The latest FT ranking confirms that CEMS alumni have “higher average earnings three years after the programme than graduates across all business schools”, with an average of US$123,488 compared with US$105,730 across all institutions. Five CEMS academic Member schools are ranked in the global top 10, including four in the top five.
CEMS graduates had significantly higher earnings, a greater salary progression and were more likely to achieve their study aims compared with the average across all schools. This year, they reported average earnings of US$123,488 - up US$9 700 from 2024 - widening the gap with graduates of all schools to US$17,758, compared with US$16,810 last year.
CEMS schools also have a higher proportion of faculty with doctorates that the average among all ranked institutions.
The Financial Times also highlighted the distinctive quality assurance system that unites CEMS schools. Students must meet rigorous requirements - including proficiency in three languages, and participation in both a consultancy project and an international internship offered by one of more than 70 corporate partners. This model translates into strong employability outcomes: “half of students are typically recruited by these organisations after finishing”.
CEMS’ strength is also reflected in the school ranking itself: five CEMS Members are ranked among the top 10 globally, in number one, number two, joint fourth and ninth positions.
- 1 - University of St Gallen
- 2 - HEC Paris
- 4 - Nova School of Business & Economics
- 4 - Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management
- 9 - Stockholm School of Economics
Nicole de Fontaines, Executive Director of CEMS, commented:
“Huge congratulations to all CEMS Academic Member schools featured in today’s FT Global MiM 2025 ranking. We are delighted that so many of them have performed outstandingly - this is a collective success.
“CEMS is truly an alliance of the highest calibre business schools on every continent, with five of the top10 ranked schools’ members of our Alliance.
“Together, CEMS continues to raise the bar worldwide: not only in terms of graduate salaries, but also through the strength of our graduate profile and the excellence of the student experience. This achievement underlines the unique power of our global community of schools and corporate partners. Together we work to educate the next generation of responsible business leaders.
The CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) is delivered through a global network of 33 of the world’s top business schools in collaboration with more than 70 corporate partners (multinational companies) and 8 social partners.
Due to the nature of its delivery across 33 business schools the FT does not include the CEMS MIM in its ranking. However, a separate analysis within the ranking focuses on CEMS alumni career progression and school diversity.
ENDS
For more information contact Judith Hunt judith@griffithshuntpr.com, +44 (0)7714 407060.
About CEMS
About CEMS – The Global Alliance in Management Education:
CEMS is a global alliance with a presence on 6 continents, uniting 33 world leading business schools, more than 70 multinational companies, and 8 NGOs who together deliver the CEMS Master in International Management.
The CEMS MIM is a pre-experience joint masters programme. On graduation students will have studied at two Alliance schools, taken part in a business project with a corporate partner and speak three languages. Students develop a global mind set, cross-cultural competence and leadership skills through a combination of coursework, international exchange, and internship opportunities and graduate with a Masters degree from their home school as well as the CEMS MIM.
The CEMS community is committed to the idea that the leaders who will be best prepared for the future will be free and unafraid in an uncertain world, will be humane citizens who can engage fully and think independently, and will contribute to a more open, sustainable, and inclusive world.
For 36 years CEMS has led the way in the development of global management education. Through its unique blend of academic rigor, strategic corporate collaborations, and a commitment to ethical and socially responsible leadership, CEMS prepares the next generation of leaders who resolve to understand deeply the complexities of our time and who are eager to confront global business challenges and opportunities with humility and integrity.
Each year more than 1,500 graduates join our 22,600+ strong global alumni network.