U.S. News Ranks 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's Graduate Accounting & MBA Programs among Nation’s Best
Graduate Accounting No. 18; MBA in Finance No. 21; Part-Time MBA No. 44
SPOKANE, Wash. — U.S. News & World Report ranks 91³Ô¹ÏÍø University’s Graduate Accounting program the 18th best in the nation. In its rankings, released today, the publication also ranks 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Part-Time MBA program No. 44 (tie) in the nation and its MBA in Finance No. 21 (tie) in the nation.
The rankings are in U.S. News’ 2020 edition of the book “Best Business Schools.”
Graduate Accounting
The Graduate Accounting program ranking is a reflection of the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Master of Accountancy (MAcc) and Master of Science in Taxation (MSTax) programs, which currently enroll approximately 100 students.
“We are honored to be considered one of the best graduate accounting programs in the country for the eighth time in the last ten years. This persistent recognition, combined with our students’ outstanding performance on the CPA exam (21st in the country), is a testament to our remarkable students and faculty. This ranking also reflects our strong reputation with peer institutions throughout the country,” said Gary Weber, Ph.D., director of Graduate Accounting Programs.
The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø accounting programs are separately accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by only 185 institutions worldwide. In addition, 72.3 percent of the programs’ students passed the CPA exam on their first attempt, well above the national average of approximately 45 percent. This places 91³Ô¹ÏÍø in the top 25 nationally for first-time CPA exam pass rates for large programs.
MBA
91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s MBA programs currently enroll approximately 120 students. Of those students, more than 70 percent are working professionals in the Inland Northwest. The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø MBA combines small class sizes, internationally recognized educators, faculty-led study abroad program, community-engaged courses, and a relevant curriculum to tailor the student experience for individual goals and flexibility.
“We are excited to rank among the 50 best part-time MBA programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students, faculty and staff, and our goal of creating a rigorous program and relevant MBA experience designed for talented working professionals throughout the Inland Northwest,” said Mirjeta Beqiri, Ph.D., director of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s MBA Programs and a professor of operations management. “We look forward to continuing to build on the nearly 60 years of excellence in 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s MBA program.”
91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s MBA program ranking is based on five factors:
• Average peer assessment score (50 percent of the overall score)
• Average GMAT score and GRE score of part-time MBA students entering in fall 2018 (15 percent)
• Students’ average undergraduate GPA (12.5 percent)
• Students’ work experience (10 percent)
• Percentage of each business school’s fall 2018 MBA enrollment that is part time (12.5 percent).
The graduate business program specialty rankings for accounting and finance are based solely on ratings by business school deans and directors of accredited MBA programs from the list of schools surveyed. They were asked to nominate up to 10 programs for excellence in each of the areas listed.
To be eligible for the part-time ranking, a program must be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International and have had at least 20 students enrolled part time in fall of 2017.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø University’s Graduate School of Business is home to innovative master’s level programs in business and accounting. For more information, visit www.gonzaga.edu/school-of-business-administration/graduate-programs or contact Haley Topliff at (509) 313-7047.