. 1 program in the United States by QS Intelligence Unit, which also produces the QS World University Rankings – for the second straight year. Both follow similar top rankings from U.S. News & World Report and the Financial Times.
“We’re not surprised by this recognition for our program, given what we are hearing from our alumni and current students,” said Ramesh Venkataraman, chair of Kelley Direct MBA and M.S. programs and a professor of information systems. “While delivering a quality education, our programs offer a flexible and personalized approach for students that enables them to get where they want to be.
Kelley Direct offers a wide array of choices, including the traditional MBA or specialized master’s degrees in disciplines such as business analytics, finance, entrepreneurship and innovation, global supply chain management, marketing, or strategic management.
Students regularly interact with faculty, both in and out of the classroom, and come to the Bloomington campus for Kelley Connect weeks at the beginning of their first and second years.
Last fall, Kelley Direct launched Propel, a comprehensive professional development program. Students are assigned an academic coach and a career coach, with every student required to meet with their coaches at various points in the program.
The admissions process for the Kelley Direct MBA includes a holistic review of a student’s academic profile (including undergraduate GPA and GMAT/GRE score), personal statement, resume, and letter of recommendation. Promising applicants complete telephone interviews with a member of Kelley Direct’s leadership team. Students have two to five years to complete the 51 credit hours required for the Kelley Direct online MBA.