Coursera’s University Partners are Recognized Among Forbes Top 10 List of “New Ivies”

For a second year, Forbes has recognized a top ten list of “New Ivies.” These university graduates are said to be “outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers” with similarly selective admissions processes and rigorous coursework. 

Among the 10 ranked public schools, Coursera proudly partners with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pittsburgh to host their degree programs, 100% online. In terms of the top 10 private universities, Coursera partner Georgetown University takes 3rd. 

Employer endorsement

In speaking with over 380 C-suite executives, Forbes deemed that employers might be reconsidering their prior affinity of Ivy League grads. The article notes that out of the executives surveyed, “Forty-two percent said public colleges were doing a better job at preparing entry-level job candidates than they were five years ago.” Egos, groupthink, and lack of job readiness were all cited as rationales for potentially pivoting the hiring pool away from what it might have once been. 

The growing credibility of online degrees

Expanded ways of thinking about talent acquisition don’t start and stop with which university a candidate graduated from. Non-traditional, online learning has also been increasingly accepted by employers, especially post-pandemic. 

Champlain College’s 2023 national survey of 2,000 U.S. adults reported that 84% believe employers are more accepting of online degrees today than before the pandemic and 72% of adults feel an online education is more reputable now than five years ago.

Proving this hypothesis is a 2024 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) which found 87.4% of employers had hired new graduates with an online degree and 100% of those employers paid online degree hires the same starting salary as traditional graduates​. This indicates near-parity in how online credentials are being treated, namely from universities that made the “New Ivies” list. 

Online degree programs built for Coursera

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, the University of Pittsburgh, and Georgetown University partner with Coursera to offer some of their rigorous and career-aligned degrees, 100% online. Though none of these institutions are traditional Ivy Leagues, these esteemed universities are producing graduates that top employers respect. By partnering with Coursera to deliver their online degrees, these universities are able to offer their students high-quality faculty-led instruction with the support of a platform that is working to upskill and reskills millions of learners across the globe. 

We applaud each of our university partners for the Forbes accolades and for continuing to innovate and lead with forward-thinking approaches to delivering their high-quality instruction, online. These opportunities have paved the way for learners around the globe to achieve a top education and turn their ambitions into real-world success.

Read the Forbes article here

Taking a nontraditional route to an accounting career with the Gies iMSA

Stephen is a proud graduate of the online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Since earning this degree, he has moved into a senior role with an accounting firm, where he manages other analysts and production workflow. But before advancing professionally, Stephen had to succeed academically—something he believes he was able to do thanks to the program from Illinois and its delivery in partnership with Coursera.

Stephen recognizes his background is somewhat unconventional for a CPA. By the age of 22, he had already secured a finance degree and an MBA. However, his family owned a group of radio stations, and he got involved in broadcasting for about ten years. Stephen operated in various capacities and managed the stations until his family sold them, at which point he shifted his focus back to finance and business.

In the years that followed, Stephen landed a job working with an economic analyst, returned to school for a certificate in programming, and obtained a real estate broker’s license. In 2015, he was an office manager and a paralegal, and in 2016, he gained a certified fraud examiner credential. It was with this varied background that Stephen chose to continue his education once again. He wanted to grow his accounting knowledge to handle more complex business cases, which led him to pursue a Master of Science in Accountancy.

Combining a high-quality education with a seamless learning experience

Stephen heard about the iMSA from a previous employer who praised the University of Illinois for its credibility—and soon, he would discover even more about the reputation of Illinois and Gies. “The iMSA is an incredible program. I did not realize how highly it was ranked until I started the application process. I knew Illinois was an excellent school beforehand, but to learn about the program’s ranking made it the perfect choice,” he explains.

Additionally, Stephen decided the program’s structure and support through its partnerships with Coursera were a great fit for him. Upon beginning his studies, Stephen found he could manage the challenges of balancing work and school due to the online platform. He reveals, “Coursera was really tremendous because it was so well organized and coordinated with the instructors at the University of Illinois that it was a great way to learn.” Among the things Stephen enjoyed most were the videos and quizzes that he felt integrated well into the courses.

Reflecting on the many ways to impact your trajectory with the iMSA

Having graduated in 2020, Stephen has seen his hard work pay off. He shares earning the iMSA was crucial for him to pass the CPA exam and fulfill the required 2,000 hours of practice. Stephen notes that on top of building essential knowledge and confidence, he learned to adapt and find solutions. He mentions, “The courses not only teach you the skills you need, but [they] also give you the tools to find the answers regardless of the scenario you encounter at work.” With the iMSA, Stephen opened doors to jobs in forensic accounting and business valuations, significantly expanding his career path beyond traditional accounting roles.

After obtaining his iMSA and CPA, Stephen initially worked for himself before joining a valuation firm as a senior analyst. He recently moved to a mid-size CPA firm, where he serves as a VFL manager, overseeing a group of analysts in valuation, forensics, and litigation. Today, he offers future students this advice: “For someone considering the program, I would say to trust the system and apply yourself fully because the system works. The professors are there to help and are always available.” If you think you may be ready to follow Stephen’s guidance, check out the Gies iMSA and remember, you can take a nontraditional route to an accounting career.

Discover the unique advantages of the Gies College of Business iMSA program.

A Lifelong Learner Earns the Gies iMSA to Further Stand Out

For over two decades, Eric has been an integral part of AT&T, a company that’s experienced staggering growth and transitions over the years. He’s contributed to its evolution at many job levels, starting as an intern and paving a unique career path in multiple roles on several teams, eventually landing in finance.

Yet, there came a point when Eric decided he needed more control over his trajectory within the company. Eric already held a master’s in economics and finance and a law degree, but he was looking for something to set him apart. “I wanted to distinguish myself from everybody,” he reveals.

Eric planned his next career move with a strategic mindset and started searching for a degree to not only bolster his academic accolades but also gain practical skills for his current role. He chose to pursue the online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Spotting the iMSA on LinkedIn was the start of Eric’s journey. “You know what? I should check this out,” he thought. Intrigued by the affordability of the program, the prestige of the university, and particularly the high rank of the degree, he saw it as a distinctive opportunity. For him, the online environment was a great fit, as he was eliminating the need for an hour-long commute to the nearest university. He even says, “I feel like I get more interaction with the professor than I would with a traditional setting.”

Upon enrolling, Eric built a comprehensive understanding of top-notch analytical techniques through the iMSA program. The coursework includes live lectures and other video materials on Coursera, which Eric used to dive deeper into subjects. Eric was particularly impressed by a data analytics course in the program, valuing how he could apply the lessons to his job.

Beyond the virtual classrooms, working with other iMSA learners from around the world was an enriching cultural experience for Eric. Through the numerous team projects, he connected with peers across different time zones from Sydney to Ghana, and even some at AT&T. Engaging with such diverse groups, he realized, was a special learning experience, making his studies rewarding in unique ways.

Between the rigorous curriculum and evolving work responsibilities, Eric was able to find a balance. “I dedicate time on Saturdays and Sundays to focus on my schoolwork,” he shared.

With the iMSA program, Eric did more than just strengthen his accounting knowledge. “This degree really reinvigorated my career,” he beams. He credits earning the degree for his return to finance work at AT&T, and for a new role that heavily involves accounting.

Eric’s story is a testament to the iMSA’s value, as his enhanced skills and knowledge have directly impacted his career path. However, his journey isn’t over. By the end of the year, he’ll undertake even more accounting-based responsibilities at AT&T, and his professional future is full of potential.

In Eric’s words, “Don’t hesitate around an online program,” as you can enjoy top-tier learning from anywhere. Benefitting from a flexible academic environment and esteemed faculty, learners like Eric continue to stand out in their careers as they pursue their professional ambitions with the Gies iMSA.

Learn more about the iMSA program from the Gies College of Business.

Choosing an MSA After Starting With Open Courses

Meet Flavia Jones. She’s a student in the Master’s of Accounting (iMSA) program from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Flavia works at the AT&T headquarters in Dallas, Texas. She discovered Coursera through AT&T University, which encourages employees to develop skills and advance their career with online courses.

Flavia got started on Coursera by taking massive open online courses (MOOCs), and she’s continued to learn through her master’s program from Gies. This is her story.

Starting With Open Courses

Flavia already had her associate’s and bachelor’s in accounting, but she wanted to refresh her accounting knowledge and learn more about data analytics for accounting. Through AT&T University, Flavia soon found an introductory Coursera Specialization with open courses taught by Professor Ron Guymon. She liked the courses and noticed Professor Guymon was teaching from UIUC. Moving forward, she always kept UIUC in mind for when she would eventually pursue her master’s.

Choosing the iMSA from Gies 

As Flavia was searching for a master’s program later on, she was seeking a hybrid learning experience that included both live sessions and asynchronous work. She was determined to find a highly ranked school for accounting that offered an affordable program and an engaging experience.

Remembering UIUC, Flavia saw that the iMSA from Gies had weekly live sessions and lower tuition than competitors. With other programs, Flavia would’ve had to take the GMAT exam before applying and attend some classes in person. With the iMSA from Gies, she qualified for a fully online program based on her references and professional experience.

Doing More With MOOCs

Flavia now encourages colleagues who are interested in data analytics for accounting to enroll in a Coursera Specialization with open courses. She says you can get a glimpse of the subject matter and a sense of managing your study time through MOOCs. She also says you can be sure you’re learning from experts who are teaching up-to-date curriculum when you’re on Coursera.

Flavia has even enrolled in additional MOOCs recommended to her by other students, and she’s become a board member of a student organization called the iDegrees Graduate Business Association. Through this organization, she’s able to work with other Gies  students on new ideas for MOOCs.

Are you on a path similar to Flavia’s?

Flavia’s story is a powerful example of how individual courses can help you prepare for a degree program. If you’ve been inspired by Flavia, you can check out the iMSA here and explore MOOCs from UIUC here.

Discover how Mario gained the knowledge to change careers

Interview with Mario Elizalde, iMSA graduate from the Gies School of Business at the University of Illinois.

When Mario decided to switch from being an entrepreneur to working in accounting, he knew he’d need some additional skills before he was fully prepared for a job in his new chosen field. Mario first thought about the skills he already had. He felt confident in his organizational and managerial skills, and he had some basic accounting knowledge as well. After identifying these transferable skills, he was ready to move forward.

Overcoming challenges along the learning and career journey

To build the rest of his skill set, Mario began looking at different learning programs and eventually decided a master’s degree was the next step that was right for him. But this introduced a new challenge. Mario didn’t want to leave his current job or relocate to a new city. Fortunately, his wife pointed him to Coursera, where he discovered the online Master of Accounting (iMSA) from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois. It was exactly what he needed. With the iMSA from Illinois, Mario could work on his own schedule and balance learning with the other parts of his life.

However, the iMSA program also had prerequisites that Mario couldn’t quite meet because his bachelor’s degree is in engineering and economics (not accounting). But having discovered the flexibility of learning on Coursera, Mario enrolled in and completed the courses he needed. Then he applied and was accepted into the iMSA program.

Seeing the results of combining current skills with new ones

While still in the program, Mario started actively working on his new career plans. With the combination of his transferable skills and the latest capabilities he was developing in his master’s program, he felt confident about pursuing new opportunities. With three months to go before his graduation, Mario received a job offer from Plante Moran, a tax solution group based in Denver, Colorado.

For anyone considering a career change, Mario’s story shows the importance of building upon your existing skills and experience. It’s also an inspiring example of how the flexible learning and world-class offerings on Coursera can make it possible for you to achieve your life and career goals on your terms.

Learn more and apply.

Gies College of Business partners with Coursera to offer scholarships to degree students

Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of a global scholarship program for the Master of Business Administration (iMBA), Master’s of Accounting (iMSA), and Master’s in Management (iMSM) graduate programs on Coursera. 

Together, Coursera and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business will provide a limited number of scholarships per year, covering 70% of a student’s full tuition. These competitive scholarships aim to improve access to a top-quality education for students interested in finance, marketing, management, and accounting careers.

“Our mission as a land-grant university is to broaden access and deliver a high-quality education to all who desire it and are committed to pursuing it,” said Brooke Elliott, Associate Dean and EY Professor at Gies College of Business. “I’m thrilled that we’re able to partner with Coursera to offset some of the cost of our graduate degrees so that more learners from anywhere in the world can pursue a life-changing business education.”

Students who plan on enrolling in the Fall 2021 cohort of any of the three Gies College of Business online degree programs on Coursera will be eligible to apply for a scholarship as part of their main application. Recipients will be selected based on need, academic standing, and essay submissions outlining their need for financial assistance, as well as their previous experiences that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through personal mentorship or community involvement.

“For several years, Coursera and Gies have worked together to increase access to affordable education,” said Betty Vandenbosch, Coursera’s Chief Content Officer. “We are honored to continue that legacy by offering need-based scholarships to learners worldwide. These will provide students—who otherwise may not have had the opportunity—the means to pursue a high-quality degree from a leading institution. I’m excited to see how the scholarship program will affect the recipients’ lives and careers moving forward.”

For more than 100 years, Gies College of Business has designed its innovative programs to empower and prepare students to become successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. Currently, Gies is ranked #8 in public business schools across the United States by Poets&Quants, and 94% of graduates would highly recommend the iMBA program to a friend. We’re honored to partner with Gies to support more learners across the globe.

If you have any questions, please contact the Gies Online Programs team at giesonline@illinois.edu.