The landscape of MBA education is rapidly evolving, with public institutions facing increasing pressure to differentiate their programs and sustain enrollment growth. According to the AACSB, 61% of MBA programs are struggling with declining enrollment, while 53% need assistance in distinguishing their offerings from competitors. Meanwhile, labor market demand for MBA graduates remains strong, with employers increasingly valuing recent MBA graduates for their ability to navigate the complexities of the post-pandemic business environment. To remain competitive, public institutions can harness the power of MBA specializations, aligning their programs with market demands while also benefiting from performance-based budgeting (PBB) incentives.
Recent data underscores the growing importance of specialization within MBA programs. RNL reports that 95% of students prefer MBA programs that offer specializations. Furthermore, AACSB research shows that in 2021, specialized MBA programs saw a 19% enrollment increase—46% more than non-specialized programs. Employers are also recognizing the value of specialized MBA graduates, with one in four hiring managers noting that these graduates command higher starting salaries compared to those with traditional MBAs.
Rize is at the forefront of this shift, developing five in-demand MBA specializations in Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Finance, and Healthcare Administration. Designed in collaboration with faculty from Harvard Business School, Cornell, Dartmouth, and the University of Texas at Austin, these specializations offer a cutting-edge curriculum that integrates seamlessly into existing MBA programs. Through 8-week online asynchronous courses, public institutions can offer students the flexibility needed to balance their education with professional commitments.
Small public institutions, particularly those operating within constrained budgets, face unique challenges in launching new programs, but they play a critical role in shaping the workforce of the future. Rize is now expanding its partnerships to help public institutions launch both undergraduate programs and MBA specializations that deliver high ROI for both graduates and universities.
One significant advantage public institutions have in adopting specialized MBA programs is the potential to align with PBB funding models. PBB allocates state financial resources based on performance metrics such as graduation rates, job placement outcomes, and degree completions in high-demand fields. By offering specialized MBA programs in areas with strong labor market demand, public institutions can demonstrate measurable student success outcomes, improving their eligibility for PBB funding.
Every Rize program is designed to support high-growth career fields with above-average salaries. By implementing specialized MBA programs, public institutions can enhance their graduates’ employability and directly contribute to job-placement goals that align with PBB objectives. Data from Adrian College also highlights another key benefit—improved retention. Students transitioning into Rize-supported majors have increased by 23% year-over-year, demonstrating that specialized academic offerings can help institutions improve student retention rates and graduation success.
Rize’s MBA specializations integrate with existing course catalogs, ensuring alignment with each institution’s identity and academic priorities. With small class sizes, direct faculty engagement, and flexible online learning options, these programs maintain the personalized educational experiences that students at small public institutions value while enhancing differentiation and enrollment growth.
As public institutions navigate the challenges of enrollment management and funding allocation, leveraging MBA specializations offers a strategic pathway to growth. By aligning with labor market needs, enhancing student career outcomes, and meeting PBB funding requirements, specialized MBA programs provide a compelling opportunity for differentiation and long-term success. Through strategic partnerships with Rize, public institutions can harness consortium-based learning models that maximize resources, minimize risk, and position their MBA offerings for a sustainable and thriving future.
Here’s an example of a strategic pathway to growth amongst public institutions, with Glenville State University now offering five new MBA specializations through a partnership with Rize.
If you’re looking for ways to increase job placement rates or hit other PBB funding metrics by differentiating your academic portfolio with the most in-demand programs, talk to our Partnerships team to see if our programs are right for your institution.
