LONDON, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The first QS Distance Online MBA Ranking released today on http://www.topmbaconnect.com is based on six indicators found to be the most important for MBA students: employability, establishment date, student quality, faculty and teaching, class experience and diversity.
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The methodology is designed to identify the best of the accredited online and distance-learning programs available, whilst also providing a listing of other reputable options.
Top 5 of the 2012/2013 QS Distance Online MBA Ranking
| Rank | Business school | Program |
| 1 | IE Business School | Global MBA |
| 2 | Warwick Business School | MBA by Distance Learning |
| 3 | Manchester Business School | Global MBA |
| 4 | Thunderbird School of Global Management | Online Global MBA |
| 5 | Indiana University, Kelley School of Business | Kelley Direct MBA |
©QS Quacquarelli Symonds http://www.topmbaconnect.com
Nunzio Quacquarelli, editor of the TopMBA Career Guide says "The popularity of this form of study is increasing among candidates and MBA employers. While distance online MBAs provide a very different experience to the traditional full -time MBA, they give access to business education to a wider and growing motivated work-force who are seeking a life-style education, a way to learn essential managerial skills which fits with the reality of their lives."
The QS Distance Online MBA Ranking's inclusion criteria require business schools or individual programs to be accredited by a recognised accreditation body, to have graduated at least one class and to have an established reputation among MBA employers according to the QS Global Employer Survey.
Methodology
| Vision | Weighting |
Description | Inputs | |
| Employability | 30% | MBA Employers' perception of the school and program | QS Global Employer Survey | |
| Well Established | 15% | Based on accreditation, length of time established, and number of students | Accreditation from an internationally recognised accreditation body Number of enrolled students Program establishment date |
|
| Student Quality | 15% | Comparative quality of MBA students based on experience, and school selectivity | Students' average years of work experience | |
| Applicant/student ratio | ||||
| Average GMAT score | ||||
| % of students with first degree | ||||
| Faculty & Teaching | 15% | Number of faculty and % of faculty involved in online teaching, and the quality of experience they deliver | Faculty/student ratio | |
| Full time/adjunct faculty ratio | ||||
| Student completion rate | ||||
| Class Experience | 15% | Day-to-day experience of student and opportunities for interaction with classmates | Level of student interaction | |
| Amount of group work | ||||
| Opportunity for physical meet-ups | ||||
| Diversity | 10% | Diversity of MBA class | Number of nationalities represented % of MBA class that is female |
|
The top 15 QS Distance Online MBA ranking can be viewed on http://www.topmbaconnect.com
