Transitioning from Service With a Top-Tier Online MBA

The Kelley School of Business has created an MBA program fit for veterans in the digital age. The top-tier business school, a part of Indiana University in the United States, offers a customizable, elite educational experience. An immersive program unfolds over 24-36 months of study, with 50% electives across seven majors providing personalized business education with strong alignment for ex-service people in the U.S. 

Military veteran Nathan Cox was looking for an MBA that could help him transition from the forces into the world of business. He discovered the Kelley Direct Online MBA, which recently secured top spot in the Best Online MBA Program – The Princeton Review for the seventh consecutive year. The Kelley Direct MBA also claimed #1 in the U.S. News Best Online MBA Program 2026 ranking. In addition to these rankings, the school’s expert faculty were key to what was ultimately an easy decision for Nathan.

“The Kelley Direct [online] program uses the actual MBA professors,” he explains. “I felt like the amount of care and effort from having the actual professors teaching versus adjuncts teaching was the real big differentiating factor.” (01:00)

Besides its experienced faculty, The Kelley Direct Online MBA brings a special focus on military students, with flexibility, peer-to-peer collaboration, and veteran-centered career support, both pre- and post-graduation. These factors contributed to the program being recently awarded the Best Online MBA for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

The Importance of a Diverse Cohort

The Kelley School of Business prides itself on the diversity of its students. This extends to the Kelley Direct Online MBA, where virtual classrooms consist of students from many different sectors and backgrounds. 

“The class itself is super diverse,” says Nathan (05:10) “I had classes with NFL players, some C-suite people, founders, Silicon Valley [professionals], people from finance backgrounds, accounting backgrounds… people from engineering, from the United States, a lot of international individuals… [we were] learning a lot about how to meld all the different cultures together in the team. Not only due to location, but also due to where people were in their careers.” (05:36)

Such rich peer learning experiences are a cornerstone of the Kelley Direct Online MBA. They foster cultural understanding, exposing students to varied perspectives and developing essential communication skills for a globalized world.

Bonding With Peers During In-Person Experiences

In-person experiences are crucial to the success of any online MBA. The Kelley Direct Online MBA has designed a program that bridges the gap between remote learning and real-world experiences. 

Most notably, the MBA’s two residencies, Kelley On Campus and Kelley On Location, provide students with a chance to network and bond with classmates and alumni. For Nathan, these in-person experiences were stand-out moments during his MBA.

“Kelley On Campus and Kelley On Location events were awesome. It was like being a consultant for a high-stakes project, where you’re working 12 to 16 hours, three days in a row with your team,” he recalls. “You bond really closely with your immediate group, and you get to see what other groups brought in. Of course, everyone goes out at night after all the work’s done, and I’ve kept in touch with several people since then.” (04:03)

Kelley On Campus takes place during the first year. Held on Indiana University’s stunning Bloomington campus, recently named the #2 most beautiful campus in the country, it provides an intensive introduction to the Kelley Direct Online MBA. During the second year, Kelley On Location immerses students in a real-world learning experience. This typically takes place in a major U.S. city. Previous editions have included Louisville, New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York.   

During both courses, students build lifelong connections and discover potentially new pathways, both of which go towards shaping their future careers.

Specialized Support For Veterans 

During his time studying on the Kelley Direct Online MBA, Nathan became president of the Kelley Direct Military Association. It was a role he would take seriously, providing a space for veterans who were transitioning out of the military to connect and talk among like-minded peers.

“Veterans, army, navy, marine corps, air force, we all kind of talk the same language, and have a similar directness,” explains Nathan. (07:24) He connected students with people who could help veterans ‘unmilitarize’ themselves, as Nathan puts it. This enabled them to successfully transition out of the military and into the world of business.

What’s more, Kelley’s career support goes above and beyond with its career services team. Known as Kelley Direct Professional Advancement. The career services team focuses on human connection, peer-to-peer mentorship, and hands-on assistance. The team’s expert services are designed to guide students through professional development and help them reach their career goals.

From the Forces to the Foundations of a Successful Career

The Kelley Direct Online MBA is a proven launchpad for a successful career. Graduates go on to work in sectors as diverse as technology and manufacturing to healthcare and energy. Kelley alumni work for illustrious companies such as Amazon, Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

The program also brings exceptional ROI. Data shows that 79% of Kelley graduates started a new job or received a promotion within six months of graduation, with an average post-MBA salary of US$196,000.

After graduating, Nathan became a research and development project manager at BWXT, one of the largest nuclear companies in the world. His MBA proved pivotal in landing the role.

“My boss actually told me that the big differentiator between me and the other engineers that were applying was the fact that I had an MBA,” says Nathan. “I was able to speak the business language and act as that master translator between the different business units, which I think is the best skill the MBA has given me.” (12:38)

With the help of the Kelley Direct Online MBA, Nathan translated specialized military skills into foundational professional attributes. These attributes now form the bedrock of a successful career.

Pivot Towards Success With the Kelley School of Business

The Kelley School of Business provides the flexibility to transition from a military background, make a career pivot, or take your leadership skills to the next level. Strong outcomes and consistently high rankings make the Kelley Direct MBA an enticing proposition, and all in under two years, with plenty of opportunity for engagement in person and with partner companies. It’s the perfect combination for ambitious leaders in search of a well-rounded challenge as they take the next step in their careers.

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