Isenberg’s Specialized Master’s Programs Ranked in Top Five Nationally

In new rankings published Jan. 21, 2025, by U.S. News & World Report, Isenberg’s Online Master of Science (MS) programs in accounting and business analytics were ranked number 5 in the Best Online Master’s Degrees of 2025, an improvement from last year. In the Best Online MBA ranking, Isenberg’s program was ranked number 16 overall in the country.  

“These latest rankings show the results of innovation—including adding data analytics tracks and courses—over the past several years to make our online MS in Accounting and MS in Business Analytics more relevant to the career needs of our students,” said Anne Massey, PhD, dean of the Isenberg School of Management. “In a competitive market, Isenberg’s Online MBA program continues to be a leader and innovator, providing students with career-building skills and learning experiences tailored to specific industries.”

Nikunj Kapadia, PhD, associate dean of graduate programs at Isenberg, said the efforts of faculty, advisors, and career counselors all reflect well on the master’s degree programs. 

“We are pleased to have our MS in Accounting and MS in Business Analytics programs consistently recognized among the top online master’s in business degrees,” he said. “As employers continue to seek advanced analytics skills in their employees and new hires, Isenberg’s specialized master’s programs enable our graduates to be very competitive in the marketplace.”

Isenberg’s Online MBA has been one of the highest ranked in the United States for more than 20 years, according to Kapadia. 

“We continue to ensure that our students get the industry-specific knowledge and skills that they need to build or pivot their careers,” he said.

Madison Hughes, who graduated with an MS in Accounting in 2024, describes her Isenberg degree as giving her a step up over other job applicants. 

“The MS in Accounting was a dynamic blend of hands-on experience, real-world problem solving, and working with driven peers,” said Hughes, who works as an audit associate at Ernst & Young. “I was excited by the focus on learning data analytics skills, because these are so important in today’s business world.”

Varvara Plotnichenko came to the MS in Business Analytics Program (MSBA), which she expects to complete this year, with a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology. 

"I began considering 4+1 programs at UMass Amherst during my junior year, and the MSBA program was most appealing to me based on its curriculum,” Plotnichenko said. “Understanding how to analyze and work with data to make informed decisions is becoming more and more crucial across every industry, so I knew that what I learned in the program would prove to be valuable."

U.S. News & World Report establishes the annual rankings based on several factors, including how programs encourage interactions with instructors and classmates; allow flexibility in learning; and provide learning assistance and career guidance. Programs are asked to report on the credentials of their faculty members and special training they receive in teaching online, student retention and graduation rates, and class sizes. Student quality is measured by undergraduate GPAs and work experience. The publication also conducts a survey of high-ranking academic officials at business programs, asking them to share their opinions about peer schools’ online business programs. 

By Dave Orsman, Marketing Specialist