After such advancements in education all around the world, the United States of America (USA) remains the most preferred destination for higher education by international students from all around the globe to pursue an MBA. Indian students hold around 28% of the international student population in the USA. The popularity of an American degree is mindblowing. Yearly, around 1,25,000 students graduate with an MBA from the States. It is a dream of many students to get enrolled in American universities for an MBA, which has created a lot of competition amongst the students. In this article, we will try to uncover all aspects of pursuing an MBA in the USA.
Why Choose the USA for an MBA?
The United States is the mother country of many top business schools in the world. Fully flourished with the best curriculum, excellent programs, and the most promising post-study work options and extracurricular opportunities.
- The institutes in the USA focus on learning with internships. They ensure students learn via training programs and work while studying. This makes the student get ready to face the real world and get industry exposure, too.
- Top companies reside in the states. This increases a student’s chance of getting selected for a bright working opportunity if trained and studied well. These jobs give a kick start to the students in excelling in their future work opportunities.
Course Highlights
| Colleges in the US | 600+ colleges |
| Top MBA Specialization | MBA in Marketing, MBA in General Management, MBA in Finance, MBA in Human Resource Management |
| Admission Requirements | Average GPA- 3.4Work ExperienceEligibility test scores |
| Average Tuition Fees | 60,000 – 80,000 USD |
| Average Annual Salary | 80,000 – 120,000 USD |
Top Specializations in MBA
| Consulting: It will help you develop knowledge about business operations and the management of crowds. |
| Business Analytics: It is a combination of data and management, which will help to analyze the business in depth. |
| Entrepreneurship: It will help the students understand the depth of establishing themselves as an entrepreneur. |
| Operations Management: It will focus on planning, handling, and managing production and giving a productive result to the managing asset. |
| General Management: It will focus on building a wide skill set to cover a variety of opportunities in the future. Your subjects will be general and cover all the aspects of different specializations in brief. |
Top Universities in the USA
| University | QS Global MBA Ranking 2024 |
| Stanford University | 01 |
| University of Pennsylvania(Wharton) | 02 |
| Harvard University | 03 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 04 |
| Columbia Business School | 05 |
| UC Berkely | 07 |
| Chicago (Booth) University | 08 |
| UCLA University | 09 |
| Yale University | 10 |
Eligibility criteria for MBA in the USA
If you want to Study in USA and pursue an MBA degree in the States, you need to fulfill a few eligibility requirements. These requirements are as follows:
- A minimum of 16 years of previous education. 12 years of high school + 4 years of UG. A few universities also accept 3 years of UG.
- Eligible test score for any English language pro efficiency test. IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL iBT: 100, PTE: 54
- A minimum score of 300+ in GRE or GMAT tests.
- A few universities also require 2 or 3 years of work experience for admissions.
Top 3 Univerity Eligibility Criteria
- Stanford University – It is the top-ranking business university in the States. The overall MBA fee will be, on average, $75,000. For the international crowd, the university holds a 6% chance of getting selected. To get admission here, you must have:
- GMAT score of 750 +
- GRE Score Verbal = 164 +, Quantitative = 165 +
- IELTS score of 7 +
- UG GPA of 3.32 +
- The Wharton Business School – Established in 1881. It is the second-ranked university for MBA in the USA. With a total course fee of $81,000. You must have these general selection eligibilities.
- GMAT score of 733 +
- GRE Score Verbal = 162 +, Quantitative = 162 +
- IELTS score of 7 +
- UG GPA of 3.60 +
- Harvard University – Established in 1925. It is the third top MBA university and one of the most popular business schools. With a total of $74,000 in course fees. You must have these general selection eligibilities.
- GMAT score of 73 +
- GRE Score Verbal = 155 – 166 , Quantitative = 155 – 170
- IELTS score of 7 +
- UG GPA of 3.73 +
Required Documentation for MBA in the USA
To get admission in the States you need to complete a variety of documentation. The requirement of documentation may vary from university to university. Here is the list of the most essential general documents for an MBA program admission.
- Academic reports (high school and UG qualifications)
- Recent Photographs
- At least 2 LORs (Letter of Recommendation) from past employers.
- Statement of Purpose
- Study Visa
- English proficiency test result
- GMAT or GRE scorecard
- Work experience letter
Top University MBA Fees 2024
Annual fees for every university are different and the living cost also plays an important role in the overall expenses. Depending upon the student living costs can range from an average of $10,000 – $20,000 annually. Here is the list of 2024 annual fees of the top 5 universities to pursue an MBA in the USA.
| University | Average Annual Fees in USD($) |
| Stanford University | 70,000 |
| Harvard University | 75,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | 85,000 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 80,000 |
| Columbia University | 80,000 |
Application Deadline
If you want to apply to the top Universities of the USA you need to apply before the deadlines for the admission process ends.
| University | Application Deadline |
| Stanford University | April 9, 2024 |
| Harvard University | January 3, 2024 |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | January 4, 2024 |
| MIT (Sloan) | April 8, 2024 |
| Columbia University | April 3, 2024 |
Student Visa Requirements
- Form DS-160 – A DS-160 is a non-immigrant application form that provides information about your temporary stay in the country.
- Educational Documents – These documents are proof of the required qualifications for application for the visa.
- Form I-20 – This form is provided by the university once you are accepted. It describes your study plans and explains about your stay and education in the country.
- Language proficiency – Reports from your IELTS or TOEFL test results.
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Recent photographs
Scholarships for International Students
Here is a list of a few scholarships that can be availed by international students who want to be admitted to MBA courses in the States.
- Wharton Academic Excellence Scholarship
For students achieving the highest grades in the second and third semesters.
Scholarship Amount $10,000
- Dr. Bruce I. Jacobs Scholars in Quantitative Finance
For Student who achieves the highest grades in their second year in Quantitative Finance.
Scholarship Amount: $25,000
- J. N. Tata Endowment Awards
One-time loan for Indian students in any major
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
- The International Peace Scholarship
For female students who have the highest merit grades in the MBA program.
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
- Dean’s Scholarship
For students with outstanding academics and overall performance and quality.
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Salary After MBA
The demand for MBA graduates has always been high in the world. With a 23% rise in demand for MBA graduates. After an MBA the students can opt for their favorite work-related training and jobs like the following.
Consulting: A starting average salary of $1,00,000 annually can easily be offered.
Finance: A starting average salary of $98,000 annually can easily be offered. The student can be a Financial Consultant, Finance Manager, Financial Analyst, or Finance Director.
Technology: A starting average salary of $1,10,000 annually can easily be offered. Students can opt to be Chief Information Officer (CIO), product manager, or data analyst.
Marketing: A starting average salary of $60,000 – $1,00,000 annually can easily be offered. Students can opt to become Marketing Specialist, Marketing Manager, Marketing Director, and Senior Product Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exams are required to study in the USA?
The exams required to study in the United States depend on the level of education and program of study. Some common exams include the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL/IELTS for international students. Graduate programs may also require specific subject tests.
How long is an MBA program?
An MBA program is generally 2 years long if completed in continuance. You get to study general subjects and subjects that you have chosen as your specialization as per the university curriculum.
Can I get a work permit after studying in the USA?
Yes, international students studying in the USA on an F-1 visa can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their degree. OPT provides an opportunity to gain practical work experience related to the field of study.
What are the highest-paying MBA courses?
Some of the highest-paying MBA courses include Computer and IT, General Management, Financial Management, Marketing, and Human Resources Management.