Smith School of Business

What Smith School of Business does

Smith School of Business is the business school of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, tracing its origins to 1919 when it launched Canada's first undergraduate business degree. The school serves approximately 3,863 students across undergraduate Commerce, multiple MBA formats (Full-time, Executive, Executive MBA Americas, Accelerated MBA), specialized master's programs (Master of Management Analytics, Master of Management in AI, Master of Finance, Master of International Business, Master of Financial Innovation & Technology, Master of Digital Product Management, Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship), MSc/PhD research degrees, and executive education. It is supported by 105 full-time and 58 part-time faculty, holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, PIM), and operates from Goodes Hall in Kingston with a downtown Toronto facility at Simcoe Place for executive programming.

The school's product portfolio is anchored by an Analytics and AI Ecosystem that bundles dedicated degree programs, the Scotiabank Centre for Customer Analytics, research centres, and industry partnerships, with additional capabilities in sustainable finance, entrepreneurship, and digital product management. Supporting platforms include SmithConnect (12,000+ member alumni network), Smith Business Insight (800+ research articles and thought-leadership content), SmithEdge (personal/professional development), and Smith Business Consulting (student-led client engagements). The technology base combines a 45,000 sq ft restored Victorian schoolhouse with 143,000 sq ft of modern teaching facilities, including a behavioural research lab and state-of-the-art classrooms.

Smith's revenue model is dominated by recurring tuition from degree programs, with FY2022 disclosed revenue of CAD $143.4M split across undergraduate/graduate programs ($97.3M, 68%), MBA programs ($35.3M, 25%), non-degree executive education ($2.8M, 2%), fundraising gifts ($9.5M), and endowment income ($5.2M). GTM operates through traditional academic admissions cycles, augmented by 131 international exchange partnerships across 43 countries, corporate recruiting through the Career Advancement Centre, and direct corporate engagement for executive education. As a publicly funded university unit, Smith is not separately incorporated; governance sits with Dean Wanda Costen (since March 2021), an Advisory Board, and a Global Council, with major donors and corporate partners (Scotiabank, CIBC, the Quinn family) funding chairs, centres, and named professorships.

Name

Smith School of Business

Legal name

Smith School of Business at Queen's University

Website

https://smith.queensu.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Smith School of Business is the business school of Queen's University in Kingston, Canada, serving 3,863 students across undergraduate, MBA, specialized master's, and executive programs. It is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, PIM) and offers an integrated Analytics and AI ecosystem anchored by corporate and donor-funded research centres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree) (EDAHAHAN), International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Business education
• MBA programs
• Executive education
• Undergraduate commerce
• Graduate management degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Academic Programs (Undergraduate, Graduate, PhD): Primary revenue from tuition and fees for degree programs including Commerce/BCom, Full-time MBA, Executive MBA, AMBA, MSc, and various Master of Management programs. Revenue breakdown shows undergraduate/PhD/MSc/Master of Management & Diploma at $97.3M (68%), MBA programs at $35.3M (25%) for FY2022.
2. Executive Education (Non-degree): Professional development programs for executives and organizations generating $2.8M (2%) in FY2022
3. Fundraising and Donations: Gifts and contributions from alumni and donors, with $9.5M in fundraising revenue in FY2022
4. Endowment Income: Investment returns from endowed funds generating $5.2M (4%) in FY2022

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Smith School of Business is a comprehensive business education institution offering degree programs at undergraduate, MBA, graduate, and executive levels. Core offerings include the undergraduate Commerce program (Canada's first business degree, established 1919), multiple MBA variants, specialized master's degrees in analytics, AI, finance, international business, and digital product management, plus executive education and graduate diplomas. The school supports its programs through the Smith Business Insight thought leadership platform, SmithConnect alumni network, and SmithEdge personal development framework.

Product overview

Smith School of Business is a comprehensive business education institution offering a portfolio of degree programs, executive education, certificates, and professional development. The core offerings include undergraduate Commerce (Canada's first business degree established in 1919), multiple MBA variants (Full-time, Executive, EMBA Americas), graduate programs (MSc, PhD, and various Master of Management degrees including International Business, Finance, Analytics, AI, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Financial Innovation & Technology, and Digital Product Management), plus graduate diplomas. Supporting platforms include SmithConnect (alumni network with 12,000+ members), Smith Business Insight (thought leadership), SmithEdge (personal development), and Smith Business Consulting (student consulting services). The school operates campuses in Kingston and Toronto.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smith Commerce (Undergraduate) Undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce degree program at Smith School of Business, Canada's first undergraduate business degree (established 1919), providing general management education with a focus on career preparation, leadership development, and experiential learning. Total program cost approximately $108,084 over three years.
• Full-time MBA Full-time Master of Business Administration program for professionals and recent graduates seeking career transition and leadership development. Achieved 98% employment within 3 months for the Class of 2021.
• Executive MBA Executive MBA program delivered at Smith locations for working professionals, ranked No. 73 globally by Financial Times.
• Executive MBA Americas National Executive MBA program delivered across Canada by video-conference, ranked No. 57 globally by Financial Times.
• Master of International Business International business graduate degree program ranked No. 1 in North America by Financial Times for two consecutive years.
• Master of Finance Finance-focused graduate degree program providing specialized finance education at the master's level.
• Master of Management Analytics Program training the next generation of managers in analytics and AI, part of Smith's Analytics and AI Ecosystem.
• Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence Graduate program focused on AI management and applications, part of Smith's Analytics and AI Ecosystem.
• Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting Smith's entrepreneurship ecosystem including Dare to Dream program.
• Master of Financial Innovation & Technology First program of its kind in Canada addressing the significant gap in fintech education at the master's level.
• Master of Digital Product Management First degree program of its kind in Canada for digital product management, addressing digital transformation leadership gaps.
• PhD / MSc Programs Research-intensive graduate degrees including Master of Science (MSc) in Management and PhD programs offering students the opportunity to develop critical thinking and research skills.
• Graduate Diploma in Accounting Graduate-level accounting credential offered by Smith School of Business.
• Graduate Diploma in Business Graduate-level business credential offered by Smith School of Business.
• Executive Education Non-degree professional development programs, certificates, and executive education for working professionals and organizations, generating $2.8M in FY2022 revenue. Delivered at SmithToronto and Kingston.
• Smith Business Insight Thought leadership platform featuring 800+ research-based articles, webinars, podcasts, videos and newsletters from Smith and Queen's faculty on business topics including leadership, marketing, finance, analytics, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
• SmithConnect Exclusive online student and alumni directory and engagement platform with over 12,000 members supporting networking and community.
• SmithEdge Smith's distinctive approach to personal development and professional/career preparation integrated throughout all programs.
• Smith Business Consulting Student consulting services connecting businesses with Smith student expertise to deliver projects for external clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of Commerce 2021 class employed within 6 months; 98% of Full-time MBA'21 employed within 3 months
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ESAN UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2024Beginning in 2027, ESAN's Bachelor of Business Administration students will have the opportunity to earn a Smith Commerce degree alongside their ESAN BBA through a double-degree pathway.
• Canadian Olympic CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership provides scholarships for Canada's Olympic and Paralympic athletes through Game Plan program, helping athletes plan for careers after sport. Athletes receive business education through Smith programs.
• Council on Business & SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmith is the first business school in North America to join this global alliance of schools dedicated to promoting responsible leadership, joining other leading institutions committed to addressing social and environmental challenges.
• Queen’s UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmith School of Business is part of Queen's University, aligning with the university's strategic framework including United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Queen's ranked in top 10 of Times Higher Education Impact rankings.
• Institute for Sustainable FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoused at Smith, the Institute for Sustainable Finance issues reports on Canada's transition to a low-carbon future and advances sustainable finance education and research.
• Scotiabank Centre for Customer AnalyticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre focused on customer analytics research and education, led by Ceren Kolsarici as director, advancing analytics and AI ecosystem at Smith.
• Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Social Impact (CEISI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports entrepreneurship ecosystem including Dare to Dream program, Queen's Entrepreneurs' Competition (QEC), UPstart Venture Challenge, and Queen's Venture Network with 4,000 members.
• International Exchange Partner SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor131 partner schools in 43 countries on 6 continents enable student exchanges. Recent additions include Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco) and Pan-Atlantic University (Nigeria) expanding African presence.
• City of KingstonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with City of Kingston and Kingston Economic Development Corporation to launch Kingston Business Support Network during COVID-19, connecting students with local businesses needing assistance.
• MitacsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal not-for-profit bringing together academia, private industry and government. Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program provided four-month paid internships to Smith students to support pivoting businesses during pandemic.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• INSEAD: Global business school with leading MBA and executive education programs that competes with Smith for international MBA applicants and corporate executive education contracts across multiple regions.
• Harvard Business School: Global elite business school that sets the benchmark for MBA, executive education, and case-method pedagogy that Smith's programs are designed around. Functions as the aspirational competitor for top Canadian MBA applicants and faculty.

Others

• Queen's University (parent institution): Smith's parent public university, providing shared infrastructure, brand, and accreditation umbrella. The university-level governance and budget process directly shapes Smith's strategic and operating decisions.

Direct peers

• Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto): Canada's largest and most internationally recognized business school offering undergraduate, MBA, and graduate programs with similar triple-crown accreditation. Most direct Canadian competitor to Smith for MBA talent, faculty, and corporate partnerships.
• Ivey Business School (Western University): Top Canadian business school with comparable undergraduate, MBA, and executive education offerings and triple-crown accreditation. Direct competitor for Canadian MBA market share and corporate recruiting relationships.
• Sauder School of Business (UBC): Western Canada's leading business school offering undergraduate, MBA, and graduate degrees with comparable triple accreditation. Regional competitor for Canadian student recruitment and faculty talent.
• Haskayne School of Business (University of Calgary): Canadian business school with similar undergraduate Commerce, MBA, and graduate programs; comparable analytics and energy-focused specializations. Competes with Smith for western Canadian MBA candidates and corporate partnerships.
• Schulich School of Business (York University): Large Canadian business school in Toronto with similarly broad undergraduate, MBA, and specialized masters portfolio. Competitor for Greater Toronto Area executive education and corporate partnerships.
• Desautels Faculty of Management (McGill University): Montreal-based triple-accredited business school with parallel undergraduate, MBA, and graduate programs. Competes with Smith for international student enrollment and Canadian MBA market positioning.
• John Molson School of Business (Concordia University): Montreal-based AACSB-accredited business school with parallel undergraduate, MBA, and graduate offerings. Direct competitor in the Quebec and international graduate student markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smithbusiness
• Facebookfacebook.com/smithbusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smith-school-of-business-at-queen's-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithbusiness

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smith School of Business