MBA & Master Glossary
Ranking Methodology
Definition
Ranking methodology describes which criteria an MBA ranking collects and how heavily it weights them. The Financial Times, QS, The Economist and US News use different models: salary uplift, career progress, research output, internationalisation, peer assessment or recruiter surveys each carry different weight. Because weightings and data sources vary, the same business school can occupy very different positions in two rankings. Anyone using rankings should therefore read the methodology first and check whether the weighted criteria match their own goals.
Example: "A look at the ranking methodology explains why salaries account for 40 percent of the score."
Why this matters for your MBA
"Ranking Methodology" is one of the terms you will come across when comparing MBA and Executive MBA programmes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland — in admission requirements, accreditation details or programme descriptions. On mba.de you can check how individual business schools handle it and compare programmes independently.
Source: mba.de – independent comparison portal since 2003.