Top Ranked EMBA Programs
This article discusses part-time EMBA programs; for a list of full time programs for senior candidates, visit this page.
EMBA programs (Executive MBA) are MBA programs intended for working professionals who already have extensive work experience, and by that, we usually mean a minimum of 8-10 years (there is no maximum). The EMBA programs are also generally intended for applicants who will continue working during their degree, so the studies are conducted part-time, during evenings, weekends, and occasional intensive study weeks. Therefore, EMBA students can often stay in their current professional positions on a full-time basis and with a full-time salary! while still taking on a degree at the same time.
Traditionally, the costs for an EMBA were covered by the student’s employers as they naturally also benefit from the new skills their employees learn. These days, self-funded candidates are common. Therefore, more and more business schools offer EMBA scholarships (although, significantly fewer scholarships than in the full-time programs). As a result, an EMBA will generally be less of a financial burden for most, than a traditional MBA.
Additionally, it is common for older applicants to choose an EMBA program over an MBA program due to the work experience requirements for EMBA programs. Due to that, the average age of students at EMBA programs is 32 to 38 years, comparable to under 30 for most top-ranked full-time MBA programs.
See below the rankings of best executive MBA programs in the US and Europe.
Top Ranked EMBA Programs in the US:
Program Snapshot
Wharton’s 24 month top ranked EMBA is offered at both their Philadelphia and San Francisco campuses.
Class Profile (class of 2021)
-Class Size: 236
-Median GMAT Score: 700
-Average Age: 36
-Average Years Work Experience: 12
-% of Women: 32%
-Countries Represented: 26
Application Process
The admission process consists of 2 recommendations, 3 essays, standardized test scores, a sponsorship letter and official transcripts.
It is also recommended that applicants schedule a phone conversation with the program. This can be requested via their website.
There are two deadlines for applications, one in December and one in February.
Tuition Cost
The tuition cost of $214,800 includes school fees, most course materials, room & board and access to a case study room.
Program Snapshot
Chicago Booth’s 21 month top ranked EMBA program allows students the opportunity to study at any of their campuses, Chicago, London or Hong Kong. The program starts in June.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 240
-Average Age: 37
-Average Years Work Experience: 13
-Average GMAT Score: 683
-% of Women: 22%
-Nationalities Represented: 48
Application Process
The application consists of an essay (plus an optional essay), a resume, 2 letters of recommendation, GMAT/GRE/EA score and transcripts.
There are 4 deadlines in October, December, February and April.
Tuition cost
The North American program tuition is $194,000. This covers books, course material, accommodation for global residencies, and most meals.
Program Snapshot
Kellogg EMBA students have the opportunity to choose to study at either their Evanston, IL campus or their Miami, FL campus. Students can either start the program in January or September.
Class Profile
-Average Age: 38
-Average Years Work Experience: 14
-% of Women: 31%
-% of International Students: 14%
Application Process
The application consists of a resume, 2 letters of recommendation (one should be from the applicants immediate supervisor), a time sponsorship letter from the applicants organization, official transcripts, an honor code agreement and an interview.
There are two deadlines. For those wishing to start the program in January, they are in August and October. For those wishing to start the program in September, they are in April and June.
Tuition cost
The total two-year cost is $217,836. This covers, books, material, meals, accommodation and career services.
Program Snapshot
Columbia’s full time EMBA is either 16 or 20 months in length. Students can choose to start in January or August.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 146
-Average Age: 33
-Average Years Work Experience: 9
-% of Women: 34%
-% of International Students: 23%
Application Process
The application consists of an employer sponsorship, official transcripts, a short answer question and 3 essays, 2 letters of recommendation, GMAT/GRE/EA score and an interview.
Tuition cost
The tuition cost of $213,240 covers text books, meals and conference center accommodations during residence weeks.
Program Snapshot
NYU’s EMBA program is 22 months in length, starting in August or in January. The program offers 13 different specializations so that participants can focus on a certain industry.
Class Profile
-Average Age: 38
-Average Years Work Experience: 14
-% of Women: 30%
-% of International Students: 30%
Application Process
The process is split up into 3 stages: the pre-application, interview and formal application. The pre-application consists of basic personal information and a CV/resume. The formal application is made up of academic background, employement information, activities, 2 essays, official transcripts, an organization sponsorship form, 2 recommendations. GMAT/EA/GRE scores are not required.
Tuition cost
Cost of tuition is $204,000. It includes books, study materials, meals, teaching assistants and residencies and global travel tours.
Program Overview
Start Date: February
Program duration: 15 months
Residencies: In 7 locations around the globe
Curriculum: General management curriculum with 5 concentrations & 1 certificate available
Costs
Tuition, fees, supplies: 166,000 USD
Scholarships & loans available
Typical Class Profile
Class Size: 40 – 60
Average Age: 39
Average Work Experience: 15 years
Women: 23%
Non-U.S. Citizenship: 38%
Students with Advanced Degrees: 32%
Admission Requirements
Minimum 10 years work experience
Online Application
225 USD Application Fee (waivers available)
Transcripts
Essays
Resume
Recommendation Letters
Sponsorship Letter
Admissions Interview
Travel visa(s) & passport
Resume
A business resume is required.
Include employment information and relevant volunteer work. State locations, titles, dates, and responsibilities starting with your most recent position.
The education section should include dates of attendance and degrees received.
Letters of Recommendation
Two recommendations are required.
One recommendation must be from your current supervisor.
Proprietors or principals of a company may provide a recommendation from a client, board member or other professional colleague.
Your recommenders must complete the online recommendation forms associated with the application. Submissions by email or mail are NOT accepted.
Use your recommenders’ work email addresses versus personal accounts, like Gmail or Yahoo, which will be more closely monitored in our credentials verification process.
Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.
Letter of Support
A letter from your current employer outlining your company’s support of time is required.
This letter may also include information about your employer’s financial commitment, but financial sponsorship is not required.
Proprietors or principals of a company can provide a letter of self-sponsorship.
Program Snapshot
Participants can choose between Ann Arbor or Los Angeles at Ross’s EMBA. The program is 21 months long and the average weekly commitment is between 20-25 hours a week.
Class Profile (class of 2021)
-Class Size: 114
-Average Age: 39
-Average Years Work Experience: 14
-% of Women: 28%
-% of International Students: 15%
Application Process
The application consists of a resume, a recommender, 2 essays, official transcripts, employer support and an interview.
Tuition cost
The tuition cost of $178,500 covers courses, workshops, textbooks, course material, accommodation and meals.
Michigan residents receive a lower tuition.
Program Snapshot
Berkeley’s EMBA program is 19 months long and starts in August.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 68
-Median Age: 37
-Median Years Work Experience: 13
-% of Women: 32%
-Countries Represented: 17
Application Process
The application consists of 2 essays, 2 recommendations (one from the applicants direct supervisor), GMAT/GRE/EA, a resume, official transcripts and an interview which can be scheduled by the applicant on Berkeley’s website.
There are two deadlines, one in December and one in February.
Tuition cost
The tuition cost of $194,000 includes books, hotel accommodation, administrative fees and most meals.
Program Snapshot
Anderson’s EMBA is 22 months long and starts in September. The school prides itself on it’s flexible scheduling for EMBA students.
Class Profile
-Average Years Work Experience: 14
-% of Women: 35%
-Countries Represented: 22
Application Process
The application consists of official transcripts, 2 recommendations and 2 essays. International applicants must also provide a TOEFL or IELTS score.
8 years minimum work experience is required.
GMAT/GRE/EA scores are not required.
There are 3 deadlines in December, February and May.
Tuition Cost
The tuition cost of $67,992 covers student charges, textbooks, software supplies, meals, off-campus residential and on/off campus residential.
Program Snapshot
UNC’s EMBA program is exclusively on the weekends, keeping their students available to work during the week. The program runs for 20 months and begins in February.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 50
-Average Age: 36
-Average Years Work Experience: 13
-% of Women: 39%
-Countries Represented: 42
Application Process
The application consists of a resume, 2 essays, 2 recommendations and official transcripts.
5 years minimum work experience is required.
Applicants can find an easy-to-use application checklist here.
Tuition Cost
Cost of tuition is $119,305 and includes texts, socials, accommodation and most meals.
Program Snapshot
Harvard’s PLD program is bespoke for each student, allowing them to accelerate in their career. The program is 7 months in length and starts in July or November/December.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 170
-Countries Represented: 45
Application Process
The application consists of a background information form and a letter of reference.
There are 3 application rounds, for the July start date they are in January, March and May. For the November/December start date they are in April, August and October.
Tuition Cost
The tuition cost is $52,000.
Program Snapshot
MIT’s EMBA program is 20 months long, it begins in September and ends in May. The program consists of 26 weekend sessions, 4 weeklong modules and a weeklong international Action Learning project trip.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 126
-Average Years Work Experience: 17
-Average Age: 41
-International Origin: 48%
Application Process
The application consists of a statement of purpose, 3 essays, employment history, 2 letters of recommendation, official transcripts and an organizational chart.
A minimum of 10 years of work experience is required.
Tuition Cost
Cost of tuition for the program is $178,302
Cornell- Johnson (Americas)
Program Snapshot
In addition to their EMBA Americas program, Cornell offer three more EMBA programs: EMBA Metro NY, EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership and Cornell-Tsinghua Finance MBA program in China.
Their Americas program takes 17 months to complete. It begins in June and ends in November. The program may provide students with the opportunity to study in the following places: New York City, Ithaca, Washington DC, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Salem (NH), Los Angeles, San Jose, San Bruno, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Mexico City, Monterrey (Mexico), Santiago (Chile) and Lima (Peru).
Class Profile
-Class Size: 163
-Average Age: 37
-Average Years Work Experience: 12
-% of Women: 25%
-Internationally Based: 42%
Application Process
The application includes a resume, an organizational chart, 3 essays, two letters of recommendation and academic transcripts.
GMAT/GRE/EA are not required.
Tuition Cost
The cost of the EMBA Americas program is $154,254.
Cornell- Johnson (Metro NY)
Program Snapshot
Cornell’s Metro NY EMBA takes place at their NYC campus. The program is 22 months in length and starts in July.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 75
-Average Age: 36
-Average Years Work Experience: 12
-% of Women: 34%
-Internationally Based: 28%
Application Process
The application includes a resume, an organizational chart, 3 essays, two letters of recommendation and academic transcripts.
GMAT/GRE/EA are not required.
Tuition Cost
The cost of the EMBA Metro NY program is $202,536. This cost includes academic services, books, materials, accommodation, accommodation and meals in Ithaca and accommodation and meals during the Global Business Study trip.
Program Snapshot
Darden’s EMBA is 21 months long, it starts in August and ends in May. EMBA students participate in one global residency with the opportunity to add more.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 139
-Average Age: 34
-Average Years Work Experience: 12
-% of Women: 27%
Application Process
The application includes a resume, transcripts, standardized test scores and a recommendation.
Tuition Cost
The cost of tuition is $158,700 for domestic students and $159,100 for international students. The cost for the global residency is $4200.
Program Snapshot
The 22 month program begins in July. Participants meet for class every other weeks. One week in June is spent abroad at the EMBA Global Network Week.
Class Profile
-Class Size: 77
-Average Age: 36
-Average Years Work Experience: 13
-% of Women: 31%
Application Process
The application consists of official transcripts, GMAT/GRE/EA score, 2 recommendations, employer approval, a resume and 2 essays.
There are three application rounds in October, January and March.
Tuition Cost
The cost of tuition is $193,500. This fee covers textbooks, material, some meals and lodging during summer residencies, Friday evenings and EMBA Global Network Week.
Top Ranked EMBA Programs in Europe:
Program Snapshot
LBS’s 20 month program starts in September.
LBS also offer a top ranked EMBA program in Dubai.
Class Profile
-Class size: 80
-Average Work experience: 13 years
-Countries represented: 34
-% of Women: 26%
Application Process
The application consists of a resume/CV, official transcripts, 3 essays, 2 references (one from the applicants immediate line manager), GMAT/GRE/EA score (waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis). International applicants with no experience working in an English speaking environment will also have to submit an English test score. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Cambridge are all accepted.
There are 5 deadlines in February, March, April, June and July.
Tuition cost
The cost of tuition for LBS’s London EMBA is £98,500. This fee covers course materials, textbooks and accommodation for the international assignment and orientation week.
Program Snapshot
INSEAD’s top ranked GEMBA requires participants to be away from work for a total of 51-60 days, out of the 14-17 month program. The program is a Global EMBA and therefor takes place over three campuses, in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore) and the Middle East (Abu Dhabi).
Class Profile
-Class size: 230
-Average Work experience: 14 years
-Countries represented: 63
Application Process
The application consists motivational essays, 2 letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a CV and a photograph.
Non-native English speakers are required to do one of the following exams: TOEFL, PTE, TOEIC, IELTS.
There are 4 deadlines for applications.
Tuition cost
The GEMBA Asia tuition fee is SG$196,000. The GEMBA Middle East tuition fee is US$135,000. The GEMBA Europe tuition fee is €125,500.
Program Snapshot
LSE partners with NYU Stern and HEC Paris for the top ranked TRIUM Global EMBA. The program takes place in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Paris and Shanghai. It takes place over 18 months, beginning in September, and is one of the best executive MBA in the world.
Class Profile
– Class size: 65
-Average Work experience: 16 years
-Countries represented: 32
-Average Age: 40
Application Process
The application is a 4 step process, first the applicant must submit a preliminary assessment form, next is an information interview. After that applicants must submit an application form with 3 essays, 2 references, official transcripts, a GMAT/GRE score (is applicable) and a TOEFL (if applicable)
Applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of work experience.
Tuition cost
The tuition cost is $185,150. This fee covers lodging for the Silicon Valley and Shanghai modules, some meals and material.
Program Snapshot
The program has two intakes. The September intake takes place over 26 months and the January intake takes place over 24 months.
Class Profile
– Class size: 74
-Countries represented: 33
-Average Age: 38
-% of Women: 34%
Application Process
The application consists of official transcripts, GMAT/EA score, 3 essays, valid work/professional/institutional email address for each referee. Non-native English speakers must submit one of the following test scores: TOEFL, IELTS, CPE, CAE.
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years managerial experience.
Tuition cost
The tuition cost is £91,350.
Program Snapshot
The Cambridge Executive MBA is a unique 20-month degree programme for senior executives. The programme is taught at Cambridge for 16 weekends & four week-long blocks and starts in September.
Class Profile
- 128 students
- Average age 37
- Age range 28-57
- 40 nationalities represented
- 13 years average work experience
- 23% female
Application Process
Professional experience | 7 years’ full-time experience, including strong management experience, before starting the programme in September. |
Academic achievement | First or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree, or international equivalent. |
GMAT | If you meet our academic requirement and feel the skills covered by the GMAT/Executive Assessment (EA) can be demonstrated by your work experience, you may complete the GMAT/EA waiver on the application. GMAT/EA waivers can only be granted by the relevant admissions authority after interview. If your degree does not meet our minimum requirements, you will need to take the GMAT or EA, more details are below. |
Two references | A professional and a peer reference. |
English proficiency | You must be a national of a List A country, hold a three-year university degree completed in a List A country within the last two years, or have an IELTS or TOEFL score that meets our requirements listed below. |
Tuition cost
The tuition cost is £75,800.
Program Snapshot
In addition to the EMBA, IE also offer a EMBA Presencial, A Global EMBA and their IE Brown EMBA. The program is 15 months long and is offered in English or English & Spanish. There are two intakes, one in September and one in March.
Class Profile
-Countries represented: 25+
-Average Age: 35
-% of Women: 30%
-Average Work Experience: 12 years
Application Process
The application is a 4 step process, first an online application form which includes the following: official transcripts, a CV/resume, 2 letters of recommendation, a work verification letter, an organizational chart and a photograph. Non-native English speakers must include one of the following text scores: TOEFL, IELTS, CPE, CAE, Duolingo English Test. The next step is an online assessment, after that is an entrance exam. Students are required to take either the GMAT, GRE, IEGAT or EA. The last step is a personal interview.
Tuition cost
The tuition cost is €61,200.
Program Snapshot
The HEC Paris EMBA is a part time program that takes 15-18 months. The HEC Paris Executive MBA offers 3 different study formats and 5 flexible, part-time tracks to fit your personal and professional lifestyle. Programs are held in three locations: Paris, Jouy-en-Josas (17 kilometers outside of Paris) and Doha.
Application Process
For your application to be considered complete and ready to be reviewed for admission, it should meet the following requirements:
- Completed Application Form
- Completed Essays
- Management Test: choice of GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, or in-house HEC management test.
- Copy of English Test*
- 2 Recommendations
- Passport Photo
- Copy of Passport (copies of both if you have dual nationality) or Birth Certificate
- Current Professional Resume in English (Minimum of 8 years of Work Experience)
- International Exposure or Work Experience
- Non-refundable application fee of 200 euros
- Copies of Higher Education Degrees or Equivalent Education and Experience**
Tuition cost
The tuition cost is €86000 – €94000.
Top Ranked International Executive MBA Programs:
Program Snapshot
Columbia offer two different top ranked GEMBA programs, their EMBA-Global Americas and Europe program offers students the chance to study in both London and New York. A partnership between London Business School and Columbia Business School. The second program, EMBA-Global Asia, is a partnership between London Business School, Columbia Business School and University of Hong Kong. Classes are held in London, New York and Shanghai. Both programs are a duration of 20 months and begin in May.
Class Profile
-Class size: 106
-Average Years of Work Experience: 12 years
-Countries represented: 36
-% of Women: 28%
Application Process
The application consists of an application form, a CV, an organization chart, academic transcripts, GMAT or EA score, TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable), two references, a signed statement of employer support and a copy of the applicants passport.
Candidates must also have sufficient experience and fluent English.
Tuition Cost
Tuition cost for the Americas and Europe Program is $201,720. This fee includes accommodation, meals (breakfast and lunch), career support, extra-curricular activities and facilities.
Tuition cost for the Asia Program is $189,600. This fee includes accommodation, meals (breakfast and lunch), career support, extra-curricular activities and facilities.
Program Snapshot
Trium’s 18 month top ranked Global EMBA starts in London (LSE), then takes students to Silicon Valley, Paris (HEC), New York (NYU), Shanghai (NYU Shanghai) before returning to Paris and London.
Class Profile
-Class size: 65
-Average Age: 40
-Average Years of Work Experience: 16 years
-Countries represented: 32
Application Process
The application process consists of a preliminary assessment form, an interview, an application form (which includes transcripts, TOEFL and GMAT/GRE- not always applicable) and a second interview.
Tuition Cost
The tuition of $185,150 includes tuition, lodging for the Silicon Valley and Shanghai modules, lunch and group dinners and required materials.