Top 10 Business Schools

The Aspen Institute's "Beyond Grey Pinstripes" is a key initiative that ranks full-time MBA programs based on their commitment to incorporating social, environmental, and ethical responsibility into their curricula and research. The 2009-2010 edition of the rankings spotlighted the top business schools that go beyond traditional business education, integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into their academic programs and shaping future leaders who understand the broader impact of business decisions on society and the environment. These schools represent a growing recognition in the business education community that the role of business leaders goes beyond profit generation to include responsibilities toward social welfare, ethical governance, and environmental sustainability.

At the top of the Aspen Institute’s rankings is the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, which has long been a pioneer in integrating CSR into its MBA program. The Ross School’s commitment to responsible leadership is exemplified by the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, which fosters research and teaching in sustainable business practices. Ross’s MBA program includes courses and experiential learning opportunities that focus on environmental sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and ethical decision-making. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that students are not only equipped with traditional business skills but also with the knowledge to tackle complex social and environmental challenges that businesses face today. By combining academic rigor with real-world applications, the University of Michigan’s Ross School stands out as a leader in CSR and sustainability.

Next in line is the Yale School of Management, known for its distinctive approach to business education that combines leadership development with a strong commitment to social responsibility. Yale emphasizes the importance of managing for both profit and societal impact, a philosophy embedded in the school’s MBA program. The Yale Center for Business and the Environment plays a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary research and education, bringing together students from different fields to address environmental and social issues. Yale’s curriculum focuses on sustainable business practices, social entrepreneurship, and the role of business in addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inequality. Yale’s commitment to integrating CSR into the core of its business education makes it a leader in producing future business leaders with a deep sense of social responsibility.

The Stanford Graduate School of Business is another top contender, renowned for its academic excellence and innovative approach to business education. Stanford’s MBA program emphasizes leadership development with a focus on social impact. The school’s Center for Social Innovation is a key resource, offering programs and initiatives that promote socially responsible business practices and sustainable innovation. Stanford’s MBA students engage in hands-on learning through programs like the Public Management Program and Social Entrepreneurship Program, which provide them with the tools to solve complex social problems through business. The school's focus on fostering leaders who are capable of making decisions that balance financial success with social and environmental considerations is one of the reasons it ranks highly on the Aspen Institute's list.

The Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame is also recognized for its focus on values-based business education. Notre Dame’s MBA program integrates ethics, responsibility, and social impact into every aspect of its curriculum. The school’s commitment to CSR is further demonstrated by its Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development, which partners with organizations worldwide to tackle pressing global issues such as poverty and health. Notre Dame’s approach to business education is centered around the idea that business leaders have a moral responsibility to create value not just for shareholders but for society as a whole. This emphasis on ethical leadership and social impact aligns with the school’s Catholic mission, which promotes the common good as central to business practice.

The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, is another school that consistently ranks highly for its commitment to CSR. Haas’s MBA program is renowned for its focus on innovation and social responsibility. The school’s Center for Responsible Business provides students with opportunities to engage in research and practice related to sustainable business, ethical leadership, and social entrepreneurship. Haas’s approach is unique in that it integrates CSR into the core of its business curriculum, ensuring that students understand the importance of balancing profit with social and environmental considerations. The school also offers a range of electives in areas such as sustainable finance and corporate social responsibility, allowing students to specialize in these critical areas.

New York University’s Stern School of Business is ranked highly in the Aspen Institute’s list as well, reflecting its commitment to social impact and sustainability. Stern offers a comprehensive curriculum that addresses CSR and social responsibility across various disciplines, including finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The school’s Business and Society Program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to create businesses that are both profitable and socially responsible. Stern is particularly known for its focus on social entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices, which are integrated into many of the courses offered at the school. Additionally, NYU Stern’s location in New York City, one of the world’s financial capitals, provides students with unique opportunities to work with organizations that are leading the charge in CSR and sustainability efforts.

Columbia Business School is also a leader in promoting CSR and social impact. The school’s MBA program includes courses that explore the intersection of business and society, focusing on topics such as corporate governance, sustainable business practices, and social entrepreneurship. Columbia’s Center for Social and Economic Development promotes research and teaching on how business can be a force for good in society. The school offers a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with social and environmental issues, both through its curriculum and through extracurricular activities. Columbia’s emphasis on ethical decision-making and social responsibility ensures that its graduates are prepared to lead organizations that prioritize both profit and social impact.

The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia is another institution known for its commitment to CSR. Darden’s MBA program includes courses on leadership, ethics, and social responsibility, and the school encourages students to think critically about the impact of their decisions on society and the environment. The school’s Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics focuses on promoting ethical decision-making in business, helping students navigate complex ethical challenges that arise in the business world. Darden’s focus on ethical leadership and responsible business practices aligns with its broader mission to prepare leaders who are capable of addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

The Johnson School of Business at Cornell University rounds out the top 10 in the Aspen Institute’s rankings. Cornell’s MBA program integrates CSR into the core curriculum, with a focus on sustainable business practices, social entrepreneurship, and global economic development. The school offers a range of courses and initiatives that promote socially responsible business, including its Sustainable Global Enterprise Program, which prepares students to lead in organizations that prioritize both financial and social performance. Cornell’s commitment to CSR is also reflected in its interdisciplinary approach, where business students work alongside students from other disciplines to solve complex social and environmental challenges.

Lastly, the George Washington University School of Business is recognized for its commitment to CSR and social impact. The school offers an MBA with a focus on sustainability and ethical business practices, and its students are encouraged to think critically about the role of business in promoting social good. The school’s focus on CSR is integrated into its research, teaching, and community engagement, preparing students to become leaders who are capable of creating value while addressing social and environmental challenges.

In conclusion, the 2009-2010 edition of "Beyond Grey Pinstripes" highlights a growing movement within business schools to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into business education. The schools ranked in the top 10—University of Michigan, Yale, Stanford, Notre Dame, UC Berkeley, NYU Stern, Columbia, University of Virginia, Cornell, and George Washington University—are all leaders in this effort. These institutions are shaping the future of business by preparing students to become leaders who understand that the success of a business is not solely measured by profit, but by its ability to create a positive social and environmental impact.

According to the Aspen Institute Center for Business Education, the Top 10 Business Schools integrating Corporate Social Responsibility in the US are:
1. University of Michigan (Ross)
2. Yale School of Management
3. Stanford Graduate School of Business
4. Notre Dame (Mendoza)
5. University of California Berkeley (Haas)
6. New York University (Stern)
7. Columbia Business School
8. Univ of Virginia (Darden)
9. Cornell (Johnson)
10. George Washington Univ School of Business

Top Ten Business Schools in Asia for 2007/2008, as ranked by QS Top MBA:
1 Australian GSM
2 CEIBS China
3 HKUST Hong Kong
4 Indian IM, Bangalore
5 INSEAD Singapore
6 Macquarie, MGSM Australia
7 Melbourne Business School Australia
8 Monash University GSB Australia
9 Nanyang Business School Singapore
10 National University of Singapore

India's Top Ten B-school by Business India magazine (tenth best business schools survey):
1 IIM, Ahmedabad
2 IIM, Bangalore
3 IIM, Calcutta
4 Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
5 XLRI Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
6 IIM, Lucknow
7 Management Development Institute, Gurgaon
8 S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai
9 Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad
10 Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai

According to the Economist magazine eighth annual ranking of full-time MBA programmes, York University's Schulich School of Business is the only Canadian school placed in the Top 10 of business schools in North America:
Regional Rank, Institution, Global Rank
1 University of California at Berkeley - Haas School of Business - 3
2 University of Chicago - Booth School of Business - 4
3 Harvard Business School - 5
4 Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business - 6
5 Stanford Graduate School of Business - 7
6 University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School - 9
7 York University - Schulich School of Business (Canada) - 12
8 New York University - Leonard N Stern School of Business - 13
9 Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management - 15
10 MIT Sloan School of Management - 19

Top 10 Business Schools in Europe for their MBA programmes (EIU 2009):
1 IESE Business School
2 IMD
3 London Business School
4 Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School
5 Judge Business School
6 HEC School of Management, Paris
7 IE Business School
8 Cranfield School of Management
9 Henley Business School
10 Warwick Business School

World’s Top MBA schools ranking by FT 2009 (Top Ten):
=1 Wharton School (US)
=1 London Business School (UK)
3 Harvard (US)
4 Columbia Business School (US)
5 Insead (France/Singapore)
=6 Stanford University (US)
=6 IE Business School (Spain)
8 Ceibs (China)
9 Sloan, MIT (US)
10 Stern, New York Uni (US)