Whitman School of Management Rises to No. 37 in Poets&Quants 2026 Best Undergraduate Business School Rankings
The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University rose to No. 37 in the Poets&Quants 2026 Best Undergraduate Business Schools rankings, up two spots from No. 39 in 2025. The advancement marks continued progress toward the school's Transformation 2030 strategic goal of becoming a top 25 business school by 2030.
Poets&Quants is the authoritative source for undergraduate business school rankings, news and analysis. The publication bases its undergraduate rankings on three equally weighted categories: admissions selectivity, academic experience and job placement. The full 2026 rankings are available here.
"This is the ranking that matters most to us in measuring our progress, and moving to No. 37 is a meaningful signal that we are heading in the right direction," said Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School of Management. "Transformation 2030 is not a traditional five-year academic strategic plan. It is a commitment to doing things differently across every dimension of what we offer students. The improvement in rankings is recognition reflecting the hard work of our faculty, staff, alumni and the students themselves. It gives us momentum in our upward trajectory to the top 25."
Transformation 2030: A Blueprint for Ascending to Excellence
Publicly launched in November 2025, Transformation 2030 emphasizes commitments and investment in the academic and student experience, admissions and career outcomes, among other priority areas.
Progress is already visible across these important areas. Recognizing that student success extends well beyond the classroom, Whitman has invested in the academic team, including hiring a Director of Academic Advising and an Assistant Director of Student Success to ensure students receive the ongoing support they need, from tutoring and time management to building resilience and prioritizing mental wellness. Whitman also created a required one-credit Business & Technology course that includes Excel and AI-related certifications, to ensure students have the technical acumen for a changing digital work environment.
The Whitman Experiential Center officially launched this month, emphasizing Whitman’s commitment to infusing industry focused, practical and meaningful experiences throughout the entire program. The center provides a robust infrastructure for Whitman’s many impactful programs such as the Goodman IMPRESS professional development program, study away and study abroad, the Whitman Industry Readiness & Excellence (WIRE) certification initiative, and a growing portfolio of case competitions and simulations.
On the admissions front, Whitman welcomed its most academically qualified incoming class on record this fall, with the Class of 2029 posting the highest-ever average SAT (1349), ACT (31) and GPA (3.84) in the school's history. Applications reached 8,596, surpassing the previous record and representing 16 applications per available seat, making Whitman the most in-demand school on the Syracuse University campus.
Career outcomes have also strengthened. Whitman's 180-day undergraduate placement rate stands at 98.1%, with an average starting salary of $71,024. The school has restructured Career Services and Employer Relations under unified leadership, expanding impactful career readiness programs like Design Your Future and the Finance Career Accelerator Program, while deepening relationships with premier employers our students aspire to join.
"Every initiative we are building, whether in the classroom, through career services or experiential learning, reflects our commitment to preparing students for long-term success,” said Mike Haynie, Syracuse University chancellor-elect. "Being in the top 25 is a tangible milestone that is part of a larger goal to deliver world-class educational outcomes for our students. This ranking movement confirms what we already know: Whitman is ascending."
For more information about Transformation 2030, visit whitman.syracuse.edu/transformation2030.
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About the Whitman School
The Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University inspires students for a world of accelerating change. Offering B.S., MBA, M.S. and Ph.D. programs, all accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Whitman School’s faculty includes internationally known scholars and researchers, as well as successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. Whitman continues to be ranked among the nation’s top business schools by U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek. To learn more about the Whitman School of Management, visit Whitman.syracuse.edu.
About Transformation 2030
Transformation 2030 is the Whitman School of Management's strategic initiative to become a top 25 undergraduate business school by 2030. The plan focuses on enhancing the student experience, expanding experiential learning, strengthening career outcomes, and building alumni engagement. The initiative reflects Whitman's commitment to delivering world-class business education that is accessible, practical, and transformational. Learn more at whitman.syracuse.edu/transformation2030.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is an independent research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our 13 schools and colleges and over 200 majors close the gap between education and action, so graduates are equipped to be resourceful, responsive and real-world ready. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected issues with innovative approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community of game changers that moves ideas, individuals and impact forward.