MBA in US – Top Universities, Fee, Eligibility, Intake, Scholarships

Studying an MBA in US is a wise move, considering how the country is one of the most popular choices for international students. There are several reputed universities and institutions offering high-quality MBA programs with world-class faculty, hands-on learning opportunities, and excellent industry links with global corporations. The US is home to some of the top-ranked global universities for MBA programs, including Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, and more. Most of these institutions offer solid ROI for students along with excellent employability alongside.

Two-year MBA courses in the US are highly recognized by global employers, enabling deep-rooted learning of the core syllabus including finance, strategy, and management in Year 1, along with specializations in Year 2, including unique options like sustainability and AI, among others. Another advantage is the multicultural and cosmopolitan environment for international students in the US along with vibrant campus life. Additionally, the country has a flourishing job market, with lucrative opportunities for MBA graduates in fields like finance, technology, marketing, administration, and more. The H1-B visa also helps international students stay back and build a career in the US. Here is a closer look at some of the key aspects related to studying MBA in US for your perusal.

MBA in US Highlights

Total No of Colleges	N/A
Cost	$31- 90,000 per year
Intake	Fall (August-September), Spring (January), Summer (May)
Specialization	General Management, International Management, Finance, Leadership, Operations Management, Consulting, Marketing, Technology Management
Exams Required	GMAT/GRE and English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)

Types of MBA in US

Full-Time Two-Year MBA	Full-Time One-Year MBA	Part-Time MBA	Online MBA	International/Global MBA	Executive MBA
First year covers core disciplines while you can specialize in selected areas in the concentration periods and elective modules in the second year	More intensive and accelerated program with similar course content as two-year MBA programs	Degree completion often takes between 2-5 years or more, with weekly class schedules at convenient times	Course completion from home with similar content like physical courses and extended durations	Same content as full-time MBAs, with higher concentration of international management and business	Suited for mid-career professional and has work experience requirements. They are taught part-time while students can continue working

Top 10 MBA Colleges in US

Name of the College	QS Ranking (Global MBA Rankings-2025)	Action
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	Apply
Harvard University	4	Apply
Stanford University	6	Apply
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	10	Apply
University of Pennsylvania	11	Apply
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	12	Apply
Cornell University	16	Apply
University of Chicago	21	Apply
Princeton University	22	Apply
Yale University	23	Apply

Eligibility Criteria to Pursue MBA in US

Four-year bachelor’s degree from either an accredited institution in the US or a global equivalent
Personal statement and resume
Work experience of 2-3 years if necessary
Letters of recommendation
GMAT score (usually above 600)
English proficiency proof (TOEFL/IELTS scores)

MBA in US Student Visa

You should obtain the F visa to study MBA at a university/college
You will require a valid passport and complete the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form
Other necessities include the receipt for application fee payment and a photograph as per the guidelines

The certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant (F-1) student status for Form I-20 is necessary (I-20 will be sent to you by the institution once you enter data in SEVIS)
Other documentation may sometimes be required, including academic transcripts and certificates, standardized test scores, proof of funds, and your intention to return from the US once you complete your course
You will have to attend your visa interview and provide your digital fingerprint scans as a part of the process

How Much Does It Cost for MBA in US?

The average cost is approximately $31,300 per year or around $62,600 for a two-year course
In-person programs may cost around $46,700 annually on average, with part-time program costs standing at $16,000 per year
Private and reputed institutions may charge up to $83-90,000 per year as well

Cost of Living in US

Housing– $4,800-20,000 per year
Food- $300-500 per month
Transportation- $90-130 per month
Internet and Phone- $20 per month
Entertainment and Recreation- $50-100 per month
Shopping- $100 per month

Work Permit after Pursuing MBA in US

You can enroll in the OPT (Optional Practical Training) module after completing your MBA
It is a 12-month period which allows you to stay back and work in the country
Graduates from STEM-certified MBA courses are also eligible for another 24 months (three years in all) for the OPT
You have to apply for the OPT up to 90 days prior to completing the MBA degree and up to 60 days after graduating
During the OPT, you may apply for the H-1B work visa which is the work permit for highly-skilled migrants. You should have an employer sponsor for the same
There is a cap on the visa, which is given to bachelor’s and then master’s students, and once the cap is reached, there is a lottery that takes place

Eligibility Criteria for Work Permit

Bachelor’s or higher degree in a specialty field (may hold foreign degree that is the equivalent)
The degree requirement should be common to the industry in any parallel position among similar entities
Other requirements may include holding an unrestricted registration, state license, or certification that offers authorization for practicing a specialty occupation with immediate engagement in employment
Having education, training, or experience equivalent to the US higher degree

MBA Scholarships for US

Scholarship	Details
Chicago Booth Merit-Based Scholarships	Applicants are considered based on their academic merit, interview quality, life experiences, and career goals
Harvard Business School Need-Based Scholarships	Scholarships are given based on financial need with 50% of students receiving the same with average amounts of $46,000 per year. Need is calculated based on the applicant’s income, assets, undergraduate debt, and socioeconomic background
Columbia Business School Scholarships	Partial-tuition scholarships are offered to candidates based on their need or merit Amounts range between $10-30,000 and awards are usually renewed for the second study year
Yale School of Management (SOM) Scholarships	Scholarships are given for both MBA program years based on merit, achievements, community contributions, etc.
Yale SOM Global Leaders from India MBA Scholarship	This offers five merit-based scholarships covering at least half of tuition for Indian candidates

Career Prospects

MBA graduates in the US find opportunities in consulting, private equity, consumer products, F&B, financial services, healthcare, and technology
Project management, supply chain management, business analytics, and artificial intelligence training are new-age specialties that are highly marketable in a competitive space
Some popular jobs include positions like IT manager, medical and health services manager, human resources manager, personal financial advisor, and operations research analyst

Salary After MBA in US

General Manager– $63-129,000 per year
Chief Financial Officer- $99-251,000 per year
Marketing Director- $72-175,000 per year
Senior Financial Analyst- $72-113,000 per year
Human Resources Manager- $57-105,000 per year
Director of Operations- $75-176,000 per year
Financial Analyst- $56-93,000 per year
Marketing Manager- $58-122,000 per year
Financial Controller- $70-140,000 per year
Finance Manager- $77-138,000 per year
Operations Manager- $59-129,000 per year
Senior Accountant- $60-94,000 per year
Accounting Manager- $63-116,000 per year
Finance Director- $83-177,000 per year

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