Courtesy of Morgan State University
Morgan State University’s Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management (Graves School) has earned a spot among the nation’s top business schools, ranking 60th overall in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2024-2025 Best B-Schools list. This marks the school’s first appearance in the rankings and makes Morgan the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to earn an official ranking, and one of just two Maryland institutions recognized on the prestigious list.
The Graves School of Business and Management is widely recognized for its academic excellence and historical significance as the first AACSB-accredited business school at a public institution in Maryland. Consistently ranked among the top five business schools in the state, it is also positioned within the top 15% of business schools nationwide. The Graves School also holds the distinction of being Morgan’s largest academic unit, accounting for 21% of the University’s total student enrollment. This reflects both the growing interest in its dynamic academic programs and its critical role in shaping the next generation of business professionals and entrepreneurs.
“Earning recognition from a trusted organization like Bloomberg Businessweek amplifies Morgan’s legacy of delivering exceptional academic settings designed to maximize the vast potential of our students while preparing them for professional success,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “This recognition not only highlights our leadership in business education but also underscores the transformative impact of our graduates on the global business community. It affirms what we’ve always known—that Morgan’s academic programs are of the highest caliber, celebrated nationally and internationally. Our continued ascent among the top universities is driven by a shared vision and the unwavering dedication of our exceptional students and faculty.”
The Best B-Schools rankings evaluate institutions based on surveys from students, alumni, and recruiters, focusing on five key indexes: Compensation, Learning, Networking, Entrepreneurship, and Diversity. Graves School excelled in the Diversity Index, ranking 3rd nationally, and earned a strong 44th place in Entrepreneurship. The Bloomberg recognition follows on the heels of U.S. News & World Report ranking Morgan State University 10th overall amongst the nation’s best HBCUs.
The Graves School is recognized as a leading producer of African American/Black graduates in business disciplines such as Hospitality Management, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Information Science, Marketing and Business Administration. Its graduate-level MBA program, ranked 8th among the Top 25 Best Value MBA Programs by College Consensus, is a popular choice. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked Morgan’s MBA program #115 overall and its online MBA program #201.
Earlier in the year, Royce D. Burnett, Ph.D., was officially named dean of the Graves School. Since taking the helm on July 1, Dr. Burnett has been wholly committed to transforming the Graves School of Business into a hub of excellence, producing career-ready graduates and the next generation of entrepreneurs and organizational leaders. His twofold vision is rooted in broadening the B-School’s connectivity to and engagement with under-sourced populations and the business community and equipping students with the in-demand skills essential for long-term success in today’s global interconnected marketplace.
“Maintaining AACSB accreditation for over two decades is a testament to the excellence of our business program and our gold-standard commitment to business education worldwide,” said Dr. Royce Burnett, dean of the Graves School of Business. “Being ranked among the nation’s top business schools by Bloomberg Businessweek is a significant milestone for our program, a real testament to our truly amazing faculty, and it certainly affirms the growing national recognition of our dynamic B-School and MBA Program.”
Recently, Morgan announced its fourth consecutive year of record overall enrollment and the largest freshmen class in University history. Among this historic class of first-year students, Management and Business Administration was among the top declared.
Of the more than 16,000 business schools globally—including over 800 in the U.S.—Morgan’s Graves School stands among the elite 6% accredited by AACSB International, the premier global accrediting body for business education. This prestigious accreditation underscores the school’s commitment to delivering rigorous, high-quality academic programs that prepare students for leadership and success in an evolving global business environment.
Housed within the $79-million, state-of-the-art Morgan Business Center, the Graves School, named in honor of Morgan State alumnus Earl G. Graves Sr., is among the 5% of schools worldwide that offer business degrees at the bachelor’s level or higher and is accredited by AACSB International. The Graves School offers 10 undergraduate and six master’s programs, and six specialized focus areas in its Ph.D. program. The undergraduate programs have 1,200 students enrolled in nine different majors. The Graves School manages three research centers — the National Center for Blockchain and FinTech, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research — that serve as bridges between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and ensuring that students are exposed to the latest trends and challenges in their chosen fields. The School’s mission is to prepare a diverse student population to succeed as business professionals and become engaged citizens. Founded in 1937 and established as a school in 1975, the Graves School is one of Maryland’s top producers of African American graduates with a business degree.