Recently, many Asian students have chosen a Canadian business school instead of an American one. Still, maybe it would be even better for them to just stay in China? Let’s contrast Canadian and Asian business schools to see the difference. There is 19 years of Financial Times rankings to pull data from to make this comparison.
The very first Financial Times MBA programs ranking was drawn up back in 1999, with 50 best business schools in the world – but no Asian schools included. There were 31 schools from the US, 16 European programs and 3 Canadian universities. Two of the Canadian schools, Rotman School of Management (Toronto) and Ivey School of Business (Western University) have been taking part in the Financial Times rankings since year one, up to the last year (2017).
The former triumph of Canadian MBA programs
In 2001, Canada was represented by nine schools altogether, and the highest spot (19) belonged to Ivey Business School. During the same year, only two Asian schools were ranked, including HKUST Business School in the 48th place. Last year, there were only three Canadian schools on the list again (Rotman School of Management got the 65th place), but the number of Asian schools in the top 100 went up to 12. The highest spot – 11th – was taken by Ceibs school. This year, there is a new competitor in the Financial Times rankings, and it’s an Asian school again. Its prospects are looking good.
Twenty years ago, Canadian business schools had a huge advantage, passing the Financial Times strict criteria with flying colors. The reason for this was that Canadian schools had an accreditation by the American Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which, along with Amba and Equis, is one of the three most trusted sources for the Financial Times.
Asia’s rising star
As most Asian business schools have appeared just recently, they still needed time to get accredited. The first Indian school to show up in the Financial Times ranking was the Indian School of Business in 2008. Last year, the Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta) also entered the top 100 list.
In terms of alumni salary figures, Canadian business schools can’t possibly compete with US-based programs, as only one Canadian university had graduates who managed to land a job with an average salary over $100,000. At some Canadian schools, the average salary figures even dropped over the years.
However, the graduates of Ceibs, an Asian school ranked by the Financial Times, showed up with salary figures up to $163,000 in 2015, due to the international economy moving its assets to the east. In 2014, Ceibs got the 17th spot, and in 2015, it landed the 11th. Last year, it still stayed at 11, but it’s entirely possible for it to rise even higher.
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