Rankings and accreditation
No. 1 in the world for International trade
For the fourth consecutive year, Thunderbird has been recognized as the world leader in international trade, a distinction awarded by Quacquarelli Symonds, the prestigious global authority on higher education rankings, in its 2026 International Trade Rankings. This esteemed recognition positions Thunderbird at ASU as the No. 1 school in the world, ranking ahead of renowned institutions such as Columbia University, 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.
No. 1 Master in Management
In their most recent analysis of master’s in management programs in 2019, THE and WSJ ranked Thunderbird’s Master of Global Management degree No. 1 in the world.
Financial Times Ranking for Custom Programs in Executive Education
In the 2025 Financial Times Executive Education rankings, released June 1, Thunderbird’s custom Executive Education programs were ranked in the top 25 globally and No. 2 among U.S.-based institutions — ahead of prestigious peers such as the University of Cambridge (Judge), Rutgers University and Georgetown University.
No. 16 in the world and No. 7 in the U.S. for global reach and impact of case writing
Ranking ahead of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and the HEC Paris Business School in France.
No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world for global impact
2022 U.N. SDG Global Impact Rankings, Times Higher Education.
No. 1 public university chosen by international students
2021 Institute of International Education Open Doors Report.
ASU Rankings
Arizona State University is recognized globally as a top-ranked knowledge enterprise focused on solutions to society’s greatest challenges, advancing a better life for all.
Accreditation
Thunderbird has been recognized with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for over 30 years. This accreditation is a recognition of Thunderbird's dedication to academic excellence, innovative research, and global impact. Achieving accreditation involves a rigorous evaluation process, emphasizing strategic management, innovation, and societal impact, with Thunderbird's success attributed to its transdisciplinary partnerships and global engagement. Additionally, all ASU graduate and undergraduate academic programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.