UF’s MBA programs nationally ranked

UF’s part-time and full-time master’s of business programs are among the top in the nation.

The U.S. News and World Report released a ranking March 14, naming two of UF’s Hough Graduate School of Business programs in its Best Graduate Schools list. The part-time master’s degree was ranked 20th overall, jumping eight spots from last year’s ranking, according to a UF news release. The full-time program was ranked 40th overall among public and private universities.

University of California — Berkeley’s Haas School of Business ranked No. 1

for part-time programs, according to the website. Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School tied for first in the full-time MBA ranking.

Christopher Pryor, a UF entrepreneur- ship professor at Warrington, said he believes the college received the ranking because of its ability to attract quality students and faculty from across the country.

“What happens in the classroom is important,” Pryor said, “but it really is all about the networking, placement and the opportunities for students to interact with professionals in the field overall.”

John Kraft, the dean of Warrington, wrote in an email that he declined to comment about the specific ranking.

“We participate in over 100 rankings of faculty programs and brand,” Kraft

said. “We are on average in the top 10 (Association of American Universities) publics for faculty, and in the top 20 AAU publics for programs.”

Randy Perez, a full-time UF master’s of business administration student studying finance and strategy, said he appreciates the programs are small enough for students to receive individual attention.

“Not only am I getting hands-on experiences, but I am also getting access to one-on-one time with my professors,” he said.

Perez, 27, said the program should continue on its current upward track.

“If the program continues to promote top talent within its instructors and students, it will make it’s way to the top,” Perez said.