UM-Flint online BBA tops Michigan for sixth straight year

The University of Michigan-Flint offers the state's top-ranked online bachelor's degree in business, according to new rankings recently released by U.S. News & World Report. It is the sixth consecutive year the program has ranked No. 1 among Michigan's four-year institutions.

The program's national ranking of No. 32 is a jump of nine spots from one year ago, continuing an upward trend that began with the program being ranked 59th in 2022.

"The students who come to us are often career-minded working professionals searching for a high-quality business program that provides them with maximum flexibility," said Yener Kandogan, dean of UM-Flint's School of Management. "We have responded to their needs by innovating online programs, hosting after-work events focused on career development and incentivizing engagement."

'Smart' classrooms enable remote attendance

SOM classrooms are equipped with high-definition cameras and projectors, microphones and LCD displays. The technology allows professors to host lectures on Zoom or Canvas, the university's online learning management system, similar to what Fortune 500 companies use to host quarterly shareholder meetings.

"If you are participating remotely and the instructor is teaching in person, you can still have that in-person classroom experience," said Nicholas Gaspar, director of UM-Flint's Office of Online and Digital Education. "Students can interact with their fellow classmates by raising their hands virtually and asking their questions, just as if they were sitting in the classroom, getting direct answers from the instructor and even collaborating with other students in the room."

Other ways students benefit from UM-Flint's resources include:

• Canvas support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
• The Accelerated Online Degree Completion program.
• An Emergency Laptop Loan program.
• Artificial intelligence tools and training.

From smart classrooms to the workforce

An analysis of LinkedIn data reveals that major employers of SOM's entry-level graduates include some of Michigan's most reputable brands: General Motors, Plante Moran, Financial Plus Credit Union, Auto-Owners Insurance and United Wholesale Mortgage.

"At Plante Moran, we're always looking for the best and brightest, and we consistently see that in the talent we recruit from the University of Michigan-Flint," said Paul Bryant, partner and certified public accountant at the audit, tax, consulting and wealth management firm.

The average age of UM-Flint's undergraduate students is 25, according to its Common Data Set. This fact means that its students tend to be older and have more work experience upon graduation.

"Many students bring real‑world perspective from balancing work, school and other commitments, which translates into thoughtful and positive interview experiences," said Bryant, who is also a member of the SOM advisory board. "Their maturity and strong business mindset make them great candidates for our firm."

Accounting, Plante Moran's specialty, is SOM's second-most-popular undergraduate major, behind only general business. One probable factor in that popularity may be the profession's high wages and stable employment outlook. Accountants earned a median annual salary of $81,680 as of 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The federal agency projects the profession's employment to grow 5% by 2034, or 40% more than the average growth rate for all occupations, which is 3%.

Majors and other rankings

UM-Flint's undergraduate business majors, in order of popularity, include:

• General business
• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Organizational behavior and human resources management
• Operations and supply chain management
• Entrepreneurship and innovation management
• International business

U.S. News & World Report is not the only authority to praise SOM's online academic programs. Other rankings include:

• No. 7 online degree in operations management in the U.S., according to SupplyChainGuide.org;
• No. 7 online degree in international business in the country, according to OnlineU; and

No. 34 online master's degree in business administration in North America, according to CEO Magazine, which also honored it with Tier One Global status.