The Heavener School of Business rankings dropped among the top 20 public business programs in the U.S. News & World Report’s “2015 Best Colleges” edition.
The UF business program ranked No. 18 among the top public undergraduate business programs and No. 29 among all public and private business colleges. The numbers mark a decline in the Heavener School rankings.
In 2014, the Heavener School tied for No. 27 in overall business programs and tied for No. 16 among public school competitors.
Although the business program’s ranking went down in 2015, Dr. Brian Ray, associate dean and director of Heavener School of Business, wrote in an email that he remains proud of the work the school has done.
“It is gratifying to see that the academic programs offered through the Heavener School of Business continue to rank among the nation’s best,” Ray said. “New academic initiatives in global business, entrepreneurship, leadership, ethics and communication skills continue to make a significant difference in the caliber of our graduates.”
The Fisher School of Accounting ranked No. 12 among all U.S. undergraduate accounting programs.
Barrie Eisenberg, a 19-year-old UF accounting sophomore, said the rankings don’t define the college or her ability to succeed after graduation.
“It makes me feel great knowing that UF produces such high-quality students and that even if our rankings changed I am attending one of the top business colleges in the country,” Eisenberg said.
With the opening of the new Heavener Hall in November, the business program hopes to rise again in the ranks for the U.S. News & World Report’s “2016 Best Colleges” edition.
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 9/23/2014 under the headline "UF business school drops in national rankings"]
