North Carolina has over 300 miles of coastline and is a popular travel destination, but the Tar Heel State is also a prime place to start your career. Raleigh-Durham has been named the 13th best place to live in the United States by U.S. News & World Report recently and Charlotte was ranked 22nd.
One of the nation’s oldest public universities resides in North Carolina. The state also boasts 36 regionally-accredited private, liberal arts, research colleges and universities. North Carolina has 26 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the state. These companies provide various job opportunities for online MBA graduates.
Consider an Online MBA in North Carolina
The public university system in North Carolina includes 16 universities. The state also hosts private research institutions Duke and Davidson.
When deciding on a business school, several facets should be considered: curriculum, location, overall cost and GMAT requirements. Some colleges may grant waivers for the GMAT for students who meet specific requirements. NC State encourages potential students to apply for a waiver if their cumulative GPA is 3.6 or better, they have already earned a graduate degree, or have military experience.
North Carolina online MBA programs typically take two to six years to complete and get graduates ready for leadership roles. It’s common for local students to receive lower tuition rates. Out-of-state students pay, on average, 4 times more than North Carolina residents at state colleges.
The Mason School of Business at William & Mary
Location:Williamsburg, VA
Length:24 – 36 Mos
Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University
Location:Santa Clara, CA
Length:24 Mos
California State University, Monterey Bay
Location:Seaside, CA
Length:18 – 24 Mos
Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics
Location:Seattle, WA
Length:30 Mos
University of Kansas School of Business
Location:Lawrence, KS
Length:27-36 Mos
MBA Concentrations for Students in North Carolina
While choosing between the best online MBA programs in North Carolina, potential students need to pick a degree focus as well. MBA candidates should look at market trends and industry shifts when choosing any specialization. North Carolina’s strongest industries for the past few years have been professional and business services, like trade, transportation, and utilities. Concentrations that focus on manufacturing supply chain, financial services, and retail trade would be good to consider for North Carolina MBA students.
North Carolina MBA Graduates Economy, Job, and Career Outlooks
According to the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, the state’s economy is close to pre-recession employment levels. The best sector, professional and business services, had a payroll employment increase of over 26% in recent years.
Various larger companies are headquartered in NC, including Bank of America, Lowe’s, Duke Energy, and Hanes. MBA graduates can be prepared for management roles within these great companies. Many North Carolina businesses are found in the cities of Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro. Graduates have similar earning potential in these cities given NC’s low cost of living.
Top Employers in North Carolina
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe’s | Retail | Mooresville | 290,000+ |
| Bank of America | Financial Services | Charlotte | 208,000 |
Graduates of North Carolina online MBA programs should begin their job hunt in large metro areas, where the highest concentration of MBA-related opportunities are located. Companies are looking for talent that can help them continue to grow, and MBA graduates have the skills, ideas, and drive to create that outcome.
MBA Careers in North Carolina:
Marketing Manager
Retail is a major sector in North Carolina, there is a need for campaign planning and effective marketing of products and services. An online MBA in North Carolina program prepares graduates to help local companies in their advertising efforts. The BLS projects that marketing manager positions will increase by 9% in the next 10 years.
Purchasing Director
MBA graduates with the skills and knowledge of logistics and trade are in high demand as companies look to increase efficiency in their supply chain. Paths to becoming a purchasing director often start in supply chain management.
Financial Manager
Financial managers advise organizations on ways to improve financial health and create workable budgets. The BLS projects a job growth rate of 19% for financial manager positions and notes that most have at least five years of experience as an accountant, securities agent, or budget analyst.
Construction Manager
Demand for new homes in North Carolina’s metro areas is expected to sustain the state’s construction industry, according to NC OSBM. The BLS projects management positions to increase by 11% between 2016 and 2026.
Online MBA Programs in North Carolina
North Carolina’s economy continues to grow, so it will need enterprising, business-savvy people who can effectively lead a company. The list below represents popular North Carolina online MBA programs.
How to Select an Online MBA Program in North Carolina
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in North Carolina – these include factors explained above like cost, specialization, and concentrations. The following list is made up of some necessary steps to follow during the MBA program research process (in any state).
COMPARE STUDENT OUTCOME DETAILS
Student outcomes incorporate graduation rate, retention rate, the average debt student will take on, and overall student achievement with their degree program. Student outcomes do not ensure you will be pleased with a particular program but can help pinpoint a school’s pros and cons.
CONSIDER EXPECTED COSTS OF YOUR PROGRAMS
Practically every college or university posts tuition costs online. Additionally, you should research other college-related expenses like housing accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to study on-campus), official fees, and IT fees (for online students). You should also look into grants, scholarships, and financial aid that can offset some of the expenses.
CHECK THAT CLASSES WILL FIT INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
Scheduling is crucial for students with other significant commitments, such as childcare or full-time jobs. Many online programs are self-paced; students in these classes are free to complete coursework on their own schedule. Synchronous programs (on the other hand) demand weekly online meetings with teachers and other students.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
A large number of online MBA programs will include internships and capstone requirements ― and in many cases, students can obtain on-the-job training with real-world office experience. Look into the school’s industry partnerships, particularly regarding the field you plan to enter after receiving your MBA.
TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT ALUMNI
You should reach out to the alumni office at each school you are weighing and ask to be connected with previous students. These individuals can be great sources of information about education costs, life on (or off) campus, local tips, and other fundamental details for aspiring MBA students.