Officials say UF students with their M.B.A.s can expect a profit double the cost of their degrees five years after graduating due in largely to networking.
UF's Executive Master of Business Administration program ranked No. 2 nationwide in a return-on-investment survey from The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 10, according to a UF press release. UF's data shows a 212-percent five-year return on investment for graduates of the program.
Alex Sevilla, the assistant dean and director of the program at Warrington College of Business Administration, said facilitation of
networking is a big factor in the program's ranking.
"Any business school's pillar of strength is how much alumni can help their fellow Gators," he said. "They don't only help with money. Strong job connections are made as well."
Sevilla said students in the program have a unique opportunity to build relationships with international employers through study tours.
Rosemary Mesa, a graduate student in UF's M.B.A. program, went on an entrepreneurship tour to Ireland last fall. Mesa said she spoke with head officials of companies there, such as Dell, and did marketing analysis for clients looking to start new ventures.
She said the international experience gives students a real-world edge to their degrees in a time when international partnership is needed.
