MBA rankings from reputable organizations are used widely by prospective students to evaluate and compare different business schools. Understanding how ranking organizations determine a school’s score, what factors they consider and their limitations can help you make the best choice for your business education. Here are the details of how MBA rankings are determined, and why you should definitely consider other factors when making your decision.
How MBA Rankings Are Determined
There is no doubt rankings contribute to a business school's overall reputation. But how exactly are they determined?
Reputable ranking organizations will always publish methodologies alongside their rankings, and they differ in how they weigh each school’s criteria and award ranks. Bloomberg, a global business and financial media company, uses surveys of alumni and students to rank schools according to compensation, learning, networking, entrepreneurship and diversity. U.S. News & World Report combines successful placement statistics and earnings with academic metrics and opinions by business schools, corporate recruiters and company contacts on overall program quality to make their list. Financial Times takes a different route and ranks schools using collected information from alumni three years after they’ve earned their degree, as well as school data and other research. The Princeton Review creates one big list of top b-schools, and then ranks schools by subcategories based on distinguishing features, such as "Best Career Prospects" and "Greatest Resources for Women."
Although their methodologies can be confusing, what most MBA ranking lists have in common is an interest in post-graduate employment, salary data and a school’s academic reputation. Understanding the differences in metrics for a school’s ranking can equip you to decide where to get your MBA.
The Return on Investment of an MBA Program: Does It Matter Where You Get Your MBA?
With a wealth of resources to narrow your MBA search, finding the information that matters can feel overwhelming. Impartial ranking systems can give you an easy starting point to dive into discerning your MBA school's value and return on investment.
In addition to giving you a better experience and education, a program’s rank can influence your employment opportunities post-graduation. You can use MBA rankings to assess scholarships, tuition costs, curriculum, faculty, alum base and industry connections to see different schools' potential value and ROI. A school with high-ranking assets will not only prepare you for the workplace, but can also increase your future salary and allow you to get the job you want.
Beyond the Rankings: Qualitative Factors to Consider
Although they can be a useful starting place, you should never rely on rankings alone to determine the best MBA fit for you. Other factors play a significant part in your education, for instance:
- Specializations and concentrations offered by different programs
- Networking opportunities
- Location of the school, which can influence opportunities post-graduation
- Personalized attention and support provided by schools like the Knauss School of Business
- Culture, values and mission of the school
A school's ranking often speaks to the program's overall value, and the Knauss School of Business ranks definitively high on national lists regarding value.
Evaluating Knauss School of Business’s MBA Programs and Rankings
Knauss School of Business takes all factors that go into rankings seriously regarding career advancement, specialized knowledge, networking and industry recognition. Knauss also sets itself apart from other schools with a specific focus on "business for good" — integrating business with the higher purpose of making meaningful change in the world. These elements each impact your educational experience and career growth by preparing you for success with real-world experience and giving you the network and skills to get there.
Here are some of Knauss School of Business’ top rankings:
- #1 Most Beautiful Campus In America - The Princeton Review
- #4 Greatest Resources for Women - The Princeton Review
- #7 Most Family-Friendly - The Princeton Review
- #8 Best Green MBA - The Princeton Review
- #11 MBA for Diversity (#2 in California) - Bloomberg Businessweek
- #17 MBA for Entrepreneurship (#4 in California) - Bloomberg Businessweek
- #20 Best Part-Time MBA in the U.S. (#4 in California) - Fortune
- #58 Best MBA in the U.S. (#7 in California) - Fortune
Aside from rankings and other factors, Knauss provides unique MBA concentrations:
- Business Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Organizational Leadership
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
Find Your Value-Focused MBA at USD
At best, MBA rankings are an indicator of the quality of a school and a helpful tool for comparison. But it would be unwise to rely on rankings alone to determine the right MBA fit for you.
Considering aspects like culture, mission, class size and concentrations can help you find the right program to fit your future in business. USD’s MBA program ranks high for academic prowess, business preparation and diversity, which are all informed by the school’s dedication to business for good.
Earn your MBA from a value-focused school and set the proper foundation for your career at USD.
