Best Universities in the USA for MBA : Ranking, Fees & More

Updated on 18 October, 2024

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

MBA is one of the second most-chosen programs in the USA after engineering. International students choose the USA as their study abroad destination because the universities offer rewarding and enriching experiences both in terms of graduate employability rates and the quality of education. Studying at some of the best universities in the USA for an MBA can land students a job in a highly paid multinational company. 

An MBA in the USA broadens the perspective of students on global businesses so that they can be a valuable asset in every industry starting from technology to consumer products. The types of MBA in the USA include Full-time MBA, Part-time MBA, and an Executive MBA. The program usually spans two years in the USA and the cost varies between $70,000 to $90,000 per year.

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Leading Universities in the USA for MBA Courses: Eligibility Criteria

Fulfilling the eligibility criteria for MBA in the USA is mandatory. Though the requirements vary across universities, there are certain eligibility criteria that remain the same, some of which are as follows:

Undergraduate degree

The primary eligibility that students need to meet is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related discipline. Most universities require 16 years of formal education, i.e. the 10+2+4 system. Many universities might require a four-year bachelor’s degree along with a minimum of 60% marks in the undergraduate program. 

English language proficiency scores

It is a mandatory requirement every student needs to fulfill to get admission at universities in the USA. Scoring a minimum score of 6.5 to 7.5 in IELTS or 88 to 100 in the TOEFL examination is enough the prove a candidate’s ability to undertake a program in English. 

GMAT/GRE requirement 

GMAT or GRE are the standardized tests whose scores are necessary to get admission to a business school in the USA. The GMAT score requirement for MBA in the USA is 550 to 730 and a minimum of 310 to 315 for the GRE. 

Work experience

Most applicants should possess a professional experience of 2-3 years, depending on university requirements. 

Additionally, candidates are required to submit their LORs (Letters of Recommendation), an updated CV/Resume, and an SOP (Statement of Purpose) to seek admission to a university in the USA for MBA. International students are also required to possess a valid passport and student visa. 

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Best Universities for MBA in the USA

QS Global MBA Rankings Name of the university Business schools Average annual tuition fees
1 Stanford University Standard Graduate School of Business $76,950
2 Harvard University Harvard Business School $73,440
2 University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School $84,874
5 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MIT Sloan School of Management $80,400
9 Columbia University Columbia Business School $80,472
11 University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business $38,094
15 University of California, Los Angeles UCLA Anderson School of Management $104,954
16 Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management $78,276
18 Yale University Yale School of Management $79,000
19 New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business $82,326

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About Top 10 Universities for MBA in the USA

Stanford University

It is a private research university located at the heart of Silicon Valley which has redefined the business school experience. Students receive the best-in-class faculty and the opportunity to go more in-depth into the subject and create a personalized dashboard for their MBA journey. Not just that, 20% of Forbes 30 under 30 are Stanford MBAs and $1.4 billion has been invested by Stanford graduates who have completed their MBA in the last 5 years. 

Harvard University

The two-year degree at Harvard University emphasizes real-world practice and the program is built with a general management curriculum. Harvard Business School facilitates dynamic learning environments through field projects, case method courses, introspective exercises, tech simulations, and more. The endless support from faculty, peers, and staff helps students accelerate their career path, thereby shaping them into more inspiring leaders than they ever thought. 

University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania is focused on providing a general business education that is both intensive and flexible. There is a multitude of options for students to choose from, which includes a depth of 19 majors and a breadth of 200 electives. The professors at Wharton Business School are leaders in the fields and their expertise has led to the creation of a range and depth of courses that are unavailable at any other business school.

The curriculum is aimed at creating leaders who can make a difference in the world, the faculty at MIT Sloan School of Management assists students in achieving this goal through intellectual discovery and hands-on learning. According to the 2021-2022 MBA Employment Report, 85% of MBA students from MIT use their degrees to either change or advance their careers, while 96% of students graduate with full-time offers with a median base salary of $150k. 

Columbia University

Columbia Business School boasts of a 150 full-time faculty that prepares students to lead in the rapidly changing business world of tomorrow by transforming business strategies around the globe. The comprehensive curriculum in which theory meets practice offers deep insights into specific industries. The business school has a strong alumni network of 48,000+, and each one of them has received the support of the Career Management Center (CMC), which prepares students to find success in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. 

University of California, Berkeley

The Haas Business School at the University of California, Berkeley offers a rigorous general management curriculum that empowers students to make decisions that reflect both human understanding and analytic rigor. It has been placed on the 8th rank on the best business schools ranking of the U.S. News & World Report, 2022. 

University of California, Los Angeles

The postgraduate program offers a perfect blend of theory and practical learning through its well-designed curriculum, thus preparing students to reach heights of success in their professional life. By now, the university has an alumni network of 42,000+ with companies like BCG, Google, and Goldman Sachs being some of the top recruiters hiring MBA graduates from the UCLA School of Management.

Northwestern University

The two-year full-time MBA program at Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University encourages students to develop an attitude of challenging conventional thinking in the global marketplace. Along with a wide range of electives and 1,000+ experiential learning opportunities, the university offers 37 exchange programs across 20 countries. Not just that, Kellogg School of Management is the only business school that made its place in the top 20 percentile in BusinessWeek’s 24-year span for providing satisfaction to MBA graduates. 

Yale University

The Yale School of Management at Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut is one of the leading graduate business schools having a practice-led approach both in business and organization management. The MBA degree is AACSB accredited, and the integrated curriculum gives students an opportunity to expand their perspectives on the subject. 

New York University

A range of MBA programs is offered at Leonard N. Stern School of Business of New York University, which is tailored to meet individual academic and professional goals. Full-time MBA, Tech MBA, Fashion & Luxury MBA, Dual Degrees, and Part-time MBA are the programs offered at the university.  

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Study Abroad with upGrad Abroad

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I study MBA in the USA?

Here are the advantages of studying MBA courses in the USA: 

  • The USA is home to the world’s highest-ranked institutions for MBA courses
  • The country offers some of the highest average salaries in the field for graduates with corporates and MNCs being amongst the leading recruiters
  • Hiring figures are also expected to go up considerably over the next few years as per reports
  • International students can expect unique curriculum, sufficient industry experience and interfaces, practical exposure, mentorship, and much more
  • International students will also enjoy vibrant and fulfilling campus life in the USA

What is the average tuition fees for an MBA in the USA?

The average annual tuition fees varies across universities and the type of MBA program chosen. However, while studying at the top MBA colleges in the USA students need to pay an average tuition fee of $70,000 to $90,000 per year. 

 

 


 

What are the top five MBA business schools in the USA?

The top five MBA business schools in the USA as per the QS Global MBA Rankings 2022 are Stanford Graduate School of Business

– Stanford University, Harvard Business School

– Harvard University, Penn School of Business

– Wharton University, Sloan Business School

– Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Columbia Business School

– Columbia University. 

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upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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