Top 25: Two ESSEC Executive MBA programs ranked among the world’s best

Highlights from the FT Executive MBA Rankings: Career Impact, International Experience and ESG

The 2026 Financial Times rankings highlight a number of strong results across the ESSEC Executive MBA portfolio, reflecting the strength of the programs and their focus on developing responsible, globally minded leaders equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow:

• Career & Salary Progression

The 2026 FT rankings highlight the career impact of the ESSEC Executive MBA, with strong results for both salary progression and career advancement. Across the ESSEC Executive MBA programs, alumni report an almost 80% increase in salary compared with their pre-program compensation, while the ESSEC Weekend EMBA ranks #12 worldwide for career progression – a measure based on changes in alumni’s level of seniority and the size of their company or organisation. The survey also shows strong salary levels among alumni from both programs, with average annual salaries exceeding $300,000. Together, these indicators highlight the strong career impact of the ESSEC Executive MBAs and the progression they can support for participants.

• International Course Experience 

The ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA ranks #5 worldwide for international course experience, reflecting the breadth of international exposure across the ESSEC Executive MBA programs . Through immersive international residencies and electives across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, participants gain first-hand exposure to diverse business environments. Company visits, cultural experiences and explorations of geopolitical dynamics offer a broader perspective on how organisations operate across markets. Combined with diverse cohorts and faculty, these experiences bring an international dimension to both the academic and professional experience of the ESSEC Executive programs.

• Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG)

The ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA ranks #12 worldwide for ESG, reflecting the importance given to ethics, social and environmental issues within the curriculum. Across both Executive MBA programs, the ESG Project is a cohort-wide initiative that gives participants the opportunity to apply their strategic and managerial skills to a real-world social challenge, working collectively to explore practical solutions. Alongside the broader teaching on sustainability and responsible business, the project encourages participants to consider the social and environmental implications of business decisions and their role as responsible leaders.