The QS Global MBA Rankings evaluates full-time MBA programmes worldwide. To be included, a programme must be taught primarily on-campus, be full-time (or full-time equivalent), have an average class size of at least 15 students, and be accredited by AACSB, AMBA, or EFMD (EQUIS).
The ranking is based on five key indicators derived from 13 criteria.
Indicator Weights
| Indicator | Weight |
|---|---|
| Employability | 40% |
| Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes | 15% |
| Return on Investment | 20% |
| Thought Leadership | 15% |
| Class & Faculty Diversity | 10% |
Indicator Definitions
Employability (40%)
QS Global Employer Survey (35%) — The backbone of the ranking. Employers worldwide are asked to identify the business schools from which they prefer to hire. The survey has been running for over 20 years and collects hundreds of thousands of nominations. More recent responses are given greater weight.
Employment Rate (5%) — The employment rate for graduates within three months of completing the programme, based on MBACSEA standards.
Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes (15%)
Alumni Outcomes (10%) — The Alumni Outcomes Index identifies schools associated with CEOs, executives, and board members at the world's largest companies. Data is collected from publicly available sources.
Entrepreneurship (5%) — Measures the proportion of graduates who start their own businesses after completing the programme, reflecting the growing trend of post-MBA entrepreneurship.
Return on Investment (20%)
10-Year ROI (15%) — A 10-year return on investment calculation mapping average post-MBA salaries against pre-enrolment salaries, taking into account forgone income, tuition fees, and cost of living. Schools receive a graded bonus for the number of entrepreneurs produced.
Payback Period (5%) — The estimated number of months required to recover the total cost of the MBA programme. Shorter payback periods receive higher scores.
Thought Leadership (15%)
QS Academic Reputation Survey (10%) — Captures the academic reputation of the programme based on nominations from academics worldwide who identify leading institutions in their field.
Faculty with PhD (5%) — The proportion of faculty holding doctoral degrees, indicating the depth of research expertise within the teaching staff.
Class & Faculty Diversity (10%)
Gender Diversity (3%) — Measures gender balance among enrolled students, with programmes closest to parity scoring highest.
Nationality Diversity (3.5%) — Measures the breadth of nationalities represented in the student body, using a diversity index.
Faculty Internationality (3.5%) — The proportion of faculty members who are international, reflecting the global perspective of the teaching environment.
Data Sources
- Employer Reputation: QS Global Employer Survey
- Academic Reputation: QS Academic Reputation Survey
- Alumni Outcomes: Publicly available corporate data
- Programme data: Submitted by business schools