MBA in the USA in 2025: Top Universities, Requirements, & Career Opportunities
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Table of Contents
- Why study MBA in the USA?
- Top MBA Colleges in the USA for International Students
- Popular MBA Specializations in the USA
- MBA Intakes in the USA
- Eligibility Requirements to Apply for MBA in the USA
- Cost of Studying MBA in the USA for International Students
- Top Scholarships for MBA in USA for International Students
- High Paying Jobs After MBA in the USA
- Top Companies Hiring MBA Graduates in the USA
- Want to Pursue Your MBA in the USA? GetGIS Can Help
Pursuing an MBA in the USA offers academic excellence, cultural diversity and vast career opportunities. In the academic year 2023/2024, U.S Institutions hosted over 1.1 million international students, a 7% increase from the previous year. MBA programs saw strong international enrolments with some schools reporting over 50% international students like Georgetown McDonough (had 59%).
Graduate level international enrolments hit a record of 502,000. up 8% from prior year. India became the top source of international students with 331,601 enrolments, a 23% rise. The surge reflects the global appeal of US MBA programs renowned for quality education and career prospects. This blog will further help you navigate through the details of MBA in the USA - eligibility requirements, top universities, career prospects, and more.
Why study MBA in the USA?
Doing an MBA in the USA has its own benefits and can surely revolutionize your life entirely. So you should know what it will provide you additionally with a certified degree. Here are the 5 benefits of doing an MBA in USA:
1. Employment prospects for MBA graduates in USA are strong with 87% of them securing jobs within 3 months of graduating
2. As of 2024, the average annual graduate MBA salary in the USA was about $115,000.
3. In 2023 consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc offered an MBA graduate salary in the USA of about $200,000.
4. There are over 150 ranked universities in the US for MBA that over varied specializations or MBA programs for international students.
5. Leading US Business Schools conduct advanced research across various business domains, that helps you stay up to date with the latest trends and gain valuable insights needed for career development.
Top MBA Colleges in the USA for International Students
The nation hosts some of the world's best MBA colleges in the USA for Indian students. The average cost of full time MBA in USA is around $60,000 per year and the list of top 15 MBA colleges in the USA as per QS World Rankings 2025 include:
|
University |
QS Ranking |
Tuition Fees (USD) |
Admission Requirements |
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business |
1 |
82,455 |
GMAT: 730 Work Experience: 4 years |
|
Penn (Wharton) |
2 |
84,830 |
GMAT: 700 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
Harvard Business School |
3 |
76,410 |
GMAT: 700 Work Experience: 2 years |
|
MIT (Sloan) |
4 |
84,350 |
GMAT: 730 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
Columbia Business School |
5 |
88,300 |
GMAT: 730 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
Northwestern (Kellogg) |
6 |
83,610 |
GMAT: 620 Work Experience: 6 years |
|
UC Berkeley (Haas) |
7 |
85,406 |
GMAT: 680 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
UCLA (Anderson) |
8 |
78,268 |
GMAT: 640 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
Chicago (Booth) |
9 |
84,198 |
GMAT: 728 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
Yale School of Management |
10 |
85,400 |
GMAT: 680 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
NYU (Stern) |
11 |
86,916 |
GMAT: 700 Work Experience: 5 years |
|
Michigan (Ross) |
12 |
78,030 |
GMAT: 720 Work Experience: 6 years |
|
Duke (Fuqua) |
13 |
77,925 |
GMAT: 715 Work Experience: 6 years |
|
Cornell (Johnson) |
14 |
83,106 |
GMAT: 660 Work Experience: 2 years |
|
USC (Marshall) |
15 |
79,893 |
GMAT: 715 Work Experience: 5 years |
*Tuition fees mentioned are excluding of any MBA scholarships for international students
Popular MBA Specializations in the USA
Next, after the list of best MBA universities in the USA, let us learn about the popular programs for MBA in the USA for Indian students. These include:
|
Specialization |
Description |
|
Consulting |
Gain experience across various industries and work in multiple sectors. |
|
Business Analytics |
A blend of data and management, helping businesses make strategic decisions |
|
Finance |
Focus on managing company finances and funds |
|
Entrepreneurship |
Learn to develop competitive business models using innovation and resources |
|
Operations Management |
Help organisations integrate the latest technologies to optimise profits |
|
Information Systems |
A growing field with high demand due to advancements in automation and cloud computing |
MBA Intakes in the USA
Unlike the Indian universities which have single intake for the year US business schools offer three intakes for international students
1. Fall Intake: This August intake is the most popular among Indian students
2. Spring Intake: Ideal for those who miss the fall intake in USA
3. Summer Intake: May intake in USA has limited availability for select programs and universities
Also explore: Everything You Need to Know About Intakes in USA
Eligibility Requirements to Apply for MBA in the USA
To gain admission to an MBA program in the USA, most business schools need the applicants to meet the following MBA requirements in USA:
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A bachelor degree from an accredited university or institution
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A valid GMAT score
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Proof of English Proficiency
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IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5
-
TOEFL: 90 - 110
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A well Structured CV
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Statement of Purpose
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2 Letters of Recommendation
Cost of Studying MBA in the USA for International Students
The overall cost of studying MBA in the USA is highly dependent on various factors like tuition fee and living expenses typically ranging about USD 160,000 - USD 180,000 per year, with
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Tuition fee ranging about USD 60,000 - USD 80,000 per year
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Living expenses ranging about USD 8,000 - USD 10,000 per month
The overall cost of living in the USA however depends on the university and lifestyle choices of the student.
Also Explore: Cost of Studying in the USA
Top Scholarships for MBA in USA for International Students
Scholarships play a crucial financial aid role when planning to pursue studies abroad majorly in countries like the USA. The list of top MBA scholarships in the USA include:
|
University |
Scholarship |
Award |
|
Harvard Business School |
Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship |
$10,000 |
|
Wharton School |
Joseph Wharton Fellowship |
$20,000 |
|
MIT Sloan |
McKinsey Award |
$10,000 |
|
Columbia Business School |
Columbia Fellows Program |
Full or partial tuition waiver |
|
Kellogg School of Management |
Kellogg Scholarship |
$7,000 |
Quick Reads:
High Paying Jobs After MBA in the USA
The top paying jobs after graduation along with the details to average salary after MBA in the USA include:
|
Job Title |
Average Salary (USD) |
|
Investment Banker |
398,000 |
|
Corporate Strategist |
239,000 |
|
Private Equity Manager |
216,000 |
|
IT Director |
216,000 |
|
Product Manager |
196,000 |
|
Management Consultant |
183,000 |
|
Operations Director |
156,000 |
|
Marketing Manager |
115,000 |
|
Healthcare Administrator |
110,000 |
Top Companies Hiring MBA Graduates in the USA
The list of the top companies hiring MBA graduates along with your after-MBA salary in USA would include:
|
Company |
Industry |
Average Salary (USD) |
|
McKinsey & Company |
Consulting |
$165,000 |
|
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) |
Consulting |
$165,000 |
|
Bain & Company |
Consulting |
$165,000 |
|
Accenture Strategy |
Consulting |
$247,500 |
|
PwC Strategy |
Consulting |
$256,400 |
|
Amazon |
Technology |
$154,000 |
|
|
Technology |
$150,000 |
|
Apple |
Technology |
$152,286 |
|
Microsoft |
Technology |
$140,000 |
|
JPMorgan Chase |
Finance |
$125,000 |
|
Goldman Sachs |
Finance |
$115,000 |
Want to Pursue Your MBA in the USA? GetGIS Can Help
Pursuing an MBA in the USA offers world class education, diverse career opportunities and a competitive edge in the global job market. With top ranked business schools, specialised MBA programs and strong industry connections, graduates can expect high salaries and leadership roles in leading companies worldwide. However, it is crucial to consider factors like tuition costs, living expenses and admission requirements before making a decision.
If you are planning to study in the USA, and need expert guidance on visa application, university selection and admission process, GetGIS study abroad assistance team can provide specialised guidance to help you achieve your study abroad goals smoothly
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of MBA programs available in the US?
What are the different specializations available in MBA programs?
What are the admission requirements for MBA programs in the US?
What are the costs of MBA programs in the US?
What are the job prospects for MBA graduates?
