Harvard, Stanford and Duke Fuqua take the top spots — but there are big changes everywhere
Harvard Business School has topped Bloomberg's MBA ranking for the second year on the trot.And it wasn’t even close.
Harvard had more than a nine point lead on its nearest competitor, up from less than two points in 2015.
HBS was rated No. 1 by the more than 1,000 corporate recruiters surveyed to create the ranking, and No. 3 among its alumni. Its graduates left with the second highest salaries.
Stanford's Graduate School of Business is at No. 2, edging out Duke University's Fuqua School of Business by .08 percentage point for its highest ever Businessweek rank. Fuqua is No. 3, having topped the ranking in 2014.
There were shocking changes in the 2016 list of the best business schools.
Jones Graduate School of Business leapt 11 spots to secure a top-10 ranking for the first time. That puts it ahead of elite schools including Yale School of Management and Columbia Business School.
UCLA Anderson School of Management fell nine spots to No. 22. UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School dropped seven places to No. 24. And University of Michigan’s Ross School does not appear in the top-10 for the first time since Businessweek started the rankings in 1988.
There were notable risers among the Ivy League. Stanford and Fuqua both shot up five places. Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business rose nine places to No. 5, its best ever performance.
It's not good news for all the elite schools. Northwestern’s Kellogg School dropped six places to No. 9. Chicago's Booth School of Business slipped two spots to No. 4, a 16-year low.
The biggest winners and losers are at the lower end of the ranking. Iowa: Tippie and American: Kogod rose by 20 and 10 spots respectively to place at No. 35 and No. 43. North Carolina State: Jenkins and Texas Christian: Neeley fell 40 and 18 places respectively.
Bloomberg ranks business schools based on certain metrics. It places a 35% weight on a survey of MBA employers; 30% on a survey of business school alumni; 15% on a separate survey of recent graduates; 10% on starting salary; 10% on job placement rate.
Bloomberg's MBA ranking follows other rankings that are closely watched by the business school community.
Chicago Booth topped The Economist's ranking in October. Harvard topped the U.S News list in March. The Financial Times is due to publish its 2017 ranking in January. INSEAD came first in 2016.
Rankings are important because they serve as a guide to applicants who need to distinguish between programs.
Schools are often evaluated on the perception of how elite or prestigious they are seen to be in the market.
However business school leaders play down the importance of rankings and have publically criticized their methodologies.
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
Diversity
The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life
Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty.
What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth.
Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.
