Top 10 Schools of Business as reported by U.S. News and World Report

1. Stanford University
2. Harvard University
3. Northwestern University
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6. Columbia University
7. University of California — Berkeley
8. Duke University
9. University of Chicago
10. University of Michigan — Ann Arbor

Neeley School ranks behind SMU, Vanderbilt

By Jillanne Johnson
Staff Reporter

The M.J. Neeley School of Business did not rank in the first tier of U.S. News and World Report graduate school rankings, released Monday.

TCU is ranked behind comparable schools, like Southern Methodist University, Rice University and Vanderbilt University.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, schools are ranked by reputation, placement success and student selectivity, each with specific surveys and statistical measures.

SMU and Rice ranked 35. Vanderbilt ranked 26.

Business school deans, assistant graduate deans and chancellors were unavailable for comment Monday on the new rankings.

“Raising to the first tier takes time to do, but with a new dean this year our goals are more resolute,” said Chuck Williams, associate dean for undergraduate studies at the Neeley School.

Williams said the business school’s goal to reach tier one status has been in the works since Bill Moncrief served as interim dean. However, the goal was not formalized until June 2000, after Bob Lusch was named the new dean.

“This is one of the things we talked about as we brought in candidates for the dean’s search,” Williams said.

Williams said getting the school’s name out is important.

“Awareness and reputation are a key part of the business (of raising rankings),” Williams said.

Williams said the funds raised for the Ryffel Center for Entrepreneurial Studies helps in many ways. As the entrepreneurial program begins to be recognized and MBA’s have the opportunity to work in state of the art facilities, it will effect the ranking.

Universities are also ranked by businesses which have hired students from top tier schools.

Dennis Grindle, SMU’s director of the Career Management office, said how businesses rank a university is based a lot on how they are impressed by that university.

“We are taking the product — the student — on the road,” Grindle said. “It’s all based on how you individually impress each employer.”

Placement success is based on the average starting salary of graduates. This year’s report shows TCU’s starting MBA salary at $60,447 compared to SMU’s $85,827 and Vanderbilt’s $77,904.

Last June, the MBA career services office was opened with three staff members.

Cody Dick, an MBA student, said he has worked closely with the career services center to find his job at Bank of America.

“A lot of TCU students are ahead in terms of getting a job,” Dick said. “There was a big push to find jobs in the fall.”

U.S. News and World Report releases rankings annually based on previous year information.

Jillanne Johnson
j.johnson@student.tcu.edu