Year in Review

This fall marked a milestone for UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM): for the first time ever, we welcomed undergraduate students into our newly launched Business major. The inaugural cohort has begun classes, embedding themselves within the GSM community and benefiting from the same career-focused, data-driven, values-based education that has long defined our graduate programs.

Across the GSM, 2025 was a year of energy, growth and renewed affirmation of our mission to prepare bold, collaborative leaders. 

A standout this year: our MSBA program has again been ranked No. 1 globally for return on investment by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), marking the fourth consecutive year the program has earned that top spot. 

Meanwhile, our MBA programs continued to earn national recognition. Our Online MBA jumped 22 spots to rank No. 20 by U.S. News & World Report. 

Expanding Our Impact and Influence

Our reach and relevance extended beyond rankings. Our faculty’s pioneering research tackled some of today’s biggest business issues, delivering findings and best practices that help managers lead, challenge industry norms and influence how business is done.

The School also doubled down on experience-based education. Students turned vision into action through real-world projects for a wide range of client companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to young startups. These hands-on team projects reflect our conviction that business education must deliver not just theory, but meaningful impact.

We celebrated individual excellence, too. Dozens of students, alumni, faculty and staff were honored this year, and their awards reflect the depth and breadth of talent that defines GSM. 

A Transformational Turning Point

Now, as we welcome undergraduates into the fold, we reaffirm our commitment to lifelong learning and expanded access to business education. We’re supporting a record number of working professionals, early-career leaders, and now, aspiring undergraduates all through STEM-designated programs grounded in analytics, ethics and collaborative leadership.

In short, the GSM in 2025 was not about incremental change but transformation. The launch of the business major adds a new dimension to our mission, while rankings, research, experiential learning, alumni success and recognition all underscore our growing influence. 

As we look ahead, our foundation is stronger, our community is broader, and our capacity to shape future business leaders has never been greater.

2025 Key Highlights 

• Launched UC Davis’ first-ever Undergraduate Business Major, welcoming the inaugural cohort this fall and expanding the GSM’s mission to prepare the next generation of leaders earlier in their academic journeys.
   
• Master of Science in Business Analytics ranked No. 1 globally for Return on Investment for the fourth consecutive year by QS. Plus, No. 5 worldwide for “Value for the Money”; top 20 overall in U.S. and top 40 worldwide.
   
• Online MBA surged in national rankings, climbing 22 spots to No. 20 in the U.S., continuing to strengthen the GSM’s national reputation.
   
• We celebrated the first graduating class from our Master of Management program and launched part-time formats of the degree in Sacramento and the Bay Area, as well as the first online MM option in the UC system.
   
• Faculty research drove global impact, including influential studies published on climate change risk in accounting; the impact, use and regulation of AI; sustainable finance, digital platform economics; and workplace dynamics.
   
• Dean H. Rao Unnava was recognized by Poets&Quants with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership, honoring his more than 40 years of service in business education. Dean Unnava has announced he will step down as dean next June.
   
• Students delivered real-world impact through experiential learning, teaming up to develop solutions for companies involved in food and ag, biotech, sustainable energy, tech, mission-driven non-profit, and more. 
   
• Celebrated excellence across the community, recognizing outstanding students, alumni, faculty and staff whose achievements reflect the talent, diversity and ambition of the GSM network.
   
• Strengthened our network, expanding industry partnerships and deepening engagement across Northern California’s economic Super-Region spanning Sacramento to San Francisco and well beyond.