A Guide To The Top Executive MBA Programs In Washington, D.C.

If you’re a mid-career professional in the Washington D.C. area looking to elevate your leadership game, you don’t have to hit pause on your career. Executive MBA programs in the region are tailor-made for people like you — ambitious, experienced, and still very much in the game.

These programs are designed for working professionals who want the next-level skills, networks, and credentials of a graduate business degree without stepping off the career ladder.

WHY D.C. IS A HOTSPOT FOR EMBAS

In a city where policy, business, global affairs, and tech collide, the Executive MBA offerings are as diverse as the professionals they serve.

“One thing that sets us apart from other programs is our location. We are in the nation’s capital,” says Christopher Mays, Director of the University of Maryland Smith School’s EMBA program.

Some of the region’s EMBA programs are structured with maximum flexibility — go-at-your-own-pace formats — while others follow a more traditional timeline, typically ranging from 12 to 21 months.

At UMD Smith, the 17-month program helps executives map out their next chapter through the school’s signature Purposeful Leadership Journey. Rosellina Ferraro, Associate Dean of MBA Programs, says the journey is about sharpening self-awareness: “This is a three-part process that moves through understanding who they are as leaders and where they are now, exploring what motivates their growth, and building a plan to get where they want to go.”

Whether students are drawn to UMD’s introspective leadership path, Georgetown’s globally immersive format, UVA Darden’s hybrid case-method approach, or Howard’s fully online offering, the D.C. area has a wide range of options for those ready to invest in themselves.

WHO THE STUDENTS ARE AND WHAT THE PROGRAMS COST

Tuition across D.C.-area EMBA programs varies widely, from about $60,000 to over $194,000. Higher-priced programs typically include global immersions, executive coaching, and premium networking; more affordable or credit-based programs often prioritize flexibility and accessibility, with fewer in-person components.

Some programs, like Virginia Tech’s Pamplin EMBA or the Global Leaders Institute’s EMBA in Arts, don’t publicly list tuition and require direct inquiries.

The cohorts themselves are equally dynamic. At UMD Smith, students typically bring 12–15 years of industry experience — and about 15% over the past decade have been veterans or transitioning military professionals. “Many of them are shifting from government roles into corporate America or nonprofits,” Mays says.

At Georgetown’s McDonough School, veterans and active-duty military make up roughly a third of the EMBA cohort, according to Executive MBA Academic Director Nicholas Lovegrove.

“We have students from government agencies, students with marketing and finance backgrounds, and more,” says Lovegrove. “We also have a solid fifty-fifty male-female split in the cohort, which is very representative of our actual population.”

EMBA FORMATS THAT FIT ALL

It’s no surprise that EMBA students have complex lives — full-time jobs, family obligations, and packed schedules. That’s why D.C.-area programs offer multiple formats, including weekend residencies, hybrid models, and fully online options.

At Georgetown, the format recently shifted to reduce travel. Students now come to campus just once a month — instead of twice — but stay longer each time.

“If you are coming to the program from beyond the immediate region, you only need to come to campus once a month, which makes a big difference to people’s willingness and ability to attend,” Lovegrove says.

EMBAS NEAR AND FAR

Within a 30-minute radius of D.C.’s core, you’ll find standout EMBA programs at Georgetown McDonough, George Washington University, NYU Stern (D.C. cohort), Johns Hopkins Carey (Bloomberg Center), Global Leaders Institute, and The Washington Campus.

Nearby but outside the immediate downtown area are UVA Darden (Rosslyn), Virginia Tech Pamplin (Ballston), and UMD Smith (College Park).

Flexible online and hybrid programs include Howard University’s fully online EMBA, Cornell Johnson’s D.C.+remote model, UVA Darden’s hybrid option, and the blended-format Johns Hopkins Carey program.

STANDOUTS IN EACH CATEGORY

Cornell’s 17-month EMBA Americas program is the most expensive of the group at $194,346. Delivered jointly with Queen’s University, the program features a dedicated D.C. cohort that meets on alternating weekends and connects with classmates across the Americas via real-time videoconferencing.

For a fast-track EMBA experience, the Global Leaders Institute offers a one-year EMBA in Arts tailored to creatives and social entrepreneurs.

NYU Stern, which ranks No. 5 in Poets&Quants’ latest EMBA ranking, stands out for its prestige, strong alumni network, and a D.C.-specific cohort designed for local executives.

Howard University’s EMBA is the only fully online option with no required residencies — ideal for professionals needing total flexibility.

And joining the scene soon: the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Executive MBA, set to launch in Fall 2026 at the Bloomberg Center. The AI-first curriculum includes specializations in Health Care and in Leadership & Strategy, with online courses, in-person residencies, and a global immersion. For D.C.-area executives, it’s a modern option with serious momentum.

THE TOP EMBAs IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

School	Location	Duration	Overview	Tuition	Program Page
Georgetown University – McDonough EMBA	Washington, D.C.	~20 months	A rigorous, globally-focused EMBA featuring two international and two domestic residencies, with an emphasis on leadership, ethics, and strategic decision-making. The program fosters tight-knit cohort experiences backed by Georgetown’s global alumni network.	$168,696 for Fall 2025, covering course materials, meals, parking, and selected residency accommodations. Additional accommodation costs estimated at $9,000–$15,000 for weekend stays	Georgetown McDonough EMBA
George Washington University – School of Business EMBA	Washington, D.C.	NA	Built around analytics, technology, and experiential learning, GWU’s EMBA leverages its proximity to global policy hubs—like the World Bank and Federal Reserve—providing plentiful real-world connections.	GWU graduate tuition averages ~$2,076 per credit; EMBA-specific pricing should be confirmed directly	GWU School of Business EMBA
UVA Darden – Executive / Global EMBA	Rosslyn, VA (D.C. metro)	~21 months	Hybrid EMBA format blending online learning with in-person residencies. The Global EMBA includes multiple international immersions, offering robust regional and global engagement via Darden’s signature case-method pedagogy.	~$189,000 (domestic, including residencies); approx. $204,480 for international students.	UVA Darden EMBA / GEMBA Formats
Cornell University – Johnson EMBA Americas (D.C. Cohort)	D.C. cohort + remote	~17 months	Alternating-weekend Ivy League EMBA delivered through collaboration with Queen’s University (Canada), combining virtual cross-regional cohorts with residencies in Ithaca and global locations.	$194,346 (Class of 2027, starting June 2025)	Cornell Johnson EMBA Americas
NYU Stern – Executive MBA (D.C. Cohort)	Washington, D.C.	NA	A strategically tailored cohort mirroring Stern’s core program within D.C., offering leadership electives, global study tours, and connections to finance, tech, and public policy sectors.	Approximately $185,000 (Fall 2023 cohort)	NYU Stern EMBA
Howard University – Online EMBA	Online	NA	A fully online option designed for working professionals, emphasizing leadership, strategic management, and innovation—upholding Howard’s mission-centered educational approach.	~$13,983 per semester for the 42-credit program	Howard University Online EMBA
University of Maryland – Robert H. Smith School of Business EMBA	D.C. satellite & College Park, MD	17 months	Cohort-based program offering personalized executive coaching, focus on leadership development, strategic analytics, and strong regional corporate relationships.	$136,806 (January 2026 cohort), inclusive of materials, meals, parking, and accommodations	UMD Smith EMBA
Virginia Tech – Pamplin Executive MBA	Ballston, Arlington, VA	~18 months	Alternating-weekend cohort format focusing on leadership, global business, and analytics—strategically positioned for metro professionals seeking rigorous, accessible education.	Not publicly available; contact Virginia Tech for current information	Virginia Tech’s Pamplin Executive MBA
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School – Executive MBA	Washington, D.C. (Bloomberg Center)	~19 months	Launching Fall 2026, STEM-designated program blending online coursework, D.C. residencies, and global immersion with specializations in Health Care and Leadership & Strategy underpinned by AI-first curriculum.	TBD—details to be announced closer to launch	Carey Business School’s EMBA
Global Leaders Institute – EMBA in Arts	Washington, D.C.	12 months	Niche EMBA tailored for professionals in arts and social entrepreneurship, emphasizing business acumen within creative and mission-driven contexts.	Not publicly available; reach out directly for pricing	Global Leaders Institute
The Washington Campus – EMBA Courses	Washington, D.C.	NA	Offers open-enrollment executive-level residencies focusing on business in public policy contexts—perfect for supplementing traditional EMBA training.	Varies by course—check the official catalog for current pricing	The Washington Campus

Source: P&Q analysis

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