Western Michigan University's graduate program in engineering management was named tops in the United States, while the university's undergraduate program in the same discipline ranked among the top-three programs nationally.
WMU is the only school in the nation with top-ranked programs at both levels.
The American Society for Engineering Management announced the rankings in October at the group's annual meeting. This is the third year that both WMU programs have achieved a top five national ranking.
"It is faculty's hard work and continued dedication that has brought this recognition to WMU," said Engineering Dean Timothy Greene. "This recognition adds considerable value to our graduates' degrees."
"The national exposure is resulting in more placement activity for our students around the nation," said program advisor Larry Mallak. "The most recent crop of graduates saw an annual average starting salary of $52,000."
To determine the rankings, ASEM considers the specifics of individual education programs, testimony from industry leaders, as well as comments from program graduates and current students.
Matt Rodammer, an executive with Holland-based Johnson Controls Inc., filed a letter of support. Johnson Controls and WMU launched a partnership in 1996 to offer the degree program in Holland and the company currently employs 80 graduates from the university's advanced degree engineering management program.
The undergraduate engineering management program is offered only on the main WMU campus in Kalamazoo. The graduate program is offered on the main campus and at WMU regional campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland.
Source: Western Michigan University
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