2025 Financial Times MBA Ranking: Harvard Plunges to Its Lowest Rank Ever
The 2025 Financial Times MBA Ranking, published on February 17, has raised eyebrows across the business world, as it is filled with unexpected twists and shocking developments. The annual list, a respected source of MBA program comparisons, has seen several schools experience significant rises and falls, with some programs enduring more substantial declines than anticipated. Among the most notable stories this year are the absence of Stanford Graduate School of Business from the list and the plummeting rank of Harvard Business School to its lowest position ever.
Stanford Graduate School of Business: Missing from the Ranking
Perhaps the most surprising development in this year’s rankings is the absence of Stanford Graduate School of Business from the list entirely. Stanford, often considered one of the top MBA programs in the world, did not make the cut due to a failure to meet the Financial Times’ minimum requirement for alumni survey responses. The publication stated in an email to Stanford that it “did not receive enough responses/data from your alumni for your programme to be considered.” This marks the second time in recent years that a prestigious school has failed to appear in the rankings due to this issue, as the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania faced the same problem two years ago.
The Financial Times requires a minimum 20% response rate to its alumni survey, with at least 20 fully completed surveys. The absence of Stanford, and previously Wharton, from the rankings suggests that graduates of these elite institutions may not be taking the Financial Times rankings as seriously as some of their peers. This reluctance to engage with the survey may undermine the rankings’ accuracy and relevance, especially for the top schools that dominate the MBA conversation.
Harvard Business School’s Decline: Plummeting to 13th Place
Another major shock from the 2025 Financial Times MBA Ranking is the steep decline of Harvard Business School (HBS), which has dropped to 13th place, tied with Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. This marks a new low for HBS, a program that was once a consistent fixture in the top five. The program’s significant fall in rank reflects a variety of factors, including disappointing placement figures and broader concerns over job placement rates.
Last year, Harvard faced criticism when nearly a quarter of its graduating class had not secured jobs within three months of graduation. This dismal employment statistic likely contributed to the drop in rankings, as employment outcomes and job placement data are key components in determining MBA rankings. Moreover, the decline represents a broader trend of increasing competition in the MBA landscape, with other programs gaining ground while HBS struggles to maintain its previous dominance.
The Broader Implications: Changing Dynamics in the MBA Landscape
The Financial Times rankings are not just a reflection of the reputations of top business schools but also a measure of how these institutions respond to shifts in the global economy, industry demands, and changing educational trends. In recent years, the rise of online MBA programs, technology-driven education, and increasing concerns over student debt have reshaped the MBA market. The dip in Harvard’s ranking, combined with Stanford’s absence, underscores how even the most prestigious programs can be affected by these broader trends.
Furthermore, the placement statistics, alumni engagement, and the evolving nature of business education have all contributed to these rankings, suggesting that the traditional elite schools need to adapt more rapidly to the changing demands of the business world. The rankings also reflect how career outcomes, alumni success, and program relevance are becoming increasingly important factors for prospective MBA students when choosing a program.
