Named for entrepreneur and benefactor George L. Graziadio, Jr., the Graziadio School of Business and Management is located on Pepperdine University's campus in Southern California. Though some students may see studying in Malibu as a nice break from the corporate world, Graziadio makes sure they don't forget the purpose of their degree through its real-world curriculum, which includes topical case studies and a business internship for credit. Graziadio's E2B (Education to Business) program works with big-name companies such as Starbucks, Time Warner and The Los Angeles Times to bring real-life situations to the classroom by using them as theoretical case studies.

Graziadio's MBA program maintains "small class sizes" and a "focus on team projects versus individual work," say students in Vault's Buzz Book surveys. While the curriculum in challenging--"the grading system makes getting an 'A' very difficult," offers one student--it helps to get to know your professors. Taking the time and initiative to find help from professors is said to be beneficial.

Once students master the classes, snagging a job in the real world isn't much of a problem. Not only does the business internship program provide students with contacts at graduation, but Graziadio also has a large alumni network and strong brand name within the Southern California market from which students benefit. Personalized attention is right at hand, too--counseling and resume review is available for those students searching for work.