Students choose the online MBA program at the University of Kentucky for its “affordability and reputation,” saying that “The curriculum rivals any other top-tier program, you get a great education for a reasonable price.” Rather than offer separate tracks for online and in-person students, MBA students share the same curriculum. Courses taught in person are also live streamed, which gives the online cohort the ability to participate in classroom discussions. Students say that the technology “works great” despite the occasional drawback, such as not being able to see the whiteboard during a lecture.” Gatton’s “strong, well-rounded” MBA program also offers specializations, including an MBA in healthcare as well as two certificate programs, one in cultural awareness for global business and another in project management.
Students appreciate the overall flexibility of the program. Each individual course meets once a week, and classes aren’t held on weekends. According to the school, the average part-time MBA student completes the program in two or three years, but the timeline can be adjusted if a student requires more flexibility. Students also note that many professors “try to keep the workload at a minimum,” given that most students are balancing working and studying. When it comes to academics, students are impressed by the professors who are “considered masters in their fields” and find them “willing to help and respond quickly. Overall, students say that “the curriculum and professors have been excellent” and fellow classmates are “intelligent and want to learn.” As one student sums up, “having online classes helps with the work/life balance,” adding, “We also have a great administration who cares about their students.”
Students say the online MBA program offers a “great opportunity for networking with business leaders.” Gatton hosts career panels and speakers, has over 36,000 alumni, and offers a dedicated career center specifically for graduate students. The Professional Resource Center provides support with job searching, including résumé writing and interview preparation. Networking and career knowledge also occur in class with fellow classmates, bringing additional perspectives from their career journeys, as “most are mid-career to late-career professionals ranging from mid-management roles to senior executives.” As one student says, one of their favorite aspects of the program is when other students “provide real examples from their industries, which can provide different insights I otherwise wouldn't have had.” The study abroad program can boost career prospects with the opportunity to gain international business experience, which one student described as “the best experience I’ve ever had in higher education.” Another student links their study abroad experience to success at their new job, saying, “My manager still talks about how impressed she is with my study abroad experience.” According to the school, 97 percent of MBA graduates in 2023 seeking employment report having received a job offer by three months after graduation. And 73% of students report that the job offer they accepted originated from graduate school-facilitated activities. Students also report that their average starting salary after graduation was $73,032.
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