The Goizueta Business School at Emory University fell two spots to No. 13 in our 2023 ranking of the best undergraduate business programs. That’s after landing at No. 16 for two years, before finally broke through to No. 11 in the 2022 rankings.
The Atlanta-based business school is one of few remaining two-year undergraduate programs in which Emory students have to apply to Goizueta as sophomores. This year’s incoming class of students experienced an acceptance rate of 16%, compared to last year’s 14.77% rate. It boasted an average SAT score of 1441, up 6 points from last year’s average score of 1435.
Goizueta students have access to the rich cultural hub of Atlanta, home to several Fortune 500 companies and dynamic startups. Through a number of experiential learning courses, Goizueta students are given a variety of opportunities to apply their studies to solve real-world issues and leave a positive impact. Being in Atlanta, it’s not surprising Goizueta students have strong employment outcomes year after year. Some 96.05% of the Class of 2022 secured a business-focused internship before graduation, up from the 95.40% of the Class of 2021.
A total of 96% of 2022 graduates landed a full-time position by the time of graduation, up 1% from the previous class but up 10% from for the Class of 2020. The B-school dropped to 85% employment in 2020 from 95% of the Class of 2019 employed, which can likely be attributed to the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Starting average salary for 2022 grads was $80,973. That’s up almost $10,000 above the average from the Class of 2021. It’s also higher than other prominent Atlanta-area business schools including Georgia Tech’s Scheller College (average $75,219) and University of Georgia’s Terry School (average $68,378).
Additionally, 62.3% of 2022 Goizueta grads reported getting a signing bonus of an average $8,075.
Overall, the Goizueta education offers students unique access to the rich cultural hub of Atlanta and a variety of opportunities to apply their business skills and make a real impact on the world around them. Students looking for an established and traditional B-school setting with a flair for entrepreneurship and innovation, should definitely consider Emory’s Goizueta School.
CURRICULUM
As a two-year program, students spend the first two years of their undergraduate education fulfilling liberal arts requirements before officially starting business courses. Once in the business school, the Goizueta curriculum requires students to complete at least one primary “area of depth” which include: Accounting, Finance, Information Systems & Operations Management, Marketing, and Strategy & Management Consulting. Each area of depth consists of a set of core courses and four electives.
2021 Alumni say:
“I worked on a consulting project with a local non-profit organization as part of my Catalyzing Social Impact class at Goizueta. It was an integral part of my education and allowed me to put theory into practice and work on deliverables that mirrored what would be asked of me on the job. I also was able to collaborate with a wonderful group of classmates and it was an extremely memorable class for all of us.”
“GIMG (Goizueta Investment Management Group) – Having the opportunity to make real world investments and speak to the experience in an interview helped me to stand out from other applicants and showed my “experience” beyond just theory in the classroom.”
“I conducted an independent study project with one of my business professors (Tom Smith in the Finance department). He taught me in the Sports Finance course. I enjoyed the experience and subject matter so much that I expanded a project from that course into a semester-long research project. He was an incredible mentor and phenomenal resource throughout that process.”
“Putting us in the shoes of strategic managers making difficult decisions allowed me to appreciate the difficulties required in every aspect of a business, and allowed me to learn how to attempt to make certain decisions.”
“The most integral class I took was Marketing Consulting Practicum (MCP). I did hands-on work with a client and learned how to operate at a professional level and produce high-quality insights with a team. My confidence grew significantly, and I still view that experience as the turning point of my early career.”
