U.S. News & World Report Rankings Soar for Online M.B.A. Program

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January 25, 2022

In newly released rankings by U.S. News & World Report, online degree programs in The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University were recognized among the “Best 100 Online Programs.”

The 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report rankings for “Best Online MBA Programs” recognized Tobin’s online M.B.A. program by placing it significantly higher in the list; the ranking has improved to 37 from 81 in 2021 and 138 in 2020—the first year the online M.B.A. was ranked.

With advancements in technology, academic course design, high-speed internet access, and greater awareness of different learning styles, online education has become the norm across all levels of education.

According to Norean R. Sharpe, Ph.D., Dean of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Distinguished Chair, the high quality of online curriculum delivered by dedicated faculty are the factors for the jump in the online rankings.

“Our ongoing improvement in our online programs is due to the expert use of technology by our faculty in their online courses,” she said. “We see an increased demand for our online programs, and our faculty are at the forefront in delivering remote learning at a high level.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2022 “Best Online MBA Programs” rankings “evaluate schools based solely on data related to their distance education MBA programs. U.S. News has assessed non-MBA graduate business degrees in areas such as finance, marketing, and management separately for a different ranking, the Best Online Graduate Business Programs. Schools with MBA and non-MBA business programs offered online are included in both rankings, but they are evaluated on entirely separate data.”

For online non-MBA programs, St. John’s is ranked 38 after not being part of this ranking in 2021.

The Peter J. Tobin College of Business currently offers 5 online Master of Science programs. Each Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited program prepares students for a career, whether in public accountancy or management positions in industry, government, or not-for-profit organizations.

For the 2022 edition, U.S. News ranked online M.B.A. programs using five weighted categories: Engagement (30 percent); Expert Opinion (25 percent); Faculty Credentials and Training (15 percent); Student Excellence (15 percent); and Student Services and Technologies (15 percent).

St. John’s University’s online degree programs are among more than 1,700 programs surveyed by U.S. News.