Rutgers MBA ranks among top programs in the U.S. for return on investment

Rutgers Business School’s Full-Time MBA Program is ranked No. 7 for return-on-investment [annualized, compounded ROI (%)] when compared to 68 top public and private business schools in the country, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.

The new ranking positions Rutgers Business School at No. 5 among public schools across the U.S. for delivering a return on investment to its graduates [total 10-year net ROI ($)].

Students who completed a Rutgers MBA saw a median annualized return-on-investment (ROI) of 16% and a median 10-year net ROI of $679,000, according to the latest Bloomberg Businessweek Business School ROI Calculator. The ranking is based on a survey of thousands of students who attended 68 MBA programs throughout the U.S. Read more about how Bloomberg Businessweek does its calculations.

“The acknowledgement of being ranked No. 5 among the nation’s public business schools in Bloomberg Businessweek’s latest ROI Calculator underscores our commitment to delivering an outstanding educational experience that provides an impressive return on investment for our graduates,” said Lei Lei, the dean of Rutgers Business School. “That experience is shaped by our dedicated faculty, innovative curriculum, hard-working staff and close corporate partners – all of which combine to ensure that our MBAs are prepared not only to thrive, but also to lead, in a fast-changing and competitive business world.”

The Rutgers Full-Time MBA is an in-person, 45-credit program that can typically be completed in 12-to-16 months, depending on whether the student chooses to complete a summer internship. Students entering the program typically have two years of work experience. Full scholarships are available to New Jersey residents who are admitted to the program.

Marsha Fils, who completed her Rutgers MBA in 2022, said the degree did more than open doors. It gave her credibility and delivered a strong return on her investment. “Rutgers gave me the rare gift of intellectual freedom without financial punishment, which is what I think real ROI looks like,” she said.

Fils said she has experienced a 104% increase in her salary since completing her Rutgers MBA and starting her role in people operations at Google in Washington D.C. She is the lead people analyst in the future of work organization, which focuses heavily on developing strategies and generating insights on how to attract, retain and develop talent. She also plays a large role in developing AI adoption strategies across the organization.

Fils, who was employed in HR before starting her MBA, flirted with the idea of going into marketing, but returned to the human resources space. “The Rutgers MBA program allowed me to increase my business acumen,” she said. “I gained a better understanding of how an organization makes money and a better understanding of how that affects its policies around employees.”

“As we enter the age of AI, I believe prospective students should question not only “what will this degree cost me” but also “what will this degree make me capable of,” Fils said. “I think Rutgers answers that boldly.”

As the flagship business school of New Jersey, Rutgers Business School continues to innovate its MBA curriculum, offering strong academic studies in supply chain management and leadership that incorporate topics such as artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

“As we face more fierce competition, constantly innovating and delivering a strong ROI have become Rutgers Business School’s signature strengths,” said Dean Lei.

Among public business schools for ROI over the 10-year net total ($), Bloomberg Businessweek placed Rutgers Business School ahead of UC at Berkeley (Haas), Michigan (Ross), and Texas at Austin (McCombs), and one position behind Virginia (Darden).

Top 10 Public Business Schools ROI Total 10 Year Net ($)

1. Washington (Foster): $779,000
2. William and Mary (Mason): $734,000
3. Ohio State (Fisher): $729,000
4. Virginia (Darden): $705,000
5. Rutgers Business School: $679,000
6. UC at Berkeley (Haas): $591,000
7. Michigan (Ross): $581,000
8. Georgia (Terry): $560,000
9. SUNY at Buffalo: $521,000
10. Texas at Austin (McCombs): $501,000

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek: The Business School ROI Calculator 2025-26
Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/mba-return-on-investment/

The ROI Calculator is designed by Bloomberg Businessweek to help students identify schools that are affordable, offer a great education, and promise a quick, significant return on investment.