The Kogod School of Business at American University is celebrating upward trajectory for the second year in a row in a national ranking: its Full-Time MBA program vaulted to no. 58 in the nation in the latest US News & World Report rankings. This 27-spot leap from last year marks the most significant jump of any school in the country this cycle. Over a two-year period, Kogod has jumped 64 spots—the largest rise of any school over that period. 

“We’re seeing the tangible results of our collective efforts and strategic investments in AI, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and exceptional faculty,” said David Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business. “From our dedicated career development staff to our innovative faculty, everyone has played a key role in creating a supportive, career-focused environment for our students.” 

One of Kogod’s most noteworthy recognitions this year is in its selectivity—clocking in as the ninth most selective Full-Time MBA program in the country. These figures underscore the caliber of Kogod’s incoming students and speak to the school’s growing reputation on both national and global stages. 

Another crucial success metric is career outcomes, as evidenced by Kogod’s average salary of $125,381, placing Kogod at no. 51 in the blended salary and bonus category. Beyond raw salary data, Kogod’s MBA also ranked no. 36 in “Salary by Profession,” which is designed to normalize earnings for graduates entering diverse industries—particularly relevant since many Kogod MBA graduates seek fulfilling careers in non-profit management and government finance and operations functions.  

“It’s gratifying to see our standings here corroborate what we experience on campus every day: a personalized, high-impact educational environment,” stated American University Provost Vicky Wilkins.  “Our approach to hands-on learning, small cohorts, and experiential projects consistently proves transformative for our students. This ranking is yet another indicator of that success.”  

Kogod’s recent upward trajectory in rankings extends beyond U.S. News & World Report. In the past year, Kogod’s Full-Time MBA program was named no. 43 by Fortune, earned a no. 56 spot in Bloomberg’s rankings, was ranked #5 in the U.S. for Best Green MBA by Corporate Knights, and secured no. 47 from QS’s U.S. MBA list. Kogod’s entrepreneurship program was ranked no. 7 by Princeton Review for schools with fewer than 10,000 undergraduates. With 600+ business schools in the country, each of these accolades reflects both the rapidly rising reputation of the business school and the impressive accomplishments of its student body and alumni. 

Beyond these quantitative measures, Dean Marchick emphasizes the importance of Kogod’s commitment to creating a tightly knit community. “We keep our class sizes small by design—so professors know students individually,” he noted. “Our faculty devote significant time and effort to providing meaningful, practice-based learning, whether by connecting students with industry leaders or offering constructive, personalized feedback on real-world projects.” 

In light of this year’s remarkable achievements, both Dean Marchick and Provost Wilkins stress the need to stay grounded. “Rankings, while valuable, can sometimes swing from year to year,” Provost Wilkins explained. “At the end of the day, our mission is to empower students and foster cutting-edge research that drives positive change in the broader business community. These rankings validate our approach, but they don’t define us.” 

As Kogod’s Full-Time MBA program continues to attract ambitious students and see alumni thrive across industries, the school is eager to build on the momentum. From forging new partnerships to further refining the curriculum, faculty, staff, and administrators remain committed to pushing Kogod even higher in the years ahead.