Palumbo-Donahue School is Among P&Q Best Undergrad Business Schools

Duquesne has been named among the 2018 Best Undergraduate Business Schools by Poets&Quants for Undergrads. The University was ranked No. 74 in the third annual list.

Considered the leading online publication for undergraduate business education news, Poets&Quants for Undergrads compiled its 2018 exclusive rankings based on a representative survey on nearly 13,000 alumni and school-reported data. To be considered in the ranking, schools had to reach minimum alumni participation rates.

In total, alumni from 88 schools met this threshold and were surveyed on aspects of their academic experience. Schools also reported data related to their admissions standards and career outcomes. Each of these three areas were weighted equally in the ranking methodology.

“Being ranked as a best undergrad business school by Poets&Quants underscores the engagement of our alumni and their positive academic experiences while at Duquesne,” said Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. “Moreover, the proverbial proof in the pudding is the tremendous return-on-investment our students realize once they graduate, with outstanding job placements and wonderful long-term career prospects. All of this is a testament to our strategic objectives and the hard work of our wonderful faculty and staff.”

“There are literally tens of thousands of business programs and schools worldwide,” Dr. Bill Spangler, associate dean for undergraduate programs and academic affairs in the business school, added. “However, only 831 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the gold standard in business education. The 88 schools on the Poets&Quants list are a small subset of that AACSB-accredited universe, so being recognized as part of this elite group is most gratifying.”

According to Poets&Quants for Undergrads, no other ranking or school survey asks for the same amount of concrete data, ranging from the percent of National Merit Scholars at each business school to the percentage of students with global experience to the average debt upon graduation.

“This was the most competitive ranking that we have seen since the launch of the ranking three years ago,” Nathan Allen, project manager for the rankings, said. “Our annual ranking and comprehensive coverage of this market is an invaluable resource for students and parents to make informed decisions about where to get the best education for a successful career in business.”