Executive MBA Council Reports Five-Year Trends From Annual Membership Program Survey

ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The quality of Executive MBA students remains high despite the tough economic conditions as students recognize the need to sharpen their competitive edge by gaining new skills and knowledge. Every metric that reflects the type of student attending EMBA programs was up, according to the Executive MBA Council’s 2011 Membership Program Survey. “Students want to increase their business acumen by pursuing an MBA in a rigorous, high-quality program, which is what our member programs offer,” says Michael Desiderio, executive director of the EMBA Council.

“Students want to increase their business acumen by pursuing an MBA in a rigorous, high-quality program, which is what our member programs offer”

The council’s annual Membership Program Survey offers a comprehensive overview of worldwide member programs. Nearly 290 member programs participated in the 2011 survey. Data for the survey was gathered in summer of 2011.

High Caliber of Students

• The average years of managerial experience is up slightly – 8.5 years in 2011, 8.3 in 2007.

• The average years of work experience is 13.3 in 2011, a slight uptick from 13 in 2007.
• The average GPA remains constant at 3.2.

Tuition Reimbursement

• The percentage of students receiving full financial sponsorship from employers has declined from 34 percent in 2007 to 27 percent in 2011.
• Thirty-six (36) percent of students receive partial reimbursement, up from 34 percent in 2007.
• Thirty-seven (37) percent of students in 2011 are fully self-sponsored, up from 33 percent in 2007.

Program Structure

• Average program length continues to be 20 months.
• The average class size is 42, up from 40 in 2007.
• In 2011, 66 percent of programs required an international trip, compared with 58 percent in 2007. China continues to be the most popular destination. The number of trips to Turkey and Chile quadrupled.
• While the percentage of program content delivered online has remained constant (7 percent in 2011), the method of delivery has changed. Programs providing online content are increasing their asynchronous delivery.

General Information

• The average age of students has increased slightly. In 2011, the average age is 37.1, compared with 36.5 in 2007.
• The percentage of female students in EMBA programs declined from 27 percent in 2007 to 25 percent in 2011.
• Total program cost has increased 23 percent in five years. Average tuition is $73,217. In 2007, average tuition was $59,648. The tuition increase from 2010 was 5 percent.
• Programs are increasing their emphasis on alumni outreach through hosting alumni events; using social networking to connect former students; leveraging or founding alumni committees or boards; and expanding alumni career services.

About the Executive MBA Council

The Executive MBA Council provides a forum for programs to share best practices and gathers industry data. Survey analysis was conducted by Percept Research, an independent market research firm and the council’s research partner. The council provides information about the Executive MBA experience at www.executiveMBA.org.