Even with the economic impact of the pandemic, surveyed EMBA students who graduated in 2021 saw salary increases during their time in the program, according to results of EMBAC research.
“The fact that EMBA students consistently realize return on investment even before they graduate shows the value of what they take away from the program,” says Michael Desiderio, EMBAC executive director.
“The stories we hear about EMBA students attending class one day and applying what they learn the next continue to make a difference in their careers and for their organizations. The results of the 2021 EMBAC Student Exit Survey help document that phenomenon.”
The results revealed that EMBA graduates who participated in the survey received an average 14.7 percent increase in compensation – combined, both salary and bonuses – after program completion.
The average salary and bonus package at program start for students in the 2021 survey was $166,549. By the end of the program, the average salary and bonus package rose to $190,989.
In addition, 36 percent of students who completed the survey received a promotion during the program and 49 percent reported increased responsibilities during the program.
EMBA graduates reported high levels of satisfaction with their EMBA experience, including the program quality. They are likely to recommend their program to a colleague or friend and to support the program as alumni. Combined metrics point to almost three-quarters of those surveyed as champions of their programs.
In addition, EMBA graduates credit their course work with helping them improve leadership skills, such as critical thinking, decision-making, and team building, as well as strengthening other abilities.
EMBA prepares students for thriving in an uncertain environment, making their investment even more relevant than ever, says Desiderio.
“Companies value the skills and knowledge that students gain, and that helps translate into increases in salary and responsibilities, as well as promotion,” he says. “In these days of unpredictable changes, the EMBA experience arms students with new ways of approaching business problems and tools that help them adapt to rapid marketplace changes.”
EMBAC conducts the survey to track the perceptions and opinions of EMBA Program graduates and to help measure the return on investment of the degree. The survey included 1,257 graduates of primarily U.S. EMBA Programs. Percept Research, Inc., conducted the survey on behalf of EMBAC, and gathered data from programs between July 1, 2020, and Aug. 29, 2021.
“The survey helps the EMBA industry and prospective students better understand how the investment in an EMBA Program really pays off,” says Desiderio. “ The survey consistently supports what we hear from alumni about the benefits of EMBA Programs.”
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