Our programs create graduates who are well-equipped to take their place in the world of business, industry, and education.
Department of Business and Economics
About the Department
The Department of Business and Economics fosters excellence in scholarship and academic achievement in an interactive educational environment. Students are provided a strong business foundation and are prepared for successful business careers in a changing world. A dynamic mix of innovative, technological, and traditional instructional strategies encourage an attitude of life-long learning.
Wayne State offers several areas of concentration within our business degree program, from accounting, management, and marketing, to economics and international business. Our dedicated and experienced faculty provide a student-centered learning environment. Many of them have working experience as self-employed business owners, business consultants, corporate managers, tax accountants, realtors, lawyers, and CPAs – so you aren’t just learning about academic theory, but also about real experiences from those who have worked in the field.
The Department of Business and Economics is also the campus leader in promoting cooperative education experiences for its students, which means getting an internship or finding that special job couldn’t be easier. What’s more, our online MBA program ranks at the top, so we’ve got you covered if you’re looking to pursue a master’s degree in business administration after you graduate.
We are accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). Learn more about our IACBE accreditation.
Highlighted Business Degree Programs
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$2.6M Donation Doubles Scholarship for New Career Scholars
Wayne State College proudly announces an anonymous donation of $2.6 million to support the College’s Career Scholars Cooperative Education program.
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Program Feature: Marketing Degree Program
Students share why they are in the marketing degree program at Wayne State College.
Recognized for Excellence
Business degrees programs at Wayne State College are nationally ranked and recognized for academic excellence, incredible value, successful graduates, and innovative learning.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
1 of 33 Colleges in the U.S.
Best Online MBA Programs with Accreditation
OnlineMBA
Best Online MBA Programs with Accreditation
No. 1 in Nebraska;
1 of 33 Colleges in the U.S.
OnlineMBA
OnlineMBAPage.com is in the business of identifying the very best online MBA programs across the country to recommend to future business students. Wayne State College was ranked among "The Very Best Online MBA Programs with Accreditation" and for 2021-22. Wayne State College offers an online MBA that stands head and shoulders above other programs available at business schools in the region and easily earned a place on the list of the Very Best IACBE-Accredited Online MBA Programs. This alone is something that Wayne State College can be proud of. But to offer a top quality MBA that is also priced low enough to make it on to the list of the Best Value MBA Programs is truly exceptional.
No. 1 in Nebraska
Most Affordable College in Nebraska, 2022
College Affordability Guide
Most Affordable College in Nebraska, 2022
No. 1 in Nebraska
College Affordability Guide
College Affordability Guide ranks Wayne State in the No.1 spot for 2022 as the Most Affordable College in Nebraska. College Affordability Guide focuses not only on the financial cost of colleges, but on the opportunity cost: what happens to students once they're enrolled. Do they graduate? Can they pay back their loans? Their analysis is designed to find schools that are affordable not only for the average student, but for lower-income students as well.
Ranking is based on the following factors:
- Institutional Fit – At least 500 students enrolled and the ability to earn non-standard credits, including at least 20% of students receiving Pell Grants.
- Getting In – Overall affordability and equitable use of financial aid, making the average net price of $15,000/year or less
- Getting Out – High graduation rate with more than 50% of students either debt-free or paying down student debt within three years of graduation
- Top Colleges - The combination of these "Institutional Fit," "Getting In," and "Getting Out" filters leaves a small group of schools that are serious about making sure that students of all backgrounds get their money's worth.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online College for MBA, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online College for MBA, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online master’s degree in business administration, OnlineU researched the tuition of every college offering fully online degrees to determine and rank the most affordable choices, and Wayne State College made the rankings at 9th in the U.S. for 2020. To be considered for these subject rankings, schools needed to be regionally or nationally accredited and offer at least one fully online degree in a given subject for the degree level of the list.
Learn more about our online MBA
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 15 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resources, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resources, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 15 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online bachelor's degree in human resources management, OnlineU researched the tuition of every college offering a fully online bachelor's degree in human resources to determine and rank the most affordable choices. Wayne State College tied with our sister college, Peru State, at No. 1 in Nebraska and No. 15th overall in the U.S. for 2020.
Recognized for Excellence
Best Colleges of Distinction, 2022-23
Colleges of Distinction
Best Colleges of Distinction, 2022-23
Recognized for Excellence
Colleges of Distinction
Wayne State College has been named as a College of Distinction. Colleges of Distinction honors and recognizes the hundreds of smaller, teaching-centered colleges that make up the fabric of the American educational system, schools that deliver well four overarching distinctions — Engagement, Teaching, Community, and Outcomes — which are the fundamental elements of an effective undergraduate education.
To be designated a “college of distinction,” a school’s curriculum must emphasize such core competencies as critical thinking, writing, oral skills, research, and global perspectives. They must also offer dynamic out-of-classroom learning and study abroad programs. The process is objective, in-depth, and qualitative; however, quantitative data such as class-size statistics, faculty-to-student ratio, plus retention and four-year graduation rates are also taken into account.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's in Human Resources, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online Master's in Human Resources, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online master's degree in human resources management, OnlineU manually researched the tuition of every college offering fully online degrees to determine and rank the most affordable choices. Wayne State College made the rankings at No. 1 in Nebraska and No. 9 overall in the U.S. for 2020.
“The best part about the business program is the faculty. They have helped me every step of the way and have answered any questions I’ve had. I truly believe that because of them, I will be a successful professional when I graduate.”
Jorge Adame
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Nebraska City, Neb.
Business Degree Programs
Choose from our business and economics department majors, or enhance your education by adding on a second major or minor. Explore your options here.
Program Name | Bachelor's | Pre-Professional or Affiliate | Master's | Minor | Education Field Endorsement | Education Subject Endorsement | Supplemental Endorsement |
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Accounting | Explore | Explore | |||||
Agribusiness | Explore | ||||||
Business Administration | Explore | Explore | |||||
Business Administration - Online Master's Degree (MBA) | Explore | ||||||
Business and Information Technology Education - Online Master's Degree Option (MSE) | Explore | ||||||
Business Management | Explore | ||||||
Business Management - Fully Online Bachelor's | Explore | ||||||
Business, Marketing, and Information Technology Education (6-12) | Explore | ||||||
Economics | Explore | Explore | |||||
Finance | Explore | ||||||
Human Resource Management | Explore | ||||||
Human Resource Management - Fully Online Bachelor's | Explore | ||||||
Interdisciplinary Studies | Explore | Explore | Explore | ||||
International Business | Explore | ||||||
Marketing | Explore | ||||||
Organizational Management - Online Master's Degree (MSOM) | Explore | ||||||
Professional Accountancy | Explore | ||||||
Professional Studies | Explore | ||||||
Supply Chain Management - Also offered online | Explore | Explore |
Outside the Classroom
At Wayne State College, you’ll have opportunities to enhance your education in our business degree pograms by participating in clubs, organizations, and more.
Clubs and Organizations
- Delta Sigma Pi (collegiate business organization)
- FBLA Collegiate
- Sigma Beta Delta
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Service-Learning
Make a difference in the community while learning skills you can apply toward your future career. Wayne State’s Service-Learning program has received national awards in recognition of outstanding community service, with more than 400 students participating in Service-Learning projects each semester.
Opportunities
- Business Competition Day – Show your leadership skills by helping to facilitate and judge this annual competition, where hundreds of students from Nebraska and Iowa high schools compete for a chance to win scholarships.
Internships
We encourage all students to complete an internship before graduating to build your portfolio and gain experience in this field of study. If you’re an education major, you’ll need to complete clinical practice (student teaching). Career Services is also available to help you find internship opportunities.
Learn From the Best
Our faculty are accomplished. Several are highly regarded as experts and have been recognized with notable honors and awards. And with a low student-to-faculty ratio, you'll be sure to receive an excellent education in a personalized setting with a friendly atmosphere.
Henry Akaeze
Assistant Professor
Mwata Chisha
Assistant Professor
Joseph Faello
Assistant Professor
Nick Matney
Assistant Professor
Business Scholarships
In addition to having the region’s most affordable tuition, we offer thousands of dollars in scholarships every year. Learn more about scholarships for students pursuing a business degree.