10 Undergrad Business Schools To Watch In 2024

University of Richmond Robins School of Business

When it comes to getting a job, there are few undergraduate business programs that have your back as consistently as University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business.

For the past three years in Poets&Quants For Undergrads ranking of the best undergraduate business schools, Robins School graduates have posted increasingly impressive career outcomes, including full-time employment rates that are regularly top-of-class. Out of 91 undergrad B-schools we ranked for 2024, Robins was one of only two schools to report full employment for all Class of 2023 job-seeking graduates. That means that 100% of graduates who were looking for full-time jobs found them within three months of walking across the stage. The school also posted 98.8% employment for the Class of 2022 and 100% for the Class of 2021.

The University of Richmond is a private, liberal arts school with about 3,500 undergraduates – around 35% of whom graduate from the Robins School. The B-school has 80 tenure-track faculty members and 90-some total faculty, allowing for small class sizes and individual attention.

One of its strongest tools for helping its graduates build their careers is its Spider Network, named for the university’s mascot, WebstUR the Spider. That’s the university’s web-like network of  alum, faculty, career professionals, and industry practitioners who help connect students with internships, advice, and those all important post-graduate jobs.

“The Spider Network is a real thing. It is amazing … Alums want to know what (students) are up to, what they are doing, and how they can help. They are just very loyal,” Mickey Quiñones, now in his fifth year as Robins School dean, told P&Q in this interview.

“I put it back to the experience that they had at Robins and the impact that has had on their career. They want to pay it forward.”

P&Q INTERVIEW WITH MICKEY QUIÑONES

We at P&Q are eager to see how Robins graduates fare in an increasingly tricky labor market. We reached out to dean Quiñones to learn more the program’s success. Our interview is posted below.

What are recent and upcoming program developments and innovations that will enhance the experience of future students?

This year marked the debut of our Digital Marketing Practicum. In this innovative course, students take the reins of the Robins School Instagram and TikTok accounts, crafting and executing digital marketing strategies under the mentorship of a professor. They delve into social media analytics to understand audience engagement and trends, tracking and analyzing data to refine their approaches. The course offers them a nuanced understanding of effective content strategies, from reels and stories to standard posts, providing insights into what captures audience interest and drives engagement.

The Spider Business Hub connects the Robins School with client-based projects in the Richmond community. Individual students sign up to work on a project under the mentorship of the Hub Director or another faculty member. In addition, professors can incorporate a Hub project into their classes so students can apply what they are learning in the course to real-world challenges.

Since its launch three years ago, student engagement with the Hub has grown exponentially. Our vision is for every student in the Robins School to have a meaningful client-based experience prior to graduating.

Additionally, our Bench Top Innovations program offers a unique, year-long immersive experience where 16 students from all majors across campus collaborate to bring a consumer-packaged food or beverage idea from concept to market. In the initial semester, teams brainstorm and refine innovative product concepts, culminating in a Demo Day that showcases their ideas to the university and local startup community. A panel of industry experts assesses these ideas for commercial potential. The following semester transitions students into the roles of company employees, tasked with launching and scaling the venture.

This comprehensive program is enhanced by expert instructors, advisors, and guest speakers, ensuring students face and overcome real-world business challenges. Since the program’s launch, it has already yielded successful ventures, such as Absurd Snacks, a nut-free trail-mix now available at Whole Foods across the Mid-Atlantic region and on Amazon, demonstrating the tangible impact of hands-on learning.

Any other notable news coming for 2024 that readers should know?

Our commitment to continuous improvement is guided by our dedication to the principles of excellence, relevance, impact, and community. This fall, I initiated a Sustainability Task Force with the mission to critically assess how effectively we’re equipping our students to confront the complexities of climate change and other sustainability challenges. Our curriculum already encompasses a range of relevant courses, including environmental economics, sustainable marketing, and sustainability management. Additionally, for the past four years, we’ve championed the Sustainable Solutions Challenge, engaging the wider campus in addressing ecological issues. I am confident that the insights and recommendations from the Sustainability Task Force will be instrumental in further enriching our offerings, ensuring our students are even better prepared to make a meaningful difference in this critical area.

We are also building on our commitment to international business education. Currently more than half of our students study abroad prior to graduating. We are actively exploring new avenues to utilize our network of over 50 international partner schools to offer even more diverse international experiences. These initiatives range from short-term international engagements to applied projects with a global perspective, ensuring our students gain the comprehensive, worldly insights needed to thrive in today’s interconnected business landscape.

 

What are your program’s two biggest differentiators from other top undergraduate business programs? How do these prepare students for their careers?

Upon joining the Robins School in 2019, I was struck by a description from one of our Executives-in-Residence who likened our educational approach to that of an “artisanal” craft. This perfectly encapsulates our dedication to a student-centered philosophy. Our faculty and staff prioritize building deep, mentoring relationships with each student, taking the time to understand their unique aspirations, and guiding them on how to make the most of their journey with us. I often emphasize to parents that in our intimate class settings, with an average size of just 20, there’s simply no place for students to blend into the background. This ensures that every student actively develops their communication and analytical skills, nurtured within a rigorous yet supportive environment.

Another key differentiator for our institution is the broad spectrum of experiential learning opportunities available, designed to enhance our students’ business acumen and professional skills. Our relatively small size facilitates easy access for all students to these invaluable resources. This approach ensures a more personalized and impactful learning experience, where students can immerse themselves in practical business scenarios, engage in hands-on projects, and participate in real-world problem-solving. This direct involvement not only sharpens their skills but also boosts their confidence and readiness for the professional world, setting them apart in the competitive job market. Through such engagements, our students emerge as well-rounded professionals, equipped with a deep understanding of business principles and the ability to apply them effectively in any setting.

What separates your graduates from other business school graduates?

The Robins School stands apart in the educational landscape, representing the best of both worlds as a comprehensive business school nestled within a traditional liberal arts college. With a robust faculty of over 100 members spanning six departments, we offer a broad and deep educational experience. Our setting allows students to develop an understanding of the myriad contexts—historical, social, psychological, technological, environmental, and political—within which businesses operate. This integration of a liberal arts perspective forms a solid foundation upon which our business curriculum is built. Feedback from employers consistently highlights that our graduates not only possess a wide-ranging knowledge base but also a deep mastery of business principles and practical skills. They are noted for their professionalism, strong work ethic, and proactive approach to problem-solving. In essence, our students are “Day One Ready,” fully prepared to excel from the moment they step into their professional roles.

Explain the career services, programming, and extracurriculars that give your students an advantage in career outcomes?

Our approach to career preparation is comprehensive and tailored to meet the diverse interests and aspirations of our students, starting right from their first year. In addition to having dedicated Career Services specialists for each discipline, we offer specialized programs like “Deconstructing Wall Street” and “Deconstructing Health Care” to expose students to a variety of career paths in these sectors and beyond. For those drawn to finance, our “Banking Bootcamp” provides an in-depth look into this sought-after field. Additionally, through guest lectures, visits to major cities, and interaction with our Executives-in-Residence, students explore career possibilities they might not have previously considered.

For accounting enthusiasts, our Director of Accounting Student Engagement offers year-round activities and facilitates connections with leading firms, ensuring students are well-prepared for careers in accounting. It’s a point of pride that most of our students secure at least one internship before graduating, gaining invaluable real-world experience. For students who are interested in unpaid internships or research opportunities, the University of Richmond offers up to $5,000 to support students through the Richmond Guarantee, ensuring equitable access to all opportunities.

Collaborating with Startup Virginia, we also provide pathways for students  interested in entrepreneurship, offering them firsthand experience with startup culture. Our mentorship program is another cornerstone of our career preparation efforts, matching students with seasoned executives for career counseling and skill development.

Moreover, our Q-Camp, a professional development off-site conference for second year students, is specifically designed to refine students’ interview skills, etiquette for business dining, and networking strategies, ensuring they are fully prepared for the professional world.

Together, these initiatives embody our commitment to equipping students with the skills, experiences, and connections necessary to thrive in their chosen careers.

When alumni look back on their time in your undergraduate business program, what would they consider to be their signature experience?

When we sought feedback from our alumni about the most impactful aspect of their education at the Robins School, the answer was clear and consistent: the profound relationships they formed with their professors stood out as the most cherished element of their experience. Our graduates frequently emphasize how these connections went beyond the traditional teacher-student dynamic, evolving into mentorships that nurtured their personal and professional growth. This unique facet of our educational environment, where professors are deeply invested in the success and development of each student, is highlighted as a key differentiator of the Robins School experience. Such relationships not only enriched their time at the university but also continued to influence their careers and lives long after graduation, underscoring the lasting impact of our committed faculty on their students.

What is the most underrated feature of your undergraduate business program and how does it enhance the experience for your business majors?

Our entrepreneurship education is a standout yet often overlooked aspect of our program. Our faculty in this area are not only recognized experts in their fields but also bring a wealth of practical experience from their own entrepreneurial ventures. This combination of academic rigor and real-world knowledge uniquely positions our students for success. Many have gone on to start their own businesses, leveraging the skills and connections they developed at the Robins School.

Additionally, we have a robust mentorship program where alumni who have become successful entrepreneurs return to mentor current students as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Founders-in-Residence. This practical support and guidance from those who have navigated the entrepreneurial path themselves is a critical component of our entrepreneurship education, providing both inspiration and practical advice to our students.

Which employers are the biggest consumers of your undergraduate talent and what have they told you about your alumni that make them so special?

The primary employers of our graduates, notably large banks and the big four accounting firms, consistently praise our students for their exceptional preparation and proactive approach to challenges. This feedback highlights the immediate positive impression our graduates make, characterized by their confidence and professional demeanor, making them highly valued and sought after by leading organizations.

What else would you like readers to know about your program?

We evaluate our success by the impact our students have in the world. Their ability to effect positive change within their organizations, communities, and beyond is a source of tremendous pride for us. It is this very impact that motivates us to keep refining and enhancing our program.

While our primary focus is on undergraduate business education, our faculty are also well-known researchers consistently publishing in top tier journals. Providing opportunities for our students to work with faculty on research projects enhances their curiosity, critical thinking, and data analysis skills.

NEXT PAGE: Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business