This year’s ranking of the world’s top distance online MBA programs features 50 top business schools, more than ever before. IE Business School has been ranked as the best in the world, with Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Imperial College Business School in second and third respectively.

Dr Paolo Taticchi, Program Director of the Global Online MBA at Imperial, said: “Online MBAs are the present, not the future anymore. Globalized teamwork, leading in a virtual environment and exposure to disruptive technology are just some of the skills demanded by top companies around the world. MBAs such as ours draw on the latest technology available to offer these in unprecedented quality.”

Ash Soni, Executive Associate Dean of Academic Programs at Kelley, said: “Business is about relationships; thus, programs such as our Kelley Direct Program work hard to keep online students connected - virtually and in person - through team projects, immersive courses around the world and in-residence weeks on campus. This increased networking and interaction is critical to their development and for them to achieve their professional goals.”

For more information about how the ranking was compiled, consult our methodology. You can also let us know your thoughts about the ranking by tweeting us @TopMBA.