IESE Headquarters in Barcelona, by MrIrving, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mireia Las Heras, Academic Director of the MBA at IESE Business School–University of Navarra, Director of IESE’s International Conference on Work and Family and the International Conference on Women and Leadership, Director of the IFREI Corporate Family Responsibility Project, and Full Member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (READ); David López, Dean of the Full-Time MBA at Esade Business School and also a Full Member of the READ; and Pedro Nueno, Professor at IESE, President of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), and Full Member and President of the Social Sciences Section of the READ, share with the academic community the outstanding position held by the business administration programs led by the first two and founded by the third at three internationally renowned institutions, according to the annual ranking published by the British newspaper The Financial Times. In this benchmark classification, IESE’s MBA ranks fourth among the world’s MBA programs, Esade’s Full-Time MBA places seventh, and CEIBS’ MBA stands eighth.
The top ten positions in the Financial Times MBA Ranking 2026 are led by the MIT Sloan School of Management; INSEAD (Fontainebleau); the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; IESE (tied with London Business School); HEC Paris; Esade; CEIBS; the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley; and Harvard Business School.
“We have remained among the top five business schools in the world for the third consecutive year, which confirms IESE’s position as one of the benchmark institutions in global executive education. This consistency reflects the strength of our rigorous and innovative academic model, as well as the long-term impact of our MBA. We educate leaders with a global mindset, a solid foundation in general management, and a deep sense of responsibility. This recognition encourages us to continue evolving without losing sight of our mission: to develop leaders who generate sustainable value for organizations and society,” Las Heras stated upon learning of IESE’s outstanding position in the Financial Times MBA Ranking 2026.
“This is Esade’s best-ever position in this ranking and consolidates our place in the global top 10 for the second consecutive year. Sustained progress matters. Consistency matters. This reflects long-term impact, not short-term momentum. Our program stands out globally for its transformative career impact and the strength of its international community, with 95% international students and 42% women in the Class of 2026, reinforcing the diversity that defines the Esade experience. This recognition is not just about ranking positions. It is about people. It is about teamwork. It is about a shared commitment to excellence, responsible leadership, and human-centered transformation in a technology-driven world,” López emphasized.
“From international professionals seeking to develop their leadership skills through an MBA with an Asia-focused perspective and global recognition, to aspiring business leaders in China aiming for international projection as Chinese companies expand worldwide, CEIBS continues to offer a powerful and distinctive platform, defined by its guiding principle of ‘China depth, global breadth.’ The school remains committed to educating responsible business leaders and delivering an MBA that firmly positions itself among the world’s best, in line with its motto of ‘conscience, innovation, and excellence,’” concluded Zhang Lingling, Director of the MBA Program at CEIBS.
