Broad College online master’s programs nab No. 1 spots and No. 5 overall in 2026 U.S. News ranking

Michigan State University’s online graduate business (non-MBA) program in the Broad College of Business has been ranked No. 5 among universities nationwide and No. 3 among public institutions in U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking. The program is also ranked No. 4 overall in online business programs for veterans.

“Our faculty work hard to develop graduate programs that give students the critical thinking and creativity to succeed as alumni,” said David Souder, Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean of the Broad College of Business. “We are committed to ongoing innovations in how we engage online graduate students to keep delivering at levels recognized among the best in the nation.”

The latest rankings place Broad among 235 evaluated programs nationwide and mark the fourth consecutive year the college’s online graduate business programs have ranked in the top five among public institutions.

“Sustained national recognition across multiple specialties reflects both the quality of our programs and our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Ayalla Ruvio, associate dean for MBA and M.S. programs at the Broad College of Business. “We continue to invest in curriculum and technology-based innovation, faculty excellence and online program design to ensure our students receive an education that is at the front end of today’s evolving industry needs.”

In addition to its overall placement, Broad earned top national recognition across multiple specialty areas. Several programs were ranked No. 1 in the nation, reflecting sustained excellence and long-term leadership in online graduate business education:

• No. 1 in General Management for the third consecutive year
• No. 1 in Health Care Administration for the fourth consecutive year
• No. 1 in Human Resource Management for the fifth consecutive year
• No. 1 in Organizational Behavior for the third consecutive year
• No. 1 in Leadership among 67 ranked schools

“The M.S. in Management, Strategy & Leadership program’s consistently high placement in the U.S. News & World Report ranking is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to providing our students with a cutting-edge graduate business education,” said Glenn Hodges, director of Broad’s M.S. in Management, Strategy & Leadership program. “The quality and dedication of our students, professors, and administrators make this program a wonderful experience for all involved.”

Broad also earned strong first-time and continued showings in additional specialty rankings:

• No. 2 in Accounting among 96 ranked schools, in the MS-ADA program’s first year of participation
• No. 2 in Marketing, and five consecutive years in the top five programs

“Earning the No. 2 ranking nationally in our first year of participation is a strong validation of the quality and relevance of our program,” said Joe Courtade Moon, director of Broad’s M.S. in Accounting and Data Analytics program. “It reflects the strength of our faculty, the rigor of our curriculum and our focus on preparing students with the technical expertise and analytical skills needed to succeed in today’s evolving accounting profession. We’re proud to see the program recognized at a national level so early in its participation in these rankings, and even prouder of what our Spartan alumni are accomplishing in their professional careers.”

Broad’s continued performance in these rankings underscores the college’s long-term investment in online graduate education and its commitment to expanding access to high-quality, career-relevant business programs for working professionals and students nationwide.

The U.S. News & World Report Online Master’s in Business program rankings are based on a combination of reputational surveys, data-driven metrics and measures specific to online instruction, including student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies available to distance learners.