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Earn Your MBA in Salem, Oregon

Earn your MBA from the #1 program in Oregon, with hands-on learning and flexible options designed to support your career goals. Build a strong professional network across critical industries with our Salem MBA programs.

Build a Network in Salem

At Willamette University, earning your MBA in Salem means learning in the state capital, surrounded by government agencies, healthcare systems, and growing regional employers. Our Master of Business Administration degree programs combine hands-on experience with direct access to organizations that are shaping the region’s economy.

Connect with employers in healthcare, government, education, nonprofit organizations, and regional businesses within one market. Salem is the capital of Oregon, offering unique opportunities in the public sector and public policy ecosystem. With shorter commutes, a lower cost of living, and access to decision makers, Salem is a great choice for students interested in business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

Why Earn an MBA in Salem?

Whether you're already working or are a full-time student, earning your MBA in Salem has plenty of perks. Students get to complete hands-on experiences through courses like PACE with top employers in healthcare, finance, and operations. We are also blocks away from the State Capitol, helping students connect with leaders in public office and government agencies.

At Willamette, students can choose an MBA that fits their lifestyle. Consider a hybrid program, pursue a human resource concentration, or complete two degrees at the same time. Our programs offer students a variety of solutions to help you advance your career in Salem or beyond.

Three students taking an MBA course in Salem at Willamette

Our Salem MBA Programs

  • Early Career and Career Change MBA

    Whether you're just starting your career or considering a change, our full-time MBA program helps you build your resume, network, and industry connections. We offer hands-on learning opportunities and concentrations designed to develop the background you need.

  • MBA for Professionals

    Advance your skills without stepping away from your career. Designed for working professionals, our part-time MBA puts flexibility at the forefront, offering flexible hybrid courses, evening classes, and Saturday workshops.

  • One-Year MBA

    Built for students with a business-related undergraduate degree, our one-year program helps students earn an MBA degree in a short period of time. Build experiences through flagship programs like Practical Application for Careers and Enterprises and Integrative Management Project to make a difference with real local organizations across the Willamette Valley.

  • STEM MBA

    Through innovative courses and hands-on learning opportunities with local organizations, students can enter the job market with an impressive background. Engage with courses that cover AI, technology, e-commerce, management, and leadership through our graduate program.

  • MBA/Master's in Data Science

    Bridge the gap between data and decision-making. Build technical skills in analytics, machine learning, and visualization, while also learning how to lead projects and teams. You’ll graduate ready to turn insights into strategies that influence business outcomes.

  • MBA/JD

    Earn a JD and an MBA in just four years, saving you both time and money. Gain the skills to handle legal, financial, and strategic challenges across organizations. Graduate ready to lead at the intersection of law and business.

  • BA/MBA

    Save time and money through our BA/MBA dual degree program. Students can earn their undergraduate degree alongside their MBA in just five years. Develop the management education to pair with your liberal arts degree to get a head start on your career.

“Salem is an excellent place to earn an MBA. As Oregon’s capital, it brings together leaders from business, government, healthcare, nonprofits, and education. Students can build their skills in the classroom while also engaging with a community where relationships matter and where their work can have a real impact.”
Romana Autrey
Romana Autrey headshot

Willamette’s Salem Campus

Situated within Willamette's Salem location, students are positioned near key employers in government, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Our MBA programs are hosted within the Kaneko Commons building, offering easy access to downtown, outdoor spaces, and fun dining opportunities. Enjoy hands-on opportunities through internships, case studies, and real-world problem-solving with nearby employers.

Salem students have access to employers that lead the public sector, manage powerful healthcare systems, and offer consulting opportunities.

Connect with Salem’s Business Community

There are plenty of growing and successful industries in the greater Salem area. Connect with employers through power lunches, company site tours, and even information sessions and career fairs on campus. Our MBA Career Development Center can help you connect with mentors and opportunities to strengthen your network and prepare for the job market.

Build Relationships with Alumni

Our alumni have found impressive titles, roles, and employers within Salem and beyond. Consider deepening your relationship with alumni who have built connections with companies such as:

Salem-Area Employers

  • Salem Health
  • Amazon
  • Oregon Department of Transportation
  • Oregon Health Authority
  • Willamette Humane Society
  • Salem Leadership Foundation
  • Salem Art Association
  • Oregon Lottery
  • Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • The State of Oregon
  • Salem Health
  • City of Salem
  • Salem-Keizer School District
  • SAIF Corporation
  • Maps Credit Union
  • Kettle Foods
  • Reser's Fine Foods
  • Oregon Fruit Products
  • T-Mobile
  • Wells Fargo

Salem-Area Employers

  • Tillamook County Creamery Association
  • Intel
  • Wieden+Kennedy
  • State of Alaska
  • NCAA
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Chewy
  • Morgan Stanley
  • 3M
  • Nike
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Target
  • Russell Investments
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Zoom Info

While students benefit from alumni connections, they also benefit from access to nearby employers. These employers lead to internships, guest speakers, and other opportunities that pave the way to a future career.

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Join the Top MBA Program in Salem

At Atkinson Graduate School of Management, we're known as one of the best MBA programs in the Pacific Northwest. We prioritize hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to complete consulting projects for real-world organizations, navigate investment funds, or learn how to fund social programs. Our program prepares students for career changes, career advancement, and more rewarding roles.

Our small cohorts allow students to develop great relationships with their peers and their professors. Students also have lifelong learning opportunities through MBA for Life, a way for students to sharpen their knowledge and develop skills after graduation. You can also work with the Career Development Center to practice salary negotiation, hone your resume, and even complete mock interviews. You'll find all the support within our graduate school.

Career Development Center Experiential Learning MBA for Life

Our Rankings

Bloomberg Businessweek 2025-26

  • #1 Oregon and #2 PNW Overall
  • #1 Oregon and #2 PNW Compensation
  • #1 Oregon and #2 PNW Networking

Other Rankings

  • #1 in Oregon and #2 PNW (Poets and Quants)
  • #2 in Oregon (US News and World Reports)
  • #2 in Oregon (US World University Rankings)
Three students sitting at a table talking about things related to an MBA

FAQs

Get in Touch

Schedule a visit, learn more about our programs, or sit in on a class. Reach out to our MBA admissions team to take your next step towards an MBA in Salem.

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management