Isenberg Online MBA Climbs in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has moved up in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of online graduate business programs.

In the 2026 “Best Online Programs” rankings released Jan. 27, 2026, Isenberg’s Online MBA is ranked No. 14 in the nation, rising two spots from 2025. Isenberg’s Online Master of Science (MS) programs in accounting and business analytics maintained their strong position at No. 5 in the country among “Best Online Master’s in Business Programs.”

“Our groundbreaking Online MBA program—one of the oldest and most respected in the country—is clearly a leader in this space and provides today’s students with career-building skills and learning experiences,” said Isenberg Dean Anne Massey, PhD, the Thomas O’Brien Endowed Chair. “These rankings—particularly the Online MBA’s rise over last year—demonstrate the continued quality and importance of our online master’s business programs for training the next generation of professionals.”

The Online MBA’s rankings rise reflects a sustained focus on program quality and student outcomes, according to Isenberg Online MBA Program Director Albert Assaf, PhD.

“Over the past year, we’ve strengthened the Online MBA curriculum to better integrate analytics, leadership, and real-world application, while also improving student support, career services engagement, and faculty involvement,” said Assaf, who is also professor of hospitality and tourism management. “These improvements have enhanced both the student experience and measurable outcomes, which is ultimately what the rankings are capturing.”

Isenberg’s Online MBA program continues to evolve and excel, delivering a high-impact, relevant experience for working professionals, pointed out Nikunj Kapadia, PhD, associate dean of graduate programs at Isenberg,

“Starting this fall, we are launching a new MBA curriculum, designed in collaboration with faculty, industry leaders, and alumni,” he said. “The new course structure balances core courses in business foundations and analytics with a broad range of focus areas and electives, allowing students to develop expertise tailored to their interests. As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, the Isenberg curriculum ensures graduates are prepared to navigate and lead in an evolving business landscape.”

U.S. News & World Report establishes the annual rankings based on several factors, including how programs encourage interactions with instructors and classmates, allow flexibility in learning, and provide learning assistance and career guidance. Programs are asked to report on the credentials of their faculty members and special training they receive in teaching online, student retention and graduation rates, and class sizes. Student quality is measured by undergraduate GPAs and work experience. The publication also conducts a survey of high-ranking academic officials at business programs, asking them to share their opinions about peer schools’ online business programs.