UC Irvine - Merage School of Business

Top industry executives continually provide the Merage School input on how they see their respective industries changing through the impact of technology. Our transformed curricula reflect new business needs in the contemporary world, focusing on actionable ideas and building a new set of competencies suited to the digital age. Experience-based decision-making skills are integrated into the curriculum with data-driven decision-making at the forefront. Experiential learning components continue to provide real-world education, allowing teams of students to immerse themselves in valuable projects with area companies.

Located in the heart of Orange County’s “Tech Coast,“ the Merage School is surrounded by a network of cutting-edge businesses in an evolving ecosystem of tech firms including Amazon, Google, and Western Digital, plus digitally-savvy firms including Capital Group, Disney, Experian, Hyundai, Pacific Life, and Taco Bell. It is in this environment that the Merage School prepares students for the disruptive technology forces they will encounter as future business leaders.

Strategic Plan

Agility is key to survival in our rapidly changing global economy. The Paul Merage School of Business develops and equips leaders with critical business and leadership skills needed to succeed through programs that are continually adapted to address the ever-changing social, technological and economic opportunities and challenges in our digitally driven world. We offer three dynamic MBA programs, a Master of Professional Accountancy, Master of Finance, Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Biotechnology Management, MS in Engineering Management, PhD, and undergraduate business degrees that focus on creative and critical thinking skills, strategic decision-making, leadership, innovation, and collaboration through in-class and on-site experiences with real-world business problems. While the Merage School is relatively young (established in 1965), it has quickly grown to consistently rank among the top 5% of all AACSB-accredited programs through exceptional student recruitment, world-class faculty, a strong alumni network and close relationships with both individual business executives and global corporations. We combine the academic strengths, diversity and best traditions of the University of California with the cutting-edge, entrepreneurial spirit of Orange County in the heart of Southern California’s Tech Coast.

Vision

To be at the forefront of education and research among globally preeminent business schools.

Mission

Develop globally-competitive transformational leaders in a diverse, collaborative, student-centric community where academic excellence and practical application coalesce.

Our Strategic Identity

We are a business school committed to serving our students, alumni, business partners and academic communities. Together we share a core strategic identity.

• Who We Are: We are ambitious. We are intellectually hungry. We have a calling to deliver educational excellence valuing diversity, collaboration, inclusivity and respect. We celebrate both the academic tradition of the University of California and our innovative spirit as one of its youngest campuses.
• What We Do: We provide thought leadership and train professionals to drive value for a lifetime – for the future of business and society, locally, nationally and globally.
• Where We Do It: We are the heart of the business community of Orange County, California; a vibrant ecosystem with global reach. As such, we are uniquely positioned to attract scholars, students and partners, domestically and internationally.
• How We Do It: We foster collaboration across our students, faculty, university and community. We excel by providing access to, and growth within, our programs, faculty and staff. We innovate operationally to ensure we remain relevant and cost effective in a rapidly changing world.

Year after year, the Merage School and its programs consistently place among the top rankings nationally and globally. Worldwide, aspirational business leaders choose the Merage School, realizing that this unique combination of curriculum, career advancement, collaboration and most importantly – culture – is nearly unparalleled in peer institutions.

Most recently, our undergraduate program ranked #30 in the nation – the fourth year in a row that the Merage School is ranked among the top 50 programs – all this for an undergraduate major that was established less than ten years ago. Be a part of the Merage School’s rise to the top and experience a young university whose name gains more recognition and greater prestige each year. Take a look at our recent accolades below. Be here for what comes next.

• #8 Full-Time MBA Among Public Institutions
• 117% increase in salary reported between pre- and post-MBA jobs
• #1 world rank for percentage of female faculty
• #8 Full-Time MBA Among Public Institutions (Financial Times, 2021)
• #21 Full-Time MBA in the U.S. (Financial Times, 2021)
• #8 Executive MBA among U.S. based schools and #58 worldwide (Financial Times, 2020)
• #25 Full-Time MBA in the U.S. and #40 worldwide (The Economist, 2021)
• #26 Part-time MBA in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)
• #8 Public University (U.S. News & World Report, 2021 Best Colleges)
• #1 in the world for percentage of female faculty (Financial Times, 2021)
• #17 Executive MBA in the U.S. and #27 worldwide (The Economist, 2020)
• #30 Undergraduate Business program in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report, 2022)
• Top 25 Master’s in Accounting at schools with 15 or fewer full-time Accounting Faculty (PAR Extra)
• #16 - Master’s Accounting Programs (PAR Main Issue, 2019)
• #3 in the world for percentage of female students (Financial Times, 2021)

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