The FT EMBA Rankings in 2025 reveal where real executive opportunity exists today. While traditional Western programs rest on legacy reputations, Chinese schools deliver staggering salary jumps exceeding 130%. For ambitious executives, the rankings make it clear: following the money eastward isn’t just smart, it’s imperative for career acceleration.
For the 25th edition of the Financial Times (FT) ranking of the world’s top 100 Executive MBA programs, China-based programs dominate the top 10. This is a clear sign of the times, as students begin to shift away from the Big Four across all program formats. This is especially true in the competitive and lucrative landscape of executive education.
Let’s look at the list and then dive into the slips and slides we witnessed in the rankings this year.
Here are the top ten schools in the 2025 Financial Times Executive MBA ranking (click through to see all 100):
| School | Location/s | Program Name | Salary Today (US$) | |
| 1. | Washington University/ Olin | China/US | WashU-Fudan EMBA | 718,662 |
| 2. | CEIBS | China/Switzerland/Ghana | CEIBS Global EMBA | 568,696 |
| 3. | ESCP Business School | France/Germany/UK/Italy/Spain/Poland | EMBA | 382,156 |
| 4. | Kellogg Business School/ HKUST | Hong Kong | Kellogg-HKUST EMBA | 647,850 |
| 5. | Skema Business School | France/US/China/Brazil/UAE | Global MBA | 394,151 |
| 6. | TRIUM: HEC Paris / LSE / NYU Stern | France/US/UK | Trium Global EMBA | 459,076 |
| 7. | INSEAD | France/UAE/Singapore | Global EMBA (GEMBA) | 383,613 |
| 8. | Fudan University School of Management | China | Fudan EMBA | 591,863 |
| 9. | Arizona State University: WP Carey | China/US | WP Carey-SNAI EMBA | 558,445 |
| 10. | Guanghua-Kellogg | China/US | Guanghua-Kellogg EMBA | 492,006 |
Notable omissions from the top 10 were London Business School (#13), IESE Business School (#14), Oxford Saïd Business School (#15), and Yale School of Management (#31).
Now, let’s take a closer look at the FT EMBA Ranking for 2025 and learn how it is compiled.
The Financial Times EMBA Ranking is an annual list of the top 100 executive MBA programs in the world. It is one of the most respected and prestigious executive MBA rankings in the higher education industry.
Business schools must request to join the ranking, and each program must meet the following criteria:
This year, 129 schools participated in the ranking.
The FT’s 2025 Executive MBA Ranking reveals that EMBA graduates are experiencing stronger salary growth compared to other business degrees. Average base salaries for EMBA graduates three years after completion rose 4.4% to nearly US$230,000, while online MBA earnings remained flat at US$180,000, and traditional MBA salaries actually declined 3.2% to US$150,000.
The Washington University-Fudan EMBA claimed the top spot for the first time, rising from third place and overtaking China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). The program, taught primarily in Shanghai, reported the highest average alumni salary at US$718,662 and the largest salary increase of 134% compared to pre-EMBA earnings. Following them are ESCP, Kellogg/HKUST, and Skema.
Chinese and Hong Kong-based schools dominated salary rankings, with the top six earning positions all located at least partly in these regions when adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP).
Despite stable demand, with average class sizes holding steady around 58 students, employer sponsorship continues to decline. Only 19% of students now have fees entirely externally funded, down from a decade ago, while 54% of candidates receive no financial support.
ESCP Business School led in career progress metrics, while Michigan Ross graduates reported the highest achievement of study aims at 77%. Students prioritized networking and management development over purely financial goals.
The ranking assessed 129 programs across metrics, including earnings, career advancement, and faculty research quality, with US schools Wharton and Chicago Booth leading the way in academic research output. IE Business School (#19 in 2024) was missing from the list altogether this year, despite its Online MBA ranking #1 in 2025, perhaps showing a lack of data or less focus dedicated to its EMBA program.
To make a decision about which EMBA to study, always evaluate which metrics are most valuable to you, personally, for your career and your academic journey.
The Financial Times EMBA rankings method collects data used for the ranking through one survey sent to alumni (50% of the ranking), one survey sent to business schools (40%), and an analysis of faculty research (10%), known as the FT research rank.
Participation also depends on a sufficient response rate from alumni surveys conducted in English. A minimum response rate of 20% is crucial.
Alumni feedback accounts for 50% of the 2025 Financial Times Executive MBA ranking. It encompasses post-graduation salary increases, career advancement, pre-EMBA work experience, and fulfilling personal and professional goals. This feedback provides a holistic view of the program’s impact on alumni careers and personal development.
Comprising 40% of the EMBA ranking, business school data includes ESG teachings, gender and international diversity, and faculty research in academic journals. This assessment highlights each school’s dedication to responsible business practices, inclusivity, and academic rigor.
The remaining 10% of the ranking is the FT research rank based on the number of faculty publications.
The FT EMBA rankings offer prospective students valuable decision-making tools through a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation.
The rankings track real alumni outcomes three years post-graduation, including actual salaries, career progression, and goal achievement. These rankings illustrate concrete results beyond promotional claims. They assess multiple dimensions: earnings, career advancement, faculty research quality, alumni networks, ESG teaching, and student satisfaction, helping match programs to individual priorities.
All ranked schools hold AACSB or EQUIS accreditation, ensuring best practice in quality standards. The rankings identify specific program strengths, such as ESCP for career progress or Kellogg-HKUST for networking, enabling targeted selection.
Additionally, they reveal practical considerations like gender diversity, sponsorship trends, and consider regional salary differences adjusted for purchasing power.
As an independent and respected publication, the FT EMBA rankings provide objective comparisons that cut through marketing materials and help align the aspects of an EMBA that matter most to you.
Read all the Financial Times Rankings from this and previous years.
