MBA in USA - Top Universities, Courses, Fees & Scholarships

In order to enrol in MBA colleges in US, international students must fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned below:

• A 4 years of bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 60%.

• A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6 (or equivalent score in any other English proficiency test which your preferred university accepts like TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo).

• To enrol in top-notch universities, students may require a GMAT score of more than 550. 

• Field-relevant work experience of minimum 2-3 years.

While making an application to top universities in USA for an MBA program, students require the following documents:

• Academic transcript (12th and bachelors)

• English proficiency test scores (IELTS/ TOEFL/ Duolingo/ PTE)

• Standardise Admission Test Scores (GMAT/ GRE)

• 3 LORs (Letters of recommendation), 2 from your previous educational institute and one from your work organization.

• SOP (Statement of purpose) (SOP for MBA in USA must include the reasons for choosing that particular university and course. Also, try to mention your future career goals after pursuing an MBA in USA.)

• Updated Resume

• Valid passport (must be valid till your whole course duration)

Also, read-

How to write SOP for USA

In order to enrol in US universities, international students generally require two types of exams: an English Proficiency Test and Standardise Admission Test. 

Let's discuss both types of exams below:

English Proficiency Test

The US is an English-speaking country, and universities in US only offer English-taught courses. So, before accepting international students' applications, US universities check their language skills. English proficiency test score is the most common way to check a student's language skills. There are various tests that US universities accept, such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo. 

Standardise Admission Test

Apart from the academic score on transcripts, US universities assess students' subject-relevant knowledge through the Standardise admission test. GMAT and GRE are the most common standardized admission required to enrol for MBA in US universities. These entrance exam for MBA in USA allows universities to asses students' academic potential on the same basis.

MBA in US is a two-year master's program that includes a theory of general management principles along with its practical application in business.

Generally, there are three types of MBA in USA, full-time, part-time, and executive. A general MBA program comprises of risk management, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

International students can easily enroll for MBA in USA in all three intakes, i.e., Spring (January), Summer (May), and Fall (August).

MBA is a professional degree that consists of many specializations. Students can choose their specialization according to their field of interest. Majorly there are around 50 specializations in MBA in USA. Some of the top MBA courses in USA universities are:

With the increasing globalisation and huge growth of digital media, traditional marketing methods are being replaced by digital platforms. This has created a huge scope for graduates in digital marketing. The digital marketing course will introduce you to real-world, professional advertisement and marketing communication. 

Since businesses are becoming more dynamic and complex, the importance of MBA specializations in Business Analytics has begun to rise. The course aims to offer skills to collect and analyse useful data and take various business decisions based on the analyses. It also includes a range of quantitative and statistical techniques, forecasting models, and computer resources, in addition to the knowledge of finance, and the business world, to collect useful data and make data-driven decisions. 

Data analytics is all about utilizing data to identify solutions and solve commercial issues. The data is collected through numerous sources such as text, photos, and video. Data scientists undertake more thorough analyses of data, whereas business analysts are more active in solving business issues and making recommendations. This is the fundamental distinction between business analytics and data analytics.

Making a strategic decision based on the previous year's data is very essential to achieve the company's goal. An MBA in Strategy is a popular course that is relevant to almost every sector of the business. While pursuing this course, students will acquire a skill to detect the company's goal and make strategies to achieve that goal successfully. 

Entrepreneurs are the individuals who grab the opportunity and take the first mover advantage to establish their new business. This course will provide students with an innovative way to start their businesses. Also, it will teach them the fundamental skills and attributes they need to become successful entrepreneurs. 

Finance is a very crucial part of the business. No business can run successfully without proper management of finances. An MBA in finance course provides students with innovative and critical skills to analyse business and financial data to make short and long-term financial decisions.  

An MBA in marketing is one of the most popular specializations as it has immense career prospects. No, matter what kind of company/ industry or business it is, they also require a marketing manager to grow. While pursuing this course, students will acquire skills to identify the consumer's demands and supply the product according to them. 

Supply chain management is important in becoming a successful manufacturing and supplier industry. Basically, it bridges the gap between the demand of the consumer and the supply of the products. The course provides you with the knowledge to perform the functions related to the procurement of materials, the transformation of these materials into intermediate and finished products, and the distribution of these products to customers.

Most companies deal with clients from all around the world. As a result, there is a significant demand for people who are knowledgeable about how different countries legal systems operate and how cultural differences may affect a company. An MBA in international business will give students an overview of international management and make them ready to perform a managerial role in global businesses. 

A human resource manager plays a very important role in establishing the relationship between the company and its employee. While pursuing an MBA in HRM, students will be equipped with the tools they need to develop the high-performing workforce and innovative teams demanded by businesses.

In the USA, more than 500 educational institutes offer specialized MBA degrees to international students. Moreover, around 50 business schools in US rank among the top business schools in the world. Some of the best MBA colleges in USA for Indian students are:

• Harvard University

• Stanford University

• University of Chicago

• University of Pennsylvania

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• North-western University

• Columbia University

• Princeton University

• Haas School of Business

• Stern School of Business

The cost of studying MBA in USA varies from university to university and course to course. If we talk about the average cost, then it ranges between 25,000 USD to 70,000 USD per year.

However, considering the quality of education, skills, world-class faculty, and huge career scope in the US, bearing the cost of studying MBA in USA is worth it. Moreover, if we talk about the average cost of living in USA, it is around 10,000 USD per year.

Many international students find it difficult to afford the cost of studying in US. So, to support and attract academically talented students from around the world, many US universities offer scholarships. Some of the best scholarships for MBA in USA are mentioned below:

Undoubtedly, the US is the most sought-after destination for MBA graduates. The country has a huge scope for graduates from a business management background. By 2024, the BLS predicts that the demand for various businesses and associated roles in the USA will increase by 23%, leading to the creation of about 138,000 new jobs. Some of the best MBA jobs in USA and there average salary are mentioned below:

Many top companies/ industries look towards MBA graduates from top-notch US universities as their future employees. Some of the best recruiters for MBA graduates in the US are:

• Amazon, 

• JP Morgan, 

• Google

• Apple, 

• BCG,

• Goldman Sachs,

• Deloitte, 

• McKinsey, etc.

Q: How much does MBA in USA cost?

A: The cost of studying MBA in US varies from university to university and course to course. However, the average fee ranges from 25,000 USD to 70,000 USD per year. 

Q: What is the average MBA salary in USA?

A: The salary of MBA graduates in the USA depends upon the job roles and skills that individuals have. However, the average salary after pursuing MBA in USA is around 100,000 USD. 

Q: Which exam is required for MBA in USA?

A: In order to enrol in US universities, students require any one English proficiency test score that their preferred university accepts, such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo. Moreover, few universities also require standardized admission test scores (GMAT or GRE). 

Q: What scores are required in GMAT for MBA in US?

A: Though GMAT is not compulsory to enrol in every US university. However, top-notch universities may require a GMAT test scores and the minimum score required in GMAT score is 550+. 

Q: Is the GRE score valid for MBA in USA?

A: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is commonly used as part of the admissions process for graduate-level programs in the United States, including MBA programs. It is not compulsory to appear for GRE to enrol in all US universities. However, many MBA programs do accept GRE scores as part of their admissions requirements. Also, it's important to note that not all MBA programs require the GRE or accept it in lieu of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). It's always best to check with the specific MBA program you are interested in to confirm if they accept GRE scores and what their requirements are.

Q: Is work experience necessary for MBA in USA?

A: No, work experience is not necessary to enrol for MBA in USA. However, most of the top-notch universities in US require field-relevant work experience of a minimum 2 to 3 years. 

Q: Can MBA students get PR in USA?

A: Graduates of an MBA program in the USA are qualified for optional practical training (OPT), a 12-month term during which they may remain and work in the country. During this time, students can apply for PR as well. 

Q: What is the MBA duration in USA?

A: In the United States, the duration of an MBA program typically ranges from 1-2 years. Full-time MBA programs usually last 2 years, with classes held during the day and students devoting most of their time to coursework and other academic activities. Part-time MBA programs, on the other hand, usually last between 2-4 years, with classes held in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate students' work schedule

Q: Which MBA is in demand in USA?

A: Undoubtedly, MBA is one of the top courses that international students choose to study in USA. Some of the best MBA courses in USA which is having high demand in USA are:

• MBA in Digital Marketing

• MBA in Project Management

• MBA in Data Analytics

• MBA in Business Analytics

• MBA in Finance

• MBA in Supply Chain Management