Olin wins high marks from Fortune for consulting and healthcare management

Olin continues to rise in Fortune’s annual MBA rankings.

WashU Olin’s MBA program for consulting is #2 in the country, and its MBA program for healthcare management is #9, according to a new ranking from Fortune. The MBA program’s overall ranking was #21 in the publication, up 18 spots from the previous year.

“I’m pleased to see this recognition, especially in the area of health,” Olin Dean Mike Mazzeo said. “Olin is a premiere institution for the business of health, and we’re only getting stronger as we implement our new strategic plan.”

The business of health is one of three key initiatives in the plan, which Mazzeo unveiled in November.

Health is an enormous sector in the global economy. It’s also an area of longtime strength in the St. Louis community. The recently launched strategic plan envisions Olin as the premier institution for the business of health and an engine for innovation at WashU.

Olin is leveraging partnerships with WashU Medicine and the planned School of Public Health, BJC, and other major healthcare systems. It’s also working with the region’s life science ecosystem and health companies, along with Olin’s highly successful alumni network in the business of health.

Dr. Eric C. Luethardt, EMBA 2024, is one such alumnus. In addition to his role as the division chief of Neurotechnology at WashU Medicine, Leuthardt is CEO and founder of Aurenar Inc. Aurenar is a neurotechnology company that’s developing a noninvasive wearable, disposable device that can reduce inflammation in patients in intensive care, thereby improving their outcomes.

Olin gave me the skills, the wherewithal, and the confidence to lead, to be the CEO of my first company.

—Eric C. Luethardt, EMBA 2024

Meanwhile, consulting is of strong interest for incoming MBA students. Some 34% of the incoming fall 2024 students were interested in consulting as an industry, and 44% were interested in consulting as a part of their careers.

“Consulting helps companies solve problems and create value,” said Ye Kou, who received her MS in Business Analytics in 2023 and studied consulting. “A consultant is like a doctor. After ‘diagnosing,’ we provide the company with general and detailed reform plans and help implement the plans.”

She said Olin’s culture attracted her.

“The professors and staff are trying to impart an applicable lifelong learning theory so that even when we leave Olin, we still have a strong learning ability.”

Plus, at Olin, “you can be anyone you want to be. No matter what your gender, personality and hobbies are, there is always a development platform suitable for you. Your growth is far more than just a degree.”