Four full-time, Australian Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs have secured a place in the top 100 in the world in the latest ranking compiled by global business school and higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds.
The QS Global MBA and Business Master’s Rankings 2025 spans 58 countries and territories, analysing the world’s 340 best global MBAs.
Data for the QS MBA ranking is collected via surveys of employers, academics, and business school staff. MBA programs are ranked based on five key metrics, with each given different weighting: Employability (40%); Return on Investment (20%); Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes (15%); Thought Leadership (15%); Class & Faculty Diversity (10%).
Employability is the central metric for the QS MBA Ranking, meaning the higher a program is ranked the better your post-MBA jobs prospects are, according to QS. To be included in the QS MBA ranking, business schools must be accredited by either AACSB, AMBA, or EFMD (EQUIS).
Melbourne Business School was the highest ranked of the Australian MBA programs at 32nd, down two spots from 30th in 2024. the result was built on high scores for Thought Leadership (91.8) and the region’s best score for Employability (72.7) and Return on Investment (73).
AGSM @ UNSW was 33rd globally with an overall score of 74.8 with high scores for Diversity (91.7) and Thought Leadership (89.2).
Professor Nick Wailes, Director AGSM and Dean UNSW Lifelong Learning said AGSM’s consistent ranking in the top 10% globally underscored the high standard of student outcomes, high impact research, a curriculum designed around immersive learning experiences, and the significant contributions of our global alumni community who drive change across various sectors worldwide.
“AGSM’s position among the world’s top MBA programs remains strong,” Professor Wailes said.
Return on Investment (ROI) was also a key differentiator, with AGSM scoring 71.7.4 – 10.2 points ahead of the average. ROI is a measure of average for specific business schools based on factors such as tuition levels, opportunity costs, salary growth, and expected career progression.
“This year, AGSM @ UNSW Business School has once again exceeded global benchmarks, particularly maintaining a strong position in Thought Leadership and Diversity, reaffirming our commitment to fostering an inclusive and forward-thinking educational environment,” said Professor Wailes.
University of Sydney Business School was 45th (2024: 50th) while the University of Queensland full-time MBA was 81st (2024: 75th).
Professor Leisa Sargent, Dean of the University of Sydney Business School, said she was pleased to see the school’s commitment to high quality, innovative business and management education recognised.
“In a time of complexity, technological disruption and uncertainty, the role of business schools in teaching and equipping the leaders of today and tomorrow is more valuable than ever,” she said
A further 10 Australian MBA programs were ranked outside the top 100.
| Australian Rank | University/Business School | 2025 Global Rank | 2024 Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne Business School | 32 | 30 |
| 2 | UNSW (AGSM) | 33 | 31 |
| 3 | University of Sydney Business School | 45 | 50 |
| 4 | UQ Business School | 81 | 75 |
| 5 | Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University | 101-110 | 101-110 |
| 6 | University of Western Australia | 121-130 | 131-140 |
| 7 | RMIT University School of Business and Law | 151-200 | 151-200 |
| 8 | UnisSA Business School | 151-200 | 151-200 |
| 9 | University of Technology Sydney Business School | 151-200 | 151-200 |
| 10 | Wollongong University (Sydney Business School) | 151-200 | 201-250 |
| 11 | Deakin Business School | 201-250 | 201-250 |
| 12 | La Trobe Business School | 201-250 | 201-250 |
| 13 | Curtin Business School | 251+ | 251+ |
| 14 | Victoria University | 251+ | 251+ |
QS President Nunzio Quacquarelli said the rankings were designed to offer independent insights for career-driven students navigating the global business education landscape.
“By providing a detailed comparative analysis, these rankings help prospective students make informed decisions about programs that align with their career goals,” he said.
“Whether aiming to lead in corporations, innovate in start-ups, or impact the public sector, students can use these insights to shape their professional paths. We encourage future business leaders to explore these findings, engage with peers and mentors, and utilise expert guidance at our in-person and virtual master’s and MBA networking events.”
The United States continues to dominate the global ranking, with all three top spots occupied by US business schools. For the fifth consecutive year, Stanford GSB’s MBA is named the world’s #1, while The Wharton School remains second, followed by Harvard Business School in third. Stanford GSB’s superiority is underpinned by the world’s best Alumni Outcomes alongside exceptional Graduate Employability.
| QS Global Full-Time MBA 2025: Top 20 | |||
| Institution | Country / Territory | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | United States | 1 | 1 |
| Penn (Wharton) | United States | 2 | 2 |
| Harvard Business School | United States | 3 | 3 |
| MIT (Sloan) | United States | 4 | 6 |
| London Business School | United Kingdom | 5 | 4 |
| HEC Paris | France | 6 | 5 |
| Cambridge (Judge) | United Kingdom | 7 | =9 |
| Columbia Business School | United States | 8 | 7 |
| IE Business School | Spain | 9 | 8 |
| IESE Business School | Spain | 10 | =9 |
| INSEAD | France | =11 | 11 |
| Northwestern (Kellogg) | United States | =11 | 12 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | United States | 13 | 13 |
| UCLA (Anderson) | United States | 14 | 15 |
| Chicago (Booth) | United States | 15 | 14 |
| Yale School of Management | United States | 16 | 16 |
| NYU (Stern) | United States | 17 | 17 |
| Imperial College Business School | United Kingdom | 18 | 20 |
| Oxford (Said) | United Kingdom | 19 | 18 |
| SDA Bocconi School of Management | Italy | 20 | 21 |
Global MBA Ranking: Overview
- Asia’s best MBA provider is the National University of Singapore Business School, which ranks 25th, globally. It performs excellently in QS’ Employability indicator, where it achieves Asia’s highest score. It is also among the region’s top performers in Alumni Outcomes and Thought Leadership.
- In Canada, Toronto (Rotman) remains the highest-ranked MBA, placing 39th globally and the only Canadian business school in the world’s top 50. It is the national leader for Employability, Thought Leadership, and Diversity.
- China’s highest-ranked full-time MBA program is offered by Tsinghua University, which places 29th. It is Asia’s second highest-ranked MBA due to its Thought Leadership, Employability, and Return on Investment.
- Driven by Europe’s highest score for Thought Leadership and outstanding Alumni Outcomes and Return on Investment, HEC Paris boasts Continental Europe’s best MBA, ranking 6th globally. It is followed by IE Business School in Spain, ranking 9th overall.
- EGADE Business School in Mexico ranks 56th, taking Latin America’s highest position. It enjoys the region’s best Alumni Outcomes and Thought Leadership scores. Costa Rica’s INCAE Business School is home to Latin America’s only other MBA in the global top 100, placing 95th thanks to its strong Employability.
- AUB (Suliman S. Olayan) in Lebanon is the Arab Region’s best full-time MBA provider. It ranks 79th globally. This rank is underpinned by exceptional Return on Investment and Alumni Outcomes.
- Melbourne Business School is the national leader in Australia and home to Oceania’s best MBA program. It ranks 32nd globally thanks to world-class Thought Leadership and the region’s best score for Employability and Return on Investment. It is followed closely by UNSW (AGSM) in 33rd.
- In the United Kingdom, London Business School takes the highest rank, placing fifth globally. It boasts the world’s third highest score for Employability and is among the world’s top five in Alumni Outcomes and Thought Leadership.
