TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Forbes magazine recently released its rankings of M.B.A. programs placing The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business at 46th overall among full-time M.B.A. programs and 20th among public M.B.A. programs nationwide.

Manderson was third among SEC programs trailing Vanderbilt and South Carolina, which were 25th and 44th respectively. Harvard University leads the 2003 Forbes rankings, followed by Columbia University and the University of Chicago.

The Forbes ranking, which focuses on MBA program return on investment, compares graduates post-MBA compensation against program costs, specifically tuition and foregone salary, and estimates of what the same students would have made in their old jobs. UA M.B.A. alumni experienced an average gain of $67,000 over tuition and forgone salary since 1998.

“The rankings confirm our belief that the Alabama MBA program deserves mention among the top programs in the Southeast,” said Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of UA’s College of Commerce and Business Administration.

Forbes also assessed MBA programs based on time to recapture the investment of program costs and foregone earnings, and the Manderson MBA program tied for ninth in the country with Columbia University and the University of Virginia with a two and a half year recapture period. Washington University in St. Louis and Brigham Young University led the nation’s MBA programs with a mere 2.3 years average recapture period.

“Recognition such as (the Forbes ranking) reinforces the belief of our students, alumni, faculty and employers that the Manderson MBA program provides a highly value-added program,” said Dr. David Funk, director of the Manderson Graduate School of Business.

UA M.B.A. Class of 1998 graduates, on average, earned $26,000 prior to entering the two year program and were earning average salaries of $72,000 five years later.

The Manderson program weighed in at number four among all Forbes respondents for tuition affordability, with total out-of-state tuition and fees for the entire two years of the program at just over $21,000 and in-state costs of $11,000.

Chris Doxsee, a second year MBA student at UA, worked for 10 years in Chicago’s financial services industry including the last six as an options trader on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange before deciding to pursue his MBA.

“I was looking at top MBA programs across the country and when I compared costs and value choosing to go to Alabama was a no-brainer,” said Doxsee. “Given my work experience, I wanted to get the quickest return on my investment available.”

Not included in the Forbes analysis are the levels of scholarship, fellowship, and assistantship support available to offset tuition costs and, ultimately, enhance each student’s return on investment. For the past two years, UA has provided 100 percent of incoming M.B.A. students with scholarship support. Additional students qualify for graduate research assistantships, teaching assistantships, Capstone M.B.A. Fellowships or corporate sponsorships that provide financial support as well as meaningful work experiences to compliment their M.B.A. program of study.

Ranked 28th among public institutions by U.S. News and World Report, The University of Alabama Masters of Business Administration program is nationally recognized for excellence. By allowing 50 to 60 students entry each year, the hallmark of the program is the selection of a diverse academic and professional class that has in common high achievement and high potential for leadership. The Manderson M.B.A. program prepares students for success through innovative programs, a relationship-intensive learning environment, and strong career services to help them compete in today’s job market.

For additional information about The University of Alabama M.B.A. program, visit http://mba.cba.ua.edu.