A lesson that many students learn while at Wake Forest is that students here are not just a number; just as students are not defined solely by their GPAs, colleges are not defined solely by their rankings.

However, it is nice when the rankings work out in their favor.

The US News & World Report just released updated rankings.

The Wake Forest School of Business’ part-time Masters of Business program has moved up from 20th in the country to 19th. In addition, the part-time MBA program has been ranked first in the state of North Carolina.

Wake Forest has been ranked at the top of the part-time MBA program in the state for seven consecutive years, and has been in the top 20 overall rankings for years. Over 300 colleges with part-time masters programs are considered.

Logistically, the rankings measure students’ academic qualifications, the amount of experience students bring to the classroom (it is common for business students to work for a few years before attending graduate school for an MBA) and the level of focus that the school places on evenings and weekends for part-time students.

Wake Forest focuses on quality education through the liberal arts tradition and on individual students.

Aaron Henniger, the director of strategic communication and marketing for the

Wake Forest University School of Business, explained the significance of the US News & World Report Ranking.

“The ranking is the only national [part-time] MBA program ranking that places a premium on the quality of working professional students in the program,” Henniger said.

The part-time program offers an alternative to traditional programs by making it possible to attend school and continue one’s professional career with minimal disruptions. Henniger said that this ranking is very important for prospective students applying to Wake Forest’s part-time Business program, as, “the ranking is the most referenced source for part-time MBA prospective students.”

One of the primary reasons for the high ranking is the dedication of faculty and staff members within the business school.

Overall, Henniger said that the ranking is reflective of the, “outstanding curricular and co-curricular experience, exceptional career  services, personalized mentorship and a clear return on a student’s investment.”

However, rankings are not the primary focus of the Wake Forest University School of Business, associate dean for working professional programs Matthew Philips points out.

The general public cannot see the development of our business school students, but the rankings, “provide a window into the value of an MBA education.”

Full-time MBA students at Wake Forest, “can expect to learn alongside some of the best working professional students in the country, and to work with faculty who are dedicated teachers committed to student success,” Philips said.