2026 Best Business Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Business master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Business Degree Central analyzed 4630 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Business Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical Business student debt is $13,516. Read more about Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Business program here. Get the full Stanford University report
Duke University came in at #3 on this year's Business ranking in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. The median Business program debt is $13,296. Get the full Duke University report
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical Business student debt is $15,854. More on University Of Chicago
University Of Notre Dame came in at #5 on this year's Business ranking in the United States. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Business students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Get the full Cornell University report
Dartmouth College placed #7 among Business schools in the United States. Located in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical Business student debt is $16,989. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Rice University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Rice University Business students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. See the full Rice University profile
Northwestern University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern University
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Typical Business student debt is $23,529. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #11 among Business schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #12 among Business schools in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Business program debt is $18,627. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Princeton University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Get the full Princeton University report
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #14 in this year's ranking. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Yale University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Business program here. More on Yale University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Business student debt is $14,238. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. The median Business program debt is $24,323. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Business program here. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. The median Business program debt is $24,521. More on Colorado School Of Mines
Vanderbilt University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Business program here. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #22 among Business schools in the United States. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Business program here. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Brown University placed #23 among Business schools in the United States. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Business program here. See the full Brown University profile
Emory University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Business students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Read the full report on Emory University
Georgetown University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Typical Business student debt is $16,483. See the full Georgetown University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Business Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Santa Clara University placed #26 among Business schools in the United States. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. The median Business program debt is $20,144. See the full Santa Clara University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #27 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $21,275. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Washington University In St Louis ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. The median Business program debt is $17,553. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Management And Technology landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. University Of Management And Technology is a private for-profit school based in Arlington, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $9,450. Read the full report on University Of Management And Technology
Villanova University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Villanova University Business students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. Read more about Villanova University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical Business student debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Business student debt is $20,778. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Southern California came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. University Of Southern California Business students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Lehigh University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. More on Lehigh University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus did well this year, earning the #35 position. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school based in Tacoma, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. The median Business program debt is $16,151. See the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Business program debt is $23,393. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Milwaukee School Of Engineering did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete their Business program here. More on Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Wake Forest University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Business program here. Read more about Wake Forest University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota did well this year, earning the #39 position. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report
Kettering University placed #40 among Business schools in the United States. Set in Flint, MI, Kettering University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,425. Typical Business student debt is $28,913. Read more about Kettering University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #41 among Business schools in the United States. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Business program debt is $16,481. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Indiana University Bloomington placed #42 among Business schools in the United States. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Business student debt is $20,542. More on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Business program debt is $21,577. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
New York University placed #44 among Business schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. New York University Business students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. See the full New York University profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Madison, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Business student debt is $21,813. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Texas Christian University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical Business student debt is $22,960. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
James Madison University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical Business student debt is $21,218. Read the full report on James Madison University
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #48 among Business schools in the United States. Set in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Bothell Campus report
University Of Maryland College Park placed #49 among Business schools in the United States. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $20,836. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Drake University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school based in Des Moines, IA. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Read the full report on Drake University
Related Business Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Business Schools (All Levels)
- Best Business Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Business Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Business Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Business Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Business Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Business Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).