Oct. 27, 2008 — For the fourth year in a row, the Financial Times has ranked the David Eccles School of Business (DESB) Executive MBA program among the top programs in the world. According to the report, being published in the Oct. 27 issue, the David Eccles School of Business Executive MBA program was ranked 34 in the United States and 80 in the world. Faculty research output was ranked 22 in the U.S.

Now in its seventh year of ranking the world’s top executive MBA programs, the Financial Times analyzes feedback from more than 3,000 alumni. This year’s ranking is based on data gathered from the Executive MBA class that graduated in 2005. According to the survey, the DESB EMBA is a highly valuable asset to these program graduates. One of the greatest strengths of the Executive MBA program is the success of its students, indicated by the 49 percent increase in the average salary of graduates. This increase translates to an average salary of $114,952. The ranking also reflects alumni satisfaction, salaries, as well as school success of the students, diversity and faculty quality.

“The Financial Times ranking is a reflection of the school’s growing stature as one of the world’s leading resources for an Executive MBA. The ranking includes factors that are important to prospective students, current students, and alumni,” says Brad Vierig, assistant dean of executive education and director of the Executive MBA. “We are preparing leaders to solve the most important problems both domestically and internationally.”

David Eccles School of Business graduate Stephen Warner, class of ‘05, associate vice president for health sciences at the University of Utah, asserts that more executives are realizing the value of an MBA degree. “My Executive MBA experience expanded my understanding of the business world in which I am immersed. It was like learning a new language. In two years I could communicate on an advanced level about finance, marketing, global enterprise and accounting. My fellow students represented diverse professions, ethnicities and life experiences that enhanced the learning process for me. I give the program my highest recommendation” he said.

Jack Brittain, dean of the David Eccles School of Business and vice-president of Technology Venture states that the Executive MBA program is getting some well deserved recognition for providing a quality education. “Courses are taught by world-class faculty and professionals who are absolutely committed to giving the very best to our business executives,” he said. “This is what really matters, and it is what has helped the EMBA program attain a reputation for excellence.”

Information sessions for the Executive MBA program will be held November 14, 2008 and December 4, 2008.  For more information, call 801.581.5577 or e-mail emba@utah.edu.

For more information about the Financial Times and its rankings, visit www.ft.com. 

About the David Eccles School of Business

More than 25,000 students have graduated with business degrees over the last century from the David Eccles School.

The Wall Street Journal recognizes the David Eccles School in the World’s Top 100 Business Schools.

In 1936, the David Eccles School was one of the first business schools in the nation to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).  Today, it is one of 409 business schools in the country that has achieved the highest standard of national accreditation and one of 455 worldwide.