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The 30 Top Business Programs With The Best Job Placement Rates

best job placement rates college degrees
Contents


A budding graduate business student has a bewildering array of options available when it comes to picking an MBA school. But while other considerations will likely come into play, one of the most important criteria in selecting an MBA program for any potential learner is how effective the course is at increasing their employability and preparing them to be the perfect candidate for the role of their dreams.

best job placement rates

Business programs with positive job placement rates provide students with the opportunity to pursue rewarding and long-lasting careers after graduation. These programs provide students with the necessary training and education to compete professionally in their desired fields. With an emphasis on problem-solving, communication, analytics, and critical thinking, graduates of these programs have the skill sets and experience necessary to succeed in a wide variety of business settings.

Featured Programs

Companies recognize these graduates, as they often come highly recommended due to their strong educational background, which often leads to successful job placements. These programs also emphasize the importance of networking and mentorship to ensure students are prepared for the competitive job market.

With this in mind, the following list article showcases the 30 U.S. business schools with both the most highly rated graduate programs and the most exceptional job placement rates. It should, therefore, make the process of choosing the right business school that little bit easier for any aspiring executive.

methodology-text

To develop this ranking, we first studied other list articles from highly respected publications that identified the best business schools and MBA courses in the U.S.

Then, in order to determine which schools to include, we used the following basic equation:

School Score + Job Placement Score = Overall Score

Naturally, since job placement rates are a primary focus of this list, we gave special weighting to this criterion.

The school scores were calculated using the Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report rankings of the overall best graduate business schools and MBA programs in the U.S. We then awarded schools a weighted score which took into account the total number of schools on each list and the rankings they were given on the aforementioned indexes. Those weighted scores were then tallied to give the school score for each institution.

To this tally, we then added job placement scores. This was based on Bloomberg Businessweek’s rankings for this criterion, with schools again given weighted scores in line with their positions on this list. These values were then doubled and added to the school scores to give each institution an overall score.

The final ordering was derived from these totals; in cases where two schools had the same overall score, however, that with the larger job placement score was ranked more highly.


Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, Illinois

Program Standouts:

Gies College of Business

The Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois offers students an innovative and inter-connected corporate education and experience. The website boasts a focus on “connecting the dots” in every aspect of their program between their students’ education and the purpose of their future.

The success of the program has been shown through these outstanding characteristics:

  • 99% undergraduate replacement rate
  • Gies College of Business was placed on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of Top 10 Public Business Schools in the Nation
  • The accounting program at Gies shows an astounding 98% of graduates who earn successful placement
  • Starting salaries for accounting undergraduates are 34% higher than the national average

Campus Location: Champaign, Illinois

Retention: 93%

Graduation: 85%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn More About the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois


Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University – Ithaca, New York

Program Standouts:

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University also has some of the best job placement rates in the country. With a program that focuses on collaboratively discovering the best solutions, Johnson offers its students and graduates some of the best connections available. This networking includes:

  • engaged alumni
  • industry leaders and executives
  • faculty researchers and practitioners
  • peers from around the world

Campus Location: Ithaca, New York

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University


Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University – Evanston, Illinois

Program Standouts:

Kellogg School of Management

For those wanting to broaden their business horizons with overseas opportunities, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University has options. Although the school is primarily based in Evanston, Illinois, it nevertheless has several partnerships with academic institutions across the globe, affording MBA students the chance to hone their business skills on any one of six continents.

It’s perhaps appropriate, then, that Kellogg counts leading travel industry entrepreneurs such as Kayak founder Steve Hafner and HotelTonight CEO and co-founder Sam Shank among its alumni.

Other standout qualities of Kellogg include:

  • Has been called “the lead investor among its peers in promoting the development of female leaders.”
  • Internship outcomes for Kellogg’s Full-Time MBA class of 2020 showcase strong demand for Kellogg talent.
  • Diversity in the range of employers of graduates from Kellogg, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Campus Location: Evanston, Illinois

Retention: 98%

Graduation Rate: 94%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn more about the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University


Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University – Houston, Texas

Program Standouts:

Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business

Jones Graduate School of Business has claimed the #1 position for graduate entrepreneurship programs in the country in 2021. This ranking was awarded by both Princeton Review and Entrepreneurship Magazine. The reputation and success of the program have ensured the success of its graduates.

Graduates of the Jones School of Business may be assisted in their search for employment by the school’s location at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The Houston metro area is home to the headquarters of over 2 dozen Fortune 500 companies.

Options included for study at the Jones School include:

  • Full or part-time
  • On-campus or hybrid online
  • Professional or Executive
  • The ability to pair the MBA with another advanced degree from Rice or
  • Combine with an MD from Baylor College of Medicine
  • The same top faculty

Campus Location: Houston, Texas

Retention: 98%

Graduation Rate: 90%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about the Jones School of Business at Rice University


Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Program Standouts:

Tepper School of Business

Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business has one of the top graduate replacement rates in the country.

Its forward-looking business program is consistently ranked in the top 10 business schools in the country by both U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal. A rigorous curriculum, focusing on quantitative and technical aspects of management, combined with a broad liberal arts education make effective business leaders attractive to future employers.

Small class sizes and top faculty–boasting more Nobel Laureate faculty than any other business school in the world–make getting a great job after graduating a virtual certainty.

Benefits of studying at the Tepper School of Business:

  • Graduates’ starting salaries are among the highest of all undergraduate salaries, according to Business Week
  • Only 4% of graduates are seeking employment
  • Graduates are employed at top companies such as IBM, PNC, Accenture
  • Undergraduates study with the same faculty as graduate students

Campus Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 90%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University


Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame, Indiana

Program Standouts:

university of notre dame school of business

Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame has earned top marks for both its graduate and undergraduate Business Degree programs. It has been named the # 4 MBA program for alumni effectiveness by the Economist.

Its Accountancy program is #4, according to the Public Accounting Report. Its Management and Executive MBA programs are both in the top 20. Four of Mendoza’s undergraduate programs are ranked in the top 20.

Mendoza provides students with international study opportunities and emphasizes not only excellence in business. Mendoza’s business degree programs instill a strong sense of integrity in its graduates. With its excellent faculty, strong alumni, and career services support, graduates from Mendoza have strong job placement numbers.

Strengths of Mendoza’s Business Programs:

  • Emphasis on Good Business, Personal Growth, Business Growth, and Social Growth
  • Excellent Faculty and Facilities
  • Alumni in top business leadership positions

Campus Location: Notre Dame, Indiana

Retention: 98%

Graduation: 96%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn more about the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame


Rutgers Business School, Rutgers University – Newark and Piscataway, New Jersey

Program Standouts:

Rutgers Business School

Rutgers Business School may be the top Business School in the Big 10. Rutgers has been ranked among the top business programs in the country for over a decade.

Most recently Rutgers School of Business was rated the #1 public business school in the Northeast (Eduniversal, 2021), and the #3 Public Business School in the country (Eduniversal, 2021). In terms of return on investment and job placement, Rutgers was the top MBA program for job placement (Businessweek 2018). In 2017, Rutgers Business School was #1 in return on investment and salary increase percentage in the U.S. (Financial Times).

Offering undergraduate, MBA, and Doctoral programs, Rutgers urban, New Jersey location is ideal for creating business contacts and opportunities in the greater New York City region. With its top rankings and outstanding job placement record, Rutgers Business School is a top choice for business leaders looking for immediate and well-paying jobs after graduation.

Advantages of a Rutgers Business Degree:

  • Great location for business
  • Extremely diverse and international student body
  • Excellent departmental relationships with Wall Street, pharmaceutical firms, entrepreneurs, and local businesses

Campus Location: Newark, New Jersey

Retention: 93%

Graduation: 84%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about Rutgers Business School at Rutgers University


Tippie College of Business, The University of Iowa – Iowa City, Iowa

Program Standouts:

Tippie College of Business

The Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa has achieved top rankings in each of the degree programs, from undergraduate through graduate. For 2021, Tippie’s undergraduate degree programs was ranked #32 overall by U.S. News & World Report, and in 2020 was ranked #21 best Entrepreneurship program by Princeton Review. Tippie’s graduate programs are also highly ranked.

The quality of a Tippie education doesn’t produce prestige and high rankings. No, graduates get jobs, good jobs. According to Tippie’s most recent data, 97% of graduates were employed or in graduate studies within six months of graduation. 80% of them were full-time. Forty-six Tippie graduates were hired by Fortune 500 companies. Tippie is host to 547 companies recruiting on campus.

The Tippie Difference:

  • Top-ranked program with outstanding job placement record
  • Access to potential employers throughout one’s studies
  • Excellent domestic and international training and intern opportunities

Campus Location: Houston, Texas

Retention: 88%

Graduation: 72%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn more about the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa


Warrington College of Business, University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida

Program Standouts:

Warrington College of Business

Business education at the Warrington College of Business has never been better! Across the board, the rankings of the many undergraduate and graduate programs have risen in the rankings.

In 2020, the MBA (both online and and on-campus) and Master of Accounting degrees were in the top 10 in U.S. News & World Report. The School of Business was ranked in the same outlet #14 among all public undergraduate business schools.

The value of a Warrington degree continues long after graduation. The Economist rated the business career services in the college #1 (2020 3rd straight year) and they rated Warrington #3 for open new career opportunities. Graduates from the MBA program were hired at a 91% rate with a mean base salary of %110,509 and graduates from the M.Sc. in Finance had a 100% placement rate.

Winning Strategies at Warrington:

  • Excellent program reputation and high job placement rate
  • Global experience and internships
  • Strong focus on business ethics
  • Entrepreneurial focus
  • Alumni support

Campus Location: Gainesville, Florida

Retention: 86%

Graduation Rate: 72%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn More About the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida


Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University – Stanford, California

Program Standouts:

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford University has a long-standing, international reputation for both academic and athletic excellence. This Stanford Graduate School of Business is no exception. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the school embodies of spirit of endless possibilities through visionary entrepreneurship. Among numerous awards and recognition by several online and in-print publications, the business school was ranked the #1 Business School by U.S. News & World Report.

Stanford’s Graduate School of Business offers several degrees:

  • MBA
  • MSx
  • PhD
  • Executive Education
  • Online Programs
  • Seed Transformation Program

The Business School career center promises to continued assistance to graduates in finding jobs or even changing career directions. MBA graduates report a 94% job placement rate within three months of graduation.

Campus Location: Stanford, California

Retention: 99%

Graduation Rate: 94%

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

Learn more about the Stanford Graduate School of Business at Stanford University


Mays Business School, Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas

Program Standouts:

Mays Business School

Mays Business School at Texas A&M has consistently been recognized as one of the top business schools in the country and has an 86% student success rate. The mission at Mays is “to be a vibrant learning organization that creates impactful knowledge and develops transformational leaders.” Mays’ focus is on serving the community and innovation.

Over 6,000 students at Mays study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing and Supply Chain Management

Campus Location: College Station, Texas

Retention: 93%

Graduation Rate: 82%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about Mays Business School at Texas A&M University


Simon Business School, University of Rochester – Rochester, New York

Program Standouts:

Simon Business School

The University of Rochester’s Simon Business School is among the best of its kind in the country when it comes to job placement rates. Students at Simon Business School benefit from the school’s top-rate faculty, many of whom serve as editors and founders of some of the planet’s most praised business periodicals.

Simon’s commitment to understanding business is exemplified by their joint MBA venture with Switzerland’s University of Bern. The New York State-based school states that this relationship “adds global perspectives to both the Rochester and European programs.”

Some outstanding qualities of Simon Business School include:

  • The first business school with a STEM-designated option for every specialization
  • 91% of the 2019 MBA class accepted employment within 3 months of graduation
  • Ranked No. 13 for job placement by U.S. News and World Report

Campus Location: Rochester, New York

Retention: 94%

Graduation Rate: 87%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester


Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University – Waco, Texas

Program Standouts:

Hankamer School of Business

Hankhamer School of Business has been ranked #47 in 2021 by U.S. News and World Report. The school offers unique concentration options in Healthcare Administration, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship as Corporate Innovation, and Cyber Security.

These avenues allow students to pursue vastly different areas of the profession. Despite their specialization, all students at Hankhamer experience the analytic and strategic strengths of the school. These include a focus on hands-on experience of the real world, a foundation in ethical values, and a global outlook.

Standouts from Hankhamer School of Business include:

  • 16 major areas of study for undergraduates to choose from
  • Graduate students may choose from an executive, full-time or online MBA, specialized master’s programs, or a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship, Health Services Research, or Information Systems
  • Additional campus locations in Austin and Dallas for Executive MBA programs

Campus Location: Waco, Texas

Retention: 88%

Graduation Rate: 78%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about Hankhamer School of Business at Baylor University


Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Program Standouts:

Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Stephen M. Ross School of Business statistics show an amazing 98% of BBA graduates receive job offers within 3 months of graduation. Boasting one of the highest job placement rates in the country, Ross School of Business has a corresponding impressive faculty.

The professors at Ross influence the world’s global economies and largest companies. Curriculum focus includes creating real solutions for present and pressing challenges in the world. Part of the school’s strong record for employment success may also be owed to its support system, which utilizes the services of 65 “peer career coaches” – a higher number than that for any other MBA course in the U.S.

Recent awards granted to the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the University of Michigan include:

  • #3 ranking in Undergraduate Business Programs by U.S. News and World Report in 2020
  • #1 in Undergraduate Management Specialization by U.S. News and World Report
  • Rated the #1 Public University in the Nation by QS World University Rankings

Campus Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 93%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn more about the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at Michigan State University


UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Program Standouts:

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

The UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business is a top business that works to create outstanding business leaders with a vision to “ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion.” With world-class faculty and facilities, Kenan-Flagler is ranked among the top business schools in the country with several of its programs in the top 10 in its class.

Strong career support and outstanding reputation and quality explain why graduates from UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business benefit from some of the top job placement rates in the country.

Advantages of Studying at UNC Kenan-Flagler:

  • MAC 98% rate of employment within three months of graduation
  • MBA 86% job offer rate in the first three after graduation
  • PhD graduates have a high success rate in gaining academic positions at top university
  • Top Ranking in Accounting programs (#1 LinkedIn, #1 online program Accounting.com, #4 non-MBA programs U.S. News & World Report)
  • Strong connections with potential employers

Campus Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Retention: 96%

Graduation Rate: 91%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business


Yale School of Management, Yale University – New Haven, Connecticut

Program Standouts:

Yale School of Management

The Yale School of Management is a top-ranked business school whose graduates are almost certain to find a high-paying job upon graduation. The school’s mission is to create outstanding business leaders with a global outlook. This includes an emphasis on policies that respect workers, communities, and the environment.

Yale’s reputation needs no comment. Faculty and learning contexts at the Yale School of Management meet or exceed common Yale standards of excellence. Diversity and inclusion characterize the Yale management vision.

Program Standouts at the Yale School of Management:

  • Top-ranked 2020 School of Management (#21 in the world, The Economist; #5 MBA in the world, The Economist; #14 in the world and #9 nationally, Financial Times)
  • Impressive 90.2% job-offer rate for graduates within three months of graduation
  • Outstanding beginning salary for School of Management graduates

Campus Location: New Haven, Connecticut

Retention: 99%

Graduation Rate: 97%

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Learn more about the Yale School of Management


Goizueta Business School, Emory University – Atlanta, Georgia

Program Standouts:

Goizueta Business School

If you’re looking for a top-ranked MBA degree program with excellent job placement, the Goizueta Business School at Emory University is a great choice.

Built on an excellent undergraduate BBA degree program, the Goizueta vision is geared towards training students not just to “go big,” but to “push business to do big things.” Goizueta is one of the oldest business schools in the country, and for 2021 is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #12 undergrad business program and #22 MBA program in the country. In 2020, the Financial Times named it #8 in Executive Education.

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the hub of business and finance in the American Southeast, 93% of graduates from the MBA program have a job offer within three months of graduation. The other Goizueta programs have excellent career services support, as well.

Some advantages of studying at Goizueta:

  • Diverse programs and student makeup
  • Major regional urban business setting
  • Excellent job placement and career services
  • Outstanding research university context

Campus Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Retention: 95%

Graduation Rate: 90%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about the Goizueta Business School at Emory University


Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington – Seattle, Washington

Program Standouts:

Michael G. Foster School of Business

Excellence in Northwest Business Schools finds its pinnacle at the Michael G. Foster School of Business. Top facilities, research, and faculties, combine with programmatic rigor and a diverse student body, to make studying business at UW an easy pick.

Professor Sorah Seong was named by Poets & Quants as one of 2020’s top 50 undergraduate business professors. Located in the international business hub of Seattle, Washington, students and graduates from any of Foster’s degree programs stand in a strong position to find a job as soon as they graduate.

The Foster MBA program is #1 in the Northwest and in the top 20 nationally according to U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times, Poets & Quants, Business Week, and Forbes. Reputation and quality produce top job placement rates for graduates.

Foster School of Business Standouts:

  • MBA 94% employment within three months of graduation
  • Diverse and innovative programs
  • World-class faculty and student resources
  • Regional superiority

Campus Location: Seattle, Washington

Retention: 95%

Graduation Rate: 84%

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Learn more about the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington


Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, Georgia

Program Standouts:

Scheller College of Business

Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech, unsurprisingly, places a great emphasis on technology in addition to a rounded and solid business education.

This Atlanta, Georgia school of business is fairly new to national rankings, appearing in the top 25 business and/or MBA programs in several lists. Likely, Scheller is now receiving due recognition that a 96% graduate placement indicates. Employers and businesses certainly understand the quality of a Scheller education.

Standouts at GIT’s Scheller College of Business:

  • Special emphasis on the role of technology in business
  • Excellent on-campus and remote student programs and support
  • Outstanding job placement: MBA 96% one of the highest in the nation

Campus Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 90%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about the Scheller College of Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology


Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis – St. Louis, Missouri

Program Standouts:

Olin Business School

The Olin Business School at Washington University prioritizes “global-mindedness” in making thoughtful business decisions. A school motto is: “Informed by Numbers, Driven by Principle.” Offering top-ranking degree programs from undergraduate through Ph.D., Olin Business School is the primary destination for future business leaders in the Midwest and nationwide.

Olin has not only excellent graduate job placement numbers, but it also is at the top of the field in graduate entrepreneurial start-ups.

Some key facts about Olin:

  • BSBA 97% job acceptance
  • MBA 81% job acceptance
  • #1 Poets & Quants 2020 ranking for MBA entrepreneurship programs

Campus Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn more about the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis


Columbia Business School, Columbia University – New York City, New York

Program Standouts:

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School appears at or near the top of every major ranking of top Business Schools, both nationally and internationally. Columbia’s status remains secure in 2021.

Located in New York City at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Columbia School of Business sees its mission as twofold: “Educating and developing leaders… who create value for their stakeholders and society at large… [and] to developing new scholars and teachers… which advance understanding and practice of management.” These goals are pursued through the full range of business offerings from MBA and MS to the Ph.D. and Executive Education.

Graduating from an Ivy League School never hurts your chances of landing a great job after graduating. Columbia School of Business meets this expectation. Ninety percent of Columbia Business Graduates receive job offers within three months of graduating.

Some leading traits of Columbia Business School:

  • Ivy League reputation and quality in the heart of New York City finance
  • Extremely diverse and international student body
  • Excellent career placement rates and career services

Campus Location: New York, New York

Retention: 99%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about the Columbia School of Business at Columbia University


Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Program Standouts:

Sloan School of Management

The Sloan School of Management offers MIT-quality education business education from undergraduate through Ph.D. with top job placement rates for graduates. Sloan emphasizes the intersection between business and technology, taking advantage of MIT’s excellent tech research programs.

This gives students direct, hands-on learning and a global perspective through engaging with faculty that works in the in-between business-tech spaces that don’t fit into traditional departments.

Sloan is #5 in the world for 2020 by the Financial Times, and U.S. News & World Report gives Sloan a #5 national ranking. The MBA program boasts a staggering 95.5% job offer rate for graduates within three months of graduation.

  • Outstanding program that connects business and technology in a field that is becoming more dominated by tech
  • Top research faculty and instruction
  • Excellent institutional reputation and job placement rates

Campus Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Retention: 99%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Learn more about the Sloan School of Management at MIT


Harvard Business School, Harvard University – Boston, Massachusetts

Program Standouts:

Harvard Graduate School of Business

Founded in 1908, Harvard Business School is one of the oldest business schools in the country. Throughout its history, Harvard has remained at the top of business school rankings and has had an outstanding job placement record. Harvard Business School is currently ranked #6 by U.S. News & World Report, #4 by Forbes, #1 by Financial Times, and #2 by The Economist. Graduates report an 88% job offer rate within three months of graduation.

Advantages of a Harvard Business School Degree:

  • Large and diverse faculty (276 full-time)
  • Outstanding institutional reputation
  • Top rankings in every business department
  • Strong and diverse campus community
  • High levels of graduate success across the business disciplines
  • Longstanding excellent job placement success

Campus Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 97%

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Learn more about Harvard Business School at Harvard University


Darden School of Business, University of Virginia – Charlottesville, Virginia

Program Standouts:

Darden School of Business

Darden School of Business is a top school in many of the most notable college rankings. In 2019-20, Darden was #5 in U.S. News & World Report, #11 in Poets & Quants, # 13 in Forbes, and #18 in Financial Times. Businessweek has Darden at #5 for 2021.

As for job placement, Darden is among the highest on this list. Financial Times reports that 96% of graduates are employed for three months, and Forbes gives 92%. In either case, the odds are very good you’ll quickly land a great job!

Darden Advantages:

  • MBA 2021 #2 ranking among public schools
  • #1 Ranking in student ratings of faculty
  • #1 Overseas study
  • #1 best education experience in the country

Campus Location: Charlottesville, Virginia

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia


Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley, California

Program Standouts:

Haas School of Business

The MBA at Berkeley Haas School of Business consistently has one of the highest placement rates in the country at over 90% within 3 months of graduation. The Haas School of Business focuses on providing an MBA experience that assists students to advance within their organization and fulfill personal goals such as starting a business or making a career change. Haas offers both online, campus, and STEM-qualifying degree programs.

Program Availability:

  • Evening/Weekend MBA
  • Executive MBA
  • Full-Time MBA

Campus Location: Berkeley, California

Retention: 97%

Graduation Rate: 93%

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges

Learn more about the Haas School of Business at the University of California Berkeley


Fuqua School of Business, Duke University – Durham, North Carolina

Program Standouts:

Fuqua School of Business

Fuqua School of Business at Duke University is one of the “world’s most elite business schools.” Senior advisors from global organizations offer strategic assistance, support, and strength to Fuqua’s Board of Visitors and Regional Advisory Boards. The school’s mission is to “create a safe and supportive learning environment which fosters the development of boundless individual potential.”

Degree programs available at Fuqua School of Business:

  • MBA
  • Master of Management
  • Master of Quantitative Management
  • PhD
  • Executive Education

Campus Location: Durham, North Carolina

Retention: 98%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Learn more about the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University


The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Program Standouts:

wharton school of business

Topping the U.S. News and World Report list of MBAs which lead to the highest employment and salaries in 2020 was the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. With an average annual salary of $182,000 and a 94% employment rate within 3 months of graduation, Wharton students can count on a successful future.

The Philadelphia institution has a history of producing both successful and formidable leaders. Alumni include Alex Gorsky, CEO at Johnson & Johnson, and Ruth Porat, current CFO of Alphabet Inc., who was dubbed “the most powerful woman on Wall Street” during her time at Morgan Stanley.

The focus areas in Wharton education include:

  • Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Finance
  • Global Perspective
  • Leadership

Campus Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Retention: 98%

Graduation Rate: 96%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania


Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University – New York City, New York

Program Standouts:

Leonard N. Stern School of Business

New York University’s Stern School of Business has a high reputation which is accompanied by a phenomenal job placement rate for its graduates. Stern’s first-rate faculty includes three Nobel Laureates – A. Michael Spence (2001), Robert F. Engle (2003), and Thomas J. Sargent (2011).

Students at Stern can expect to gain a unique perspective in business as well as secure their future. According to Stern’s website, 100% of 2021 graduates who were seeking a summer internship secured one.

The school’s location may itself grant these rare opportunities to many applicants:

  • The opportunity to study in New York City’s stylish Greenwich Village
  • Being surrounded by a cluster of the country’s corporate colossi
  • New York hosts an incredible 73 Fortune 500 companies

Campus Location: New York City, New York

Retention: 94%

Graduation Rate: 85%

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Learn more about the Leonard Stern School of Business at New York University


Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College – Hanover, New Hampshire

Program Standouts:

Tuck School of Business

Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business lays claim to one of the best job placement rates in the country. According to their website, Tuck graduates experience “employment levels and compensation rates for Tuck’s class of 2020 at or near the highest of those of the top MBA programs worldwide.”

Tuck School of Business chalks these achievements up to its superlative careers service, which helps prepare students for the rigorous demands of the working world.

Certainly, learners can take inspiration from the successes of some of the school’s alumni – among them Christopher A. Sinclair, former CEO of both Mattel and PepsiCo, and Janet L. Robinson, one-time president and CEO of The New York Times Company.

Some of Tuck’s standout qualities include:

  • Foundational first-year core curriculum
  • Leading-edge second-year electives
  • Accessible faculty
  • Skilled scholar-educators

Campus Location: Hanover, New Hampshire

Retention: 98%

Graduation Rate: 96%

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Learn more about the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College


Booth School of Business, University of Chicago – Chicago, Illinois

Program Standouts:

chicago booth school of business

The Chicago Booth School of Business grants its graduates one of the highest rate of job placement levels with over 95% of job-seeking 2019 Full-Time MBA graduates accepting full-time offers within three months of graduation.

With campuses in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong, Chicago Booth approaches business from a global perspective while still allowing students to focus on their immediate community of peers through a collaborative effort. The programs at Booth focus on developing problem-solving skills as well as sharpening students’ analytical thinking ability.

Programs at Booth include:

  • Full-Time, Part-Time, and Executive MBA Programs
  • A doctorate in business from the world’s leading Ph.D. Program in business
  • Executive Education courses
    • Students may choose from nearly 50 open-enrollment programs worldwide or create their own custom program.

Campus Location: Chicago, Illinois

Retention: 96%

Graduation Rate: 95%

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Learn more about the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “job placement rate” mean?

Job placement rate is a measure of how many graduates of an educational institution, job training program, or recruitment initiative are able to find employment after completing their studies. It is typically expressed as a percentage and is calculated by dividing the number of job placements by the number of graduates or students. A higher job placement rate indicates that more students are able to find employment following their educational or training experience.

Why should I be concerned with business schools that offer favorable job placement rates?

Business schools that offer positive job placement rates should be viewed as a good indication that the school is delivering quality education and providing successful career-focused resources and training to prepare its students to enter the workforce successfully. While other metrics such as student and faculty satisfaction, AACSB accreditation, and alumni networks can all be valuable metrics for evaluating a business school, job placement rates can give you insight into the quality of the curriculum and resources the school provides to help students after graduation.

Ultimately, having access to favorable job placement rates should provide some assurance that the school can offer its students the best opportunities to prepare for a successful career.

Can I depend on my school’s Career Services Department to assist me after graduation in finding employment?

Yes, many school Career Services departments offer lifetime assistance to alumni. They can help with resumes, job postings, networking, and one-on-one career counseling.

Is job placement offered through distance learning programs, as well as traditional programs?

Yes, job placement services are typically available for both traditional and online (distance learning) programs. Many online programs offer career guidance and counseling, resume and job search guidance, job fairs, and other job-seeking services to help their students secure placements. So, rest assured you will receive the same benefits that traditional on-campus graduates receive.


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Rowan Jones
Chief Editor