Willamette University - Atkinson School of Management

Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management offers a variety of options for prospective students.  The Willamette MBA program may be taken either full-time or part-time, with accelerated program options for students with accredited, undergraduate business degrees.  Classes are offered at WU’s main campus in Salem; however, beginning with the Fall 2013 semester, Willamette will also offer the MBA program through its new Portland Center, conveniently located in the city’s Pearl District.

  Willamette’s college of business is ranked top 75 by Forbes and the MBA program itself is ranked top 25 by the Aspen Institute for ethical and environmental stewardship.  Students participating in the evening MBA program can expect to graduate within 24 months, while full-time students in Salem who qualify for accelerated options, may be able to earn their MBA in as little as one year.

The Life:  Willamette University’s main campus is located in downtown Salem, just a few blocks from the Oregon State Capitol building, making it very convenient for state employees and working professionals in downtown Salem.  Portland is only a 45 minute drive to the north, while the Oregon Coast is an hour’s drive west.  The new Portland Center in the trendy Pearl District is surrounded by excellent restaurants and entertainments.  It is also has convenient access to Portland’s light rail transit system.  

Cons:  It’s expensive.  Professional students seeking to complete the two year, part-time program will pay $66,000 for their MBA.  That puts Willamette in the same price range as the Oregon Executive MBA (offered jointly through PSU, UO, and OSU) and in the same ballpark Washington’s Foster MBA.  Though that’s pricey, Willamette does note that includes all books and materials, as well as meals for evening students.