The Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) finished No. 59 on Poets&Quants’ 2025 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S. In our three methodological categories, it finished No. 64 in Admission Standards, No. 43 in Career Outcomes, and No. 83 in Academic Experience (based solely on our alumni survey).
The B-school’s acceptance rate for the fall 2024 incoming class was 71.4%, and the class also reported an average SAT score of 1296. Its six-year graduation rate is 74.8%.
In career data, 89.2% of 2024 grads found jobs within three months, compared to 92.6% of 2023 grads. Average salary for the most recent graduates was $67,370, with 21% of them reporting an average signing bonus of $6,485. The top employers included Mengel Metzger Barr & Co. LLP, AVANGRID, Constellation Brands, Paychex, University of Rochester, The Walt Disney Company, Goldman Sachs, Citi, The Bonadio Group, and Microsoft.
Because of the co-op program, 100% of Saunders students graduate with a business-focused internship each year — an impressive feat that ensures each and every student has an experience to reference when it comes time to interview for future internships or employment.
BIZ 1+2 PROGRAM
Saunders undergraduates can choose from the following majors: Accounting, Bsiness Exploration, Finance, Hospitality & Tourism Management, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management.
Students get a business education starting on day one with The Freshman Experience: Biz 1+2 program – a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that serves as a valuable foundational reference through the rest of students’ four-year education. While many other B-schools don’t require an experiential learning until the senior year capstone, at Saunders, every student gets a hands-on education starting on day one, giving them a head start on internship opportunities, and ultimately, employment.
Saunders integrates business and technology in a way that sets its graduates apart in the job market. Students complete a Business + Technology Core, ensuring they gain foundational technical skills in addition to traditional business knowledge. The curriculum includes coursework in computer-based analysis, operations management, and information systems, reflecting the increasing role of technology across all business functions.
For high-achieving students, the Saunders Honors Program provides exclusive experiential learning opportunities, including undergraduate research grants, symposiums, and specialized coursework.
STRONG CO-OP PROGRAM
The co-op program at Rochester Institute of Technology is one of the oldest and largest cooperative education programs in the nation, connecting over 3,600 students with over 1,800 employer partners, in over 7,700 job assignments (in a pandemic year). A full-time paid employment opportunity, the co-op program begins after students have completed their first two years of coursework. Co-op employers have included the likes of KPMG, EY, Tesla, Amazon, Mozilla, BMW, GM, GE, J&J and more.
For many students, the co-op experience gives them the opportunity to explore potential careers and gain valuable experience that they can reference in future internship and job interviews.
RECENT INNOVATIONS
Saunders has undertaken major renovations and program expansions to enhance student experience and career readiness. A newly expanded and renovated building has doubled the college’s space, providing state-of-the-art learning environments.
In curriculum enhancements, Saunders has added technology-focused courses to its core business curriculum, ensuring all students gain experience in business analytics, information systems, and supply chain management. A foundational business analytics course is now required for all business majors, reflecting the growing demand for data-driven decision-making in modern business. Additionally, Saunders has introduced a Supply Chain Management major, aligning with industry needs.
To provide greater flexibility, Saunders has also streamlined its business core, allowing students to personalize their education while maintaining a strong foundation in key business disciplines. The school has further emphasized undergraduate research, offering grants and an annual undergraduate research symposium to encourage hands-on, innovative projects.
ALUMNI SAY
“In the senior capstone you essentially ran all parts of a business and were able to see the weekly results of your decisions. It was important to see that every aspect of the business is important even if it is not in your desired field.”
“Saunders focused on providing the best learning experience year after year. In that vein, almost every semester their was a focused business simulation or capstone to help students hone their skills.”
“I traveled abroad to Croatia for a year, which was a life defining experience. Studying in a foreign country set me up for success in any business environment by honing my adaptability.”
“Several projects with real clients through undergrad as well as other experiential learning efforts. This was critical to applying skills in real business situations and was the most valuable part of my education at RIT.”
“The capstone brought an interdisciplinary concision to my time in school that was a great send off to get me prepared for the real world.”
