The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota ranked slightly lower in 2023, landing at No. 25 compared to 2022’s No. 20 and 2021’s No. 14. Overall, in the ranking’s three methodological categories, Carlson finished 29th in Career Outcomes, 26th in Admissions, and 43rd in Academic Experience.
For students entering this fall, Carlson had nearly the same acceptance rate as last year’s at 29.52%, compared to 29.16%. The average SAT score of 1359 was down slightly from 1375 the previous year.
A great 97.24% of the Class of 2022 secured a full-time position by graduation — nearly identical to the previous class at 97.90%. Meanwhile, 88.34% of graduates had secured a business-focused internship by the time of graduation, compared to 92.1% for the Class of 2021.
As for compensation, the Class of 2022 reported an average starting salary of $66,498 compared to $61,975 for the prior class. Nearly 40% of graduating seniors reported getting a signing bonus of an average of $6,130.
Much of that success likely comes down to the “in-action” learning approach at Carlson, its unique location, and the global business component.
CURRICULUM
Carlson students hit the ground running in their first-year with two management courses. In their second year, students go into the Immersion Core, a set of four courses that teach how business works cross-functionally in the fields of finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.
Carlson students can choose from 10 majors including: Accounting, Entrepreneurial Management, Finance, Finance & Risk Management Insurance, Human Resources and Industrial Relations, International Business, Management Information Systems – MIS, Marketing, Public & Nonprofit Management, and Supply Chain and Operations Management.
“IN-ACTION” LEARNING
What makes the Carlson education stand out is the “in-action” approach that many courses offer. Those courses provide students with hands-on, real-world experiential learning experiences to apply their studies and bolster their skills.
Examples in include a marketing analytics class with different simulations every week and the the Enterprise Program, which brings together MBA and select undergraduate students to address real-world client challenges. Students can choose from four different Enterprise Programs including Brand Enterprise, Consulting Enterprise, Funds Enterprise, and Ventures Enterprise.
A RICH BUSINESS HUB
Carlson leverages its unique location of being in a major metropolitan area to offer its students the signature “in-action” learning experiences. Minneapolis is home to 16 Fortune 500 companies, diverse industries, a robust entrepreneurial and non-profit community, and a variety of small, medium, and large businesses. And Carlson students have access to this rich hub of business through their courses and initiatives such as the Enterprise Program.
Additionally, Carlson ensures every student utilizes its expansive business network through the required “Business Communications” course, where students participate in a consulting project with corporate partners such as Deloitte and Target.
GLOBAL REQUIREMENT
Business is a global industry. To ensure all students are prepared for that reality, Carlson requires all undergraduates to complete an international experience. From Brazil to Cambodia, Carlson students have access to a variety of destinations where they can immerse themselves in unique cultures and learn about business from a multi-view perspective.
The “in-action” learning approach at Carlson coupled with the school’s rich local business hub and international experience requirement ensure that its students are set up for success. If you prefer learning by doing and traveling the world to learn about business, then Carlson is the right match for you.
2021 Alumni say:
“I spent a semester abroad in Kenya and the experience was so unique because I spent time both studying in the classroom, and interning with an organization in a more rural area, all while living with host families. The Carlson School has a requirement for all students to complete a global immersion program, and I credit that with pushing me to seriously consider study abroad programs and find the most engaging experience for myself.”
“Corporate sustainability trip to Costa Rica exposed me to how businesses like Starbucks and dole operate and the resources it takes to grow bananas and coffee while keeping the environment healthy and intact for future generations. It was unique in that not many trips go to Costa Rica and not many students get to experience going to coffee and banana farms of small and large sizes. It makes you realize the work that goes into the simple groceries or your cup of coffee from your local cafe.”
“For our MIS Capstone, we were able to work with a local business in the Minneapolis area to help improve a real process and increase their revenue. This felt very similar to the client projects and engagements I encounter in my job today. It made everything I had learned to that point applicable.”
“I participated in the Corporate Investment Decisions senior capstone class. It was designed to draw on all the prior finance classes to solve business problems. It was the most relevant to the work I do now and helped prepare me for real business problems outside of the classroom.”
“I was able to broaden my horizons and ways of thinking and interacting with others exponentially, while also learning from top business professors in Europe. The diversity in classes offered project work relevant to a career in Human Resources but also exceptional to build soft skills. I was also a leader of the GLOBE student exchange program on campus and this experience helped me to prepare and excel at being a community leader.”
