CTO programs compared
What each executive program costs, how long it runs and how it is taught. Every figure comes from the program's own page, which is linked on its row with the date we last read it.
Fee against length, by currency
8 programs publish a fee. One panel per currency: there is no conversion, so compare dots inside a panel only. Each panel's fee axis starts at zero.
- Online only
- Campus or in-person time
How long each program runs
Bars use the length each page states. A lighter end means the page gives a range.
- Cambridge9 to 12 months
- IIM Kozhikode12 months
- MIT12 months
- UC Berkeley12 months
- Wharton9-12 months
- IIM Lucknow10 months
- NUS8 to 9 months
- Imperial College8 months
- IIT Madras Pravartak7 months
- ISB24 weeks
- Coursera3 hours
- Online only
- Campus or in-person time
How the programs are taught
Grouped from the format each page states. 11 programs: 2 online only, 9 campus or in-person time.
Online only
Imperial College, Coursera
Campus or in-person time
Wharton, UC Berkeley, MIT, Cambridge, NUS, ISB, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow, IIT Madras Pravartak
Which route fits you
Two honest starting points. Pick the one that sounds like you.
A program is worth it when
- You are a year or two from the CTO seat
- Your employer pays or shares the fee
- You want fixed time and a cohort for strategy, finance and board work
Cheaper routes when
- You are paying yourself
- You mainly want the skills
- A short course, a coach or a peer group covers a lot of the same ground for far less
All programs
Showing 11 of 11 programs. Fees are in each school's own currency, with no conversion.
- Wharton Executive Education
- Fee
- Not published
- Length
- 9-12 months
- Format
- Blended (Online + In Person)
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- UC Berkeley Executive Education
- Fee
- USD 29,000
- Length
- 12 months
- Format
- Blended
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- MIT Professional Education
- Fee
- USD 34,500
- Length
- 12 months
- Format
- Online, in-person and live virtual
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- Cambridge Judge Business School
- Fee
- GBP 23,000
- Length
- 9 to 12 months
- Format
- Blended
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- Imperial College Business School
- Fee
- GBP 8,000
- Length
- 8 months
- Format
- Online
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- NUS School of ComputingChief Technology & AI Officer Programme
- Fee
- Not published (none stated beyond a referral credit)
- Length
- 8 to 9 months
- Format
- Primarily a self-paced online programme supplemented with some live sessions, plus a 1-day campus networking immersion
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- ISB Executive Education
- Fee
- INR 6,31,000 (plus GST)
- Length
- 24 weeks
- Format
- Online + Live Sessions, Masterclasses and Office Hours, plus a 1-day campus visit
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- IIM KozhikodeChief Technology Officer Programme
- Fee
- INR 6,78,000 (plus GST; application fee INR 1,500 + GST)
- Length
- 12 months
- Format
- Live online sessions with IIMK faculty, plus a 3-day campus immersion
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- IIM LucknowChief Technology & AI Officer Programme
- Fee
- INR 5,35,000 (plus applicable taxes)
- Length
- 10 months
- Format
- Live online sessions with faculty, plus a 3-day campus immersion
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- IIT Madras PravartakFuture Chief Technology and AI Officer Programme
- Fee
- INR 2,80,000 (plus GST)
- Length
- 7 months
- Format
- Weekly live online sessions, plus two campus immersions
Checked 3 Nov 2026
- CourseraCTO Excellence: Driving Engineering Excellence
- Fee
- Not published (included with Coursera Plus)
- Length
- 3 hours
- Format
- Self-paced online
Checked 3 Nov 2026
Programs without a fee in the table do not publish one on their page. Fees and start dates change with each cohort, so confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Decide and prepare
- How to choose between them
The same programs grouped by fee, format and length.
- Cheaper routes
The lowest published fee in each currency, and what a self-paced course gives instead.
- Getting your employer to pay
A checklist and an email you can copy and send to your manager.
Looking for support rather than a course? See the CTO coaches directory or take the free CTO readiness assessment.