Online MBA in Iowa

    Welcome to our in-depth guide on online MBA programs in Iowa! Iowa offers several schools for you to choose from. To help you find the right school, we have put together this resource-packed guide. We understand how time-consuming it can be to search and find the business school in Iowa you need.

    Online MBA Programs in Iowa

    Iowa does not offer any AACSB-Accredited online MBA programs. However, neighboring states such as Nebraska and Minnesota do. To help you quickly search these MBA programs, we have put together the following list.

    There are a total of 4 AACSB-Accredited online MBA programs available between both states.

    Creighton University

    Founded in 1878, Creighton University’s Heider School of Business offers an Online MBA program. Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska, built on a Jesuit heritage. It provides both a campus-based MBA and online MBA, as well as some dual degrees. The school is AACSB-Accredited, and graduates leave the program with a heightened awareness of business concepts, leadership principles, and other fundamental skills. In 2015, U.S. News & World Report pegged Creighton at number three for “most innovative schools” in the Midwest Region.

    Creighton’s Online MBA program is 33 credit hours (11 class) in length and designed to accommodate busy professionals’ schedules. Some courses may need to be taken on campus. All students must complete nine credit hours of core courses, while the remaining 24 credit hours are determined by each student’s unique academic experience, work experience, and aspirations. Additional courses in business fundamentals are required for students who do not have undergraduate or extensive work experience.

    The program is delivered over 11 eight-week terms, and students graduate in two years and eight weeks. Students can choose to graduate faster by taking online and campus classes together. Specializations include Accounting, Investments, Information Technology Management, and Leadership.

    Admission

    To apply, students must hold an accredited undergraduate degree and also submit a GMAT or GRE score. Students must also demonstrate that they have completed at least one statistics course in their undergraduate degree. Previous business courses are not required. However, students who hold an undergraduate degree in business take concentration courses rather than core courses.

    Foundational Coursework

    Standard Courses (9 Credits) – Ethics and Society or Legal, Ethical, and Societal Considerations in Healthcare Management, Business Policy and Managerial Action, Leadership and Organizational Behavior.

    Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

    The following dual-degrees are available:

    • MBA/MS-Business Intelligence and Analytics
    • MBA/JD
    • MBA/MS-Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

    The University of Nebraska at Kearney

    UNK’s College of Business and Technology offers a Professional Hybrid MBA degree that is AACSB-Accredited. The program is designed from the ground up to challenge and equip graduate students with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills that today’s business leaders need. A unique feature of the program is that students can work on real projects for real clients.

    The program is 33 credit hours in length, including 18 hours of core coursework and 15 hours of specialization/elective courses. All required courses are offered primarily in the evening or online. The program is hybrid in format (85% of courses are online), and classes are small, with 10 to 20 students. Specializations include Accounting, Human Resources, Human Services-Nonprofit Management, and Marketing. Foundational classes may be required for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in business.

    Admission

    Admission requirements vary depending on work experience and undergraduate degree accreditation. However, all applicants must have an accredited undergraduate degree with an acceptable GPA of at least 2.75. Application deadlines for Fall admission are June 15, for Spring admission is October 15, and Summer admission is March 15.

    Foundational Coursework

    Standard Courses (18 Credits) – Financial Administration, Integrative Capstone Experience, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Managerial Accounting Systems, Marketing Management Seminar, and Strategic Analysis and Decision Making.

    Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

    • Accounting – Example Courses: Accounting-Advanced Tax Accounting, Auditing, and Advanced Auditing.
    • Marketing – Example Courses: Marketing-Consumer Behavior, International Marketing, and Market Research.
    • HR – Example Courses: Human Resources-Compensation Management, Human Resource Management, and Labor Relations.
    • Human Services – Example Courses: Human Services-Grant Writing and Fundraising for Human Service Programs, Social Responsibility of Business: Issues and Ethics, and Human Resource Management

    University of Nebraska Lincoln

    The University of Nebraska Lincoln offers a top-ranked Online MBA program. It is ranked 12th globally by the Financial Times and 15th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The program is offered in both a hybrid format as well as a fully online format. UNL is Nebraska’s only Big Ten university, and all of its courses are taught by top-notch faculty who are experts in their field.

    UNL’s Online MBA is 48 credit hours in length, and consists of 10 core classes (30 hours), nine hours of breadth electives, and nine hours of electives. The program can be completed entirely online, and no campus visits are required. The program can be completed in 1.5 years, but the typical completion time is three years. The average student finishes in 3 to 4 years, and it is recommended that students plan to spend roughly 14 hours per week on coursework. Specializations are not offered.

    Admission

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and there are five start terms: Fall A, Fall B, Spring A, Spring B, and Summer. Applicants must possess an accredited undergraduate degree, and a GPA of at least 3.0 is recommended. An official GMAT or GRE score must also be provided, and a GMAT score of 600 is highly recommended. For students with an advanced degree or extensive managerial and work experience, the GMAT can be waived. Prerequisite courses in statistics and calculus are required.

    Foundational Coursework

    Standard Courses (30 Credits) – Applied Organizational Behavior, Business Analytics, Financial Accounting, Human Resource Management, Intro to Business Strategy, Managerial Finance, Managerial Economics, Managerial Marketing, and Supply Chain Management.

    Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

    The following dual-degrees are available:

    • MBA/JD
    • MBA/Master of Architecture

    MBA Programs in Iowa

    Three MBA programs in Iowa are AACSB-Accredited. Each MBA program is unique in how it approaches education and the various components of an MBA.

    1. Iowa State University

    Iowa State University’s College of Business is ranked 71st out of 470 AACSB-Accredited graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report. It offers two MBA programs: a Full-Time MBA and a Professional MBA. Each is designed to accommodate a different student type, but both are delivered by ISU’s top-notch faculty and built on the same innovative curriculum.

    Degree Completion Options

    • Full-time – ISU’s Full-Time MBA is 40 credit hours in length and consists of 30 core credits and 18 elective credits. It is designed to provide a wide perspective on management practices and theory and offers many specializations. These include Accounting, Finance, Technology, and Innovation Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. The program is completed in two years, with 12 credits being completed per semester. All classes for the Full-Time program are offered at the Ames campus.
    • Professional MBA – ISU also offers a professional MBA program. It is designed for working professionals who desire to pursue an MBA yet maintain their careers. Its curriculum is identical to the Full-Time MBA program, and it is also 40 credit hours in length with 30 credits devoted to core subjects and 18 credits devoted to electives. The program is cohort-based, and the completion time is 2.5 years, with students earning six credits per semester. All classes are delivered in the evenings at ISU’s Des Moine campus. For students to wish to complete the program sooner, a fast-track option is available.

    Program Admission

    Students must submit a GMAT or GRE score to successfully apply, along with transcripts from an accredited undergraduate degree program. Course prerequisites are not required. In selecting students, ISU seeks to have a diverse range of MBA students who bring various work experience levels to the classroom. Admission occurs every fall.

    Foundational Coursework

    Standard Courses – Financial Accounting, Financial Valuation and Corporate Financial Decisions, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Managerial Economics, Organizational Behavior, Professional Skills I, Professional Skills II, Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management, and Quantitative Business Analysis and Decision Making.

    Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

    • Accounting – Example Courses: Accounting for Decision-making, Advanced Managerial Accounting, and Taxes and Business Strategy.
    • Finance – Example Courses: Advanced Corporate Finance, Case Studies in Financial Decision Making, and Financial Derivatives.
    • Marketing – Example Courses:Advanced Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior, and Marketing Channels.
    • Supply Chain Management – Example Courses: Decision Models for Supply Chain Management, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, and Strategic Demand Planning.
    • Technology and Innovation Management – Example Courses: Advanced Business Software Development, Data Management for Decision-makers, and Electronic Commerce.

    2. The University of Iowa

    The Henry B. Tippie School of Management has a lot to offer when it comes to AACSB-Accredited MBA programs. On the whole, Forbes ranks the Tippie MBA at #26 among the best MBA programs in America. Tippie offers three MBA programs: Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA, and Executive MBA. Each is built and designed to meet the needs of various types of students, including recent graduates with minimal work experience and seasoned executives.

    Completion options

    • Full-Time MBA – The Full-Time MBA is 60 credits in length, of which 31 credits are required courses and 29 credits are elective courses and Career Academy credits. It is a full-time program, and classes are delivered during the day on campus in Iowa City. Plans of study are individualized and based on the track that a student selects. The program also encompasses experiential learning, which provides students with a 16-week business consulting project and hands-on Academy projects. The completion time is 21 months. Specializations include Marketing, Corporate Finance, Investment Management, and Business Analytics. Joint degree programs and dual degrees are all also offered and include the following: MHA/MBA, JD/MBA, MD/MBA, PharmD, PostDoc
    • Professional MBA – The Tippie School of Management also offers a part-time Professional MBA. It is 45 credit hours in length and designed for professionals who want to maintain their career yet also propel their career forward with an MBA. All courses are delivered during evening hours or weekends at one of three locations in Iowa: Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Quad Cities. The program consists of nine business core courses and six electives. The degree can be earned in as few as 2.5 years, and course sequencing is flexible. Many students earn a degree in three years and take two courses each semester and one during the summer. Concentrations are not available
    • Executive MBA – Tippie’s Executive MBA is 51 credits in length and completed in 21 months. Courses are offered on Fridays and Saturdays at either the Iowa City campus or Des Moines campus. It is an accelerated, full-service MBA program with a high global ranking. Starting dates for the program are mid-August in Iowa City or mid-January in Des Moines. A five-day residency is required at the start of each year and a short 10-11 day international business seminar. The program is cohort-based and includes 16 core courses. Concentrations are not available.
    • Admission

      Admission to each program is unique. For the Full-Time MBA program, an official GMAT or GRE score is required along with official undergraduate transcripts. The average student is seven years of age and has four years of work experience.

      For the Professional MBA program, an official GMAT or GRE score is required for full admission, and the average student is 31 years of age and has seven years of work experience. Also, applicants should have at least 1.5 years of post-undergraduate professional work experience.

      For the Executive MBA program, admission is limited to experienced managers and executives with a minimum of seven or more years of work experience. Previous academic work in business is not required. The average age of an Executive MBA student is 39 years, and the average work experience is 14 years. Also, an official GMAT or GRE score is typically not required. Application deadlines for each program vary throughout the year.

      Foundational Coursework

      Full-Time MBA Foundational Coursework – Business Acumen and Career Development, Business Analytics, Business Integration, Corporate Financial Reporting, Ethics and the Law, Marketing Management, Management in Organizations, Managerial Finance, Managerial Economics, Operations Management, Strategic Business Consulting, and Seminar in International Business.

      Professional MBA Foundational Coursework – Business Analytics, Corporate Financial Reporting, Global Business Strategy, Marketing Management, Management and Organizations, Managerial Economics, Managerial Finance, Operations Management, and Strategic Management and Policy.

      Executive MBA Foundational Coursework – Business Analytics, Corporate Financial Reporting, Corporate Investment and Financial Decisions, Dynamics of Negotiations, Financial Information and Capital Markets, Human Resource Management, International Economic Environment of the Firm, Law, and Ethics, Managerial Finance, Managerial Economics, Marketing Management, Seminar in Strategic Management I, Seminar in Strategic Management II, Seminar in International Business, Strategic Management and Policy, and Strategic Management of Change.

      Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

      The following concentrations are only available for those in the Full-Time MBA program.

      • Marketing –Example Courses: Marketing Analytics, Product and Pricing Decisions, and Strategic Brand Positioning.
      • Finance –Example Courses: Alternative Investments and Portfolio Strategies, Applied Securities Analysis, and Fixed Income Securities.
      • Business Analytics –Example Courses: Advanced Analytics, Business Analytics and Practice, and Strategic Cost Analysis.
      • Investment Management –Example Courses: Portfolio Management, Structured Finance Securitization, and Wealth Management.

      3. University of Northern Iowa

      The University of Northern Iowa’s College of Business Administration offers an AACSB-Accredited MBA. The program is top-ranked, and the Princeton Review has described the school as a “best business school” option. The program is highly flexible and designed to serve both part-time and full-time students. UNI’s student body is diverse, and all of its courses are delivered by its top-notch faculty and rigorous in demand.

      The 30 credit MBA program is built on a modular scheduling framework, allowing students to engage in the program on a full-time or part-time basis. In practical terms, each student’s background and time commitment are evaluated, and a custom program of study is created for them. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as 12 months. Part-time students can complete the program in 2 to 4 years. What’s more, all MBA courses are offered in the evenings from 5:30 to 9 PM, with occasional classes on Saturdays. Class sizes are small and taught by full-time faculty with a broad range of consulting and research experience. Concentrations are not available.

      Admission

      Admission is based on various criteria, including communication skills, work experience, and academic background. To apply, official transcripts are required, along with an official GMAT test score.

      Foundational Coursework

      Standard Courses (30 Credits) – Business Capstone Experience, Cross-Functional Operations, Financial Management and Markets, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Marketing Management, Management Information Systems, Research and Analysis for Management Decisions, Strategic Management of Human Resources, Strategic Planning, and Organizational Analysis.

      Additional MBA Programs in Iowa

      There are many other valued and respected accreditation bodies apart from the AACSB. Each is unique and employs different accreditation criteria. Examples include the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC – National), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP – National), and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE – National).

      1. Clarke University

      Clarke University is a liberal arts and sciences university that is built on the Catholic tradition. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and offers an MBA program designed to assist students in reaching their career goals. The program is built on Clarke’s 30-year track record of graduate education, and its full-time faculty primarily teach classes.

      The program is 33 credit hours in length, and classes are offered in various formats (depending on the semester). Students can pursue the program either full-time or part-time. Classes are delivered in a hybrid model, with half of the instruction delivered in class and the other half online. Classes that meet on campus do so once a week for just over two hours on either Mondays or Thursdays. Class times are always in the evening, which means that working professionals can still pursue an MBA while working full time.

      Students can complete the program in two years but have up to seven years to do so. Some courses are offered in eight-week 16 weeks and abbreviated sessions. Several certifications are available for interested students as part of their MBA: Project Management, Human Resource Professional, and Managerial Professional.

      Admission

      Applications must be submitted at least two weeks before the first week of class. Classes begin in August or October for the fall semester and in January or March for the spring semester. To apply, an accredited undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required, as well as an official GMAT exam score. However, the GMAT can be waived if a student has a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preliminary coursework in accounting, finance, marketing, and statistics is required.

      Foundational Coursework

      Standard Courses – Economic Environment of Business, Global Strategic Management, Graduate Research and Presentation Methods, Managerial Finance, Marketing Management, Operations Management, and Organizational Management.

      Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

      The following concentrations are available.

      • Managerial Professional – Example Courses: Business Analytics, Human Resource Management, and Project Management.
      • Project Management Professional – Example Courses: Human Resource Management, Project Management, and Project Management Externship.
      • HR Professional – Example Courses: Human Resource Management, Leading in the 21st Century.

      2. Maharishi University of Management

      The Maharishi University of Management is located in Fairfield, Iowa, situated on a 370-acre campus. The university was founded in 1971, and offers an MBA program based on its Consciousness-Based Education™ philosophy. It is accredited by the HLC and is offered full-time, online, and in an evening-weekend format. MUM’s unique focus is that it goes beyond acquiring information and helps develop consciousness and brain functioning.

      The program is 60 credits in length, consisting of 18 foundational credits and 42 credits of specialization, concentration, consciousness-based education requirements, and elective courses. The program embraces lean management theory and sustainable business practices, including the Triple Bottom Line approach and a Balanced Scorecard approach. Students study one course at a time in four-week periods. Students can also choose to complete a specialization, 16 credits focused on a particular cross-functional field, or three concentrations. Examples of specialization topics include Sustainable Business and Accounting. Examples of concentrations include Marketing, Financial Management, and International Business.

      Program Completion Options

      • Full Time – Full-time-students who wish to complete the program on a full-time schedule can do so within 11 to 15 months of continual study. The exception to this is the MBA Professional Accounting Track, which spans 2.5 years and includes two years of practical training with a US based company.
      • Part-Time – Part-time-students who wish to pursue the program on a part-time basis can do so by taking evening and weekend classes. The program structure for evening and weekend classes is the same as the online program structure, which means students can take online and on-campus classes if they desire. Students may take up to three years to complete the program.
      • Admission

        Admission is based on several criteria, including undergraduate GPA, aptitude test scores, work experience, and other criteria. To apply, applicants must have a four-year undergraduate degree. An official GMAT or GRE score is recommended but not required to be accepted. Also, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is preferred. No prerequisite business courses are required.

        Foundational Coursework

        Standard Courses (18 credits) – Accounting, Business Law and Ethics, Financial Management, Leadership, the Management of People or Organizations, Management of Operations or Quality, Marketing, Management Information Systems, and Sustainable Business.

        Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

        The following major specializations are available.

        • Accounting – There are various accounting program options, including the Fresh Start Track for MBA students with no work experience, the Strong Background Track for students with at least four accounting courses and no work experience, and the Accounting Professionals Track for accounting professionals who desire to enhance their knowledge and experience. Each has unique course requirements, program length, and entrance requirements. Students can also choose to take courses to prepare them to sit for the CPA, CMA, or SAP. Course samples include: Financial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting I, and Managerial Accounting.
        • Sustainable Business – The Sustainable Business MBA is a flagship program of Maharishi and covers five key areas: self-sustainability, sustainable human resources, sustainable technologies, sustainable process improvement, and sustainable community development. Course samples include: Green Investing, Modeling Sustainable Technologies, and Socially Responsible Investing.

        3. St.Ambrose University

        St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa, and offers an HLC accredited MBA program. The program is extremely flexible and can be pursued either full-time or part-time. St. Ambrose’s classes are small in size, its curriculum is integrative, and its professors are responsive to students’ needs. The program is also well respected across various sectors, with over 100 profit and nonprofit firms attending the program.

        Program Completion Options

        Full Time –

        The full-time program is 39 credits in length and offered in seven locations: Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Muscatine, Rock Island Arsenal, Ottumwa, and Waterloo. Courses meet one night a week for eight weeks. Full-time students can complete the program in a very intensive nine months by taking three courses each session and one course during the winter.

        Part Time –

        The part-time program is also 39 credits in length and is offered at the same seven locations. Classes are also offered once a night for eight weeks, but students typically complete the degree in under 2 1/2 years by taking one course each session in the fall-spring and summer semesters.

        Admission

        Each candidate is evaluated on an individual basis. Admission criteria include work experience, undergraduate coursework in academic achievement, GMAT performance, and life experience. GMAT scores older than five years old are not accepted.

        Foundational Coursework

        Standard Courses (39 credits) – Accounting for Managers, Data Analysis for Decision Making, Ethical and Social Responsibility of Business, Financial Management, Human Behavior in Organizations, Integrative Project, Integrative Business Systems, Leadership Through People Skills, Marketing and Management, Managerial Economics, Operations Management, and Strategic Management.

        4. University of Dubuque

        The University of Dubuque is a private university built on the Presbyterian tradition. It offers an MBA program that is accredited by the HLC and designed to foster a global perspective. The program aims to prepare students to become “ready to go” professionals in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are delivered by faculty members with real-world experience and built on a framework that emphasizes practical application.

        The program is 36 credit hours in length and focuses on cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and management strategy. The program can be pursued either full-time or part-time, and part-time students can complete it in as little as 2.5 years. Working students typically take 4.5 to 7 credit hours per semester and finish the course within a 2.5-year time frame. Courses are typically offered in the evenings Monday through Thursday. No concentrations are offered.

        Admission

        To apply, an accredited undergraduate degree in any discipline is required. An official GMAT score, previous work experience, and prerequisite business courses are not required.

        Foundational Coursework

        Standard Courses (36 Credits) – Business Capstone Project, Business Simulation, Business Strategy, and Innovation, Financial Management, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Global Communication, Managerial Finance, Marketing Management, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Problem Solving and Crisis Management, Strategic Human Capital Management, and Technology and Operations Management. credits) –

        5. Upper Iowa University

        Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University offers an HLC accredited MBA program. The program is offered on campus and online and is built on a forward-thinking curriculum that encourages a broadened perspective on leadership, ethics, and integration. UIU’s academically qualified faculty members teach all classes.

        UIU’s MBA program is 36 credit hours in length, consisting of 18 hours of the core curriculum, three hours of a capstone, and 15 hours of electives. Classes can be taken online, on campus, or a combination of both. Campus locations include Fayette, Des Moines, Quad Cities, and Waterloo. For the online program, no campus residency is required, and classes are asynchronous, which means students can take classes at any time. Classes are delivered in six eight-week terms throughout the year. Areas of emphasis include Accounting, Corporate Financial Management, General Management, Human Resources Management, and Organizational Development.

        Program Admission

        To successfully apply, applicants must have an accredited undergraduate degree, a GPA of at least 2.75, and an acceptable GMAT or GRE score. An acceptable GRE score is 1090, and an acceptable GMAT score is 550. No undergraduate business courses are required. However, students are strongly encouraged to take foundational business courses, such as accounting principles.

        Foundational Coursework

        Standard Courses (18 credits) – Corporate Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, Contemporary Issues in Corporate Law and Ethics, Financial Management, Marketing, and Product Management, Managerial Communication, Organizational Strategy, and Economic Change, and Research Seminar.

        Program Concentrations and Specialization Options

        The following major specializations are available.

        • Accounting – Advanced Managerial Accounting, Advanced Accounting Information Systems, and Forensic Accounting.
        • Corporate Financial Management – Advanced Managerial Accounting, Investment Management, and Financial Data Analysis
        • Human Resources Management – Compensation and Benefits, Development and Management of HRM, and Managing in the International Environment.
        • Organizational Development – Organizational Development, Organizational Culture, and Team Building Techniques.

        Iowa MBA Salary and Job Outlook

        As you begin to research MBA options in Iowa, it is a good idea to be looking forward to job opportunities within the state. What industries employ MBA graduates? What type of starting salary can you expect? Even as you begin to research your program, it’s a wise choice to have a firm grasp of what you can expect once you graduate.

        The good news is, Iowa has a lot to offer MBA graduates.

        First, Iowa has a diverse economy. According to iowaeconomicdevelopment.com, nine industry segments contributed to Iowa’s $127.7 Billion GDP in 2013. Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (FIRE) led the way by providing 8.21% of the state’s jobs and 20.54% of its GDP. This is good news for MBA degree holders because the FIR industry is a top-hiring industry for MBA graduates. And according to the BLS, Iowa ranks #11 for March 2016 unemployment levels at 3.8%, which is almost half that of states such as Illinois, New Mexico, and Alabama.

        Also, many large employers have headquarters or operational centers in Des Moines. For example, Principal Life Insurance Company employs 7,900 people, while Iowa Health Systems employs 4750. Other well-known companies, such as Maytag Appliances (Newton), General Mills, John Deere Companies (Dubuque), and Winnebago (Forest City), also employ hundreds of workers. Each of the companies presents a variety of employment opportunities for MBA graduates’ skills and abilities.

        For example, John Deere Company employs over 3,000 workers and has its financial headquarters in Johnston. Likewise, Hy-Vee Food Corp. (with 240 stores nationwide) has its headquarters in West Des Moines and employs over 7,500 workers. These companies have stores throughout the United States and generate revenue in the billions – John Deere $37.9 Billion (2013) and Hy-Vee Food Stores $9.3 Billion (2015). Again, each of these companies represents many employment opportunities both in and out-of-state for MBA graduates.

        Your job outlook is also affected by the school you attend. The truth is, school brand impacts the potential salary levels of its graduates.

        In terms of education, Iowa is home to many high-quality and nationally respected MBA programs. Iowa State University, The University of Iowa, and The University of Northern Iowa all offer top-rated campus MBA programs AACSB-Accredited. Other universities, such as the Maharishi University of Management, approach MBA education from a different perspective that encompasses mind, body, and spirit.

        However, starting and mid-career salary levels for graduates from each school are not the same. Take a look at the following data from Payscale.com for MBA and master’s graduates.

        • Ashford University (MBA) early career pay: $50,600; Mid-Career: $75,000.
        • Iowa State University (Masters) early career pay: $54,800; Mid-Career: $101,000.
        • Kaplan University (MBA) early career pay: $49,100; Mid-Career: $63,900.
        • The University of Iowa – Henry B. Tippie College of Business (MBA) early career pay: $79,200; Mid-Career: $118,000.
        • University of Iowa (Masters) early career pay: $56,200; Mid-Career: $89,200.
        • Upper Iowa University (MBA) early career pay: $54,700; Mid-Career: $66,000.
        • University of Northern Iowa (Masters) early career pay: $43,500; Mid-Career: $64,100.

        According to the BLS (May 2015), the average mean wage in Iowa is $41,840. However, MBA graduates typically hold jobs that outperform the annual mean wage by at least double, if not more. Take a look!

        • Chief Executives- $172,650
        • General and Operations Managers- $89,320
        • Managers, All Other- $81,410
        • Financial Managers- $108,180
        • Marketing Managers- $109,260

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