International students often pursue an MBA in USA for the high-quality education and multitude of specializations offered at the leading B-schools such as MIT (Sloan), Stanford, Harvard Business School, and so on.
The median enrolment rate for business schools in the USA in 2023 was 62%. As per reports, more than 90% of employers in finance, technology, and consulting industries had hired MBA graduates in 2023. 66% of employers believed that MBA graduates were more competitive and made better employees.
Overview of MBA in USA
Here’s a small table explaining what you can expect:
| Program Aspect | Details |
| Duration | Typically 2 years, though 1-year accelerated options exist for professionals with prior experience |
| Average fees | Ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on the institution |
| Core subjects | Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Operations, Leadership |
| Specializations | Technology, Healthcare, International Business, Entrepreneurship |
| Key benefits | Extensive alumni networks, global corporate partnerships, high return on investment, and optionality to specialize deeply |
Why Choose MBA in USA
Here are some reasons why doing an MBA in USA is a great choice:
Top faculty in the MBA institutions in the USA
The USA business schools have world-leading business education providers. They offer the perfect combination of industry experience and academia.
Huge salary potential
The median base starting salary for MBA graduates in the USA is higher when compared to MBA graduates from other countries. As per GMAC, the median base starting salary for MBA grads is USD 125,000.
Top quality and reputation of the USA MBA programs
The leading US Business Schools have topped global MBA rankings time and again. These MBA programs and schools rank solidly on metrics like alumni outcomes, return on investment and employability.
Career launch in one of the leading global organizations
Pursuing an MBA in USA opens up employment opportunities with leading global organizations like J.P.Morgan, Amazon, McKinsey, and so on in roles like financial manager, marketing manager, management consultant, and so on.
Diverse learning environment with a great networking scope
Since international students from across the globe pursue various MBA programs in the USA, the learning environment is diverse. These schools have active alumni and reliable contacts and references, offering great networking scopes.
MBA in USA: The Top B-Schools
Here are the top colleges and universities in the USA offering MBA programs, along with their QS Global MBA rankings for 2025.
| QS Ranks | Name of College/University | Specializations |
| 1 | Stanford Graduate School of Business | Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management |
| 2 | Penn (Wharton) | Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Healthcare Management, Real Estate, Quantitative Finance |
| 3 | Harvard Business School | Business, Government and the International Economy, Accounting and Management, Entrepreneurial Management |
| 4 | MIT (Sloan) | Marketing Management, Business Analytics, Financial Accounting |
| 5 | Columbia Business School | Economics, Health Care Management, International Business |
| 6 | Northwestern (Kellogg) | Management Analytics, Economics, Accounting |
| 7 | UC Berkeley (HaaS) | Energy and Clean Technology, Social Sector Leadership, Corporate Social Responsibility |
| 8 | UCLA (Anderson) | Management Consulting, Finance, Leadership Development |
| 9 | Chicago (Booth) | Econometrics and Statistics, Behavioral Science, International Business |
| 10 | Yale School of Management | Healthcare, Sustainability, Asset Management |
Most Popular MBA Courses in the USA
Candidates can choose from a variety of MBA programs in the USA. Some of the most popular courses are as follows:
| MBA Specialization | Description | Popular Universities |
| MBA in Accounting | Focuses on financial knowledge and skills for ethical leadership and decision-making in an interconnected world. | Stanford University, Pace University, Fitchburg State University |
| MBA in Finance | Examines financial phenomena and policy issues using valuation, econometrics, and empirical approaches to understand risk. | Stanford University, New York University, Cornell University |
| MBA in Information Systems | Covers the impact of technology on business strategy, efficiency, and policy, utilizing data analysis, computer science, and machine learning. | University of Florida, University of Buffalo, University of Michigan |
| MBA in Marketing | Studies consumer behavior and marketing programs using insights from psychology, anthropology, and economics. | University of Pittsburgh, University of South Dakota, Suffolk University |
| MBA in Business Analytics | Specializes in data analysis to evaluate efficiency, cost, and results, enhancing leadership and technical skills. | University of Arizona, Pace University, Gannon University |
Admission Checklist
For those interested in pursuing an MBA in US, here is a general admission checklist detailing the typical requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
| Application form | Available online via each college’s admissions page |
| Academic transcripts | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution |
| Standardized tests | GMAT or GRE, with competitive scores based on college averages |
| Work experience | Most top programs recommend 2-5 years of full-time work experience |
| Essays and personal statements | Essays often focus on career goals, leadership experiences, and motivations for pursuing an MBA |
| Letters of recommendation | Typically 2-3, from professional contacts who can speak to your leadership and problem-solving skills |
| Interview | Generally conducted after the initial screening. It can be online or on campus. |
Fees for Top MBA in USA Programs
Here’s a look at the fees for top programs:
| Name of the B-School | Annual Fees |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | $82,455 |
| Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania | $84,830 |
| Harvard Business School | $76,410 |
| MIT Sloan | $84,350 |
| Columbia Business School | $88,300 |
| Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University | $87,795 |
| UC Berkeley (HaaS) | $85,406 |
| UCLA (Anderson) | $78,268 |
| Chicago (Booth) | $84,198 |
| Yale School of Management | $85,400 |
Eligibility Requirements
Let us take a look at the general eligibility criteria for pursuing MBA in USA:
| Eligibility | Details |
| Bachelor’s Degree |
|
| Proof and Test Scores of English Language Proficiency Test like IELTS or TOEFL |
|
| GMAT or GRE Test Scores |
|
| Work Experience |
|
Intake & Admission Deadlines
The U.S. follows a multi-round admission system, with most MBA programs accepting applications in 2-3 rounds. Here are common deadlines for top programs:
| Name of the B-School | Application Submission Deadline |
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | Round 1: September 10, 2024
Round 2: January 8, 2025 Round 3: April 8, 2025 |
| Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania | Round 1: September 4, 2024
Round 2: January 3, 2025 Round 3: April 2, 2025 Deferred Admission Round: April 23, 2025 |
| Harvard Business School | Round 1: September 4, 2024
Round 2: January 6, 2025 Deferred Admission Round: April 23, 2025 |
| MIT Sloan | Round 1: September 30, 2024
Round 2: January 14, 2025 Round 3: April 7, 2025 |
| Columbia Business School | Round 1: September 10, 2024
Round 2: January 7, 2025 Round 3: April 1, 2025 |
| Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University | Round 1: September 11, 2024
Round 2: January 8, 2025 Round 3: April 2, 2025 |
| UC Berkeley (HaaS) | Round 1: September 12, 2024
Round 2: January 9, 2025 Round 3: April 3, 2025 |
| UCLA (Anderson) | Round 1: October 1, 2024
Round 2: January 6, 2025 Round 3: April 7, 2025 |
| Chicago (Booth) | Round 1: September 19, 2024
Round 2: January 7, 2025 Round 3: April 3, 2025 |
| Yale School of Management | Round 1: September 10, 2024
Round 2: January 7, 2025 Round 3: April 8, 2025 |
Note: Applying in Round 1 is advantageous as it increases the likelihood of securing a spot, while Round 2 allows more time to perfect your application.
MBA Scholarships
Here are some scholarships frequently awarded at US MBA schools:
| Scholarship Name | Institution/Provider | Eligibility | Award Amount |
| Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program | Stanford Business School | Open to all graduate applicants | Full tuition + stipend |
| Harvard Business School Scholarships | Harvard University | Based on financial need | Varies, full tuition possible |
| Forte Fellowship | Forte Foundation | Women in MBA programs | Partial to full funding |
| Next Genius Foundation Scholarship | Various U.S. Institutions | Academic excellence | Partial tuition |
| Consortium Fellowship | Consortium for Graduate Study in Management | Students promoting diversity | Full tuition |
| Veteran’s Benefits | U.S. Government | U.S. military veterans | Full or partial tuition |
Career Paths After MBA
Here are some typical career outcomes:
- Consulting: Graduates often join top consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, where they can leverage their strategic skills.
- Finance: Leading banks like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan offer lucrative roles in investment banking, asset management, and private equity.
- Technology: Tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Apple seek MBAs for roles in product management, business development, and corporate strategy.
- Healthcare & Pharma: Companies like Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer hire MBAs for healthcare management and operations roles.
- Entrepreneurship: MBA in US programs often encourage entrepreneurship, with many graduates founding successful startups backed by venture capital.
Work Permit in the USA After MBA
Students completing their MBA in USA can obtain a post-graduate work visa. With the F1 visa, candidates can stay in the USA.
Candidates can seek advantages for scopes of temporary employment under two programs:
- OPT (Optional Practical Training)
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
Students can obtain 3 years of stay-back terms on enrolling in STEM programs including courses in Engineering, Computer Science, and Business Management.
Documents Required for CPT and OPT
To apply for CPT and OPT, candidates will require the following documents.
For OPT (Optional Practical Training)
- Printout of the I-94
- Original I-765
- Current passport copy
- 2 passport-size photographs
- F-1 visa stamp copy on passport
- Copies of all earlier issued I-20s
- EAD cards’ copies – earlier issued ones
- Copy of OPT recommendation and I-20
For CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
- Present copy of I-20
- Academic Recommendation Form
- CPT online workshop completion certificate
- Electronic form I-94 printout
- Training certificate from the employer
Top Recruiters for MBA Graduates in the USA
| Recruiter | Field of Recruitment | Details |
| McKinsey & Company | Management Consulting | A leading consulting firm is known for hiring MBA graduates from top business schools. |
| Boston Consulting Group (BCG) | Management Consulting | One of the top consulting firms recruiting for strategy and management roles. |
| Bain & Company | Management Consulting | Focused on strategy consulting and consistently ranks among the top MBA employers. |
| Amazon | E-commerce, Operations, and Technology | Hires for roles in product management, operations, and logistics. |
| Technology and Product Management | Offers roles in product management, business operations, and strategy. | |
| JP Morgan Chase & Co. | Banking and Financial Services | Recruits MBA graduates for investment banking and leadership roles. |
| Goldman Sachs | Investment Banking and Asset Management | Known for hiring MBAs for financial advisory and wealth management. |
| Accenture | Consulting and Digital Transformation | Recruits MBAs for strategic consulting and technology solutions roles. |
| Deloitte | Consulting, Risk Management, and Strategy | Offers roles in strategy, risk analysis, and technology consulting. |
| General Motors | Automotive and Business Strategy | Recruits for business strategy and operational leadership roles. |
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