How To Choose The Best MBA Program For You

MBA students attend class at Pacific's Hillsboro campus.

Making the most of your MBA means choosing a program that empowers you. See how faculty, alumni, and hands-on training can make all the difference in advancing your career.

Pacific’s Master of Business Administration program is currently accepting applications! Apply through BusCAS today and kickstart your career with our hybrid, flexible MBA pathways.

There’s a lot of reasons to get an MBA

Whether you want to advance your career with a new skill set, discover exciting specializations, or meet like-minded business professionals, the benefits of an MBA are far-reaching.

Top MBA programs can give you not only the knowledge to innovate and succeed after graduation, but also connect you with thought-leaders among alumni, professors, and your peers.

With so many schools of business offering graduate programs, it’s important that you find a degree path that fits you.

What do the best business schools have in common? Here’s what we recommend keeping an eye out for while choosing an MBA program.

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Hybrid MBA Course Schedules

Pursuing an MBA is a popular choice among working professionals, making pathways that balance school and your career especially valuable.

Pacific's College of Business offer a part-time MBA program that bridges the gap between career advancement and current job commitments.

Completed in just 15 months, our hybrid MBA — available both online and on campus during alternating weekends — enables you to supercharge your career with support from experienced faculty.

This flexible approach allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance while enjoying the advantages of a comprehensive MBA education, including one-on-one mentorship and valuable alumni networking.

“When I found out how willing the program was to accommodate my schedule, my family and I saw it as a "no-brainer". By doing my MBA program at Pacific, I will be able to complete it a year before I originally planned.”

– Robert Wood MBA ‘23

Healthcare MBA: A Specialized Pathway

The MBA is a diverse and varied degree, enabling graduates to explore a wide variety of potential careers and specializations.

One specialization growing in popularity is the Healthcare MBA. An MBA in healthcare management and administration prepares you for many different types of healthcare roles in many different settings.

With courses in fields including healthcare economics, healthcare law, and healthcare operations management, the Healthcare MBA allows you to help providers operate more efficiently and effectively, meaning more patients can get the care they need.

The Healthcare MBA pairs well with many of the industry-leading professional degrees offered through Pacific’s College of Health Professions, including concurrent pathways in Optometry, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Dental Hygiene, and other programs.

“The cohort model is excellent and I've learned so much from my classmates! I also appreciate the diversity of teaching styles, topics, and professionalism of the faculty.”

– Kristen Cornachione MBA (MHA track) ‘23

Robust MBA Alumni Networks

Top MBA programs uniquely leverage expansive alumni networks for career advising and job placement.

These networks, extending beyond mentorship, unlock diverse opportunities by connecting you with job prospects, industry trends, and a wealth of knowledge beyond the classroom. 

Pacific's College of Business alumni, spread across various industries, offer insights into sectors such as finance, healthcare, and tech, becoming valuable resources for job seekers.

Whether seeking guidance in a specific field or aiming to refine your skills, the reach and activities of school of business alumni networks are invaluable assets.

Students Actively Using Skills Learned in MBA Programs

The best business schools are those that adapt what you learn in the classroom to work in a real-world setting. 

By placing you in hands-on environments alongside dedicated industry professionals, you can grow not only your skill set, but also create lasting connections with business leaders.

Whether in your own backyard or in an entire other country, the benefits of an MBA program shine brightest when you explore career possibilities in person.

“The faculty are highly-educated local professionals who work for local organizations; their experience helps me better understand what local employers look for in MBA professionals.”

– Daniel Ornelas MBA ‘23

Accessible MBA Application Requirements 

Most MBA programs require some number of professional references, resumés, and personal statements, so it’s important to explore programs that use these materials to highlight your specific qualifications.

Pacific’s MBA program does not require the GRE or GMAT in order to apply, meaning that you can instead focus on other admissions requirements without worrying about complex exams. 


See how much more you can earn over your career with an MBA from one of the Northwest's most innovative business programs!

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