The Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA (KH EMBA) Program has been ranked No. 1 globally in the Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2026, released today. This marks the 13th time the program has achieved the top position, a record that underscores its enduring excellence in executive education. Jointly offered by the HKUST Business School and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the program has consistently been recognized for its outstanding impact on participants' careers, leadership development, and global business perspectives.
The ranking reflects KH EMBA's continued strength across key performance indicators, including career progression, alumni outcomes, international student body, and the robustness of its global network. This achievement reinforces the program's unique position at the intersection of East and West, equipping senior executives with the strategic insight and leadership capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex global business environment. The full ranking is available at https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/3048/emba-2026.
The ranking also highlights the exceptional strength of the KH EMBA alumni community, which was ranked No. 1 globally in the Alumni Network category. The program cultivates a powerful international community of senior executives, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Spanning geographies and sectors, this lifelong network facilitates business opportunities, strategic partnerships, professional exchange, and career advancement. Graduates reported an average "Salary Today" of USD 607,684 (over HKD 4.7 million) and an average 69% salary increase following graduation. The program also achieved an outstanding overall satisfaction score of 9.73 out of 10, reflecting alumni confidence in the quality of the learning experience and the enduring value of the global KH EMBA network.
Prof. Frederik ANSEEL, Dean of HKUST Business School, said, "Thirteen No. 1 rankings over nearly two decades demonstrate the consistency with which this program has delivered value to senior executives around the world. Our participants are accomplished leaders, and the depth of experience they bring to the classroom is a defining part of the learning journey. They engage with world-class faculty who challenge conventional thinking, translate cutting-edge research into practical insights, and help them navigate the complex decisions they face as leaders. Equally important are the lifelong connections formed through the program, extending into a global alumni community where members continue to mentor, support and learn from one another long after graduation."
Prof. Francesca CORNELLI, Dean of Kellogg School of Management, noted, "For more than two decades, Kellogg School of Management and HKUST Business School have fostered a close and fruitful partnership, bringing together outstanding faculty from around the world to deliver a world-class global management education. We will continue to deepen our collaboration to nurture forward-looking and responsible leaders who create long-term value for Hong Kong, Asia, and the global community."
The Financial Times ranking evaluates the world's leading EMBA programs through a rigorous assessment framework covering alumni career outcomes, faculty research excellence, diversity, international exposure, and other key indicators of program quality and institutional impact. The KH EMBA's position at the top of the global ranking reflects its longstanding commitment to academic excellence, transformative leadership development, outstanding career outcomes, and the cultivation of a truly global network of senior executives. For more information about HKUST, visit https://hkust.edu.hk/.
According to the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance, the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program is an exempted course. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which this course may lead.
