Get Matched With MBA Programs

Pursuing an MBA is big time commitment for you and for those close to you, even more so for those with full-time careers looking for executive education. However, an Executive MBA is an excellent way to achieve the pinnacle of business education while lessening the impact it has on your schedule, including work and family responsibilities.

Why Should You Get an Online Executive MBA


Executive salaries vary considerably at all levels. Getting an executive MBA can not only grant you access to opportunities in higher levels of the corporate world, but you'll find it can also mean a higher salary. On average, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can increase wages by 5-15%. Companies may also view applicants with an executive MBA as leaders who are more experienced than others in their cohort.

That said, here’s a look at the median salaries by experience level and education:

Compare Popular Online MBA Programs

Top 25 Best Executive MBA Programs


1
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $53,576
    • Out-of-State: $53,576
  • Net Price: $22,058
  • Acceptance Rate: 4%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 95%
  • Total Enrollment: 34,782
  • Undergrad Students: 8,902
  • Graduate Students: 25,880
  • Grads Salary: $91,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 6:1
  • Columbia University
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2

Brown University

Score: 88.25

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $65,656
    • Out-of-State: $65,656
  • Net Price: $26,723
  • Acceptance Rate: 5%
  • Retention Rate: 99%
  • Graduation Rate: 95%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,189
  • Undergrad Students: 7,639
  • Graduate Students: 3,550
  • Grads Salary: $93,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 6:1
  • Brown University
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3
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $61,750
    • Out-of-State: $61,750
  • Net Price: $23,432
  • Acceptance Rate: 12%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 94%
  • Total Enrollment: 17,012
  • Undergrad Students: 8,132
  • Graduate Students: 8,880
  • Grads Salary: $83,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 7:1
  • Washington University in St. Louis
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4
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $19,118
    • Out-of-State: $32,022
  • Net Price: $19,469
  • Acceptance Rate: 19%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 95%
  • Total Enrollment: 26,082
  • Undergrad Students: 17,444
  • Graduate Students: 8,638
  • Grads Salary: $84,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • University of Virginia
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5
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,264
    • Out-of-State: $27,366
  • Net Price: $14,033
  • Acceptance Rate: 21%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 87%
  • Total Enrollment: 35,937
  • Undergrad Students: 28,662
  • Graduate Students: 7,275
  • Grads Salary: $88,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of California-Irvine
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6

Emory University

Score: 81.99

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $46,800
    • Out-of-State: $46,800
  • Net Price: $26,680
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Retention Rate: 95%
  • Graduation Rate: 90%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,841
  • Undergrad Students: 7,101
  • Graduate Students: 7,740
  • Grads Salary: $84,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Emory University
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7
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $58,848
    • Out-of-State: $58,848
  • Net Price: $35,566
  • Acceptance Rate: 12%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 96%
  • Total Enrollment: 20,984
  • Undergrad Students: 7,900
  • Graduate Students: 13,084
  • Grads Salary: $87,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Georgetown University
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8

Purdue University

Score: 79.92

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,718
    • Out-of-State: $28,520
  • Net Price: $12,576
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 83%
  • Total Enrollment: 51,528
  • Undergrad Students: 38,593
  • Graduate Students: 12,935
  • Grads Salary: $83,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Purdue University
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9
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,090
    • Out-of-State: $20,520
  • Net Price: $4,991
  • Acceptance Rate: 50%
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,854
  • Undergrad Students: 15,896
  • Graduate Students: 3,958
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
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10
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $19,824
    • Out-of-State: $33,720
  • Net Price: $16,578
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 66%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,017
  • Undergrad Students: 7,511
  • Graduate Students: 3,506
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Rutgers University-Newark
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
11
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,726
    • Out-of-State: $35,677
  • Net Price: $18,479
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 71%
  • Total Enrollment: 39,049
  • Undergrad Students: 27,014
  • Graduate Students: 12,035
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • George Mason University
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12
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $33,900
    • Out-of-State: $33,900
  • Net Price: $32,129
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,765
  • Undergrad Students: 2,003
  • Graduate Students: 762
  • Grads Salary: $86,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Saint Mary's College of California
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13

Bradley University

Score: 71.47

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $18,702
    • Out-of-State: $18,702
  • Net Price: $24,053
  • Acceptance Rate: 75%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,552
  • Undergrad Students: 4,143
  • Graduate Students: 1,409
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Bradley University
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14

Hult International Business School

Score: 70.93

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $51,367
    • Out-of-State: $51,367
  • Net Price: $55,251
  • Acceptance Rate: 48%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,176
  • Undergrad Students: 682
  • Graduate Students: 1,494
  • Grads Salary: $105,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Hult International Business School
15
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,610
    • Out-of-State: $15,610
  • Net Price: $25,103
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 63%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,662
  • Undergrad Students: 3,365
  • Graduate Students: 2,297
  • Grads Salary: $85,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • University of La Verne
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16
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,849
    • Out-of-State: $36,407
  • Net Price: $21,836
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Retention Rate: 88%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%
  • Total Enrollment: 39,585
  • Undergrad Students: 31,034
  • Graduate Students: 8,551
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Colorado Boulder
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17
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,012
    • Out-of-State: $15,012
  • Net Price: $35,412
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,121
  • Undergrad Students: 4,046
  • Graduate Students: 3,075
  • Grads Salary: $83,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Seattle University
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18
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,675
    • Out-of-State: $27,842
  • Net Price: $17,911
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 27,539
  • Undergrad Students: 22,612
  • Graduate Students: 4,927
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Washington State University
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19
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,000
    • Out-of-State: $30,000
  • Net Price: $19,889
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,304
  • Undergrad Students: 23,745
  • Graduate Students: 7,559
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
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20
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,159
    • Out-of-State: $27,361
  • Net Price: $16,926
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,403
  • Undergrad Students: 25,777
  • Graduate Students: 7,626
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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21
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $56,884
    • Out-of-State: $56,884
  • Net Price: $39,600
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,615
  • Undergrad Students: 13,940
  • Graduate Students: 2,675
  • Grads Salary: $85,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
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22
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,600
    • Out-of-State: $33,648
  • Net Price: $13,639
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,074
  • Undergrad Students: 14,198
  • Graduate Students: 4,876
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa
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23

University of Mary

Score: 67.74

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,620
    • Out-of-State: $10,620
  • Net Price: $18,369
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 64%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,652
  • Undergrad Students: 2,506
  • Graduate Students: 1,146
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of Mary
24
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,500
    • Out-of-State: $28,560
  • Net Price: $16,208
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 30,936
  • Undergrad Students: 26,269
  • Graduate Students: 4,667
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • University of Arkansas
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25
  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $22,451
    • Out-of-State: $22,451
  • Net Price: $19,162
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,418
  • Undergrad Students: 1,560
  • Graduate Students: 3,858
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Lincoln Memorial University
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What Can You Do With an Executive MBA?


Once you earn your executive MBA (eMBA), you need to know what it will do in your current and future work roles.

  • Chief executive officer
    Salary: Earns about $878,000 in total compensation

    Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are often the highest-ranking individuals within a company or organization. They are responsible for identifying and developing policies, as well as providing overall direction to employees. CEOs frequently design, oversee, and manage the operational activities of the facility or facilities by effectively delegating and utilizing the skills of other executives and department administrators. While they are the primary decision-makers, CEOs are responsible for adhering to guidelines established by a board of directors.

  • Chief financial officer
    Salary: $125,080

    Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for maintaining the company or organization’s financials by establishing long-term financial goals, developing strategies to meet those goals, directing investment activities, and providing essential financial reports. These professionals often report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer regarding budgeting matters. CFOs are also in charge of creating and reviewing financial reports to help determine ways to reduce the overall cost of operation.

    Find Your Online MBA Program

  • Chief operating officer
    Salary: $231,080

    Chief Operating Officers (COOs) serve as an integral member of a company or organization’s senior management team and assists in the oversight of general business operations. These professionals are responsible for helping to develop policies, orchestrating the utilization of resources, managing employees, and overseeing overall operations on a daily basis. In most cases, the COO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is considered to be second-in-command.

  • Chief marketing officer
    Salary: $129,380

    Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) ensure that the company or organization’s primary message is properly distributed to potential customers by planning, directing, and coordinating appropriate marketing policies and programs. These professionals are usually responsible for identifying possible clients and assessing possible demand for new products and/or services. CMOs frequently work with art directors and advertising sales agents to plan marketing campaigns, promotions, events, and giveaways. They also coordinate with financial staff members to developing appropriate pricing strategies.

  • Chief information officer
    Salary: $139,220

    Chief Information Officers (CIOs), often referred to as Information Technology Directors, are senior executive team members responsible for company or organization IT and computer systems. These professionals are usually in charge of overseeing the IT department, setting technology objectives, and establishing strategies for success. They are also in charge of selecting, installing, and providing support for the network and other tech intended to simplify and optimize overall productivity.

  • Chief human resources officer
    Salary: $110,120

    Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) develop and execute human resource strategies that align with a company or organization’s strategic plan and direction. These professionals are directly responsible for overseeing the planning, recruitment, interview, selection of applicants, and hiring processes, as well as bridging the gap between senior management and all other employees. CHROs are also in charge of overseeing staff benefit programs each year, performing a search for the best benefits, providing advice on human resources issues, mediating employee disputes, and enforcing disciplinary procedures.

  • General counsel
    Salary: $119,250

    General Counsel is responsible for overseeing a company or organization’s risk management practices, as well as ensuring all compliance requirements are met. These professionals provide effective legal advice regarding goals, strategies, and methods to those in senior management positions. Chief Counsel also actively takes part in complex business transactions, especially when negotiation is necessary, and creates and reviews critical documents and contracts.

Types of Executive MBA Degrees


  • Managerial Accounting Executive MBA.
    Average Salary: $125,080, as of 2018.
    Length: 2 years

    This executive measures the financial performance of their firm, then reports on its financial health in comparison to the market. They also specialize in the concepts of cost and managerial accounting. They direct and report analytics on investment activity and develop and direct strategies for the long-term financial plans and goals of their company.

  • Information Technology Executive MBA
    Average Salary: $139,220, as of 2018
    Length: 2 years

    This executive plans, develops, and coordinates computer-related activities in their company. By staying on top of IT developments, they are able to set the path of the company’s IT goals, plus they are tasked with implementing new computer systems to meet established goals.

  • Marketing Management Executive MBA
    Average Salary: $129,380
    Length: 3 years

    This executive works in an exciting and growing field. They are responsible for guiding their organization through the competitive and crowded marketing field as they work to position their company at or close to the top. They are responsible for tracking consumer behavior, and product and brand management. This executive works and directs advertising promotions. They also plan promotional programs that help to connect with the market and generate interest and excitement about the company’s main services and products. They have graphic designers, art directors, sales agents, and financial staff on their team who aid them toward these goals.

Sample Curriculum & Courses for Executive Programs


As you prepare to register for classes in your online executive MBA program, you should know what courses you’ll be taking, most of which will be focused on business administration.

One executive MBA program requires the following core courses:

  • Analytical Tools
    This course gives you the foundation you need for business analytics, decision analysis, and statistics. From the simulation modeling process, you learn how to apply the basic techniques of data analysis in making managerial decisions and integrating innovation. It is intended for someone who is already at the managerial level.
  • Business Strategy
    Here, you’ll hone your existing skills in closely analyzing the strategies that corporations use at every level, domestic and international. Again, business schools generally aim these courses at current managers.

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  • Business Communication
    This course is completely about writing in the business environment. You’ll learn best practices for both speaking and writing. This course is intended for men and women in middle management and higher.
  • Developing Management and Leadership Skills
    You’ll make your leadership and management skills sharper, so that when you are facing complex issues or difficult options, you’ll be able to gather your team around and motivate them to complete difficult tasks. This course is designed for management employees.
  • Financial Accounting
    You’ll learn about how important this job role is in business. Its importance to the development, growth, and maintenance of a business is also covered. This course is intended for managers who have not yet moved up to middle management.
  • Economics
    You’ll work on the basic economic principles that are most important to the MBA business core. This course is designed for middle management.

Who Should Consider Getting This Degree?


Educational background
This major is highly advanced, so it’s not right for everyone. You need the right educational background. At the least, you need a bachelor’s degree in some field related to business. If you already have a master’s degree in engineering, law, computer science, or medicine, this makes you an excellent candidate.

Current position and organizational support
This is a highly demanding educational program. You’ll spend several hours weekly preparing for your online classes. You should already be in a position where you can apply the skills and knowledge you’ll learn in the virtual classroom. It’s likely that you’ll have to obtain the sponsorship and support of your employer. One of the top managers in your company will be critical in this role, especially if one is an alumni of your educational institution.

Professional experience
An executive MBA student should have be experienced professionals so they will understand class materials. Prospective students who are working professionals will have their work history will be documented before your acceptance into the program. If you already have a record of significant achievement, this will be a good predictor that you will succeed in the academics of an online executive MBA program.

Motivation and temperament
Your personality should be the type that gives you the drive and energy to stay with the program and succeed. With the right degree of ambition, you’ll be able to distinguish yourself from fellow students. In short, if you possess the “type A” personality, you’re ideally suited for this educational program. However, “type B” thinkers and creators are also often successful.

Career goals
Know how you want to use this degree when you graduate. You need to be able to elaborate on these plans throughout the program. If you have your eye on a specific position within your company, an executive MBA may help you qualify for it even more. If you’re currently working for an employer, but you plan to strike out on your own, explain this to program instructors. They need to know you’re ready to commit to the hard work required of an executive MBA student.

How to Choose the Right Program


  • Convenience
    Your online executive MBA program should offer convenience, allowing you to continue working as you study in your off hours. Ideally, you should expect to attend with your classmates virtually or on campus every few weeks or on the weekend, even for a full-time MBA program, without putting your existing career to the side.

  • Advancement
    The right executive MBA program enables you to position yourself for advancement sooner than if you had not chosen to go back to school.

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  • Expertise
    Expanding your expertise in a given niche of business means you’re going to be even more valuable to your employer. From competitive positioning to accurately forecasting business conditions, you’ll be able to put your employer in a position to advance itself.

  • Leadership
    The right executive MBA program allows you to develop your innate leadership skills. Look for a program that stresses leadership.

  • Flexibility
    You need a program flexible enough for you to stay at work. Your online courses should be scheduled at a time that works for you—or they should allow you to check in when it’s convenient for you.

  • Advanced curriculum
    Taught by top faculty, your classes should challenge you and your current way of thinking. You'll also learn from fellow students and people in your industry, thus enriching your experience.

  • Global perspective
    Most countries in the world rely on other countries. Your executive MBA program should expose you to executive MBA students in cities around the world, allowing you to develop your leadership skills.

Potential Scholarships to Consider


Getting a scholarship to help finance your in-person or online Executive MBA education is a great way to supplement the tuition cost. You may also be able to obtain financial aid or even have your tuition paid in full by your employer.

  • eMBA Class of 2009 Scholarship
    Exclusively for executive MBA students with an overall GPA of 3.0. Required to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with five years of professional work experience. Students who are already self-funding their executive MBA degrees will receive preference.

  • Gary Garesche eMBA Memorial Scholarship Fund
    Must be enrolled as a graduate student in executive MBA programs in the UCF College of Business Executive MBA program. Passion and desire for learning are major qualifiers. Financial need is considered.

  • NAFOA Scholarships
    Aimed at Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing a Master’s degree at an accredited university. Student must be working toward their degree within a financially related business discipline including, but not limited to accounting, business, economics, finance and marketing. Must provide proof of tribal enrollment, a transcript, proof of university enrollment, a personal statement, one letter of recommendation, a list of honors and awards received, a list of community involvement, volunteer activities and a photograph. Students are chosen based on interest in business and finance, academic merit and proof of a demonstrated commitment to their Native community.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill
    Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) offers benefits to veterans who served on active duty for the U.S. since 9/11. Based on length of service, the veteran receives a housing allowance and book allowance, as well as a percentage of resident tuition and fees. If the veteran qualifies for 100 percent of the benefit, then, the entire cost for the MBA for Executives program will be covered by the VA.

  • VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program
    VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program, for veteran executive MBA students. This is a matching fund option for U.S. military veterans who served a minimum of 36 months and also qualify for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit.

  • Hazlewood Exemption provides qualified veterans
    Hazlewood Exemption provides qualified veterans, their spouses and children an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition and fees. This defrays just a portion of an in-person or online executive MBA program's cost.

Frequently Asked Questions


Is it worth it to get an executive MBA?

If you are looking at working at the highest levels of management, an in-person or online executive MBA might be the extra boost to your resume that you need to get you there. This is especially true for those who attend well-known programs that are known to create efficient and effective leaders. Whether this is because they have the best teachers, curriculum, or just because they are picky about who they let in, they usually have their reputations for a reason. So, if you are looking to get into the C-suites or you think you need an extra boost to get your career on track, you might want to consider earning an executive MBA.

Are there any cons to an EMBA?

One issue you might run into is that there are fewer in-person or online executive MBA programs than there are regular MBA programs. It might be difficult to find one located near you, or you might not be able to find one with the concentration you want. Another issue is that recruiters might not have as positive a view of an executive MBA as they would of a regular MBA. While this may not seem reasonable – after all, the executive MBA is meant for those who already have jobs in their field and are continuing to work full-time in those careers while they gain more education – still recruiters might prefer those who complete what they consider to be the more difficult of the two types of MBA.

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