CEDAR FALLS - Farzad Moussavi was surprised to see the University of Northern Iowa's MBA program included in a national publication's list of the best business schools.

Not because he lacks confidence in his program, he said, but because the programs are usually larger than UNI's.

"We actually thought that we wouldn't qualify because of our size," said Moussavi, the dean of UNI's College of Business Administration.

" … Our program would be among the smallest that are included."

The Princeton Review is an annual publication that recognizes the best business schools in the country. It is not affiliated with Princeton University.

UNI's MBA program is in the 2006 "Best 282 Business Schools" book. The accomplishment is a first, Moussavi said.

The MBA program received an academic experience score of 89. The score measures the quality of the learning environment on a scale from 60 to 99, said Jeanne Krier, publicist for Princeton Review.

The University of Iowa's MBA program received the same score.

Those types of numbers are generally "reserved for the elite," Moussavi said.

For perspective, he noted last year Notre Dame and the University of Southern California MBA programs scored 90. Iowa's highly touted program received 87.

"Schools that may be considered our peers either don't make it to the list or they score in the 60s or 70s … ," Moussavi said.

The Princeton Review determines schools' scores by measuring how selective the institutions are, their student-to-faculty ratio and student survey responses. According to student surveys, participants at UNI reported they received solid preparation in general management and teamwork.

The Princeton Review also ranks the top 10 business schools in 11 categories, such as toughest to get into and best professors. UNI was not ranked on those lists, but Moussavi said the two-page write-up was flattering.

"Combining state-of-the art facilities, 'impossibly friendly' faculty, and a low, public school price tag, it's no wonder that University of Northern Iowa students feel theirs is 'the best business program in the Midwest,'" the article stated.

Moussavi said the recognition definitely boosts the school's prestige.

"I think we might have shortchanged ourselves in our markets," Moussavi said. "If the program is this good, there is no reason you can't draw from a wider geographic area than just the Cedar Valley.

" … So we can sell the combination of safe environment, comfortable campus environment plus a very well-recognized program."

Contact Jeff Wilford at (319) 291-1423 or jeff.wilford@wcfcourier.com.