Impact MBA - Study Sustainable Business at CSU

Impact MBA students pose for a photo at a Recycling Colorado event.

Impact MBA students and staff sit smiling for a photo along a bridge on the CSU Mountain Campus.

Impact MBA student Miki Salamon poses for a photo with a colleague and elephant during her sustainability fellowship at the Denver Zoo.

Become a leader in sustainable business practices

Better World MBA program in the U.S. among large schools

Months to complete

Number of countries represented by students

Every industry seeks leaders who can solve complex problems through the lens of responsible business. The Impact MBA from CSU’s College of Business prepares you to meet the growing demand for change and demonstrate how business can be a force for good.

This STEM-designated MBA program is ideal for students seeking an emphasis on responsible business practices in their education. While some MBA programs offer specific courses in sustainable business practices, the Impact MBA provides a more comprehensive experience by integrating sustainability throughout its core classes. The program goes beyond theory to provide students with hands-on experience implementing and managing sustainability initiatives to create lasting organizational change.

Employers across industries recognize the importance of graduates who understand environmental, social and governance (ESG) applications within business and the day-to-day implementation of sustainability initiatives in organizations. Become a leader in sustainable business and join the Impact MBA, ranked the No. 1 Better World MBA in the U.S. and No. 8 Better World MBA globally among large schools by Corporate Knights. Take the next step in your professional development at the CSU College of Business, the only college in North America to be recognized among the Top 5 best in responsible business education globally in 2024 by the Financial Times.

Program at a Glance
Delivery:	Face to face
Location:	Fort Collins, CO, plus a summer fellowship
Length:	16 months (three semesters–includes a sustainability fellowship)
Start Dates:	August
Schedule:	Classes four to five days a week, Monday–Friday
Credits:	44
Degree awarded:	On diploma: Master of Business Administration On transcript: Master of Business Administration, major in Business Administration with Impact specialization

Out of state and relocating? You may qualify for in-state tuition if you are from the western half of the United States.

Dual Degree Opportunity

You can expand your career options and strengthen your credentials further with a dual degree in the Impact MBA and the Master of Finance. This program saves time and tuition by offsetting 15 total credit hours from both degree programs.

Impact MBA Highlight: The Sustainability Fellowship

A highlight of Colorado State University's Impact MBA is the sustainability fellowship.

Impact MBA staff curate sustainability projects for students to choose, so that after graduation, impact-oriented work experience sits at the top of your resume. In the fellowship, you gain practical experience in the field, grow your network and have a chance to make a meaningful impact with the skills you've developed through the Impact MBA. 

Visit the Fellowships page to learn more about experiential learning opportunities in the Impact MBA program.

Spotlight: 2025 Impact MBA Fellows

What Can You Do with an MBA in Sustainability?

As a global leader in sustainable business education, the Impact MBA attracts professionals from around the world who want to make meaningful, lasting change to how people do business. Our students bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to class, and the types of change they achieve after graduation are as varied as our students themselves. Earn a green MBA and take the next step toward a more fulfilling career, whether that's advancing in your current industry or making a transition. 

The Impact MBA includes 13 elective credits that further develop your skillset in areas of sustainable business that fit your interests and career goals. Click the tabs to explore the different career paths you can have with a sustainability MBA.

Interdisciplinary Sustainability

Businesses in every industry need leaders who can analyze operations through a social, environmental and economic lens and implement sustainability initiatives. The Impact MBA provides you with a broad understanding of sustainability across systems, sectors and disciplines that you can apply in analyst and leadership roles in a variety of fields. Building a diverse, interdisciplinary understanding of sustainability is ideal for early-career professionals or those looking to implement sustainable business practices in their current field.

Elective credit focus: global and environmental sustainability, business ethics, corporate responsibility, and carbon management.

Sustainable Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Learn how to design, launch or scale sustainability-focused ventures and initiatives. For students interested in an entrepreneurial approach to sustainability, the Impact MBA can help you unlock your creative potential with coursework in product development, leadership and critical skills for bringing innovative ideas to life in both startups and established organizations.

Elective credit focus: venture creation, enterprise development, leadership and team management.

Global Systems Strategy

The Impact MBA can equip you with the tools to analyze macro-level environmental challenges impacting businesses and drive systems-level change in an industry. Large companies and multinational organizations need analysts and leaders with a global sustainability background to help with big-picture strategy and navigating change at regional, national and global levels.

Elective credit focus: carbon management and climate policy, sustainable business practices, climate impact risk assessment, and communication.

Social Enterprise & Community Impact

Community organizations around the country need ethical leaders with the ability to achieve sustainable change and engage stakeholders. The Impact MBA can set you apart as a leader in nonprofit and community-based work, giving you the tools you need to lead grassroots efforts and tackle global challenges at the local level.

Elective credits focus: climate issue communications, business ethics, corporate responsibility and team management.

Corporate Sustainability & ESG

Operational sustainability is a growing area of focus for businesses across industries, and organizations need experienced professionals who can implement, assess and report on sustainability and impact initiatives. The Impact MBA can help you stand out in the job market with the skills to lead sustainability strategy, ESG reporting and impact management in corporate settings.

Elective credit focus: ESG reporting, sustainability strategy, carbon management, business ethics and corporate responsibility.

Sustainability Policy, Law & Governance

Shape discourse, decision-making and regulations related to sustainability. You can explore the intersection of sustainability policy and environmental law with an Impact MBA and set yourself apart in the job market as a capable policy analyst, leader and advocate.

Elective credit focus: climate policy, climate communication, and climate impact and risk assessment.

Impact MBA Alumni Building a Better World

Impact MBA alum Katelynn Martinez poses for a photo at the tree farm of OneCanopy, which she co-founded and directs.

Alum leads state's first reforestation company

Katelynn Martinez directs a conservation nursery that assists state and regional reforestation efforts.

Alum creates nonprofit to empower Rwandans

John Gasangwa applied his Impact MBA to drive sustainable community growth and empower people living in poverty in Rwanda.

Grad recognized in Time magazine for mental health work

Scott LoMurray was named one of the 100 most influential people in health for his nonprofit's innovative model for teen suicide prevention.

Important Dates

11/13/2025, 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Impact MBA & Dual Degree Informational Webinar | November 13th

Learn about how our top-ranked sustainability MBA can help you advance in your career

12/1/2025

Impact MBA & Master of Finance | Early Consideration Applications

12/1/2025

Impact MBA | Early Applications

Connect Purpose and Profit

Before you can build better business for a better world, you need to build a better you. Join our Impact MBA program to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience in sustainable business that can help you advance in your career and take on more meaningful work. Take your place in a supportive community committed to pursuing business for a better world.

Connect With an Admissions Counselor