Princeton Review cites KU's MBA program among best

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Business and its Master of Business Administration program earned high praise in The Princeton Review’s 2012 edition of “The Best 294 Business Schools.” The publication, released in October, credited the KU MBA program for its educational individualization, international study opportunities and student body diversity.

The Princeton Review created its 2012 rankings from 19,000 student surveys among 294 business schools across the country. Respondents were asked to rate multiple attributes of their business schools, including professors, job placement, campus life and academic environment.

The publication credited the MBA program for providing an individualized approach for each of its students. “One MBA candidate reported that ‘if you want to try something different or want to attend a conference, they support you 100 percent of the time,’” the publication said.

“We intentionally keep our MBA program small enough so that we know everyone, we know their career goals, and we’re able to design an individualized education for each student,” said Dee Steinle, administrative director of the school’s master’s programs.

"While I am elated the KU MBA program received high recognition from The Princeton Review, I'm not necessarily surprised,” said Tom Belot, second-year MBA student. “The program offers more than just classes and open job positions. It offers students a fantastic experience and a strong sense of community. We succeed collectively, not individually, through pride and respect for one another.”

The publication also noted the wide array of international opportunities available to MBA students. “KU’s ‘focus on the global business environment’ is a huge draw for many applicants, who feel that the school provides ‘an exceptional international business program for being in the middle of the United States and far from the coasts.’”

“International experiences are important to our students, and it’s something we do really, really well,” Steinle said. “The opportunities aren’t just available to full-time students. Our part-time MBA program at the Edwards Campus gives students access to study abroad, too.”

The publication described the MBA program as a “good value for the money that offered many options in terms of international experience” and highlighted recent student travel to India, China, Germany, France, Brazil and Mexico.

Respondents were also impressed with KU’s campus life and environment, the publication said. “There is diversity among the MBA candidates, and the students ‘vary from people straight out of undergrad to people 35 years old, and they all have different goals and lifestyles, but they communicate well and make the classes enjoyable by opening up discussion without judging others.’” The publication adds: “Some say their classmates ‘are the very best part about my experience in the KU MBA program.’”

“Our MBA program serves a heterogeneous group of students,” Steinle said. “One-size-fits-all, as you’d see in an undergraduate program, just isn’t going to work for this group. We create an individualized academic and career development plan for each student. We’re a partner in each student’s education.”

The Princeton Review is an education services company that provides classroom and online test-prep courses, education programs, tutoring services and annual publications highlighting the country’s best higher education institutions.

For more information about the KU School of Business and its MBA program, visit here.