CEO Magazine publishes three distinct MBA ranking sets:

• Global MBA Rankings (Full-Time and Part-Time), presented in tiers
• Online MBA Rankings, presented in numerical order
• Executive MBA (EMBA) Rankings, presented in numerical order

Differences in presentation reflect how results are reported across ranking categories, rather than implying uniformity of programme design or delivery.

Within the Global MBA Rankings, full-time and part-time programmes exhibit wide variation in structure, delivery intensity, duration, cohort composition, and regional context. In a category with this level of structural diversity, fine-grained numerical ordering risks overstating minor score differences. Tiering is therefore used to present results without implying definitive rank positions based on marginal score separation.

For the Online MBA and EMBA Rankings, results are presented numerically to support comparison within each format. While programmes vary in delivery approach and emphasis, numerical ordering reflects relative positioning based on the indicators assessed within each ranking category.

Ranking assessments are based on structured data collected from participating institutions using CEO Magazine’s category-specific data request forms.

Submissions reflect the most recent completed intake, or the most recent full cohort where programme structure requires aggregation across multiple entry points or delivery blocks.

Data collection focuses on indicators related to programme structure, delivery, faculty profile, cohort composition, and institutional assurance.

Core data sources include:

• Programme and cohort data submitted by participating institutions
• Faculty composition data, including academic and professional qualifications, submitted by participating institutions
• Accreditation status declared by participating institutions, subject to verification where possible

CEO Magazine does not incorporate salary reporting or self-reported post-graduation compensation data into the 2026 framework.

The 2026 framework evaluates programmes across defined assessment categories, each capturing a distinct dimension of programme design, learning environment, and institutional assurance.

• Programme Structure & Delivery

Assesses how the programme is designed and delivered, including format, duration, and structural features that shape the learning experience.

• Accreditation

Reflects the presence of international and regional accreditation frameworks that provide external assurance of academic and institutional standards.

• Programme & Experience

Evaluates elements that extend learning beyond the core curriculum, including professional development components and international or cross-border exposure where applicable.

• Student Profile

Considers cohort composition and experience indicators that influence peer learning and classroom dynamics.

• Faculty Profile

Examines faculty capacity and composition, including faculty-to-student ratios and the balance between academically and professionally qualified faculty.

Weighting is applied at the indicator level within each assessment category and aggregated consistently across all participating programmes within a ranking set.

Indicators are converted to a common scoring scale before aggregation, ensuring consistent treatment across programmes within the same ranking category.

Indicators are grouped by relative emphasis based on their role in shaping programme design, delivery, and the learning environment:

• Higher emphasis

Indicators directly related to programme delivery and faculty capacity.

• Medium emphasis

Indicators related to institutional assurance and cohort composition.

• Lower emphasis

Indicators related to supplementary programme features that provide additional context.

This structure is applied uniformly across all programmes within each ranking category.

Category-level percentage weightings are not published for the 2026 cycle.

Indicator outcomes are aggregated within their respective assessment categories to produce category-level results, which inform tier placement in the Global MBA Rankings and numerical position in the Online MBA and EMBA Rankings.

All programmes are evaluated using the same scoring logic within their respective ranking set.

The 2026 rankings are intended to support comparative analysis of programme structure, learning environment, and institutional characteristics.

They are designed to inform programme-level research and comparison, rather than predict individual outcomes or substitute for independent evaluation by prospective students.