US News MBA Rankings - Top 30

In the 2010 U.S. News Graduate Business School Rankings, Harvard Business School (HBS) solidified its long-standing position as the top business school in the United States. The rankings, which evaluate 426 MBA programs across the nation, reflect the continued dominance of a few elite institutions while highlighting the growing competitiveness of other schools that have shown impressive improvements in their rankings. For the business schools that made notable strides in the 2010 edition, the shift in positions is a testament to their continued commitment to academic excellence, innovation in business education, and the ability to adapt to the evolving demands of the global job market.

Harvard Business School, as the top-ranked school in the 2010 U.S. News survey, continued to uphold its global reputation for providing world-class business education. The school’s consistent ranking at the top is a reflection of its rigorous academic programs, esteemed faculty, and a network of accomplished alumni that stretch across the globe. Harvard’s MBA program is widely regarded for its case-study method, which places students in real-world scenarios and challenges them to solve complex business problems. This hands-on learning approach, combined with its focus on leadership and ethical decision-making, ensures that HBS graduates are well-prepared to take on executive roles in industries ranging from finance and consulting to technology and healthcare. Harvard's comprehensive approach to business education, alongside its prestigious brand, solidifies its position as the benchmark for business schools worldwide.

However, the 2010 rankings were also notable for the movement of several other schools in the U.S. News list, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape of MBA programs. Among these, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business made significant strides, both moving into the top 20 for the first time. Georgetown’s rise in the rankings was fueled by its strong academic performance, diverse student body, and an emphasis on global business education. The McDonough School has also benefitted from its strategic location in Washington, D.C., a hub for international business, politics, and nonprofit organizations, which provides students with access to a wide range of networking and internship opportunities. Georgetown’s improvement reflects the growing recognition of its program’s value, particularly for students interested in pursuing careers in global business, consulting, and government.

Similarly, the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business ascended into the top 20, further establishing itself as a prominent institution on the West Coast. USC’s MBA program is known for its focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and strong ties to the technology and entertainment industries, which are central to the Los Angeles area. The Marshall School’s emphasis on hands-on learning, along with its connections to global companies, has been a key factor in its rise in the rankings. As the business world increasingly values entrepreneurial thinking and the ability to innovate in rapidly changing markets, USC has leveraged its strengths in these areas to attract top-tier students and faculty, contributing to its rise in the 2010 rankings.

Another significant change in the 2010 U.S. News rankings was Yale School of Management’s impressive climb into the top 10, moving up from 13th place in 2009. Yale’s rapid ascent can be attributed to its strong commitment to integrating business education with social impact, leadership development, and its emphasis on preparing students for roles that require ethical decision-making and a focus on long-term value creation. The school’s unique curriculum, which combines business education with a focus on broader societal challenges, appeals to students interested in careers that go beyond profit maximization to include environmental sustainability, social justice, and public policy. Yale’s rise in the rankings also reflects a broader trend in business education, where schools are increasingly valuing the importance of corporate social responsibility and integrating these principles into their academic frameworks.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management also saw a boost in the 2010 rankings, moving into the top 3 from 4th place in the previous year. Kellogg’s rise to the top tier of U.S. business schools is a testament to its continued strength in areas such as leadership development, innovation, and teamwork. The school’s focus on collaborative learning, combined with its strong global reputation in marketing, finance, and consulting, has made it a top choice for students looking to develop well-rounded business leadership skills. Kellogg’s extensive alumni network, renowned faculty, and global influence have contributed to its rise, as has the school’s ability to adapt its curriculum to the changing needs of the global economy. Northwestern’s emphasis on experiential learning and its strong connections to industries ranging from healthcare to technology further cemented its position among the top business schools in the United States.

Another school that made notable gains in the 2010 rankings was Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, which moved up two places to 12th overall. Duke’s rise reflects the school’s robust academic curriculum, strong faculty, and focus on fostering leadership skills in its students. The Fuqua School has earned a reputation for producing graduates with strong interpersonal skills, making them well-suited for roles in consulting, finance, and technology. Duke’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, along with its focus on teamwork and collaboration, has also helped it attract top students from around the world. With its strong academic foundations, global outlook, and a close-knit, supportive community, Duke has continued to strengthen its position as one of the top business schools in the country.

Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business also showed improvement, climbing two places to 15th in the 2010 rankings. Tepper is known for its quantitative approach to business education, with a strong emphasis on decision-making, strategy, and technology. The school’s focus on analytics, combined with its cutting-edge research in business intelligence, operations research, and technology management, makes it a top choice for students looking to pursue careers at the intersection of business and technology. Tepper’s strengths in data-driven decision-making and its strong ties to the technology sector in Pittsburgh and beyond have made it an increasingly attractive option for students with an interest in technology management, finance, and operations.

Overall, the 2010 U.S. News Graduate Business School Rankings reflected the growing competitiveness of the MBA landscape in the United States. While Harvard remained firmly at the top, several other schools showed marked improvements in their rankings, highlighting the dynamic nature of business education. The rise of Georgetown, USC, Yale, Northwestern, Duke, and Carnegie Mellon demonstrates that business schools across the country are enhancing their programs, curricula, and focus areas to attract top talent and meet the needs of the rapidly changing global business environment. For prospective MBA students, these improvements reflect an increasing number of high-quality options available to those looking to pursue a graduate business education in the U.S.

Top 30 MBA Programs:
1 Harvard
2 Stanford
3 Northwestern
3 U of Pennsylvania
5 MIT
6 Chicago
7 Berkeley
8 Dartmouth
9 Columbia
10 Yale
11 NYU
12 Duke
13 Michigan
14 UCLA
15 Carnegie Mellon
15 UVA
17 Cornell
18 Texas-Austin
19 Georgetown
20 UNC
20 USC
22 Emory
22 Georgia Institute of Technology
22 Indiana U--Bloomington
22 Washington U in St. Louis
26 Ohio State U
26 U of Washington (Foster)
28 U of Wisconsin--Madison
29 Arizona State U
29 Brigham Young U
29 U of Rochester

Source: US News & World Report