Combining three major rankings lists, Poets & Quants has produced a composite ranking of executive MBA programs in the US that puts The University of Chicago Booth School of Business on top, followed by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. In this commentary, editor John Byrne, recommends all ranking criteria be carefully scrutinized before students apply to a program.

Updated with the latest numbers, GMAC's Key Diversity Statistics series provides your school with timely market intelligence to execute on your recruitment goals. Learn more on GMAC Advisor.

Over 20 schools in the recent Poets and Quants Top 50 EMBA programs utilize the Executive Assessment (EA) to gauge business school readiness, specifically for busy professionals who have a high-level of work experience. To learn more, check out GMAC's EA Product Director Manish Dharia's interview with Darden BusinessCasts. In the interview, Manish talks with Brett Twitty, UVA's Director of Admissions for the Executive Format, on why the assessment was created and how it's helping EMBA programs deliver competitive classes each year.

Acceptance rates at the top 10 US business schools increased 1.2% in 2018, while applications dropped nearly 6%, according to an analysis. Alex Min, CEO of The MBA Exchange, says the numbers mean business school is more accessible now than in years before.

Western Colorado University business school has enrolled 23 students in the first year of its outdoor MBA program -- the only one offered in the US. The two-year program focuses on typical courses in finance and budgeting, but also includes courses on sustainability, global trade and diversity.

Data show the average age of an MBA student is 28, but some business schools are reporting an increasing number of older applicants who may be looking to switch careers or gain more experience. Anna Farrus, MBA recruitment and admissions director at IMD Business School in Switzerland, says older MBA students bring valuable experience to classes.

The overall six-year graduation rate for students who began college in fall 2012 climbed to 58.3%, up from 56.8% of students who started in fall 2011, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Completion rates for black and Hispanic students increased as well to 47.6% and 57.4%, respectively, over the same period.

Overall giving to colleges and universities increased by 4.6% in the 2017-18 academic year, according to a new report. About 28% of the $47 billion raised went to 20 top institutions including Harvard, Stanford and Columbia universities, the data show.

London Business School's Chris Higson and other business and academic leaders have penned a letter to the Financial Times to make the case for an improved ranking system.

John Quelch, dean of University of Miami's business school, says his school has seen applications increase for one-year specialized degree programs. Quelch, in this Q&A, says specialist programs are a good way for schools to test new ideas and curricula to keep MBA programs strong.