Rankings / MBA Concentration
Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management
- 28
- Schools
- $82,142
- Avg. Earnings
- 83%
- Avg. Graduation
- $26,975
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,419
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $73,792 at the low end to $105,584 at the top. That 1.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $83,648 against $13,138 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor at $13,138 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $83,648, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Washington University in St Louis graduates 94% of its students, well above the 83% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Brigham Young University: graduates owe only 0.15× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Washington University in St Louis ($86,182 earnings), not the highest earner, Lehigh University ($105,584). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($13,138/yr) and Quinnipiac University ($40,675/yr) produce graduates earning $83,648 and $83,759 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $27,537 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor outperforms Lehigh University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Washington University in St Louis. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $81K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-20
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Washington University in St Louis #1 overall | $86,182 ▲ +5% vs avg | $21,786 | 94% | 80 |
| 2 Brigham Young University #2 overall | $75,790 ▼ -8% vs avg | $15,564 | 82% | 79 |
| 3 University of Southern California #3 overall | $92,498 ▲ +13% vs avg | $32,740 | 92% | 77 |
| $81,698 ▼ -1% vs avg | $24,953 | 86% | 77 | |
| $75,121 ▼ -9% vs avg | $19,857 | 88% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management
This analysis ranks 28 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $82,142 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 83% and an average net price of $26,975.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — Net Price: $13,138 | Graduation Rate: 93%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Washington University in St Louis — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Lehigh University — Median alumni earnings: $105,584
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$80,825
Median earnings (10yr)
83%
Median graduation rate
$27,701
Median net price
2.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Management education makes a blunt promise: pay now, earn more later. Top-tier programs keep that promise through network effects and placement outcomes. Many others raise earnings barely enough to cover their cost. The spread in outcomes across programs is wider here than in almost any other discipline.
Start with the medians across these 28 programs. Graduates earn a median of $80,825 ten years after enrollment, or about $32,825 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 83%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $27,701 a year with about $21,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 23% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.4%.
In management education, network effects amplify everything. Graduates earn a median of $80,825 ten years after enrollment, and Washington University in St Louis leads the field. The gap between the top and the middle is wide enough that school selection may be the most consequential financial decision in this category.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Washington University in St Louis lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Brigham Young University lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Southern California lands at #3 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $92,498 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,740 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #4
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #4 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #5 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Northeastern University lands at #6 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Binghamton University lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $80,596 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Lehigh University lands at #8 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of San Diego lands at #9 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $86,522 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,365 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
New York University lands at #10 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net
Why it ranks #11
University of Maryland-College Park lands at #11 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $82,860 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of Connecticut lands at #12 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Champaign, IL · 42% accepted · $14,355 net
Why it ranks #13
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,054 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,355 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Marquette University lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,257 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,487 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $73,792 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,354 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #16 with a 71/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Seattle University lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $75,272 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,662 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $83,648 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,138 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Seattle, WA · 39% accepted · $14,091 net
Why it ranks #19
University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,091 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Clarkson University lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $89,696 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,305 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Hartford, CT · 88% accepted · $16,403 net
Why it ranks #21
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,403 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Syracuse University lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $79,164 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $38,793 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Rutgers University-Newark lands at #23 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,703 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Rutgers University-New Brunswick lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,406 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Quinnipiac University lands at #25 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $83,759 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,675 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Rochester Institute of Technology lands at #26 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $76,571 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,906 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Drexel University lands at #27 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $84,648 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,509 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Duquesne University lands at #28 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (73/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (27/100). Graduates earn a median $74,742 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $37,730 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 28 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →Choosing the right MBA program for supply chain management can have a lasting impact on your career. With average earnings for graduates in this concentration reaching $80,368, it's clear that the right education can set you on a strong path toward success.
What sets apart the top schools in this list are their impressive graduation rates, manageable debt levels, and the strong earning potential of their graduates. Schools are ranked based on how their graduates perform in the job market, which is crucial for anyone considering this field. The data reflects not just financial outcomes, but also the overall effectiveness of these programs in preparing students for the workforce.
Take CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Cornell University, for instance. While Baruch boasts a low net price of $3,033 and a solid graduation rate of 72%, Cornell's graduates earn $104,043 on average with a graduation rate of 95%. This contrast highlights the trade-offs between affordability and earning potential, encouraging students to consider what factors are most important in their decision-making process.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 18 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.4%. Binghamton University leads the group at 5.1%, with University of Southern California (3.9%) and New York University (3.6%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 4.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Binghamton University leads at 9.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 49.2% across this list. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts the highest success rate at 64.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.77 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Quinnipiac University reaches 1.86, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Georgia Institute of Technology present an interesting contrast. While Baruch's graduates have a lower average debt of $11,512 and a commendable graduation rate of 72%, Georgia Tech's graduates earn $102,772 but carry a higher student debt of $21,672. This raises important questions about the financial trade-offs students must consider when selecting a program.
After reviewing the 50 schools, it's crucial to weigh this data against your priorities. Consider what matters most to you—be it location, the specific courses offered, or the campus culture. Each of these factors can significantly influence your overall experience and outcomes, so take the time to align your choices with your personal and professional goals.
The stakes are significant when it comes to selecting an MBA program. Graduating from a school with strong outcomes can lead to greater financial stability and career opportunities. For one family, the decision to invest in a program that leads to high earning potential and manageable debt could mean the difference between a comfortable life and financial hardship. Making an informed choice is essential for securing a stable future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management ranking? +
Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $86,182 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 94% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Lehigh University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $105,584 ten years after enrollment, well above the $82,142 average across the 28 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads: graduates earn a median $83,648 against net price of about $13,138 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Washington University in St Louis has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 83% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $26,975 a year across the 28 ranked schools with cost data. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is among the most affordable at roughly $13,138. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 28 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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