The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious public universities in the world. Within its expansive academic ecosystem, the Stephen M. Ross School of Business stands out as a hub of innovation, leadership development, and global business impact. Below, we provide an authoritative breakdown of the school’s ranking, reputation, and admissions competitiveness, based on current data and trends.
Is Michigan Ross a Good University?
Absolutely — the Michigan Ross School of Business is not just good; it is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the United States and the world. As a part of the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Ross benefits from the university’s outstanding faculty, robust research capabilities, and a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration.
What Makes Michigan Ross Stand Out?
- Action-Based Learning: Ross is famous for its Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) program, where students work with real companies to solve real business problems.
- Leadership Development: Through the Sanger Leadership Center, students cultivate leadership skills that employers demand.
- Career Placement: Ross graduates are highly sought after by top firms in consulting, tech, finance, and more.
- Global Network: A massive, loyal alumni network with over 55,000+ business school graduates worldwide ensures mentorship, recruiting, and networking opportunities.
Notable Employers Hiring Ross Graduates:
- McKinsey & Company
- Bain & Company
- Boston Consulting Group
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- J.P. Morgan
Conclusion: Michigan Ross isn’t just a good school — it’s a world-class institution producing high-caliber professionals ready to lead in diverse business environments.
Is University of Michigan Ann Arbor a Good School?
Yes. The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is often referred to as the “Public Ivy”, offering Ivy League-level education at a public institution.
University-Wide Rankings and Reputation
- U.S. News & World Report (2024):
- #3 Best Public University in the U.S.
- #21 National Universities overall
- QS World University Rankings (2024):
- Ranked among the Top 25 globally
- Times Higher Education (2024):
- In the Top 20 U.S. universities
With strengths across disciplines — from engineering to medicine to liberal arts — Michigan offers a holistic educational experience. This reputation extends to Ross, which benefits from cross-disciplinary resources and research partnerships across campus.
Is It Hard to Get Into UMich Ross?
Undergraduate Admissions:
Admission to the Ross School of Business BBA Program is highly selective.
- First-Year Preferred Admission (PA):
- Offered to high school seniors applying to UM Ann Arbor.
- Requires stellar academic performance (usually GPA > 3.9) and compelling extracurriculars.
- Acceptance rate: Estimated to be between 10–12%, making it more selective than the general university.
- Ross evaluates applicants through a holistic review process, including essays and leadership experience.
- Transfer Admission:
- For current UM students or transfers from other institutions.
- Requires strong GPA (typically 3.7+), completed prerequisites, and high-quality supplemental materials.
Graduate Admissions:
Full-Time MBA Program Admissions:
- Acceptance rate: ~28%
- Average GPA: 3.5
- Average GMAT: 710
- Average Work Experience: 5 years
- The process is highly competitive and considers leadership potential, career goals, and diversity of experience.
Other Ross MBA programs like Weekend MBA, Executive MBA, and Online MBA also maintain competitive standards, but the Full-Time MBA remains the flagship offering.
Conclusion: Gaining admission into Michigan Ross is challenging, requiring both academic excellence and outstanding personal and professional achievements.
What Is Michigan Ross Ann Arbor Ranked?
The Ross School of Business consistently earns top marks across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Latest Rankings (2024–2025)
Undergraduate Business Program Rankings:
- U.S. News & World Report:
- #4 Best Undergraduate Business Program in the U.S.
- Poets&Quants:
- #4 Overall
- #1 in Return on Investment
Full-Time MBA Program Rankings:
- U.S. News & World Report:
- #10 Full-Time MBA in the U.S.
- Financial Times:
- #24 Globally
- Bloomberg Businessweek:
- #12 in the U.S.
Online MBA Rankings:
- U.S. News & World Report:
- #5 Online MBA Program nationally
Ross also ranks highly in specialized areas such as:
- Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing
- Operations
- Social Impact
Alumni Impact and ROI
Michigan Ross boasts one of the highest ROIs among elite MBA programs, thanks to:
- High placement rates (above 94% within 3 months of graduation)
- Competitive starting salaries (average base: $150,000 for Full-Time MBA grads)
- Career support through the Career Development Office (CDO) and powerful alumni network