UBC's Sauder MBA program slides to second-to-last in global rankings as job placement falters

UBC's Sauder School of Business has dropped to second-to-last in the Financial Times' latest MBA ranking, driven by a sharp decline in employment outcomes for recent graduates.

Only 53 percent of 2025 MBA graduates reported landing jobs within three months of graduation, down from 65 percent the year prior. The school finished ahead of only the University of Glasgow. Western's Ivey Business School, Toronto, McGill, and Queen's all ranked higher among Canadian programs, with Ivey reporting 80 percent employment within three months and Toronto reporting 82 percent.

Financial Times data shows Sauder relies heavily on international students, who made up 72 percent of the 2025 MBA cohort and 73 percent in 2024 — higher than peer programs at Western (60 percent) and Toronto (53 percent). The employment struggle is not universal within the cohort: a part-time graduate who worked throughout her studies said she had a positive experience and that UBC's career hub provides ongoing support. However, a full-time international student who graduated in December said the experience was positive but networking fell short, taking six months to secure employment in advertising in Toronto. He spent more than $100,000 on the degree and is earning $65,000.

Neither UBC nor the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills responded to requests for comment on the employment numbers or planned response. The 2025 report marked Sauder's first appearance in the Financial Times ranking.