FT Executive Education 2026: HEC Paris Remains #2 Worldwide for Open Programs

This year’s Executive Education rankings confirm HEC Paris’ sustained global strength in Open-enrolment programs, with standout results on participant experience.

Key highlights

• HEC Paris is ranked #2 worldwide in the FT Executive Education Open ranking 2026.
• In this ranking, HEC posts the highest overall satisfaction score among the global top 10 at 9.90 (participant survey).
• HEC ranks #2 worldwide for Quality of participants in the Open ranking, and #3 for both Faculty and New skills & learning.
• HEC also confirms its position among the Top 10 schools for Custom programs.

Each May, the Financial Times publishes two Executive Education rankings: one for Open-enrolment programs and one for Custom programs designed for organisations. In 2026, HEC Paris once again ranks among the world’s leading providers across both tables, with particular strength in Open programs.

Open programs: participant experience at the very top

HEC Paris holds the #2 position worldwide in the 2026 Open ranking, maintaining its rank from 2025 and a three-year average of #2. The overall satisfaction score is particularly strong: HEC’s is 9.90, the highest among schools ranked in the global top 10.

The school also performs strongly on core teaching and learning indicators in the Open table, ranking #2 for Quality of participants, #3 for Faculty, and #3 for New skills & learning - alongside #3 for Teaching methods & materials and #3 for Aims achieved.

Custom programs: strong underlying indicators and Top-6 faculty strength

In Custom Executive Education, HEC Paris is ranked #8 worldwide in 2026 (from #6 in 2025).

Within the Custom table, HEC records a #5 global ranking for Faculty, reflecting the high quality and coherence of teaching, and a #6 position for New skills and learning. This highlights the courses’ relevance and practical impact. There’s also a top-6 finish for Aims achieved, underlining the school’s ability to meet both academic and business objectives defined with client organizations.

According to the Dean of the HEC Paris Executive Education programs, Barbara Stöttinger, the 2026 Financial Times rankings once again confirm HEC Paris’ strong global position in Executive Education. “Being ranked #2 worldwide for Open programs, with the highest satisfaction score among the top ten, reflects the exceptional learning experience offered to participants,” she said. “In Custom programs, HEC Paris ExEd also demonstrates strong outcomes in faculty quality, skills development and aims achieved. Together, these results highlight the strength and relevance of the executive education programs HEC Paris offers.”