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Business students can count on a top notch education at the Neeley School of Business, according to The Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review ranked the Neeley School of Business as one of the top business schools in the nation in the 2009 edition guidebook released in October.

The 2009 guidebook features 296 of the nation's top business schools. Princeton Review doesn't rank schools in numerical order. Instead, the guidebook features a two-page profile with detailed information on tuition, admissions and other information.

Neeley has always done well with the Princeton Review, said Bill Moncrief, senior associate dean at Neeley.

"We're pleased the rankings are recognizing us," he said, "especially the ones looking at programs instead of people's perception."

U.S. News & World Report surveys deans and faculty of business schools across the nation and relies on these results for its ranking, according to the Web site. Only 38 percent of the nation's deans and faculty responded to the survey. The Web site also takes nominations for schools that excel in certain specialties.

"I think something Princeton Review is important because they don't give you a single dimension like U.S. News & World Report does," Moncrief said. "They give you multiple dimensions and have a ranking on them."

The Princeton Review compiled several categories in a range of areas and ranked universities based on each of these areas instead of ranking schools in an overall list. Neeley received three ratings of more than 80 percent in the areas of academic experience, admissions and career categories. The ratings were based on interviews with students and recruiters at Neeley.

Neeley ranked the highest in career prospects. The average starting salary for Neeley graduates is $70,477. More than 50 percent of graduates find work in the finance or accounting field, according to the Princeton Review Web site. Princeton also recommended Neeley based on its versatile MBA program that incorporates the different backgrounds and career goals of business students, according to the Web site.

"There's very close interaction between students and professors not only in the classroom but also within Neeley organizations," said finance professor Stanley Block.

Neeley's location also provides an ideal environment for business students because Fort Worth provides great exposure to the business world, Block said. Also, there is an "unusual commitment by the school and community to the business school," he said.

Senior marketing major Corey Troxell agreed.

"What stands out the most to me in marketing is the faculty," Troxell said. "They're known in the business world, and not just here among students."

The student faculty ratio at Neeley is five to one. There are 98 faculty members at Neeley, and 70 percent work full-time.

"I've been able to go to my professors with problems looking for a job or internship," Troxell said.

Sophomore prebusiness student Ahmed Trabulsi said from students to professors, the overall atmosphere at Neeley is perfect.

"We're like a family," he said.

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