Making the Grade Learn the process behind ranking the top college BIZ Experiencesship programs.

The Princeton Review, a leading provider of educational services, solicited survey data from more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate schools about their offerings in BIZ Experiencesship. The questions used in the final ranking were divided into three areas: Academics & Requirements, Students & Faculty and Outside the Classroom.

Under Academics & Requirements, schools were asked if they offer an BIZ Experiencesship major or minor, and to specify the courses offered (e-business, social BIZ Experiencesship, international BIZ Experiencesship, etc.) and other academic requirements (internships, experiential learning, consulting for small-business owners, etc.).

Under Students & Faculty, schools were asked what percentage of their total student body was formally enrolled in their BIZ Experiencesship program for the 2008-2009 academic year, what percentage of their total student body was enrolled in an BIZ Experiencesship-related course for the 2008-2009 academic year, what percentage of formally enrolled BIZ Experiencesship students in the most recent graduating class had launched a business since graduating, what percentage of those students are still in business and what percentage of the BIZ Experiencesship faculty had started, bought or run a successful business.

Under Outside the Classroom, schools were asked if they have partnerships with other schools that allow access to their BIZ Experiencesship program, how many officially recognized clubs and organizations they offer for BIZ Experiencesship students, the annual budget for those groups, how many non-curriculum-based activities and competitions they offer in the area of BIZ Experiencesship, the annual budget for those activities and competitions, how many officially sponsored mentorship programs they offer for BIZ Experiencesship students, if they offer BIZ Experiencesship scholarships and the total dollar amount of those scholarships.

The questions were refined and the results validated with the help of an advisory board of professionals in BIZ Experiencesship education. The survey was conducted from December 2008 through June 2009 by Ben Zelevansky, assistant vice president of data collection, and David Soto, director of content development. Additional assistance was provided by Joe Praino and Colin FitzPatrick at The Princeton Review, and Kristin Ladd, Adam Pringle and Deborah Song at BIZ Experiences.

Honorable Mentions
They may not have made the list, but these stellar schools are all standouts.

Harvard: A prominent business center, the Business School pioneered the Case Method, where students are asked to solve real-life business problems.

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign: Introduced more than 40 new courses in BIZ Experiencesship in the past five years; established the international BIZ Experiencess Without Borders program.

University of Illinois, Chicago: The College of Business Administration includes the 25-year-old Institute for BIZ Experiencesial Studies.

Kennesaw State University: Invites all students, faculty and alumni to submit ideas to the Concept 2 Reality Competition to facilitate a business launch.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The BIZ Experiencesship & Innovation Program focuses on networking with CEOs, alumni, students, faculty and venture capitalists.

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities: Student groups receive as much as $15,000 to start businesses.

University of Pennsylvania: The Wharton School boasts the Goergen BIZ Experiencesial Management Program, offering more than 20 courses to 2,000 students.

Saint Louis University: Students can earn an MBA from an AACSB-accredited university in 12 months.

Stanford: The Graduate School of Business co-sponsors BIZ Experiencesship Week with the School of Engineering.

Texas Christian University: Inspires students with programs such as Dinner With a CEO, a Distinguished Speakers Series and the TCU Elevator Pitch Competition.

Wake Forest University: Home to the Babcock Demon Incubator, providing support to new ventures for approximately 12 months.