Top 100 Global MBA (Full Time)

The Financial Times Global MBA Rankings are widely regarded as one of the most authoritative and comprehensive evaluations of business schools around the world. Published annually, these rankings analyze business schools based on 20 criteria, including factors such as employment outcomes, the salaries of graduates, the nature of faculty, international diversity, research output, and alumni opinions. The Top 100 Full-Time Global MBA Programs by The Financial Times in 2005 provides a snapshot of the most prestigious and sought-after MBA programs worldwide. This list highlights the business schools that have demonstrated excellence across a variety of performance metrics and are highly regarded for their ability to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the global business environment.

At the very top of the 2005 Financial Times Global MBA Rankings stands Harvard Business School in the United States. Harvard is universally recognized as one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, with a rich legacy of producing some of the most successful and innovative business leaders in history. Established in 1908, Harvard Business School has cultivated a strong reputation for academic rigor, leadership development, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Its case method-based teaching approach and emphasis on leadership, innovation, and strategic decision-making have positioned Harvard as the global leader in MBA education. Graduates of Harvard Business School benefit from exceptional career prospects, with alumni occupying influential roles across a variety of industries worldwide.

Close behind Harvard in the rankings is The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn, Wharton), also in the United States. Wharton is renowned for its emphasis on finance, economics, and strategic leadership, and it is widely respected for its outstanding faculty and research output. Established in 1881, the Wharton School is the world’s first collegiate business school and has maintained its reputation for academic excellence and innovation ever since. Its MBA program is highly selective and has a strong global presence, with alumni excelling in leadership positions across industries such as finance, consulting, technology, and healthcare. Wharton’s comprehensive curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing students to meet the challenges of the global economy.

Columbia Business School, another American institution, ranks third in the Financial Times 2005 Global MBA Rankings. Columbia is located in New York City, a hub of global finance, commerce, and culture, providing students with unique opportunities for internships, networking, and collaboration. Its strategic location, combined with its strong academic programs and accomplished faculty, makes Columbia an ideal choice for students aspiring to leadership positions in the global business environment. The school’s MBA program emphasizes leadership, strategic decision-making, and entrepreneurship while also fostering global perspectives through its international diversity and collaborative learning environment.

Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford) takes the fourth spot in the 2005 rankings. Stanford is one of the most elite and competitive business schools in the world, known for its entrepreneurial culture and innovative approach to business education. Established in 1925, Stanford’s MBA program has become a global leader in fostering innovation, leadership, and technological entrepreneurship. Its emphasis on creativity, leadership, and interdisciplinary study allows students to explore a variety of industries, including finance, technology, healthcare, and consulting. Stanford’s strong alumni network, combined with its location in the heart of Silicon Valley, ensures that graduates have access to opportunities at the world’s most innovative companies.

The London Business School (LBS) ranks fifth in the 2005 Financial Times rankings, solidifying the United Kingdom’s role as a hub for world-class business education. London Business School is internationally acclaimed for its innovative teaching methods, diverse student body, and strong focus on global perspectives. LBS’s curriculum is highly globalized, with students coming from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, making it a truly international institution. The school emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, and international business, and it maintains strong connections with businesses and industries across Europe, Asia, and North America. The London Business School offers its students access to unparalleled opportunities for networking, internships, and practical application of business knowledge.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (Chicago) is ranked sixth, showcasing its long-standing reputation as one of the most distinguished business schools in the United States. Chicago Booth is particularly well-known for its emphasis on analytical rigor, research-based decision-making, and a strong quantitative approach to business education. Established in 1898, the school has developed a robust reputation for producing leaders capable of addressing complex business challenges using evidence-based strategies. Chicago Booth combines a flexible MBA curriculum with a strong emphasis on leadership and problem-solving, allowing students to tailor their studies to their career goals while acquiring the skills needed for success in the global marketplace.

Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business (Tuck) comes in seventh in the rankings. Tuck is known for its highly personalized MBA program and emphasis on close-knit community learning. As one of the most selective business schools in the world, Tuck prioritizes leadership development, teamwork, and professional growth. Its relatively small class size allows for a more focused and collaborative learning environment, emphasizing peer interaction and mentorship. Dartmouth Tuck’s comprehensive MBA program provides students with a strong foundation in leadership, strategy, and international business while fostering deep interpersonal relationships and networking opportunities.

INSEAD, located in France, ranks eighth in the 2005 Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, highlighting its strong European presence and international focus. INSEAD is known for its globalized MBA program, with campuses in both France and Singapore. It offers one of the most diverse MBA programs in the world, with students from a variety of international backgrounds and industries. INSEAD’s curriculum is tailored to prepare students for leadership roles in global organizations, with an emphasis on cross-cultural management, entrepreneurship, and strategic decision-making. The business school is distinguished by its fast-paced, intensive one-year MBA program, which allows students to immerse themselves in global business challenges in a condensed timeframe.

Tied for the ninth spot are New York University Stern School of Business (New York Stern) and Yale School of Management (Yale). NYU Stern, located in the financial hub of New York City, offers students access to unparalleled opportunities for networking, internships, and collaborations with financial institutions. The Stern MBA program is highly regarded for its emphasis on finance, leadership, and innovation. Yale, on the other hand, offers a well-rounded MBA program that focuses on leadership, ethics, and strategic thinking. Yale’s approach combines traditional business disciplines with ethical and global perspectives, preparing graduates to lead in complex and diverse business environments.

The 2005 Financial Times Global MBA Rankings showcase a diverse mix of institutions from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia, demonstrating the global appeal and competitiveness of MBA programs worldwide. These top MBA programs are evaluated on a variety of criteria, including the employability of their graduates, faculty quality, research output, and international diversity. The rankings underscore the importance of strong faculty, innovative research, global perspectives, and strategic industry connections in producing graduates equipped for success in the dynamic global economy. These top schools, with their strong alumni networks, robust curricula, and global reputation, continue to shape the future of business leadership and strategic innovation.

Top 100 Full Time Global MBA Programs:
(Based on 20 criteria covering employment/salaries of graduates, nature of faculty, 'internationalness', opinions of allumni, and research rating)

1- Harvard;
2- Penn,Wharton;
3- Columbia;
4- Stanford;
5- London Bus School;
6- Chicago;
7- Dartmouth,Tuck;
8- INSEAD;
=9- New York,Stern;
=9- Yale;
11- Northwestern,Kellogg;
12- IESE;
=13- IMD;
=13- MIT,Sloan;
=13- UC Berkeley,Haas;
16- Michigan,Ross;
17- N Carolina,Kenan-Flagler;
18- Duke,Fuqua;
19- Instituto Empresa;
20- Virginia,Darden;
21- Toronto,Rotman;
=22- CEIBS;
=22- York,Schulich;
24- Cornell,Johnson;
25- Oxford,Said;
26- UCLA,Anderson;
=27- Emory;Goizueta;
=27- Rochester,Simon;
29- Roterdam Erasmus;
30- Maryland,Smith;
31- Vanderbilt,Owen;
=32- Carnegie Mellon,Tepper;
=32- Georgetown,McDonough;
34- Western Ontario,Ivey;
=35- ESADE;
=35- Iowa,Tippie;
=37- HEC Paris;
=37- S California,Marshall;
=39- Lancaster;
=39- McGill;
=39- Notre Dame,Mendoza;
=42- Cambridge,Judge;
=42- SDA Bocconi;
=44- Boston Univ;
=44- Hong Kong U of Sci and Tech;
=44- Manchester;
47- Rice,Jones;
48- Illinois at Urbana champaign;
=49 Brigham Young,Marriott;
=49- Case Western,Weatherhead;
=49- Michigan State,Broad;
52- Minnesota,Carlson;
=53- Imperial,Tanaka;
=53- Warwick;
=55- Penn State,Smeal;
=55- British Columbia,Sauder;
57- Texas at Austin,McCombs;
=58- Cranfield;
=58- Virginia Tech,Pamplin;
=60- City,Cass;
=60- SMU,Cox;
=60 Arizona,Eller;
63- Melbourne;
=64- Babson,Olin;
=64- U Calif Irvine;
=66- Arizona State,Carey;
=66- Thunderbird,Garvin;
=66- Washington,Olin;
69- Chinese U of Hong Kong;
70- Pittsburgh,Katz;
=71- Tulane,Freeman;
=71- Wake Forest,Babcock;
73- Coll of William and Mary;
74- Temple,Fox;
75- Queen's;
=76- Bradford/Nimbas;
=76- U Calif Davis;
78- S Calif,Moore;
=79 IPADE;
=79- Ohio State,Fisher;
81- Concordia,Molson
=82- Cape Town;
=82- Georgia,Terry;
=84- Aus Grad Sc of Mgt;
=84- Georgia Inst of Tech;
=86- COPPEAD;
=86- Univ Coll Dubin,Smurfit;
88- Texas A and M,Mays;
89- Tec Monterrey - Egade;
90- Solvay;
91- Durham;
92- Pepperdine,Graziado;
=93- Edinburgh;
=93- Birmingham;
=93- Univ of Washington;
96- Bath;
97- Geo Washington Univ;
98- Trinity Dublin;
99- Monterey Inst of Int Studies,Fisher;
100- ESCP-EAP

Source: The Financial Times (UK) 2005