Corporate Knights has published its 2025 Better World MBA Ranking, showcasing the business schools that are equipping future leaders with the tools to tackle urgent social and environmental challenges. The University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business has once again secured the #2 spot—reaffirming its place among the most impactful MBA programs in the world.

The University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business created the Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) to be a catalyst for change—reimagining how business is taught to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving world. This recognition affirms the school’s commitment to transformational education that prepares future leaders to serve both people and the planet.

The 2025 ranking assessed 179 MBA programs worldwide, drawn from leading global MBA listings, past Better World MBA honorees, and accredited institutions. Schools were evaluated on the proportion of core courses integrating sustainable development themes—including biodiversity, Indigenous partnership models, climate finance, supply chain ethics, and equity. 

“The sustainable economy is expanding at twice the pace of the rest of the economy, and leading business schools are adapting accordingly,” said Toby Heaps, CEO of Corporate Knights. “Our 2025 Better World MBA ranking shows how programs can prepare graduates to thrive where sustainability is the growth engine.”

Key Findings from the 2025 Ranking:

  • Impact Integrated into Ranking: Alumni career paths now count for 10% of the overall score, alongside curriculum content (90%). Programs were evaluated on both the sustainability depth of their core courses and the proportion of graduates working at impact organizations (non-profits, clean economy firms, or sustainability leaders).
  • Global Representation: The 2025 Top 40 includes programs from 12 countries, reflecting increasing worldwide momentum in sustainability-focused business education.

About the Sustainable Innovation MBA Program

Kate Williams speaks to SI-MBA students

The Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) program at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business is the leading program for emerging changemakers who believe business can—and must—become a force for good. Delivered by globally recognized thought leaders in sustainable business, this accelerated, one-year, full-time program equips students to lead purpose-driven organizations or transform traditional businesses into sustainable enterprises. With sustainability at its core, SI-MBA prepares graduates to tackle both social and environmental challenges—and drive meaningful impact across industries.

A hallmark of the program is its Practicum Project, a two-month, hands-on consulting engagement with organizations confronting complex sustainability issues. Past projects have included sustainable palm oil sourcing for Unilever and second-life solutions for electric aviation batteries with Beta Technologies—demonstrating the program’s real-world relevance and reach.

“This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to educating future business leaders for success in dynamic, multi-stakeholder, and complex environments,” said Sanjay Sharma, Dean of the Grossman School of Business. “Our faculty and staff continuously engage with students, alumni, and businesses to co-create a curriculum and learning environment that prepares graduates to lead with purpose.”

Combined with faculty research cited over 136,000 times worldwide, SI-MBA offers a transformative learning experience that enhances career outcomes and positions graduates at the forefront of sustainable business innovation. Propel your career with a world-class business education at the University of Vermont.

About Corporate Knights

Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent media and research company. Its media division publishes the award-winning sustainable-economy magazine Corporate Knights, circulated in The Globe and Mail, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Its research division produces sustainability rankings and tracks sustainability-linked revenues and investments for 2,800 of the world’s largest companies.

Learn more at corporateknights.com.

Photos: Ben Chiappinelli