Top 100 MBA-Economist Intelligence Unit

The world of business education is highly competitive, with a multitude of institutions vying for recognition as the leading providers of Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. Among the most influential rankings in this field is the annual MBA ranking published by The Economist Intelligence Unit, which assesses the world’s top business schools based on several key metrics, including student satisfaction, alumni achievements, career progress, and international diversity.

The 2006 edition of this ranking, featuring the top five business schools, highlights some of the most prestigious names in global MBA education: IMD, IESE Business School, the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. These schools have long been recognized for their excellence in developing leaders, shaping global business practices, and producing high-impact research.

IMD - International Institute for Management Development (Switzerland)

Ranked first in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2006 MBA ranking, IMD (International Institute for Management Development) is widely regarded as one of the best business schools globally. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, IMD is renowned for its highly personalized approach to business education. With an intense focus on executive education, leadership development, and practical application, IMD attracts professionals from across the world who are looking to make an impact in global business. The school’s MBA program, which is relatively small in size compared to other top business schools, ensures that students receive an intimate and hands-on learning experience.

IMD’s curriculum is heavily oriented towards leadership, with an emphasis on real-world business challenges and executive-level decision-making. Students benefit from frequent interaction with senior business leaders and are given opportunities to work on projects that have tangible business outcomes. The school’s global alumni network, including top executives from some of the world’s leading companies, offers a powerful platform for career advancement. IMD’s focus on international diversity and its strategic location in the heart of Europe, with proximity to multinational corporations and international organizations, further adds to its reputation. The school’s ability to tailor its programs to meet the needs of global executives makes it a preferred choice for students looking to make a significant career leap in high-level management positions.

IESE Business School - University of Navarra (Spain)

IESE Business School, part of the University of Navarra in Spain, is ranked second in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2006 ranking, and for good reason. Founded in 1958, IESE is one of Europe’s leading business schools, with a global reputation for its comprehensive MBA program that blends traditional business principles with a forward-looking focus on leadership, ethics, and social responsibility. IESE’s strong emphasis on a case-based teaching methodology, which is similar to that of Harvard Business School, ensures that students engage deeply with real-world business scenarios, honing their critical thinking and decision-making skills.

One of the standout features of IESE’s MBA program is its international focus. With campuses in Barcelona, Madrid, and New York, as well as exchange partnerships with leading business schools around the world, IESE offers its students a truly global experience. This international exposure is enhanced by the diverse student body, which brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the classroom. The school’s commitment to producing responsible and ethical business leaders has made it a preferred destination for those looking to combine a career in business with a commitment to societal impact. IESE’s strong alumni network, combined with its high level of student satisfaction and excellent post-graduation employment outcomes, makes it a top choice for MBA candidates.

University of Chicago - Graduate School of Business (USA)

The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business, now known as the Booth School of Business, is ranked third in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2006 MBA ranking. The University of Chicago has long been known for its rigorous, data-driven approach to business education, and its MBA program is no exception. With a curriculum grounded in economics, quantitative analysis, and strategic management, Chicago Booth is a favorite among students looking to develop strong analytical and decision-making skills. The school’s strong emphasis on finance, entrepreneurship, and management is complemented by a commitment to intellectual rigor and academic research.

Booth’s faculty includes some of the world’s leading thinkers in business theory, and the school’s approach to teaching places a strong focus on the application of these theories in practical business contexts. Students at Booth are encouraged to think critically and creatively, with the freedom to tailor their education to meet their specific career goals through an extensive range of elective courses and specialized tracks. Chicago Booth is also known for its unique “Chicago Approach” to business education, which emphasizes open inquiry and a deep understanding of business fundamentals. The school’s global reputation, strong ties to the business community, and an extensive alumni network in top corporations worldwide provide students with an excellent platform for launching successful careers.

Stanford Graduate School of Business (USA)

Ranked fourth in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2006 MBA ranking, Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is one of the most prestigious and sought-after business schools in the world. Known for its emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership, Stanford GSB is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, which is a key advantage for students interested in technology and startup ventures. The school’s close ties to the tech industry, along with its unique approach to business education, make it a top choice for those seeking to launch entrepreneurial careers or lead innovative companies.

Stanford’s MBA program is small and highly selective, offering students an intimate, personalized educational experience. The curriculum is designed to cultivate creativity, leadership, and a deep understanding of business principles. One of the core aspects of the Stanford experience is the “STANFORD MBA” mindset, which focuses on developing leaders who have the vision to create change, the ability to inspire others, and the desire to make a positive impact on society. The school’s close-knit community, emphasis on collaboration, and access to a vast network of alumni in the tech, venture capital, and entrepreneurial sectors make Stanford GSB a top contender for anyone serious about pursuing a career in business.

Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business (USA)

The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, ranked fifth in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2006 MBA ranking, is another iconic American institution that consistently earns recognition for its excellence in business education. Tuck is known for its strong sense of community, which is fostered through small class sizes, close faculty-student relationships, and an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. The school’s MBA program focuses on general management, providing students with a broad understanding of key business disciplines while also developing leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.

Tuck’s emphasis on collaboration and its intimate learning environment set it apart from larger business schools. Students at Tuck are encouraged to work closely with one another on projects, case studies, and team exercises, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. The school’s global focus and its deep ties to industry leaders, particularly in sectors such as consulting, finance, and technology, provide Tuck graduates with a strong foundation for successful careers in both domestic and international business settings. Tuck’s small, tight-knit community and its personalized approach to business education make it an excellent choice for those seeking a transformative MBA experience.

Ranking of World's Top 100 MBA programs by EIU:
1 IMD - International Institute for Management Development
2 IESE Business School - University of Navarra
3 Chicago, University of - Graduate School of Business
4 Stanford Graduate School of Business
5 Dartmouth College--Tuck School of Business
6 California at Berkeley, University of--Haas School of Business
7 Cambridge, University of - Judge Business School
8 New York University - Leonard N Stern School of Business
9 London Business School
10 IE Business School
11 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology -- School of Business and Management
12 Harvard Business School
13 Cranfield School of Management
14 Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School
15 York University - Schulich School of Business
16 Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
17 Pennsylvania, University of - Wharton School
18 Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT Sloan School of Management
19 INSEAD
20 Henley Business School at the University of Reading
21 Columbia Business School
22 Michigan, University of - Stephen M Ross School of Business
23 Warwick Business School
24 Ashridge
25 Virginia, University of - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration
26 Melbourne, University of - Melbourne Business School
27 Oxford, University Said Business School
28 Cornell University--Johnson Graduate School of Management
29 Duke University--Fuqua School of Business
30 Yale School of Management
31 Hult International Business School
32 HEC School of Management, Paris
33 ESADE Business School
34 Notre Dame, University of - Mendoza College of Business
35 Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business
36 Washington, University of - Foster School of Business
37 International University of Monaco
38 Southern California, University of - Marshall School of Business
39 Emory University—Goizueta Business School
40 University College Dublin - Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business
41 UCLA—The Anderson School
42 Indiana Univ - Kelley School of Business
43 Ohio State Univ - Fisher College of Business
44 Rice Univ - Jesse H Jones Graduate School of Management
45 Imperial College Business School
46 City Univ--Cass Business School
47 Monash Univ—Graduate School of Business
48 Texas at Austin, Univ of - McCombs School of Business
49 North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Univ of - Kenan-Flagler Business School
50 Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus Univ
51 Mannheim Business School
52 Lancaster Univ Management School
53 Maryland, Univ of - Robert H Smith School of Business
54 Wisconsin School of Business
55 Edinburgh, Univ of--Business School
56 Washington Univ in St Louis - Olin School of Business
57 Macquarie Graduate School of Management
58 Hong Kong, Univ of — Faculty of Business and Economics
59 Brandeis International Business School
60 Manchester Business School
61 Aston Business School
62 Pennsylvania State Univ - Smeal College of Business
63 Bath, Univ of--School of Management
64 Minnesota, Univ of - Carlson School of Management
65 Durham, Univ of--Durham Business School
66 Vanderbilt Univ - Owen Graduate School of Management
67 Birmingham, Univ of--Birmingham Business School
68 California at Davis, Univ of - Graduate School of Management
69 Audencia Nantes School of Management
70 Strathclyde, Univ of - Business School
71 Boston Univ
72 Pittsburgh, Univ of - Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business
73 Chinese Univ of Hong Kong
74 E M Lyon
75 Purdue Univ - Krannert Graduate School of Management
76 Iowa, Univ of - Henry B Tippie School of Management
77 Leeds Univ Business School
78 Glasgow, Univ of-- Business School
79 Newcastle Univ Business School
80 Bocconi Univ--SDA Bocconi School of Management
81 Nanyang Technological Uni - Nanyang Business School
82 International Uni of Japan - Graduate School of International Management
83 South Carolina, Uni of - Moore School of Business
84 British Columbia, Uni of - Sauder School of Business
85 Wake Forest Uni - Babcock Graduate School of Management
86 Southern Methodist Uni - Cox School of Business
87 Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Uni of — College of Business
88 Rochester, Uni of - William E Simon Graduate School of Business
89 National Uni of Singapore--The NUS Business School
90 TiasNimbas Business School
91 Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad
92 Georgia, Uni of - Terry College of Business
93 Nottingham Uni Business School
94 Curtin Uni Graduate School of Business
95 Temple Uni--Fox School of Business
96 Thunderbird School of Global Management
97 Nyenrode Business Uni
98 Sheffield Uni Management School
99 Bradford School of Management
100 McGill Uni—Desautels Faculty of Management

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit 2008