WashU Olin leaped 10 places to 44th in the new Financial Times global ranking of MBA programs released today thanks to growth in MBA starting salaries, strong scores for career services and admirable faculty research productivity.

Additionally, Olin benefitted from a high ranking for our commitment to corporate social responsibility, affirming our strategic pillar focused on equipping students to be values-based, data-driven leaders.

“I’m deeply gratified by the recognition of our hard work on behalf of our students,” said Dean Mark P. Taylor. He noted that while the FT annual ranking includes an evaluation of the global experience each program provides, this year’s ranking does not account for Olin’s newly launched global immersion.

“Our 38-day international immersion places Olin as the most global full-time MBA program in the world,” Taylor said.

Last year, Olin was ranked 54th. This year, strong scores for career services and career progress, Olin’s near-parity between male and female students and an increase in the percentage of international students contributed to pushing Olin up to 44th globally. WashU MBA students also reported starting salaries averaging $131,207, up substantially from the prior year.

The FT ranking also placed Olin ninth in the world for research productivity—up from 12th last year. Finally, Financial Times’ surveys placed WashU’s MBA program 29th in the world for corporate social responsibility.