What are the best business schools in New York City?

TL;DR

• The best business schools in New York City include the likes of Columbia Business School and NYU Stern School of Business
• Several NYC business schools rank in the global top 100 across the Financial Times, US News, or QS Global MBA rankings
• New York City business schools offer a wide range of programs, from Full-Time MBAs to specialized master’s degrees

Often credited as the city where dreams come true, New York City offers an exciting backdrop for students. With its renowned reputation for entertainment, fashion, and art, there is so much to learn in the city known as 'The Big Apple'.

Ranking first in the Global Financial Centres Index and often described as one of the wealthiest cities in the world, New York City is a particularly strong location for business school students, offering access to leading employers and a thriving financial ecosystem.

So, what are the best business schools in New York City?

Here are four of the best business schools with primary campuses within NYC that ranked in the top 100 within either the Financial Times, US News, or QS Global MBA rankings for 2025. 

Best business schools in New York City

1. Columbia Business School

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Financial Times rank: 2; US News rank: 9; QS Global MBA rank: 10

Founded in 1916, Columbia Business School has undergone significant change to keep up with the evolving needs of the business world, including a brand-new state-of-the-art campus in 2022 called the Manhattanville campus.

The 492,000 square foot campus allows students to soak up all that Manhattan, New York’s most densely populated borough, has to offer. Students benefit from their proximity to leading companies, including IBM, Google, American Express, and Apple, as well as an innovative start-up scene.

With its reputation as one of the best MBA programs in the world, achieving second place in the latest Financial Times MBA ranking and ninth in the US News MBA ranking, Columbia is a great destination for ambitious students looking to challenge themselves. Within its Full-Time MBA program, the M7 school looks for three key traits in applicants: a strong work ethic, the ability to build relationships, and being an impact maker ready to contribute significantly to your industry and wider society.

With a long list of notable alumni—such as Broadway theatre mogul Jordan Roth and former commander of the International Space Station (ISS) Colonel Timothy Kopra—Columbia is an ideal location for students looking to make a name for themselves.

2. Stern School of Business, New York University

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Financial Times rank: 31; US News rank: 6; QS Global MBA rank: 17

Located amid the bustle of Greenwich Village and looking out onto the iconic Washington Square Park, NYU Stern School of Business is known for its strengths in finance and fashion, with students reaping all the benefits of life in central NYC.

NYU Stern is a great option for students looking to hone their business acumen in a specific field, with a diverse range of MBA specializations available including Luxury and Retail, Social Enterprise, and Healthcare. The Entertainment and Media specialization leverages New York’s status as a media empire, offering students the opportunity to gain an insider view of the industry and analyze major players such as Disney and Sony.

Full-Time MBA students also benefit from the school’s new co-curricular program, The Change Studio, which is designed to equip students with the confidence and skills needed to navigate a world of constant change. In an era shaped by AI and emerging technologies, this adaptability is more relevant than ever.

For the class of 2027, NYU Stern received 4,933 applications, admitted 1,161 students, and enrolled 336, with an admission rate of 24%.

3. Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University

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Financial Times rank: 78; US News rank: =58

With the motto “business with purpose,” the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University aims to nurture the next generation of responsible business leaders who use their talents not only to turn a profit but also to give back to society. With this mission in mind, Gabelli is a great option for philanthropic-minded individuals who hope to use business as a force for good.

Gabelli offers three types of MBA programs—full-time, professional, and executive—ranging from 22 months to three years in length. The average age for its full-time MBA students is between 26 and 28, with typically three to five years of work experience.

The full-time MBA program is also STEM-designated, blending foundational business teachings with science, technology, and engineering to empower students to navigate the ever-changing world of business.

4. Zicklin School of Business, City University of New York (CUNY)’s Baruch College

©Baruch College Zicklin School of Business/Facebook

US News rank: 61

Part of City University of New York’s Baruch College, the Zicklin School of Business is conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, providing students with access to global business markets.

Zicklin is home to several MBA types and program formats, including the MBA, MBA in Accountancy, Executive MBA, and Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration. The school also offers an Online MBA program—ideal for those who want to experience a New York education but are unable to relocate due to work or family commitments. Delivered asynchronously, students can fit their studies around their schedules.

While the pace of life in New York can be expensive, the MBA program at Zicklin is on the lower end of the spectrum, costing just under $60,000 in tuition to study 48 credits across four semesters.

Employers of Zicklin MBA graduates include leading companies such as Morgan Stanley, PepsiCo, Deloitte, and Bloomberg, among others.