Forbes Ranks Smith Schools Part-time MBA Program No. 7 in U.S.

The part-time MBA program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is rated as the No. 7 program in the United States according to the latest Forbes Best Business Schools report. Forbes school rankings are based on return on investment meaning compensation five years after graduation minus tuition. Forbes also places the Smith Schools full-time program among the best in the United States and at No. 29 it is the top ranked business management program for the region.

The announcement follows high marks from U.S. News & World Report, which named the Smith Schools part-time MBA program as No. 10 in the United States in April 2005.

The Smith School is pleased to consistently be recognized for not only providing a quality part-time program, but also for delivering one that offers a first class return on investment. We are thrilled that the Smith Schools part-time program ranked among the nations top 10 for the second time this year and that Smiths full-time program continues to be named among the very best, said Howard Frank, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Providing opportunities that enable professionals to continue working as they advance their careers is an important part of the Smith Schools mission. The Forbes' ranking confirms the dominant position of the Smith School in the region.

The Smith School has approximately 1,020 students enrolled in its part-time program. The Smith Schools part-time program is designed to provide hours and locations that enable participants to earn their degree while maintaining their careers. Students are taught by the same 125 faculty that teach in the full-time MBA program at College Park in three convenient locations the Weekend MBA and Evening MBA at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.; the Evening MBA at Shady Grove, Md.; and the Evening MBA at Baltimore, Md. Students also have the opportunity to participate in accelerated tracks and advanced study options at Smith School international learning locations in Beijing and Shanghai, China; Tunis, Tunisia, and Zϋrich, Switzerland.