Princeton Review has ranked the Wisconsin School of Business MBA in Strategic Human Resource Management #2 in the country.
The ranking for the strategic human resource management specialization (SHR) within the Wisconsin Full-Time MBA has been steadily climbing since 2021, when it ranked #10.
“Our current ranking is a reflection of the people who make this program exceptional. Our faculty challenge and inspire, our alumni are deeply engaged, and the Strategic Human Resource Management Center team ensures that our students thrive in a culture built on support and purpose. This recognition affirms what we believe: Combining meaningful learning, a supportive community, and the right talent allows our program to develop strategic business and people leaders who will be well-positioned to innovate, excel, and shape the kind of culture that defines employers of choice,” says Tanya Hubanks, director of the Strategic Human Resource Management (SHR) Center. The center supports MBA students through internships, career preparation and exploration, applied learning, and instruction from world-class faculty.
The ranking is based on student surveys rating their academic experience, their professors, and how well they are prepared for a career in human resources—as well as school-reported data, including the percent of graduates entering the HR field, starting salary and signing bonus, and admissions requirements, according to Princeton Review. A significant emphasis is placed on student assessments.
The 2025 ranking reflects data from the Class of 2024. Those SHR MBA graduates had an average starting salary of $100,875 and an average signing bonus of $28,333. Eighty percent accepted an HR job within three months of graduation.
Some of the strongest brands in the country—Citi, Cisco, U.S. Bank, Microsoft, and more—have recruited SHR MBA students for internships and full-time positions after graduation.
Hubanks and Mahina Adams, assistant director of the SHR Center, work closely with MBA students. The two collaborate with school leadership, advisory board members, faculty, and industry leaders to shape the program’s curriculum, applied learning experiences, mentorship program, career readiness, and more.
When graduates enter their HR career, they have the confidence, skillset, and mindset to be strategic business partners.
“We are ensuring that our students are hired and excelling in their jobs,” Hubanks says, adding that many students receive full-time offers before the start of the Wisconsin MBA’s second year.
The Wisconsin Full-Time MBA Program is often described by students, staff, and faculty as “the best of two worlds.” Students learn business fundamentals and then dive deep into their industry of choice—an advantage in the job market. An internship is built in between the first and second year.
The SHR specialization has evolved in response to student and industry needs. It offers a sequential, relevant, and hands-on curriculum with an emphasis on skill-based learning, company visits, industry speakers, and networking with alumni and other HR professionals at leading companies.
A program favorite among students is a year-long mentorship program that pairs each student with an HR professional working in the industry and region they’re interested in.
“The SHR MBA Professional Mentorship Program provides a beneficial experience for both the mentor and mentee,” Adams says. “While students gain knowledge about the HR field and career development, mentors gain fresh perspectives from future HR leaders and get to contribute to the growth of the next generation of HR talent. The year-long framework allows students to leverage these relationships during their summer internships as well. Students receive guidance and advice, and many continue their relationship even after the formal program timeline.”
Adams, who oversees the student experience and engagement, says SHR students value the sense of community within the specialization.
“We really focus on building not only the culture of the SHR Center but also the culture amongst the students and making sure they’re building a really strong community among themselves,” Adams says.
This year, the MBA also ranked the #2 Best MBA Program for Human Resource Management by Fortune.