MMBA Career: A Critical Look at MBA Rankings

Last Updated on November 18, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

LinkedIn Releases Inaugural Top MBA Programs 2023 Rankings for Career Growth

In an effort to provide valuable insights for MBA hopefuls, LinkedIn has released its inaugural Top MBA Programs 2023 rankings. This list showcases the best 50 American business schools for career growth, offering a valuable resource for individuals looking to pursue their MBA.

The LinkedIn ranking is consistent with other well-known business school rankings, including U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek. This alignment helps to authenticate the credibility of the list and reinforces its value to prospective MBA students.

However, critics have pointed out that the methodology used by LinkedIn for their ranking remains unclear. Unlike other rankings, LinkedIn does not provide weights for each measure or underlying data. This lack of transparency raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of the rankings.

The LinkedIn ranking is based on five key pillars: Hiring and Demand, Ability to Advance, Network Strength, Leadership Potential, and Gender Diversity. These elements are considered crucial for career growth and success in the business world. To be eligible for inclusion in the ranking, a business school must have at least 2,000 alumni by August 31, 2023, with a minimum of 500 alumni graduating between 2018 and 2022.

One notable difference between the LinkedIn ranking and other prominent rankings is the varying positions of certain schools. For example, Chicago Booth and Michigan Ross rank differently in the LinkedIn list compared to other rankings. This highlights the unique approach and perspective that LinkedIn brings to the table.

LinkedIn’s ranking focuses primarily on outputs and tracks performance over a five-year period. This distinguishes it from other rankings that mainly consider inputs like GMAT scores or acceptance rates. By prioritizing the actual outcomes and achievements of graduates, LinkedIn aims to provide a more comprehensive view of MBA program success.

However, the ranking does have some limitations. It lacks index scores, which are commonly used to demonstrate numerical differences between business schools. Furthermore, LinkedIn does not provide detailed information on how it weighs different factors, such as company size and prestige, when ranking schools. These omissions prevent a clearer understanding of the methodology behind the rankings.

In summary, LinkedIn’s Top MBA Programs 2023 rankings offer an intriguing perspective on MBA performance in the early years after graduation. The list provides valuable insights into career growth opportunities offered by various business schools. However, the lack of transparency regarding methodology and missing index scores leaves important questions unanswered. As a result, prospective MBA students should consider this ranking in conjunction with other established rankings to make informed decisions about their educational journey.