January 21, 2025
SIU’s business administration program among U.S. News’ ‘Best Online Programs’
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s online business and administration program has earned national recognition for excellence, claiming a spot for the first time on the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Online Programs rankings released today (Jan. 21). SIU’s online business and administration program is within the top 25%, tied for No. 54.
“This ranking by U.S. News is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni, and we are proud to see our program recognized among the best in the nation. It also affirms that our online programs deliver the flexibility and excellence our students need to succeed,” said Marc Morris, dean of the college. “While we celebrate this achievement, it is just the tip of the iceberg and demonstrates the college’s longstanding commitment to innovation, academic excellence and preparing students for leadership in the rapidly evolving world.”
Flexible format
SIU’s business and administration online degree completion program gives students who have already earned at least 60 credit hours of college-level coursework the chance to earn their bachelor’s degree completely online with a flexible, convenient format. The program, established in 2011, offers an option to students who cannot complete their degrees on campus because of life circumstances or life/work commitments.
Students usually complete their degrees in six semesters over a two-year period but have the option of enrolling full-time or part-time, taking fewer courses if necessary because of scheduling needs.
While typical on-campus students are age 22 or younger, the average online students in the program are in the 27-34 age group. SIU welcomes students from anywhere in the world but especially targets recruitment efforts in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Florida, California, Texas and Tennessee, particularly the Nashville area where the alumni base is growing. Morris noted that the college also has a great deal of “brand recognition” with friends and family of military students across the country in locales including Jacksonville, Florida; Delaware; Pensacola, Florida; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; and Bangor, Washington.
Comprehensive program
SIU’s College of Business and Analytics is accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and SIU’s online business and administration program is quite comprehensive, incorporating finance, management, marketing and accounting components. The same experienced, high-caliber faculty who teach the on-campus courses teach the majority of the eight-week classes.
“Our professors don’t just teach – they mentor,” Morris said.
No matter where students are physically, they aren’t alone, Morris said. They have regular contact with faculty and staff as well as access to a wide variety of resources, including Morris Library, the Writing Center and even one-on-one tutoring.
The college also offers an online accounting bachelor’s degree completion program, created in 2011. SIU’s School of Accountancy has full membership in the Federation of Schools of Accountancy and has earned its own AACSB Accounting accreditation, which is held by less than 1% of accounting programs.
“Many of our graduates go on to enroll in our online graduate programs,” Morris added.
SIU offers online programs for Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy and Master of Science in Business Analytics degrees, in addition to its on-campus programs.
For more information, visit the website, email cobaonline@siu.edu or call 618-453-7901.