# The Top 13 MBA Programs in Jacksonville, Florida

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- Published: 2024-04-29
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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As a major financial and commercial hub in northeast Florida, Jacksonville offers a robust job market and business ecosystem. The city boasts a diverse economy spanning logistics, healthcare, finance, IT and more. Major employers include Bank of America, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Baptist Health and CSX Transportation.

An MBA degree can provide great value in advancing your business career amid this flourishing economic landscape. Jacksonville is home to several highly ranked institutions offering MBA programs catering to various interests and schedules.

In this comprehensive guide, we analyze the top MBA programs in Jacksonville across factors like admissions selectivity, concentrations offered, enrollment numbers, tuition fees and more. You‘ll also gain insider tips directly from students and alumni on what sets these programs apart. Let‘s get started!

## How We Ranked Jacksonville‘s Top MBA Programs

In compiling this list, we used a methodology weighing several key indicators of program quality and outcomes, including:

- **Admissions selectivity** – the competitiveness of gaining admission measured by acceptance rates and incoming student GPA/GMAT scores
- **Career outcomes** – percentage of graduates employed at or soon after completion and their average starting salaries
- **Reputation** – program rankings published by outlets like US News, Forbes and Bloomberg Businessweek
- **Cost** – total tuition fees for completing the program
- **Customization** – variety of concentrations offered catering to different interests

Greater weight was given to metrics directly relating to academic excellence and ROI, namely career outcomes, selectivity and rankings.

## 1. University of North Florida Coggin College of Business

[![](https://33rdsquare.com/wp-content/uploads/users/110/2023/02/image-1.png)](https://33rdsquare.com/wp-content/uploads/users/110/2023/02/image-1.png)

**Highlights:**

- Top ranked public university MBA in Jacksonville
- Among most affordable programs with quality education
- Strong industry connections providing networking events

**Key Stats:**

| Metric | Stat |
| --- | --- |
| 2022 US News Regional Ranking | #32 (Top 15% Regional Universities South) |
| 2022 US News Part-Time MBA Ranking | #74 Nationally |
| Annual Tuition & Fees | $12,864 (in-state), $25,684 (out-of-state) |
| 2022 Acceptance Rate | 53% |
| 2021 Enrolled Students | 382 |
| Concentrations Offered | 12 including Business Analytics, Construction Management and more |

The Coggin College of Business is home to an AACSB-accredited MBA program emphasizing experiential learning and professional development. Students praise the high caliber education at a reasonable price along with abundant resources.

One standout benefit is the Osprey Career Link connecting students to internships and jobs at hundreds of regional employers. On average, over 90% of Coggin MBA graduates secure full-time employment within 3 months – evidence of the strong ROI of an UNF business degree.

[Learn More](https://www.unf.edu/coggin/)

## 2. Jacksonville University Davis College of Business

[![](https://33rdsquare.com/wp-content/uploads/users/110/2023/02/image-2.png)](https://33rdsquare.com/wp-content/uploads/users/110/2023/02/image-2.png)

**Highlights:**

- Prestigious private university MBA option
- Emphasis on experiential learning with consulting projects
- Vibrant downtown campus life

**Key Stats:**

| Metric | Stat |
| --- | --- |
| 2022 US News Regional Ranking | #15 Regional Universities South |
| Annual Tuition & Fees | $38,760 |
| 2022 Acceptance Rate | 58% |
| 2021 Enrolled Students | 53 |
| Concentrations Offered | 4 including Business Analytics, Finance and Marketing |

The Davis College of Business offers a flexible MBA curriculum focused on developing business leaders through coursework, global experiences and consulting opportunities.

There‘s no GMAT/GRE requirement for admission into their AACSB-accredited programs. Applicants are evaluated holistically based on work experience, essay responses and academic records. Over 90% of enrolled students have 3+ years of professional work experience.

Student highlight praised small class sizes, accessible professors and career coaching services. JU MBA graduates have attained roles at companies like CSX, Web.com, Fanatics and others.

[Learn More](https://www.ju.edu/dcob/)

## 3. Florida State University College of Business

**Highlights:**

- Among Florida‘s highest ranked MBA programs
- Variety of schedule options – full/part-time, executive, online
- Extensive alumni network numbering over 46,000

**Key Stats:**

| Metric | Stat |
| --- | --- |
| 2022 US News National Ranking | #56 (Top 25% of 389 MBA programs) |
| 2022 US News Online MBA Ranking | #4 |
| Annual Tuition & Fees | $54,298 (in-state full-time campus), $70,912 (out-of-state full-time campus) |
| 2022 Acceptance Rate | 48% |
| 2021 Enrolled Students | 801 |
| Concentrations Offered | 16 including Business Analytics, Global Business and Management Information Systems |

Florida State University, located just 140 miles west in Tallahassee, offers an MBA program powerhouse delivering top-tier business education, especially for those interested in an online or specialized degree.

The school touts a global network of over 46,000 alumni in leadership positions, providing excellent networking and mentorship opportunities for students. Graduates have gone on to jobs at Amazon, Deloitte, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Microsoft and more.

[Learn More](https://business.fsu.edu/)

## Other Notable MBA Programs in Jacksonville

Beyond the top 3 ranked institutions above, Jacksonville hosts additional reputable universities for obtaining a quality, affordable MBA education with flexibility. Here are a few other options worth considering:

### 4. University of Florida Hough Graduate School of Business

The respected state MBA flagship program offers comprehensive curriculum covering all business disciplines. UF MBAs can specialize in one of 8 concentrations including business analytics, entrepreneurship and real estate.

### 5. Saint Leo University

This private Catholic university located just an hour from Jacksonville offers MBA concentrations in accounting, cybersecurity management, healthcare management, human resource management, marketing and more.

### 6. Florida A&M University College of Business & Industry

Top ranked HBCU MBA choice with concentrations in supply chain management, hospitality/tourism and finance; offers flexible hybrid/online learning formats.

### 7. Keiser University

For those seeking a convenient, accelerated program, Keiser University offers a 100% online MBA that can be completed in as little as 12 months.

## Things to Consider When Selecting an MBA Program in Jacksonville

Finding the right MBA comes down to aligning your academic and career aspirations with program strengths and offerings. Here are key factors to evaluate:

### Scheduling Format

Determine whether you require the flexibility of a part-time, online or accelerated curriculum vs preferring an immersive full-time experience.

### Cost

Compare total tuition fees along with scholarship and funding opportunities. In-state public schools like UNF tend to offer most affordable options.

### Concentrations / Specializations

What business disciplines most interest you? Identify programs offering relevant concentrations and practical, hands-on learning in those areas.

### Career Support Resources

Look for schools providing abundant recruitment/networking events, corporate partnerships facilitating internships and job placement assistance.

### Campus Culture & Environment

Make sure the learning environment suits your personality – more intimate cohorts for discussion-style learning vs larger lecture-based formats.

By weighing factors like these against your career aspirations, you can narrow down the graduate business school offering maximum value.

## Inside Tips for Getting Into a Top Jacksonville MBA

While admissions criteria varies between programs, most emphasize a strong academic history, performance on standardized tests (like GMAT or GRE) and professional experience.

Here are insider tips MBA admissions board members and industry experts recommend to strengthen your candidacy:

### Gain Relevant Work Experience

Programs want candidates who can contribute experience-based perspectives to class discussions. Shoot for 2 to 6 years of professional work prior to applying.

### Prepare Thoroughly for Admissions Exams like GMAT

All MBA applicants must take a graduate school entrance exam, typically the GMAT or GRE. Extended test prep through practice questions, mocks and tutoring is hugely beneficial.

### Provide Compelling Recommendations

Ask managers who can vouch for your leadership ability, communication skills and other qualities predicting MBA success for letters of recommendation.

### Outline Clear Goals in Admissions Essays

Essays asking ‘Why our MBA program?’ offer a chance to align your aspirations with the school‘s offerings. Develop these links explicitly.

Following this tailored strategy for each program increases your odds of admission and winning merit scholarships, making a top tier Jacksonville MBA more accessible.

## Why Pursue an MBA in Jacksonville?

Beyond housing several high quality graduate management programs, Jacksonville offers an exceptional environment to launch your business career long-term. Reasons why the city attracts top talent include:

**Thriving Industries** – Major sectors like financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics continue expanding with large presences from elite global companies.

**Low Cost of Living** – Jacksonville maintains very affordable housing and general expenses compared to other Florida metro areas, while offering amenities of a large city.

**Lifestyle Perks** – Residents enjoy beautiful beaches, nature parks and navigable waterways with pleasant weather year-round. The region places very livable.

**Growing Job Market** – Greater Jacksonville has added over 22,000 new business and financial occupations since 2013 with this growth projected to continue, assuring plentiful local openings suited for MBA graduates.

With academically rigorous programs tailored to in-demand fields plus a flourishing job market full of networking contacts, Jacksonville offers the total package for advancing your management career. Use this guide to discover the MBA program that best fits your objectives.

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Source: [The Top 13 MBA Programs in Jacksonville, Florida](https://33rdsquare.com/the-top-13-mba-programs-in-jacksonville-florida/)