The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware was once again recognized as a top undergraduate business school by Poets&Quants for Undergrads, a leading publication, by placing No. 52 in the 2025 rankings released this week.
Lerner College jumped 13 spots from last year, one of just six schools to post double-digit rises from 2024, to rank 52nd out of 104 participating schools.
P&Q’s undergraduate business school ranking is based on three categories the publication believes best measure the undergrad B-school experience: the quality and diversity of students enrolling in a program (admissions standards); the ability of a B-school to nurture, challenge, and grow those young minds (academic experience); and how the market and world’s top employers respond to those graduates when leaving the school (career outcomes). Each category is given an equal weight in the final score.
Lerner improved in all three categories in this year’s rankings: from 60 to 46 in admissions standards, from 64 to 58 in academic experience, and from 70 to 67 in career outcomes.
“It’s great to see Lerner’s upward momentum in the Poets&Quants undergraduate rankings. This recognition reflects the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as our ongoing commitment to excellence in business education. Improving across all three categories – admissions standards, academic experience, and career outcomes – demonstrates the strength of our programs and the value of a distinctive Lerner education,” said Lerner College Dean Oliver Yao.
Ninety-five percent of Lerner graduates are employed or pursuing further education, while the Lerner Executive Mentoring Program matches students with executives with 10+ years of experience, resulting in increased confidence entering the workforce, expansion of networks and overall professional growth.
“We are thrilled to see Lerner continue to rise in the rankings – a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff. Their commitment ensures that our students receive an exceptional education and engage in a multitude of meaningful experiences, inside and outside of the classroom, preparing them for successful careers and bright futures,” said Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs Julia Bayuk.
Admissions data was gathered through an institutional survey each school completed between July 2024 and January 2025. This year two new metrics were added: 6-year graduation rate (weighted 20% of the category) and average high school GPA of the incoming class (weighted 15%).
Other admissions standards metrics include the acceptance rate of the incoming class, average SAT/ACT scores, percent of the incoming class that was in the top 10% of their high school class, and the percent of the incoming class that is female, international, underrepresented minorities, and first-generation college students.
Career data is also collected through the institutional survey. Metrics include internship rate, employment rate, and average first-year compensation after graduation.
Academic experience data comes entirely from the alumni survey, also administered between July 2024 and January 2025. The results of this year’s survey were averaged with the average from the previous two classes, giving 50% weight to the Class of 2022 and 25% each to the other classes. To get full credit for the data collected, a 10% or higher response rate was required from the surveyed class.
As a Lerner student, I’ve experienced firsthand the rigorous academics, supportive faculty, and career-focused opportunities the College provides. I’ve had various opportunities from Lerner Career Services, networking events, and working with real companies in my courses. The connections I’ve made with my Lerner professors and other students have supported my growth tremendously,” said Katie Redfearn, a junior finance and marketing double major who is also a member of the Lerner Student Advisory Board.
“Seeing Lerner rise in the rankings reaffirms what I and my peers already know – this is a business school that is truly preparing us to excel after college and apply what we learn in the classroom to our careers.”