Simon Business School unveils changes to MS programs

The Simon Business School’s decision to institute changes to its full-time MS program reflects students’ needs to align their education with career goals and reduce the cost of a graduate degree.

The University of Rochester school has added core courses in artificial intelligence and technology to further help students navigate complex business challenges.

“The program enhancements are driven by the evolving needs of the marketplace,” says Dean Sevin Yeltekin. “Incorporating AI broadly in our MS programs, offering relevant specializations, and maintaining competitive pricing reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional value.”

By streamlining program delivery, Yeltekin says, Simon has reduced core full-time MS tuition —more than $10,000 for each program—to offer more competitive pricing compared to other top 50 business programs.

Simon offers five full-time MS programs: AI in business; accountancy; business analytics; finance; and marketing analytics. More than 330 full-time MS students are enrolled in the class of 2025. 

“While we have observed shifts in enrollment patterns that reflect broader trends in the higher education landscape, Simon remains committed to anticipating and addressing the needs of prospective students,” the school said in a statement. “The changes we are making in program specialization areas and competitive pricing position us as a leader in shaping the future of graduate education.”

All these full-time programs carry a STEM designation. Its AI focus, for instance, helps with the technical and strategic skills to create business value from the burgeoning technology. Typically, STEM designations signal an in-demand problem-solving and analytical approach. Additionally, Simon says it allows international students to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months if employed in a STEM-eligible role.

In the fall, officials say, students will benefit from a tuition reduction of 15 to 25 percent, depending on their program of choice. Tuition for a full-time MS totals $65,000 a year. 

An early cohort of the MS AI in business program has begun. The cohort is expected to provide insights and feedback, officials say.

“At Simon, we value student feedback. To better accommodate demanding schedules, we’ve moved the start date for all full-time MS programs to August,” Yeltekin says. “This change reflects our commitment to prioritizing and supporting our students’ success.” 

According to a recent report from the Council of Graduate Schools, applications nationwide increased 5.6 percent from fall 2022-2023. While still below pre-pandemic levels, CGS views it as a positive sign. 

“The increase in graduate applications and enrollments, especially among domestic and underrepresented students, is good, but there is more to be done to ensure graduate education access so we can meet critical workforce demands,” said Suzanne Ortega, president of CGS, at the report’s release.

According to UR’s Factbook, 1,304 students in fall 2024 were enrolled in graduate studies at Simon, down nearly 5 percent from 1,369 a year ago. In 2022, enrollment was 1,345.

Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing  [email protected].

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