The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota offers a strong, versatile MBA in the Twin Cities—a major Midwest business hub home to more Fortune 500 headquarters per capita than almost any other US city (Target, Best Buy, 3M, UnitedHealth Group, Cargill). Carlson's MBA is known for strong finance, supply chain, and brand management programs, with outstanding corporate access and placement within the Midwest's corporate powerhouses. Compare Carlson vs Kelley →
With a class size of 100 students, Carlson offers a small, intimate learning environment. The program's 35.0% acceptance rate makes it a competitive but accessible top-tier program. See Carlson vs Fisher side by side →
Graduates report a median starting salary of $125,000, yielding an estimated 5-year ROI of approximately 404% after accounting for two years of tuition at $62,000 per year. Compare ROI and salary outcomes vs Olin →
How Carlson ranks according to each major business school ranking.
| Source | US News | BBW |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | #34 | #44 |
| Year | 2026 | 2024 |
Track how Carlson's ranking has changed over time in each major publication.
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2026 | #34— |
| 2025 | #34— |
| 2024 | #34▼ 3 |
| 2023 | #31▲ 1 |
| 2022 | #32▼ 3 |
| 2021 | #29▲ 1 |
| 2020 | #30— |
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #44▲ 2 |
| 2022 | #46— |
Rankings data compiled from official publications. Global rankings (FT, QS) include international business schools, so positions may differ from US-only lists.
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