The Northeast is one of the most densely populated areas in the U.S., home to New York City, Boston, and other metropolitan areas. From Wall Street to the coast of Maine, congested city living to rugged coastal beauty, the region is exciting and steeped in history. It’s also home to many of the nation’s most established and renowned universities, which makes it the ideal location for pursuing an Executive MBA.

Attending an EMBA in the Northeast means you not only receive a great education, but you’re in the heart of American business. Here are a few top contenders to consider.

Columbia Business School Executive MBA

Columbia Business School’s Executive MBA Program is one of the most demanding and rewarding programs in the world. It’s also the largest EMBA program in the country and accepts 144 students per class, which provides many networking opportunities. At an average age of 32 and with nine years of work experience, the class is a mix of professionals from financial services, technology, and consulting. While academically challenging, the program focuses on providing a supportive community for working professionals, empowering them to complete rigorous academic training on a schedule that allows them to still attend to their professional responsibilities outside the classroom.

The Columbia EMBA is 20 to 24 months long, with 85% of the work completed in lecture time. The remaining 15% of the curriculum covers experiential work with opportunities in Seattle, Toronto, and Latin America. World-class faculty—renowned for their research and business experience—teach the curriculum with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary learning and real-world applications.

Program Highlights:

• Ranks #3 for prestige and #6 for career advancement and providing a global experience.
• Three class schedule options:
  • Every Saturday for 24 months
  • Every other Friday or Saturday for 20 months
  • Monthly 5-6 day blocks (Monday – Friday) for 20 months
• Large alumni network of more than 46,000 graduates.

Rutgers Executive MBA

Coming in at #6 for top EMBA programs in the Northeast, Rutgers Executive MBA is the number one Ivy Exec EMBA program for work/life balance in the region. The Rutgers EMBA also offers a fantastic ROI with most graduates earning 53% more after earning their degree.

The Rutgers Executive MBA program also offers small class sizes with 57 people enrolled every year. In general, smaller classes mean participants have greater access to their faculty for one-on-one guidance and office hours, which can be an invaluable educational opportunity. Most attendees average 14 years of work experience, which means attending the program also offers powerful networking potential and ideal conditions for learning from peers in addition to the instructors. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare make up the largest industry sector at 22%, followed by financial services (19%) and government (12%).

The program takes 20 months to complete with 85% classroom work and 15% experiential learning. Compared to other EMBA programs, Rutgers offers an accelerated track to earning an advanced degree.

Program Highlights:

• 10-day global experience in Shanghai and Beijing in the Republic of China.
• 8^th oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. with a prestigious alumni network composed of 36,000 graduates.
• Bi-weekly class schedule with classes on Saturday and Sunday and one week-in-residence each term.
• “Powerhouse Advantage” courses taught by seasoned industry veterans.

University of Connecticut Executive MBA

The University of Connecticut EMBA is one of the 20 best EMBA programs in the Northeast. It achieves this status by offering a tailored EMBA experience for managers and other professionals looking to leverage local and global perspectives. The program is 20 months in length and includes 80% classroom work, 5% online courses, and 15% experiential learning. As part of the experiential learning experience, students take an international trip to gain firsthand experience in the global arena.

The University of Connecticut EMBA enrolls about 30 participants in every class who are advanced in their careers and average 16 years of relevant work experience. The largest industry sectors include technology (20%), healthcare (20%), and financial services (12%); about 7% of the class has a background in government, and the remaining 7% work in insurance. Classes are offered on weekends along with an orientation in August, an “in-residence” weekend in September, and an international study trip in June.

Program Highlights:

• Extensive alumni network with more than 47,000 graduates from the business school.
• Consistently ranked the #1 public institution in New England by the S. News & World Report.
• 25 industry-leading faculty members in the EMBA program.

Stevens Institute of Technology Executive MBA

Stevens Institute of Technology EMBA is best known for their curriculum and potential for career advancement (both ranked #13 regionally). The program takes 33 months to complete, with classes meeting every other Saturday. Participants only need to commit 8 days per semester on campus, which makes the school an ideal choice for busy professionals.

The program is selective and admits only 20 students on average in every incoming class. These students have an average of 11 years of work experience and come from a range of industries, though they choose the Stevens Institute for its emphasis on technology. About 90% of the curriculum is taught in the classroom and 10% consists of experiential learning, which includes a business immersion course in a foreign country.

Program Highlights:

• Ranked #11 in the nation among corporate recruiters, according to the S. News & World Report.
• A study abroad trip to Asia in late October.
• Strong technology perspective for a fast-changing world.

Pursuing an EMBA is a significant time investment, but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your career. The right program will provide insight into the technology and practices driving today’s market, giving you the competitive edge you need to excel in your field. There are also tangible benefits to an EMBA, including a significantly higher earning potential and resources to grow your business. The best educational environment depends on your learning style and unique perspective—ultimately, this experience will shape your career.