Correction appended
GW’s School of Business jumped 14 spaces in this year’s BusinessWeek magazine rankings to No. 51 in the nation, the University announced last week.
The overall ranking is based on student satisfaction surveys, post-graduation achievements and general academic quality. GW was also given an academic quality ranking of No. 23 based on average SAT scores, the ratio of full-time faculty to students and average class size. Last year, the school was ranked No. 61 in that category.
Lawrence Singleton, associate dean for undergraduate programs at the School of Business, said he was tremendously excited about the jump in rankings.
“We believe the rankings reflect our efforts to continually improve our high academic standards and provide practical experience for students,” he said.
The increase in rank could be a result of the programs GW provides to promote an understanding of the global economy, ethics and sustainability. The School of Business now has a foreign language and foreign culture requirement, and about 40 percent of School of Business students study abroad, Singleton said.
In terms of real-world experience, students can participate in the Undergraduate New York Career Trek, which connects undergraduate students with alumni and industry professionals. The program was recently added to facilitate networking and career exploration.
While Singleton was pleased with GW’s new standing, he said he understands that rankings are not the only component in fostering an optimal learning experience.
“While rankings are important, there are many factors that make our School of Business a rich environment for students, faculty and staff. No single survey can measure this,” Singleton said.
School of Business Dean Susan Phillips, who announced her retirement effective at the end of this academic year, appreciated the ranking of the business program in a School of Business news release.
“The recognition of our undergraduate business program as one of the best in the nation demonstrates the caliber of students we attract and our efforts to strengthen the undergraduate program and the whole GW School of Business,” Phillips said.
Last September, the school was ranked No. 38 in the country by US News & World Report.
The following article has been revised to reflect the following correction: (March 11, 2010):
The article originally stated that “The University” was ranked No. 38 in the country by US News and World Report. In fact, it was only the business school that received that ranking, not GW overall.
