MBA in USA is one of the top destinations for Indian and international students. Its homeland to some of the best MBA programs in Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Northwestern Kellogg, MIT Sloan, and many more. Apart from a full-time MBA program, which is for two years, MBA aspirants can also opt for a one-year program in the USA.
Did you know the average GMAT score of the top 50 business schools in the USA is 703?
MBA in USA 2023
Here is a brief overview of what you can expect if you plan to study for an MBA in USA:
| Duration | 1 to 2 years |
| Competitive GMAT Score | 700+ |
| Tuition Fees | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| Top MBA colleges | Some of the top MBA colleges in the USA are Stanford GSB, Harvard Business school, Kellogg, Chicago Booth, Columbia, NYU Stern, Yale SoM, and many more. |
| MBA in USA – Average Salary | $100,000 + |
| Competitive Exam accepted in USA | GMAT or GRE |
In this article, we look at why you should study MBA in USA, salary, cost, scholarships, and visa requirements. Before that here are 5 must-know facts about F1-visa:
- MBA in USA 2023
- Why MBA in USA?
- MBA in USA – Best MBA Programs in 2023
- 10 Best Business Schools for Online Learning during the COVID-19 outbreak in USA
- Top one-year MBA Program in the United States
- MBA in USA – Scholarships and Financial Aid
- MBA Salary in the USA
- MBA in USA – Visa Requirements
- STEM MBA Programs in the USA
- Multicultural Environment
- FAQs – MBA in USA
Why MBA in USA?
MBA programs in the USA can be rewarding in terms of the learning experience, post-MBA careers, and cultural experience.
In recent times the domestic applications have seen a decline in the USA. However, the STEM- certified MBA programs are more likely to see international applicant growth as it comes with an additional 24 months OPT.
Besides, getting an MBA can lead to career transformation and open up opportunities for career growth. According to the GMAC Application Trends survey 2019, 50% of international candidates apply to the United States because it allows them to get a US job.
Apart from the career prospect, most of the top business schools are located in the United States. Thus, getting an MBA from top b-schools can pave the way to various opportunities.
For example, if you get an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, where the acceptance rate is 19.2%, potential employers will know how difficult it is to get admission there.
Also, the brand value for the best MBA programs in the USA is high, giving you an edge over other MBA graduates. Around 75% of prospective students choose the United States as their study destination because of the reputation of its educational system.
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Here are six reasons why opt for an MBA program in the USA:
- Best MBA Programs are in the USA
- MBA Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities
- MBA Salary in the USA
- Visa Requirements and extension of OPT post-MBA
- STEM MBA Programs in USA
- Multicultural Environment
Let us discuss each point in detail.
MBA in USA – Best MBA Programs in 2023
Some of the best MBA programs are offered in the United States. At some of the colleges, students have the flexibility to select the duration of an MBA program. They can opt for full-time, part-time, or accelerated MBA programs.
Here are the best full-time MBA programs in the USA:
| Sr.no | MBA in USA – Best MBA Colleges | Tuition Fees | GMAT Score (Class 2022) |
| 1. | Stanford GSB | $76,950 | 737 |
| 2. | Wharton School of Business | $84,874 | 733 |
| 3. | Kellogg School of Management | $78,276 | 729 |
| 4. | Booth School of Business | $77,841 | 729 |
| 5. | MIT Sloan School of Management | $86,400 | 730 |
| 6. | Harvard Business School | $73,440 | 730 |
| 7. | UC Berkeley (Haas) | $76,433 | 729 |
| 8. | Columbia Business School | $77,376 | 729 |
| 9. | Yale School of Management | $79,000 | 723 |
| 10. | NYU (Stern) | $76,780 | 733 |
| 11. | Virginia (Darden) | $73,300 | 720 |
| 12. | Dartmouth Tuck | $77,520 | 726 |
| 13. | Duke (Fuqua) | $71,750 | 720 |
| 14. | Michigan (Ross) | $73,196 | 720 |
| 15. | Cornell (Johnson) | $76,690 | 710 |
| 16. | UCLA (Anderson) | $71,071 | 711 |
| 17. | USC (Marshall) | $64,350 | 708 |
| 18. | Texas-Austin (McCombs) | $59,800 | 704 |
| 19. | CMU (Tepper) | $72,800 | 702 |
| 20. | UNC (Kenan-Flagler) | $68,112 | 696 |
Did you know that Indian students account for almost 30% of all the MBA Applicants, yet only 9% of the class at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, or other top business schools comprises Indian nationals? So, how do you increase your chances of getting an admit to top business schools?
After analyzing MBA admissions success stories of numerous such students, we have come up with 5 best practices for Indian applicants to get into M7 schools:10 Best Business Schools for Online Learning during the COVID-19 outbreak in USA
The majority of the business schools in the United States have shifted to Online learning due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Bloomberg Businessweek 2022-23 has conducted a survey where it ranks best business schools for Online learning.
- Stanford GSB
- Chicago Booth
- Harvard Business School
- Northwestern Kellogg
- Darmouth Tuck
- MIT Sloan
- Pennsylvania Wharton
- Columbia
- Virginia Darden
- Yale
Stanford GSB
- GMAT Score: 737
- Average Salary: $150,000
- Top Industry: Finance
- Location: Stanford, CA
Chicago Booth
- GMAT Score: 729
- Average Salary: $143,867
- Top Industry: Consulting
- Location: Chicago, USA
Harvard Business School
- GMAT Score: 730
- Average Salary: $130,000
- Top Industry: Financial services
- Location: Boston, MA
Northwestern Kellogg
- GMAT Score: 729
- Average Salary: $135,168
- Top Industry: Consulting
- Location: USA
Darmouth Tuck
- GMAT Score: 726
- Average Salary: $150,000
- Top Industry: Financial services
- Location: Hanover, USA
MIT Sloan
- GMAT Score: 730
- Average Salary: $150,000
- Top Industry: Consulting
- Location: Cambridge
Pennsylvania Wharton
- GMAT Score: 733
- Average Salary: $144,400
- Top Industry: Consulting
- Location: Philadephia
Columbia
- GMAT Score: 729
- Average Salary: $138,767
- Top Industry: Financial services
- Location: New York
Virginia Darden
- GMAT Score: 703
- Average Salary: $135,168
- Top Industry: Consulting
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
Yale
- GMAT Score: 723
- Average Salary: $150,000
- Top Industry: Financial Services
- Location: US
Top one-year MBA Program in the United States
Apart from the full-time MBA program, you can also opt for a one-year program. Check out the top one-year MBA Programs in the USA:
| One-year MBA Programs USA | Cost |
| Kellogg Accelerated MBA | $140,366 |
| Cornell Johnson | $145,847 |
| Duke Fuqua Accelerated MBA | $114,165 |
| Notre Dame (Mendoza) | $81,242 |
| USC Marshall (I-Bear) | $124,715 |
| NYU Stern Tech MBA | $149,101 |
| Emory (Goizueta) | $103,971 |
| Babson College One-Year | $128,761 |
| University of Pittsburgh | $52,845 |
| Peeperdine Graziadio Business School Accelerated MBA | $101,880 |
Read in detail about the Best MBA programs in USA for one year.
Here is a list of articles on Best MBA programs in various specializations. Most of the colleges are located in the US:
- Marketing
- Finance
- Human Resource
- Operations
- Entrepreneurship
- Consulting
- Business Analytics
- Supply Chain Management
- Technology
- Energy
Aspiring to pursue your MBA in USA?
A high GMAT score can set you apart from the competition. Start your GMAT Preparation with the most reviewed online GMAT prep company. Try out our FREE Trial Today!
MBA in USA – Scholarships and Financial Aid
One of the reasons why non-US citizens avoid studying in the United States is because of the MBA cost involved.
Around 66% of prospective students agree that tuition cost prevents them from pursuing an MBA in the USA; 57 % agree on the cost of living. The MBA cost in the USA is one of the major challenges that students face. However, there are multiple means to finance your education through fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and education loans.
The same report also points out that around 33% of students choose the United States because of the availability of financial aid. Here is the data on candidates who prefer to study internationally based on the availability of financial assistance:
For example, the average scholarship amount for the Harvard MBA is $40,000 per year. Also, the Harvard MBA scholarship is a gift that does not need to be paid back, and nearly 50% of the class receives it.
Leave more about how to get a Harvard MBA Scholarship.
In general, most of the best MBA programs in the USA offer merit-based scholarships. Apart from that, targeted scholarships like diversity scholarships are also provided by business schools.
Here is an article that covers the list of scholarships available for Indian and International students at Top business schools.
Financial Aids available for Indian Students in the United States
According to Nishant, a Columbia Business School student, there are various funding opportunities available at Columbia. “Most of the Indian students that I know have scholarships, which can range from 20%-80%.” He also states that in terms of assistantships, opportunities are available where you can apply for a thesis assistant or teaching position. These options are well paid and can take care of your daily or rent expenses.
In addition, there are education loans that you can apply for in the USA. Here is an article on How you can get a student loan for an MBA in USA.
A high GMAT score can help you get a high scholarship amount. Here are some success stories of students who got an admit into the best MBA programs in the USA with scholarship:
- Kellogg Admit with Scholarship
- MBA Scholarship worth $180,000: Admit to Kellogg
- Admit from 5 business schools with Scholarships
Students can also get financial aid through fellowships. Here is an article on Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, where 3 Indians get 70 lakhs each to study at Stanford GSB MBA program.
MBA Salary in the USA
As per the NACE Salary Survey, the average starting salary for MBA grads in the Class of 2021 will be $79,043 – more than $20,000 higher than the average starting salary projection for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in business.
Besides, this number can change drastically if you get into the best MBA programs in the USA. For example, the average base salary for Stanford MBA graduate 2020 is $150,000.
From the table below, the average base salary for the Best MBA programs in the USA is above 100K. Apart from the base salary, US companies tend to offer a signing bonus.
According to the Corporate Recruiters Survey 2019, more than half of US companies provide singing bonuses. The median signing bonus for an MBA in the USA is $10,500.
| Top Business Schools in the USA | Average MBA Salary in USA ( Class 2020) |
| Stanford GSB | $150,000 |
| Wharton School of Business | $150,000 |
| Kellogg School of Management | $144,400 |
| Booth School of Business | $150,000 |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | $150,000 |
| Harvard Business School | $130,000 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | $140,000 |
| Columbia Business School | $150,000 |
| Yale School of Management | $130,000(2019) |
| NYU (Stern) | $150,000 |
| Virginia (Darden) | $135,168 |
| Dartmouth Tuck | $150,000 |
| Duke (Fuqua) | $135,935 |
| Michigan (Ross) | $126,583 |
| Cornell (Johnson) | $138,767 |
| UCLA (Anderson) | $122,000 |
| USC (Marshall) | $130,000 |
| Texas-Austin (McCombs) | $125,000 |
| CMU (Tepper) | $136,000 |
| UNC (Kenan-Flagler) | $125,000 |
Here is an article on how to get into top business schools.
Read Top companies to work for:
Additional Benefits post MBA in the USA
US companies are most likely to offer health coverage, retirement, and work/life balance. Here are some of the compensation benefits offered by US companies:
Here are a few articles related to MBA Salary that you might find useful:
- MBA Salary, Occupations, and Career prospects
- Factors affecting the Average MBA Salary
- Average salary breakdown by Industry post-MBA.
- Post-MBA Consulting Salaries
Aspiring to pursue your MBA in USA?
A high GMAT score can set you apart from the competition. Start your GMAT Preparation with the most reviewed online GMAT prep company. Try out our FREE Trial Today!
MBA in USA – Visa Requirements
To pursue MBA in the USA (full-time), you require an F-1 student visa, which allows you a 12 months Optional Training program (OPT). The program will enable you to work and stay in the united states for 12 months after your graduation.
You can even increase your OPT if you have STEM-certification for your degree. A STEM MBA graduate will be eligible for 36 months of OPT.
In the recent past, many MBA aspirants have decided against pursuing an MBA in the USA. This is because of the negative news around the H-1B visa.
However, the current sentiment regarding H-1B is bad for the IT outsourcing companies but excellent news for MBA students. It’s even better if you are aiming for the top 30 business schools in the United States.
Read these articles to have a better understanding of post-MBA visa in the united states:
- New H-1B visa rules: 3 reasons to pursue an MBA in the USA
- F1 Student Visa
- Post-MBA Work Visa for International Students in the USA
STEM MBA Programs in the USA
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. In the recent past, many business schools have embraced STEM-designation.
As mentioned earlier, a STEM-certified MBA program offers 36 months OPT. Thus, you get to stay and work in the United States for an additional 24 months without an H-1B visa.
According to the GMAC application survey 2019, 44% of programs that were STEM certified reported an increase in international applicants.
The federal government in 2016 created the STEM-designated degree program to address the shortage of qualified workers in STEM fields that are estimated to grow more than a million jobs by 2024. Thus, a graduate with a STEM degree will have more opportunities in the US job market.
The below table mentions the STEM programs offered by the best MBA programs in the USA:
| Business School | STEM MBA Certification |
| Columbia Business School | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
| Stanford GSB | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
| Harvard Business school | Management Science track in Full-time MBA |
| Michigan Ross | STEM-Designated Track |
| NYU Stern | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
| Yale SoM | STEM-MBA concentration |
| Dartmouth Tuck | Management Science and Quantitative Analysis |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | STEM Concentration |
| Northwestern Kellogg | Management Science |
| Wharton School of Business | Majors in full-time MBA: Statistics, Actuarial science, Business Analytics; Business Economics & Public Policy; Business, Energy, Environment & Sustainability; Operations, Information, and Decisions |
| UC Berkeley Hass | MBA (All programs) |
| CMU Tepper | MBA (All programs) |
| Chicago Booth | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
| Simon Business School | MBA (All programs) |
| MIT Sloan | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
| Purdue – Krannert School of Management | MS Marketing, MS business analytics & information management, MS Finance, MS Global Supply chain management, MS Economics |
| Wisconsin School of Business | MBA in Operations and Technology Management, MBA in supply chain management |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | MBA in Business Analytics |
| University of Notre Dame | MBA/MS in Business Analytics Dual degree |
| Tippie College of Business | Masters in Finance |
| Whitman School of Management | Masters in Finance |
| Darden Virginia | Specialization in Management science full-time MBA |
| Georgetown (McDonough) | Management science major in full-time MBA |
| Indiana Kelley | Five majors in Full-time MBA: Business analytics, finance, marketing, accounting, and supply chain management |
| UC-Davis | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
| Olin Business School | Entire Full-Time MBA program |
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Multicultural Environment
Diversity of cultures is celebrated broadly on university and college campuses across the United States.
The country is often described as a nation of immigrants, and the MBA colleges see great value in what an international student brings to the educational experience in terms of their languages, cultures, and tradition.
Best MBA programs in the USA are increasingly promoting culture and diversity.
For example, Stanford GSB states that it is committed to creating inclusive spaces for its members to learn with each other and celebrate the power of diversity. 43% of its incoming class of 2021 consists of international students.
The below table represents the percentage of international students for the best MBA programs in the USA:
| MBA in USA | % of International Students (Class profile 2022) |
| Stanford GSB | 35% |
| Wharton School of Business | 19% |
| Kellogg School of Management | 26% |
| Booth School of Business | 42% |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | 33% |
| Harvard Business School | 33% |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | 21% |
| Columbia Business School | 44% |
| Yale School of Management | 32% |
| NYU (Stern) | 24% |
| Virginia (Darden) | 24% |
| Dartmouth Tuck | 37% |
| Duke (Fuqua) | 38% |
| Michigan (Ross) | 18% |
| Cornell (Johnson) | 34% |
| UCLA (Anderson) | 33% |
| USC (Marshall) | 12% |
| Texas-Austin (McCombs) | 20% |
| CMU (Tepper) | 28% |
| UNC (Kenan-Flagler) | 8% |
Here is a list of related articles on Top business schools in:
FAQs – MBA in USA
Generally, a full-time MBA takes two years to complete. However, students can opt for a one-year program also.
The MBA tuition fee for top MBA programs in the USA can range from $60,000 – $90,000. There are other costs that are also involved like the cost of living, books, and supplies, etc.
Some of the top MBA destinations are:
1. United States
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. New Zealand
5. Germany
6. Australia
Two predominant exams that aspirants need to undertake are GMAT and GRE.
The average GMAT score for the incoming class of 2022, at the top 20 business schools ranges between 700-733.
