More Than a Top-Tier Education: Rankings Highlight Reasons Why Ann Arbor is the Best Place to Attend Business School
While the Ross School of Business is continually ranked among the best business schools in the world, its hometown is racking up a number of impressive recognitions.
Recently, Ann Arbor was ranked at the top of lists for the best places to live in the U.S. and for its diverse culture and well-rounded lifestyle opportunities. These latest results reinforce what many in the Michigan Ross community already know: Whether a nature guru, self-proclaimed foodie, tech genius, or an enthusiast of the arts, Ann Arbor is a place anyone can call home, whatever their interests.
On Livability’s 2022 list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live, Ann Arbor was named the second-best city to live in the nation. To calculate quality of life, Livability conducted proprietary research studies related to community amenities, education, sustainability, transportation, housing, and the economy. In their analysis, Livability referenced Ann Arbor’s robust economy which is home to world-renowned tech startups like Google, Nokia Co., and Duo Inc., and leaders in the healthcare and auto industry.
Fortune also designated Ann Arbor as No.1 on their inaugural list of 25 Best Places to Live for Families, based on an evaluation of nearly 2,000 cities across the country, analyzing categories such as education, family resources, general wellness, and financial health. From top-rated local schools, including most recently being named the No. 4 city in the U.S. for public schools by Niche, and affordable living to the wealth of employment opportunities and friendly residents, Ann Arbor was found to be a great place to continue one’s education while raising a family.
With over 160 parks, the Nichols Arboretum, and the Huron River, as well as walkable areas like Main Street and State Street, Fortune highlighted the countless ways to get involved in the city of Ann Arbor and explore.
Ann Arbor was also named the most educated city in the country, according to rankings by Wallethub. Ann Arbor has the highest percentage of both high school diploma holders and adults with college experience, allowing students and residents alike to be surrounded by the nation’s Leaders and Best.
Why Michigan Ross students love attending business school in Ann Arbor
Olivia Berman, BBA ’23, shared that going to business school in Ann Arbor has given her the opportunity to engage with the city’s vast array of business enterprises during action-based learning aspects in Michigan Ross courses.
“I love going to business school in Ann Arbor because there are a lot of small businesses here and it allows students the opportunity to translate lessons learned in the classroom into real-life business solutions,” she said. “Specifically, in my MKT 300 class taught by Ross Professor Jessica Fong, we chose a struggling local business for our group project and are working to develop tactics to help the business increase its profitability and eventually present our findings.”
Students can also attest their meaningful Michigan Ross experience to the Ann Arbor community. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, Ryan Rounick, MBA ‘24, has returned to pursue his MBA at Michigan Ross. When asked about this decision, Rounick shared that the city of Ann Arbor helped sway his choice.
The culture and camaraderie of Ann Arbor are impressive. Whether stepping on campus as a student, coming to Ann Arbor as a visitor, or meeting local residents, I’ve always felt incredibly welcome here. The resources this city offers to build my network and determine the next path of my career are seemingly endless. Oh, and spending a few more football games at the Big House is icing on the cake.
