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Posted July 15, 2023

Top 10 MBA programs in the USA

The United States is known for its exceptional business schools and universities. Although rankings vary depending on the source and criteria used, the same group of business schools are usually found in the various different top ten tables, based on academic excellence, global recognition and overall reputation.

Best business schools in USA

Here are details of some of the best business schools in the USA.

Business School

University

Location

Harvard Business School

Harvard University

Boston, Massachusetts

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford University

Stanford, California

The Wharton School

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sloan School of Management

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Booth School of Business

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia Business School

Columbia University

New York, New York

Haas School of Business

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Tuck School of Business

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire

Yale School of Management

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut


However, even though it is often the same institutions featured in top ten rankings of US business schools, there are plenty of other excellent business schools to consider in the United States so make sure you do your research and find the best one for you.

Studying an MBA in US business school

Studying an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) in the United States can offer numerous benefits and advantages.

Quality and prestige – the United States is home to some of the world's top-ranked business schools and universities, renowned for their academic excellence, rigorous curriculum and high standards. Gaining an MBA from a top US business school can enhance your credentials and open doors to a wide range of career opportunities globally.

Networking opportunities – studying in the United States allows you to connect and network with a diverse group of ambitious and talented individuals from a range of backgrounds. The connections you establish during your MBA program could be invaluable for future business partnerships and professional growth.

Job opportunities – America is home to a vast number of multinational corporations, start-ups and innovative industries across various sectors, and studying your MBA here can provide you with direct exposure to these industries, giving you access to internships, job placements and potential employment opportunities.

Curriculum and specialisations – US MBA programs offer a wide range of specialised courses and concentrations tailored to specific industries and functional areas such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship and technology, allowing you to develop expertise in your desired field.

Alumni network – US business schools have extensive alumni networks that span the globe and provide ongoing support, mentorship and career guidance to graduates.

Top 10 MBA programs in the USA

Gaining an MBA from one of the top business schools in the USA will set your career on an international trajectory, plus you will gain access to a large network of alumni who can assist with your future career development.

An academic year in the USA is nine months and most MBA courses are two academic years in length with an additional internship or work placement of at least three months.

Best MBA in US

Here’s our roundup of ten of the best MBA programs in the United States*.

MBA in the USAMBA – Harvard Business School, Harvard University

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $74,910 per year for all students.
What you will study: This globally recognised MBA at Harvard University Business School is one of the most prestigious MBA programs with a diverse student body from all over the world. Students can focus on a number of different areas including subjects such as Entrepreneurship, Technology and Leadership.

MBA – Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania

Duration: 20 months full time.
Cost: $85,370 per year for all students.
What you will study: Wharton Business School has a huge range of specialities available for students to choose from, including Business Economics and Public Policy, Finance, Multinational Management, Statistics and Real Estate.

MBA – Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

Duration: 21 months full time.
Cost: $80,961 per year for all students.
What you will study: The MBA at the University of Chicago focuses on past experiences and academic study to move students towards their business goals. Areas of concentration include Accounting, Economics, General Management and Marketing Analytics.

MBA – Sloan School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $84,200 per year for all students.
What you will study: The MBA at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology focuses on the marketing of inventions and new creations. There are three tracks available which are Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, and Enterprise Management. 

MBA – Kellogg Business School, Northwestern University

Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years full time.
Cost: $112,336 for the one-year MBA or $81,015 per year for the two-year MBA for all students.
What you will study: The one-year full-time MBA course at Kellogg Northwestern is a full 12 months starting in June. It is an intensive course that requires extensive previous business experience. The two-year full-time MBA is more suitable for those with less work experience or who want an extensive academic study into their areas of interest.  

MBA – Graduate School of Stanford Business, Stanford University

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $79,860 per year for all students.
What you will study: Students on the Stanford University MBA cover the general principles of management during the first year and move onto a Global Experience which involves working with an international company or organisation to increase students’ awareness of the implications of working and managing teams of people from different cultures. The second year focuses on subjects such as Accounting, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Organisational Behaviour.

MBA – Haas Business School, University of California Berkeley

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $67,424 per year for in-state students / $76,433 per year for out-of-state students and international students.
What you will study: This MBA at Has Business School at the University of California, Berkeley focuses on Management and Leadership skills. Areas of study include Marketing, Energy and Clean Technology, Real Estate and Social Sector Leadership.

MBA – Tuck Business School, Dartmouth College

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $77,520 per year for all students.
What you will study: Students at Tuck Business School spend time researching and studying on individual projects and case studies. This ensures that all students understand the real-life impacts of their decisions. Modules on the MBA include Leading Individuals and Teams, Management Communication and Corporate Finance.

MBA –  Columbia Business School, Columbia University

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $84,496 per year for all students.
What you will study: The Columbia University MBA aims to prepare students for an international career in an ever-changing business world. Modules include Global Economic Environment, Real Estate Finance and Capital Markets.

MBA – Yale School of Management, Yale University

Duration: 2 years full time.
Cost: $82,200 per year for all students.
What you will study: The course at Yale School Of Management focuses on international markets and management ensuring that students understand both the economic and political implications of their decisions.

*SOURCE: US NEWS

Editor's note: this blog was originally published in January 2018, and has been updated to reflect MBA tuition fees in 2023.

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