SJSU’s MBA Program Climbs 16 Spots in Fortune’s Best MBA Programs of 2026

On February 17, 2026, as the world ushers in the Lunar New Year, San José State University is welcoming something new of its own: a new ranking among Fortune's Best MBA programs for 2026 .

The latest ranking from Fortune reflects a period of rapid growth for the college. In just one year, the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program jumped 16 spots in the publication's national rankings, moving from #47 to #31. The program ranks among the top three public MBA programs in California, alongside UC Berkeley (#11) and UCLA (#16).

Recently, Poets&Quants released its Top Online MBA programs in the United States for 2026 , where the college's Hybrid MBA ranked #1 Public Online MBA program in California and #40 overall in the United States.

For prospective students, these rankings represent more than just a number. Artem Meshcheryakov, associate professor and MBA director, notes that the college's new ranking reflects a commitment to student return on investment (ROI), "our MBA program's standing on Fortune's list highlights what prospective students value most: an affordable cost, strong earning potential, and meaningful career advancement - delivering a higher return on investment than many other California schools."

"Our rise in the Fortune rankings reflects steady, intentional progress over time," says Rangapriya (Priya) Kannan, dean of the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

"We have strengthened the Early Career MBA by integrating emerging technologies into our curriculum and deepening our ties to Silicon Valley. This recognition belongs to our faculty, staff, students, and industry partners who have worked consistently to elevate the program. We demonstrate that a public institution can be nationally competitive, deliver strong ROI for its students, and remain firmly committed to access, affordability, and inclusive excellence. That combination is driving durable momentum at the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business and across San José State University."

"Our improved standing in the Fortune rankings reflects the intentional steps we've taken to strengthen the Early Career MBA experience - from expanding our curriculum to emphasize leading technologies, to deepening our ties with Silicon Valley, and upholding our long-standing commitment to delivering a high-quality, affordable education," says Leslie Albert, interim associate dean of undergraduate and graduate programs at the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

Adriana Arreola, '22 Business Administration, '26 Early Career MBA is currently finishing up her final semester in the MBA program. "It feels incredibly exciting and validating to see the program leap 16 spots in the national rankings. My experience at SJSU has truly been amazing, and this recognition reflects the innovation and growth happening across campus," says Arreola.

Her experience in the program has shown her that SJSU empowers students to innovate and lead by bridging campus life with industry through entrepreneurship competitions, company treks and strategic partnerships like the Adobe Student Creatives program.

"What makes the MBA program especially unique is its hands-on, real-world approach," says Arreola. She explains that the program uses real case studies to challenge students to analyze business outcomes, leadership failures, and the weight of ethical decision-making.

"These classroom discussions push us to think like business professionals asking ourselves, 'If this were our company, what would we do?' That practical, leadership-focused preparation is what makes the program so rewarding."

"It's exciting and affirming to see our MBA program jump in rankings while I'm finishing my degree," says Phoebe Winters, '26 Early Career MBA.

Winters shared that the new ranking reflects the dedication and hard work that students, faculty, and staff put in every day. For Winters, this new ranking shows that, "you can receive a top-tier academic experience, meaningful mentorship, and strong career preparation from a public institution that is accessible, inclusive, and committed to serving its community."

She added, "It's exciting to know we're not just witnessing that progress, but actively contributing to it."

Isabel Pérez, '26 Early Career MBA, says the program's upward trajectory adds a new layer of value to her degree.

"It reinforces that I chose the right place to invest my time, energy, and resources," Pérez noted, adding that the national recognition of the program "adds a sense of pride and responsibility."

Learn more about SJSU's highly ranked MBA programs

This story was originally published in the Lucas Blog.