The Colorado State University College of Business was selected as a winner of the Financial Times “Best Business School” award for responsible business education.
Through a rigorous evaluation process, the Financial Times recognized only five business schools from across the world as “best overall” for systematically integrating responsible business management through their research, curricula, operations and community engagement.
“To be recognized among the most elite business schools in the world that are committed to using business to create a better world, and by the Financial Times, one of the most prestigious media outlets in the world, is truly an honor,” said College of Business Dean Beth Walker.
A global leader in responsible business education
Among the five winning universities, CSU was the only one from North America. Additional winners included Finland’s Aalto University School of Business; France’s IÉSEG School of Management; England’s University of Oxford Saïd Business School; and VU Amsterdam School of Business and Economics. Two other U.S. business schools, McDonough (Georgetown University) and Haas (University of California at Berkeley) received high commendations.
Judges — including corporate CEOs, journalists and academics specializing in the areas of business and sustainability — lauded the CSU College of Business for its focus on the values-driven mission of Business for a Better World.
Business for a Better World
Inspired by the College’s “Business for a Better World” strategic vision, faculty and staff are utilizing business education to address social, environmental and economic challenges.
Unlike other business schools, at CSU all undergraduate and graduate business students must take a core course focused on sustainability and responsible business, making responsible business education integral and pervasive.
Curricula recognized as part of the award include the graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business; impact-focused courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels; and the Impact MBA, a pioneer in sustainability education.
Faculty research increasingly contributes to shifts in responsible business. Each year, the percentage of published articles that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and/or shape public policy has increased significantly. Faculty also mentor the future generation of responsible business professionals through the Business for a Better World Undergraduate Research Fellows program.
This holistic award also recognized student outcomes, alumni impact, community engagement, operational sustainability, as well as employee success and wellness.
“Business for a Better World is a shared responsibility throughout and beyond the College,” Walker said. “We are grateful to our alumni, donors, students, faculty and staff for the role they played in helping us achieve this recognition. Together we are accelerating the positive evolution of business.”
About CSU’s College of Business
The College of Business at Colorado State University is focused on using business to create a better world.
As an AACSB-accredited business school, the College is among the top five percent of business colleges worldwide, providing programs and career support services to more than 3,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students. Faculty help students across our top-ranked on-campus and online programs develop the knowledge, skills and values to navigate a rapidly evolving business world and address global challenges with sustainable business solutions. Our students are known for their creativity, work ethic and resilience—resulting in an undergraduate job offer and placement rate of over 90% within 90 days of graduation.
The College’s highly ranked programs include its Online MBA, which has been ranked the No. 1 program in Colorado by U.S. News and World Report since 2018 and achieved No. 11 for employability worldwide from QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The College’s Impact MBA is also ranked by Corporate Knights as the No. 7 “Better World MBA” worldwide.
