In a seismic shift for global business education, the 2025–2026 admissions cycle has revealed a new reality: the “old guard” of the Ivy League is no longer the undisputed king of career advancement.

According to the latest Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has officially claimed the #1 spot worldwide for Career Progress, outperforming the legendary Harvard Business School.

For aspirants looking to maximize their Return on Investment (ROI) and vertical mobility, the map of “prestige” is being redrawn. Here is everything you need to know about the top programs for career growth and the GRE scores required to get into them.

The Ranking Upset: IIM Ahmedabad vs. Harvard

The “Career Progress” metric is calculated based on changes in seniority and the size of the company graduates work for compared to their pre-MBA roles. While Harvard remains a global titan in salary and alumni power, IIMA’s PGPX (One-Year MBA) has proven to be a faster vehicle for mid-career professionals to reach the C-suite.

Why the Shift?

• Salary Percentage Jump: While HBS graduates earn more in absolute USD, IIMA graduates see a staggering 164% average salary increase post-graduation.
• Seniority Mobility: IIMA graduates are increasingly being recruited for “VP” and “Director” roles in global tech and consulting hubs.
• The India Premium: With India’s economy outpacing many Western markets, the “career jump” in the region is statistically more aggressive.

Top 10 MBA Programs for Career Growth (2025-2026)

If your primary goal is rapid promotion and leadership mobility, these are the top 10 programs globally:

How to Get In: Target GRE Scores for 2026

With the GRE now accepted by 100% of these top-tier programs, your score is the “key” to the door. Here are the average scores you should aim for based on geography:

1. USA (The Elite Tier)

In the US, schools look for a high Verbal score to complement your quantitative skills.

• Harvard / Stanford: 326–330 (Target: 163V / 164Q)
• Columbia / Wharton: 324–326 (Target: 162V / 162Q)

2. India & Asia (The Quant Heavyweights)

Indian and Asian schools typically lean toward higher Quant scores given the technical nature of their applicant pools.

• IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX): 320–330 (Target: 165+ Quant)
• ISB (Hyderabad): 315–325
• NUS / CEIBS: 318–325

3. Europe & Canada (The Holistic Approach)

European schools value diversity and international experience, often being more flexible with the GRE if your work profile is exceptional.

• INSEAD / LBS: 320–328
• Rotman (Canada) / HEC Paris: 315–322

Key Takeaways for 2026 Aspirants

1. Career Progress > Overall Rank: If you are a mid-career professional, look at the “Career Progress” and “Value for Money” ranks rather than just the overall #1 spot.
2. GRE is the Great Equalizer: Whether you’re applying to Boston or Bangalore, a 325+ GRE score keeps you competitive across all continents.
3. The “One-Year” Advantage: Schools like IIMA, ISB, and INSEAD dominate career growth rankings because their one-year intensive formats are designed specifically for rapid industry pivots.