2007 Program Results

The 2007 Program Survey results reveal the following trends:

• Applications are up
  Executive MBA Council member programs reported that the average number of applicants per program in 2007 was up 25 percent from 2005. Program and class sizes are down slightly, and acceptance rates also are declining. The acceptance rate in 2007 was 63 percent; the 2005 acceptance rate was 67 percent. Due to the increase in applicants, 57 percent of the Executive MBA Council’s programs are considering expansion by increasing capacity or opening programs in new locations.
  
  
• Programs implementing special outreach programs
  Thirty-six percent of Executive MBA member programs are implementing special outreach efforts. Of those, 59 percent are targeting women. Twenty-seven percent of Executive MBA students in 2007 were female. Other top niche markets are ethnic minority, entrepreneur, nonprofit, and public sector audiences.
  
  
• Program length remained steady past five years
  The average program length in 2007 was 20.4 months, comparable to 20.3 months in 2003. The majority of programs – some 74 percent – continue to offer programs that range between 17 and 24 months to complete. The most common program length is 21 to 22 months (29 percent in 2006 and 2007).
  
  
• Programs cost increasing
  Average total program costs for all Executive MBA Council member programs worldwide rose slightly from $54,295 in 2005 to $57,954 in 2007.
  
  
• Level of work experience maintaining
  Students entering Executive MBA Council member programs have had the same average work experience the past three years: 12.7 years. On average, students have 8.2 years of management experience.
  
  
• Average student age holds steady
  The average age of students in Executive MBA Council member programs was 36.3, on par with the past five years.|
  
  
• One-third of students receive partial reimbursement, one-third full reimbursement, and one-third pay own tuition
  Over the past five years, approximately one-third of students received partial reimbursement (35 percent in 2003, 33 percent in 2007). The number of students paying their own way increased from 25 percent in 2003 to 33 percent in 2007. The number of organizations offering students full reimbursement was 34 percent, down from 40 percent in 2003.
  
  
• Number of programs offering leadership testing doubled
  Programs are interested in assessing and strengthening student leadership skills. The number of programs offering leadership testing doubled from 49 percent in 2006 to 85 percent in 2007. Students remain interested in career development. The percentage of programs that offer on-campus interviews has increased from 18 percent in 2004 to 31 percent in 2007.