BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University continues to earn national and international recognition affirming its status as an innovator and leader in business education. For the 2025–26 academic year, four notable publications have named App State’s business bachelor’s and master’s programs — offered through the Walker College of Business — as being among the best in the nation and the world.
The university’s Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in applied data analytics and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration programs have received accolades from U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, CEO Magazine and Fortune magazine, all of which recognized the high quality of the programs and their return on investment for graduates.
The accolades:
The fall 2024 student cohorts of App State’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in applied data analytics (MSADA) programs, along with MBA and MSADA program faculty, are pictured in Peacock Hall, which houses the university’s nationally and internationally recognized Walker College of Business. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
“These accolades underscore the exceptional quality of education students receive in App State’s Walker College of Business, as well as the innovative teaching of our faculty and the above-and-beyond support provided daily by our staff,” said Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy. “Our graduates leave App State ready to thrive as leaders in a dynamic business environment.”
App State’s MBA program — available full and part time at the Boone campus, as well as through App State Online — offers flexible class options so that students can shape their educational experience to both fit their lifestyle and meet their personal and professional goals. Students receive individualized attention through dedicated career services and academic advising, as well as soft skills and professional development.
The 36-hour M.S. in applied data analytics program provides students with the technical skills to work with data — and to do so within a business context. Graduates of the program understand and can apply data analytics concepts, techniques and tools to promote effective organizational decision-making and problem-solving.
This fall, App State launched artificial intelligence (AI) concentrations as part of its MBA and applied data analytics programs. Through the new concentrations, students explore AI-driven decision-making, strategy and governance, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to drive positive community and economic impact through AI-driven innovation.
App State’s online BSBA degree programs in accounting, management, marketing and supply chain management offer students the flexibility to complete their degree on their own schedule — full or part time. App State also offers its BSBA programs at its Boone campus, and these programs will be available at the App State Hickory campus in spring 2026.
Read on to learn more about the 2025–26 accolades.
App State business students take part in the fall 2023 Walker Business Connections career fair, held in the Holmes Convocation Center at the university’s Boone campus. During this annual event, undergraduate and graduate business students are given the opportunity to network with representatives from a variety of employers to learn about full- and part-time careers, as well as internship opportunities. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Bachelor’s and master’s programs in business ranked among nation’s best — U.S. News
As part of its “2025 Best Online Programs” rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized App State’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs as being among the best in the nation.
The university was ranked within the top 25% of schools included in the publication’s “Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs” list. App State has held the distinction of being one of the nation’s best schools for undergraduate business education programs for five consecutive years.
Additionally, App State’s internationally recognized online MBA program was ranked within the top 20% of schools named in U.S. News’ “Best Online MBA Programs” list for 2025.
Factors considered in this year’s U.S. News rankings included student engagement, services and technologies available to students, faculty credentials and training, and peer reputation. Student excellence was also considered for schools offering online master’s degree programs.
Overall, App State Online placed within the top 16% of U.S. colleges and universities for best online bachelor’s programs, advancing 24 positions over its 2024 ranking.
Access the 2025 U.S. News “Best Online Programs” rankings.
A ‘Best Business School’ for 2025 — The Princeton Review
App State’s Walker College of Business has been named in The Princeton Review’s “Best Business Schools for 2025” list, which recognized a total of 213 national colleges and universities for having the best on-campus MBA degree programs. Additionally, Walker College and its MBA program were recognized among the best in the Southeast for 2025. Schools included in the list were unranked.
Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review, wrote that the publication’s 2025 Best Business Schools share four characteristics: “excellent academics, robust experiential learning components, outstanding career services and positive feedback about them from enrolled students we surveyed.”
Schools were chosen for the 2025 list based on data from the publication’s surveys of administrators at 244 business schools in 2025, as well as surveys of more than 22,800 students enrolled in the schools over the past three academic years. More than 60 data points were considered, including career outcomes, admissions selectivity and academic rigor.
Access The Princeton Review’s 2025 “Best Business Schools” list.
Pictured earlier this year, Holland Fellows from Appalachian State University hold a Walker College of Business banner along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in front of the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Hong Kong. The International Finance Centre and the Hong Kong Island skyline are visible in the background. Through App State’s William R. Holland International Business Fellowship, Holland Fellows engage in an immersive global experience, exploring business design and internationalization strategies with organizations and leaders shaping markets across Asia and the world. Photo by Jesse Pipes
Among the world’s top-tier MBA programs — CEO Magazine
According to CEO Magazine, App State is an international leader for graduate business education. The publication has designated App State’s on-campus MBA program as a Tier Two program in its “2025 Global MBA Rankings” list. This marks the 13th consecutive year that App State has been recognized in the magazine’s annual rankings.
The university’s online MBA program was one of 100 internationally recognized programs included in CEO Magazine’s “Online MBA Rankings 2025” list. According to the magazine, the rankings “identify schools that marry exceptional quality with great return on investment.”
For its 2025 rankings, CEO Magazine evaluated 309 online, executive, full-time and part-time MBA programs offered by 153 schools across 24 countries. The rankings were determined using a scoring system with metrics that included faculty qualifications, class size, international diversity, accreditation, faculty-to-student ratio and cost, among other factors.
Access CEO Magazine’s “2025 Global MBA Rankings.”
Applied data analytics master’s program earns national recognition for quality, value — Fortune magazine
As part of its 2025 “Best Master’s in Data Science Programs” rankings list, Fortune Education — a branch of Fortune magazine — has ranked App State seventh in the nation for its Master of Science in applied data analytics program, an increase of four positions over the university’s 2024 ranking.
Fortune ranked the top 35 universities with the most exceptional data science master’s programs, based on eight criteria:
- Previous ranking/participation
- Annual search volume (online search queries for the program)
- Total program cost for out-of-state U.S. residents
- Acceptance rate for the 2023–24 academic year
- Number of admitted students for 2023–24
- Average undergraduate GPA (2023–24)
- Graduation rate (considers 2021 through 2024)
- One-year retention rate (2023–24)
Additionally, Fortune recognized the university in its “Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science for 2025” rankings list, placing App State’s MSADA program as No. 13 in the nation for affordability. The list’s rankings are based solely on the approximate total program cost for out-of-state U.S. residents for the 2024–25 school year, which for App State was $44,295.
Access Fortune’s 2025 “Best Master’s in Data Science” and “Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science” rankings list.
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MBA, applied data analytics programs will feature the new tracks, beginning this fall
April 15, 2025
App State’s Walker College of Business, business degree programs have been recognized by US News, The Princeton Review, CEO Magazine, Fortune magazine and Forbes magazine
Nov. 25, 2024
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
