UA’s Eller MBA Surges Ahead in Global Rankings

By Liz Warren-Pederson, Eller College of Management January 26, 2009

The alumni-focused Financial Times survey places the Eller MBA No. 5 among U.S. public business schools.

The University of Arizona Eller College of Management's MBA was recognized among the world's best, according to Financial Times. The UK-based news organization has released the results of its 2009 global MBA survey, which place the Eller MBA 5th among U.S. public universities, 19th among all U.S. institutions and 41st in the world.

The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship was recognized at No. 9 in the world.

"The Financial Times rankings are significant because they measure educational return on investment," said Paul R. Portney, dean of the UA's Eller College of Management. "Graduates of the program are reporting strong career progress and salary gains – the tangible results that are essential in gauging the success of any MBA program."

Alumni career progression, diversity and faculty research productivity are the criteria used to develop the Financial Times rankings, which evaluate business schools from most of the world's economically developed and developing countries.

Principal weight is placed on career success of alumni, which is measured in terms of satisfaction, progress, placement success within three months of graduation and overall return on investment after three years.

The 2009 Financial Times rankings mark significant upward movement from the 2008 slots of 57th in the world and 27th in the country. The Eller College of Management also was recognized for its doctoral programs, which ranked 31st in the world.

The UA Eller College of Management is internationally recognized for pioneering research, innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship and social responsibility. U.S.News & World Report ranks the Eller undergraduate program No. 15 among public business schools and three specialties rank among the top 25 – Entrepreneurship, MIS and Supply Chain Management/Logistics.

The MPA program in the School of Public Administration and Policy ranks in the top 50. Financial Times ranks the Eller MBA full-time program No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 41 in the world, and Entrepreneurship No. 6 globally, and Forbes ranks the MBA program among the top 50 nationwide.

The College leads the nation's business schools in generating grant funds for research. In addition to a full-time MBA program, the Eller College offers an evening MBA program and the Eller Executive MBA.

The Eller College of Management supports more than 5,000 undergraduate and 600 graduate students on the UA campus.