About the Mike Ilitch School of Business

Forge your future in downtown Detroit

Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, established in 1946, is proud to be a part of the history of Detroit and its revitalization. With our world-class faculty and access to the region’s business community, it’s no surprise the Ilitch School is consistently names the Ilitch School among the best business schools in the nation.

The Ilitch School of Business offers undergraduate programs, minors, certificates, Ph.D. and master's graduate programs, including a master of business administration program with 13 concentrations. Take advantage of our flexible degree options, including online courses, and partnerships with 800 employers to jumpstart your career. And, of course, build and discover networking opportunities through our 15+ business-focused student organizations.

We invite you to explore the Ilitch School of Business, where you can experience Detroit’s rich history and receive the tools you need to shape your future.

By the numbers

Gartner Research ranks our global supply chain program in the top 25 in North America.

We offer our undergraduate and graduate business students over $700,000 in scholarships annually.

Our 120+ full-time and part-time faculty are internationally recognized experts in their field and contribute to cutting-edge research that is impacting the world today.

A female business student sits at a table smiling in front of a conference room window showing downtown Detroit

Our home in The District Detroit

Thanks to a $40 million gift from Mike and Marian Ilitch in 2015, Wayne State University’s business school became the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Through this investment, the school moved into a new, state-of-the-art building in downtown Detroit in 2018. Equipped with the latest technology and collaborative spaces, it’s a place where students thrive and spark meaningful connections.

Visit the Ilitch School

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Opportunities for all

The Ilitch School’s Institute for Leadership and Diversity (ILEAD) champions organizational diversity and inclusive leadership on campus and beyond. Learn about our research reports, development opportunities, and collaborations with government and corporate partners.

Learn about ILEAD

Learn about our Leadership

Learn about the people and principles that oversee and support the Ilitch School of Business.

Meet the dean

With a wealth of experience and a passion for students, Dean Virginia Franke Kleist is committed to guiding our institution toward greater heights.

Get to know Dean Kleist

Our mission

We seek to prepare students for challenging careers, foster innovation and be an essential part of the economic growth of Detroit, and beyond.

Read our mission and strategic plan

Board of Visitors

We are honored to have a diverse group of alumni, business leaders and community members serve on the school's board of visitors.

Discover the Board of Visitors

Our students and graduates

About 40% of our 2,800 undergraduate business students are minority students. In fact Wayne State University has the most diverse student body in Michigan.

More than half our undergraduate business students work at least part-time while earning their degrees.

We have more than 40,000 business alumni, and many are top-level executives across metro Detroit and beyond.

AACSB accreditation

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) provides a global benchmark of excellence for business education. The Ilitch School is proud to be part of the 5% of business schools worldwide to receive that distinction.

Learn about AACSB accreditation

Discover more

Explore more of what the Ilitch School of Business has to offer.

Connect with us

Get to know the Mike Ilitch School of Business by visiting our campus, emailing our faculty and staff or connecting with us on social media.