PULLMAN, Wash. The College of Business at Washington State University jumped 32 spots in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Business Programs Rankings.The college is ranked 69th overall and 43rd among public institutions in the most recent rankings. Last year it ws ranked 101st overall.
Criteria
The rankings are based on the college’s reputation among other business schools as reflected in a peer assessment survey conducted each spring.
“Our increase in rankings in the face of enormous budget challenges is a result of the commitment, expertise, and passion of the college’s faculty and staff and the external support of donors,” said Dean Eric R. Spangenberg.
Although the state’s support of WSU and the the College of Business has dramatically shrunk in recent years, the college has worked hard to become more self-sufficient through its online offerings, international partnerships, and development efforts.
More entrepreneurial
“These broad-based, collaborative efforts are showing results as reflected in our most recent rankings,” said Spangenberg. “I am grateful to President Floyd and Provost Bayly for encouraging the college to be entrepreneurial and allowing us to take more control over our own destiny.”
Efforts to become more self-sufficient, combined with the contributions of donors (over $50 million in the past five years) and advocates, have helped make it possible in 2011 to award over $160,000 in summer research grants for faculty. Summer grants are one way the college has remained committed to its strategic priorities, one of which is conducting quality research, publishing in premier journals, and preparing doctoral students for promising academic careers.
Student success
Student success is a critical component of the college’s external reputation. Spangenberg said the college has worked hard to ensure that its students continue to graduate on time through a revised curriculum that provides more flexibility without impacting quality. The curriculum also encourages students to broaden their business education outside their primary disciplines.
Success beyond the classroom is a continuing priority for the college by developing professional skills such as resume writing, interviewing and career networking. These student services are available to all students through the Scott and Linda Carson Center for Professional Development, a privately supported service center housed in the CB.
The WSU College of Business is accredited at the baccalaureate, masters and doctoral levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The college spans all WSU campuses, inlcuding WSU Online. CB also has an emerging campus in Everett, and global partnerships in China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Greece.
The college conducts scholarly and applied research, and offers degree programs in a variety of business disciplines. For more information, visit the college’s website at www.business.wsu.edu.
Media contact:
Sarah Druffel, WSU College of Business Marketing and Communications Manager, 509-335-4345, sarah.druffel@wsu.edu
Sarah Druffel, WSU College of Business Marketing and Communications Manager, 509-335-4345, sarah.druffel@wsu.edu