Lucas College and Graduate School of Business Ranked in Top 40 Online MBA Programs, No. 1 Among California Public Universities

For the third year in a row, the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business at San José State University has earned national recognition from Poets&Quants, reaffirming its place among the top online MBA programs in the United States for 2026 .

This year, the college earned the #1 spot among public universities in California, a jump from its #2 ranking in the previous two years. Overall, it is ranked #40 among all public and private universities nationally.

The recognition from Poets&Quants adds to a growing list of national accolades for SJSU. In July, Money Magazine rated SJSU as one of the top public universities in the country on its 2025 Best Colleges list, and i n October, The Wall Street Journal ranked SJSU the #5 public school in the country .

"We're proud to see our hybrid MBA program recognized again, especially for the third consecutive year," said Rangapriya (Priya) Kannan, dean of the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business. "Being ranked first among California's public universities speaks to the momentum we're building - not only within the Lucas College, but across San José State University as a whole."

The Poets&Quants rankings methodology is based on three core categories: admissions standards, academic experience and career outcomes. The MBA program continues to excel across all three and goes beyond the classroom with experiential, global and entrepreneurial opportunities that prepare students for real-world leadership.

Silicon Valley Experience

A signature course of the MBA program, the Silicon Valley Experience , immerses students in the heart of the region's innovation ecosystem. Taught by SJSU faculty and Silicon Valley executives, the course features company visits, executive speakers, career coaching, networking events and applied projects.

Global Opportunities

Through the EMBA Consortium for Global Innovation , students engage in globally focused, experiential learning alongside peers from leading international business schools, with opportunities for global collaboration and travel.

Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA)

GBSA fosters a strong graduate business student community while building connections with alumni, faculty, and the business community through professional and social programming.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Certificate

This nine-unit graduate certificate provides hands-on training in innovation and entrepreneurship through coursework and experiential labs, allowing students to launch startups or work with high-growth ventures while earning MBA credit. Co-curricular opportunities include the Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge, ZinnStarter Program, Eminent Speaker Series and the Silicon Valley Business Plan Competition. Enrolled students can also earn a certificate in Business Analytics and Advanced Global Leadership.

Learn more about SJSU's MBA Program at an information session or at a Virtual Open House on January 24, 2026 .