Financial Times Ranking: Wake Forest Schools of Business MBA Pays Off For Alumni

The Financial Times Ranked Wake Forest among the Nation’s Best Full-Time MBA programs for Salary Increase, Job Placement and Return on Investment

The full-time MBA program at the Wake Forest University Schools of Business again ranked among the top 50 in the U.S., according to the Financial Times of London. Overall, Wake Forest ranked #43 in the nation this year.

For the ranking, Wake Forest’s full-time MBA class of 2008 reported a 127% salary increase over pre-MBA wages, moving the School up six positions to #7 in the nation in the category of alumni salary increase.

Wake Forest ranked #15 in the nation for employment with 91% of full-time MBA graduates securing positions within three months of completing the program.

The Financial Times ranked Wake Forest #18 nationally for return on the tuition investment, taking into account the salaries earned by alumni three years after graduation, while subtracting tuition costs and the opportunity cost of not being in the workforce while attending the program.

“It is our goal for every Wake Forest Schools of Business student to have a job upon graduation that provides not only a paycheck, but personal fulfillment,” said Steve Reinemund, Dean of Business and retired chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. “The faculty and staff should be commended for their efforts in helping students discover their vocational passions and connecting with them opportunities that match their interests.”

For the past 14 years, the Financial Times has produced a ranking of full-time MBA programs. European or U.S. schools must be accredited by an international accreditation body such as AACSB, Equis or Amba. To be considered, schools must have a full-time MBA program that has been running for at least four years, and it must have graduated its first class at least three years ago, according to the Financial Times. The rankings are based on data collected from two main sources, alumni and business schools. Graduates receive the Financial Times surveys three years after they have completed the degree to assess the effect of the MBA on their subsequent career progression and salary growth.

For a complete list, visit (www.rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings).