Illinois State University’s College of Business has been listed ninth in The Princeton Review’s 2013 ranking of best-administered MBA programs.

Illinois State’s ranking, and those of other business schools across the nation, are part of The Best 296 Business Schools: 2013 Edition, published by The Princeton Review. Illinois State is the only public university in Illinois to be listed in the top 10 in any of the categories.

“The College of Business and the MBA program have been repeatedly recognized for excellence in teaching and student learning opportunities,” said President Al Bowman. “This latest ranking by the Princeton Review is yet another national endorsement of the high-quality programs offered at Illinois State University.”

The Princeton Review ranked business schools in a number of categories including best campus environment, best green MBA, best professors, greatest opportunities for minorities and women, best career prospects and best classroom experience.

Other regional business schools appearing in The Princeton Review’s top 10 ranking of best administered MBA programs are Northwestern University (3), and Washington University in St. Louis (10).

The rankings are based on surveys completed by more than 19,000 students at 296 business schools across the nation. The cost, flexibility and reputation of Illinois State’s College of Business were major selling points for students. Student comments praised faculty members who “provide the students with learning experiences that effectively prepare us for the business world.”

“While this recognition validates the overall quality of our program in terms of faculty, value and reputation, it shows that our program meets the needs of students by offering relevant curriculum with flexibility and ease with which they can pursue their degree,” said S. J. Chang, College of Business associate dean for MBA and undergraduate programs. “It once again proves that we are running a student-centered program.”

Today’s news comes on the heels of Illinois State’s announcement of a newly-established Chicago MBA program that will offer classes in a 19-month, weekend format in the Downtown Chicago area beginning in February 2013.

In addition to the new Chicago MBA program, Illinois State’s College of Business offers two other MBA sequences to meet the needs of today’s emerging business leaders. A traditional on-campus MBA program gives students the opportunity to learn in close proximity to industry leaders such as State Farm, COUNTRY Financial, Caterpillar and Archer Daniels Midland Company. An accelerated corporate MBA program delivers a fully accredited curriculum for mid- to upper-level corporate managers, business entrepreneurs, and other institutional leaders.