Drexel LeBow College of Business Ranking

LeBow College of Business at Drexel University stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious business schools in the United States. Situated within a university renowned for its emphasis on research and experiential learning, LeBow College represents a unique fusion of academic rigor, innovation, and real-world application. It has earned an enduring reputation as one of the nation’s premier institutions for business education, consistently recognized by leading publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Economist.

The College’s success is deeply rooted in Drexel University’s founding philosophy—linking classroom education with industry engagement. From its earliest days, Drexel prioritized applied learning and industry collaboration, principles that continue to guide LeBow’s academic programs today. With over a century of history, the College has cultivated a distinctive educational model that prepares students not only to understand business concepts but also to apply them effectively in complex, rapidly changing environments.

At Drexel LeBow, business education is not confined to theoretical models or case studies. Instead, it is a dynamic, experience-based journey that challenges students to solve real-world problems, lead with integrity, and innovate for the future. Through partnerships with leading organizations and a global network of alumni and corporate collaborators, LeBow connects passionate students and expert faculty with opportunities that ignite potential and drive meaningful impact.

A Historical Foundation: The Evolution of Business Education at Drexel

Drexel University, founded in 1891 by philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, was established with a vision to provide practical education that would empower students to meet the demands of an industrialized society. The Bennett S. LeBow College of Business, one of Drexel’s earliest colleges, was integral to that mission. From its inception, the College emphasized applied learning, scientific management, and professional preparation—values that distinguished it from many traditional business schools of its time.

Over the decades, LeBow College has evolved in response to the changing global economy. As industries transformed through technological advancement, globalization, and innovation, LeBow consistently adapted its curriculum and research priorities to reflect these new realities. Today, the College remains at the forefront of business education by integrating technology, analytics, and leadership development into every aspect of its academic and professional programs.

The College’s growth was significantly enhanced by the generosity of Bennett S. LeBow, a distinguished entrepreneur and alumnus of Drexel University. His historic contributions led to the naming of the College and supported the construction of the state-of-the-art Gerri C. LeBow Hall, a 12-story academic facility that opened in 2013. This building serves as the physical and symbolic heart of business education at Drexel—a space designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and intellectual engagement.

Academic Excellence and Rigorous Programs

The LeBow College of Business offers a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, all of which are characterized by academic rigor and real-world relevance. The curriculum is structured to provide students with a solid foundation in core business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, management, and economics, while also allowing for specialization in emerging areas like data analytics, supply chain management, and innovation strategy.

Undergraduate programs at LeBow emphasize experiential learning, a hallmark of Drexel’s educational philosophy. Students are immersed in cooperative education (co-op) experiences that integrate academic study with professional employment. Through these co-op placements—often lasting six months—students work full-time with leading organizations, gaining invaluable practical experience before graduation. This model ensures that LeBow graduates enter the workforce with not only academic knowledge but also the professional skills and experience that employers seek.

Graduate programs at LeBow are designed for ambitious professionals seeking to advance their careers and deepen their expertise. Among the most notable is the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is offered in multiple formats to accommodate the needs of working professionals. The Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, and Executive MBA (EMBA) each provide rigorous, customizable curricula that combine strategic management training with opportunities for experiential learning and global exposure.

LeBow also offers specialized master’s programs in fields such as finance, accounting, business analytics, and economics, reflecting the increasing demand for technical expertise and data-driven decision-making in today’s business environment. Doctoral programs at LeBow, including PhDs in Business and Economics, are research-intensive and designed to prepare future scholars and thought leaders who contribute to advancing business knowledge through scholarly inquiry.

Across all programs, LeBow maintains an unwavering focus on integrating theory with practice. Students are encouraged to participate in consulting projects, case competitions, and research initiatives that address real-world business challenges. This balance between intellectual depth and applied experience defines LeBow’s distinctive approach to education.

Faculty Leadership and Research Impact

The strength of LeBow College of Business lies in its exceptional faculty, who are both accomplished scholars and experienced professionals. Faculty members bring to the classroom a blend of academic excellence, industry insight, and a passion for teaching. Nearly all hold doctoral degrees and maintain active research agendas that contribute to the advancement of business theory and practice.

LeBow faculty are widely recognized for their research productivity and impact. The College was ranked 66th in the world based on faculty research published between 2006 and 2010 in the top four finance journals—The Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, and The Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. This ranking underscores the College’s reputation as a leader in scholarly research and thought leadership.

Beyond finance, LeBow faculty produce influential work across disciplines, including marketing, management, economics, and information systems. Their research explores issues such as corporate governance, innovation strategy, behavioral economics, and global trade. Importantly, much of this research is applied and collaborative, addressing practical challenges faced by businesses, policymakers, and nonprofit organizations.

Faculty members also play a central role in mentoring students and fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity. Through small class sizes and personalized instruction, professors engage closely with students, guiding them in their academic, professional, and personal development. The result is a dynamic learning environment where students are inspired to think critically, act ethically, and lead effectively.

Experiential Learning and Industry Connection

One of the defining characteristics of Drexel LeBow’s educational philosophy is its deep commitment to experiential learning. Building on Drexel University’s pioneering co-op program—one of the oldest and most respected in the United States—LeBow integrates professional experience into every stage of the academic journey.

Through Drexel’s Cooperative Education Program, business students alternate between classroom instruction and full-time, paid employment in positions relevant to their field of study. These placements often occur at Fortune 500 companies, startups, consulting firms, and government agencies, both domestically and internationally. Students gain not only hands-on experience but also professional networks that often lead to post-graduation employment.

In addition to co-op experiences, LeBow students participate in consulting projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and applied research initiatives through centers such as the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship and the Center for Corporate Governance. These centers serve as hubs for innovation, connecting students with business leaders and providing platforms to test ideas, develop strategies, and implement solutions.

The College also fosters close partnerships with corporations, nonprofits, and public sector organizations. These collaborations enable LeBow to tailor its programs to the evolving needs of industry while offering companies access to talented students, cutting-edge research, and executive education opportunities. This synergy between academia and industry remains a defining feature of LeBow’s identity and a key driver of its continued success.

Global Perspective and International Engagement

In an increasingly interconnected world, LeBow College of Business places a strong emphasis on cultivating global awareness and cross-cultural understanding. The College’s programs are designed to prepare students to navigate international markets, manage diverse teams, and address global challenges with sensitivity and insight.

LeBow’s international initiatives include study abroad programs, global consulting projects, and partnerships with leading universities around the world. Through these opportunities, students gain firsthand experience in global business environments, exploring topics such as international finance, trade policy, and cross-border management.

The College’s Department of Economics and International Business has achieved global recognition for its contributions to research and teaching. A worldwide collaboration of economics researchers ranked LeBow’s department among the top 100 out of 1,400 economics departments in the field of international trade, reflecting the College’s leadership in this critical area of study.

By combining global engagement with experiential learning, LeBow ensures that its graduates are well-equipped to lead in multinational organizations and to contribute to economic development on a global scale.

Recognition and Rankings

LeBow College of Business has received numerous accolades that reflect its excellence in education, research, and professional development. These distinctions highlight the College’s status as one of the nation’s top business schools and underscore its reputation for quality and innovation.

In 2009, BusinessWeek ranked the LeBow Part-Time MBA program as No. 1 in the nation for academic quality, a testament to the College’s commitment to delivering rigorous, relevant education for working professionals. The program’s flexibility, combined with its strong academic foundation and experienced faculty, has made it one of the most respected part-time MBA offerings in the country.

The Executive MBA (EMBA) at LeBow has also garnered international acclaim. In the 2007 Financial Times survey of executive MBA programs, Drexel’s EMBA was ranked 19th in the nation and 54th in the world. Among Philadelphia-area institutions, it placed second only to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrating its competitive standing among elite business schools. Furthermore, the Drexel Executive MBA was rated third in the nation for career progression, reflecting the program’s strong impact on professional advancement.

LeBow’s excellence in entrepreneurship education has also been widely recognized. The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Drexel third in the nation for both undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship programs, underscoring the College’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of business creators.

In research, as noted, LeBow was ranked 66th globally for its contributions to top finance journals, reflecting the high caliber of its faculty scholarship. Collectively, these rankings affirm LeBow’s position as a leading institution in business education and a hub for innovation, leadership, and applied research.

Accreditation and Commitment to Quality

The LeBow College of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. This accreditation is held by fewer than five percent of business schools globally, signifying excellence in teaching, research, curriculum design, and student outcomes.

AACSB accreditation reflects LeBow’s dedication to continuous improvement and its commitment to maintaining the highest levels of academic integrity and professional relevance. The accreditation process requires rigorous peer review and ongoing assessment of faculty qualifications, student learning, and institutional effectiveness.

For students, AACSB accreditation ensures that their degrees are recognized and respected by employers and graduate institutions around the world. For faculty, it fosters a culture of excellence and accountability, encouraging innovation in teaching and research. For the College, it represents a continuous commitment to advancing business education and contributing meaningfully to the profession and society.

Centers of Excellence and Research Initiatives

LeBow College of Business houses several specialized centers that advance research, education, and industry collaboration. Among these are the Center for Corporate Governance, which explores issues of leadership, ethics, and accountability in corporate management; the Center for Business Analytics, which promotes data-driven decision-making; and the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, which supports students and alumni in launching and growing new ventures.

These centers provide students with opportunities to engage in applied research, gain consulting experience, and collaborate with professionals on strategic business challenges. They also serve as platforms for knowledge exchange between academia and industry, reinforcing LeBow’s mission of bridging theory and practice.

Through its centers and initiatives, LeBow continues to drive innovation, foster leadership, and contribute to economic and social progress at local, national, and global levels.

A Vision for the Future

Looking forward, the LeBow College of Business remains committed to redefining business education for the twenty-first century. The College continues to expand its global partnerships, invest in cutting-edge research, and incorporate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain into its curriculum.

LeBow’s future vision centers on developing ethical, adaptable, and forward-thinking leaders who can address the challenges of a rapidly evolving global economy. The College seeks not only to educate students but also to inspire them to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and make a positive impact in their communities and industries.

As the business world continues to evolve, LeBow stands at the intersection of academia and industry, ready to guide the next generation of leaders toward success.

Conclusion: A Beacon of Business Leadership and Innovation

LeBow College of Business at Drexel University represents the best of American business education—combining academic rigor, experiential learning, and a deep connection to industry. With its prestigious AACSB accreditation, world-class faculty, and record of national and international recognition, LeBow continues to set the standard for excellence in business education.

Its programs cultivate analytical thinking, leadership, and ethical responsibility, while its partnerships and research initiatives drive innovation and societal progress. Rooted in Drexel’s tradition of experiential learning and guided by over a century of academic excellence, LeBow College prepares students not only to succeed in their careers but also to shape the future of business with creativity, insight, and integrity.

In every sense, the LeBow College of Business stands as a beacon of opportunity and a catalyst for transformation—a place where ambition meets purpose, and where education truly connects with the world.