Leeds School of Business climbs four spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing it among the top 6 percent of undergraduate business programs nationwide.
In an exciting development for the University of Colorado Boulder, the Leeds School of Business has risen four spots in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026 rankings, securing a tie for the prestigious No. 32 position with notable institutions like Boston College, the University of Arizona, the University of Iowa, and UC Irvine. This upward movement not only cements Leeds’ status as Colorado’s top-ranked business school but also positions it as the 21st best public university business program nationwide.
Vijay Khatri, the Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of Leeds, emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting, “This four-spot rise overall is an impressive achievement and represents the second-largest upward movement among the top 35 business schools.” Such accolades reflect the continuous commitment Leeds has shown toward academic excellence and innovation.
Leeds has also witnessed a remarkable surge in undergraduate applications, with over 16,000 prospective students vying for admission in the 2025–26 academic year. Highlighting this growth, the school graduated its largest class ever this past spring, with nearly 1,700 undergraduates ready to embark on new professional journeys.
Underpinning these advancements is Leeds’ 2035 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes a focus on academic excellence, values-based leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and bold innovation. Dean Khatri remarked that the improvement in rankings is just one of many indicators showcasing the school’s progress in these key areas.
How Leeds Stands Out
#1 in Colorado
(out of 10 ranked)
#32 overall
(tied with Boston College,
University of Arizona, University of Iowa and UC Irvine)
#21 public
(tied with University of Arizona, University of Iowa and UC Irvine)
Top 6%
of all schools ranked
(n=533)
#4 in Big 12
Conference
(out of 16)
A World-Class Faculty
Since the fall of 2024, Leeds has welcomed 44 new faculty members who bring a wealth of global expertise from leading business schools. This infusion of talent is a testament to Leeds’ growing reputation for academic and research excellence. Chenshan Hu, an assistant professor of operations management, mentioned that Leeds’ “exceptional research” and “strong commitment to sustainability” played pivotal roles in his decision to join the faculty.
Similarly, MJ Yang transitioned from a tenured position at the University of Oklahoma, attracted by Leeds’ “fantastic group of scholars in entrepreneurship and strategy” and the region’s vibrant quantum computing ecosystem. The school’s research impact is gaining momentum, evidenced by the publication of 152 articles in top-tier journals between 2020 and 2024, which has significantly enhanced its standing in the University of Texas Dallas rankings for 2025.
Investing in Career Outcomes
Students are increasingly drawn to Leeds not just for its rigorous academic offerings but also for its commitment to developing career-ready graduates. First-year student Roberto Araujo-Rodriquez (Bus’29) exemplifies this trend, arriving at Leeds with a clear vision: to expand his car detailing business into a chain of luxury restaurants after graduation.
Leeds’ robust experiential learning opportunities—including internships, career treks, study abroad programs, and professional mentoring—distinguish the school from its peers. A recent transformative gift has further underscored Leeds’ commitment to shaping future business leaders. The establishment of the Nicholas Dante Badami Office for Experiential Learning aims to amplify these experiential initiatives, enhance career outcomes, and foster a leadership-oriented mindset among students.
Pulling Rank
Maintaining a top-tier ranking among both public and private undergraduate business programs is no small feat. The U.S. News & World Report annual rankings are widely regarded as the most authoritative in the United States and have served as a reliable benchmark for families and prospective students for over 40 years.
Leeds’ graduate programs are also making waves, with its part-time MBA programs climbing eight spots to an impressive No. 42 in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings. The Executive MBA has been ranked No. 49 globally for employer reputation and No. 5 among U.S. public schools for career outcomes according to the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) EMBA rankings.
As Leeds continues to ascend in both national and global rankings, the school remains committed to its long-term strategic initiatives, preparing its students to innovate and succeed in an ever-evolving business landscape.