Executive program ranks 14th in WSJ value poll

THE KRANNERT SCHOOL’S EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAM offers one of the highest returns on investment, according to a December 2008 ranking by the Wall Street Journal.

Five years after graduation, the value of the Krannert degree ranked 14th when factoring in the cost of education. The WSJ article also noted that for public universities, low tuition and a cost efficient approach often bring more value than brand names.

“This ranking confirms the quality and value of a Krannert Executive MBA,” says Dean Rick Cosier. “This is especially important during the current economic downturn. Our students know that a Krannert degree is a smart investment in their futures.”

Jerry Lynch, academic director of full-time and executive education master’s programs says further analysis of the data also shows that Krannert’s Executive MBA program ranks as both one of the best in the country as well as one of the best values for the money.

"Krannert's Executive MBA program is a two-year degree tailored for mid-career managers who aspire to reach senior executive positions while maintaining their current job responsiblities. The program includes six concentrated two-week residential sessions on Purdue's West Lafayette campus."

“Five of the schools that placed above Purdue in the return on investment data were not ranked by the Wall Street Journal in its September ratings of the best executive MBAs in the country,” Lynch says. “Among those schools that were included in both the high quality and the value rankings, our program placed ninth for the best return on investment.”

The ratings are based on data collected for the Wall Street Journal’s September 2008 ranking of executive MBA programs. Working with Management Research Group of Portland, Maine, the newspaper examined responses from its summer 2008 survey of executive MBA graduates for data about salary, raises received after graduation, company sponsorship figures, tuition, and out-of-pocket costs.

The information was used to calculate the return on investment for 27 U.S. programs and nine international programs. Costs were calculated by combining tuition payouts and the out-of-pocket expenses reported by graduates.

Krannert’s program ranked No. 22 overall and was No. 8 among U.S. public institutions in the September ratings. Purdue was the only Indiana college included in the top 25.

“We are especially pleased about the high marks we received from our corporate partners,” says Cosier. “It’s clear that companies place a high value on the ability of the Krannert School to help develop the next generation of corporate leaders.”

Krannert’s Executive MBA program was ranked No. 16 overall by corporations and No. 23 by students. It also scored in the top one-third of all schools in the categories of classmate quality and immediately applicable coursework. Lynch says the high category rankings indicate that students are happy with the value of their degrees.

“We believe this ranking refl ects the benefi ts of the program for our students and their employers,” Lynch says. “The format combines distance learning with intensive classroom experience and is both user-and company-friendly. In particular, the high marks that participants give for the quality of their classmates and to the ability to immediately apply their learning indicate that our students add value and bring new perspectives to their organizations.”

— Tanya Brown