Best MBA Programme
October 8th, 2007
So you’re thinking of getting an MBA, which is arguably a ticket to faster career advancement. What Business Times reported 2 days ago may interest you:
According to a report by Economist Intelligence Unit, NTU’s Nanyang Business School “has the best MBA programme in Singapore.”
But behind the nice wordings is the sad fact that NTU is ranked 72nd, while NUS Business School comes in rather closely at 94th.
It is interesting to note that both NUS and NTU do not feature at all in Forbes’ biennial ranking of global business schools, which quantitatively ranks the schools by the payoff that you can get. Forbes actually compares the before and after salaries of MBA graduates. The ratio of “profits” earned by graduates are divided by sum of the tuition fees and lost salaries (opportunity cost) to derive the “Ratio to Expenses”. Then, the schools are ranked by this ratio.
According to Forbes’ ranking, the best global MBA school is Switzerland’s IMD. If you study there, you will spend US$45,000 on tuition, but can expect to be “profitable” in just 2 years (i.e. 2 years to payback). The starting annual salary of fresh IMD MBA graduates is US$163,000, which includes sign on bonus and other compensation. (US$163,000 = S$240,000)
So, if you want to get an MBA, and can afford to go to Switzerland, try for IMD!
Masindi Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 10:56 am
what is the ranking based on?
admin Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Masindi, the Forbes ranking is based very much on ROI, while the Economist one is based on a range of factors including increase in salary and potential to network.
Anthony Says:
October 12th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Where is the Coventry University business School ranked?
Glenn Says:
November 5th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Thanks for the publicity for IMD, Lausanne, Switerland. I did my MBA there and while I agree that the payback period is very short, the more important aspect of an IMD MBA is the strong career and personal development provided by the program.
admin Says:
November 5th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Glenn, so I guess it’s true that fresh IMD MBA graduates make US$163,000/yr… or is it more?
Glenn Says:
November 6th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Hi Admin,
Personally, I would say it is true. Of course, this is just an average figure and so there is a full range from USD100,000 to USD300,000. However, what you must understand about the IMD program is that the average age is 31 and so most participants have over 8 years of working experience, as opposed to normal MBAs with 2 to 4 years. Naturally, you graduate, employers are keen to hire someone especially if that person has experience in the function, the industry and geography that the employer is looking to fill. On the other hand, many MBAs take the opportunity to switch one of the 3 criteria and hence might be willing to sacrifice some pay to work in a new industry or to work in a different country where the employer has to take a bit of risk on you.
MBA Not So Good After All? | Salary.sg - Your Salary in Singapore Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 11:22 am
[...] take all the nice reports and rankings of MBA programmes with a pinch of salt. The figures for “return on investment” and [...]
Jasmine Says:
April 20th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
It is too expensive to have the MBA at IMD. Wonder is there any good ROI MBA at cheaper cost.
Glenn Says:
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hi Jasmine,
From FT’s latest 2008 rankings: http://rankings.ft.com/global-mba-r...
If you add a field named “Value” which is the closest proxy to ROI, then the following are the top 5 MBAs:
1. University of Strathclyde Business School, overall ranking = 30
2. University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, overall ranking = 71
3. Lancaster University Management School, overall ranking = 22
4. IMD, overall ranking = 14
5. Leeds University Business School, overall ranking = 48
Hence, IMD is the only MBA in the top 20 in terms of value.
But rankings are only one aspect of the equation. Just like cost is one aspect. Look at each program’s strength and see if it matches what you are looking for in an MBA program.
Pradeep Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Please help with the B schools in UK
1.Coventry
2.Cardiff
Please help me with Returns as total expense would be around 15 lacs
bc Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Hi Glenn, I am interested in applying for the IMD MBA. May I get in touch with you to find out more? Thanks!
Glenn Says:
February 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Hi bc, please contact imd admissions. They have my contact details and will be happy to share them with you. I am not putting my contact details on an open forum.
http://Www.imd.ch
Best MBA Schools 2009 | Salary.sg - Your Salary in Singapore Says:
February 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
[...] IMD, Switzerland (which was Forbes’ best global business school) [...]
Help me Says:
August 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
hi glenn,
im a engg. Graduate wid 18 months of xperience.I wish 2 study mba in international business.My budget is about 15 lakhs.Suggest me some best b-schools in uk and europe..Tel me the entry requirements needed
Vinod Says:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Hi, Coventry university UK is really good and I could help you get admission in the same. Please let me know if you are interested. vinod@winsmart.co.in
you would get the best ROI in terms of MBA.
vik Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 12:46 am
Hi, could someone please advice on the best PART-TIME MBA in Singapore?
I know i’ve got limited options but need your inputs as i have been listening to inconsistent feedback from co-workers. Many thanks.
mba Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 2:27 am
NTU’s Nanyang Business School
local MBA Says:
March 21st, 2010 at 8:44 pm
NTU is ranked higher than NUS for MBA but most people still have the tendancy to go for NUS because it is still a more popular brandname to local HRs/employers.