The Top 10 Executive MBA Stories Of 2014

8) How Much Does a Top EMBA Cost: $181,500. That’s the cost of Wharton’s executive MBA program. At $101,000, Notre Dame Mendoza’s EMBA program seems like a bargain in comparison. Sure, the average price of an EMBA was $73,400 Then again, you also get what you pay for in terms of networking. Problem is, you’re paying more-and-more each year.

17.0%…18.1%…18.2%…18.3%. That’s how much tuition has increased at Northwestern Kellogg, Columbia University, NYU Stern, and Chicago Booth over the past three years. In fact, Wharton – the priciest school – only raised tuition by 5.4% over that same time. As a result, the big name brands are pegging their tuition near Wharton. If you’re wondering how expensive your degree might be, you can’t miss our compilation of tuitions at the top 40 EMBA programs.

Michael Porter of Harvard Business School commands the highest speaking fees

9) Business Profs with the Highest Speaking Fees: So you want to invite Clayton Christensen to keynote your annual meeting, do you? Well, let me fill you in on a little secret. It’s going to cost you…big time.

In Christensen’s case, it’s $100,000 for an appearance. But you can expect that fee to rise, as his Harvard rival Michael Porter charges $150,000. At $20,000-$40,000 a pop, Stanford’s Jeffrey Pfeiffer is considered an absolute steal!

No, they’re not called “rock star” professors for nothing. While they don’t arrive in tour buses replete with smoked-out groupies, many academics have turned their scholarship – and their affiliation with leading business schools – into lucrative side jobs. So what topics are organizations demanding? More importantly, who charges what? Take a look at Poets&Quants exclusive research for the answers.

Dean Joan Gabel at the Trulsake College of Business at the University of Missouri

10) How the University of Missouri is Drawing EMBAs from 10 States: Everyone talks about a “flipped” “hybrid classroom.” But what does that really mean? Five years ago, that question was driving the development of the University of Missouri’s executive MBA program.

Based in Columbia – a two-hour drive from both St. Louis and Kansas City – the school lacked the professional pool to stock an evening program. At the same time, administrators were leery of a 100% online delivery model. Considering its proximity to two major metros – and states like Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa – the university launched an inventive 21-month EMBA program. Similar to Auburn’s hybrid MBA program, Missouri brings students onto campus eight times for presentations and exams (not to mention an international excursion). And get this: Its 28 students hail from 10 different states.

If you’re wondering how EMBA programs may evolve in the coming years, read about how the University of Missouri is applying its geographic and technological strengths to draw new talent to its campus.

Honorable Mentions:

THE THUNDERBIRD MYSTIQUE LIVES ON

MY STORY: FROM ACCENTURE TO NYU STERN WINNER

AN MBA ON RODEO DRIVE IN BEVERLY HILLS

HENRY MINTZBERG’S UN-MBA MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

A HYBRID FUTURE FOR EMBA PROGRAMS

STANFORD’S NYC INNOVATION PROGRAM

HOW TECH IS CHANGING EMBA PROGRAMS

SPECIALIZED EMBA CAREER SERVICES INCREASING

Other EMBA Rankings:

STANFORD FALLS OUT OF U.S. NEWS EMBA RANKING