The Marriott School at Brigham Young University was ranked 32nd for best undergraduate business programs in this year's U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges issue. The undergraduate accounting and general management programs were also listed among the nation's best.
"We're pleased with the national recognition the Marriott School has received, especially our top undergraduate accounting and management programs," said Ned Hill, dean of the Marriott School. "We have exceptional faculty and programs that enable us to attract very bright and talented students."
Hill attributes the impressive ranking to the Marriott School's excellent students, faculty and enhanced curriculum that emphasizes integration and globalization.
"Marriott School students bring a global perspective to their business education," Hill said. "Three quarters of them speak a second language, and many have lived abroad."
In addition to ranking the best undergraduate business programs, this year U.S. News also ranked the best specialty areas. The Marriott School is listed as 6th in accounting and 31st for general management.
The Aug. 30 issue of U.S. News & World Report, which went on sale Aug. 23, ranks 327 undergraduate business programs accredited by the International Association for Management Education. The rankings are based on a national survey of deans and senior faculty who rate the quality of the academic program at the institutions with which they are familiar.
The Marriott School's ranking is up seven places from the last ranking completed in 1997. U.S. News discontinued ranking business programs in 1997, but the magazine said the rankings in this area is "back by popular demand." Referring to statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. News said business majors are one of the most popular among undergrads. In 1996, the latest year for which data are available, 12 percent of all bachelor's degrees at four-year colleges were granted in business.
_
Writer: Peter Carr