Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] (Behavioral Science)
Field of Study:
₹80.5 L/Yr
University of Chicago Master of Business Administration (MBA) Behavioral Science is a two-year, full-time, in-person concentration in Chicago, Illinois, for applicants with an undergraduate degree or equivalent. Autumn 2027 is open to international applicants, with standardised scores and English evidence required when applicable; its 2026-27 nine-month estimate was US$132,449 (INR 1.26 Crore). Autumn 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition was US$89,976 (INR 85.84 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.
The concentration applies research from psychology, sociology, economics and related fields to managerial decisions, human capital, teamwork, incentives and negotiation. It suits applicants seeking broad management training with a four-course behavioral toolkit, while recognising that Behavioral Science is a concentration rather than a standalone specialised degree.
- The general MBA curriculum lets students combine the concentration with ten electives and up to 300 free units after graduation.
- The curriculum includes required LEAD coursework and expects qualified work experience or an internship as part of the programme design.
- The full-time format uses three to four courses per quarter, supporting a concentrated 21-month study plan.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Autumn 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 15 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. Central Time (CT), or 16 September 2026, 10:29 a.m. Indian Standard Time (IST).
Central Time controls the portal cutoff, so Indian applicants should use the converted IST deadline for planning. All rounds are viable, but Round One provides more calendar time for visa processing after admission.
Also Check: University of Chicago MBA Admission
University of Chicago MBA Fees and Living Costs 2027
Autumn 2027 fee status: the official cost page publishes 2026-27 figures for the MBA Class of 2028, while 2027-28 tuition is scheduled for release in Spring 2027.
Verify the target fee on the official fee page before accepting an offer, because the current published amounts are prior-cycle planning references rather than Autumn 2027 prices.
| Cost item | 2026-27 prior-cycle amount (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | US$89,976 | INR 85.84 Lakhs |
| Student services fee | US$1,560 | INR 1.49 Lakhs |
| Administrative service fee, first year only | US$3,100 | INR 2.96 Lakhs |
| Lifetime transcript fee, one-time fall first year | US$84 | INR 8,014 |
| Books and course materials | US$549 | INR 52,375 |
| Housing and food | US$26,010 | INR 24.81 Lakhs |
| Miscellaneous personal expenses | US$7,770 | INR 7.41 Lakhs |
| Transportation | US$1,800 | INR 1.72 Lakhs |
| Computer allowance, first year only | US$1,600 | INR 1.53 Lakhs |
| Total estimated cost for three quarters | US$132,449 | INR 1.26 Crore |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.4011 as of 13 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: University of Chicago Booth 2026-27 Estimated Cost of Attendance, MBA Class of 2028.
Current application fee: Booth lists US$250 (INR 23,850) for the Autumn 2027 application, separate from tuition and the prior-cycle cost table.
- The published total covers three quarters or nine months, so applicants should not treat it as a complete two-year budget.
- First-year charges include the administrative service fee and computer allowance, which should be separated from recurring borrowing needs.
- Tuition is charged over six quarterly instalments for the full programme, making cash-flow timing as important as the headline amount.
Cost of Living in Chicago for MBA Students
Chicago Booth reports housing and food as one combined nine-month estimate, so the table does not invent separate rent or grocery amounts.
Monthly figures below are calculated by dividing each official nine-month amount by nine, while the final columns retain the published nine-month scope.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | Nine-month total (USD) | Nine-month total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing and food | US$2,890 | INR 2.76 Lakhs | US$26,010 | INR 24.81 Lakhs |
| Miscellaneous personal expenses | US$863.33 | INR 82,363 | US$7,770 | INR 7.41 Lakhs |
| Transportation | US$200 | INR 19,080 | US$1,800 | INR 1.72 Lakhs |
| Books and course materials | US$61 | INR 5,819 | US$549 | INR 52,375 |
| Total living and study estimate | US$4,014.33 | INR 3.83 Lakhs | US$36,129 | INR 34.47 Lakhs |
The official living and study estimate is US$36,129 (INR 34.47 Lakhs) for nine months, separate from tuition and programme fees. Because housing and food are combined, applicants should price their preferred residence separately before borrowing.
For a prior-cycle planning illustration, the listed 2026-27 components add to US$132,449 (INR 1.26 Crore), but no 2027-28 total is inferred. Dependants can change the university’s financial-aid assessment, so family budgets need a separate calculation.
Also Check: University of Chicago MBA Courses and Fees
ROI reality: Autumn 2027 tuition is not yet published, and the current US$132,449 (INR 1.26 Crore) estimate is only a 2026-27 nine-month reference. Rebuild the loan and living-cost budget when Spring 2027 figures appear.
University of Chicago MBA Admission 2027
The programme requires an undergraduate degree or equivalent, a GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) score, and English evidence when applicable.
These tests provide standardised evidence for review, but the programme publishes no minimum GMAT, GRE, or GPA cutoff.
International degrees are reviewed for equivalence, and the university accepts three-year degrees in light of the Bologna Accord. Selection also considers communication, leadership, collaboration, career record, personal direction, and realistic expectations.
Class profile context: the Class of 2027 reports 635 full-time students, 37% international students, and five average years of work experience. Its average grade point average (GPA) is 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. That equals approximately 85% to 90%, or CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) 8.5 to 9.0 on 10 for Indian applicants. CGPA is the 10-point academic average commonly used in Indian transcripts.
| Admission factor | Official position | Indian applicant meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | Degree from an accredited US college or equivalent elsewhere | Three-year international degrees are accepted in light of the Bologna Accord, subject to review |
| GPA | No minimum published; Class of 2027 average is GPA 3.6 on a 4.0 scale | Approximately 85% to 90%, or CGPA 8.5 to 9.0 on 10, as a general estimate rather than a university conversion |
| GMAT | Required, with no minimum for consideration and no superscores | Class of 2027 average is 729 and median is 730 on the 200 to 800 scale |
| GRE General Test | Accepted instead of GMAT, with no superscores | Class of 2027 average is 164 Quantitative and 163 Verbal on the 130 to 170 scale |
| Work experience | Qualified work experience or an internship is required in the full-time MBA design | Five years is the Class of 2027 average, not a stated minimum |
| Review approach | Holistic review includes tests, communication, leadership, collaboration, career track record, and personal direction | Explain how behavioural decision skills connect to a specific post-MBA role |
The Class of 2027 averages are benchmarks, not cutoffs. Indian applicants should explain academic context and career progression instead of treating GPA 3.6 or GMAT 729 as automatic requirements.
The concentration is selected through four courses inside a general management MBA, which makes the application stronger when the target role needs both management breadth and behavioural analysis.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
The English language proficiency (ELP) policy lists International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) routes. It also accepts Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and Duolingo English Test.
Scores must be valid for two years, and the current TOEFL policy changes by test date, so applicants should report the scale that matches the sitting they submit.
| Test | Published minimum | Scale or condition |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | Overall score |
| TOEFL taken on or after 21 January 2026 | 5.0 | New 1.0 to 6.0 scale |
| TOEFL taken before 21 January 2026 | 600 paper or 104 internet-based TOEFL | Previous published scales |
| PTE Academic | 70 | Published overall minimum |
| Duolingo English Test | 135 | Published overall minimum |
The checked international-admissions page does not publish an India-specific school-English waiver, so medium of instruction should not be treated as an automatic exemption.
- Choose one accepted test and schedule it early enough for a valid score report at the selected application deadline.
- Indian applicants using TOEFL should identify the test date because the university publishes 5.0 on the new scale and 600 paper or 104 iBT on the previous scales.
- The application does not accept MyBest scores or superscores, so prepare one complete testing session for submission.
Admissions verification: review the current international requirements on the official international student page before submitting test scores or equivalency documents.
Tip for Indian students: The published GPA and test figures describe the Class of 2027, not minimums for Autumn 2027. Build the application around academic context, qualified experience, and a behavioural-science career rationale.
University of Chicago MBA Application 2027
The Autumn 2027 application cycle is open with three forward-looking rounds, and Booth publishes both application deadlines and decision dates for each round.
Deadlines are stated in Central Time, while the Indian Standard Time equivalents below account for the relevant daylight-saving offset; Central Time controls the portal.
| Round | Application deadline, Central Time | Equivalent deadline, IST | Decision date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round One | 15 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT | 16 September 2026, 10:29 a.m. IST | 3 December 2026 |
| Round Two | 7 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. CT | 8 January 2027, 10:29 a.m. IST | 25 March 2027 |
| Round Three | 1 April 2027, 11:59 p.m. CT | 2 April 2027, 10:29 a.m. IST | 20 May 2027 |
Booth states that all rounds are equally viable, so the earliest round is not presented as an admissions advantage. Round One can nevertheless create more time for international visa processing after an admission decision.
Round Three remains a published option, but its May decision date leaves less calendar room for financial planning, document preparation, and visa processing before Autumn 2027 classes.
Application Components and Interview
The application requires concise written evidence of goals, professional history, academic records, testing, and recommendation quality.
Applicants should make the Behavioral Science concentration credible through the target role and examples of decisions, incentives, teamwork, or negotiation they want to handle after the MBA.
- Answer four short prompts of 300 characters each, covering immediate goals, long-term goals, an image and its significance, and a fun fact.
- Upload a professional resume, all postsecondary transcripts, and one recommendation, preferably from a current supervisor with specific examples.
- Submit GMAT or GRE results, English evidence when required, and the US$250 (INR 23,850) application fee with the application.
- Prepare for one virtual interview and a short interactive exercise if invited, because an interview is required for admission but does not guarantee an offer.
The optional explanation field allows up to 300 words for material context, while non-English academic records require authorised translations. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted initially, but official records are required after admission.
Application action: choose a round only after the test score, recommendation, transcript translation, and goal narrative can be submitted together.
Application tip: The deadline table gives Round One a 16 September 2026 IST cutoff, but the portal is governed by Central Time. Submit a complete behavioural-science career narrative before the converted cutoff.
University of Chicago MBA Scholarships 2027
Chicago Booth does not require a separate scholarship application for full-time MBA applicants, because all applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.
The official funding page does not publish a fixed award amount or a separate Autumn 2027 scholarship deadline, so applicants should not calculate a target-cycle net tuition.
Awards consider academic merit, prospective concentration, interview quality, career goals, and life experiences, making the Behavioral Science rationale relevant to funding review. Verify the current rules on the official scholarships and aid page before relying on an award.
Current published funding routes: the routes below are available under the current full-time MBA policy, but none should be treated as a guaranteed Autumn 2027 award.
| Funding route | Applicant eligibility | Application route and timing |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based MBA scholarships | All full-time MBA applicants, including international applicants | Automatic consideration; award amount and notification timing vary |
| Booth fellowships | Select admitted students; international students may also qualify | Selection and notification timing vary, with no separate target-cycle deadline published |
| Private credit-based loans | All students; international students without US cosigners have multiple options | Not a scholarship; lender details become available after admission |
Because the university does not publish a fixed award value, the safest budget assumes full published tuition and treats any scholarship as upside rather than an amount already available.
Most students fund the MBA through loans, while federal loans are limited to US citizens and permanent residents. International applicants should compare private-loan interest, repayment terms, and cosigner requirements after receiving an offer.
- Submit a complete application because automatic scholarship consideration depends on the same academic, interview, career, and life-experience evidence used for admission.
- Use the four-course Behavioral Science concentration in the career narrative because prospective concentration is one published scholarship consideration.
- Do not subtract an assumed award from the prior-cycle US$132,449 (INR 1.26 Crore) estimate because 2027-28 tuition and award values are unpublished.
- Qualified veterans should assess Yellow Ribbon separately under US Department of Veterans Affairs rules, because it is not a general Indian-student scholarship route.
Scholarship reality: Automatic consideration reduces the number of forms, not the funding risk. Build the Autumn 2027 plan around full tuition and verify any award amount in the admission letter.
University of Chicago MBA Salary 2027
Behavioral Science concentration outcomes are not separately published, so the closest official evidence is the school-level 2025 Full-Time MBA Employment Report.
The report covers the full-time MBA rather than this four-course concentration, and its figures must not be read as concentration-specific placement rates.
Among job-seeking graduates, 89% received full-time offers within three months, while 37% accepted consulting positions. The report also says 72% were hired through school-facilitated effort, which shows channel contribution rather than a guarantee.
The latest report gives school-level salary evidence, including median base salary and median sign-on bonus, but it does not publish a separate Behavioral Science salary.
| Measure | Evidence scope | Published amount (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median base salary | School-level outcome, 2025 Full-Time MBA graduates | US$175,000 | INR 1.67 Crore |
| Median sign-on bonus | School-level outcome, 2025 accepted offers | US$30,000 | INR 28.62 Lakhs |
Source: Chicago Booth 2025 Full-Time MBA Employment Report and related official employment-report summary.
School-level outcome detail: the employment report provides more useful context than salary alone, including offer timing, geography, industry, and employer access.
The measures below describe the graduating full-time MBA class, not a typical Behavioral Science graduate. They help an applicant judge employment channels and market exposure without turning aggregate outcomes into a personal forecast.
| Measure | Published school-level result |
|---|---|
| Offers within three months | 89% of job-seeking graduates |
| Accepted offers in the United States | 95% |
| School-facilitated hiring | 72% |
| Consulting accepted positions | 37% |
| Unique companies hiring | 170 |
| Entrepreneurship and startup evidence | 38 graduates started companies, 57 accepted company-sponsored roles, and 20 accepted startup full-time positions |
The 95% US acceptance figure indicates strong host-country employment exposure for the reported class, while the 72% school-facilitated figure shows the importance of using Booth’s recruiting channels.
Industry and function mix also matters because consulting represented 37% of accepted positions, while technology represented 14% of reported industry outcomes. Applicants targeting behavioural roles should check whether their desired function is represented rather than relying on the aggregate salary.
Return on Investment for Indian Applicants
Return on investment (ROI) cannot be calculated responsibly for Autumn 2027 because target-cycle tuition is unpublished and the salary evidence is school-level rather than concentration-specific.
STEM means Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the designation supports the extended work window only when immigration rules are met.
- The prior-cycle nine-month cost was US$132,449 (INR 1.26 Crore), so update the borrowing plan when 2027-28 tuition is released instead of fixing debt now.
- The school-level base salary median was US$175,000 (INR 1.67 Crore), so test repayment without counting the US$30,000 (INR 28.62 Lakhs) bonus.
- The 89% offer rate covers job-seeking full-time MBA graduates, so evaluate the target role, internship plan, and concentration fit rather than treating it as a placement probability.
- The 95% US acceptance share creates host-country opportunity but also visa exposure, so model sponsorship risk before assuming the reported salary is accessible.
- The MBA is STEM eligible for up to 36 months of post-study work, so verify work-authorisation details before using that window in a funding model.
Take-home pay varies with federal and state tax, benefits, location, and bonus treatment, so use the IRS tax withholding estimator for a personal gross-to-net check.
For an India-return plan, treat the US salary figures as host-country evidence only and compare the target behavioural role, loan balance, and Indian compensation offer separately.
ROI reality: Booth reports strong school-level employment outcomes, but no Behavioral Science salary or placement rate. Treat the concentration as a broad MBA investment with a behavioural focus, then rebuild the calculation using the published 2027-28 fee.
United States Visa for University of Chicago MBA Students 2027
International students may use F-1 or J-1 status for the MBA, and Chicago Booth identifies the degree as eligible for the extended post-study work pathway.
The standard post-completion work period is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which permits eligible F-1 graduates to work for up to 12 months after study.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) eligibility can add a 24-month extension to OPT for qualifying F-1 graduates. Employment, degree, employer, and reporting conditions must be satisfied before relying on the full 36-month window.
- Budget the F-1 fee of US$185 (INR 17,649) and I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee of US$350 (INR 33,390), separate from university costs.
- After eligible study, the standard OPT period is 12 months and the STEM extension can add 24 months, subject to immigration and job conditions.
- H-1B sponsorship after OPT has no single course-specific salary threshold because the employer must meet the higher actual-wage or prevailing-wage rule and selection is cap-based.
- F-2 status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, but F-2 dependants are not employment-authorised.
The United States offers no fixed course-linked permanent-residence timeline, because employment category, sponsorship, visa availability, and the applicant’s immigration history control the route.
Also Check: USA Student Visa Requirements for Indian Applicants
Visa reality: The STEM extension improves the possible work window, but it does not guarantee employment or H-1B selection. Confirm the degree coding, employer eligibility, and dependant status before making a host-country repayment plan.
University of Chicago MBA Ranking 2027
The University of Chicago MBA is ranked in the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Global MBA Rankings and the 2026 Financial Times Global MBA Ranking.
Both rankings evaluate the broader full-time MBA rather than the four-course Behavioral Science concentration, so they are external context rather than concentration outcomes.
| Ranking | Edition | Scope | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS Global MBA Rankings | 2026 | Global full-time MBA | #15 |
| Financial Times Global MBA Ranking | 2026 | Global MBA | #20, previous position #17 |
Source: QS Global MBA Rankings 2026 and Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2026.
These positions can help an applicant identify the broader MBA’s international visibility, but they do not establish admission probability, salary for Behavioral Science, or visa sponsorship.
The curriculum remains the more relevant choice test because Behavioral Science is an elective concentration inside a general management degree. Applicants should therefore use the ranking as a context signal and inspect course fit, costs, funding, and employment scope.
Also Check: University of Chicago MBA Rankings
Honest take: The 2026 MBA positions provide programme-level visibility, not a Behavioral Science outcome. Choose the concentration for its four-course behavioural toolkit and broad MBA platform, then use rankings only as supporting context.
University of Chicago MBA Behavioral Science fits applicants who want a broad management degree with four courses focused on decisions, incentives, teamwork, and negotiation. The concentration adds behavioural analysis to general management training, but it is not a standalone specialised degree. The material tradeoffs are unpublished 2027-28 tuition and school-level employment evidence, so applicants should budget full costs and avoid concentration-specific salary assumptions. The next action is to choose a round, prepare the behavioural-science goals narrative, and update the budget when Spring 2027 fees appear.
University of Chicago MBA Behavioral Science FAQs
Ques. Is University of Chicago MBA Behavioral Science a separate specialised MBA degree?
Ans. No. It is a four-course concentration inside the general full-time MBA, so applicants receive broad management training with a behavioural decision-making focus.
Ques. What GMAT or GRE score should Indian applicants target?
Ans. Booth publishes no minimum GMAT or GRE score for consideration. The Class of 2027 reports a GMAT average of 729 and median of 730 on the 200 to 800 scale, but those figures are benchmarks rather than cutoffs.
Ques. How should an Indian applicant budget for the Autumn 2027 MBA?
Ans. Autumn 2027 tuition is unpublished. The 2026-27 tuition reference was US$89,976 (INR 85.84 Lakhs), and the estimated nine-month total was US$132,449 (INR 1.26 Crore). Update borrowing when 2027-28 figures are released.
Ques. Which application round is best for Autumn 2027?
Ans. Booth states that all rounds are viable. Round One closes on 15 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT, or 16 September 2026 at 10:29 a.m. IST, and provides more post-admission visa-processing time.
Ques. Can the MBA support work in the United States after graduation?
Ans. The STEM-eligible MBA can support up to 12 months of OPT and a possible 24-month STEM extension for qualifying F-1 graduates. Employment, reporting, employer, and immigration conditions still apply.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | ₹8047645 (USD 84198) |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Housing and food | ₹2771820 (USD 29000) |
| Transportation | ₹382320 (USD 4000) |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023 | ₹7738252 (USD 80961) |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake | |
| Round 2 Decision Date For 2026 Intake | |
| Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake | |
| Round 3 Decision Date For 2026 Intake | |
Scores Required
2.8 / 4
Minimum gpa
GPA
- There is no minimum requirement in GMAT/GRE scores
- Average Scores of Student:
- GMAT: 724 ( ranges between 600-780 )
- GRE: 324
- Like GMAT, there is no minimum GPA requirement, but the average GPA of students ranges between 2.8 – 4.0


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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 2.4 L/Yr$2,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 95,580/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.8 L/Yr$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific |
















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