The London Business School (LBS) is ranked number 1 among international 2-year MBA programs in the Forbes’ 10th biennial ranking of the best business schools.
The ranking lists 9 international schools. On the second spot in the international list is IESE Business School followed at number 3 by CEIBS, 4th by HEC Paris, 5th by ESADE, 6th by Alliance Manchester, 7th by NUS, 8th by Schulich School of Business and 9th by IPADE.
Forbes says the ranking is based solely on the median returns on investment achieved by the graduates from the class of 2012. However, the returns for individuals could vary and the results for graduates from business schools outside the top tier are often weak.
Esade, based in Barcelona, Spain, has an annual enrolment of 189 and a median GMAT of 668. The cost is $70,028 and 5-year MBA gain $58,700. Alliance Manchester has an annual enrolment of 99 students with a median GMAT score of 620. The cost is $54,161 and 5-year MBA gain $57,200.
The survey for the ranking covered more than 100 schools and 17,500 alumni who were asked about their pre- and post-MBA compensation, career choice and location.
The feedback was received from 25% of those graduates. Those schools from which the response was lesser than 15% of the alumni were excluded from the ranking. Those schools where the alumni had a negative ROI after five years were also not included.
For the ranking, the alumni earnings in their first five years out of business school were compared to the opportunity cost in terms of forgone compensation, tuition and fees.
The total compensation, including salary, bonuses and exercised stock options were measured. It was also assumed that the compensation would have risen half as fast as their post-MBA salary increases had these alumni not attended business school.
London Business School rated as the best two-year international program with a 5-year gain of $119,100. The school has an annual enrolment of 425 with students having a median GMAT score at 708. The program cost is $93,527. The 2nd ranked IESE, located in Barcelona, Spain, has an annual enrolment of 354. The median GMAT is 684. The cost is $77,900 and 5-year MBA gain $97,100.
CEIBS at Shanghai, China, has an annual enrolment of 191. The median GMAT is 690. While the cost is $60,435, 5-year MBA gain is $95,000. HEC Paris has an annual enrolment of 232. The median GMAT is 690 and cost $66,584. The 5-year MBA gain is $85,300.
Esade, based in Barcelona, Spain, has an annual enrolment of 189 and a median GMAT of 668. The cost is $70,028 and 5-year MBA gain $58,700. Alliance Manchester has an annual enrolment of 99 students with a median GMAT score of 620. The cost is $54,161 and 5-year MBA gain $57,200.
The Singapore-based NUS Business School has an annual enrolment of 109 with median GMAT at 663. The cost is $46,364 and 5-year MBA gain $52,100. The Schulich School of Business in Toronto, Canada has an annual enrolment of 252 with a median GMAT of 660. The cost is $77,516 and 5-year MBA gain $48,700.
The Mexico City-based IPADE has an annual enrolment of 153 with a median GMAT of 605. The cost is $48,503 and 5-year MBA gain $47,700.
