MBA in USA: Top Universities, Cost & Requirements

MBA in USA: Fees, Top Universities & Admission Requirements

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Jasmine Grover

Content Strategy Manager | Updated On - Jul 12, 2024

MBA in USA Highlights:

  • Course Duration: MBA in USA is a 2-year full-time degree offered in 600+ universities in US.
  • Top Universities: Some popular universities for MBA in USA include Stanford, MIT, Columbia, and Harvard University.
  • Cost of Studying: The approximate cost of an MBA in USA for Indian students is INR 50 to 65 Lakhs. While the cost is high, the program offers a great return on investment.
  • Popular Specializations: Indian students mostly choose MBA in Finance, Entrepreneurship, Operations Management, and Information Technology.
  • Exams Required: To get admission to an MBA in USA, you must submit IELTS scores (minimum 6.5), GRE (300+), and a recommended 600 GMAT score.
  • Career Opportunities: Indian MBA graduates in the USA find opportunities in diverse sectors like consulting (27%), finance (23%), and technology (19%), according to a report by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

MBA in the USA is among the most popular study abroad options for Indian students, attracting tens of thousands of applicants from India each year. The course duration for a full-time MBA in US is 2 years. US universities prioritize experiential learning through co-op programs, giving you practical skills and a competitive edge. Whether you crave flexibility, a focus on STEM, or an accelerated program, the country offers different types of US MBAonline, part-time, STEM-focused MBAs, and executive MBA programs

More than 50 MBA Colleges in USA are among the top B-Schools in the world, as per QS Rankings, with Stanford, MIT, and Harvard at the top.

  • To get admission to the course, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your undergraduate degree and an IELTS score of 6.5.
  • While top B-schools in the US require GMAT (600+) or GRE scores (300+) with at least 3 years of work experience, there are options even if you don’t meet the requirements.
  • Some universities like Kellogg School of Management and Columbia Business School offer MBA in USA without GMAT.

An MBA in the US is a significant financial commitment for Indian students, with costs ranging from ₹70 lakhs to ₹1.8 crores per year. However, it leads to a significant return on investment with the increasing demand for MBA graduates that remains strong even during economic fluctuations in the country. The Fall intake, starting in August, is the most popular choice for Indian students due to its convenient timing for Indian students completing their undergraduate in India. Products and services, technology and consulting are top industries offering jobs after MBA in USA with Indian students earning INR 1.09 crore per year.

Check: MBA in USA deadlines before applying. 


Top Universities for MBA in USA

US universities are renowned worldwide for their quality education, tie-ups with industry leaders and a focus on practical learning. Some top B-schools in US for MBA in USA for Indian students are – 

QS Global MBA Rankings 2024 University Acceptance Rate Fall 2024 Application Deadlines
1 Stanford Graduate School of Business 7% 10 September 2024
2 Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania 9% 4 September 2024
3 Harvard Business School 12% 4 September 2024
6 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management 14% 30 September 2024
7 Columbia Business School 18% 10 September 2024
12 Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management 20% 11 September 2024
13 University of California, Berkeley (Haas) School of Business 13% 14 September 2024
14 University of Chicago Booth School of Business 24% 19 September 2024
16 Yale School of Management 24% 10 September 2024
17 New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business 27% 16 September 2024

Check out: MBA acceptance rate for the top US business schools

In the US education system, there are three types of universitieshighly ambitiousmoderate and safe

  • Highly ambitious universities have higher entry requirements and lower acceptance rates. For example, Stanford University is a highly ambitious university with an acceptance rate of 7%.
  • Moderate universities have moderate entry requirements and acceptance rates - University of Washington is a moderate university with an acceptance rate of 46%
  • The safe universities have the highest acceptance rates, where meeting the general admission requirements will get you admission.

Specializations for MBA in USA

Another factor that may affect the choice of the best university in America for MBA is the specialization you want to opt for. The most popular specializations among Indian students are - 

MBA Specialization University Name
MBA in General Management Harvard University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, Yale University
MBA in Marketing Stanford University, Northwestern University, UCLA, Harvard University, Indiana University
MBA in Human Resource Management Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, University of Michigan, Brigham Young University, Purdue University
MBA in Entrepreneurship Babson College, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania
MBA in Finance University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, New York University, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MBA in Business Analytics University of Pennsylvania, New York University, University of Michigan, Boston University, University of Virginia

Types of MBA in USA

The Universities in USA offer a broad spectrum of MBA programs that are comprehensive and flexible for Indian students. The different types of the MBA programs in America are tabulated below:

Types of MBA Description Colleges
Full-Time MBA 2-year program for students seeking an immersive on-campus MBA experience Stanford, Harvard, UPenn, Chicago-Booth, MIT
Executive MBA For working professionals – weekend or short intensive sessions. UPenn Wharton, MIT, Yale, Northwestern
Part-Time MBA For working professionals – classes held in the evening or weekends. MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia University
Online MBA For flexibility, – pursue an MBA degree from anywhere at any time. Indiana University, University of North Carolina, University of Florida
Early Career MBA For students with limited work experience who want to fast-track their business career. Chicago-Booth, UPenn Wharton, UCLA
Global MBA Designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the global marketplace. Harvard, New York University

MBA Requirements in USA

Eligibility criteria for MBA colleges in USA vary in terms of GPA, deadlines, TOEFL-iBT score, and work experience. Thus, it becomes important for Indian applicants to start planning their studies at least 1.5 years in advance to allow themselves sufficient time for visa processing upon acceptance.

Eligibility for MBA in US

Some basic criteria for an Indian student to be eligible for admission to MBA in USA are:

  • Completion of 16 years of education: You need a 10+2+4 education with completion of a bachelor's program.
  • Standardized Exams Scores: Qualifying for top business schools in USA will mostly require you to have a GMAT score. Some universities may accept GRE equivalents.
    • GMAT Score: 600+
    • GRE Score: 300+
  • Language Proficiency Scores: Indian applicants must submit the scores of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or equivalent to prove their English Language proficiency.
    • IELTS: Minimum 6.5
  • Work Experience: To study MBA in America, applicants need a minimum work experience of 3 to 5 years. 

Check: MBA in USA without work experience

Documents Required to Study MBA in USA

Indian students planning to study MBA in US are required to submit a few additional documents:

USA Student Visa

Indian MBA students need an F-1 visa to study full-time in the US. Apply after receiving your I-20 form from the university and pay the SEVIS fee. Attend your USA Student Visa interview to showcase strong ties to India and clear study plans.

MBA in USA: Admission Requirements at US Business Schools

Apart from academic qualifications, you need to have qualifying scores in exams to study in USA

USA B-Schools Minimum GPA GMAT Score Work Experience
Stanford Graduate School of Business 3.7 738 5 years
Harvard Business School 3.7 740 4.9 years
Wharton School 3.6 728 5 years
MIT Sloan School of Management 3.6 730 5 years
Columbia Business School 3.6 727 5.6 years
Haas School of Business 3.5 710 4.5 years
Chicago Booth 3.6 730 5 years
Anderson School of Management 3.4 710 5.7 years
Kellogg School of Management 3.7 731 5 years
Yale School of Management 3.6 720 5.1 years
Stern School of Business 3.6 732 5.2 years
Ross School of Business 3.4 715 6.1 years
Fuqua School of Business 3.3 700 4.5 years
Johnson College of Business 3.3 710 5.5 years
Questrom Business School 3.3 683 6 years

MBA Cost in USA

The overall cost of MBA in USA for an Indian student includes the tuition fees and the cost of living in the country.

MBA Fees in USA for Indian Students

Tuition Fees for MBA in USA range from USD 45,000 to USD 77,000 (36.78 Lakhs INR- 62.94 Lakhs INR) per year. However, an MBA degree at the top-10 Business schools may cost over 1 Cr. There are a few affordable MBA colleges in USA for Indian students offering the program at a lower cost. Following are the tuition fees of the best universities for MBA in USA.

MBA Fees in USA for Indian Students

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Annual Tuition Fees (INR)
Stanford Graduate School of Business 82,455 66 lakhs
Harvard Business School 74,910 62 lakhs
Wharton School 87,370 72 lakhs
MIT Sloan 82,000 68 lakhs
Columbia Business School 84,496 70 lakhs
Haas School of Business 82,059 68 lakhs
Chicago Booth School of Business 80,961 67 lakhs
Anderson School of Management 78,350 65 lakhs
Kellogg School of Management 81,015 67 lakhs
Yale School of Management 82,200 68 lakhs
Stern School of Business 84,180 69 lakhs
Ross School of Business 75,392 62 lakhs
Fuqua School of Business 75,000 62 lakhs
Johnson College of Business 79,910 66 lakhs
Boston Business School 63,798 52 lakhs

Some affordable B-Schools for Indian students in US are – 

  • University of South Dakota: $18,500.
  • Cameron University: $19,000
  • Southeast Missouri State University: $21,000

Cost of Living in USA

The average cost of living in USA for an Indian student can vary greatly depending on the city and state they choose to live in, and their lifestyle. However, the average cost of living in USA is:

Expense Type Average Annual Expense (USD) Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Accommodation 16,000 13 lakhs
Meals 4,700 3 lakhs
Transportation 810 67,400
Health Insurance 4,100 3 lakhs
Personal Expenses 3,900 3 lakhs
Total 29,700 24 lakhs

MBA Cost in USA

Recent Updates:

The expenditure to study MBA in USA is likely to increase by 2025 according to the recent growth rate of Indian students going abroad for higher education. Discover the trends and projections that reveal Indian students planning to study abroad by 2025 are likely to spend around 70 billion USD!


MBA in USA with Scholarships

Mentioned below are some of the MBA scholarships in USA for Indian students. Some of the scholarships are merit-based while some are need-based. Some scholarships are one-time stipend-based, while others are based on tuition fee reductions. These will help you to bear the MBA price in USA.

Business School Scholarship Name Award Amount (USD)

Harvard Business School

Forte MBA Fellowships Up to 25,000 USD
Need-Based Tuition Assistance 46,000 USD per year, or 92,000 USD total
Stanford Graduate School of Business Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program Full tuition for up to 3 years | Stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel stipend
Wharton School Joseph Wharton Fellowships Variable
Columbia Business School Meyer Feldberg Distinguished Fellowship Program USD 100,000

Haas School of Business

Haas Global Impact Scholarship Full tuition
Dr. Tahir Fellowship Variable
University of Chicago Booth School of Business Social Impact Fellowship Full tuition
Yale School of Management Schwarzman Scholars Program Full tuition
NYU Stern School of Business William R. Berkley Scholarship 10,000 USD
Fuqua School of Business Merit Scholarships Partial or Full Tuition Coverage
Boston Business School Dean’s Scholarships 10,000 USD or Full tuition coverage

MBA in USA Salary

As per the BLS, USA, a 23% rise in demand for various business and related roles will create around 911,400 new opportunities by 2032. Some of the top recruiters are- Amazon, Apple, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey, etc giving jobs after MBA in America. Mentioned below are the jobs offered to MBA Graduates according to their MBA specialization.

MBA in USA Salary

Program Job Profile Average Salary (USD) Average Salary in INR
MBA General Management Business Development Director, Project Manager, Operations Manager 122,737 1.02 Crore
MBA Finance Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Accounting Manager 107,658 89.90 Lakhs
MBA Human Resource HR Manager, HR Generalist, HR Specialist 76,000 63.49 Lakhs
MBA Marketing Marketing Director, Product Manager, Marketing Manager 99,000 82.70 Lakhs

The US dominates the global MBA market, graduating over 125,000 job-ready candidates annually. An MBA can be your stepping stone with alumni landing positions in Silicon Valley tech giants or Wall Street financial institutions. However, pursuing the course requires acknowledging its challenges as well. Indian students may face visa restrictions hindering their entry into the workforce. Cultural differences can also pose challenges during the academic and professional integration process. US universities are now providing support to international students to tackle these challenges. An MBA in USA offers a significant return on investment with growing career opportunities.

FAQs

Ques: How much does an MBA in USA cost?

Ans: The average tuition for a 2-year MBA in USA exceeds 50 lakhs annually. Tuition and fees for attending any of the top MBA colleges in USA might cost up to 75 lakhs or more. The tuition fee in some of the top universities for MBA in USA is:

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Annual Tuition Fees (INR)
Graduate School of Business 79,860 66 lakhs
Harvard Business School 74,910 62 lakhs
Wharton School 87,370 72 lakhs
MIT Sloan 82,000 68 lakhs
Columbia Business School 84,496 70 lakhs

Ques: Who is eligible for an MBA in USA?

Ans: The eligibility for MBA in US involves evaluating an applicant on various factors. Some of the basic criteria that an international student must be eligible for are tabulated below:

Education 10+2+4 education or complete a four-year bachelor's program
Standardized Exams Scores Good GMAT score (700 average). Some universities may accept GRE equivalents
Work Experience Minimum 3 to 5 years
ELP IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL iBT: 100 |PTE: 54
Documents Letters of Recommendation | Resume | Statement of Purpose for MBA | Cover Letter | USA Student Visa

Ques: Can I get a job in USA after MBA?

Ans: Yes. MBA graduates in USA are some of the fastest in terms of securing employment. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average employment rate of MBA graduates in USA was 86.4% within 3 months of graduation. Some of the popular companies providing jobs in USA to international MBA graduates are

  • Accenture
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Deloitte
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co
  • Walmart
  • Citibank

Ques: How many years is MBA in USA?

Ans: Full-time MBA programs typically take two years to complete, while part-time and executive MBA programs can take three to four years to complete. Some schools offer accelerated programs and students can also choose a one-year MBA in USA.

Ques: Can I get PR in USA after MBA?

Ans: After completing an MBA in USA, graduates are eligible for optional practical training (OPT), which is a 12-month period during which you can stay and work in the United States. This enables you to work in any industry related to your field of study. You can also check out what to do after studying in USA to explore some other exciting opportunities!

Ques: What is the average age of MBA students in the USA?

Ans: The average age of MBA students in the USA varies by program type. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, the average age of full-time MBA students in USA is around 28 years. The average age of Executive MBA students in USA is 38 years.

Ques: Which MBA is in demand in USA?

Ans: According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, some of the most popular specializations within MBA programs in the USA include:

  • Finance
  • Consulting
  • Marketing
  • Operations/Logistics
  • Entrepreneurship

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