The Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) improved their positions in the Financial Times (FT) Executive MBA Ranking 2026. While ISB climbed 15 places to rank 38th globally, compared with 53rd in 2025, IIM Bangalore rose eight places to 64th from 72nd a year earlier. The number of Indian institutions featured in the ranking fell from three in 2025 to two in 2026.
IIM Bangalore’s Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM), designed for working professionals, recorded a 102% increase in alumni salaries, according to the ranking. Its average alumni salary reached $285,934 three years after graduation. The programme also entered the global top 10 for salary growth.
Professor
Pranav Jindal, Associate Dean – Admissions & Careers, Indian School of Business said, “The improvement in ISB’s global ranking reflects the continued strength of PGPMAX and the value it creates for experienced professionals. The programme combines rigorous, research-backed learning with the opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and engage with peers across industries, enabling participants to challenge their thinking and apply new insights to real-world business challenges. This recognition reinforces our commitment to continuously strengthen the learning experience and support our students in achieving their professional aspirations.”
FT Executive MBA Ranking 2026: Global Top 10
The joint Executive MBA programme offered by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) secured first place globally. China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) ranked second, followed by Spain’s IESE Business School in third place.
The top 10 Executive MBA programmes in the FT 2026 ranking are:
Rank 1 – Kellogg/HKUST Business School — Hong Kong/US
Rank 2 -China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) — China
Rank 3 -IESE Business School — Spain
Rank 4 -SKEMA Business School — France
Rank 5 -ESCP Business School — France/Europe
Rank 6 -Guanghua-Kellogg — China/US
Rank 7 -EMBA-Global: Columbia/London Business School — US/UK
Rank 8 -Washington University: Olin — US
Rank 9 -National University of Singapore Business School — Singapore
Rank 10 -University of Cambridge: Judge Business School — UK
The FT rankings evaluates Executive MBA programmes using alumni and institutional data. Its methodology includes alumni salaries, salary increases, career progression, work experience, achievement of career goals, alumni networks, diversity, environmental, social and governance (ESG) education, and faculty research.
Alumni responses account for 52% of the overall ranking, school-provided data contributes 38%, and faculty research accounts for the remaining 10%. Salary and salary growth together make up 31% of the total score.
The ranking is designed for experienced professionals and senior managers pursuing executive management education.
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