7 Best Business Schools in Boston: Programs & Rankings 2025

Looking for a top-tier business education in Boston? Here are the best business schools in Boston to consider in 2025! Boston is home to some of the most prestigious business schools in the world, making it a prime destination for students seeking a top-quality education.

Boston draws ambitious students from all over the world with its institutions known for their academic excellence, industry connections, and strong job placements. Whether you’re looking for an MBA, executive education, or specialized master’s programs, picking the right business school can have a big impact on your career.

Attending a university in Boston gives students access to internships and experiences in almost any subject and field, and many of them go on to pursue employment in finance or similar fields after graduation. In this article, we explore the 7 best business schools in Boston for 2025, considering their rankings, programs, and unique strengths to help you make an informed decision.

One of the best Business Schools in Boston is provided by Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is a prestigious Ivy League institution founded in 1636. It consists of 13 schools, including the top-ranked Harvard Business School, with a 3% acceptance rate. Harvard is ranked #6 for Best Business Schools by U.S. News & World Report (2024) and holds top positions in specialties like Management (#1), Nonprofit (#2), and Entrepreneurship (#5). The Times Higher Education ranks Harvard #3 globally for Business and Economics. Tuition is $59,076, with business school fees at $74,910 annually.

Since its founding of the world’s first MBA program in 1908, Harvard has grown to become one of the world’s top business schools. HBS has produced about 90,000 graduates, many of whom have gone on to hold prominent corporate positions. Among the most prominent alumni are Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City and co-founder and CEO of Bloomberg L.P.; Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Meta Platforms (previously Facebook); and James Dimon, the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Harvard University‘s Business School offers various departments and specializations, including taxation, technology, operations research, quantitative analysis and statistics, and accounting and consulting. When analyzing and debating actual business cases, Harvard Business School graduate students are challenged to think like the case protagonist. This is known as the case method. Through experiential learning opportunities, students can put classroom theory into practice.

2. Sloan School of Business (MIT)

With a fiercely competitive 4% acceptance rate, MIT, established in 1861, stands as a global leader in higher education. The Sloan School of Management, like many of MIT’s esteemed schools, shines for its intellectual excellence. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Business Schools, MIT claimed the 5th spot overall, while securing top-ten rankings in key specializations like Business Analytics, Operations, Project Management, Information Systems, Supply Chain/Logistics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Executive MBA.

Further solidifying its prestige, MIT is currently ranked #1 worldwide for business and economics by the Times Higher Education world rankings. MIT Sloan presents a dynamic range of programs, from undergraduate degrees to executive-level courses, with tuition set at $60,156. Over 1,300 students, from ambitious undergraduates to seasoned business leaders, engage in 10 diverse academic programs.

With a faculty of around 200 expert professors and lecturers, MIT Sloan provides an exceptional learning experience. A key strength is its strong integration with other MIT departments, particularly in critical fields like economics, engineering, and science. Students are encouraged to broaden their horizons by taking classes across MIT’s various schools, enriching both their skills and perspectives.

3. Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Northeastern University stands proudly among the Top 50 research universities in the U.S., boasting a competitive 7% acceptance rate and achieving the largest rankings leap of any Top 100 institution. A major driver behind this success is the renowned D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Currently, it’s ranked #10 in graduate entrepreneurship by the Princeton Review, #11 for undergraduate international business programs by U.S. News & World Report, and recognized by Poets&Quants as #15 in undergraduate business programs and #17 for undergraduate career outcomes.

The curriculum offered by the D’Amore-McKim School of Business blends expertise in data analytics and technology with distinctively “human” abilities including creativity, critical thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset. The institution provides a regular full-time MBA program in addition to part-time and online MBA programs, giving graduate students a variety of options. Additionally, it provides dual-degree programs in the School of Business and the School of Law. Northeastern University’s tuition and fees total $63,141, while the full MBA program at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business costs $96,525.

MBA students dive into specialized concentrations and gain hands-on experience through paid corporate residencies lasting 3, 6, or 12 months with top employers like IBM. Beyond the MBA, the School of Business also offers a range of M.S. degrees in fields such as accounting, taxation, finance, international business, technological entrepreneurship, business analytics, and innovation, providing a dynamic educational experience across diverse business disciplines.

4. Boston University Questrom School of Business

Boston University, a prestigious private research institution nestled along the scenic Charles River in West Boston, is home to the renowned Questrom School of Business. With a dynamic community of approximately 3,500 students and 250 full-time faculty, Questrom offers an engaging, cutting-edge education. Ranked #50 among the Best Business Schools by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 and #4 in Project Management, the school is dedicated to providing an innovative and customizable curriculum that aligns with student career aspirations. Tuition for BU stands at $65,168, while the full-time MBA at Questrom costs $66,670 per year.

Questrom students stand out for their strong focus on teamwork and collaboration. The school offers a diverse array of academic programs, with an undergraduate program of over 2,000 students, as well as flexible MBA options—full-time, part-time, and online. For those seeking a deeper focus, Questrom offers specialized MBAs in areas like social impact, health, and digital technology. Graduate students can further hone their expertise through specialized master’s programs in business analytics, mathematical finance, management studies, and a challenging PhD program for those pursuing advanced research.

5. Suffolk University Sawyer Business School

Suffolk University and its Sawyer Business School, with an impressive 87% acceptance rate, are ideally situated in the heart of downtown Boston’s vibrant financial district. This prime location offers students unparalleled opportunities to blend classroom learning with real-world experiences from local businesses. Ranked #111 among Best Business Schools by U.S. News & World Report, Suffolk’s Sawyer Business School stands out as a hub for aspiring professionals seeking to immerse themselves in a dynamic business environment.

In addition to numerous graduate degrees and certificate programs, the Sawyer Business School provides an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. These include a Master of Healthcare Administration, a Master of Public Administration, and specialty master’s degrees in addition to the conventional MBA. Nearly a quarter of the Sawyer Corporate School’s faculty members are actively engaged in the nonprofit, corporate, government, and healthcare sectors.

Additionally, many are members of professional societies, consult, or serve on corporate or charitable boards, allowing them to integrate their real-world experiences into each student’s education. At the graduate level, the university’s acknowledged distinction in business, public administration, and healthcare programs is attested to by its accreditations from AACSB, NASPAA, and CAHME. The only business school in the US with all three of these accreditations is Sawyer.

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6. Boston College Carroll School of Management

Boston College, a distinguished university established by the Society of Jesus and proudly maintaining its Roman Catholic Jesuit traditions, is tucked away in the picturesque, tree-lined suburb of Chestnut Hill. BC has established itself as one of the leading academic institutions with nine schools, including the well-known Carroll School of Management. Boston College (Carroll) ranked No. 46 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings for Best Business Schools, boasting a competitive 17% admittance rate.

Additionally, it excels in a number of important specialties, placing eighth in accounting, 10th in finance, nineteenth in business analytics, and 21st in marketing. According to Poets & Quants, it was the best undergraduate business school in 2020 for teaching quality. It costs $67,680 to attend Boston College. The annual tuition and expenses for the full-time Boston College Carroll School of Management program are $62,280.

The school’s curriculum is crafted to ignite each student’s passions, offering a personalized academic journey through six dynamic departments. With nine undergraduate concentrations—including Accounting, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, and more—plus eight graduate programs, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and Lynch School of Education and Human Development majors and minors are additional options for students looking to broaden their areas of expertise.

7. Fisher College

Fisher College is a private university that was founded in 1903 and has a 72% acceptance rate. It offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in small classes and has a desirable location in the heart of Boston, with tuition and fees of about $34,150. The college offers over 30 graduate and bachelor’s degree programs. Students from 34 states and 43 countries have chosen to finish their bachelor’s degrees at Fisher because of its small size, personalized attention, and 16:1 student-teacher ratio.

Despite having a liberal arts foundation, the college’s proficiency in real-world domains such as administration, accounting, and fashion retailing is reflected in majors and graduate programs. Through site visits, guest lectures, and internships, business students gain practical experience and connect with industry experts. The college makes the most of Boston’s educational resources, as it is a hub for entrepreneurship and a city rich in culture and history.

Students can begin their degree at Fisher College through Kings Guaranteed Outcome programs, benefiting from the small class sizes and excellent instruction as they adjust to US higher education and the American university system. After two years, they can move to a Top 50 or Top 100 university in Boston or the US, where they will graduate, with the full assistance of Kings on campus staff.

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Other Boston Business Schools in Boston to Consider

The following Boston-area universities also have business programs; many of them are listed among the Best Business Schools by US News and World Report.

  • Brandeis University (Waltham)
  • University of Massachusetts Boston (Boston)
  • Bentley University (Waltham)
  • Babson College (Boston/Wellesley)
  • Hult International Business School (Cambridge)
  • Simmons University (Boston)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the GMAT/GRE requirements for top business schools in Boston?

Most top-ranked business schools in Boston, like Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan, require a competitive GMAT or GRE score for MBA admissions. However, some schools offer waivers based on work experience or prior academic performance.

2. Are there online MBA programs available at Boston business schools?

Yes! Many business schools, including Boston University Questrom and Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim, offer fully online or hybrid MBA programs that provide flexibility for working professionals and international students.

3. What are the best business schools in Boston for entrepreneurship?

If you’re looking to launch a startup, MIT Sloan, Harvard Business School, and Babson College have some of the best entrepreneurship programs, incubators, and venture funding opportunities.

4. Which business schools in Boston offer the best scholarships?

Many top schools, like Harvard Business School, Boston College Carroll, and Suffolk University Sawyer, offer merit-based and need-based scholarships to help students manage tuition costs.

5. Do business schools in Boston have strong international student support?

Yes! Institutions like Boston University Questrom and Northeastern D’Amore-McKim provide dedicated international student services, visa assistance, and global networking opportunities for career success.

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In conclusion, the business schools in Boston offer students access to top-tier education, networking opportunities, and strong career prospects. Institutions like Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan, and Boston University Questrom consistently rank among the best due to their prestigious faculty, innovative programs, and strong industry connections.

The business schools in Boston provide a variety of choices to meet various career objectives, whether you’re searching for a regular MBA, an executive program, or a specialty master’s degree. These universities are a great option for prospective corporate executives since they also provide substantial returns on investment, robust alumni networks, and high employment rates.

Choosing the right business school is a crucial step in advancing your career, so consider factors like program flexibility, tuition costs, and job placement rates before making your decision. With the right choice, you can build a successful future in business, finance, or entrepreneurship.

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