Forbes MBA Rankings - Top US MBA Programs

In 2007, Forbes published its annual ranking of the best business schools, offering a unique perspective on the value of an MBA by emphasizing the return on investment (ROI). This ranking, unlike others which focus more heavily on academic prestige or faculty research output, aimed to assess the financial benefit of an MBA program by analyzing how much graduates earned after completing their degrees relative to the cost of their education.

The top five schools in the Forbes MBA Ranking of 2007 were Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School, the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. These schools were not just renowned for their academic excellence but also for producing graduates who enjoyed high salaries, impressive career advancements, and significant returns on their investment. The prominence of these institutions reflected broader trends in business education, where leadership, innovation, and a strong alumni network contributed to high returns on the financial and time investments made by students.

1. Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College

In 2007, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College emerged as the top performer in the Forbes MBA rankings, a position that underscored its distinctive approach to business education. Tuck’s strong focus on personalized learning, tight-knit community, and global exposure made it a compelling choice for MBA candidates seeking an education that balanced academic rigor with real-world experience.

Tuck's emphasis on leadership development and its comprehensive, globally-oriented curriculum were key factors behind its strong showing in the rankings. The school placed significant importance on collaboration, with an intimate cohort size that allowed for close relationships between students, faculty, and alumni. The small size of the program—Tuck's full-time MBA class typically numbered around 250 students—meant that students received individualized attention and had greater opportunities for involvement in school activities, clubs, and professional networks.

Another key strength of Tuck was its strong alumni network. Graduates of Tuck were highly regarded in industries ranging from consulting and finance to technology and healthcare. The alumni network, which spanned the globe, offered Tuck students significant access to career opportunities, mentorship, and post-graduation support. The school’s reputation for developing well-rounded, capable leaders with a global perspective played a central role in driving high levels of career success for its graduates.

The financial ROI offered by Tuck’s MBA was exceptional. The combination of a relatively low cost of attendance compared to some of the top schools and the impressive salaries its graduates commanded upon leaving the program made it an attractive option for prospective students. For many, the Tuck MBA was a fast track to senior management positions in leading firms across a wide array of industries.

2. Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford Graduate School of Business, ranked second in Forbes' 2007 MBA ranking, was another school that exemplified the balance between academic excellence and strong financial returns for graduates. Known for its highly selective admissions process, Stanford GSB attracted top talent from across the globe and across industries. The school’s unique combination of academic rigor, entrepreneurial spirit, and proximity to Silicon Valley positioned it as one of the most prestigious and influential business schools in the world.

One of the key factors driving Stanford’s high ranking was its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The Stanford MBA program encouraged students to think creatively, take risks, and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The school was situated at the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most vibrant tech hubs, and this proximity gave students unparalleled access to startups, venture capitalists, and leading technology companies. As a result, Stanford MBA graduates were often well-positioned to enter the tech sector or launch their own companies, leading to high salaries and lucrative career opportunities.

The Stanford MBA curriculum was renowned for its flexibility and emphasis on leadership development. Students had the freedom to tailor their coursework to their interests, allowing them to explore various disciplines, including technology, finance, and marketing, and develop a broad skill set that prepared them for leadership roles in diverse industries. Stanford’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture further contributed to the school’s appeal, with students forming tight-knit bonds that often translated into lasting professional relationships.

As a result of the school’s strong connections to the business world, particularly in Silicon Valley, and its commitment to entrepreneurship, Stanford MBA graduates saw significant financial returns on their investment. The high salaries and equity compensation packages offered to Stanford alumni, particularly in the tech and venture capital sectors, made it a top destination for those looking to make a substantial impact on both their careers and their bank accounts.

3. Harvard Business School

Ranked third in the 2007 Forbes MBA ranking, Harvard Business School (HBS) was a perennial powerhouse in global business education. For decades, HBS had been a leader in shaping the world’s most influential business leaders, and its top ranking in the Forbes MBA rankings reaffirmed its standing as one of the most prestigious business schools worldwide.

HBS’s reputation for academic rigor, global reach, and its powerful alumni network contributed to the school’s exceptional return on investment for MBA graduates. HBS’s case study method, which encouraged students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world business challenges, was a hallmark of its approach to business education. This method helped students develop critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and a practical understanding of business operations.

Harvard’s alumni network was perhaps its greatest asset. With more than 70,000 alumni around the world, Harvard’s MBA graduates held leadership positions in virtually every industry, from finance and consulting to technology, healthcare, and nonprofits. The HBS brand carried significant weight in the job market, and this allowed graduates to command high salaries and attract lucrative job offers from top companies. Furthermore, the school’s strong focus on leadership and ethics prepared graduates to take on executive-level positions and become influential decision-makers in their organizations.

Despite the relatively high cost of attendance, HBS students saw substantial returns on their investment, with high post-graduation salaries and a strong potential for career advancement. The prestige of the HBS brand and its extensive network of alumni and corporate partners played a key role in ensuring that graduates enjoyed a substantial financial return on their education.

4. Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

Ranked fourth in the 2007 Forbes MBA rankings was the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Darden was well-regarded for its focus on leadership development, innovative teaching methods, and strong sense of community. The school’s emphasis on real-world business applications, combined with a rigorous academic curriculum, helped to ensure that graduates were well-prepared to succeed in senior leadership roles across industries.

One of Darden’s distinguishing features was its use of the case method, which immersed students in real business challenges and encouraged them to develop practical solutions. This method, combined with Darden’s strong focus on leadership and ethics, helped students cultivate critical thinking skills and the ability to navigate complex, dynamic business environments. Darden also placed a high value on the collaborative nature of business education, with an emphasis on teamwork, mentorship, and building relationships both inside and outside the classroom.

Darden's strong alumni network and its connections to top firms in industries like consulting, finance, and technology provided graduates with significant career opportunities. The school’s relatively lower cost compared to some of the top-ranked business schools, coupled with its high post-graduation salaries, contributed to its strong ranking in the Forbes MBA rankings. Graduates from Darden were able to recoup their investment quickly and were frequently promoted into leadership roles in their organizations.

5. The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Rounding out the top five in the 2007 Forbes MBA rankings was the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Wharton’s MBA program was known for its academic rigor, particularly in finance, management, and strategic thinking. The school’s strong emphasis on quantitative analysis, combined with its focus on leadership development and global business perspectives, made it one of the most sought-after MBA programs in the world.

Wharton’s extensive alumni network, particularly in the finance and consulting industries, provided students with unparalleled career opportunities upon graduation. Many Wharton graduates were recruited by top investment banks, consulting firms, and multinational corporations, where they commanded high starting salaries and the potential for rapid career advancement. Wharton’s reputation for developing leaders in finance and strategy helped ensure that graduates received significant returns on their educational investment.

The school's relatively high cost of tuition was offset by the high earning potential of Wharton graduates, with many alumni reporting substantial salary increases shortly after completing their MBA. Wharton’s combination of strong academics, a focus on leadership, and its prestigious reputation made it a top choice for professionals looking to gain an edge in the competitive global job market. Forbes Best Business School Rankings:

Top 10 US MBA Programs 2009:
1 Stanford
2 Dartmouth (Tuck)
3 Harvard
4 Chicago (Booth)
5 Pennsylvania (Wharton)
6 Columbia
7 Cornell (Johnson)
8 Northwestern (Kellogg)
9 Virginia (Darden)
10 Yale

League Table 2007:
Rankings, Schools
1 Tuck (Dartmouth)
2 Stanford
3 Harvard Business School
4 Darden (University of Virginia)
5 Wharton
6 Columbia Business School
7 Chicago Graduate School of Business
8 Yale SOM
9 Kellogg
10 Johnson (Cornell)
11 Stern (NYU)
12 Fuqua (Duke)
13 Haas (UC-Berkley)
14 McCombs (Texas-Austin)
15 UNC (Kenan-Flagler)
16 Tippie (Iowa)
17 Sloan (MIT)
18 Marriott (Brigham Young)
19 Michigan State (Broad)
20 Tepper (Carnegie Mellon)
21. The Anderson School (UCLA)
22. Mays Business School at Texas A&M University
23. Goizueta Business School (Emory University)
24. College of Business Administration, University of Tennessee
25. McDonough School of Business (Georgetown University)
26. Kelley School of Business (Indiana University)
27. Univ of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business
28. Univ of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
29. Penn State Smeal College of Business
30. Ohio State Univ, Fisher College of Business
31. Wake Forest Univ Babcock Graduate School of Management
32. Owen Graduate School of Management (Vanderbilt Uni)
33. Marshall School of Business (Uni of Southern California)
34. The Business School at Georgia Tech
35. Robert H. Smith School of Business (Un of Maryland)
36. Olin School of Business (Washington Uni)
37. Rollins College (Crummer)
38. Michael G. Foster School of Business (U of Washington)
39. Krannert School of Management (Purdue Uni)
40. Mendoza College of Business (U of Notre Dame)
41. Simon School of Business (U of Rochester)
42. Cox School of Business (Southern Methodist Uni)
43. Eller College of Management (Univ of Arizona)
44. Tulane Univ Freeman School of Business
45. The Paul Merage School of Business (UC Irvine)
46. Uof Missouri at St. Louis College of Business Administration
47. Carroll School of Management (Boston College)
48. Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management (Rice Uni)
49. College of William & Mary, Graduate School of Business
50. Uni at Buffalo School of Management
51. Warrington College of Business Administration (Univ of Florida)
52. Neeley School of Business at TCU
53. Boston Univ School of Management
54. Moore School of Business (U of South Carolina)
55. Weatherhead School of Management (Case Western Reserve Univ)
56. UC Davis Graduate School of Management

Source: Forbes USA