**Bryant among top schools in BusinessWeek survey**

The University moves up five slots to number 59 in the 2009 rankings of the top undergraduate business programs.

The 2009 BusinessWeek rankings of the top undergraduate business programs in the country are out, and Bryant continues to climb. Up five slots from last year, the University comes in at number 59.

“Our rise in the rankings is a testament to our dedicated faculty and our passionate students who devote themselves each day to performing their best in the classroom and in the community,” says Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley.

“Bryant is committed to providing its students with cutting-edge academic programs that prepare them to be the next cadre of leaders,” adds V.K. Unni, vice president for academic affairs.

The rankings are derived from a combination of student and recruiter surveys and academic quality indicators including SAT scores, student/faculty ratio, average class size, percentage of business majors with internships, and the average number of hours spent each week on school work. Also factored in is the median starting salary of graduates and the number of students that a school sends to the top 35 Master of Business Administration programs identified in previous BusinessWeek rankings. (See the full rankings, and read more about how the BusinessWeek rankings are determined.)

“We will continue to design world-class learning opportunities that provide our students with a top-notch educational experience,” says Jack Trifts, dean of the College of Business.

Inside the survey

One of the more notable findings in the survey was Bryant’s position in the recruiter survey. The University’s ranking as the 30th best school by employers who recruit students on and off campus is up from number 97 last year. The dramatic rise was driven by the innovative programs designed by the Amica Center for Career Education. Career Center highlights include:

Last year, 322 eligible juniors and seniors completed academic internships, including several in China and London
The Class of 2007 reported a 98.5 percent job placement rate
In 2007, the Amica Center was ranked in the top 10 university career and job placement centers by the Princeton Review.

New initiatives unveiled this year such as the “Job Search Boot Camp Workshops,” the “Career Elevator Pitch,” and a career fair dedicated specifically to jobs in the federal government are intended to help students navigate a difficult job market. Learn more about the new programs.

“The staff of the Amica Center is aware of the challenges and is committed to doing all that it can to facilitate successful entrance of our seniors into the job market,” says Judith Clare, director of the Amica Center.

Bryant was ranked 54th for academic quality for programs that include:

A “Business 101” course that allows all first-year students to take part in a campuswide elevator pitch competition and create a business plan.
The Sophomore International Experience, a special winter/summer session abroad that immerses students in other cultures and how businesses operate globally.
The student-run Archway Investment Fund and the state-of-the-art Financial Markets Center that allow students to gain hands-on experience managing a real investment portfolio.

Culture of excellence

Bryant’s rise in the BusinessWeek ranking comes on the heels of the University’s reaccreditation by AACSB International – a distinction earned by fewer than five percent of business schools worldwide.

In reaffirming Bryant’s accreditation, AACSB cited a number of “best practices” including the University’s culture of assessment, engagement, and innovative educational programs that are responsive to the needs of the marketplace. Read more about Bryant' AACSB accreditation.

“It is refreshing that Bryant’s College of Business is a big business school in a ‘small, intimate environment,’ ” the report said.

AACSB also lauded Bryant’s part-time, cohort-based Master of Business Administration program, the newly designed Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc), and a degree program in International Business.

“All of these programs showcase innovative ways to address educational needs in the marketplace and are consistent with the mission of Bryant,” the report said.