Where are the US and Canada's Top EMBA Programs?

Institutions in the US and Canada dominate in the EMBA world, comprising 51% of the ranked institutions in the QS Global 100 EMBA Rankings by Region. 

The top-10 institutions might all be in the US, but Canada still performs well with three business schools making it into the ranking overall. 

The US and Canada’s top-10 EMBA program options:

1. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University: Executive MBA (Evanston, IL)

The EMBA program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern can be taken in two formats: bimonthly at the Evanston, Chicago campus, or monthly at the Miami campus. The course lasts two years and highlights include the ‘Emerging Markets’ courses, which explore business in developing economies. The course price is US$201,120, students usually have around 13 years’ experience and graduates can look forward to a 38% increase in salary after graduation.

2. Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania: Wharton MBA for Executives (Philadelphia, PA)

Wharton School’s EMBA takes place at either their Philadelphia or San Francisco campuses. The 24-month course costs US$198,600, and for that students can expect an intensive study experience with a wealth of electives available. The course also includes a residency requirement, meaning candidates will spend a weekend in a hotel with their fellow classmates creating a focused learning environment. Applicants have an average 11 years of experience and can expect a 46% increase in their salary.

3. Booth School of Business, University of Chicago: Executive MBA (Chicago, IL)

The originator of the executive MBA, Chicago Booth still offers one of the world’s best programs. The 21-month course can be taken at any of three campuses – Chicago, London or Hong Kong, and during international sessions week, students can move between locations, making this course truly international. Program fees for the US location are US$184,000. Students have an average of 12 years’ work experience and graduates can expect a 44% increase in their salaries after completion.

4. Anderson School of Management, UCLA: UCLA Anderson Executive MBA (Los Angeles, CA)

The two-year program at UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles offers a truly international experience, with over 20 international study options and 48% of students born outside of the US. The course can be taken entirely in-person or partially online. It costs US$148,470, applicants have an average of 14 years of experience and can look forward to a 63% increase in their salary post-graduation.

5. Columbia Business School, Columbia University: Executive MBA-New York (New York, NY)

Columbia’s executive MBA can be taken in either 16, 20 or 24 months, thanks to flexible scheduling options. Despite having the largest EMBA student body in the world, Columbia emphasizes a ‘tight-knit’ community feel to enhance collaboration and success, and its New York City location means student benefit from one of the world’s most important financial hubs. The course costs US$196,200, applicants have an average of nine years’ experience and can expect a 39% increase in salary after graduation.

6. Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley: Berkeley MBA for Executives (Berkeley, CA)

According to Berkeley-Haas, the four principles which define the school are: ‘question the status quo’, ‘confidence without attitude’, ‘students always’, and ‘beyond yourself’. The institution’s 19-month EMBA course focusses on these key principles. The price for the course is US$185,000, applicants have an average of 13 years’ experience and can benefit from a 54% increase in salary after graduation.

7. Yale School of Management, Yale University: Yale MBA for Executives (New Haven, CT)

Yale’s executive MBA is a 22-month course which focuses on areas where business and society overlap: asset management, healthcare and sustainability. The program is 75% general management and 25% on a specific area of focus. It takes place on Yale’s main campus and includes a four-week in-residence and a short residence abroad. Students pay US$172,000, usually have around 12 years of experience, and can look forward to a 46% increase in their salary after graduation.

8. Sloan School of Management, MIT: MIT Executive MBA (Cambridge, MA)

MIT’s executive MBA is a 20-month program costing US$161,000. As you would expect from one of the world’s top institutions, the rigorous curriculum focuses on applied learning, and students benefit from faculty expertise and a vast network of alumni. The course takes place on the Cambridge MIT campus and costs US$161,000. Students have an average of 17 years’ experience and can look forward to around a 17% increase in salary.

9. Stern School of Business, NYU: NYU Stern Executive MBA (New York, NY)

A 22-month EMBA program at NYU Stern offers a broad choice of electives and international opportunities. The institution focuses on four core values: ‘academic excellence’, ‘IQ & EQ’, ‘collaborative community’, and ‘the energy of a global hub’. Students generally have around 14 years’ work experience before applying. The cost of the course is US$189,200 and for that price can expect around a 38% salary increase after graduation.

10. Fuqua School of Business, Duke University: Duke MBA-Global Executive (Durham, NC)

Fuqua School of Business’s EMBA takes 16 months to complete. Two terms are completed at Duke’s main campus, the other three involve a residency in a selected region around the world. This reinforces the focus of the course – internationalization and business in a globalized world. The course costs US$184,600, students have an average of 14 years’ experience and can expect a 38% increase in salary after graduation

 *Location listed is the main campus