EIU Global Top 100 MBA - Chicago ranked 1st

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)'s Global Top 100 MBA 2007 report provides a comprehensive analysis of the world’s most prestigious and high-performing MBA programs. Based on a variety of factors such as student satisfaction, academic rigor, career opportunities, alumni networks, international diversity, and institutional prestige, the EIU ranking offers insights into the business schools that are leading the global stage. Among the top five institutions in the 2007 ranking, universities like the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business, Stanford Graduate School of Business, IESE Business School, Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, and IMD set the benchmark for academic excellence and career outcomes.

1. University of Chicago - Graduate School of Business

Topping the EIU Global Top 100 MBA 2007 list was the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, which has since rebranded as the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Recognized for its emphasis on analytical rigor and intellectual challenge, Chicago’s business school has established itself as one of the most prestigious and academically enriching institutions worldwide.

The University of Chicago’s MBA program is deeply rooted in its commitment to innovation, data-driven analysis, and practical application. Its academic curriculum emphasizes the development of critical thinking and decision-making by utilizing quantitative methodologies and research-led insights, making it particularly attractive to students with strong analytical abilities.

Chicago’s success stems from its distinguished faculty, which includes Nobel laureates and leading business researchers, and its emphasis on fostering intellectual curiosity. The program offers a flexible MBA curriculum that allows students to tailor their learning paths to their professional goals, reflecting real-world flexibility and choice. The University of Chicago’s MBA alumni network is also one of the strongest in the world, offering unparalleled opportunities in sectors such as finance, consulting, technology, and entrepreneurship.

As a hub of academic excellence, Chicago's reputation lies not only in its impressive faculty and curriculum but also in the program's ability to adapt to the ever-changing global business environment. Its strong focus on economics, strategy, and entrepreneurship ensures that its graduates remain at the forefront of the global marketplace.

2. Stanford Graduate School of Business

Second on the 2007 EIU Global Top 100 MBA ranking is the Stanford Graduate School of Business, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Stanford's MBA program is synonymous with innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, thanks to its strategic location and its commitment to nurturing visionary leaders.

Stanford's approach to business education is unique, focusing on the development of innovative leaders equipped to tackle global business challenges. The MBA curriculum at Stanford emphasizes leadership, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making. Students are taught not just through traditional classroom methods but also through experiential learning opportunities, case studies, and group collaboration.

What sets Stanford apart is its strong entrepreneurial spirit. The program offers access to Silicon Valley’s technological and innovative ecosystems, allowing students to connect with world-leading startups, venture capital firms, and tech companies. Furthermore, Stanford's program promotes a culture of innovation through partnerships with organizations, research projects, and networking opportunities with influential tech leaders and innovators.

Stanford graduates consistently enter top-tier industries, such as technology, consulting, and finance, thanks to its strong alumni network and the flexibility of its MBA program. Moreover, the school's emphasis on leadership and personal development ensures that students are prepared to lead in dynamic, ever-changing business landscapes. Stanford's prestige is further solidified by its impressive faculty members, forward-thinking curriculum, and its ability to draw diverse, globally-minded applicants from every corner of the world.

3. IESE Business School - University of Navarra

Coming in at third on the EIU Global Top 100 MBA 2007 list is IESE Business School, affiliated with the University of Navarra in Spain. IESE has established itself as one of the most prominent European business schools, well-known for its commitment to academic rigor, ethical leadership, and international diversity.

IESE’s MBA program is marked by its case study method, which focuses on problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and leadership development. This method allows students to engage deeply with real-world business challenges while learning from their peers and their professors' expertise. The program emphasizes a well-rounded business education, incorporating strategy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural understanding.

One of IESE’s key strengths is its strong international orientation. With campuses in Europe, North America, and Asia, IESE provides students with a truly global perspective. Furthermore, the program maintains a diverse and collaborative learning environment by drawing students from varied professional, geographic, and personal backgrounds. IESE’s emphasis on global perspectives prepares students to lead multinational corporations or start their own ventures with a truly international outlook.

IESE is also known for its close relationship with the business world, providing opportunities for networking, internships, and career development. Its strong alumni network and impressive corporate partnerships ensure that graduates are well-positioned to excel in their careers. The institution combines academic excellence with practical business application, ensuring its graduates have both the knowledge and the real-world skills necessary to succeed.

4. Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business

Ranked fourth on the EIU Global Top 100 MBA 2007 list is Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business, one of the most distinguished names in American business education. Tuck is known for its small class sizes, close-knit community, and strong emphasis on collaboration, leadership, and academic excellence.

The Tuck MBA program is notable for its strong focus on teamwork and its personalized, student-centered approach. With one of the smallest MBA classes in the U.S., Tuck provides students with an intimate learning environment that fosters close collaboration among peers and with faculty members. This allows students to form lifelong professional connections and receive personalized guidance from world-class faculty.

Tuck combines rigorous academics with leadership development, offering students the tools to lead effectively in competitive, global business environments. Its curriculum emphasizes strategy, leadership, and teamwork while promoting hands-on learning through projects and case studies. Tuck’s alumni network is an additional strength, with graduates consistently landing positions at leading firms worldwide.

Tuck’s emphasis on a collaborative culture and its focus on creating leaders who can balance strategic decision-making with ethical responsibility have solidified its position as a top-tier program for ambitious students aiming to join industries such as consulting, finance, technology, and management.

5. IMD - International Institute for Management Development

Rounding out the top five in the EIU Global Top 100 MBA 2007 is IMD (International Institute for Management Development), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. IMD is unique in its focus on executive education and leadership development, with a global reputation for practical, leadership-focused learning.

IMD's MBA program focuses on nurturing leadership qualities and problem-solving in a global business context. The institution is well-regarded for its international outlook, its innovative teaching methods, and its emphasis on real-world application through practical business case studies and immersive leadership training. IMD’s small, personalized program allows students to receive focused attention while learning from a diverse, experienced, and accomplished group of peers.

IMD’s strength lies in its ability to bridge academic theory with practical business challenges. Its location in Switzerland provides students with access to a dynamic European business hub while also drawing international perspectives from its diverse student population.

IMD graduates emerge with the leadership skills, strategic insight, and global adaptability necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic business world. The institution’s dedication to leadership development and its close ties to international business communities make IMD one of the most respected names in the MBA community.

Top 100 Global MBA:
1 Chicago, University of - Graduate School of Business
2 Stanford Graduate School of Business
3 IESE Business School - University of Navarra
4 Dartmouth College--Tuck School of Business
5 IMD - International Institute for Management Development
6 California at Berkeley, University of--Haas School of Business
7 Cambridge, University of - Judge Business School
8 New York University - Leonard N Stern School of Business
9 IE Business School
10 Henley Management College
11 Cranfield School of Management
12 Michigan, University of - Stephen M Ross School of Business
13 Harvard Business School
14 Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
15 London Business School
16 Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT Sloan School of Management
17 INSEAD
18 Columbia Business School
19 Ashridge
20 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology -- School of Business and Management
21 Pennsylvania, University of - Wharton School
22 Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School
23 Virginia, University of - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration
24 York University - Schulich School of Business
25 Yale School of Management
26 Washington, University of - Business School
27 Warwick Business School
28 Cornell University--Johnson Graduate School of Management
29 Duke University--Fuqua School of Business
30 Emory University—Goizueta Business School
31 Oxford, University of—Saïd Business School
32 Notre Dame, University of - Mendoza College of Business
33 Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business
34 Ohio State University - Fisher College of Business
35 International University of Monaco
36 HEC School of Management, Paris
37 Hong Kong, University of — School of Business
38 City University--Cass Business School
39 Hult International Business School
40 Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business
41 Southern California, University of - Marshall School of Business
42 North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of - Kenan-Flagler Business School
43 Monash University—Graduate School of Business
44 University College Dublin - Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business
45 Texas at Austin, University of - McCombs School of Business
46 RSM Erasmus University
47 ESADE Business School
48 Wisconsin-Madison, University of--Graduate School of Business
49 Washington University in St Louis - Olin School of Business
50 Lancaster University Management School
51 Maryland, Univ of - Robert H Smith School of Business
52 Leeds Univ Business School
53 Georgetown Univ - Robert Emmet McDonough School of Business
54 Aston Business School
55 Vanderbilt Univ - Owen Graduate School of Management
56 Edinburgh, Univ of--Management School
57 Manchester Business School
58 Imperial College London--Tanaka Business School
59 Durham, Univ of--Durham Business School
60 Brandeis International Business School
61 Iowa, Univ of - Henry B Tippie School of Management
62 Nottingham Univ Business School
63 Birmingham, Univ of--Birmingham Business School
64 Strathclyde, Univ of - Business School
65 Bath, Univ of--School of Management
66 E M Lyon
67 South Carolina, Univ of - Moore School of Business
68 Purdue Univ - Krannert Graduate School of Management
69 Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Univ of — College of Business
70 Pittsburgh, Uni of - Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business
71 California at Davis, Univ of - Graduate School of Management
72 Nanyang Technological Univ - Nanyang Business School
73 TiasNimbas Business School
74 Boston Univ
75 Glasgow, Univ of-- Business School
76 EDHEC Business School
77 International Univ of Japan - Graduate School of International Management
78 Audencia Nantes School of Management
79 Florida, Uni of - Warrington College of Business
80 Curtin Uni Graduate School of Business
81 Wake Forest Uni- Babcock Graduate School of Management
82 Rochester, Uni of - William E Simon Graduate School of Business
83 Southern Methodist Uni - Cox School of Business
84 Macquarie Graduate School of Management
85 Georgia, Uni of - Terry College of Business
86 Bocconi Uni--SDA Bocconi School of Management
87 EADA--Escuela de Alta Dirección y Administración
88 Sheffield Uni Management School
89 British Columbia, Univ of - Sauder School of Business
90 China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
91 Chinese Uni of Hong Kong
92 Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad
93 Bradford School of Management
94 National Uni of Singapore--The NUS Business School
95 Temple Uni--Fox School of Business
96 Nyenrode, Universiteit —The Netherlands Business School
97 Case Western Reserve Uni--Weatherhead School of Management
98 Newcastle Uni Business School
99 William & Mary, College of—Mason School of Business
100 Thunderbird School of Global Management

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit