best sociology phd programs in the world

Best Universities for Sociology in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Sociology. A graph of 311M citations received by 14.9M academic papers made by 6,493 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

For Sociology

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3. University of Toronto

4. Stanford University

5. University of Oxford

6. University College London

7. University of Washington - Seattle

8. Columbia University

9. University of California - Berkeley

10. Johns Hopkins University

11. Cornell University

12. University of California - Los Angeles

13. University of Cambridge

14. Yale University

15. University of British Columbia

16. University of Pennsylvania

17. University of Wisconsin - Madison

18. University of Chicago

19. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

20. Pennsylvania State University

21. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

22. Ohio State University

23. University of Sydney

24. New York University

25. University of Melbourne

26. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

27. University of Southern California

28. University of California - San Francisco

29. Michigan State University

30. University of Pittsburgh

31. University of Queensland

32. University of Manchester

33. University of Edinburgh

34. Arizona State University - Tempe

35. University of Texas at Austin

36. King's College London

37. McGill University

38. Duke University

39. University of Arizona

40. University of California - Davis

41. University of California-San Diego

42. University of Amsterdam

43. University of Sao Paulo

44. Boston University

45. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

46. University of Maryland - College Park

47. University of Florida

48. Karolinska Institute

49. Monash University

50. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

51. University of New South Wales

52. Emory University

53. University of Alberta

54. Princeton University

55. University of Auckland

56. Australian National University

57. University of Bristol

58. London School of Economics and Political Science

59. Northwestern University

60. University of Helsinki

61. University of Copenhagen

62. University of Sheffield

63. Lund University

64. Catholic University of Leuven

65. Imperial College London

66. Washington University in St Louis

67. University of Hong Kong

68. University of Birmingham

69. University of Virginia

70. University of Glasgow

71. University of Nottingham

72. University of Illinois at Chicago

73. Utrecht University

74. University of California - Irvine

75. University of Calgary

76. University of Leeds

77. University of Iowa

78. University of Utah

79. Vanderbilt University

80. McMaster University

81. University of Warwick

82. University of Oslo

83. National University of Singapore

84. University of London

85. Texas A&M University - College Station

86. Carnegie Mellon University

87. Uppsala University

88. University of Georgia

89. University of Groningen

90. Iowa State University

91. Tel Aviv University

92. University of Southampton

93. University of Ottawa

94. Aarhus University

95. Western University

96. University of Gothenburg

97. University of California - Santa Barbara

98. Erasmus University Rotterdam

99. Radboud University

100. University of Liverpool

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in the World

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Our faculty encourages you to become a creative independent researcher. During your graduate career, you will read broadly across fields and generate work that is theoretically, empirically, and analytically rigorous. The program provides advanced training in quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as mixed methods.

Students in the program have conducted research on a variety of projects, including investigating food insecurity in Atlanta, the social effects of climate change, and community policing in a public housing project.

The program has an excellent placement record with graduates securing faculty positions at institutions such as Stanford University, Yale School of Management, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago, and University of Toronto. Others have gone on to non-academic careers at organizations such as The Urban Institute, Abt Associates, and Facebook.

Related Programs

Students considering the PhD program in sociology may also be interested in the PhD programs in Sociology and Social Policy or Organizational Behavior , both of which are offered jointly with the Department of Sociology . Students who wish to apply to one of these programs in addition to the PhD program in sociology may do so.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Sociology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Sociology .

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be a term paper, senior thesis, master’s essay, or similar written work. Citations and references are not included in the page limit.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Required

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Sociology

See list of Sociology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

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QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022: Sociology 2022

Discover where to study with the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject are based upon academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact (read the full  methodology ).

Use the interactive table below to filter the rankings by location and select individual universities for more information. Site members will also be able to use the site’s  compare  feature to see facts and statistics about multiple universities side-by-side.

Interested in other courses besides? The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 covers 51 different subjects,  see the full list .

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Doctoral Degree Programs

The PhD program in the Department of Sociology at Stanford offers rigorous training in sociological knowledge and research methods, and prepares students to embark on successful professional careers in sociology.  Our program prides itself on world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge research programs, and close interactions between faculty and students.

Through coursework, workshops, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships, students work closely with faculty members to develop research skills and experience and gain expertise in the substantive areas of sociology.  In collaboration with Stanford Law School, as well as other research programs on campus, we offer a JD/PhD joint degree and a multidisciplinary environment for students to pursue their intellectual interests in different areas.

Finalists for the Knight Hennessy scholarships work with Stanford lecturers. Photo credit: Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars  develops a community of future global leaders to address complex challenges through collaboration and innovation. Each year, up to 100 students are awarded with funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford and participate in an experiential leadership development program that emphasizes collaboration and innovation. Citizens of any country may apply. Visit  khs.stanford.edu  to learn more.

Doctor of Sociology Programs in America

1-25 of 121 results

Stanford University Department of Humanities and Sciences

Stanford, CA •

Stanford University •

Graduate School

Stanford University ,

Graduate School ,

STANFORD, CA ,

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

New Haven, CT •

Yale University •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The resources at Yale are outstanding. While some of the required courses are slow-moving and less informative, I do have more academic freedom in my second year to the program to take classes that I enjoy across all departments (including data science, statistics, computer science, and law). ... Read 2 reviews

Yale University ,

NEW HAVEN, CT ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The resources at Yale are outstanding. While some of the required courses are slow-moving and less informative, I do have more academic freedom in my second year to the program to take classes that I... .

Read 2 reviews.

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Cambridge, MA •

Harvard University •

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Other: I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student' in the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Through this School, I will be focusing my time at the John A. Paulson school of Engineering & Applied Sciences. Looking forward to wrapping up my final year on campus! ... Read 9 reviews

Harvard University ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student'... .

Read 9 reviews.

The New School for Social Research

The New School •

Graduate School •

NEW YORK, NY

• • Rating 2.5 out of 5   2

University of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA

• • Rating 4.43 out of 5   74

Mississippi State University College of Arts and Sciences

Mississippi State University •

MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: The best part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the excellent faculty that teach the courses. They are incredibly knowledgeable and also very willing to help students in office hours or in sponsorship of projects. The worst part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the lack of structure for the graduate research program which can leave you feeling unsure on the direction of your research. ... Read 3 reviews

PRINCETON, NJ ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The best part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the excellent faculty that teach the courses. They are incredibly knowledgeable and also very willing to help... .

Read 3 reviews.

The Graduate School at Duke

Durham, NC •

Duke University •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Current Master's student: The program is the best in the nation. It is the origin of the profession and it has helped developed it to what it is today. They seem to ver much involve alumni and are involved in your future. ... Read 5 reviews

Duke University ,

DURHAM, NC ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The program is the best in the nation. It is the origin of the profession and it has helped developed it to what it is today. They seem to ver much involve alumni and are involved in your future. .

Read 5 reviews.

Brown University Graduate School

Providence, RI •

Brown University •

Brown University ,

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

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School of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

University of Pennsylvania ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

Rice School of Social Sciences

Houston, TX •

Rice University •

Blue checkmark.

Rice University ,

HOUSTON, TX ,

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Evanston, IL •

Northwestern University •

Northwestern University ,

EVANSTON, IL ,

College of Arts and Science

Nashville, TN •

Vanderbilt University •

Vanderbilt University ,

NASHVILLE, TN ,

College of Arts and Letters - University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN •

University of Notre Dame •

Doctoral Student: The faculty at Notre Dame is excellent. The student to professor ratio makes for a wonderful one to one interaction between students and teachers. At Notre Dame, my interests, dreams, goals, research and career path matter. I loved this most. I feel taken seriously and supported with every possible resources for my mental, academic and career success. One gets many opportunities to grow talents through research, and presentations with helpful and supportive feedback from students and professors. For these reasons, I find it a place to be! On the down side, the weather is at first always a challenge for one who is not used to the harsh and gloomy midwestern winter. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Notre Dame ,

NOTRE DAME, IN ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The faculty at Notre Dame is excellent. The student to professor ratio makes for a wonderful one to one interaction between students and teachers. At Notre Dame, my interests, dreams, goals, research... On the down side, the weather is at first always a challenge for one who is not used to the harsh and gloomy midwestern winter. .

Social Sciences Division - University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

University of Chicago •

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my personal favorites ju-jutsu, just to name a few. These sports are completive but they also have clubs that are just for fun and any body of any skill level can join. There is also this amazing climbing wall in the recreation center but we are not allowed to climb it at the moment because of COVID restrictions. It's also convent to be surrounded by hospitals (Rush and UIC). I got hurt while I was at school, I broke my arm, and I did not have to call on anyone to take me to the hospital, I could just walk. The food is okay and you get to chose from a good selection of things. The rooms where a nice size and most of the students were so friendly it was easy to make friends. ... Read 4 reviews

University of Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my... .

Read 4 reviews.

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Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

University of Southern California ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences

Ithaca, NY •

Cornell University •

Cornell University ,

ITHACA, NY ,

Rackham School of Graduate Studies

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: I was nervous about attending a prestigious school like The University of Michigan but once classes started I realized that I had made the right decision. Tuition is very expensive but I love my professors and I believe that I am getting the best education in the country! ... Read 3 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I was nervous about attending a prestigious school like The University of Michigan but once classes started I realized that I had made the right decision. Tuition is very expensive but I love my... .

UCLA College of Letters and Science

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

Baltimore, MD •

Johns Hopkins University •

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

Johns Hopkins University ,

BALTIMORE, MD ,

19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student... .

Read 19 reviews.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA •

University of Virginia •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Alum: Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study ... Read 1 review

University of Virginia ,

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study .

Laney Graduate School

Atlanta, GA •

Emory University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: I chose the graduate programs at Emory because they are ranked among the best in the country. The school of nursing also provides the clinical experiences, something many of the online only nurse practitioner programs do not do. ... Read 2 reviews

Emory University ,

ATLANTA, GA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I chose the graduate programs at Emory because they are ranked among the best in the country. The school of nursing also provides the clinical experiences, something many of the online only nurse... .

UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science

Berkeley, CA •

University of California - Berkeley •

University of California - Berkeley ,

BERKELEY, CA ,

College of Arts & Sciences - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC •

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill •

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ,

CHAPEL HILL, NC ,

College of Social Sciences & Humanities - Northeastern University

Boston, MA •

Northeastern University •

• • Rating 1 out of 5   2 reviews

Northeastern University ,

BOSTON, MA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 1 stars.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University

New York, NY •

New York University •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   10 reviews

Master's Student: I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are multiple points of resources at this program. A director is your main academic advisor. Aside from that, there is a pitch specialist to assist with freelancing and two wonderful career advisors. They help with setting up mingle sessions, job fairs, and internship talks. As of now, I haven't had bad experiences, however, I will say that the program is expensive and is an awkward three semesters. Those two things aren't ideal, however, its not too much of a dealbreaker. ... Read 10 reviews

New York University ,

NEW YORK, NY ,

10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are... .

Read 10 reviews.

Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences

Chestnut Hill, MA •

Boston College •

Boston College ,

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

College of Liberal Arts - University of Texas - Austin

Austin, TX •

University of Texas - Austin •

University of Texas - Austin ,

AUSTIN, TX ,

Florida International University

• • Rating 4.63 out of 5   286

Tulane University

NEW ORLEANS, LA

• • Rating 4.17 out of 5   35

The New School

• • Rating 4.46 out of 5   37

Showing results 1 through 25 of 121

Department of Sociology

• Application and Admissions
• Graduate Concentrations
• Graduate Courses
• Joint Program with Applied Mathematics & Statistics
• PhD Requirements
• Program on Global Social Change (PGSC)
• Program on Social Inequality (PSI)

The department’s primary educational goal is to train first-class sociology PhDs. The sociology graduate experience at Johns Hopkins is best characterized as a research apprenticeship – a careful blend of formal instruction, faculty-directed individual study, and supervised yet self-initiated research. The department’s small size and specific concentrations yield a personalized course of study and close relationships with faculty members and fellow graduate students. The social climate is informal, and the mix of students and faculty, all drawn from a wide variety of geographic and social backgrounds, constitutes a rewarding intellectual community.

Students must complete the program requirements , which include a core curriculum, elective courses, a research apprenticeship, a teaching assistantship, a residency, and a dissertation.

While not required, students may choose a graduate concentration :

• The Program on Global Social Change concentration focuses on cross-national, comparative research, and log-term, world scale social change
• The Program on Social Inequality concentration focuses on the causes and consequences of social inequality, the social processes that sustain it, and how social policies can reduce it

For students looking to acquire advanced statistical knowledge and applied research skills, the department also offers a joint program with the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Graduates of the program will earn a PhD in sociology and an MA or MSE in applied mathematics and statistics.

• University of California, Irvine

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Ph.D. in Sociology

ONLINE APPLICATION APPLY NOW

about OUR PROGRAM

Ranked among the top 10 programs in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report), the UCI graduate program in sociology offers students six years of guaranteed funding .

Scholars in the department have a proven record of earning competitive research funding from national agencies including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health; from private foundations including the Russell Sage Foundation and Grant Foundation; and from campus-level fellowships, such as the Public Impact, Fletcher Jones, and Chancellor's Club fellowships.

Faculty in the department publish regularly in the field's top academic journals, and graduate students have incredible opportunities to publish alongside them.

And if that wasn't enough, the UCI campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach, is the #1 university doing the most for the American dream ( New York Times College Access Index ), and the #1 best value university in the U.S. ( Forbes ). And USA Today College ranked UCI the #8 best place to earn a sociology degree ( U.S. News & World Report ).

Learn more about sociology at UCI...

university committed to economic diversity and upward mobility - New York Times College Access Index

best college in the nation - Money Magazine

public university in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

best public sociology program in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

LOCATION Campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach.  

FUNDING Admitted students receive 6 years of guaranteed funding.  

METHODOLOGY Quantitative, qualitative, and multi-method approaches to social issues.

DEGREE Ph.D.; a master's degree may be earned while in pursuit of the Ph.D.  

ENROLLMENT Full-time, on-campus with housing.    

SPECIALIZATION The department offers a dozen areas in which graduate students can focus their studies.

JOB PLACEMENTS

Boston University

Harvard University

RAND Corporation

Tulane University

University College London

UNC Chapel Hill

University of Tokyo

University of Washington

U.S. Census Bureau

Read more about alumni job placements...

  A top 10-ranked program with research strengths in population, family, immigration and inequality.  

what makes us

  UCI sociology is internationally recognized for research and training that supports studies across the spectrum of quantitative, qualitative, and multi-method approaches to social issues. Research specialties within the department include:

• Economy, inequality, labor, and organizations
• Gender and family
• Global inequality and change
• Immigration
• Political sociology
• Social movements
• Race and ethnicity
• Social networks

Sociology faculty contribute not only to the department and the wider field but also to the campus's interdisciplinary units, providing leadership and core faculty to the institutes and centers. Students have an opportunity to earn a master's degree while in pursuit of their Ph.D., and are encouraged to enroll in interdisciplinary coursework.

Alumni have entered tenure-track positions at top research universities, highly competitive post-doctoral positions, and research-oriented jobs in both the public and private sectors.

In short, graduate students in sociology at UCI join a vibrant, collegial, rigorous academic program, with instruction from leading experts in the field, and a collaborative atmosphere that fosters success.

So what are you waiting for?

APPLY TODAY

If full funding, opportunities to publish, and a proven track record of excellence in the field are what you’re looking for in a graduate program, contact us today to learn more about UCI sociology.  

UCI Department of Sociology

Online Application

Department Chair

David John Frank   [email protected]  949.824.1117

Graduate Director

Yang Su   [email protected]  949.824.6800

Graduate Advisor

Jennifer Gerson   [email protected]  949.824.4074

connect with us

© UC Irvine School of Social Sciences - 3151 Social Sciences Plaza, Irvine, CA 92697-5100 - 949.824.2766

News & Events

Berkeley sociology is ranked #1 sociology graduate program in the 2023 best graduate schools rankings by u.s. news & world report..

Berkeley  Sociology is ranked #1 Sociology graduate program in the 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report .

For information regarding the GRADUATE PROGRAM, click here.    

Functions of the department are to conduct teaching and research in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the Graduate School and to provide an undergraduate degree program in sociology including a concentration in criminology.

The department is research-oriented and committed to the further development of sociology as a science as well as to the application of sociological principles in societal programs. With respect to its teaching responsibilities, the department contributes to pre-professional preparation of undergraduates and develops professional sociologists at the graduate level.

A special program leading to the BA degree with departmental honors in sociology is also offered. Detailed information is available from the departmental office.

• Sociology, B.A.
• Criminology Minor
• Sociology Minor

How to Decide if an MBA Is Worth it

Understand your financial and career goals before enrolling in an MBA program.

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A master's degree in business administration can be a great asset when looking for jobs but applicants should weigh the commitment of this opportunity.

Key Takeaways

• Earning an MBA is always a significant time investment.
• Consider career goals and costs before enrolling in an MBA program.
• An MBA may lead to salary, promotion or job market benefits.

An MBA is a game changer for many professionals – a way to build specialized skills, make salary gains and valuable professional connections, or even change careers.

But it's not the right fit for everyone. Before committing to graduate business school to pursue a master of business administration degree, it's important to consider the time commitment, costs, potential return on investment and your personal career goals, experts say.

"You don't do it because you don't have anything else to do," says Sue Oldham, associate dean of MBA operations at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management in Tennessee. "You are doing it because you really want this career pivot and you want to be doing something different."

What to Consider Before Applying to an MBA Program

Time commitment.

A full-time MBA program typically takes two years, although accelerated full-time programs can take a single year. Executive and part-time MBA programs, designed for professionals who are attending school while working a full-time job, vary in length depending on how many credits a student takes each semester. Online and hybrid programs are also options, but every pathway to an MBA is a significant time investment.

Students should consider whether it's the right "season of life" to commit to an MBA program, Oldham says.

"Are you at a place in your life where you can step out of the workforce for two years (for a full-time MBA) and invest in yourself like that?" she says. "I think that's why part-time MBA programs are a much better option for people that are like, 'Listen, I can't take two years off. I've got to work. I've got a family. I've got a mortgage.'"

Academic Needs

Before applying, build a list of schools that meet your educational requirements, such as location, class size and academic tracks that align with your career goals.

"Unless you are definitely bound and determined and headed toward one of the very few slots available at the Ivys , the world is at your disposal for what you need and want," says Jeanne Allen, founder and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Education Reform, which focuses on expanding educational opportunities.

Allen says some non-Ivy League colleges and newer MBA programs may offer "a better service – they are better priced; they are accelerated in terms of graduating; they are personalized to your needs; they are often competency-based. And that's going to get you your best education."

Experts advise visiting prospective programs virtually or in person , especially while classes are in session.

"Spend some time getting to know the students, the alumni and the staff at the various schools, because I always think culture really matters and each school has its own unique culture," Oldham says. "You have to figure out what that school's culture is and say, 'Does this mesh with who I am, the way I learn and the way I want to work?'"

Return on Investment

According to the 2023 Corporate Recruiters Survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council, the organization that designs and administers the GMAT, MBA graduates had the highest median earning potential in the U.S. among business school graduates, with an estimated median starting salary of $125,000 in 2023. Hiring is expected to remain stable over the next five years.

To decide whether an MBA program offers good return on investment , consider tuition costs and potential starting salaries – which most schools track – and calculate the salary-to-debt ratio. The return on investment is calculated by dividing the average salary and signing bonus of recent grads by the average student debt of those who borrowed.

Per GMAC's 2023 Enrolled Students report – which surveyed more than 660 enrolled business graduate students or recent graduates in 36 countries – 90% of respondents rated the overall value of their graduate business degree as "good," "excellent" or "outstanding." In addition, median total compensation increased by one-third after graduate business training, with greater increases for full-time MBA students, according to the study.

The question is, "do you see the degree helping to advance your salary, your work experiences and your opportunities to make a difference, in the sense of being able to pay that (debt) down so that's not some overwhelming burden?" says Sean Schrader, an MBA student in his final year at the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business and president of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students.

Postgraduation, he plans to study abroad before pursuing more graduate education in law school . Schrader's ultimate goal is to work in public and government service.

"A lot of people would say, 'Why would you want to get an MBA if you're more interested in government?'" he says. "That can be a fair point. But I think that the MBA gives you a lot of skills that are very relevant in almost any environment."

Benefits of an MBA

Skill and career development.

The best MBA programs help you develop entrepreneurial habits, Allen says. "They build your ability to move, develop and manage programs in more innovative ways. It's not so much about what skills (you gain), it's about what kind of learning is going to best set you up for an increasingly complex, technologically sophisticated society, where just about anybody can start a business, manage or create a product."

Andrew Walker, director of research analysis and communications at GMAC, says MBA candidates want to graduate with problem-solving, communication, data interpretation and leadership skills, among others.

"Employers say things like patience, data analytics and strategy are the most important skills that graduate management education alumni can have and bring to their organizations," he says. "And these skills are only going to grow in importance in the next five years or so. There is a lot of alignment with the type of skills that candidates are looking for out of business school and what employers are looking for, which to us (means) a lot of business schools really are on the right track with what they are teaching alumni to be successful."

With full-time programs in particular, students graduate "better prepared to work in a culturally diverse organization," Oldham says.

Even more valuable is that MBA programs also teach certain hard skills, says Daniel Snow, director of MBA programs at Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Business in Utah.

"I think that a lot of people out there think that an MBA program is about ticking boxes on a series of skills," he says. "And while our program and other top programs do give you those skills, the really important differentiator is when you come out of an MBA program with managerial judgment. You can look at a messy situation that hasn't been contemplated in your textbooks, find the core of the problem and then you can go after that problem leading an organization."

An MBA may bring salary, promotion or job market benefits. But "if you think you're going to get an MBA and it's automatically catapult you into a CEO job, that's a bad reason to get an MBA," Allen says. "It can't necessarily do that and doesn't. It all depends on who you are."

Success with an MBA "really is (about) what you put into it and whether or not it helps you advance things that you already can do, but you want to take it to another level completely," she says. "It doesn't teach you business. It builds a mindset and an understanding of business culture and exposure to what's happening in the world of business that you don't necessarily get just by reading on your own."

A New Professional Network

Experts say an MBA also helps students expand their professional networks and build new connections that may broaden their opportunities and advance their career goals .

Networks vary by school, and experts recommend considering that in your research. Some MBA programs have alumni living around the world, for instance, while others are more localized.

"It's not just quality, but where do you want to go live your career geographically?" Snow says. "The quality of the people that you are going to be around is related to the network. ... You don't want to just be some place where you are not going to be pushed. You want to be around people who are going to really push you, that are excellent, that are striving to do the same things that you are doing."

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MIS, Earth sciences at UArizona ranked among nation's best by US News & World Report

Chris Richards/University Communications

Updated May 11, 2023

Several University of Arizona graduate programs across a variety of disciplines have been recognized among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's latest Best Graduate Schools rankings.

The annual list, released April 25, again ranked the Eller College of Management 's program in management information systems No. 1 among public universities and No. 3 overall, behind Carnegie Mellon University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Programs in the UArizona Department of Geosciences , housed in the College of Science , also continued to rank among the nation's best. UArizona's doctoral program in Earth sciences rose five spots to tie for No. 4 overall and rank No. 2 among public universities. The following Earth sciences subspecialties also earned strong scores: geology (tied for No. 5 overall, No. 3 among public universities), geochemistry (tied for No. 6 overall, tied for No. 4 among public universities) and geophysics/seismology (No. 15 overall, No. 8 among public universities).

The university's rehabilitation counseling program in the College of Education was also ranked a top-10 program, tied for No. 10 overall and tied for No. 9 among public institutions. The College of Education also had a strong showing in higher education administration (No. 17 overall, No. 11 among public universities) and education psychology (No. 21 overall, No. 16 among public universities). The college's overall ranking was tied for No. 58 overall and tied for No. 44 among public universities.

"I am proud to see such a wide variety of our graduate programs deservedly recognized among the nation's best," said University of Arizona President  Robert C. Robbins . "Graduate students are essential to all of our research initiatives and teaching programs. Those who choose to take part in a University of Arizona graduate program do so knowing they will be given the opportunity to excel in scholarship, teaching and career preparation."

Eller's McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship tied for No. 17 overall and tied for No. 7 among public universities. The college's accounting program tied for No. 40 overall, while the part-time MBA program tied for No. 56 overall and the full-time MBA program tied for No. 53 overall.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson earned its best ranking on the U.S. News & World Report diversity index (No. 17 overall and No. 12 among public universities). The College of Medicine – Tucson also earned strong marks for its programs in primary care (tied for No. 53), rural health (No. 72) and research (No. 63).

U.S. News & World Report also ranks colleges and universities by the percentage of 2014-16 graduates practicing direct patient care in geographic regions that are experiencing health professional shortages. The College of Medicine – Phoenix was ranked No. 64 in this category and College of Medicine – Tucson was ranked No. 69.

The colleges also secured strong placements in the number of 2014-16 graduates who are now practicing as primary care physicians (tied for No. 77 overall for the College of Medicine – Tucson and ranked No. 132 for the College of Medicine – Phoenix). The College of Medicine – Phoenix was ranked No. 115 in the rural health category.

The UArizona College of Veterinary Medicine earned recognition in U.S. News & World Report's first ranking of veterinary medicine doctoral programs, placing No. 30 overall and No. 26 among public universities.

The School of Government and Public Policy , housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences , tied for No. 39 on the list of public affairs programs, with a subspecialty in public management/leadership also earning recognition at No. 30 overall.

Other College of Science graduate programs ranked this year were in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (tied for No. 51, with a No. 13 overall ranking in the analytical chemistry subspecialty), the Department of Physics (tied for No. 35 overall), the Department of Computer Science (tied for No. 50 overall) and the Department of Mathematics (tied for No. 43 overall).

The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health tied for No. 43 in the publication's ranking of public health programs. The College of Nursing tied for No. 31 in doctoral programs and tied for No. 41 in master's programs on the annual Best Nursing Schools list.

The James E. Rogers College of Law earned its best mark in the legal writing specialty, tied for No. 8 overall and tied for No. 4 among public universities. The college tied for No. 54 overall on the Best Law Schools list. The following specialties also were ranked:

• Health care law (tied for No. 29)
• Dispute resolution (tied for No. 34)
• Constitutional law (tied for No. 35)
• Business/corporate law (tied for No. 36)
• International law (tied for No. 38)
• Environmental law (tied for No. 39)
• Criminal law (tied for No. 45)
• Clinical training (tied for No. 45)
• Contracts/commercial law (tied for No. 59)
• Tax law (tied for No. 62)
• Intellectual property (tied for No. 67)
• Trial advocacy (tied for No. 80)

The College of Engineering tied for No. 63 on the Best Engineering Schools list, with rankings in the following subspecialties:

• Industrial/manufacturing/systems (tied for No. 21)
• Environmental (tied for No. 31)
• Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical (tied for No. 32)
• Civil (tied for No. 41)
• Material (tied for No. 51)
• Biomedical/bioengineering (tied for No. 50)
• Electrical/electronic/communications (tied for No. 54)
• Mechanical (tied for No. 53)
• Chemical (tied for No. 55)

Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks graduate schools and programs in several academic disciplines. The rankings in these areas are based on expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research and students.

Beyond the categories ranked annually, U.S. News also periodically ranks programs in the sciences, social sciences, library sciences, humanities, health and many other areas based solely on the ratings of academic experts.

Previous rankings

Several other UArizona graduate programs appear on the U.S. News list, but their rankings were not subject to review this year. In previous updates, UArizona earned top-10 placements in photography (tied for No. 3 overall, No. 2 among public universities), speech language pathology (tied for No. 6 overall, No. 3 among public universities) and audiology (tied for No. 10 overall, No. 6 among public universities).

In other previous updates, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences' graduate program in Latin American history tied for No. 10 overall and tied for No. 5 among public universities. UArizona earned top-30 rankings for the School of Sociology (No. 26 overall, No. 13 among public universities) and the library and information science program (No. 27 overall, No. 24 among public universities). The Department of Psychology tied for No. 35 overall.

The doctoral program in political science was ranked No. 50. UArizona's doctoral program in biological sciences tied for No. 50 overall and tied for No. 12 in the ecology subspecialty (tied for No. 5 among public universities). The statistics and data science graduate interdisciplinary program tied for No. 54 overall. The Department of History 's graduate program tied for No. 54 overall, and the Department of English 's graduate program tied for No. 69 overall.

For a full list of rankings, visit https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools .

Resources for the Media

Nick Prevenas Director, Media Relations, University Communications [email protected] 520-621-2194

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