Poets&Quants Ranks MBA Program Among Nation’s Top 100

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2026) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, housed in the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, has been recognized as a Top 100 MBA program, ranked No. 84 nationally by leading business education news publication Poets&Quants. This distinction places them in the top 10% of the nation’s MBA programs.

The recognition reflects N.C. A&T’s continued growth, academic quality and strong career outcomes, distinguishing it as one of only three University of North Carolina System institutions with a Top 100 ranked MBA program and placing it among nationally recognized institutions delivering high-impact business education. 

“This prestigious ranking provides another external metric that highlights the Deese College’s commitment to being a preeminent destination for global business education and global business thought,” said Kecia Williams Smith ’95, CPA, Ph.D., Deese College dean.  Our MBA graduates are well-trained and ready to provide the critical skills needed in the dynamic business environment.

According to Fall 2025 A&T census data, the MBA program enrolls 169 students, making it the largest master’s degree program at the university for several consecutive years. The program also represents 14% of the total master’s degree enrollment within The Graduate College, reflecting its central role in graduate education at the institution.

In addition to its growing enrollment, the MBA program boasts a 93% career placement rate, demonstrating its effectiveness in preparing students for leadership roles across industries.

"Being named to the Poets&Quants Top 100 MBA programs — alongside our continued recognition by U.S. News & World Report — affirms the strength, rigor and upward momentum of the Deese College of Business and Economics MBA,” said Eric Gladney, Ph.D., assistant dean and MBA program director. “This national recognition validates the value we deliver to students through academic excellence, experiential learning, and career-focused outcomes.”

The Poets&Quants ranking evaluates MBA programs using three categories: admission standards, alumni perspectives and employment outcomes. These qualifiers measure academic quality of incoming students, global and immersive learning experiences, faculty accessibility, internship participation and career outcomes of alumni.

“To be one of only three UNC System institutions with a business program ranked in the Top 100 speaks to the quality of our faculty, the success of our students, and our commitment to providing access to a high-impact MBA that prepares future-ready leaders for a global economy,” said Gladney.

With a focus on challenging coursework, experiential learning and professional development, the Deese College MBA program continues to attract a diverse and ambitious student body while meeting workforce demands at the regional and national levels.