During the summer I have been researching MBA Rankings from the various "ranking authorities."  It is surprising when you look at the raw data how various schools' rankings change.  The four major "ranking authorities" are Financial Times, US News and World Report, BusinessWeek, and Forbes; each has its own ranking method. 

When examining the data, there is a clear distinction between those that use quantitative analysis and those using qualitative analysis.  Financial Times using the most quantitative information (20 different measurable factors) BusinessWeek uses the least (10% of its rankings is based on measurable results the rest is surveys).

As an MBA candidate, what should you do when looking at school rankings?  Do your homework.  Speaking to many admissions directors all stated roughly the same sentiment "really impressed with those candidates that make their own rankings based on what is important to them"  Each of the four "ranking authorities" has value and it is important to understand what value they offer the reader.

 My parting thought is simple, "Don't Judge A School By Its Singular Ranking from One Source, Look At Its Ranking Among Similar Schools Over Various Sources"