Forbes ranks Darden among best business schools
By Jane Ma | August 22, 2009Forbes magazine named the Darden School ninth among the best business schools in the United States in the magazine's biennial list. Darden School Dean Robert Bruner, who noted that Darden has ranked as high as fourth on Forbes magazine's list in the past, said Darden's recognition is a reflection of the school's hardworking individuals and the unique experience provided to its students. "We are the world's best teaching MBA school and we achieve that by producing extraordinary classroom experiences ... that simply transform all of those who engage in them," Bruner said. To rank the schools, Forbes Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen said the magazine compared business school graduates' salaries five years after attaining their MBA to the opportunity cost incurred - which includes tuition and foregone compensation - while attending business school . "Our rankings are based on what business schools provided the best return on investment for the class of 2004," Badenhausen said, also noting that Darden provides one of the "best bangs for the buck" of any business school in the country. Rankings have many advantages for the school, Bruner said, in addition to wider recognition. "Many corporations also pay attention to rankings and this will help us deepen our bonds with the best companies in the world," Bruner said. Bruner also noted, however, that the Forbes ranking and similar rankings do not drive the Darden School's strategies or goals. "We have a very clear vision and strategy and a set of annual goals for the school," he said.
