Why This Matters
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75% OF BUSINESSES ENGAGE IN SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
A 2009 study found that three-quarters of American businesses are engaged in sustainability practices — double the amount from a survey three years earlier.
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SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT SALES HAVE INCREASED 20% SINCE 2014
Consumers are increasingly likely to choose products and services produced with sustainability in mind, according to a 2018 Nielsen report, growing the industry by four times the rate that conventional products do.
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EARN $80,000 MORE WITH AN MBA IN SUSTAINABILITY
The median salary for business professionals with a master’s degree is $170,000 per year. Those with a bachelor’s degree earn an annual average of $90,000.
Our Research
Our chosen programs include online, on campus, and hybrid programs leading to an MBA with a focus on sustainability. The programs feature business courses as well as courses in corporate ethics, business sustainability, the effects of climate change on business, sustainable accounting and finance, and more.
All programs have been accredited by institutions such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, International Accreditation Council for Business Education, and New England Commission of Higher Education. A rigorous accreditation process ensures students that they are getting relevant, up-to-date curriculum taught by professors with the terminal degree in their fields as well as real-world knowledge of their subjects.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
- 76 hours to write this article
- 69 universities and colleges we assessed
- 114 education programs we compared
The Top 50 MBA in Sustainability Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
As climate change and environmental awareness become more and more a part of our lives, businesses are taking note and creating jobs that address sustainability in the workforce. These jobs span the scope of the corporate world: you might be an accountant ensuring that your company’s supply chain is clean, or a scientist working to locate new raw materials for a product line. Sustainability managers and VPs in charge of sustainability are becoming common.
Since these jobs span the breadth of the business world, there is no single accreditation process for them. This may change as sustainability positions become more entrenched in the business world.
Although sustainability jobs are too new for there to be predicted trends, it seems likely that the need for them will grow substantially in the next decade. A sustainability certificate, combined with an MBA, may fast track you for emerging jobs across the industry.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching MBA Sustainability programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Although many applicants for these programs earned an undergraduate degree in business, most will accept students with an academic background in any subject. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify. Be sure to check the website of your chosen school carefully for other materials that may be required for admission.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? For online programs, you may have two options for class delivery. Synchronous classes feature live delivery of course material, and you’ll need to be watching at that time. Asynchronous delivery allows you to watch pre-recorded lectures at your convenience. The latter is a good option if you are continuing to work while attending graduate school or have other significant obligations.
Don’t hesitate to contact an admissions counselor via phone, email or live chat if you have questions about a program you’re considering. They are trained in answering questions and guiding you through the application process.
An admissions counselor can also get you started on the financial aid process. You may be eligible for scholarships, grants, or loans from the school, or from your employer or any professional organizations to which you belong.