MBA rankings from reputable organizations are a widely used tool for prospective students to evaluate and compare different business schools. Understanding how ranking organizations determine a school’s score, what factors they consider and their assessment limitations can help you make the best choice for your business education. Here are the details of how MBA rankings are determined, factors to consider in your decision and why it matters.
How MBA Rankings Are Determined
Though the overall rankings often overlap, major ranking organizations differ in how they award ranks and weigh each school’s criteria. Bloomberg, a global business and financial media company, ranks schools based on compensation, learning, networking, entrepreneurship and diversity, while the US 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 alums three years after they’ve earned their degree, as well as school data and other research. The Princeton Review specifically focuses on the benefits for entrepreneurs, including the presence of an entrepreneurship center, the number of successful ventures started through the program, the courses offered, and the quality of faculty.
What each of these methodologies has in common is an interest in ranking based on post-graduate employment, salary increases and the program’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 the wealth of resources to narrow your MBA search, finding the information that matters can be 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 prepare you for the workplace and increase your future salary and allow you to get the job you want.
Beyond the Rankings: Qualitative Factors to Consider
When deciding on your MBA program, it’s not just about ranking numbers. Other factors play a significant part in your education, for instance:
- Specializations and concentrations offered by different programs
- Networking opportunities, culture and fit
- Personalized attention and support provided by schools like the Knauss School of Business
- Values and Mission of the School
A school's ranking often speaks to the program's overall value. 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" initiatives, giving you the potential to make real change in your field. These elements each impact 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
Evaluating rankings while assessing the return on investment and considering aspects like culture 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 just bonuses to 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.
