Butler University’s Lacy School of Business (LSB) has been recognized as a national leader in risk management education, earning three national rankings in Business Insurance magazine’s annual survey of Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) programs.
The 2024-2025 report places Butler:
- No. 3 for largest graduate-level graduating class
- No. 10 for largest undergraduate graduating class
- No. 19 nationally among the largest undergraduate RMI programs
“These rankings reflect the intentional way we design programs at the Lacy School of Business—grounded in experiential learning, informed by industry, and focused on real outcomes for students,” said Craig Caldwell, Dean of the Lacy School of Business. “Risk management and insurance is a field where preparation matters. Our students graduate with the skills, confidence, and professional experience employers are actively seeking, and that’s what ultimately drives results like these.”
The rankings underscore Butler’s growing prominence in a field shaped by rising enrollment, workforce transitions, and increasing demand for specialized expertise.
According to Business Insurance, enrollment across the 10 largest RMI programs rose to 3,306 students, up from 3,166 the previous year—marking the second consecutive year of growth after several years of national decline.
“I’m proud to be part of the Lacy School of Business’ Risk Management and Insurance program. Our students don’t simply study risk—they engage with it directly,” Todd Wottring, Lecturer of Risk Management & Insurance, said. “Our curriculum is intentionally built around experiential learning and real-world risk scenarios that mirror the challenges professionals confront every day. Employers and alumni consistently tell us that Butler graduates enter the workforce at least a year ahead of their peers. That level of preparation translates into confidence, strong performance, and accelerated opportunity, and it is a key reason our program continues to maintain a 100 percent job placement rate.”
Butler’s Davey Risk Management and Insurance program prepares students to succeed in an industry facing an urgent and well-documented talent gap. With many insurance professionals expected to retire in the next few years, demand continues to grow for graduates with technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and hands-on experiences.
The Lacy School’s RMI program distinguishes itself through a comprehensive model that includes:
- A 100 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation
- Required internships providing real-world experience before graduation
- Opportunities to pursue professional certifications and insurance licensure at no additional cost
- Strategic partnerships across the industry with national societies, associations, and employers
- Access to conferences, scholarships, and industry events and networking opportunities
- Membership in Gamma Iota Sigma (collegiate organization for students interested in careers in insurance, risk, management, and actuarial science)
- Participation in the nation’s first student-run captive insurance company, offering unmatched experiential learning
The Master of Science in Risk and Insurance (MSRI) program continues to be one of LSB’s fastest-growing graduate offerings, reflected in its No. 3 national ranking for graduating class size.
Designed specifically for working professionals, the 22-month, fully online, cohort-based MSRI program blends specialized insurance coursework—spanning property and casualty, employee benefits, and captive operations—with foundational business courses typically found in MBA programs. Students gain leadership and strategic decision-making skills that immediately translate to their professional roles.
“Butler has a well-earned reputation in the insurance company,” said Nathan Logan, who graduated from Butler’s MSRI program in 2021. “At a practical level, the MSRI program was completely virtual and synchronous. I could learn from anywhere without disrupting my family or career. Everything that Butler offers and the overall value of their graduate-level education made the program an easy choice.”
From cyber threats and climate-related exposures to emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles and drones, the risk landscape is shifting rapidly. At the Lacy School of Business, that complexity becomes an opportunity for learning. Through immersive coursework, industry partnerships, and hands-on experience, students are prepared not only to understand risk—but to lead through it. These national rankings reflect a program built to meet today’s challenges and to shape the future of a critical global industry.
For more about the Lacy School of Business and its top-ranked graduate programs, visit butler.edu/lsb.