Walton College Ranks 25th Best Public Undergrad Business School in the U.S.

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The Sam M. Walton College of Business has maintained its position as the 25th Best Undergraduate Business Program among public colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2025 national listing. Among public and private institutions, Walton College is ranked 40th. This achievement marks the 23rd consecutive year the college has been in the top 30 public business schools in the U.S. News rankings. 

"The Walton College's strong performance in the U.S. News & World Report rankings highlights our continued commitment to cultivating future business leaders both in Arkansas and beyond," said Brent Williams, dean of Walton College. "This acknowledgment not only speaks to our focus on academic innovation and the significant research conducted by our faculty but also emphasizes our dedication to preparing students for real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. By leveraging experiential learning initiatives and partnerships with many industry partners for internships, we aim to empower our graduates to create meaningful impact from the moment they step off that stage at graduation."

IN GOOD COMPANY

Walton College tied with several other prestigious institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, University of Utah and Virginia Tech in the public school rankings. In the overall rankings, Walton College tied with these schools as well as Brigham Young University, Case Western Reserve, George Washington University, Southern Methodist University, Syracuse University and Tulane University.

ON THE RISE

Notably, Walton College's supply chain management program rose two spots in the rankings, now placing ninth overall and eighth among public institutions. Additionally, the management information systems program has re-entered the rankings for the first time since 2022, securing the 18th position overall (tied with Loyola University Chicago) and 14th among public schools. 

“Our rise in supply chain management and the re-ranking of our management information systems program reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to delivering an exceptional education in these critical disciplines,” Williams added. “In addition to our commitment to excellence inside and outside the classroom, our faculty research in these areas plays a vital role in ensuring that the Walton College is not just keeping pace with the ever-evolving business landscape,we're actively helping to shape it."

The results of these rankings are determined through an annual survey by U.S. News & World Report, where business school deans and associate deans evaluate public and private undergraduate business programs accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) International.

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: Founded in 1926, the Sam M. Walton College of Business is AACSB-accredited and ranks among the top business schools in the nation. Walton College is the largest college at the University of Arkansas, serving nearly 9,000undergraduate, master's and doctoral students. Walton College is recognized among U.S. News & World Report's 2023 "Best Business Schools," and its undergraduate supply chain management program was ranked No. 1 in North America by Gartner. The college's Master of Business Administration program was also ranked No. 11 for best return on investment by The Wall Street Journal. The Princeton Review ranked the college's graduate entrepreneurship program as one of the top in the country for the first time in the 2022-23 year. And in partnership with the Global Campus, the U of A's online business degree program ranked No. 12 nationally among 214 institutions by U.S. News in 2023.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.