This fall, the Ross School of Business is welcoming its second class of 132 talented individuals into its groundbreaking Online MBA Program, after becoming the first top tier U.S. business school to launch such a program. 

The newest class of online MBA students is nearly double the size of the inaugural class, up from 72 students last year. With diverse backgrounds and an expansive range of accomplishments, Michigan Ross was able to keep the high academic and professional standards of its first cohort, thanks in part to a large increase in applications to the program this year. 

The new online MBA students work for a wide range of companies and organizations across the U.S., including Google, Amazon, HSBC, Microsoft, Ford Motor Company, Boeing, Facebook, PwC, Rivian, The Walt Disney Company, Goldman Sachs, PepsiCo, Walmart, Deloitte and various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Students hail from 32 states, have between them travelled to almost every country in the world, and 50 percent already hold advanced degrees.

Among the high-achievers in this year’s class are patent holders, doctors, pilots (of both manned and unmanned aircraft), dentists, professional athletes and former college athletes, musicians, CPAs, lawyers, authors, as well as successful entrepreneurs and business owners. 

There are also many in the cohort who devote time to social impact, with many actively involved in their local charity and service organizations from Big Brothers and Big Sisters to Samaritas and the American Cancer Society. In addition, there are volunteer firefighters, founders of nonprofits, City Year and Americorps participants and Peace Corps alumni in the mix. 

The second class of online students have already begun experiencing the live, interactive classes that are a part of the program. They will also be able to join their peers in coming to the Ross campus for three in-person residencies, becoming members in Ross clubs and organizations, and participating in a variety of electives, such as the High Stakes Leadership: Building Resilience through Relationships course which debuted over the summer.

To showcase the student experience, Michigan Ross created a Student Stories video series that features three current Online MBAs talking about their participation in the program so far. In the videos, the students discuss what they have found most valuable, how they've successfully achieved work-life balance while receiving a top-tier business education, and how they have grown both professionally and personally.

Continued growth of the Ross Online MBA Program

In addition, the Michigan Ross Online MBA Program will continue to expand its reach next year. For the first time, Ross will be welcoming a cohort of students in the winter term (in addition to fall term), and the program is now open to international applicants. 

Learn more about the Michigan Ross Online MBA Program