CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Economist today released its 10th annual ranking of the Top 100 international MBA programs and named the University of Virginia Darden School of Business the No. 2 business school in the world.

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The ranking is the highest ever received by the Darden School. Darden moved up from the fourth position last year. In the North American ranking, Darden moved up to second, from third last year.

Within the criteria, Darden was once again rated the No. 1 full-time MBA "education experience" in the world. The School also topped the list for diversity of recruiters and personal development.

"At Darden, we aim to deliver the world's best MBA education experience and to foster the most tight-knit community in graduate business education," said Darden's Dean Bob Bruner. "This latest ranking is a validation of Darden's extraordinary learning community, its accomplishments and its global reach."

Darden also ranked in the Top Five for:

• Alumni effectiveness
• Student assessment of career services
• Quality of faculty
• Facilities

The Economist ranking surveys students and alumni and collects data from the business schools. The ranking covers four categories: opens new career opportunities (35 percent); personal development and educational experience (35 percent); salary increase (20 percent); and potential to network (10 percent). The publication collates hard data, such as salary and faculty qualifications, with subjective marks from the school's students and alumni.

"The Economist emphasizes two factors that are highly valued by the Darden School," said Bruner, "the student and alumni experiences."

"(Darden) fosters a close community spirit, with supportive faculty and close links with local and international business," wrote The Economist. "Darden is on the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, which is one of the cities with the best quality of life in the U.S."

Visit The Economist website for full details.

About the Darden School of Business:
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is one of the world's leading business schools, offering three formats of its MBA degree program (MBA, MBA for Executives and Global MBA for Executives), as well as Ph.D. and Executive Education programs. The unique Darden experience combines the case study method, the highest-ranked faculty whose research advances global managerial practice and business education, and a tight-knit learning environment to develop principled leaders who are ready to make an impact.

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SOURCE University of Virginia's Darden School of Business