FT's Online MBA ranking 2025: Which Business School is the most Financially Worthwhile?

Updated on Mar 21, 2025 11:07

In its 12th annual survey, the Financial Times ranked 15 out of the 22 business schools that took part.

Kolkata: IE Business School in Madrid has once again topped the Financial Times' 2025 Online MBA ranking, marking its third consecutive year at the summit. This achievement underscores the rising prominence of online MBA programs, which are now formidable rivals to traditional, on-campus counterparts in both academic quality and career impact. The Financial Times' assessment relies on surveys completed by both participating schools and their alumni from the 2021 graduating class. The ranking's methodology incorporates 20 distinct criteria, with alumni feedback carrying a substantial 60% of the overall score. From the initial pool of 22 institutions, the top 15 were ultimately selected. A notable characteristic of online MBA programs is their broad appeal across a wide age spectrum, attracting students from their 20s to their 50s. This contrasts with full-time or executive MBA programs, which typically draw professionals in their late 20s and 30s. Career progression remains a primary driver for enrollment, as evidenced by the significant number of alumni who have advanced to senior management roles after completing their MBA.

In the 2025 rankings, IE Business School excelled in international mobility, with its alumni experiencing an impressive average salary increase of 45% within three years of graduation, culminating in INR 17,363,766. The school also demonstrated strength in sustainability education, particularly in the areas of ESG and net-zero strategies.

Imperial College Business School in London maintained its second-place position, with alumni reporting a 33% salary boost to an average of INR 18,960,769. The school's strong performance in international faculty and diversity was highlighted as particularly beneficial for developing leadership skills.

Third place was earned by Warwick Business School, which improved its rating in program delivery while holding onto second place in career advancement.

The University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business ranked fourth, offering the highest alumni salaries at approximately 18,965,500 INR and strong research output.

According to FT Ranking What are the Top 15 online MBA programs 2025?

The table below represents the top 15 MBA programs comes under FT ranking:

Rank	Business School	Country	Alumni Salary (USD)	Alumni Salary (INR) (Approx.)	Tuition Fees (Original)	Tuition Fees (INR) (Approx.)
1	IE Business School	Spain	209,202	17,363,766	EUR 56,000	4,984,000
2	Imperial College Business School	UK	228,443	18,960,769	GBP 50,500	5,302,500
3	Warwick Business School	UK	216,898	17,992,534	GBP 40,733	4,276,965
4	University of Southern California: Marshall	US	228,500	18,965,500	USD 129,716	10,766,428
5	Carnegie Mellon: Tepper	US	191,841	15,922,803	USD 149,028	12,369,324
6	University of North Carolina: Kenan-Flagler	US	211,372	17,543,876	USD 125,589	10,424,887
7	University of Florida: Warrington	US	145,606	12,085,298	USD 56,065	4,653,395
8	University of Porto - FEP PBS	Portugal	158,128	13,124,624	EUR 14,672	1,305,120
9	Durham University Business School	UK	170,495	14,141,085	GBP 31,193	3,275,265
10	AGSM at UNSW Business School	Australia	178,466	14,812,678	AUD 64,080	3,460,320
11	Polimi School of Management	Italy	160,904	13,354,032	EUR 40,000	3,560,000
12	University of Bradford School of Management	UK	157,774	13,095,242	GBP 19,846	2,083,830
13	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	US	164,308	13,637,564	USD 33,600	2,788,800
14	Birmingham Business School	UK	136,594	11,337,302	GBP 25,267	2,653,035
15	Washington State University: Carson	US	157,090	13,038,470	USD 35,460	2,943,180

Value for Money and Evolving Practices

A significant newcomer, the University of Porto - FEP | PBS, secured the eighth position and excelled in fostering online student engagement and ensuring faculty accessibility. Simultaneously, AGSM at UNSW Business School from Australia continued to demonstrate leadership in reducing carbon emissions, as evidenced by its robust emissions reporting and ambitious net-zero objectives.

Gender Pay Disparity and Sector Choices

The gap in earnings between male and female graduates of online MBA programs has significantly decreased to 8%, a substantial improvement from the 25% disparity observed in 2024. However, this reduction is primarily attributed to a decrease in average male salaries rather than a significant increase in female compensation. The technology sector remains the predominant industry for graduates of online MBA programs, although there is a comparatively smaller representation in consulting and financial services compared to those who complete traditional, full-time MBA programs. Despite the part-time nature of these programs, the majority of students successfully complete their degrees within a two-year timeframe, with a select few achieving completion in just one year.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ans: Factors include alumni salary, career progress, program delivery, faculty quality, international diversity, and value for money.

Ans: No. Value for money also includes career outcomes, salary increases, and the quality of the education received.

Ans: International schools like IE Business School and Imperial College Business School often rank highly, demonstrating strong global competitiveness.

Ans: Check if the program is accredited by reputable organizations like AACSB, EQUIS, or AMBA.

Ans: Salary increases vary, but top-ranked schools report significant increases, often exceeding 30% within three years.