Top MBA Ranking by Business Week (Top 30)

In the year 2000, Business Week published a comprehensive ranking of the top 30 American business schools, based primarily on the opinions of graduates and recruiters. This ranking, which was based on a survey of 82 business schools, reflects the perceptions of those who are directly involved in the hiring process and those who have experienced the MBA programs themselves. The rankings were influenced by a variety of factors, including academic rigor, faculty quality, student satisfaction, recruitment strength, and the overall career outcomes of graduates. The top five schools on the list were the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

1. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton School of Business

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania has long been considered one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, and its position at the top of Business Week’s 2000 ranking was a reflection of its ongoing dominance in the field of business education. Founded in 1881, Wharton has established itself as a leader in both academic excellence and business innovation. By the year 2000, it had already built a legacy of producing graduates who were equipped to lead in a wide variety of industries, ranging from finance and consulting to technology and entrepreneurship.

Wharton’s MBA program was known for its rigorous academic curriculum and its strong emphasis on analytical and quantitative skills. At the time, Wharton had a particularly strong reputation in finance, with many of its graduates going on to work at top investment banks, private equity firms, and hedge funds. The school’s proximity to Philadelphia and its extensive alumni network also gave students access to a range of high-profile job opportunities on the East Coast, particularly in the finance sector.

In addition to its focus on finance, Wharton was also a pioneer in the development of interdisciplinary business education. The school’s focus on global business, entrepreneurship, and leadership made it an attractive option for students who wanted to develop a comprehensive understanding of business management that went beyond traditional finance and marketing. Wharton’s MBA program also benefited from its diverse student body, which brought different perspectives from around the world and contributed to a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

At the turn of the century, Wharton’s combination of academic rigor, a global network, and a commitment to producing leaders made it the clear leader in Business Week’s ranking.

2. Northwestern University: Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, ranked second in the Business Week 2000 survey, was another powerhouse in the field of business education. Kellogg had developed a reputation as one of the best business schools for students interested in marketing, strategy, and leadership. It had established a strong brand that emphasized collaboration and teamwork, which were seen as essential skills for modern business leaders.

The Kellogg MBA program stood out for its collaborative culture, which was one of its defining features. Unlike many other top business schools that emphasized individual achievement, Kellogg fostered an environment where students worked closely together in teams, reflecting the real-world dynamics of modern organizations. This approach allowed students to develop strong interpersonal skills, which were just as important as technical business knowledge.

In addition to its focus on collaboration, Kellogg’s emphasis on marketing and strategy was another key differentiator. The school was well-known for producing graduates who were skilled at managing complex business challenges, particularly in the fields of marketing, consumer goods, and retail. This was further complemented by Kellogg’s strong ties to the Chicago business community, providing students with ample networking and internship opportunities.

By 2000, Kellogg’s reputation for academic excellence, leadership development, and collaborative culture had helped it secure its place as one of the top business schools in the United States.

3. Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School (HBS), ranked third in the Business Week 2000 survey, had been at the forefront of business education for nearly a century. Its prestigious reputation was built upon its pioneering case study method, which became a cornerstone of business education across the globe. This innovative approach to teaching, combined with the school’s emphasis on general management and leadership, had made Harvard one of the most sought-after destinations for aspiring business leaders.

Harvard’s MBA program was known for its breadth and depth, with a curriculum that covered everything from finance and marketing to operations and organizational behavior. Harvard was particularly well-known for producing leaders who were equipped to take on senior management roles in major corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. The school’s vast global network of alumni and its ability to attract top recruiters across a variety of sectors meant that Harvard graduates had access to some of the most lucrative and prestigious job opportunities available.

In addition to its academic rigor, Harvard was also known for its focus on leadership development. The school emphasized the importance of values-based leadership and ethical decision-making, qualities that were increasingly important as the business world grappled with issues related to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Despite the fierce competition from other top business schools, Harvard’s unmatched reputation, innovative teaching methods, and emphasis on leadership made it a staple at the top of Business Week’s rankings.

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Sloan School of Management

Ranked fourth in the Business Week 2000 ranking, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management had developed a strong reputation for its focus on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sloan was deeply integrated into the MIT ecosystem, which was known for producing some of the world’s most cutting-edge innovations in science, technology, and engineering.

At the turn of the century, Sloan’s MBA program had become a top destination for students interested in pursuing careers at the intersection of business and technology. The program offered students a deep dive into areas like operations management, supply chain logistics, and data-driven decision-making. Sloan also emphasized entrepreneurship, with many of its students going on to start their own technology ventures or join startups in Silicon Valley and beyond.

The school’s strong ties to the broader MIT community were another key advantage for Sloan students. MIT’s cutting-edge research and emphasis on technological innovation provided Sloan students with the tools and insights necessary to lead in industries that were rapidly evolving due to advances in technology. The combination of MIT’s technical expertise and Sloan’s business acumen made the school a top choice for students interested in technology management and innovation.

Sloan’s MBA program continued to be known for its focus on analytical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, which helped it secure its spot as one of the top business schools in the U.S. by the year 2000.

5. Duke University: Fuqua School of Business

Ranked fifth in Business Week’s 2000 survey, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business had also earned a spot among the elite business schools in the United States. Fuqua’s MBA program was particularly renowned for its focus on leadership development, global business, and ethical decision-making. The school’s proximity to the Research Triangle—a hub for technology, pharmaceuticals, and biotech—provided Fuqua students with numerous opportunities to connect with industries that were at the forefront of innovation.

Fuqua’s MBA program emphasized leadership development, with a curriculum that integrated case studies, experiential learning, and global business perspectives. Students were encouraged to think strategically about managing organizations in an increasingly complex global environment. The school’s focus on global business, in particular, was a key strength, with international exchange programs and opportunities for students to work on global consulting projects.

Duke’s culture of collaboration and teamwork, combined with its strong faculty, world-class facilities, and robust alumni network, made it an attractive option for those looking to build careers in consulting, finance, healthcare, and beyond. By 2000, Fuqua had firmly established itself as one of the top business schools in the country.

Top 30 American Business Schools:
(Survey of 82 Schools. Ranking based mainly on opinions of Graduates of and Recruiters from MBA Programs)

1- U of Pennsylvania, Wharton;
2- Northwestern, Kellogg;
3- Harvard;
4- MIT, Sloan;
5- Duke U, Fuqua;
6- U of Michigan at Ann Arbor;
7- Columbia;
8- Cornell;
9- Virginia U, Darden;
10- Chicago;
11- Stanford;
12- U of Calif, Los Angeles;
13- New York U, Stern;
14- Carnegie Mellon;
15- U of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler;
16- Dartmouth;
17- U of Texas at Austin;
18- U of Calif, Berkeley;
19- Yale;
20- Indiana U;
21- Rochester, Simon;
22- Vanderbilt;
23- Washington U, Olin;
24- U of Southern Calif, Marshall;
25- Purdue;
26- Georgetown;
27- Maryland;
28- Emory, Goizueta;
29- Michigan State;
30- Georgia Tech;

Ranking of Top European and Canadian Business Schools:
(Survey of 15 Schools. Ranking based mainly on opinions of Graduates of and Recruiters from MBA Programs)

1- INSEAD, France;
2- London Business School;
3- IESE, Spain;
4- IMD, Switzerland;
5- Western Ontario, Canada;
6- Rotterdam, Netherlands;
7- Toronto,Canada

Source: Business Week (USA), 2000