Undergraduate business program ranked by BusinessWeek

BusinessWeek magazine has ranked the undergraduate business program of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Business 28th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten. Last year, Wisconsin was ranked 27th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin’s undergraduate business program received high marks for value. The magazine ranked Wisconsin sixth in the nation in terms of return on investment, based on tuition costs and median salaries.

The rankings were based on a satisfaction survey of graduating seniors; a poll of corporate recruiters on quality of graduates, curricula and career services; and other measures, such as starting salaries. An additional 30 business schools were included in the ranking this year, making it increasingly competitive.

Wisconsin is ranked 13th in the other major media ranking of undergraduate business programs conducted by U.S. News and World Report, based on a national survey of business school faculty and administrators.

Michael Knetter, dean of the UW–Madison School of Business, said he was pleased the school’s BusinessWeek ranking stayed virtually unchanged despite the additional schools ranked this year.

He noted that both the undergraduate and MBA programs at UW–Madison have been ranked among the best in the nation for return on investment. Wisconsin’s MBA program is ranked fourth in the nation for return on investment by BusinessWeek.

“We consider rankings carefully,” Knetter said, “but our primary focus is on the fundamentals of our educational programs and student outcomes. The caliber of students admitted to our undergraduate program is very high; they are highly sought after by employers and we are working on important changes to our undergraduate program that we think will improve the student experience and their success in the workplace.”