Business Schools in Utah

In Utah, you will find nearly 30 schools with business programs. Specializations are varied and you’ll find degree programs at all academic levels, including several doctoral programs.

Marketing Degree Programs in Utah

State of Utah’s Marketing Industry

Welcome to Boomtown, U.S.A. Utah’s economy has been recovering from the recession much more quickly than most of the nation, and it continues to pick up speed. It has a diverse mix of industries, outstanding tourism numbers (more than 20.2 million people visit each year, according to the Brigham Young University Digital Universe), and a knack for being business-friendly.

In fact, according to the 2012 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Index, “Rich States, Poor States,” Utah has better economic prospects than any other state in the nation. Not surprisingly, it also comes in #1 in the Forbes 2012 “List Of The Best States For Business.

The marketing industry has reaped the benefits. Seventy-nine Utah names appeared on Inc.’s Top 5000 list of fastest growing companies in 2012, ten of which were in advertising and marketing. MediaForge posted an outstanding 4,337% 3-year growth rate.

Job Prospects for Utah Marketing Graduates

Prospects for Utah marketers look excellent. For the period 2008-2018, the state’s Department of Workforce Services is predicting significant job growth for marketing research analysts (38%), PR specialists (33%) and marketing managers (24%). The last two figures are ten percentage points above national averages.

Some of these jobs will be in the technology industry. Thanks in part to low energy costs, Utah now hosts data centers for Oracle, eBay and the NSA and is fast-developing a reputation as a “knowledge business” hub. The press is calling it “Silicon Slopes”.

If techs and start-ups don’t ring your bell, you might look into jobs with Huntsman, Utah’s only Fortune 500 company, or investigate opportunities with financial giants like UBS, Zion Bankcorporation and Merrill Lynch. Tourism organizations may also be eager to talk to smart graduates.

Utah Schools for Marketing

There are eleven accredited marketing schools in Utah, most of which are near Salt Lake City. If you’re just beginning your search, have a look at:

1. Brigham Young University (BYU) (http://marriottschool.byu.edu/)

BYU’s Marriott School of Management has an excellent reputation in business circles and offers a Bachelor of Science in Management with a major in marketing and an MBA. In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked it #34 in “Best Business Schools.

Marriott has four business centers focusing on global management, entrepreneurship and technology, economic self-reliance, and career development. Roughly 1,000 alumni actively counsel students each year through the school’s mentor program.

2. University of Utah (http://www.business.utah.edu/)

The university’s David Eccles School of Business has developed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in marketing, an MBA, and doctorate in marketing. The U.S. News & World Report ranked it #84 in 2013.

Students can choose to participate in an internship program and attend regular marketing conferences and talks.

Professional Marketing Organizations in Utah

If you’re looking for networking events and education opportunities, be sure not to pass up some of these Utah marketing associations. Many also have job boards.

• AAF Utah (http://www.aafutah.com/): Utah Chapter of the American Advertising Federation
• SLC|SEM (http://www.slcsem.org/): Salt Lake City Search Engine Marketers
• SMPS Utah (http://smpsutah.org/): Society for Marketing Professional Services in Utah
• Utah AMA (http://www.utahama.org/): Utah Chapter of the American Marketing Association

Business Degree Programs in Utah

Because Utah’s business culture supports small, innovative, family-oriented businesses, aspiring business professionals, who are looking to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration (BBA) or MBA, often strive to work in or open their own small businesses.

Small businesses are key to Utah’s well-functioning economy.

These small firms accounted for more than 48 percent of private-sector jobs in Utah. Some of Utah’s top small business industries included:

• Retail Trade – 147.7 firms
• Manufacturing – 123.7 firms
• Admin. Support and Waste Management – 120.0 firms
• Healthcare and Social Assistance – 113.5 firms
• Accommodation and Food Services 96.6 firms

Utah’s small, family-oriented business success stories include the likes of Jim Laub. Laub is the CEO of Cache Valley Electric in Salt Lake City—one of the most diversified electrical contractor companies in the country. He explained to the Utah Business magazine in 2015 that his business was passed down to him from his grandfather, who started a small storefront electrical business in Logan in 1915.

Since then, the business as grown to include more than 1,200 employees with an annual revenue of more than $300 million—all based on his grandfather and father’s core values: take care of your customers and treat people the way you want to be treated.

Large Corporations in Utah

Utah is also home to many large corporations that depend on the innovation and leadership of young business school graduates. One of the fastest-growing industries in Utah—and one with the most potential openings for young business school graduates—is the healthcare industry.

In fact, as of 2014, Utah was one of the best places in America to retire, according to Forbes, due to the state’s booming healthcare industry. In 2016, some health care companies that were among the fastest-growing private companies in Utah listed on the Inc.com 5000 included:

• Phoenix Recovery & Counseling Centers in Draper – $6.6 million revenue
• Health Catalyst in Salt Lake City – $40.9 million revenue
• Zarbee’s in Draper – $39.8 million revenue

Young business school graduates often strive to attain corporate positions in some of Utah’s largest corporations, as well. The Utah Business magazine lists the state’s top 100 largest private companies as of 2014, which include:

• Intermountain Health Care in Salt Lake City – 28,700 employees
• Alsco in Salt Lake City – 16,000 employees
• Larry H. Miller Group in Sandy – 8,048 employees
• Management and Training Corp. in Centerville – 8,037 employees
• C.R. England Inc. in Salt Lake city – 7,352 employees

Business school graduates acquire business expertise when earning their degree, allowing them to make some of the highest wages in the state. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) found that the income ranges for Utah’s business professionals included:

• Sales managers: $116,270 – $146,460
• General and operations managers: $87,800 – $164,330
• Economists: $78,450 – $118,250
• Financial analysts: $76,150 – $113,310

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Weber State University

The John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics at Weber State is designed for people who already have a start on their careers and who want to move up the executive ladder. The curriculum is offered in eight-week blocks, and can be pursued full time or part time, or a combination of the two. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program for individuals with a non-business undergraduate degree requires 54 semester hours and takes at least two years to complete. The school also offers distance learning MBA options. The Fast-Track MBA is for candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree in business in the last 10 years. You are exempted from a number of basic business courses, allowing you to earn your degree in a year and a half. The school also has a joint degree program that combines an MBA with a Master of Health Administration. All Weber State MBA degree programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

University of Utah

The University of Utah is home to the David Eccles School of Business. This school’s MBA program offers what they call an “industry-agnostic” focus that builds strong fundamental business skills instead of following the fads. The program is only offered as a full-time on-campus program. It is an intense experience with top-tier faculty, deep ties within the business community and hands-on opportunities. The University Venture Fund (UVF) was founded at the school in 2001 and is now the largest student-run private equity fund in the U.S. Through it, students have front-row entrepreneurial experience raising capital, performing due diligence and making investment decisions. In addition, students have access to career support resources through the Business Career Management Center (BCMC). The school’s alumni community is global and remains actively connected with the school.

Utah State University

Your options for earning your MBA from Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business give you considerable flexibility. One of the newer programs is the One-Year MBA, a collaborative effort with professors from the Harvard Business School, business leaders and employers, as well as former students. The streamlined curriculum saves you money and time, not only in tuition costs but also in getting you into the workforce faster – the school calls this the “$100,000 difference.” Courses run a half a semester rather than the typical full semester, and repetitive content has been eliminated. Alternatively, you can enroll in one of the school’s part-time professional programs in several locations in Utah and Idaho, and earn your MBA in two years or more. Both the full-time and part-time programs are AACSB accredited.

Brigham Young University

The Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University (BYU) began as a school for bookkeepers, but has grown into an internationally-recognized institution, earning top rankings from numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report. The program is hands-on and integrated into the national and international business community. BYU MBA candidates learn through global management projects, investment portfolio management teams, entrepreneurial competitions, venture capital decision making and social enterprise projects. The school has a marked focus on the spiritual aspect of business, based on the university’s motto “The glory of God is intelligence”; the curriculum emphasizes work ethic, strong moral values and high ethical standards. Additionally, the program is one of the most family-friendly of its kind. The Career Center provides active support, and 95 percent of students find jobs within three months of graduation. The school community is tight as you progress through the program with a group of approximately 165 students that are broken into groups of 40. Alumni maintain ongoing ties to the school and are a resource for graduates throughout their careers.

Webster University

The George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University offers its MBA as a traditional on-campus program as well as online through the WorldClassRoom distance learning program. This online program allows you to pursue your degree while working full time; you can also switch between formats to create a blended approach. The focus behind the curriculum is business leadership in a multicultural world. You can select from several areas of emphasis including business and organizational security management, decision support systems, environmental management, finance, gerontology, human resources development, human resources management, information technology management, international business, international relations, management and leadership, marketing, media communications or procurement and acquisitions management.

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