Almost anyone in business can tell you, the world of business is becoming increasingly global. I’ve made no bones in the past about how important an MBA can be for ones future prospects at getting ahead. Though I am still debating as to whether this is because of the skills you learned due to your MBA studies or the sheer fact that you achieved an MBA. It could be both. Assuming that the fact that you have an MBA does in fact outweigh the skills you learned achieving your MBA, it would then be important to consider the best possible colleges and universities from which your sheepskin is minted.
According to the Economist.com the United States only has 2 schools that maintain top 10 status globally. At number one is The University of Florida's Warrington School of Business. Seriously now, is there anything the University of Florida isn’t good at? I mean from BCS football champs in 2006-2007 to their championship basketball team in the same season, the Gators just don’t know how to share the spotlight.
Coming in at a distant number 7 is the expensive yet semi-prestigious
Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Everyone else seems to be dispersed among Spain, France and most heavily in Britain. Did I mention that the Economist.com is a British website? Not that I’m accusing anyone of bias here, but according to the British, they rule.
I can agree with the author on one thing however when he/she writes “The idea that distance-learning programmes are in some way the “poor relation” of the MBA, particularly compared with full-time programmes, is no longer tenable” (economist.com, 2008).
You have their top performing school at number 3, Warwick Business School, then at number 6 you have Henley Management School. Coming in at number 8 you have Manchester Business School then of course you have Harry Potter’s alma mater (not really) Open University at number 9. Dragging the list you have Bradford University School of Management, they’re famous for their cheerleaders. Not really, I don’t think the British “cheer” but they do have soccer hooligans who can tootsie-roll your head off your shoulders!
So why do you think a tiny little island in the Atlantic that has been divided into three countries (for the most part) would beat the U.S. schools in global business? You don’t think it has anything to do with geography do you? Could it be that U.S. schools are behind in the global business perspective? Well, no matter how you slice it, if flying all over the world making savvy business decisions and earning your MBA online sounds like your cup of Earl Grey tea, check out
http://www.economist.com/markets/rankings/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10590282.
Make sure you read the full report and methodology however. If you wanted to attend a top 10 Global MBA program, this list isn’t too far off base it seems. Even someone as cynical as I am can admit that.
I will toss in a personal note however, I have been particularly impressed with the concept that drives the Open University in England, I won’t spoil the surprise for you, just check them out.
http://www.open.ac.uk/The United States needs a counterpart to this school.