Olin ranked #1 undergraduate business program by Poets&Quants

This is the most thorough study of undergraduate business education ever undertaken.

—John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief of Poets&Quants

Olin Business School’s undergraduate program is ranked #1 in the U.S. by a new survey published today, Dec. 5, by Poets&Quants. According the online business education news site, Olin “boasts the single best undergraduate business experience in the U.S.” Olin’s high admissions standards, excellent employment data, and alumni satisfaction propelled our four-year program to the number one spot based on information provided by business schools and an alumni survey.

“This is the most thorough study of undergraduate business education ever undertaken,” said John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief of Poets&Quants in a news release. “Never before has anyone gathered the wealth of data we will publish, from actual acceptance rates and average SAT scores to the schools with the best academic and career advising.”

The ranking includes 50 American business schools and is based on data collected in three categories including admissions, alumni perspective on the full educational experience, and employment statistics including internships before senior year, full-time employment within 90 days of graduation, and average compensation. Alumni from the class of 2014 were surveyed by Poets&Quants for this debut ranking.

“This well-deserved recognition of our outstanding students and faculty confirms one of the many reasons I was attracted to serve as your new dean at Olin Business School,” said Mark P. Taylor, who took office Dec. 1, 2016. “I knew the bar was set high before I arrived, and now we must remain vigilant to maintain these high standards and strive for continuous improvement and innovation as we begin our second century in business education together.”

Data in the rankings’ three categories were equally weighted according to the Poets&Quants methodology that is published in detail on its website. A few of the data points that clearly set Olin apart from the competition include:

• 10.3% acceptance rate (Class of 2020)
• Average SAT score: 1480 (Class of 2020)
• Percentage of top 10% of high school graduating class 2014 91% (Class of 2014)
• National Merit Scholars: 46.88% (Class of 2014)
• Percentage of internships before senior year: 90% (Class of 2016)
• Percentage of job acceptances within 90 days of graduation: 97% (Class of 2016)
• Average salary and bonus: $74,109 (Class of 2016)

“We are very proud of the high caliber of our students and their accomplishments while at Olin and post-graduation,” said Steve Malter, Associate Dean and Director of the Undergraduate Programs at Olin. “This new ranking is based on facts about the quality of students admitted to Olin and their excellent employment outcomes. The data and alumni survey reflect the outstanding experiences they have in the classroom, through internships and practicums as well as four years of individualized career guidance.”

A celebration of the #1 ranking is scheduled in Simon Hall at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 5. Follow #OlinNow for photos from the selfie station. And check back here for more photos and a video later this week.

Link to Poets&Quants for the complete survey, methodology and school profiles.