M7 B Schools in the USA: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
M7 B schools are a world-renowned and highly reputed informal group of seven business management institutions in the USA. The term M7 refers to ‘magic’ or ‘magnificent’ seven. There are multiple reasons why they are considered magnificent B schools worldwide, such as higher ranking, greater student satisfaction, top-notch academic system, good class profile, etc.
In this blog, we discuss the benefits of studying at M7 business schools, the reasons they are among the best in the world, the eligibility criteria, the admission process, and more.
- Overview of M7 Business Schools in the USA
- Why Were These 7 Schools Chosen?
- Top Reasons for Selecting M7 B Schools
- List of M7 B Schools
- Cost of Study at M7 Business Schools in the USA
- Application Deadlines for MBA Programs at M7 B Schools
- General Profiles of M7 Business Schools in the USA
- General Requirements for Admission into M7 B Schools
- Required Documents for M7 B Schools
- How to Apply for M7 Business Schools?
- Tips for Securing Admission into M7 B Schools
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
Overview of M7 Business Schools in the USA
- The M7 B schools in the USA form an informal network of 7 leading business schools in the USA having elite MBA programs.Â
- The group was unofficially formed in 2002 by the deans of these schools.Â
- Since then, deans of M7 B schools have begun to meet twice a year to discuss the latest trends and insights occurring in the business education field, collaboration opportunities, and forecast future scope in business management.
Why Were These 7 Schools Chosen?
These 7 schools were chosen to form an M7 group for the following reasons.
- M7 B schools consistently rank among the top business schools of the world by the QS, Financial Times, and US News & World Report.
- They have a strong alumni network that comprises CEOs, Fortune 500 executives, and entrepreneurs.
- They also have a strong partnership with top global companies that offer the best career opportunities for graduates.
- Their continuous effort to set standards in the field of business management education through high-quality research and practical endeavours to solve problems of industries.
Top Reasons for Selecting M7 B Schools
The M7 MBA schools in the USA are among the best institutes in the world because of their quality of education, extensive faculty, ranking, and career opportunities. Let’s discuss these factors one by one.
High Rankings: The M7 schools in the USA consistently secure their ranking among the top B schools in the world. For instance, QS ranks all seven schools among the top 20 MBA institutes in the world.
Presence of Notable Faculty: The faculty of the M7 business schools are highly qualified and certified globally due to their extensive contribution in their respective fields. Professors are noble laureates, industry leaders, and economists.
Highly Rigorous Academics: The academic system of the M7 MBA universities in the USA is top-notch because it integrates real-world case studies, simulations, and experiential learning into the curriculum.
Impressive Post-MBA Salaries: The average salary that MBA graduates earn after passing out from M7 B schools ranges between USD 180,000-250,000 or INR 1.56 crore-2.16 crore per annum.
List of M7 B Schools
The following, we have listed the M7 business schools along with their location, QS World MBA rankings, and Financial Times MBA rankings 2024.
| B Schools | Location | QS World MBA Rankings 2025 | Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | Chicago, Illinois | 1 | 23 |
| Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, San Francisco, | 2 | 1 |
| Harvard Business School | Boston, Massachusetts | 3 | 11 |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 4 | 6 |
| Columbia Business School | New York | 8 | 3 |
| Kellogg School of Management | Evanston, Illinois | 11 | 6 |
| University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business | Chicago, Illinois | 15 | 10 |
Cost of Study at M7 Business Schools in the USA
The cost of study at M7 B schools depends on the institute and the type of MBA program (general and double degree) they offer. We have tabulated the duration and annual tuition fees of the general MBA program at these schools.
| B Schools | Duration of MBA | Annual Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 2 Years | USD 82,455 |
| Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania | 2 Years | USD 84,830 |
| Harvard Business School | 2 Years | USD 76,410 |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | 2 Years | USD 84,430 |
| Columbia Business School | 2 Years | USD 88,830 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 2 Years | USD 83,610 |
| University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business | 2 Years | USD 84,198 |
Application Deadlines for MBA Programs at M7 B Schools
Below, we have tabulated the application deadlines for MBA programs at M7 schools for the upcoming Fall 2025 intake.
| B Schools | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 10th September 2024 | 08th January 2025 | 08th April 2025 |
| Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania | 4th September 2024 | 03rd January 2025 | 02nd April 2025 |
| Harvard Business School | 4th September 2024 | 06th January 2025 | - |
| MIT Sloan School of Management | 30th September 2024 | 14th January 2025 | 07th April 2025 |
| Columbia Business School | 10th September 2024 | 07th January 2025 | 01st April 2025 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 11th September 2024 | 08th January 2025 | 02nd April 2025 |
| University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business | 19th September 2024 | 07th January 2025 | 03rd April 2025 |
General Profiles of M7 Business Schools in the USA
Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Graduate School of Business has strong ties with leading tech firms and venture capitalists. It has its own resources known as Stanford d.school and StartX accelerator that promote research and innovation among the students.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 1 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 23 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8% |
| Popular Specialisations | Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Technology & Digital Transformation Finance & Private Equity Social Innovation & Impact Investing Leadership & Organizational Behaviour |
Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania has a larger student cohort group, around 900 students per year. It offers one of the oldest and most respected MBA specialisations in healthcare.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 2 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 22% |
| Popular Specialisations | Finance & Investment Banking Marketing & Consumer Behavior Business Analytics & Data Science Healthcare Management Private Equity & Venture Capital |
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is one of the leading M7 B schools in the USA, and it has over 87,000 alumni across 160+ countries. The aim of the Harvard MBA is to develop strategic leadership skills in students that are applicable to several industries.Â
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 3 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 11 |
| Acceptance Rate | 15% |
| Popular Specialisations | General Management Strategy & Consulting Entrepreneurship & Innovation Finance & Private Equity Healthcare Management |
MIT Sloan School of Management
The unique specialty of MIT Sloan School of Management is that it allows cross-register for courses at Harvard and MIT. It also offers STEM-designated MBA programs that emphasise quantitative methods, analytics, and technology for solving real-world problems.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 4 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 6 |
| Acceptance Rate | 15% |
| Popular Specialisations | Business Analytics & Data Science Artificial Intelligence & Digital Economy Finance & Quantitative Finance Operations & Supply Chain Management Entrepreneurship & Innovation |
Columbia Business School
The MBA course at Columbia Business School provides unique specialisations focusing on entertainment, fashion, and branding. It is one of the few M7 MBA schools with a January term option for international students.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 8 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 3 |
| Acceptance Rate | 19% |
| Popular Specialisations | Finance & Investment Banking Media & Entertainment Management Luxury Brand Management Marketing & Strategy Real Estate Management |
Kellogg School of Management
The Kellogg School of Management consistently ranked as the top MBA school for branding and marketing management. It also offers access to international business partnerships and exchange programs.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 11 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 6 |
| Acceptance Rate | 30% |
| Popular Specialisations | Marketing & Brand Management Strategy & Consulting Organizational Leadership Social Impact & Sustainability Healthcare & Biotech Management |
University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business
The Booth Business School of Business at the University of Chicago offers a flexible curriculum with no required core courses, allowing students to tailor their MBA.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 15 |
| Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024 | 10 |
| Acceptance Rate | 30% |
| Popular Specialisations | Finance & Investment Banking Behavioral Economics Business Analytics & Machine Learning Marketing Strategy Operations & Supply Chain |
General Requirements for Admission into M7 B Schools
The general requirements for admission into M7 B schools are as follows.
GPA Prerequisite
- The duration of the previous bachelor’s program should be 3-4 years.
- The GPA pre-requisite for seeking admission into the M7 MBA programs generally depends on the member schools. However, it might range between 70-85%.
Standardised Tests
- M7 business schools provide standardised test waiver options, but submitting GMAT/GRE scores can strengthen the application.
- The waiver is applicable only when the applicants have a strong academic background and demonstrate outstanding leadership, quantitative, and analytical skills through internships, projects, and work experience.
| Standardised Tests | Minimum Score |
| GMAT | 700-750 |
| GRE | 300-330 |
English Language Test Scores
Apart from academics, M7 B schools in the USA also require Indian students to have a profound track record of exceptional non-academic achievements such as community service, research, internships, etc.
| English Language Proficiency Test | Minimum Score |
| TOEFL | 100-120 |
| IELTS | 7.0-7.5 |
| PTE | 65-70 |
| Duolingo | 110-125 |
Work Experience
International applicants must have a work experience of at least 3-5 years in managerial or leadership roles.
Interview
International students may be required to appear in an interview, depending on the institute.
Required Documents for M7 B Schools
Following is a list of required documents that are needed to be submitted while applying for the M7 business schools.
- Certified copies of Academic Documents (Undergraduate level)
- UG marksheets
- UG passing certificate
- UG degree Certificate
- College/university leaving certificate
- Transfer certificate
- Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL iBT/IELTS Academics/PTE/Duolingo)
- GMAT/GRE Scorecards
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- 1-2 statements of purpose/essays
- 1 Video essay
- 1 CV/Resume
- Work experience certificate
- Passport
- Certificate for Extracurricular activities (if any)
How to Apply for M7 Business Schools?
- Shortlist at least 8 universities given in the table, based on rankings and tuition fees.
- Visit their official websites and review the details, such as the curriculum, location, class outcomes, class profile, career, etc.
- Based on the above factors, now shortlist 5-6 universities to which you want to apply.
- You can apply for the program when the application window is open.
- Visit the website and start applying by completing the registration process.
- Fill out the application details.
- Upload the documents and pay the application fee, if required.
- Review and submit the application.
- After submitting the application process, wait for the university’s response.
- The university will send a provisional offer letter.
- Depending on the university, you may be required to send financial documents via courier, such as the last six months’ income tax return and bank statement, to receive a confirmed offer letter.
- After sending these documents, you will receive an I-20 certificate and the confirmed offer letter.
- Now, proceed to the visa application process.
Tips for Securing Admission into M7 B Schools
The application process at M7 business schools is highly competitive due to a large applicant pool and a limited number of seats. Additionally, these schools have very low acceptance rates, making admission even more challenging. However, by following the below tips, you can enhance your chances of securing admission to these institutes.
- Maintain a high GPA/grades in your current academics to withstand the competitive GPA pre-requisite.
- Start preparing for the application process at least 9-12 months before the commencement of study intake at these institutes. This includes
- Preparation and appearance in the standardised tests
- Arranging university application documents
- Preparing and arranging SOPs, LORs, CVs, work experience letters, WES evaluation reports, etc.
- Applying for a passport (in case you don’t have one)
- Craft a genuine statement of purpose or essay explaining why you are a good fit for the MBA program at the M7 schools.
- Choose recommenders who know you well to allow them to write LORs in your favour.
- Research the university and program you are applying to, as it will help you answer interview questions more effectively.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The M7 business schools are globally renowned institutes that offer prestigious MBA programs to international students. The duration of an MBA program in these institutes ranges between 18-24 months, depending on the institute.
A high-class profile, greater student satisfaction rate, and better career outcomes in terms of lucrative job opportunities with high salaries. Due to the competitive applicant pool, prospective students are required to craft their application strategically to gain entry into these institutes.
FAQs
How many semesters in an MBA program in the USA?
Depending on the institution, an MBA program in the USA consists of 3 to 4 semesters.
Can I do an MBA in the USA without a GMAT?
You can pursue an MBA program at some US universities without submitting your GMAT scores. Examples are Georgetown University, NYU Stern, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, etc.
Which MBA specialisation is best in the M7 B schools?
Some of the best MBA specialisations in the M7 business schools in the USA are finance, technology management, healthcare management, marketing, consulting, entrepreneurship, and operations and supply chain management.
When to apply for an MBA in the M7 B schools?
The M7 business schools offer MBA programs in the fall intake (Late August/September) and spring intake (January). Depending on the university, the process is often divided into multiple rounds, each with its own deadlines.
What is the total cost of study at M7 B schools?
The total cost of study at M7 B schools is around USD 150,000-160,000 or INR 1.30 Crore-1.38 Crore, depending on the institute.
