The Ross School of Business is the business school of the University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor. It provides a range of degree programs — undergraduate, full-time MBA, part-time and executive MBAs, doctoral study and executive education — and is known for combining rigorous research with hands-on, team-based learning. Ross serves students preparing for careers in finance, consulting, technology, non-profit management and entrepreneurship, and it maintains active partnerships with industry and alumni worldwide.
Programs and academic structure
Ross organizes its curriculum around core management disciplines and applied projects. Major program types include:
- Undergraduate business (BBA-style curriculum with concentrations)
- MBA programs: full-time, part-time, and executive formats
- Doctoral programs in business disciplines
- Non-degree executive education and short courses for organizations
Teaching methods and research centers
A defining feature of Ross is action-based learning. Signature initiatives give students real-world experience: corporate projects, start-up incubators and a team capstone where students work with external clients. The school hosts several interdisciplinary research centers and institutes that translate scholarship into practice, including units focused on entrepreneurship, finance, global business, and sustainable enterprise.
Examples of applied work include student-led consulting projects with firms and nonprofits, venture support for founders, and international study components. Faculty publish in major academic journals and engage in policy and business advisory roles; their work often informs classroom cases and company collaborations.
History, campus and partnerships
Originally part of the broader university business education offerings, the school grew into a comprehensive business faculty and was renamed following a major alumni gift. Its campus facilities emphasize collaborative classrooms and simulation labs. Ross offers dual-degree options and formal collaborations across the university — for example joint programs with engineering (engineering) and with law (law) — as well as links to public policy, medicine, information, and environmental programs.
Notable distinctions include a broad alumni network, strong corporate recruiting, and an emphasis on practical skills that help graduates move quickly into leadership roles. Ross continues to adapt its offerings to changing industry needs, international markets, and the growing importance of data analytics, sustainability and innovation in business practice.