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Comparing ISB PGPpro vs PGPMAX vs Cornell EMBA

Updated: Apr 23, 2023

Executive education is increasingly becoming popular among experienced professionals who wish to upgrade their skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the competition. Indian School of Business (ISB) and Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management are two of the leading business schools that offer executive education programs. In this blog post, we will compare two ISB programs, the PGPpro and PGPMAX, with Cornell's EMBA program based on various criteria.


When it comes to pursuing an Executive MBA program, there are several options available, including Cornell EMBA, ISB PGPpro, and ISB PGPMAX. These programs are designed to cater to experienced professionals looking to enhance their managerial skills and advance their careers. In this blog post, we will compare these three programs based on various factors to help you make an informed decision.


Cornell EMBA - Cornell-Tsinghua FMBA


Cornell EMBA is a collaborative program offered by Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management and Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in China.


Here are the program details:


  1. Country/Region: United States/Asia

  2. Total Alumni: 380

  3. Start Months: September

  4. Class Times: Classes meet on weekends twice per month. There are also two international (US based) residential sessions which are each 17 days long.

  5. International Trip: Trip Required

  6. Average Work Experience: 8 years

  7. Average Management Experience: 5 years

  8. Program Length: 21 months

  9. Program Cost: $116,000 (USD)

  10. Class Size: 147



ISB PGPMAX is an Executive MBA program offered by the Indian School of Business. Here are the program details:

  1. Country/Region: India/Asia

  2. Total Alumni: 550

  3. Minimum Work Experience: 10 years

  4. Start Months: August

  5. Class Times: One week of classes every 6th week.

  6. International Trip: 2 Trips Required - NUS and Wharton

  7. Average Work Experience: 16 years

  8. Program Length: 15 months

  9. Program Cost: र 3848000 (INR)

  10. Class Size: 70



ISB PGPpro is another Executive MBA program offered by the Indian School of Business. Here are the program details:


  1. Country/Region: India/Asia

  2. Total Alumni: Not Available

  3. Minimum Work Experience: 5 years

  4. Start Months: July and January

  5. Class Times: Alternate weekends

  6. International Trip: 1 Trip Required - NUS

  7. Average Work Experience: 10/2 years

  8. Program Length: 18 months

  9. Program Cost: INR 30,46,000 (plus taxes)

  10. Class Size: 50 - 80 across four locations in India - NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai


Comparison of Programs - ISB PGPpro vs PGPMAX vs Cornell EMBA

Now, let's compare these programs based on several factors:

  1. Work Experience: ISB PGPMAX requires a minimum of 10 years of work experience, while Cornell EMBA and ISB PGPpro require at least 5 years of work experience.

  2. Start Months: Cornell EMBA starts in September, while ISB PGPMAX starts in August, and ISB PGPpro starts in July and January.

  3. Class Times: Cornell EMBA has classes twice a month on weekends and two international residential sessions, while ISB PGPMAX has classes one week every six weeks, and ISB PGPpro has classes alternate weekends.

  4. International Trip: Cornell EMBA and ISB PGPMAX both require international trips, while ISB PGPpro requires only one international trip.

  5. Average Work Experience: ISB PGPMAX has the highest average work experience of 16 years, followed by ISB PGPpro with an average work experience of 10/2 years, while Cornell EMBA has an average work experience of 8 years.

  6. Program Length: ISB PGPpro has a program length of 18 months, while Cornell EMBA has a program length of 21 months, and ISB PGPMAX has a program length of 15 months.

  7. Program Cost Cornell EMBA program cost is $116,000 (USD), while ISB PGPMAX program cost is INR 38,48,000, and ISB PGPpro program cost is INR 30,46,000 (plus taxes).

  8. Class Size Cornell EMBA has a class size of 147, while ISB PGPMAX has a class size of 70, and ISB PGPpro has a class size of 50-80 across four locations in India, including NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

In conclusion, each program has its unique features, and the choice of program would depend on the individual's career goals, budget, and work experience. Cornell EMBA program would be an excellent choice for individuals seeking an international experience and exposure to the US business environment. On the other hand, ISB PGPMAX would be ideal for individuals with extensive work experience seeking an international experience with exposure to Ivy League universities. Finally, ISB PGPpro would be suitable for individuals looking for a weekend program in India that allows them to continue working while pursuing an executive education program.



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