LSU’s MBA program jumps 20 spots in ‘U.S. News’ ranking

At No. 61 overall and No. 31 among public schools, the LSU Flores MBA Program improved by 20 spots on U.S. News & World Report‘s 2014 ranking of the best graduate schools in the country, compared to the 2013 rankings released last year. Nine SEC schools ranked in the top 70 on the list, with Vanderbilt being the highest ranked at No. 30 overall. LSU placed seventh overall among the SEC schools, ahead of Arkansas (No. 66 overall) and Tennessee (No. 67). Tulane University, the only other Louisiana institution to make the list, was ranked No. 67 overall. To calculate its rankings, U.S. News & World Report surveyed all 448 master’s programs in business accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International in fall 2012 and early 2013. Of those 448,380 responded, and of those, 140 provided necessary data to calculate full-time rankings based on a weighted average of the following indicators: peer assessment, recruiter assessment, mean starting salary and bonus, employment rates for full-time master’s program in business graduates, mean GMAT and GRE scores, mean undergraduate GPA and acceptance rate. “Peer review is a big factor in the U.S. News ranking,” says Ed Watson, director of the LSU Flores MBA Program. “When a major university makes an investment like LSU has in our college, it speaks volumes. This also attracts top faculty and students who want to be a part of the renewed energy and excitement.” You can access the complete rankings for the best graduate and business schools here.