Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management offers its MBA program in four formats: an accelerated degree (completed in nine to 15 months), an evening degree, an MBA for students in their early career and an MBA for career changers. Though the programs vary greatly (especially in their student bodies), they are all constructed around a core curriculum. Electives become available in the second semester, and can be taken in a concentration sequence in one of eight areas, ranging from marketing to public and nonprofit management, to human resources. As is the case in most MBA programs, classes are based around group work and case method study.

As for employment prospects, outlook is good in part because Atkinson's MBA program is one of two programs in the world that are accredited by both AACSB International and NASPAA. Graduates find placement through networking events, career fairs and the alumni base, with jobs offers concentrated in Salem, Portland and other northwestern cities.

Housing around Willamette is affordable, but insiders say that it can be hard to find once the school year begins. The student body is fairly close-knit, and students participate in student organizations and go out together on Thursday nights after classes. With the Oregon coast and Mount Hood within driving distance, hiking, skiing and biking are also popular weekend activities, and the bigger city of Portland is only an hour away.