Top Global Business School Rankings
based on leading international rankings: Financial Times, QS, The Economist, and others
Ratings compiled by various international agencies and organizations, such as Financial Times, QS, and The Economist, play an important role in the analysis and selection of business schools. These rankings help students assess the quality of education, the school's reputation, graduate career prospects, and other important aspects. Let's consider the main business school rankings that are authoritative on a global level:
1. Financial Times Business School Rankings
The Financial Times (FT) ranking was first published in 1999. Today, it is one of the most influential and respected global business school rankings, especially concerning MBA, Executive MBA, Masters in Finance, and Masters in Management programs. FT is based in London and targets an international business audience.
Evaluation Criteria:
Financial Times uses various indicators to assess business schools, including:
This ranking also emphasizes gender diversity and the level of international mobility among students.
Evaluation Criteria:
Financial Times uses various indicators to assess business schools, including:
- Average salary of graduates after completing the program and its growth over three years
- Career advancement of graduates
- International composition of students and faculty
- Academic publications and research
- Percentage of faculty with doctoral degrees
This ranking also emphasizes gender diversity and the level of international mobility among students.
4. Shanghai Ranking (Academic Ranking of World Universities - ARWU)
The Shanghai Ranking, also known as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), was developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003. This ranking was initially created to assess the academic achievements of universities but later included rankings by discipline, including management and business.
Evaluation Criteria:
Shanghai Ranking focuses on the academic reputation and publication activity of universities:
Evaluation Criteria:
Shanghai Ranking focuses on the academic reputation and publication activity of universities:
- Number of published scientific articles in international journals
- Number of Nobel laureates among faculty and alumni
- Citation index of scientific publications
- Results of international scientific competitions and grants
2. QS World University Rankings: Business Schools
QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is a British company that began publishing its university rankings in 2004. In the category of business schools, QS also publishes separate rankings for MBA and master's programs in management and finance. QS specializes in providing information about higher education, particularly for students wishing to study abroad.
Evaluation Criteria:
QS evaluates schools based on the following indicators:
Evaluation Criteria:
QS evaluates schools based on the following indicators:
- Reputation in academia and among employers (results from surveys of thousands of academics and employers worldwide)
- Graduate salary levels and their career achievements
- Degree of internationalization of programs
- Ratio of faculty to students and the qualifications of the teaching staff
3. The Economist: Which MBA?
The Economist's MBA ranking was first published in 2002 and is considered a reputable source for economic and business research. It focuses on MBA programs offered by business schools worldwide.
Evaluation Criteria:
The Economist evaluates MBA programs based on:
Evaluation Criteria:
The Economist evaluates MBA programs based on:
- Career growth expectations
- Quality and diversity of the faculty
- Alumni network and career opportunities
- Student experience and satisfaction
6. Forbes MBA Rankings
The Forbes MBA ranking, established in 2001, focuses on the cost-benefit ratio of MBA programs, assessing their long-term financial returns.
Evaluation Criteria:
Forbes evaluates based on:
Evaluation Criteria:
Forbes evaluates based on:
- Return on Investment (ROI) post-MBA
- Graduate income levels before and after the program
- Cost of education relative to career prospects
5. Bloomberg Businessweek MBA Rankings
The Bloomberg Businessweek MBA ranking, first published in 1988, is one of the oldest and most respected assessments of MBA programs globally.
Evaluation Criteria:
The ranking relies on surveys from students, alumni, and employers, alongside statistical data:
Evaluation Criteria:
The ranking relies on surveys from students, alumni, and employers, alongside statistical data:
- Student satisfaction with the MBA program
- Career opportunities provided by the business school
- Alumni network and salary levels post-graduation
- Program alignment with employer expectations
For students, it's crucial to understand which criteria matter most: academic reputation, career opportunities, cost of education, or international connections, as this will guide their school selection.
These rankings offer different approaches to evaluating business schools. Financial Times and QS focus on academic reputation and career prospects, while The Economist and Bloomberg emphasize student satisfaction and career outcomes. Shanghai Ranking targets scientific achievements, and Forbes assesses the cost-to-income ratio post-graduation.