Top MBA programmes in the world 2023

The QS Global MBA Rankings 2023 have been released, ranking business schools from around the world. The rankings are also split up into regions: United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and Middle East & Africa.

MBA programmes were ranked based on the indicators of employability, entrepreneurship & alumni outcomes, return on investment, thought leadership, and diversity. Learn more about each of these by reading our methodology.

This ranking highlights the world's top business schools for full-time MBA education, featuring 300 institutions. If you're interested in knowing which school is the right fit for your chosen career path, the QS MBA by Career Specialisation Rankings 2023 provide a comprehensive list of the best business schools for seven different career specialisations, including finance, consulting and technology. 

The top 10 full-time MBA programmes overall, according to the QS Global MBA Rankings 2023, are:

The United States continues to dominate the QS Global MBA Rankings with the top three schools all based in the US and half of the top 10. The other five schools are all either wholly or partly based in Europe, with INSEAD offering prospective students two possible campuses to choose from, one in Singapore and another in France.

10. IESE Business School

Over 94 percent of the MBA graduates from IESE Business School are in what the school classes as 'top jobs' within three months of graduation. The recent cohort averaged 5.4 years of work experience, with an average age of 29 and over 50 nationalities represented.

9. INSEAD

The 10-month full-time accelerated MBA programme at INSEAD is taught across multiple campuses with two yearly intakes (January and August). The average median salary of graduates is $113,800 and 83 percent of graduates have used their INSEAD MBA experience to transform their career by changing either sector, job function, or country of work.

8. Columbia Business School

 As you might expect from a New York-based business school, students come from more than 90 countries to study Columbia's MBA programme, bringing a wealth of business experience.  

The programme offers more than 200 electives and access to over 4,000 graduate level courses so students can tailor their programme to meet their career aspirations. New York City will give candidates access to some of the world’s top industry leaders and you will also be inspired by Columbia’s guest lecturers and speakers. 

7. IE Business School

The International MBA at IE Business School is a one-year programme designed for individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Taught in both English and a bilingual (English/Spanish) option, the programme boasts connections with over 1,800 recruiting partners and its focus on entrepreneurship has seen 65 recent graduates start a new business.

6. MIT Sloan School of Management

MIT Sloan School of Management in the US offers a two-year MBA programme focused around innovation and helping candidates develop solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems.  

Sloan performs well in the alumni outcomes and thought leadership indicators, and 96 percent of Sloan MBA graduates received full time offers within three months of graduation with a median base salary of $150,000. 

5. London Business School

Based in the business capital of Europe, London Business School's MBA programme is designed to be highly customisable with over 80 electives and flexible exit points. 67 nationalities were represented in their 2021 intake with the class enjoying a 92 percent employment rate after graduation.

4. HEC Paris

Lasting 16 months, the MBA programme at HEC Paris has two intakes - one in September and a second in January. 60 nationalities are represented among the cohort and the school is particularly proud of its efforts to create a diverse student body. 

3. University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School

Wharton Business School’s 21-month MBA programme ranks third in the world this year. One of the top MBA programmes for alumni outcomes, Wharton’s MBA graduates boast starting salaries of between $130,000 to $165,000. Wharton has more than 100,000 alumni who live and work over 153 countries.  

The MBA curriculum is focused on driving productivity, growth and social progress. It uses rigorous and relevant data analysis across each of its programmes and encourages candidates to use data-driven decision making. 

2. Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School’s two-year, full-time MBA offers a general management curriculum focused on real-world practice. Through case method modules, field projects, tech simulations and introspective exercises, Harvard Business School offers a unique MBA curriculum which will help you reach the next step of your career. 

Nine percent of Harvard’s MBA students change industries after graduating and candidates will benefit from the expertise of more than 60 business career coaches.  

1. Stanford Graduate School of Business

The best MBA programme in the world this year can be found in the US at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. With its campus in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, Stanford Graduate School of Business offers a one-of-a-kind MBA programme which promotes collaboration instead of competition.  

Students must complete a Global Experience Requirement, where they study and work abroad for a minimum of 10 days. Previous destinations have included South Korea, Greece and Brazil.  

QS Global MBA Rankings 2023: FAQ

What's the top MBA programme in the world?

Stanford Graduate School of Business has been ranked as the top full-time MBA programme in the world. It scored particularly highly for employability and entrepreneurship & alumni outcomes.

What's the top MBA programme in Canada?

The Rotman School of Management in Toronto is the top full-time MBA programme in Canada and is ranked 41st in the world. 22 business schools in Canada are included in this year's ranking.

What's the top MBA programme in Europe?

HEC Paris is the top full-time MBA programme in Europe and is ranked fourth in the world. 78 European business schools are included in this year's ranking, from 14 different locations including France, Spain and the UK.

What's the top MBA programme in Asia?

INSEAD is the top full-time MBA programme in Asia thanks to the school's Singapore campus. Also ranked ninth globally, INSEAD is one of 46 Asia-based schools to feature in this year's ranking.

What's the top MBA programme in Latin America?

EGADE Business School in Mexico is the top full-time MBA programme in Latin America. 11 business schools from Latin America are included in this year's ranking, all of which are outside the top 250 globally.

What's the top MBA programme in Oceania?

Melbourne Business School is the top full-time MBA programme in Australia or New Zealand and is ranked joint 55th in the world. 15 business schools from Oceania are included in this year's ranking.

What's the top MBA programme in the Middle East & Africa?

Suliman S. Olayan School of Business is the top full-time MBA programme in the Middle East & Africa and is ranked 151-200 in the world. 15 business schools from this area of the world are included in this year's ranking.