The Top Undergraduate Business Programs


Use this interactive table to examine BusinessWeek's 2008 rankings

What a difference a year makes. When BusinessWeek ranked the nation's top undergraduate business programs last year, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School came out on top, with the University of Virginia a distant second. How distant? Relative positions are based on an "index number," which reflects the sum total of all five parts of our ranking methodology. As the No. 1 program, Wharton scored 100 points on the index, and Virginia 92.7--a chasm in a ranking where the differences between schools can be measured in tenths or even hundredths of a point.

This year, Virginia gained more than six points, coming within a hair's breadth of Wharton and the coveted No. 1 spot. The reason: Wharton's student and recruiter satisfaction ebbed somewhat, and Virginia's median starting salary for grads increased more than 10%, to $58,000. Last year's No. 7 school, Notre Dame, ousted University of California-Berkeley to reclaim the No. 3 spot it held in 2006, the first year of our ranking, a modest move of just four spots. But its performance on the index was even more impressive than Virginia's--it rocketed up 12 points, to 96.7.


Click column heading once to reorder from highest to lowest. Click twice to reorder from lowest to highest.
2008
Rank
2007
Rank
School Name
School Type
Program
Length
(in years)
Annual Cost(in dollars)
Full-time
Enrollment
Student
Survey
Rank
Recruiter
Survey
Rank
Median
Starting
Salary
MBA Feeder
School Rank
Academic Quality Rank
Index
Number
Faculty
Student
Ratio
Average
SAT Score
Average
ACT Score
Teaching
Quality
Grade
Facilities &
Service
Grade
Job
Placement
Grade
1 1 Pennsylvania
(Wharton) Philadelphia
Private4 35,9162,5198 7 60,0008 1 100.0 11.25 1439 NAA+ A+ A+ 

The No. 1 program three years running has it all: high-caliber faculty, students, and alumni.
2 2 Virginia
(McIntire) Charlottesville
Public2 8,6906521 44 58,0002 3 99.0 10.52 1350 NAA+ A+ A+ 

With top-flight faculty and high salaries, UVA came close to unseating Wharton at No. 1.
3 7 Notre Dame
(Mendoza) South Bend, Ind.
Private3 35,1871,6262 18 53,50012 6 96.7 18.07 1379 31 A+ A+ A+ 

Die-hard alums and an emphasis on ethics separate Mendoza from the pack.
4 10 Cornell
Ithaca, N.Y.
Private4 19,2917085 33 55,0001 13 91.9 19.14 1336 29 A+ A+ A+ 

Challenging and practical curriculum leaves grads well-prepared for first jobs.
5 4 Emory
(Goizueta) Atlanta
Private2 34,3366223 38 55,0009 7 91.2 9.72 1364 NAA+ A+ A   

Students like the accessible professors and hard-working career services-team.
6 5 Michigan
(Ross) Ann Arbor
Public3 12,5851,06917 15 60,0007 8 90.6 14.07 1332 30 B   A   A+ 

Rigorous curriculum and teamwork emphasis win praise, but students are no fans of strict grading.
7 8 Brigham Young
(Marriott) Provo, Utah
Private2 3,8401,6166 1 48,00021 33 89.2 18.16 1232 27 A   A+ A   

Students hail Marriott's emphasis on producing ethical future business leaders.
8 9 NYU
(Stern) New York
Private4 36,5242,33510 17 60,00024 4 89.0 11.73 1438 31.1 A+ A   A+ 

Finance focus and NYC location make Stern a magnet for Wall Street recruiters.
9 6 MIT
(Sloan) Cambridge, Mass.
Private3 34,9862464 49 61,11810 10 88.4 2.41 1387 31 A+ A+ A+ 

Training in quant skills is second to none, and undergrads get to take classes with MBAs.
10 13 Texas
(McCombs) Austin
Public4 8,9083,96915 2 49,50016 45 84.6 42.22 1315 28 A   A   A+ 

Accounting and honors programs get high marks, and recruiting wins raves.
11 3 UC-Berkeley
(Haas) Berkeley, Calif.
Public2 8,38470014 12 57,0006 55 82.3 35.00 1369 NAA   A+ A+ 

High-quality faculty, students, and recruiting give Haas the edge, but rugged grading curve irks some.
12 15 North Carolina
(Kenan-Flagler) Chapel Hill
Public2 5,34065812 52 53,5003 16 81.3 21.93 1331 NAA   A+ A   

Students applaud attentive profs and technology, but global focus makes UNC exceptional.
13 12 Villanova
Villanova, Pa.
Private4 34,9001,80411 25 50,00033 9 80.0 16.55 1295 29 A+ A   A+ 

Outstanding accounting program, but marketing majors feel neglected by recruiters.
14 14 Boston College
(Carroll) Boston
Private4 35,6741,97022 5 50,00015 30 79.6 26.98 1324 29 A+ B   A+ 

Real-world lessons, helpful career-services staff, and active alumni network give BC the edge.
15 16 Washington U.
(Olin) St. Louis
Private4 35,52475824 26 55,0005 24 77.7 11.66 1430 32 A+ A+ C   

Recruiting is a problem, especially in financial services, but profs and admin draw praise.
16 18 Indiana
(Kelley) Bloomington
Public4 7,9584,0699 14 50,00030 28 77.3 22.48 1253 28 A   B   A+ 

Integrative curriculum, combining finance, marketing, strategy, and operations, get raves.
17 19 USC
(Marshall) Los Angeles
Private4 35,8103,49730 3 58,00037 44 76.9 27.98 1370 NAA   A   A+ 

Extensive alumni network aids job searches, and faculty is tops.
18 22 Illinois
Urbana-Champaign
Public4 12,2322,64941 4 53,00018 29 75.8 26.49 1340 30 C   B   A+ 

Students praise attentive faculty and staff, and new state-of-the-art building under construction.
19 11 Georgetown
(McDonough) Washington, D.C.
Private4 35,7401,29739 42 60,0004 23 75.4 23.16 1355 30 A+ C   B   

D.C. location supplies global and political touch; Jesuit principles add an emphasis on ethics.
20 23 Richmond
(Robins) Richmond, Va.
Private2 38,85067020 88 51,75013 5 75.2 12.88 1284 29 A+ A   B   

Students cherish their small classes and close relationships with professors.
21 17 Wake Forest
(Calloway) Winston-Salem, N.C.
Private2 34,33041545 43 53,50017 2 74.6 15.96 1329 NAA+ A+ B   

Intense workload prepares students for the world of work, but grading policy hurts in job search.
22 21 Carnegie Mellon
(Tepper) Pittsburgh
Private4 37,54445065 31 60,00011 11 73.3 9.38 1389 30 A   C   B   

The workload is intense, but small-school feel and focus on quantitative skills are pluses.
23 24 SMU
(Cox) Dallas
Private4 33,1709177 90 48,50019 15 72.8 16.38 1396 32 A+ A   A+ 

Small classes, accessible professors, and Dallas-centric recruiting define the Cox education.
24 35 Miami U.
(Farmer) Oxford, Ohio
Public2 11,8752,02544 10 45,76626 14 72.6 15.34 NA26.9 A   B   A   

Accounting and finance programs make the grade, but lackluster advising is a sore spot.
25 20 Lehigh
Bethlehem, Pa.
Private4 35,6101,43431 24 55,00028 21 72.4 22.06 1298 NAA+ A   A   

Faculty gets raves, but recruiting is mixed— great for accounting, less so for marketing.
26 40 Rensselaer Polytech
(Lally) Troy, N.Y.
Private4 35,88537427 22 55,00036 25 71.6 12.06 1233 NAA   A+ A   

Technology focus and one-on-one attention from profs are pluses.
27 34 Fordham
New York
Private4 32,7201,86652 13 54,22158 34 67.3 20.50 1177 26 A   A   B   

Students like the focus on ethics and social responsibility. Some majors find job hunt tough.
28 33 Babson
Babson Park, Mass.
Private4 34,1121,79921 59 51,00043 20 65.9 20.21 1244 27 A+ A+ A   

Entrepreneurship program requires students to run a business. Grading, workload are tough.
29 29 William & Mary
(Mason) Williamsburg, Va.
Public2 9,16445336 83 52,22414 17 65.4 10.53 1307 29 A+ A   B   

Mason wins points for its best-of-class professors, intimate environment, and broad curriculum.
30 31 Bentley
Waltham, Mass.
Private4 32,8963,81018 50 47,50063 37 63.7 28.86 1230 26 A   A+ A   

Small classes are a hallmark of this program, but jobs go mainly to finance and accounting majors.
31 50 Texas A & M
(Mays) College Station
Public4 7,2663,85616 9 46,40040 83 63.3 33.24 1186 NAB   A   A+ 

Accounting and honors programs are strong suits. Some classes are less than challenging.
32 39 Texas Christian
(Neeley) Fort Worth
Private4 24,8651,72713 75 50,00041 43 63.3 27.41 1180 25 A   A+ A   

Leadership program shines, but tough grading and regional recruiting make job search difficult.
33 25 U. of Washington
Seattle
Public2 6,3851,75037 36 47,50039 26 63.2 20.83 1218 26 B   A+ A   

Students praise caring faculty and small community, but East Coast jobs can be elusive.
34 26 Northeastern
Boston
Private4 31,8992,92128 64 50,71665 22 63.2 22.82 1273 NAB   B   A+ 

Co-op work experiences provide a taste of the real world, but on-campus education is mixed.
35 27 Santa Clara
Santa Clara, Calif.
Private4 33,0001,86048 16 51,00044 53 62.3 29.06 1206 NAA   C   A   

Silicon Valley locale provides lots of learning and job opportunities, but other recruiting is limited.
36 38 Baylor
(Hankamer) Waco, Tex.
Private4 25,3402,56526 51 45,00056 27 62.1 21.02 1180 25 A   A   B   

Focus on ethics and integrity is applauded by many, but i-banks are few and far between.
37 28 Wisconsin
(Madison)
Public2 7,4601,31219 60 48,00023 42 61.8 24.75 1275 28 B   A   A+ 

Students say recruiters are fans of the program, but too many classes are taught by TAs.
38 36 Penn State
(Smeal) University Park
Public4 14,3435,49234 8 49,00050 76 61.1 49.04 1213 26 B   A   A   

Recruiting interest is substantial and supply chain program wins raves. High cost irks some.
39 48 Michigan State
(Broad) East Lansing
Public2 10,0902,06535 6 47,75042 72 61.0 24.88 1140 24 B   A   A   

Supply chain and honors programs are tops, but faculty and advising are sore spots.
40 74 Binghamton
Binghamton, N.Y.
Public4 6,01287079 11 57,00020 62 59.8 26.36 1281 26 C   B   B   

Students praise the school's intimate feel and responsive administration.
41 52 Case Western
(Weatherhead) Cleveland, Ohio
Private4 33,53840567 55 47,50057 12 58.5 13.50 1270 27 A+ B   C   

Small classes and attentive professors make learning easy, but workload can be intense.
42 37 Boston U.
Boston
Private4 34,9301,97960 66 49,14725 19 58.1 18.67 1285 28 A   A   C   

Cross-functional curriculum gets high marks; tough grading and spotty recruiting don't.
43 30 Maryland
(Smith) College Park
Public4 7,9682,87751 53 50,36038 35 57.7 20.85 1360 30 B   B   B   

Finance fellowship program gets high marks, but students doubt Smith's rep on Wall Street.
44 56 Georgia
(Terry) Athens
Public2 5,6222,38832 20 44,00047 66 56.7 24.12 1233 27 B   A   A   

Students praise the academic rigor, but say getting into upper-level classes can be hard.
45 NRLoyola College
(Sellinger) Baltimore
Private2 42,73092671 28 42,00045 18 56.7 14.94 1215 NAB   C   C   

Students like small classes and one-on-one attention from professors.
46 43 Florida
(Warrington) Gainesville
Public2 3,3722,17762 19 44,00052 47 55.9 21.77 1255 27 C   B   B   

Profs are helpful, but big classes, many taught by TAs, and tepid recruiting disappoint.
47 46 U. San Diego
San Diego, Calif.
Private4 32,5641,07746 47 47,00031 46 55.7 18.89 1175 26.1 A+ B   B   

Profs with a personal touch make this program shine, but some firms recruit for undesirable jobs.
48 42 Minnesota
(Carlson) Minneapolis
Public4 10,4981,86349 70 48,53251 38 55.1 29.57 1298 27.8 C   B   A   

Plenty of Twin Cities companies recruit, but easy classes and limited program offerings disappoint.
49 47 U. of Miami
Coral Gables, Fla.
Private4 34,7202,08942 84 45,00060 31 54.3 14.82 1268 28.7 B   A+ C   

Small classes and attentive profs satisfy students, but many top companies don't recruit.
50 32 Rutgers
New Brunswick, N.J.
Public2 10,94978089 21 54,00022 57 53.3 18.14 1223 NAC   C   B   

Accounting and finance programs shine; marketing and management don't.
51 53 George Washington
Washington, D.C.
Private4 39,2101,63969 54 47,46732 39 53.2 34.15 1270 27.4 A   B   C   

Location makes landing top jobs and internships a cinch.
52 NRSyracuse
(Whitman) Syracuse, N.Y.
Private4 31,6861,71061 37 50,00048 59 53.2 32.88 1186 25.2 B   B   B   

Students rave about new building, where classrooms have plasma screen TVs.
53 49 Marquette
Milwaukee
Private4 26,6781,53156 62 46,00061 36 53.1 23.55 1207 26.6 B   B   B   

Ethics-based curriculum and mentorship program get high marks; recruiting is largely regional.
54 51 James Madison
Harrisonburg, Va.
Public4 6,6663,69023 80 46,00053 63 52.9 30.25 1140 23 A   B   A   

Challenging curriculum and classes taught by profs, not TAs, make this program shine.
55 44 Georgia Tech
Atlanta
Public4 5,0381,24640 41 48,00055 65 52.3 23.14 1266 NAA   A   A   

Tech focus, small classes, and one-on-one attention are pluses. Tough grades irk some.
56 45 Clemson
Clemson, S.C.
Public4 9,9702,36643 87 49,00076 52 52.2 26.29 1213 26 B   A   B   

Leadership program has its fans, but TA-taught classes and lack of i-bank recruiters disappoint.
57 NRSeton Hall
(Stillman) South Orange, N.J.
Private4 37,8601,83881 32 52,49990 56 52.1 38.29 1168 NAB   C   C   

School wins praise for sports management program but top-name recruiters are scarce.
58 NRRochester Institute of Technology
(Saunders) Rochester, N.Y.
Private4 26,48169672 39 47,25064 40 51.2 15.13 1158 24 B   B   C   

Students like fast-paced quarter system and work experience gained through co-op program.
59 41 Ohio State
(Fisher) Columbus
Public4 9,6573,10929 30 45,07572 85 50.2 38.38 NA27 B   A   A   

Three honors programs provide advanced learning experiences, but faculty gets mixed reviews.
60 61 Delaware
(Lerner) Newark
Public4 7,7802,37750 85 44,78546 48 49.7 22.01 1201 NAA   A   A   

Big Four accounting firms and Delaware-based companies recruit, but i-banks not so much.
61 64 Connecticut
Storrs
Public4 8,8521,86775 81 50,00078 32 49.5 16.52 1227 26 C   C   B   

A favorite of Hartford-area recruiters, Uconn's small classes and caring faculty are pluses.
62 60 Purdue
(Krannert) West Lafayette, Ind.
Public4 8,3942,70358 35 46,50027 75 48.6 39.17 1160 25 C   B   A   

Emphasis on analytical skills and quantitative analysis appeals to many.
63 55 </