Business Week University Rankings 2012

Are you considering going to business school? If so, BusinessWeek can help you learn more about the best options in the United States and internationally with their annual college rankings. This list is a great way to start gathering more information about the schools that interest you most.

About BusinessWeek

BusinessWeek was founded in 1929 and today has nearly one million subscribers, as well as millions of online readers. They first began compiling their list of business schools in 1988. At this time, the rankings only included MBA programs, but in 2006, they added another list, which rankings undergraduate schools. In order to help students find the programs that most closely meet their needs, they actually compiled a number of different lists, into which all MBA and undergraduate programs are categorized. These lists are as follows:

  • Executive MBA (EMBA) Programs
  • Full-Time MBA Programs
  • Part-Time MBA Programs
  • Non-Degree Executive Education
  • Undergraduate Programs
  • Distance Learning Programs

Ranking Methodology

Their methodology for ranking each school depends on the category, but some of the factors that are considered for these lists include student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, publication by professors in professional journals, alumni networks, and internship availability. For the EMBA list, they also have students rate the curriculum and assess the ability of their peers.

Not only is the BusinessWeek list one of the few college rankings lists that rates only business schools, but this list is also one of the few that surveys both students and colleges. This gives the list a unique perspective, since you’ll be reading information based on what current and recent students think of their programs. Students in business programs across the country are asked to participate in a 40- to 50-question survey, so BusinessWeek can understand each college through the eyes of the students attending. Of course, this means that some schools are left out simply because they choose not to have their students take the survey or because there is a low participate rate among students.

As with all college ranking lists, you need to take this one with a grain of salt. While this can be a great resource to use when comparing programs, no college lists are perfect, since there are subjective factors that are important to you and not used in the methodology for list creation. Do you want to go to a school close to home, for example? Visit as many campuses as possible, participate in overnight and weekend programs to learn more about life on campus, and talk to current professors and students to get a feel for each school you are considering. Whether you’re going into an MBA program or just looking and undergraduate programs for a bachelor’s degree in business, the BusinessWeek rankings are only a start when choosing the best program for you.

Featured Online Universities in America

Sponsored Listing

The Internet has revolutionized education so that now you can earn a degree entirely online from the comfort of your home. This is perfect for working professionals or anyone who wants to get ahead in a career without having to go to a physical campus everyday.

LOOKING FOR AN ONLINE DEGREE?

Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.