Thunderbird at ASU ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade for fourth consecutive year
Global ranking places Thunderbird ahead of Cambridge, Oxford and Columbia

By Nicole Almond Anderson, ASU News
October 30, 2025

For the fourth consecutive year, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has been recognized as the world leader in international trade by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the prestigious global authority on higher education rankings.

This year’s QS International Trade Rankings (2026) for MBA and master’s programs once again position Thunderbird as the No. 1 school in the world. The school ranks ahead of Columbia University, the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (Ross) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) in the U.S., as well as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore internationally.

“We are deeply honored to once again be recognized as the world’s top institution for international trade,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Earning this distinction repeatedly among the world’s leading MBA and master’s programs underscores our unwavering commitment to preparing future-ready global leaders in one of the most dynamic and comprehensive fields of study.”

Thunderbird earned an overall score of 100 out of 100 points — ranking first among nearly 110 universities and business schools worldwide offering graduate programs in international trade. This achievement reaffirms the school’s position as a global leader in impact, innovation and academic excellence. Notably, Thunderbird is one of only three institutions to exceed the 90-point mark, with the next highest-ranked school, the National University of Singapore, following at 92.6 points — further underscoring Thunderbird’s preeminence in international trade education.

In this year’s rankings, Thunderbird once again stands as the only school from the United States — and the entire Americas — ranked among the global top 10, with Columbia University following at No. 11. The school likewise held this distinction in 2025 and, in 2024, was one of only five U.S. universities to reach the top 10.

This is also the only global No. 1 subject ranking across all of Arizona State University, highlighting Thunderbird’s distinct global impact within ASU’s world-class ecosystem.

Thunderbird’s world-class faculty are central to this recognition. They actively participate in many of the world’s leading academic and industry organizations, including the Academy of International Business, Council on Foreign Relations, Global Network of Business Schools, International Studies Association, United Nations Global Compact, and numerous World Economic Forum councils. Locally, faculty and students are engaged with the Arizona District Export Council, the Diplomatic Corps of Arizona, the Phoenix Council on Foreign Relations, and other key regional organizations.

Thunderbird faculty are also regularly featured and cited in leading international outlets, contributing scholarship and policy insights that shape global discourse. Their work has informed the strategies of prominent global institutions and has been referenced at the highest levels of policymaking. Influential bodies such as the United States International Trade Commission, the National Intelligence Council, the United States Senate, and the Departments of State and Defense have drawn upon this research — reinforcing Thunderbird’s impact in shaping international trade policy.

“I have the pleasure of seeing our incredible faculty and staff delivering a level of expertise and global perspective — and at a pace and scale — that is simply unmatched,” said Lena Booth, deputy dean of Thunderbird Academic Enterprise and finance professor at Thunderbird. “It’s proof that our students leave us ready to shape the future. They emerge confident, globally minded and equipped to lead and make a real impact wherever their careers take them.”

Developed in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation, schools are evaluated across several key performance indicators, including trade program content, graduate outcomes, industry engagement, innovative teaching, reputation, research and program delivery. The QS rankings specifically highlight Thunderbird’s flagship Master of Global Management (MGM) program as the premier graduate program in international trade.

“Thunderbird’s MGM is recognized for its strong global orientation and practical approach to leadership development,” said Alex Boome, program director at the Hinrich Foundation. “With its flexible curriculum, transdisciplinary concentrations and emphasis on experiential learning, the program equips graduates with the skills and mindset to succeed in today’s interconnected and digitalized business environment.”

As part of the QS World University Rankings, the International Trade Rankings guide prospective students toward programs that equip them for success in global trade, while providing universities with a framework to benchmark and advance the quality and impact of trade education worldwide. As such, Thunderbird’s various degree programs continue to draw aspiring global business leaders who seek to make a lasting impact across the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

“What sets the Thunderbird student experience apart is that it’s unlike anywhere else in the world,” Griffy-Brown said. “Our students engage with a globally forward-thinking hub of accelerated innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, whether on campus or through our flexible online programs. They are immersed in a dynamic ecosystem where ideas meet real-world application, preparing them to lead with confidence on a global scale. Thunderbird isn’t just a place to learn — it’s a place to transform how you see the world and your role in shaping it.”

This story originally appeared on ASU News.