Want a strong ROI on your MBA? Forbes ranking shows why many students are opting for shorter one-year MBAs in Europe
When Forbes released its MBA ranking last week, it was not a big US business school that drew headlines. Instead, it was IMD on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The Forbes ranking is based solely on the median return on investment (ROI) achieved by graduates from the class of 2014. Schools are ranked based on their 'five-year MBA gain', or the net cumulative amount the typical alum would have earned after five years through an MBA, rather than staying in the workforce.
IMD’s five-year gain is $168,900, far higher than elite US schools like Chicago Booth, which topped Forbes’ US ranking with a five-year gain of $94,400. Forbes produces separate rankings for the best one and two-year MBAs outside the US.
One-year vs. two-year MBA programs
One-year courses have an inherent advantage under Forbes’ methodology, thanks to the lower opportunity cost of not working for a single year, compared to two-year MBAs. But Sean Meehan, dean of IMD’s MBA, also puts the stellar ROI down to the school’s strong cohort.
IMD students are generally more experienced than their US peers, with seven years of work experience on average, he explains. So, on graduation they have great potential for promotion, thereby boosting their earnings.
Forbes found that MBA candidates enrol at IMD with $82,000 salaries on average and earned $200,000 five years after graduation.
This high ROI will be attractive to prospective students and goes some way to explaining the growth in applications to European MBA programs in recent years. With their short course durations, one-year non-US courses produced graduates with an average five-year gain of $62,300, according to Forbes.
The high ROI is also because European programs tend to be more diverse than US courses and therefore draw more students from emerging economies, says Brandon Kirby at the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands. This means that average pre-MBA pay can be lower at European schools, which leads to larger five-year gains on graduation, he says.
The fact that many overseas students of US schools are struggling to secure work authorization in the country because of stringent visa checks and the lottery H-1B visa system, may also have limited US schools’ ROI, he says.
Overseas students may be forced to return home on graduation to countries with lower average salaries than in the US—though earlier this year there were changes made to the H1B Visa process in the US, which could make it easier for international MBA graduates to secure employment.
Given this backdrop, Brandon says now is an even better time than before to pursue an MBA in Europe.
“With more prospective students considering Europe than ever before, European schools must seize this opportunity and solidify the idea that Europe is just as attractive as the US as a study destination,” he says.
The state of two-year MBAs in the US
The high European ROI compares with a $54,500 gain for graduates of two-year US programs in the Forbes ranking.
These courses are suffering a second year of successive application plunges. Even most of the elite schools such as Stanford, Dartmouth Tuck, and Duke Fuqua have reported declines in recent months.
This is in part due to the high opportunity cost amid a booming US economy, with prospective students less willing to put their salaries on pause and potentially miss out on promotion to get a pricey MBA. Forbes estimates that fees and forgone compensation can top $350,000 at the best US schools.
However, the Forbes ranking does not take into account the many harder-to-measure returns of an MBA that are crucial for applicants to consider when choosing a study destination. These include the quality of the teaching, faculty, and alumni networks, as well as the composition of the cohort and career placement data.
US based admissions consultant Stacy Blackman says: “If your professional goal is to live and work in Europe, pursuing an MBA there is arguably the best option.
“INSEAD, LBS, and HEC Paris place under 10% of graduates into US-based jobs and 50% to 66% into Europe. If you prefer to work in the US, the US MBA programs are a good choice since they place 87% to 89% of students in the US.”
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Best Journalism school in Europe
When I first stepped onto the campus of City, University of London, I knew I was in for a ride - and not just on the Tube! With its vibrant energy and an impressive repertoire of programs, City U became my home away from home.
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Classes
The diversity at City University facilitates interactions and is a direction toward the unity of the world. The classes are well built to match the number and needs of all students regardless of the elements of diversity that set people apart. The use of technology in delivery makes learning even more interesting and achievable. At City University there is no distinction pegged on the issues that make people unique.
professors
The team of lecturers at the Uiversity are well experienced. Their level of insight and the methodologies of delivery works for the interes of the leaeners. My learning experience was largely boosted by the level of knowledge of the professors at the institution, and their passion to transfer the same to learners. I appreciate every class I attended because of the level of insight I was able to gather
The best university I’ve been to
The campus and the people I've met have made it a wonderful experience. I was reared in a small town with a graduating class of only 88 individuals, so moving to City University was a huge adjustment for me. My dorm has more residents than my whole high school combined! I enjoy the atmosphere here, and everyone is so friendly. Outstanding academic options and a stunning campus. Really great from beginning to end. The educators genuinely love what they do, and the students are ready to learn. On or around college, there is always something to do with friends, and the social scene is particularly warm.
Bayes Business School
As a student at City university attending Bayes Business School I would totally recommend choosing this university as the experience is exceptional with great social networking opportunities . Professors are significantly helpful, delivering with excellence and professionalism. Everyone is happy to help and make you feel welcomed in such an esteem university as City, offering exceptional development and guidance through out the course.
Economics and Politics
Incredibly amazing university, the way they polish students and help them boost their morale and think intellectually is worthwhile. Many universities have international partnerships to allow exchanges between their students. The most obvious subjects for these opportunities would be those that involve languages, and the study of people and places.
Clinical biology
I really like it it’s perfect for me with not too many people and not too few either. All the modules are amazing. I love the toy bar. I love all the societies that I’ma part of. Especially the colour Bollywood society
Unlocking My Potential at City University London
My time at City University London was truly transformative. The university's vibrant community and diverse extracurricular activities allowed me to forge lifelong friendships and professional connections that extend beyond the classroom. I was impressed by the university's commitment to academic rigor, character development, and personal growth, which created an ideal environment for me to reach my full potential. The research-driven and industry-relevant curriculum provided me with a solid foundation in international business, while the dedicated faculty and staff offered invaluable guidance and support. I feel grateful for the well-rounded education and holistic experience that City University London offered, preparing me for success in my career and beyond.
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At the University of London, I have experienced dynamic and diverse academic environment where I was challenged by rigorous coursework. You will have the flexibility to choose from the wide range of courses, participate in numerous extra-curricular activities and take advantage of the many opportunities
