The McIntire School achieved another strong finish in the U.S. News & World Report 2003 ranking of undergraduate business programs, improving two places to fifth, trailing Wharton, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan, and the University of California, Berkeley and tying with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The magazine also ranked the best programs in 12 “specialties,” and McIntire ranked fourth in management, eighth in marketing, and ninth in finance.
 
“This recognition reflects the great efforts of the entire McIntire community, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate partners, to make our program the very best experience for our students,” says Dean Carl Zeithaml. “The survey results provide well-deserved recognition, and we will continue our innovative efforts to enhance the program's effectiveness and reputation among all our constituencies.” 

U.S. News & World Report also ranked the University of Virginia the nation’s number 2 public university and 23rd among 249 national universities. Only three other public universities are in the top 25 overall: the University of California, Berkeley (20th) and, tied at 25th, the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Michigan.