Daniels is the only Colorado business school to appear on the Online MBA and Executive MBA lists

Whether you’re earning an MBA online or on campus, the Daniels College of Business offers some of the country’s top programs, according to the latest rankings from Princeton Review and Fortune.

Graduate career outcomes, the school’s academic rigor and its admissions selectivity propelled the Online MBA to the No. 10 spot on the Princeton Review list of Top-50 Online MBA Programs for 2024. Daniels’ on-campus programs are also among the few to make the publication’s lists of Best Business Schools and Best Green MBA programs.

Meanwhile, Fortune put the Daniels Executive MBA at No. 40 on its list, which examined the credentials of C-level professionals at Fortune 1000 and the level of experience for admitted students.

“We are proud that we are able to deliver an outstanding education to so many MBA students, regardless of their background or individual needs,” said Naomi Boyd, dean of the Daniels College of Business. “I believe the rankings reflect our commitment to flexibility, experiential learning and serving the greater good.”

Princeton Review logoDaniels is the only Colorado business school to appear on the Online MBA and Executive MBA lists and one of only two in-state schools in the Best Business Schools rankings.

Online MBA program takes the No. 10 spot

Students hailed the Daniels Online MBA for its price, GMAT waiver and flexibility, which allows working professionals to earn a degree in as little as 21 months. A blend of online courses, self-paced learning and interactive experiences—including two in-person domestic or global immersions—set Daniels apart.

“Even in an online program, it’s important to build relationships in person,” said program director Suzy Lindley. “Our graduates walk away with a robust network of peers they can lean on and depend on.”

Unlike many other online MBA programs, the courses at Daniels all have a required 90-minute synchronous session each week, affording students the opportunity to interact in a live setting, discuss the asynchronous content, and exchange ideas and perspectives with each other, and with a faculty member. Class sizes are usually around 15 students, further facilitating relationships and shared learning experiences.

Read: What students have to say about Daniels MBA programs

Graphic: Fortune Recommended Best Executive MBA programsExecutive MBA ranked No. 40

The Daniels Executive MBA program took a top-50 spot in Fortune’s rankings thanks to its cohort model, expert faculty and commitment to experiential learning. 

“Our curriculum is dynamic, fine-tuned to help seasoned executives meet the demands of the future,” said Andy Cohen, director of the Executive MBA program. “The perspective our students gain challenges their thinking and prepares them for the next step of their careers.”

Whether its on a boat in San Diego or a boardroom in South Africa, Executive MBA students take on real-world challenges, shaped by issues they are facing in their workplace right now. Faculty know how to tailor the learning experience to the needs of established professionals. Graduates grow as both business leaders and as people. And the relationships they build with their classmates last long after their receive their diplomas.

On-campus MBAs “run like a close-knit family”

The Daniels full-time Denver MBA and Part-time Professional MBA both use a cohort model to build collective strength, while small class sizes foster opportunities for highly personalized instruction and coaching. The challenge-based curriculum gives students face time with real companies, allowing them to act as consultants on real business problems.

Students also gave high marks to their professors, most of whom have industry experience beyond academia. And they made sure to credit the staff, who get to know them on a first-name basis and create the ideal learning environment.

“Through DU’s MBA program,” one student told Princeton Review, “I was able to transform from a middle-of-the-road employee to an outstanding one with much more confidence and skills that are valuable to employers.”

Green MBA ranking shows importance of sustainability

A commitment to the public good helped Daniels maintain its No. 10 ranking on Princeton Review’s list of Best Green MBA programs, as measured by student assessments of how well their school is preparing them in environmental issues and a career in a green job market.

The College has long held a reputation for a dedication to ethics, which it demonstrates through a graduate certificate in global business and corporate social responsibility—a credential many Denver MBA students integrate into their studies.

“Many of our graduates have used their Daniels degrees as a stepping stone to careers in ESG (environmental, social and governance issues),” said Lowell Valencia-Miller, assistant dean of MBA programs. “Given DU’s commitment to a carbon neutral campus, it only makes sense that our DMBA students lead the way into the future.”


Learn more about our MBAs

The Daniels College of Business offers four MBA programs designed for the individual needs and experiences of business professionals.