• This Marks the Seventh Consecutive Appearance for the David Eccles School of Business’s Executive MBA Program in These Prestigious Rankings
• Executive MBA Graduates from the David Eccles School of Business Also See Hefty Salary Increases Over 2010 Results

SALT LAKE CITY (October 24, 2011) – The Executive MBA Program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business has climbed to No. 33 nationally on the 2011 Financial Times list of leading Executive MBA programs and is the only Utah school ranked in the top 100 this year. This marks the David Eccles School of Business’ seventh consecutive appearance in the 2011 ranking of global executive MBA programs, bettering its 2010 finish at No. 38 among the U.S. programs and maintaining its No. 88 global ranking, despite tough competition from several new international EMBA programs.

“We are happy to again be honored as one of the world’s top executive MBA programs,” said Taylor Randall, dean of the David Eccles School of Business. “That is a testament to the quality of both our faculty and students, as well as the relevance of our offerings to entrepreneurs and the corporate and the non-profit arenas alike.”

The David Eccles School of Business also ranked No. 43 for the success of its researchers, as measured by publication in international academic and business journals. “We are committed to providing our students with action-based learning taught by influential thought leaders who bring cutting-edge research into the classroom, and provide students with opportunities to solve real-world business problems.” Randall added.

The twelfth annual Financial Times Executive MBA rankings, also noted that despite a continuing sluggish economy in the U.S. and the world at large, Executive MBA graduates from the David Eccles School of Business were successful in increasing their salaries by 43 percent, three years after graduation.  This increase translates to an average salary of $133,570 – up sharply from 2010’s $123,000 figure.

“The value of an Executive MBA remains a solid investment which pays dividends to both the employee and the employer,” said Brad Vierig, associate dean of Executive Education at the David Eccles School of Business.  “Our ranking is an affirmation of students benefiting from the incredible learning experience, stimulating environment, and lifelong professional network with people from all corners of the globe. Employers see high-potential candidates transform into high-performance leaders with increased efficiency and confidence, thereby creating a strong legacy and succession plan.”

Financial Times draws information for its rankings from two primary sources: 55 percent of the score is based on online alumni surveys and 45 percent of the score is calculated from data gathered by the participating business schools.

Thousands of alumni are approached when they are three years removed from graduation to participate in the Financial Times surveys. They answer questions ranging from salary increases and career progression to realization of professional goals that grew out of their involvement in the EMBA program.

The schools provide data on diversity of their faculty and students, international reach of their programs, languages spoken by students and the productivity of faculty publishing articles in major academic and industry journals.

To learn more about the Financial Times rankings, visit www.ft.com. More information about the Executive MBA program at the David Eccles School of Business can be found at www.emba.utah.edu.

About the David Eccles School of Business

Founded in 1917 in Salt Lake City, the David Eccles School of Business has programs in entrepreneurship, technology innovation and venture capital management. Emphasizing interdisciplinary education and experiential learning, it launched the country’s largest student-run venture capital fund with $18.3 million (the largest in the U.S.), and is home to the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Center and the Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation. Approximately 3,500 students are enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate and executive degree programs as well as joint MBA programs in architecture, law and health administration. For more information, visit www.business.utah.edu.