Best MBA Programs: How We Ranked the 30 Best MBA Programs in the World

This blog post, The Best MBA Programs, recaps a live discussion by two of Crimson Education's top experts. Come along for the ride as they break down and rank the top 30 MBA programs in the world today. Using a tiered system, our two seasoned experts discuss and debate how to rank the MBA programs, bringing to bear years of experience in admissions advising to go beyond conventional metrics and mainstream rankings and offer unique insights you can use to find the best MBA programs for your goals and interests.

Welcome to Crimson Education's comprehensive ranking of the world's top 30 MBA programs. Today, we’re delving into an insightful discussion led by our CEO, Jamie Beaton, and MBA admissions consultant, Jonathan Deforge.

Jamie, a Stanford Business School alumnus and co-founder of Crimson Education, has extensive experience working at The Tiger Fund, and building Crimson's global presence. Jonathan has helped dozens of students get into top business schools, particularly focusing on the M7 and top European programs, and offering a more continental perspective, after earning dual master degrees at the Sorbonne. Put Jamie and Jonathan in the same room, as we did, and you've got uniquely qualified dynamic duo when it comes to ranking the world's top MBA programs...little wonder their rankings mark some bold departures from the status quo!

We encourage MBA seekers to use these insights for their own decision making. Whether you're aiming for a career in technology, finance, consulting, or entrepreneurship, choosing the right MBA program is crucial for your career trajectory. Be sure to reach out to one of our MBA experts for any questions you have about choosing or applying to a top MBA program. Even if you don't agree with all of their rankings, you're sure to get some unique insights and food for thought to help you chart your own MBA path!

Want to hear the whole conversation, unfiltered and as it happened? Just click the arrow below or navigate to the presentation right here, which you can also find anytime by searching our Crimson Education YouTube channel.

MBA Showdown: How We Ranked the World’s 30 Top MBA Programs

The S Tier – The Absolute Best of the Best in MBA Programs

On all accounts — prestige, brand, depth of faculty and curriculum, business and investment networks, and a brand that will attract the very best students (CEOs, managers, and entrepreneurs) from around the globe — the “S Tier” schools have the truly top-of-class credentials that put them in the most elite tier.

Overall #1 — Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Stanford, California

The Bottom Line

Jamie and Jonathan firmly placed Stanford GSB at the top of their list. Stanford GSB is recognized for its selective admissions process and has the highest average salary for graduates among business schools. Thanks to its Silicon Valley location, Stanford GSB is a top choice for aspiring entrepreneurs and finance professionals, offering unparalleled access to the venture capital world.

Resources

• Stanford GSB Application Requirements
• Stanford GSB Entering Class Profile
• Stanford GSB Employment Report

Overall #2 — Harvard Business School (HBS)

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard Business School is iconic for its case study methodology, extensive alumni network, and significant influence in private equity and finance. Jamie also highlighted the unparalleled global brand recognition that makes HBS a magnet for ambitious students worldwide and an enduring top choice if you're aiming for an MBA that offers a one-of-its-kind international cachet.

Resources

• HBS Application Requirements
• HBS Entering Class Profile
• HBS Employment Report

The A Tier — Elite MBA Programs

A much larger number of schools merit spots in the A Tier or B Tier. These schools were challenging to rank — not standing out in the same way the S Tier schools do and often sharing exceptional standing, demand, and benefits — making the ranking process more nuanced and more challenging.  Out of the remaining twenty-eight MBA programs, Jamie and Jonathan awarded nine to the A Tier. These nine, along with the two S Tier programs — Stanford and Harvard — comprise a truly elite group representing what are arguably the eleven best MBA programs in the world.

Keep reading to see which schools were awarded a spot in this elite tier and for a glimpse into the insights influencing the ranking process. Remember, you can hear the unabridged conversation anytime by listening to the YouTube episode here.

Overall #3 — Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Bottom Line

Wharton is celebrated for its strengths in finance and entrepreneurship. Jonathan pointed out its excellent undergraduate business program and strong global brand. Although Wharton went test-optional recently, it still maintains high standards and produces graduates who excel in various business fields.

Resources

• Wharton Application Requirements
• Wharton Entering Class Profile
• Wharton Employment Report

Overall #4 — Columbia Business School

New York, New York

The Bottom Line

Columbia Business School is a fantastic option for students looking to break into the finance world, with a strong faculty and unmatched proximity to Wall Street and some of the top financial institutions in the world.

Resources

• Columbia School of Business Application Requirements
• Columbia School of Business Entering Class Profile
• Columbia School of Business Employment Report

Overall #5 — MIT Sloan School of Management

Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Bottom Line

Sloan stands out for its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, blending world-class technology with business education. A top choice for future entrepreneurs and those interested in the tech sector.

Resources

• MIT Sloan Application Requirements
• MIT Sloan Entering Class Profile
• MIT Sloan Employment Report

Overall #6 — Duke University Fuqua School of Business

Durham, North Carolina

The Bottom Line

Fuqua boasts a growing endowment fueling new scholarships and research, a close-knit culture, strong alumni community, and a highly selective admissions rate, making it a slightly off-the-radar but highly desirable program for students who want a solid MBA program in a collaborative environment. While the school's location may be a drawback for some, Duke offers solid connections in consulting, energy, healthcare, finance, and more.

Resources

• Fuqua Application Requirements
• Fuqua Entering Class Profile
• Fuqua Employment Report

Overall #7 — UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Berkeley, California

The Bottom Line

UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business has a rising brand and has become very selective. It has also gained a strong reputation in technology and entrepreneurship, making it a great fit for students aiming to work in Silicon Valley or the startup ecosystem. However, its tech-heavy focus may not appeal to those looking for traditional finance or consulting roles.

Resources

• Haas School of Business Application Requirements
• Haas School of Business Entering Class Profile
• Haas School of Business Employment Report

Overall #8 — University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Chicago, Illinois

The Bottom Line

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business may not, arguably, have the patina of an HBS or Wharton, but stands out as a star in the making — recently ranked #3 by US News, offering exceptional flexibility and diverse concentrations while becoming a top player in impact investing. Add to the mix synergies from an exceptionally strong undergraduate and economics ecosystem along with Booth's track record of Nobel Prize winners, and clearly Booth is a top contender in the MBA universe.

Resources

• Booth School of Business Application Requirements
• Booth School of Business Entering Class Profile
• Booth School of Business Employment Report

Overall #9 — Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

Evanston, Illinois

The Bottom Line

The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, known for its collaborative culture and strong networks, is a top destination for students interested in marketing, consulting, and leadership roles, and for almost anyone seeking a highly respected and well-rounded MBA program.

Resources

• Kellogg School of Management Application Requirements
• Kellogg School of Management Entering Class Profile
• Kellogg School of Management Employment Report

Overall #10 — INSEAD

Fontainebleau, France

The Bottom Line

INSEAD is widely regarded as a top global program for consulting, with strong ties to McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. It’s also a great choice for students looking to complete their MBA in just one year. However, its global reputation doesn’t always translate as strongly in the U.S.

Resources

• INSEAD Application Requirements
• INSEAD Entering Class Profile
• INSEAD Employment Report

Overall #11 — Yale School of Management

New Haven, Connecticut

The Bottom Line

Yale School of Management has a growing reputation, but it’s still catching up to more established MBA programs. Yale’s prestigious global brand helps it stand out, particularly for students interested in non-profit management, healthcare management, or social enterprise leadership.

Resources

• Yale School of Management Application Requirements
• Yale School of Management Entering Class Profile
• Yale School of Management Employment Report

The B Tier — The Very Best MBA Programs Outside the Elite Tiers

Now that you've seen how Jamie and Jonathan ranked their choices for the top eleven MBA programs in the world, it's time to rank the next group.

The schools pushed down to the B Tier typically have more prominent liabilities but are still noteworthy. All are highly selective and offer rigorous MBA training even if presenting less synergistic appeal based on their setting, a more limited access to engaged investors, or for having a less prominent global brand.

Let's take a quick look at these seven schools and how they ranked against one another. And remember, to hear all of Jamie's and Jonathan's insights you'll find the full video conversation here: How Do They Rank? MBA Edition.

Overall #12 — NYU Stern School of Business

New York, New York

Overall #13 — University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Overall #14 — Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Overall #15 — University of Cambridge Judge Business School

Cambridge, England

Overall #16 — Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Ithaca, New York

Overall #17 — UCLA Anderson School of Management

Los Angeles, California

Overall #18 — University of Oxford Saïd Business School

Oxford, England

From NYU to Oxford, these B Tier MBA Programs represent some of the strongest MBA programs out there. Though they may not have the global prestige of the A Tier programs, they do offer respected brands, exceptional faculty, and robust networking opportunities. Whether you’re looking to pursue finance, tech, or entertainment, or seeking a strong community and leadership development, these schools offer solid career pathways and great value for the right student.

The C Tier — Established but Less Competitive

Just over half of the thirty top MBA programs we ranked made it into the top three tiers. Of the remaining twelve MBA programs, ten were awarded a spot in the C Tier, and two in D Tier.

Schools in the C Tier represent MBA programs with solid credentials but less overall appeal and standing. Below you'll find all twelve listed in the order Jamie and Jonathan ranked them. To hear the full conversation, go here: How Do They Rank? MBA Edition.

The D Tier — Regional Leaders

While the last two MBA programs fall into the lowest tier, Jamie and Jonathan recognized them for having strong outcomes and a respected standing within a more regional ecosystem. If you want to hear all of the conversation between Jamie and Jonathan, you'll find it here: How Do They Rank? MBA Edition.

Final Thoughts

We hope this survey of the top MBA programs has given you valuable insights and helped spark new ideas as you consider which school aligns best with your goals. If you want to experience the full, unabridged conversation between our CEO Jamie Beaton and veteran MBA admissions consultant Jonathan Deforge, be sure to check out the original YouTube episode to hear their detailed take on each of the schools ranked. And, as always, if you have any questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our MBA experts. We’re here to help you navigate every step of the MBA application process!