Thursday, October 19, 2006

Ranking MBA programmes

I recently posted on a study by the Economist that ranked NTU's MBA programme 77th best worldwide and NUS's MBA programme 99th best worldwide (4th and 11th best in Asia, respectively). In response, a reader commented: “Frankly speaking, to someone who's aiming for a top-10 MBA program in the US, who cares?”

Who cares indeed. A glib but nonetheless truthful response is that there must be some people who find the rankings informative/interesting/entertaining or why would the Economist spend the time and effort to produce the list in the first place? After all, people do apply to NUS and NTU and many don’t get accepted.

Nonetheless, I suspect that the commenter was trying to make the following point: only the “top-10” schools are worth attending in terms of financial rewards, making NUS and NTU irrelevant. Ok, that is a valid opinion and perhaps a predictable one for an ambitious MBA student. Still I wonder why the reader thinks that only the very "best" schools will provide the proper rewards. Is it true that lesser ranked schools don’t deliver a financial payoff? There is also a more fundamental question: what are the top-ten schools? There are several rankings that differ significantly because each is constructed with different criteria such as interviewing CEOs, deans, recruiters, business school graduates, and/or weighing admissions and placement data. So which rankings are the "right" ones?

Fortunately, I came across a paper that has already done the heavy lifting on this topic: The Best Business Schools: A Market-Base Approach by Joseph Tracy and Joel Waldfolgel, published in The Journal of Business in 1997.

From the article:
This article introduces a market-based methodology for evaluating the performance of MBA programs. We seek to distinguish the quality of a program from the quality of its students. We judge a program’s performance by its value added, measured by the graduates’ salaries, after accounting for student characteristics and job attributes.
The crux of their research is: which MBA programmes best increase your earning potential? This is a different question than the one implicitly or explicitly answered by other ranking methods: which programmes have the highest paid graduates? We all know that Harvard MBA graduates earn a lot of money. But is the Harvard MBA programme the primary reason? Or do people with high earning power choose to attend Harvard?

Article continued:

...we focus on the degree to which business programs are successful in producing high-salary jobs for their graduates. Given the competitive labor market for MBAs, salaries will reflect the willingness of employers to pay for the attributes embodied in a program's graduates. A program which attracts high-quality students may generate high salaries for its graduates without adding value to them.
Here is the bottom line. Using statistical techniques, they find programmes that are either "undervalued" or even unranked by the other ranking methods:
While four of our top five programs have been highly ranked elsewhere, 10 of our top 20 programs are unranked elsewhere. Like many other rankings, we place Stanford, Harvard, Chicago, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Northwestern, and Michigan in the top 10. In contrast to other rankings, we also place Oklahoma State, New Mexico, and Wake Forest in the top 10. By emphasizing program value added, our procedure identifies several programs that have been overlooked by other rankings because they do not recruit the very top students.
The authors use their procedure to rank 63 American MBA programmes.

Finally, some advice to students on how to use their rankings to choose a programme (however, note that this study was conducted with data from the early 1990s):

It is important to recognize that the value-added estimates, and associated rankings, are based on the current allocation of students to programs. Thus, our rankings should be understood to reflect the value added currently conveyed to the students at each of the programs, not the value added that would unconditionally be transmitted to any students at these programs. For example, while our results indicate that Oklahoma State has higher value added than, say, Dartmouth, students at Oklahoma State have, on average, lower GMATs and less work experience. Our evidence does not indicate whether Dartmouth students would fare better at Oklahoma State. Because different programs attract students of systematically different quality, a potential student interested in choosing a program with the most value added should compare value across programs with students of roughly his or her quality.

go to main page

35 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting site. I have it bookmarked.

According to the few who sampled both the local universities and top b-schools, the value added by "top 10" MBA programs is "branding" and "networking" as they provide a ticket to first rounds interviews at top companies.

I personally believe life is really what you make out of an education.

While we are on this subject, does anyone have feedback on Executive MBA programs? I'm considering programs or continuing education modules that focuses on general management.

Thank you.

10:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very rough guess of J Bus' empirical methodology (is that right?)...

Let VA_hat = observed value added of MBA degree to your career

VA_hat = b1 * SCHOOL_REPUTATION + b2 * APPLICANT_QUALITY + b3 * MBA_VA + b4 * PERSONAL_FACTOR + error

Most employers observe b1 + b2 + b3 + b4.

J Bus seems to focus on b3 (control for b1 and b2).

b4 is not observable.

I hypothesize b4 > (b1 + b2 + b3).

Hmmm.. busy from Oct to Jan. Chicago ASSA? If so good luck!

2:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

does it really matter whether it is the education/experience/networks as long as the value differential exists and persists between the top 10 and the rest? nobody is leaving money on the table

4:17 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

MBA is a very generic course. Different schools offer different specialization and teaching methods. A school like IMD focuses more on developing future leaders of the world. Hence, while taking in students, they focus more on an applicant's leadership skills.

Therefore, anyone looking to do an MBA must be not just take the ranking into consideration, but also the curriculum and teaching methodology. for E.g Harvard uses a lot of case base studies to teach their students. Similarly, someone with a strong interest in Finance, should look at Chicago GSB or Dartmouth.
As for which school gives you the best return for money(or adds value), we need to compare the earning potential of a student before and after the MBA degree. It might be easier for a student to get into one of he lower ranked schools, but that might mean that the students who apply to such schools, their earning potential might not be as good as those who get admitted into Harvard. even before the MBA degree is completed.

3:58 PM  
Blogger harneet said...

i want information about top 10 MBA institutes in singapore. namelist of institutes.

1:41 AM  
Anonymous MBA Rating said...

NTU and NUS are frequently ranked among the top 100 in the world for their MBA programs. They are the top 2 schools in Singapore!

11:36 PM  
Anonymous viagra online said...

I have always been interested in getting my Master in Business Administration, however, I am currently working in my own business. Thanks for this relevant information.

9:07 PM  
Anonymous Fire Detection said...

This is soo useful and interesting i just cant wait to read another article from you guys like this so interesting and full of good content.

3:04 AM  
Anonymous Cheap Viagra Online said...

Yeah the USA believed that they could survive like this but in fact this year 2011 is already seeing that it can't... the economy of the US is going down.

9:26 PM  
Anonymous MBA in real estate said...

MBA degree in real estate specialization is becoming more demand in today's world..

5:58 PM  
Anonymous Rachel said...

For my part every person may read this.

4:49 AM  
Anonymous chemistry assignment help said...

Favorably a lot for the students to learn herewith and will almost leads them further to try every possible guides which are even said to be of more importance.

2:17 AM  
Blogger Lonely Desires said...

allaescorts.com

dubaiescortsgirls.com

internationalescortsdubai.com

dohaescortsgirls.com

mumbaipersonals.com

8:08 PM  
Blogger janvikaushik said...





You will always cherish the Moment That You Spend With Our Escorts In Noida. Unmatched pleasure can be obtained from the service of the most efficient professionals in the neighborhood.
Cr Park Independent Escorts ##
Dabri Independent Escorts ##
Chhatarpur Independent Escorts ##
Chhawla Independent Escorts ##
Civil Lines Independent Escorts ##
Connaught Place Independent Escorts ##
Chittaranjan Park Independent Escorts ##
Nyay Khand Independent Escorts ##
Kavi Nagar Independent Escorts ##

7:57 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

aerocity escorts **
dwarka escorts **
janakpuri escorts **
mahipalpur escorts **
paharganj escorts **

9:11 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

noida escorts

call girls noida

call girls delhi

call girls udaipur

call girls jpdhpur

call girls indore

3:12 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

aerocity escorts ||-->
cr park escorts ||-->
rk puram escorts ||-->
rajouri garden escorts ||-->
punjabi bagh escorts ||-->
dwarka escorts ||-->

2:40 PM  
Blogger Roma said...

Bangalore escorts ###
Bangalore escorts ###
Bangalore escorts ###
Bangalore Call Girls ###
Bangalore Call Girls ###
Bangalore Call Girls ###
Bangalore Call Girls ###
Bangalore Call Girls ###
Bangalore Call Girls ###

3:21 PM  
Blogger amolikarathore said...


Hyderabad call girls are trained professionals with a non-judgmental thought that makes them special from the others. You must be a bit concern about your look or the way you appear.
Jubilee Hills Escorts ##
Gachibowli Escorts ##
Madhapur Escorts ##
Uppal Escorts ##
Kondapur Escorts ##
Koti Escorts ##
Somajiguda Escorts ##
Hitech City Escorts ##
Dilsukhnagar Escorts ##

3:53 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Escorts In Churchgate are really skill full and they are not just providing their services with in mumbai,they provide extended services to other cities in India.

&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai
&& Female Escorts Mumbai

6:24 PM  
Blogger Hot Escorts said...

Of course, Escorts In Delhi all of our escorts are vetted to the highest standard possible. We ensure that every Diva listed on our books is capable, versatile, flexible and of course, stunningly gorgeous.

vaishali escorts ##
indirapuram escorts ##
rohini escorts ##
mehrauli escorts ##
vikas puri escorts ##
kapashera escorts ##
greater kailash escorts ##
uttam nagar escorts ##
janakpuri escorts ##

3:20 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

call girls jodhpur ###
call girls gangtok ###
call girls siliguri ###
call girls darjeeling ###
call girls rajendra place ###
call girls paschim vihar ###
call girls daryaganj ###

2:17 PM  
Blogger palakaggarwal said...

east of kailash escorts$$
cr park escorts$$
chattarpur escorts$$
green park escorts$$
gtb nagar escorts$$

10:31 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Cheap Rates Housewife Escorts in wakad $$
Cheap Rates Housewife Escorts in yerwada $$
Cheap Rates Housewife Escorts in pune airport $$
Cheap Rates Housewife Escorts in sb road $$
Cheap Rates Housewife Escorts in lavasa $$
Cheap Rates Housewife Escorts in dhanori $$

10:07 PM  
Blogger anushkadas said...

south ex call girls ###
uttam nagar call girls ###
vikas puri call girls ###
indirapuram call girls ###
raj nagar call girls ###
kaushambi call girls ###
vaishali call girls ###
vasundhra call girls ###

8:24 PM  
Blogger kavitahotchauhan said...

air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###
air hostess service call girls ###

8:20 PM  
Blogger mumbaigf said...

high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###
high profile call girls service ###

2:03 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

pleasure call girls service near me ###
pleasure call girls service near me ###
pleasure call girls service near me ###
pleasure call girls service near me ###
pleasure call girls service near me ###
pleasure call girls service near me ###

5:33 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Those Russian Escort In Delhi can be reached directly via their website. You can hire those ladies for adult enjoyments as well for other purposes. You can hire those dashing ladies to enjoy your weekend at any nearby place where you can enjoy for a long time.

$$ Independent Escorts Kaushambi
$$ Independent Escorts Raj Nagar
$$ Independent Escorts Vaishali
$$ Independent Escorts Vasundhra
$$ Independent Escorts Faridabad
$$ Independent Escorts Ghaziabad
$$ Independent Escorts Gurgaon
$$ Independent Escorts Noida
$$ Independent Escorts Greater Noida

9:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those Russian Escort In Delhi can be reached directly via their website. You can hire those ladies for adult enjoyments as well for other purposes. You can hire those dashing ladies to enjoy your weekend at any nearby place where you can enjoy for a long time.

$$ Housewife Escorts In Vasant Kunj
$$ Housewife Escorts In Vikas Puri
$$ Housewife Escorts In Indirapuram
$$ Housewife Escorts In Kaushambi
$$ Housewife Escorts In Raj Nagar
$$ Housewife Escorts In Vaishali
$$ Housewife Escorts In Vasundhra
$$ Housewife Escorts In Faridabad
$$ Housewife Escorts In Ghaziabad

5:51 PM  
Blogger ishikagoel said...

delhi escorts
call girls delhi
escorts service delhi
delhi call girls whatsapp number
call girls saket

3:07 PM  
Blogger Amy Garg said...

!! Vip Call Girls Near Noida Electronic City Metro

!! Russian Call Girls Near Noida Sector 15 Metro

!! Independent Call Girls Near Noida Sector 16 Metro

!! College Call Girls Near Noida Sector 18 Metro

!! High Profile Call Girls Near Noida Sector 34 Metro

!! High Class Call Girls Near Noida Sector 52 Metro

!! Vip Call Girls Near Noida Sector 59 Metro

!! Russian Call Girls Near Noida Sector 61 Metro

2:43 PM  
Blogger palakaggarwal said...

Call/Whatsapp+91- 9873777170 Delhi Call Girls & Delhi Escorts Service | Russian Model along with exciting call girls facility available.visit my blog:-
Dhaula Kuan Call Girls &&
East Of Kailash Call Girls &&
Govindpuri Call Girls &&
Janakpuri Call Girls &&
Kalkaji Call Girls &&
Kapashera Call Girls &&
Mayur Vihar Call Girls &&
Mehrauli Call Girls &&
Mukherjee Nagar Call Girls &&
Munirka Call Girls &&

2:25 PM  
Blogger anushkagoyal said...

Aerocity Escorts #
Escort Girls in Aerocity #
Escorts in Aerocity #
independent escorts in aerocity #
russian call girls aerocity #
female escorts aerocity #
Aerocity Escorts Service #

9:06 PM  
Blogger sandhiatiwari said...

Mumbai Escorts is the best partners for all types of travelers. With various nightlife activities and several options to fulfill their needs, they make great choices for night parties and social events. visit my website :-
Call Girls Mumbai &&
Call Girls Andheri &&
Call Girls Bandra &&
Call Girls Vashi &&
Call Girls Nerul &&
Call Girls Sea Wood &&
Call Girls Nri Complex &&
Call Girls Chembur &&
Call Girls Mumbai Airport &&

5:42 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home