Top Universities for Master’s in Supply Chain Management Degrees

The QS World University Rankings: Business Master’s Rankings now includes the QS Master’s in Supply Chain Management Rankings 2024. This list comprises of the top 80 global institutions offering master's degrees in supply chain management. The ranking is determined through a comprehensive methodology evaluating factors such as employability, alumni outcomes, value for money, thought leadership, and diversity. Data is gathered through a worldwide survey of employers and various sources. 

Read on to discover the 10 highest-ranked institutions for supply change management or click here to view the full table. 

Top 10 universities for master's in supply chain management degrees in 2024
Global rank	University	Location	Course
1	MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics	United States	Master's in Supply Chain Management
2	Michigan Ross	United States	Master of Supply Chain Management
3	WU Vienna University of Economics and Business	Austria	Supply Chain Management MSc
4	Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)	Netherlands	Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
5	EMLyon Business School	France	MSc in Supply Chain & Purchasing Management
6	USC Marshall School of Business	United States	Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management
7	Alliance Manchester Business School	United Kingdom	MSc Operations, Projects & Supply Chain Management
8	Trinity Business School	Ireland	MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management
9	Politecnico di Milano	Italy	International Master in Digital Supply Chain Management – Operations, Procurement and Logistics
10	University of Washington Foster School of Business	United States	Master of Supply Chain Management

Other top universities for supply chain management

There are plenty of universities all around the world that offer students a high-quality education alongside a great campus and leading research.

In North America, the US's University of San Diego Knauss School of Management and Canada's University Concordia John Molson School of Business. In Latin America, ESAN Graduate School of Business in Peru scores well.

In Europe, Scotland's Edinburgh Napier University Business School ranks well for diversity and value for money. Their campus community is comprised of a range of different people who are invested in their studies and committed to advancing their career prospects in a cost-effective way.

International University of Japan is a great Asian option for a master's in supply chain management. Africa has great universities such as Morrocco's Rabat Business School and, in Oceania, The University of Wollongong Sydney Business School ranks well across many indicators.

10. University of Washington Foster School of Business 

Location: Seattle, Washington, US

Starting off our roundup of the best universities to study supply chain management, in 10th place this year is the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.  

The university offers a one-year Master of Supply Chain Management programme. It’s integrated with strategic sourcing, channel management, big data analytics, cross-functional business expertise, and practical industry experience. 

The university excels in the value-for-money indicator, securing the top spot globally and ranking 3rd in the world overall. Additionally, its second-highest score for alumni outcomes underscores the promising future that awaits most graduates. 

9. Politecnico di Milano 

Location: Milan, Italy

The International Master in Digital Supply Chain Management of Politecnico di Milano is placed ninth globally in this year's rankings. Notably, it also earns the highest score for value for money indicator, as well as scoring highly for employability. 

The 12-month programme focuses on relevant areas of supply chain management such as supply chain big data and analytics, technology, innovation and sustainability. The course is taught entirely in English and is aimed at students with less than three years’ work experience. 

8. Trinity Business School

Location: Dublin, Ireland 

Next in the list and ranked eighth globally for its MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management is Trinity Business School in Ireland. The highest score attained by the university is for the class and faculty diversity indicator, demonstrating its inclusive learning and teaching environment. 

This programme includes 12 taught modules and provides students with essential tools to manage global and digitalised supply chain processes. It also emphasises risk monitoring, innovation leverage, and collaboration management, complemented by direct engagement with industry partners and guest speakers. 

7. Alliance Manchester Business School 

Location: Manchester, UK

Ranked seventh for its MSc Operations, Projects & Supply Chain Management degree, the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School was one of the UK’s first business schools, established in 1956. 

The MSc degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and after three years’ work experience, students can apply to become full members of CIPS. Alliance Manchester receives high scores for thought leadership and diversity, with students graduating with analytical skills and knowledge ideal for a large variety of careers. 

6. USC Marshall School of Business 

Location: Los Angeles, US

Next in our list of top universities for a master’s in supply chain management, is sixth-placed USC Marshall School of Business. The programme has earned a near-perfect score for the alumni outcomes indicator, for which it’s ranked second globally. 

Its Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management programme is a joint programme offered by the USC Marshall School of Business and the Viterbi School of Engineering. The course is flexibly designed around the student’s academic and professional goals with the options to be completed either online or on campus. 

5. emlyon Business School

Location: Lyon, France 

emlyon Business School, a newcomer to this year's rankings, is ranked fifth in the world for their MSc in Supply Chain & Purchasing Management. The university has scored well across all indicators achieving their highest score for alumni outcomes, for which it’s ranked eighth in the world. 

The MSc in Supply Chain & Purchasing Management at emlyon Business School is an 18-month long programme including a four-to-six-month internship. This programme empowers students, whether they are from foreign or French backgrounds, to gain a specialised and high-level education on the primary functions of supply chain and purchasing. 

4. Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) 

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

In fourth place again this year for its Master of Science in Supply Chain Management is Rotterdam School of Management’s Erasmus University (RSM). 

The course scores particularly well for both thought leadership and employability, with 99 percent of its students employed within three months of graduation and most graduates working in roles such as operations manager, procurement manager and production planner.  

The course also organises its own industry-specific career fair every November and RSM offers a range of other career events and services throughout the year.

3. WU Vienna University of Economics and Business 

Location: Vienna, Austria 

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business comes third this year in the list of the top universities to study a master’s in supply chain management. The school’s MSc in Supply Chain Management aims to help students gain a deeper understanding of supply chain related decision problems from a performance perspective. 

The course scores particularly well for alumni outcomes with the second-highest score for employability as over 80 percent of its graduates are in work six months after graduation. It also draws a substantial number of international students, comprising of over 79 percent of the class of 2023. 

2. Michigan Ross 

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States 

For another consecutive year, the Master in Supply Chain Management programme at Michigan Ross secures second position globally. The programme excels across all indicators, with its highest score attributed to alumni outcomes, closely followed by a strong performance in the value-for-money indicator. 

It is a 10-month STEM-certified programme for graduates with up to 10 years of work experience. It offers real-world supply chain insight, using the school’s extensive industry connections. The programme’s graduates can expect to earn an average starting salary of US$60,000-$130,000. 

1.  MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics 

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States 

The top school in the QS Master’s in Supply Chain Management rankings this year is MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics. In the school’s Master’s in Global Supply Management programme, students will get to work directly with researchers and industry experts on a range of complex problems across all aspects of supply chain management. 

Earning a perfect score for alumni outcomes, the programme also secures the second-highest position for value for money, and also performs well for employability.  

The curriculum equips students with skills essential for the international, highly competitive marketplace, emphasising practical, analytical problem-solving; leadership; and communication. Additionally, students get the chance to collaborate with MIT's partner companies to address real-world business challenges. 

FAQs 

What is supply chain management? 

Supply chain management involves overseeing the entire process of product creation, from the initial production stage to delivering the final product to consumers. It encompasses various aspects, including procurement, production, transportation, warehousing, and distribution.  

Effective supply chain management seeks to streamline these processes, reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and ensure the timely delivery of products or services to meet customer demands. It plays a critical role in the overall success and competitiveness of businesses across diverse industries. 

What does a supply chain manager do? 

A supply chain manager plays a crucial role in overseeing and optimising the end-to-end processes of logistics and supply chain management. This involves coordinating various elements, including procurement, production, transportation, and distribution, to ensure a seamless flow of goods and services. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, supplier relationship management, cost optimisation, and implementing efficient processes to meet organisational goals.  

Supply chain managers are key players in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Supply chain management jobs require professionals with expertise in logistics, inventory management, and strategic planning.