IMD has been ranked third globally for custom programs and seventh for open programs in the 2026 Financial Times Executive Education Rankings – reinforcing its position as a leader in executive education that delivers measurable impact.
The school has now placed in the global top three for custom programs for the third consecutive year, and has remained in the top 10 for open programs for 22 years.
“At IMD, we judge ourselves by one question: did the program create real impact for the participant and their organization?” said Misiek Piskorski, Dean of Executive Education at IMD. “These rankings are our clients’ way of answering yes and of recognizing the impact our participants deliver when they return to their organizations.”
That focus on impact sits at the heart of IMD’s approach. Programs are built around real business challenges and designed in close partnership with organizations, ensuring they fit with strategic priorities and deliver tangible outcomes. Rather than relying on fixed curricula, IMD co-creates learning journeys that bring client challenges into the classroom and addresses them in real time.
This approach is reflected in the rankings. IMD placed in the top three across nearly all key custom program criteria, including preparation, design, teaching methods and materials, faculty, and new skills and learning.
In open programs, IMD rose two places to seventh globally (out of 90 schools), with particular strengths in participant quality and diversity, innovative teaching methods and materials.
At IMD, executive education is designed to drive change beyond the classroom. Impact is defined from the outset and tracked through changes in behaviour, performance, and organizational outcomes.
Based largely on client and participant feedback, the FT Executive Education Rankings highlight IMD’s consistent ability to connect leadership development with tangible business results.
Find out more in our latest white paper: How to measure the ROI of executive education
