The Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has risen five spots to #22 in Poets&Quants’ 2025 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S. This achievement underscores all the opportunities of a world-class Big Ten institution with a personalized student-centric experience at WSB. Graduates emerge with both technical expertise and leadership skills grounded in Midwest values like resilience and determination.
This jump also puts WSB at #7 among public universities in the U.S., further highlighting its strength as a leading business school with a commitment to providing a high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds.
WSB earned high marks in the following key areas:
- #17 in admissions standards (overall) is reflective of the consistent demand for the Wisconsin undergraduate business program among high-achieving and highly involved high school applicants from around the world.
- Career outcomes remain a standout strength, with 95% of students securing full-time employment within six months and 87% completing internships.
- The Class of 2024 reported an average starting salary of $73,896, with 31% receiving signing bonuses.
“Since 2018, most of the metrics that count in our Poets&Quants rankings have steadily increased,” said Jim Franzone, associate dean of the Wisconsin School of Business Undergraduate Program. “While rankings can vary from year to year, it’s gratifying to see the school continue to rise and be recognized so highly, particularly as a large public institution. This is a testament to the dedication of our staff, faculty, and the outstanding quality of our students.”
“It’s gratifying to see the school continue to rise and be recognized so highly, particularly as a large public institution. This is a testament to the dedication of our staff, faculty, and the outstanding quality of our students.”
– Jim Franzone
WSB’s Career Forward program plays a pivotal role in the school’s strong job placement outcomes. “Our Career Forward program has consistently improved career outcomes year after year through quality coaching, strong partnerships with academic department pathway consultants, and hands-on experiences like career treks, job shadows, and case studies,” said Franzone.
With affordable in-state tuition and a clear return on investment, WSB ensures students have access to transparent career outcomes, all easily tracked through the school’s online dashboard.
WSB has also placed a strong emphasis on student support in recent years. “We’ve made significant strides in student support with increased academic advising, a new success coaching program, expanded tutoring options, and the addition of in-house mental health services,” said Franzone. The school has launched various initiatives to boost student engagement, including a leadership program for all students and a significant expansion of student organizations, which now total 61 active groups.
Key highlights of WSB’s student experience include:
- Personalized career support through dedicated academic, pathway, and career coaches.
- Customizable career paths with over 40 career pathways, 12 majors, certificates, and skill-based Business Badger Badges.
- Opportunities to gain in-depth expertise across other top-ranked fields—such as engineering, public health, and computer science—to equip graduates with well-rounded skills and a competitive edge.
- Access to WSB’s Multicultural Center, created with generous donor support for a thriving, supportive space for all students.
As of Fall 2024, WSB enrolls 3,581 undergraduate students within the vibrant University of Wisconsin–Madison community, a leading public institution with nearly 50,000 students. Recognized by Forbes as a 2024 New Ivy institution, UW–Madison cultivates an environment that balances personalized attention with the vast resources of a world-class research university—producing the “hardest-working high achievers that employers crave.”
WSB emphasizes Midwest values like resilience and work ethic—qualities that set its graduates apart in the workforce. These values are evident in the careers of WSB alumni such as Danielle Tiedt (BBA ’96), chief marketing officer at YouTube; Noe Vital (BBA ’15), co-founder and CEO of Vibez Golf Club; and Cynthia Chu (BBA ’99), CFO & chief growth officer at Audible. Their success reflects the strong foundation built at WSB, where students gain both technical expertise and the perseverance needed to excel in dynamic industries.
WSB also places a premium on alumni engagement, having built a strong, global network that supports recruiting efforts and provides valuable scholarships, such as those available through the Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) and pre-college programs.
“None of this progress would be possible without the ongoing support of our alumni, both in terms of time and resources,” Franzone emphasized.
For more details on WSB’s undergraduate program, visit https://business.wisc.edu/undergraduate/careers/