Carly MurphyIn a landscape where MBA enrollment is on the decline across the nation and the Southern California region, Chapman University’s Argyros College of Business and Economics is celebrating a significant surge in enrollment and applications, showcasing the successful execution of their strategic vision to meet industry needs.
As reported by the Orange County Business Journal, total enrollment in 17 Southern California institutions has decreased by 4.6%. Meanwhile, several prestigious universities nationwide have experienced a lackluster response to their MBA programs.
In stark contrast, Chapman University’s MBA cohorts within the Argyros College of Business and Economics have experienced an astonishing 54% increase in enrollment from fall 2022 to fall 2023. Remarkably, the Executive MBA program, which has been discontinued at many institutions, witnessed more than twofold growth year-over-year.
Dean Henrik Cronqvist of the Argyros College attributes this remarkable success to the exceptional quality of students and their outstanding career outcomes. Chapman University’s MBA program has now ascended to the 60th position in national rankings and is recognized as the 3rd top private MBA program on the West Coast.
Furthermore, the specialized master’s programs at the Argyros College have also seen a surge in applications and yield. Notably, the three-year-old MS in Real Estate program experienced a remarkable 33% growth this fall, with significant interest already building for the 2024 cohort.
As the Argyros College continues its journey towards becoming a Top 50 business school, the institution is becoming more selective in its admissions process. This year, the acceptance rate dropped, indicating the program’s increasing selectivity.
Dean Henrik Cronqvist stated, “Our strategy is to enroll more qualified, not just more, students.” A key driver behind the MBA program’s success is the substantial investment in career acceleration and advancement for students. This includes the recent addition of a new Director of Corporate Relations in the Argyros College, a pivotal role in fostering partnerships with corporate entities to place the most qualified candidates.
Chapman University offers a diverse range of MBA paths, including a new STEM-certified MBA program generously endowed by businessmen Doy Henley and George Wall. This program has garnered attention from international students, who now comprise 12% of the college’s enrollment. Additionally, the Argyros College is committed to offering scholarships to members of the National Black MBA Association and Prospanica.
Recognizing the growing interest in the tech sector, the Argyros College is extending its reach to STEM undergraduate majors, equipping them with the strategic skills of an MBA and forging partnerships with innovative companies to enhance their value. To support these endeavors, the college now has access to a new supercomputer.
The recent transition of the Argyros College into a standalone entity, facilitated by a generous $10 million gift from prominent businessman and philanthropist George Argyros ’59, has paved the way for new schools dedicated to various areas of research and teaching, including the newly established Burra School of Accounting and Finance.
Dean Henrik Cronqvist summarized, “People choose to pursue a graduate business degree at Chapman because they value the personalized attention offered through intentionally small class sizes, which accelerates their career growth.”
About Chapman University
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from 123 areas of study within 11 colleges for a personalized education. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Students at Chapman learn directly from distinguished world-class faculty including Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur fellows, published authors and Academy Award winners.The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. The university features the No. 4 film school and No. 60 business school in the U.S. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.
