Professional networking website LinkedIn has released its third annual list of 'Top MBA Programs 2025,' featuring 100 global business schools that best support long-term career growth. Out of the top 20, four Indian institutions have made their mark this year. The Indian School of Business (ISB) climbed to 5, securing a spot in the top five globally. Meanwhile, IIM-Calcutta (16) and IIM-Bangalore (20) entered the list as new entrants, and IIM-Ahmedabad (17) improved its position from last year. Three other Indian business schools also find mention in latter ranks - IIM Lucknow (21), IIM Indore (36) and IIFT (50). ‘Policy shifts create uncertainty, but international students are integral’: US university professor on immigration uncertainty, future of MBAs Globally, at the very top, Stanford University retained its 1 ranking, followed by Harvard University (2), INSEAD (3), and the University of Pennsylvania (4). Together with ISB (5), these institutions round off the top five globally recognised MBA programs for 2025. LinkedIn Top 20 Global MBA Programs 2025 Rank Institution 1 Stanford University 2 Harvard University 3 INSEAD 4 University of Pennsylvania 5 Indian School of Business 6 Northwestern University 7 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 8 Dartmouth College 9 Columbia University 10 University of London 11 University of Chicago 12 University of Oxford 13 Duke University 14 Yale University 15 University of California, Berkeley 16 Indian Institute of Management - Calcutta 17 Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad 18 University of Virginia 19 Cornell University 20 Indian Institute of Management - Bangalore How did LinkedIn rank the institutes? The 'Top MBA Programs 2025' ranking is based entirely on LinkedIn data, focusing on how well MBA programs set graduates up for long-term career success. The evaluation draws on five key pillars: -Job placements and labor market demand for graduates (2019–2024 cohorts). -Promotion rates and speed of reaching director or VP-level roles. -Depth, quality, and growth rate of alumni networks. -Share of alumni with C-Suite roles or entrepreneurial ventures. -Gender parity in recent MBA cohorts. According to Nirajita Banerjee, senior managing editor and career expert, LinkedIn News India, choosing the right MBA program is about more than just curriculum, but, it’s about networks, leadership opportunities, and long-term support. Madan Pillutla, Dean of ISB, noted that the school’s one-year Post Graduate Programme (PGP) equips students with the adaptability and confidence to thrive in a fast-changing world, reinforced by a 20,000-strong alumni network worldwide.
