Have you guys seen the new US News and World Report online MBA ranking?

It's sort of interesting, how they divide the rankings into four categories: admissions selectivity, faculty training, student engagement and accreditation, and technology.

I'm not entirely sure about this methodology. Specifically, I'm wondering about the student engagement and accreditation rankings: why do they lump statistics like the amount of time it takes for an instructor to respond to a query with whether the program is AACSB accredited or not? This feels like two entirely different metrics.

As a result, the overall "honor roll" rankings are so across the board they're hard to take seriously. This list has reputable programs, like ASU, Florida Institute of Technology, and George Washington University, mashed together with some programs without any international accreditation, like Arkansas State/Jonesboro or Brandman.

However, there are a few interesting midrange, AACSB accredited schools, like Marist College and Quinnipiac University - these don't usually show up on other rankings but look quite innovative in terms of their online programs. Might be worth going through this list for nuggets like those.

This is a silly little ranking, since it ignores the most important variable for both students and employers -- the outcomes. This ranking measures the inputs for the programmes, and not all of them are really correlated with the outcomes.

But one of the variables is useful: selectivity. GMAT, GPA and admission rates are broadly correlated to the quality of outcomes: more numerate and expressive students with greater academic abilities, with those with the least aptitude weeded out, will provide the best learning environment (and the most attractive pool for employers). You can see that ranking at: http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/mba/admissions-selectivity-rankings

To do this seriously, they need a before and after survey on salaries.