U.S. News & World Report Ranks Smeal College MBA Program Among Top 50
Penn State’s Smeal College MBA Program ranks 33rd overall and 13th among public universities in the 2004 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” with the Supply Chain and Information Systems Program at Smeal ranking 7th in the nation in the category of Supply Chain/Logistics.
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- Penn State’s Smeal College MBA Program ranks 33rd overall and 13th among public universities in the 2004 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” with the Supply Chain and Information Systems Program at Smeal ranking 7th in the nation in the category of Supply Chain/Logistics.
The Smeal MBA Program, which ranked 43rd in the 2003 edition of the survey, tied with the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The rankings are based on qualitative evaluation of reputation by deans and recruiters; input metrics such as GMAT scores, GPAs, and selectivity; and output metrics such as employment rates and starting salary / bonus.
“With our renewed MBA program, we continue to build the Smeal MBA around the concept of action learning, providing our students with experiences packed with real-world relevancy,” says Robert Wheeler, Assistant Dean and Director of the Smeal College MBA Program. “While rankings can never tell the whole story, they are indicative of the overall progress we’re making and the increasing marketability of our students.”
The latest U.S. News rankings point to the market value of the Smeal MBA Program and its students. More than 85% of Smeal MBA students in 2002 were employed three months after graduation, a placement rate achieved by only 15 programs in the survey. Additionally, the favorable placement rates compared to the cost of the Smeal MBA indicate a strong return on investment from the program.
“The latest U.S. News report, coupled with the various other media rankings throughout the year, are beneficial in that they provide an independent viewpoint of our MBA program,” says Smeal College Dean Judy Olian. “Our high return on investment, the successful placement of our students after graduation, the stature of specific programs like Supply Chain and Information Systems, and the recruitment of internationally renowned faculty; these are just some of the factors that contribute to our continued ascent in quality and reputation.”
The Smeal College will continue its push forward with the upcoming construction of a 210,000 square-foot business building at University Park. Robert A.M. Stern Dean of the Yale School of Architecture and among the world’s most eminent architects is designing what will be the largest academic facility at Penn State. The building will serve as a model-learning environment for business in the 21st century. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on October 31, 2003, with completion set for summer 2005.
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