Thunderbird at ASU ranked No. 1 in QS International Trade Rankings for third consecutive year
Draped in the colors of their nations, Thunderbird fall 2024 graduates proudly march in the Parade of International Flags, a cherished tradition that embodies the school’s global spirit. As the world’s No. 1 institution for international trade for three consecutive years, Thunderbird continues to empower future leaders with the skills, knowledge and cross-cultural expertise needed to navigate and shape the global economy. Courtesy photo
For the third consecutive year, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University 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 2025 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, 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 Oxford in the United Kingdom, IMD in Switzerland and Tsinghua University in China, internationally.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized as the No. 1 school in international trade for the third consecutive year, a testament to the enduring commitment of our faculty, staff and students,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general, dean and professor of global digital transformation at Thunderbird. “This distinction highlights our continued dedication to transforming leadership and management education to create a more prosperous and interconnected world.”
Thunderbird's top ranking is indexed as a perfect score of 100/100 among nearly 90 universities and business schools worldwide — each offering graduate programs in international trade — reinforcing its standing as a global leader in impact and academic excellence. Notably, Thunderbird is the only institution to surpass the 90-point threshold, with the next highest-ranked school trailing at 89.8 points, solidifying its distinguished standing at the forefront of international trade education.
Moreover, the QS rankings reveal that the global average score of the remaining 86 institutions stands at just over 51 points out of 100, underscoring the significant impact that Thunderbird’s faculty research has on student outcomes and their educational experience.
Last year, Thunderbird was one of just five American universities to secure a place in the top 10. This year, the school stands alone — not only as the sole institution in the United States but across the entire Americas — to achieve a top 10 ranking.
QS has specifically recognized Thunderbird’s flagship Master of Global Management program as the “first in the world” out of the 87 ranked — up from 73 — MBA and master's degree programs competing, as highlighted in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025.
The school’s MGM program has continued to attract individuals looking to make a lasting impact in the global business landscape as they pursue careers in private, public and nonprofit sectors.
“What truly sets the MGM apart is its rich history of cultivating cross-cultural communication and global-mindedness — foundational elements that have been embedded in the curriculum for years. This holistic approach not only fosters a deep understanding of global business but also equips students to navigate complex international environments,” said Lena Booth, deputy dean of Thunderbird Academic Enterprise and finance professor.
According to QS, the QS International Trade Rankings identify the world’s leading global business and trade master’s programs. Developed in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation, the rankings categorize and evaluate graduate program content within the six pillars of international cross border trade: trade, trade policy, logistics and supply chain management, trade finance and accounting, leadership and soft skills, and future skills.
“The QS International Trade Rankings not only emphasize the methods of instruction but also the substance of the curriculum,” Booth said. “At Thunderbird, our faculty are dedicated to ensuring that our course content and overall curriculum equip our students with the essential skills needed to succeed in the global marketplace and prepare graduates to lead in the dynamic world of international trade.”
Thunderbird, along with the other excellently ranked programs, features faculty with "extensive industry experience, strong industry engagement, and flexible delivery models," as referenced by QS.
Part of the QS World University Rankings suite, the rankings were designed to help prospective students identify the programs that will best prepare them for a career in global trade and secure employment, provide universities with effective comparative tools to uplift global trade education and enable companies to hire work-ready graduates.
“Thunderbird is deeply committed to equipping our students with the essential skills demanded by employers in international trade,” Griffy-Brown said. “Through thoughtful practice, we equip our students with a deep understanding of global trade complexities while fostering leadership and adaptive skills for the future. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our commitment to preparing graduates who are both academically accomplished and industry-ready to meet the evolving demands of the global economy and future ecosystems.”
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