Google, Microsoft & the 10 biggest and best employers in the US | Forbes ranking

Some people may shy away from working for a large multinational company due to concerns about limited autonomy or being overwhelmed by the sheer size and number of employees. But, if you’re open to the prospect, joining a large organization can significantly boost your career prospects.

Large companies that operate on a global scale can offer a wealth of advantages, including well-defined career paths, clear promotion structures, comprehensive employee training programs, and access to resources that smaller businesses simply can't match. For ambitious business school students aiming to launch high-flying career after they graduate, multinationals can provide an environment to thrive in.

If that sounds appealing to you, each year Forbes releases a ranking of the best large employers in the US, in collaboration with the market research firm Statista. The recent list saw Forbes assess survey responses from more than 217,000 employees, compiling a ranking using feedback from employees at companies with over 5,000 staff members.

So, read on to find which companies rank as the 10 biggest and best employers in the US to work for in 2026.

The biggest and best employers in the US | Top 10 

10) Houston Methodist

One of America’s leading healthcare systems, Houston Methodist comprises eight hospitals, an academic institute, a primary care group, and various other facilities.

Houston Methodist offers an inclusive workplace to be part of, with employee resource groups (ERGs) designed to connect staff members, allow them to discover common interests, and provide opportunities to discuss issues they are facing at work.

Houston Methodist is especially well-suited for graduates with MBAs or specialized masters in Healthcare Management, offering roles across a multitude of departments.

9) Hoag

As a not-for-profit regional healthcare delivery network in Orange County, California, Hoag treats nearly 30,000 inpatients and 350,000 outpatients every year. The network consists of two acute-care hospitals, seven health centers and four urgent care centers.

Hoag (Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian) might seem like an unexpected choice for a business student, but in the modern economy, healthcare is one of the most complex and lucrative "businesses" on the planet.

Hoag has many different job opportunities for business school grads, ranging from business systems analyst to director of cyber security for architecture and engineering. Such roles could make use of your expertise while giving you the opportunity to work within healthcare.

8) American Express

At eight in this list of the biggest and best US employers is American Express which is a well-known employer and business within the US and UK. For employees, the firm strives to ensure there is a good balance between life and work by prioritising well-being, fostering an inclusive culture, and by supporting and rewarding both personal and professional growth.

Unlike Mastercard and Visa, American Express acts as both the issuer (the bank) and the network (the processor). Business students more interested in the data side could therefore enjoy working with one of the most comprehensive consumer datasets within the financial world.

To add, 94% of employees have recommended working for American Express, according to Great Place To Work.

7) NVIDIA

Sitting at seven in the list is NVIDIA, a multinational technology company that’s pioneered to great effect the use of GPU-accelerated computing—a specialized processor designed to handle complex calculations for rendering images, videos, and powering advanced applications like AI and machine learning.

Now listed alongside the likes of Amazon and Apple as one of the world’s largest companies NVIDIA, is considered a desirable employer, with a rating just under five out of five stars on Glassdoor in the US, and 95% of employees recommending the company to a friend.

A career at NVIDIA is likely to be well-suited for b-school grads with a future-focused technical skill set, given its focus on AI and emerging technologies.

6) In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger, the popular fast-food chain known for its drive-through service and, of course, its burgers, takes the sixth spot in this year's list of the biggest and best employers in the US.

Founder Harry Snyder pioneered the two-way speaker system, which is now a standard feature at every drive-through. As such, joining In-N-Out means becoming part of a legacy of innovation and creativity.

Roles at In-N-Out Burger that might interest business school graduates include supply chain manager, marketing manager, human resources manager, and business development manager.

5) Stanford University

At fifth place is Stanford University, a well-known institution recognized for its academic excellence, innovation, and vibrant life with over 600 student organizations.

Different from more traditional corporate roles, working at Stanford places you directly at the intersection of venture capital and technological disruption within the Silicon Valley ecosystem. For business school students looking to continue building a high-level network, being here means collaborating with the same faculty and alumni who have founded many of the world's unicorns.

4) Microsoft

Another household name, Microsoft is a multinational technology company that develops software, services, and devices.

Working for Microsoft comes with many perks, including access to resource groups, flexible work schedules, generous vacation, and discounts on products.

Microsoft also offers plenty of opportunities for MBA holders. For example, the Microsoft Aspire Program is a two-year learning and development journey designed for new full-time employees from various academic backgrounds, particularly business schools.

The biggest and best US employers | Top 3

3) Google

Founded in 1988 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google is now the world’s largest search engine, with an 89.73% share of the global market in 2025.

Google continues to be a top recruiter of business school talent, offering a wide array of managerial and entry level roles for MBA holders and business master’s grads. Available career paths include product manager, program manager, product marketing manager, and operations manager.

Business school graduates who land a role at Google can expect high salaries, with financial analysts, for example, earning an average base salary of $147,000. With over 183,000 employees, Google is also one of the biggest employers on this list.

2) St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

In second place is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which is a world-renowned institution in pediatric medicine and nonprofit management. For those working there, the hospital is driven to prioritize personal well-being and professional stability.

St. Jude operates on a unique donor-funded model meaning no one will ever receive a bill. Business school students interested in finance could therefore enjoy working with one of the most complex budgets in the world, requiring high-level planning to sustain a multi-million dollar daily operating cost.

St. Jude consistently ranks as a top employer on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, with staff frequently citing a high sense of pride and purpose in their roles.

1) Trader Joe’s

Taking the number one spot in the list of the biggest and best employers in the US is the grocery store chain Trader Joe’s. It now operates in more than 450 retail locations across 42 states, with its main headquarters in California.

Despite being a retail chain, the 50,000 strong company offers a diverse array of roles outside of customer service, such as business analysis, sales, engineering, marketing, and both stock and project management. As such, Trader Joe’s can be a great fit for many, including b-school grads.