Top 95 EMBA Ranking - Financial Times

The Financial Times (FT) Executive MBA (EMBA) rankings are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global rankings for advanced business education. Released annually, these rankings provide a comprehensive overview of the world’s top executive MBA programs, which are designed for experienced professionals who wish to further their education while continuing to work.

The 2021 FT EMBA ranking presents a snapshot of the very best programs around the world, with the top five positions showcasing a blend of established powerhouses in the United States, Europe, and Asia. These schools not only offer rigorous academic training, but also provide extensive international exposure, a strong alumni network, and access to a wide range of business leaders across industries.

The top five schools in the Financial Times ranking — Columbia Business School (US) and London Business School (UK), Kellogg School of Management in partnership with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Trium (HEC Paris, LSE, and NYU Stern), the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and IE Business School (Spain) — are known for their unique curricula, impressive faculty, and global perspectives.

Columbia Business School and London Business School (US / UK)

Ranked first in the 2021 FT Executive MBA rankings, the partnership between Columbia Business School in New York and London Business School (LBS) in the UK represents a unique collaboration between two of the most prestigious business schools in the world. This dual-school program, often referred to as the “Columbia-LBS Executive MBA,” allows students to gain unparalleled exposure to both American and European business practices, equipping them with a truly global perspective.

Columbia Business School, located in the heart of New York City, is well known for its strong emphasis on finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership development. The school’s MBA programs are designed to provide a high degree of flexibility, allowing students to tailor their education to suit their career goals. Columbia’s reputation for excellence in finance is particularly well-regarded, with many of its alumni holding influential positions in investment banks, private equity firms, and corporate finance departments across the globe. The Columbia-LBS Executive MBA program allows students to benefit from Columbia’s vast networks in the financial capital of the world, while also gaining insights into global business trends through LBS’s international expertise.

London Business School, on the other hand, offers a distinctly European perspective on business leadership. LBS is known for its broad, cross-functional approach to management education, combining a focus on leadership, strategy, marketing, and operations. The school’s strategic location in one of the world’s leading financial and cultural capitals allows students to access a wide range of global companies, government bodies, and international organizations. The LBS network is vast, encompassing more than 50,000 alumni worldwide, many of whom occupy senior leadership positions in multinational corporations.

The combined strength of Columbia’s American business expertise and LBS’s European outlook makes this dual-degree program particularly attractive to executives who want to understand both Western business practices and global market dynamics.

Kellogg School of Management / Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Ranked second in the FT EMBA ranking, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in partnership with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) represents the intersection of Western business education with Asia’s growing economic power. The Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA program offers a unique blend of American-style management training with exposure to the rapidly changing business environment in Asia.

Kellogg’s reputation as one of the leading business schools in the United States stems from its innovative approach to management education and its focus on leadership and collaborative learning. The school is particularly known for its strength in marketing, strategy, and general management, with an emphasis on nurturing cross-cultural competencies and global thinking. The global reach of Kellogg’s network provides students with access to a wealth of opportunities, particularly in industries such as consulting, finance, and technology.

HKUST, located in Hong Kong, is one of Asia’s top business schools. As a major financial hub, Hong Kong provides students with unique insights into the Asian market, particularly in sectors such as international finance, trade, and technology. HKUST’s EMBA program is designed to equip executives with the skills needed to lead organizations in an increasingly globalized and digital world. The program is known for its strong academic rigor and its faculty, which includes some of the world’s leading experts in business and economics.

The combination of Kellogg’s strategic insight and HKUST’s Asian market expertise provides students with a comprehensive view of global business dynamics. This partnership is especially valuable for professionals looking to expand their careers in Asia while leveraging the management skills and leadership training they receive from a top-tier American business school.

Trium: HEC Paris, London School of Economics, and NYU Stern (France / UK / US)

In third place, Trium is a collaboration between three of the world’s leading business schools: HEC Paris, the London School of Economics (LSE), and New York University’s Stern School of Business. This partnership brings together the best of European, British, and American business education, offering a truly global executive MBA experience.

HEC Paris, located in France, is known for its strong focus on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and global strategy. The school’s rigorous academic curriculum is complemented by an extensive range of executive education programs, which are designed to foster innovation and develop decision-makers who can lead complex global organizations.

The London School of Economics (LSE), one of the world’s foremost institutions for the study of economics and social sciences, brings a unique perspective to the Trium program. LSE’s expertise in business economics, international relations, and finance enhances the program’s global orientation, offering students the tools needed to navigate complex business environments, particularly in the realms of international trade and corporate governance.

New York University’s Stern School of Business, known for its strengths in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, brings an American business perspective to Trium. Stern’s location in New York City, the world’s financial capital, provides students with access to a dynamic business environment, rich in networking opportunities and industry expertise.

Together, these three top-tier institutions offer students a comprehensive and diverse curriculum that integrates the best practices of European, American, and global business education. The Trium EMBA program is ideal for executives seeking a broad international perspective and wishing to gain expertise across a wide range of business disciplines.

University of Pennsylvania: Wharton School (US)

The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, ranked fourth in the Financial Times EMBA ranking, has long been recognized as one of the world’s leading business schools. Known for its focus on leadership, innovation, and analytical rigor, Wharton’s Executive MBA program offers an education grounded in real-world business experience, preparing senior professionals for leadership roles across a variety of sectors.

Wharton’s EMBA program is known for its extensive global network, which includes some of the world’s most successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The school’s strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making, entrepreneurship, and strategy allows students to develop the skills necessary to navigate today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Additionally, Wharton offers one of the most comprehensive alumni networks in the world, with over 100,000 alumni in more than 150 countries.

The school’s rigorous academic approach, combined with a focus on collaboration and leadership development, makes Wharton’s EMBA program a strong contender for any professional looking to enhance their career while continuing to work full-time.

IE Business School (Spain)

Rounding out the top five in the Financial Times EMBA ranking is IE Business School in Spain. Known for its innovative approach to business education, IE’s EMBA program emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership, all while maintaining a strong global focus. IE’s location in Madrid, one of Europe’s leading financial centers, provides students with access to a dynamic business environment, and the school is known for its diverse student body and international faculty.

The IE Executive MBA program is designed to offer flexibility and innovation, combining online learning, in-person residencies, and hands-on business projects. The school is particularly strong in fields such as international business, digital transformation, and social impact. IE’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation has made it a top choice for executives looking to lead in the rapidly changing global marketplace.

Ranking of World Top 95 EMBA Programs:

1 Columbia/London Business School (US / UK)
2 Kellogg / Hong Kong UST Business School (US / China)
3 Trium: HEC Paris / LSE / New York University: Stern (France / UK / US)
4 University of Pennsylvania: Wharton (US)
5 IE Business School (Spain)
6 Insead (France / Singapore)
7 University of Chicago: Booth (US / UK / Singapore)
8 Washington University: Olin (China)
9 London Business School (UK)
10 Columbia Business School (US)
11 Chinese University of Hong Kong (China)
12 Kellogg / WHU-Otto Beisheim School (USA / Germany)
13 City University: Cass (UK)
14 IMD (Switzerland)
15 Purdue / Tias / CEU / GISMA (US / Netherlands / Hungary / Germany)
16 UC Berkeley / Columbia (US)
17 Duke University: Fuqua (US)
18 New York University: Stern (US)
19 ESCP-EAP European School of Management (France / UK / Germany / Spain / Italy)
20 National University of Singapore School of Business (Singapore)
21 Kellogg / York University: Schulich (Canada)
21 Northwestern University: Kellogg (US)
23 Ceibs (China)
23 Thunderbird School of Global Management (US)
25 Essec / Mannheim (France / Germany)
26 Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Netherlands)
27 OneMBA: CUHK/RSM/UNC/FGV São Paulo/EGADE (China / Netherlands / US / Brazil / Mexico)
28 University of Michigan: Ross (US)
29 Warwick Business School (UK)
30 UCLA: Anderson (US)
31 Iese Business School (Spain)
31 University of Western Ontario: Ivey (Canada / China)
33 Cornell University: Johnson (US)
34 Imperial College Business School (UK)
35 Georgetown University: McDonough (US)
35 University of Alberta/University of Calgary: Haskayne (Canada)
37 Rutgers Business School (US)
37 Tongji University/ENPC (China / France)
37 U of California at Irvine: Merage (US)
40 U of Texas at Dallas (US)
40 U of Toronto: Rotman (Canada)
42 Arizona State Univ: Carey (China)
43 National Taiwan Univ - College of Management (Taiwan)
44 Henley Management College (UK)
45 Melbourne Business School (Australia)
46 Rice Univ: Jones (US)
47 U of Minnesota: Carlson (US)
48 Cranfield School of Management (UK)
48 U of Pittsburgh: Katz (US / Brazil / Czech Republic)
50 Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden / Russia / Latvia)
51 Temple Univ: Fox (US)
52 Vienna Univ of Economics and Business/University of Minnesota: Carlson (Austria)
53 Emory Univ: Goizueta (US)
54 U of Texas at Austin: McCombs (US)
55 Ohio State Univ: Fisher (US)
55 SMU: Cox (US)
57 Ashridge (UK)
57 National Sun Yat-Sen Univ (Taiwan)
59 U of Georgia: Terry (US)
60 Universität St.Gallen (Switzerland)
61 Univ College Dublin: Smurfit (Ireland)
61 Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School (Belgium)
63 Boston Univ School of Management (US)
64 Drexel Univ: LeBow (US)
64 Villanova School of Business (US)
66 U of Edinburgh Business School (UK)
67 Helsinki School of Economics (Finland / S. Korea / Singapore)
68 FIA - Fundação Instituto de Administração (Brazil)
69 Copenhagen Business School (Denmark)
70 Bradford School of Management/TiasNimbas Business School (UK / Netherlands / Germany)
71 Tulane Univ: Freeman (US)
72 Solvay Business School (Belgium)
73 National Chengchi Univ (Taiwan)
74 Pepperdine Univ: Graziadio (US)
74 Vanderbilt Univ: Owen (US)
76 U of Miami School of Business (US)
76 U of Rochester: Simon (US / Switzerland )
78 U of Washington Business School: Foster (US)
79 U of Iowa: Tippie (US)
80 U of Strathclyde Business School (UK)
80 U of Utah: Eccles (US)
82 Florida International Uni: Chapman (US)
83 Durham Business School (UK)
84 EM Lyon (France)
85 U of Florida: Hough (US)
86 Queen's School of Business (Canada)
87 Concordia Uni: Molson (Canada)
88 Baylor Uni: Hankamer (US)
89 U of Houston: Bauer (US)
90 Brigham Young Uni: Marriott (US)
90 U of Denver: Daniels (US)
92 Wake Forest Uni: Babcock (US)
93 U of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
94 College of William and Mary: Mason (US)
95 IAE Management and Business School (Argentina)
95 Ipade (Mexico)

Source: Financial Times 2008