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Accreditation, Rankings & Reviews

Accreditation, Rankings, and Reviews

Menlo College has a lot to be proud of: a strong employment success rate among our graduates; an AACSB designation that places us among the top 5% of business schools worldwide that are AACSB-accredited; and recognition from several esteemed ranking bodies. We are deeply appreciative of the honor and esteem we’ve received.

We’ve been named among the “Best Colleges in the West” by the Princeton Review for more than 15 years, but we’re even more proud of our award-winning students.

Explore for yourself and discover the Menlo advantage.

#9

Among “Most Diverse Colleges in America” by Niche

100%

Employment Rate for Real Estate Grads and leading school for CRE

#13

Best Accounting Program in the U.S.

Accreditations

Menlo College chooses to go through rigorous accreditation processes to demonstrate ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education. When you go to an accredited college, you can be assured that the education you are receiving meets academic standards that are considered vital for your success.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Menlo College has earned AACSB accreditation (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), a distinction earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools. Menlo College is proud to be among the elite schools across the globe that have earned this accolade.

Menlo College is accredited by AACSB through 2031.

WASC Senior College and University Commission

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a nonprofit organization that is recognized as an institutional accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education. WSCUC accredits public and private higher education institutions as well as a limited number of institutions outside the United States.

According to WSCUC: “WSCUC accreditation aids institutions in developing and sustaining effective educational programs and assures the educational community and the general public that an accredited institution has met high standards of quality and effectiveness.”

Menlo College is accredited by WSCUC with a Notice of Concern through 2028. To learn more about WSCUC’s most recent Commission Action, you can read the July 2026 Commission Action Letter (linked), the 2026 Special Visit Review Team report (linked), and Menlo College’s response to the report (linked).

Rankings and Reviews

The Princeton Review – 15 Years as a Best College in the West

For the 15th year in a row, The Princeton Review has recognized Menlo College as a top business school and a “Best in the West.” The College’s commitment to a hands-on, leadership-oriented education contributes to the success of its students after graduation. Faculty members with real-world experience are also highly involved as leaders in academic projects, advisors in student clubs, and lifelong mentors of alumni.

In its ranking of the College as a “Best in The West,” The Princeton Review commended Menlo College for its real world grounding.

Carnegie Classification – Opportunity College and University

Menlo College has been designated an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This recognition highlights colleges that serve as models for expanding student access and supporting strong economic outcomes after graduation.

In 2025, only 479 institutions nationwide earned the Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation, representing about 16 percent of colleges included in the Student Access and Earnings Classification developed by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education.

Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll

Menlo College was named to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing four-year colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in supporting community college transfer students. In 2026, only 275 institutions nationwide earned this recognition. The Honor Roll evaluates colleges on transfer student success, credit mobility, financial support, recruitment and admissions practices, and campus engagement, highlighting institutions that help transfer students succeed from admission through graduation.

Forbes – Top 16% of Colleges in the Country and Top 8% for Low Student Debt, Salaries, and Future Prospects

Menlo College is now ranked among the top 16% of colleges in the country by Forbes magazine. In their list of America’s Top Colleges 2021, Forbes has rethought how to best rank colleges. By considering a college’s financial support of its students, ROI, as well as the top earnings of its graduates, Menlo now places among the top colleges in America.

Forbes also selected 500 top colleges to examine among the 5,300 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Menlo College was in the top 8.2% of them all. In their 2022 analysis, Forbes looked at: student debt, salaries after graduation, proven leadership and entrepreneurial success, and high graduation and retention rates.

CWUR (Center for World University Rankings) – Alumni Rank #45 in the World for Executive Positions at the World’s Largest Companies

Once again showing the success of Menlo College graduates, alumni rank #45 in the world for having held executive positions at the world’s largest companies.

This is a top 3% ranking among the nearly 1,600 colleges and universities the CWUR considered. The College also ranks in the top 7% globally for academic excellence, demonstrating that Menlo students are educated to achieve success at large companies and more.

Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University – Top 8.0% of Colleges in America for ROI among Low-Income Students

The Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University ranked Menlo in the top 8.0% of colleges in America for ROI among its low-income students.

This ranking was calculated based on the average price of a degree, graduation rate, and future earnings for this group of students. With these three factors, Menlo College ranks highly on ensuring Pell Grant recipient students achieve the same results as their non-Pell Grant recipient peers. Pell Grant recipients represent 35% of Menlo College students, and supporting them as they pursue their degrees is a priority for the campus community.

Academic Influence – #11 in Academic Stewardship

Adding to the new top college rankings is Menlo College’s ranking as #11 in Academic Stewardship by Academic Influence.

Alongside several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Menlo College is recognized for being financially efficient and mission-focused. In other words, as a small, private, mainly residential college with proven-ROI, Menlo College delivers the best possible education, experience, and outcome for its diverse student population.