University of Arkansas defends pole position, University of Tennessee, and University of South Carolina complete Top 3.

For the first time, ranking includes 100% online programs, in addition to hybrid and on-campus programs.

Curricula have mostly standardized, putting other criteria such as experiential learning and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in focus.

Education institutions reacted to the changing environment and designed programs with a bigger focus on risk and sustainability.

Gartner, Inc. has released the findings from its biennial Top 25 North American Supply Chain Undergraduate Programs report. Fifty-five institutions in the U.S. and Canada participated in the survey.

The report is intended to support chief supply chain officers (CSCOs), heads of supply chain strategy and supply chain HR partners to identify the programs best equipped to support their growing talent needs.

'During the course of the pandemic, the higher education landscape changed massively,' said Dana Stiffler, distinguished VP analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain practice. 'Our methodology changed as well. While our 2020 ranking only included on-campus and hybrid programs, this year's ranking also includes 100% online programs.'

The ranking was revealed at Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo, taking place in Orlando, Fla. through Wednesday.

The University of Arkansas led the undergraduate ranking at No.1, retaining its position (see Table 1). The University of Tennessee moved up from the sixth position in 2020 to the No. 2 position in 2022. The University of South Carolina was ranked at No. 3. 'The University of Arkansas retained the pole position - they have developed an excellent curriculum and strong industry partnerships,' Stiffler said.

Auburn broke back into the top 5, jumping 3 spots to secure No.4 position. Rutgers University remained a mainstay of the top 5 undergraduate programs for the third cycle in a row at No.5.

Table 1: Top 25 North American Undergraduate Supply Chain Programs

Rank

Program

1

University of Arkansas

2

University of Tennessee

3

University of South Carolina

4

Auburn University

5

Rutgers University

6

University of North Texas

7

Northeastern University

8

University of Texas, Dallas

9

University of Houston

10

Pennsylvania State University

11

University of Illinois

12

Arizona State University

13

University of Texas, Austin

14

Western Michigan University

15

Georgia Institute of Technology

16

University of Minnesota

17

Texas Christian University

18

Western Washington University

19

Marquette University

20

University of Oklahoma

21

Wayne State University

22

Texas A&M University

23

Syracuse University

24

Purdue University

25

Bowling Green State University

Source: Gartner (June 2022)

Additional trends to note:

Curricula in the Top 25 have standardized. Supply chain leaders must use other criteria, such as experiential learning, DEI initiatives, location, or cost to determine best education partner for their organization.

The top programs tend to be more competitive and expensive, so there is an incentive for leaders to look beyond the top 15.

In accordance with recent developments in supply chain, many programs put a bigger focus on sustainability and risk management.

About the Gartner North American Supply Chain University Program Survey

Gartner sent out individualized request for information (RFI) links to supply chain program contacts at universities in the U.S. and Canada. In total, 55 undergraduate programs provided complete RFI responses for degree programs. The final placement of university programs in Gartner's relative comparison is based on a composite score of three categories: program scope, industry value and program size.

More information about other Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 can be found here.

Highlights and announcements from Day 2 of Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo are available here.

About Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo

Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo delivers the must-have insights, strategies and frameworks for CSCOs and supply chain leaders to drive impact within their organizations. Supply chain leaders will gather to gain a strategic view of the trends disrupting their business and the insights and frameworks they can use to prepare for disruption, enable digital transformation and build sustainability as a competitive advantage.

Upcoming dates and locations for Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo:

September 27-29: London, U.K.

About the Gartner Supply Chain Practice

The Gartner Supply Chain Practice provides actionable, objective insights for supply chain leaders and their teams, so they can respond to disruption and innovate for the future through leading-edge supply chain management practices. Additional information is available at https://www.gartner.com/en/supply-chain. Follow news and updates from the Gartner Supply Chain Practice on Twitter and LinkedIn using #GartnerSC. Visit the Supply Chain Newsroom for more information and insights.

Media Contacts

Sarah Hippold

Gartner

sarah.hippold@gartner.com

(C) 2022 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire