2018 Top Executive MBA Programs for Manufacturing Executives

The manufacturing industry is in a state of transition and is facing more challenges than ever: global expansions and technological advancements, lack of skilled labor, competition on cost, currency volatility, lending shortage – the list can go on.

As manufacturing executives wrestle with these difficulties, many realize that a fresh approach to leadership can benefit them in several different ways.

If you’re looking for an executive MBA program that attracts the most professionals from your field, we’ve compiled this 2018 list of the top EMBA program for manufacturing executives.

Top EMBA Programs for Executives in the Manufacturing Industry

Fisher Executive MBA

The Fisher Executive MBA at Ohio State University (OSU) is first on the list with the majority of its students, 40%, from the manufacturing sector. Ivy Exec ranks it #8 overall in the U.S. Midwest, where it also holds the #5 and #6 spots in the region’s prestige and curriculum category rankings.

Sessions are held in-classroom for three consecutive days in a month for 16 months. Reported average salary increase post-degree is 50% of the total $115,000 tuition.

Roger Rawlins, Chief Innovation Officer at DSW, has this to say about the program:

“This program did change the way we sort of identify and pursue opportunities within DSW. It would tie back to the strategy part of what we did. Because you’re able to, through that process and tools that you’re provided, really look for things that will apply to your brand and differentiate your brand that you might not have thought of in the past.”

IESE Global Executive MBA

Next is the IESE Global Executive MBA, which is notable for its broad international vision and challenging curriculum. Ivy Exec has it at #5 in its Best EMBA Programs in Europe 2018 rankings. It enjoys the #6,  #4, #6, and #4 spots in the prestige, career advancement, curriculum, and global experience categories in the region.

The reported return on investment is an average 72% salary increase post-degree against an average tuition of $134,786. The learning environment is a combination of classroom (50%), online (25%), and hands-on experience (25%).

The program, which aims to provide the best global EMBA program possible, offers two tracks: Americas and Europe. Both commence in Barcelona and converge at various points throughout the 16-month program. Core modules and electives are taught in the major business hubs in four continents, including Silicon Valley, New York, Shanghai, Barcelona, Kuala Lumpur, India, Sao Paulo, Mumbai, Bangkok, and Munich.

Auburn Executive MBA

At #3 where 16% of students are executives and professionals from the manufacturing industry is the Auburn Executive MBA from the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business. The curriculum combines distance learning (30%) and on-campus residencies (70%), with an international immersion module also built in.

The average total tuition of $62,790 already includes airfare, lodging, and meal costs for the international trip, making it an ideal choice for manufacturing professionals looking to minimize their MBA expenses.

Sean M. Suggs, now president of Toyota Mississippi, says:

“When considering EMBA programs, I knew I wanted to go to a top school. I needed a program that offered flexibility, and I wanted a program that would push me to grow and develop. Auburn’s EMBA program gave me the tools I needed to achieve my educational goals. Throughout my studies, I received a broad understanding of North America’s impact on the global business market.”

EMBA Global Americas and Europe

Fourth on the list is the EMBA Global Americas and Europe, a program offered by two of the best educational institutions in two of the world’s major business centers, London Business School and Columbia Business School in London and New York, respectively. It holds the top spot in Ivy Exec’s Best EMBA Global Programs for 2018, as well as the #1 spots in the career advancement, curriculum, and global experience categories.

This 20-month program is 100% classroom learning, and classes are held in four- or five-day blocks per month, alternating between New York and London. Global immersion opportunities are offered in Dubai, China, Argentina, Chile, Greece, Germany, South Africa, and Russia.

The reported average salary increase post-graduation is 86% against average total tuition of $186,837.

UNC Executive MBA Program

Taking the #5 spot with 13% of its students from the manufacturing sector is the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School EMBA program. Ivy Exec ranks it #3 overall in the U.S. South/Mid-Atlantic region, where it’s #5, #6, and #4 in the prestige, career advancement, and curriculum categories.

The learning environment is a 70-30 classroom-online split throughout the program’s 20-month duration. Classroom sessions are held on weekends and in the evenings. A global study is also part of the program so students can develop their global competencies through hands-on experiences. The reported average salary increase post-graduation is 90% against an average total tuition of $110,300 for the weekend MBA and $86,400 for the evening MBA.

Former students had this to say about the program:

Chris Atkinson, McKesson Corporation: “When I came into the Executive MBA here at UNC, I was blown away by the expertise of the professors, the level of experience, the real-world application of these topics.”

Connie Benton, ExxonMobil: “For me, it’s essential to feel as if it’s a family and the people that are running the program have the best interest in your success.”

Lori Defurio, Adobe Systems: “I’m able to come to school for the weekend and things that I’m learning I take right back to the job site Monday morning. And it’s been a wonderful experience, and even my manager and the VP of our division have seen changes based on what I’ve been able to bring back from what I’ve learned here at Kenan-Flagler.”

Cornell Metro NY

Last but definitely not least with 11% of its students from the retail, manufacturing, and consumer goods space is the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management’s Cornell Executive MBA. Training for the program is purely in-classroom, held bi-weekly on Saturdays and Sundays. Global immersive studies are likewise a focal point of the program, and they happen during the program’s fourth term.

The reported ROI is an average salary increase of 102% post-degree versus the average total tuition of $176,104.

In a Student Takeaways edition, Cornell students say this about the program:

On what advice to give to students considering the program: “Do it. I can honestly say that it’s one of the best decisions that I’ve made. I’ve gained so much from the classes already and from the community.”

On what they’ve learned that they couldn’t wait to apply: “You need to empower your employees. That was kind of a game-changer for me. I have a reminder pop up every morning on my calendar to let people do their thing, that they’re there because they’re smart.”

On what program takeaways have been most helpful to them at work: “So definitely being open to failure. And taking risks have been critical in knowing if I do well one weekend or not so well regardless that you jump back on and practice the next weekend. That’s something that I’ve been able to integrate into my job.”