College of Business Administration

Kansas State University, College of Business Administration History

Kansas State University, founded in 1863, is a public, coeducational institution. The 668-acre campus is located in a small town 125 miles west of Kansas City. Total undergraduate and graduate enrollment is approximately 23,000.

The College of Business Administration was founded in 1967 and is located on the main campus, in its own building. The basic educational approach is to have 75% of the courses be general in nature and 25% of the courses to be concentrated. The college offers both theoretical and case approaches, with substantial oral and written communication skills necessary.

Kansas State University, College of Business Administration Academics

The College of Business Administration offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Other programs include foreign exchange with Justis Liebig in Germany. The strongest areas of study are accounting, finance, marketing, and management. The most popular courses are management and finance.

Fifty-two total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

• Accounting Concepts and Analysis
• Economic Analysis for Business
• Managerial Finance I
• Behavioral Management
• Operations Management Analysis
• Applied Managerial Computing
• Marketing Concepts and Research
• Statistical Methods for Social Scientists
• Management Accounting and Business Problem Solving
• Managerial Finance II
• Management of Legal, Ethical, and Public Policy Issues
• International Business Electives
• Business Strategy
• Business Practicum

Required courses for the MAcc include:

• Advanced Financial Reporting

Students may eliminate or substitute requirements by successfully completing an exam that will exempt them from Managerial Finance and Accounting Concepts and Analysis.

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 1<1/2> years; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the minimum is 3 years; maximum, 6 years.

There are 32 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom hold a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category I institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 6; average business class size is 30.

Kansas State University, College of Business Administration Unique Programs

Library

The business school library and the university’s main library house a collection of more than 52,000 audio/video tapes/CDs, and subscribe to 9000 periodicals. The business library is particularly strong in agribusiness. Students have access to such databases and networks as Disclosure, business periodicals, Dialog, BRS on CD, Compustat, CRSP, Citibase, and Lexis/Nexis.

Computers

Graduate business students need not have their own PCs. The business school has its own computer facilities, consisting of 30 PCs available for use 8:30 a.m. to midnight. Software includes WordPerfect, Lotus, Access, Windows, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and various department-specific packages.

Career and Job Placement

The majors most in demand by companies recruiting in a recent year was accounting. The starting salary range of the graduating class was $32,000 to $65,000. The percentage of graduates finding jobs were:

• national corporations 40%
• regional corporations 40%
• self-employment 10%
• local small enterprises 5%
• military 5%

Placement services are extensive. Placement services for alumni include a full-time comprehensive placement service provided by the university. Placement is available through a separate placement office for graduate business students and the university placement office. Sixty-five percent of the most recent graduating class found jobs within three months of receiving their degree.

International Students

International students must take the TOEFL and TSE for MAcc students. They also must submit a translation of their transcripts and proof of adequate funds to cover the entire program of study. There is a $60 application fee. Financial aid is available for these students and consists of scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Calendar

The school operates on a traditional semester basis. Semesters are 16 weeks long; summer sessions, 4 weeks. Graduate programs are offered during the day and evening.

Kansas State University, College of Business Administration Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 3.0 and a GMAT score of 500. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and management potential. A strong mathematics background is not required.

Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by an exchange program with Grambling University and participation in minority student career fairs.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall and spring. To apply, students must submit an application form, 2 transcripts, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $50, 3 letters of recommendation, and a statement of objectives. The application deadlines are March 1 for fall entry; November 1, spring. Students are notified of the admissions decision within 4 weeks of submitting an application.

Kansas State University, College of Business Administration Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 15% of graduate business school students received financial aid from scholarships, loans, and graduate assistantships, for a total average of $4000 annually. Stipends and programs available for minority students include scholarships. The FFS and the previous year’s tax return are required. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $240 per credit. Nonresidents pay $571 per credit. Graduate student housing includes dormitories and apartments. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Kansas State University, College of Business Administration Students

Eighty percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 38% had an average of 5 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school, a factor preferred by the school. The greatest percentage of students were from Kansas (67%). Forty-three percent were women, 8% were minorities, and 20% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 25; ages ranged from 21 to 53. Fifty-seven percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 4% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 67%, business; 16%, engineering; 6%, agricultural; 4%, economics; 3%, liberal arts; 3%, math and science; and 1%, social sciences. About 3% of entering students leave by the end of the first year due to academic or personal reasons; 97% remain to receive their degree. In a recent year, 129 graduate business degrees were awarded.