What factors does the Financial Times look at when ranking MBA programs like Harvard's?
The Financial Times looks at weighted alumni salary, salary increase since the MBA, research ranks, value for money, aim achieved, alumni network strength, and the share of faculty with doctorates when ranking MBA programs such as Harvard's. Salary and salary increase carry the most weight.
The Financial Times bases its MBA rankings on a survey of alumni three years after graduation, focusing heavily on how much they earn and how much their salary has grown since completing the MBA. If you are choosing a program partly for return on investment, this ranking is a useful reference.
Factors the Financial Times Considers for MBA Rankings
| Factor |
|---|
| Weighted Alumni Salary |
| Salary Increase Since the MBA |
| Research Ranks |
| Value for Money |
| Aim Achieved |
| Alumni Network |
| Faculties With Doctorates |
How Harvard Has Performed in This Ranking
Harvard's Financial Times Global MBA ranking has shifted in recent years, moving between positions in the low double digits, which the Financial Times attributes largely to changes in alumni salary outcomes and salary growth relative to other top business schools.
My Advice
If return on investment matters most to you, weigh the Financial Times ranking alongside your target program's alumni salary data specifically, rather than looking at the overall rank alone. A program with a strong alumni network can also open doors that a ranking number alone will not show you.
Still comparing countries and universities?
Get a free shortlist matched to your budget, profile and course.
More Universities & admissions questions
- When are the spring and fall application deadlines for South Korean universities that I should plan for?
- How much would I pay in first-year tuition for the International MBA program at York University, Toronto?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?