2010 Program Results

Executive MBA Council Releases 2010 Membership Data

ORANGE, CALIF., Oct. 4, 2010 – Inquiries and applications to Executive MBA (EMBA) programs increased in 2010, according to the Executive MBA Council’s 2010 Membership Program Survey. On average, programs received 533 inquiries, up from 519 in 2009, and the number of applications per program was 93.3, up from 92.6 the year before. “We’re pleased that interest and applications are up for EMBA programs, especially during these tough times,” says Michael Desiderio, executive director of the Executive MBA Council. “The caliber of EMBA students continues to be high as well. Both the years of work and management experience of our students remain consistent.”

The council’s annual Membership Program Survey offers a comprehensive overview of worldwide member programs. Approximately 308 member programs participated in the 2010 survey. Data for the survey was gathered in summer 2010.

High Caliber of Students

• The average years of management experience for EMBA students is 8.4, up from 8.3, the average the past four years. The average years of work experience is 13.3, compared with 12.8 in 2006.
  
  
• The average GPA has held steady – 3.18 in 2010; 3.16 in 2006.
  
  
• Ninety-three (93) percent of programs require an interview, up from 86 percent in 2006.

Tuition Reimbursement

• Thirty-five (35) percent of EMBA students in 2010 are fully self-sponsored. The percentage hasn’t changed significantly during the past five years. In 2006, 33 percent were self-sponsored.
  
  Thirty-six (36) percent of students receive partial reimbursement, up from 34 percent in 2006.
  
  
• Thirty (30) percent of students receive full tuition reimbursement, down from 2006 (35 percent).

General Information

• The percentage of female students has decreased slightly each year. In 2010, 26 percent of EMBA students are female, down from 26.3 percent in 2009 and 28 percent in 2006.
  
  
• The average student age is slowly inching up. In 2010, the average age is 37.1, compared with 36.5 in 2006.
  
  
• The average program tuition in 2010 was $65,655, a 4.5 percent increase from 2009.

Program Structure

• The average class size in 2010 is 45, same as 2009. The average class size in 2006 was 42.
  
  
• The average program length continues to be 20 months.
  
  
• The percentage of programs requiring an international trip increases each year. In 2010, 64 percent required an international trip, up from 57 percent in 2006. The most popular destinations once again are China, Brazil and India.
  
  
• In 2010, 9.4 percent of EMBA programs focused on a particular industry or profession, compared with 6.3 percent in 2006. Verbatim responses indicate that the most common industry focus is healthcare, followed by global content/curriculum and strategy.