UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

What Is UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School?

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is the business school of the University of North Carolina. Founded in 1919 and located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is well-known for its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, which places a high level of emphasis on leadership ability. It is commonly ranked among the 30 best MBA programs worldwide by leading publications.

How UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Works

Previously known as the University of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce, the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School received its current name in 1991, in recognition of two major benefactors of the school, philanthropist Mary Lily Kenan Flagler and her husband, Henry Morrison Flagler. The renaming was in response to a large gift from Frank Hawkins Kenan, another Kenan family member.

Today, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is home to about 2,700 students spread across their undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as approximately 5,500 students in various non-degree programs. They are met by a full-time faculty of over 120 members, with specializations in areas such as finance, accounting, corporate communications, marketing, operations management, strategic planning, and organizational behavior.

The school’s programs include an innovative student-run investment fund with combined assets of nearly $20 million. Through this fund, students can learn the principles of investment management on a hands-on basis by making real-world investment decisions across 13 different constituent funds. At the graduate level, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School offers a variety of MBA programs, including full-time, evening, weekend, and online options. Global MBA programs are also available, allowing students to study abroad through a network of international exchange partnerships.

Real World Example of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

In 2019, Forbes rated the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA program as the 15th-best MBA program in the world, with Businessweek and US News placing it in 18th and 20th place, respectively. Full-time enrollment typically numbers about 250 students, with less than half of applicants being accepted into the program.

With annual tuition of roughly $50,000, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA grads saw an average starting salary of roughly $126,000 in 2020, along with average signing bonuses of nearly $30,000. Historically, these grads have found employment principally in the management consulting, financial services, and technology sectors; which is common among contemporary American MBA programs.

Upon graduation, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School students join an alumni network over 35,000 strong. This includes many notable members, including Hugh McColl, former CEO of Bank of America (BAC); Jason Kilar, co-founder of Hulu; and Michele Buck, CEO of The Hershey Company.