Overview
A top-ranked joint Executive MBA program by Arizona State University and Shanghai National Accounting Institute, blending US innovation with Chinese business depth.
About W. P. Carey
Based in China/US, W. P. Carey draws applicants who want an EMBA built around their existing career rather than a break from it. Multi-campus and joint programmes run their teaching across several countries, which is what makes them attractive to senior leaders whose roles already span regions.
Why W. P. Carey stands out
Every school on a shortlist claims excellence; what matters is the specific edge you would actually use. For W. P. Carey, that edge is concrete — Ranked #9 globally in Financial Times EMBA 2025.
- Ranked #9 globally in Financial Times EMBA 2025.
- Exceptional ROI with an average alumni salary of US$558,445.
- Joint degree program: W.P. Carey School of Business (ASU) & Shanghai National Accounting Institute (SNAI).
- Focus on Service Leadership, Finance, and Global Operations.
- Taught by senior faculty from ASU and renowned experts from China.
The EMBA at W. P. Carey
A part-time or modular Executive MBA for senior managers and leaders who keep working full-time while studying on weekends or in intensive blocks.
WP Carey-SNAI EMBA — an executive-format MBA taught alongside full-time work, delivered in China/US.
Who is eligible
What the committee looks for
- Rigorous academic standards overseen by ASU Graduate College.
- Proficiency in English and Chinese (program often features bilingual instruction or translation).
Tests & admission requirements
- Standardized tests (GMAT/GRE) are typically waived for senior executives.
- Emphasis is placed on professional background and the interview performance.
English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required if previous education was not in English, though waivers are common for senior leaders.
What you'll submit
- Online Application (via SNAI portal)
- University Transcripts and Degree Certificates (with translations)
- CV / Resume (highlighting management roles)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement / Essays
Essays typically ask about your leadership philosophy, how you have navigated business challenges in the Chinese/Global market, and your goals for the program. Focus on 'Service Leadership' - a core value of the W.P. Carey school.
How the process works
- Pre-qualification: Contact the SNAI EMBA office to verify eligibility.
- Submit the Online Application via the SNAI enrollment system.
- Interview: Attend a comprehensive interview with the admissions committee (focus on leadership fit).
- Final Review: Applications are reviewed and approved by the ASU Graduate College.
Application timeline & prep
- Build your profile (12–18 months out)
Map your story to what W. P. Carey actually values, and close obvious gaps in leadership evidence, academics or career progression before you apply.
- Take your tests (9–12 months out)
Typical expectation: Standardized tests (GMAT/GRE) are typically waived for senior executives. Emphasis is placed on professional background and the interview performance. English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required if previous education was not in English, though waivers are common for senior leaders.. Book early enough to allow one retake without missing a round.
- Shortlist and visit (6–9 months out)
Compare W. P. Carey against 4–6 peer programs on placement in your target lane, net cost and location. Speak to current students and alumni — admissions teams notice informed applicants.
- Essays and recommendations (3–6 months out)
Draft essays that make one coherent argument for why this program, why now. Brief your recommenders with specific stories rather than adjectives.
- Submit and interview
Apply in the earliest round you can be genuinely ready for — earlier rounds usually mean better admission and scholarship odds. Prepare interviews around your own application, not a script.
- Decision, funding and visa
Leave 3–4 months post-admit for scholarship negotiation, financing and your China/US student visa.
Fees, scholarships & ROI
W. P. Careysets fees by intake and cohort, so we don't quote a figure here. Ask admissions for the current total, and budget separately for travel, accommodation during residencies, and any modules taught abroad.
Modular international formats carry travel and accommodation costs on top of tuition, and employer sponsorship covers part of the bill for a large share of participants. Merit scholarships, external fellowships and — for executive formats — employer sponsorship can materially change the arithmetic, so build your shortlist around net cost, not sticker price.
When you model ROI, count all three costs: tuition, living expenses, and the salary you give up while studying. Then set that against the realistic post-EMBA salary in your target lane — not the program-wide average, which blends high-paying and low-paying paths. A shorter format or a strong scholarship often beats a marginally higher-ranked school on this arithmetic.
Get a realistic read on your W. P. Carey chances
A free 1-on-1 evaluation of your profile against recent W. P. Carey EMBA admits — where you stand, what to fix, and which rounds to target.
Careers after the W. P. Carey EMBA
Graduates of EMBA programs like W. P. Carey's typically move into C-suite readiness, P&L leadership, board roles and career pivots at the senior level.
Treat the careers office as a channel, not a guarantee: the students who convert a EMBA into the outcome they wanted start recruiting from week one, use alumni for referrals rather than information, and arrive with a story that explains why this exact role is the logical next step. The brand opens the door; preparation walks through it.
Rankings & outcomes
WP Carey-SNAI EMBA is ranked #9 in the Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking 2025. The figures below come from that ranking and describe the surveyed cohort — treat them as a directional read on outcomes, not a promise.
- #9
- Overall rank
- $558,445
- Salary today (US$)
- 101%
- Salary increase
- #52
- Career progress rank
- 67%
- Aims achieved
- #17
- Alumni network rank
Insider tips
- Highlight your cross-border management experience (China-Global link).
- Demonstrate a commitment to 'Service Leadership' and societal value creation.
- Show how you can contribute to the high-caliber peer network (average salary is very high, indicating a senior cohort).
How we help you get in
A unique W.P. Carey concept. Show how you lead with the intent to serve stakeholders and society.
Given the SNAI partnership, financial literacy and strategic decision-making are key.
Studying in Global: work rights & visas
Multi-country programmes are usually taken while you keep working, so post-study work rights rarely apply. Where a residency component sits in a country you are not authorised to work in, the school arranges short-stay study visas — confirm the specifics for each module location. Work-rights certainty is often the biggest single factor in whether an international degree pays back, so weigh it alongside rankings and cost.
Day to day, you'll be based in China/US — factor its housing market, commute and cost of living into your budget alongside tuition, because they differ sharply between college towns and major capitals.
- Teaching delivered across several countries and campuses
- Cohorts drawn from multiple regions and industries
- Designed to be taken without leaving your current role
How W. P. Carey compares
Rankings compress a dozen dimensions into one number; your decision only needs three — placement strength in your target lane, net cost after scholarships, and the location where you want to build a network. Start your comparison with Audencia, Cornell-Smith, EMLyon Business School — each leads in a different lane.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the program taught?
Primarily in Shanghai at the SNAI campus, with potential modules or residency options involving ASU.
What is the ranking?
It is consistently ranked in the top 10-15 globally (e.g., #9 in FT 2025).
What is the primary language?
The program is designed for executives in China; instruction often involves both English and Chinese (with interpretation/materials support).
Ready to apply to W. P. Carey?
Work 1-on-1 with mentors who've guided admits into W. P. Carey and its peers — from shortlist and tests to essays, interviews and scholarships.