MBA in USA: Top Universities, Application Process & Career
A Master of Business Administration or MBA in the USA is an advanced post-graduate degree program in business management that cultivates the knowledge and skills in leadership, accounting and finance, marketing, operations management, economics, human resources management, strategic management, etc.
The USA is the primary destination for Indian students for higher studies.
In this blog, we have discussed top-B schools in the USA for MBA programs, eligibility criteria, application process, and more.
- MBA in the USA: Course Overview
- Top Business Schools in the USA for Indian Students
- Popular MBA Specialisations in the USA
- Course Features of MBA in the USA for Indian Students
- MBA Subjects in the USA Universities
- Eligibility Criteria for an MBA in the USA
- Documents Checklist for University Application Process
- How to Apply for an MBA in the USA?
- Career Opportunities after an MBA in the USA
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
MBA in the USA: Course Overview
Here is the course overview of MBA in the USA for Indian students, which highlights the program duration, average tuition fees in 2025, available intakes, number of institutes offering MBA, and work experience required.Â
| Duration | 20-24 months |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition Fees 2024 | USD 60,000-80,000 (INR 50 Lakhs-67 Lakhs) |
| Available Intakes for MBA | Fall Intake Spring Intake |
| Number of Institutes offering MBA in Australia | 150+ |
| Work Experience Required | 3-5 Years |
Top Business Schools in the USA for Indian Students
Here are the top MBA colleges in the USA that provide full-time MBA programs to Indian students. We have tabulated them along with their QS Global MBA Rankings 2025, duration, and annual tuition fees.
| University | QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 | Degree Name | Duration | Tuition Fees 2024 (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 1 | MBA | 24 Months | USD 82,455 |
| Wharton Business School | 2 | MBA | 20 Months | USD 84,330 |
| Harvard Business School | 3 | MBA | 24 Months | USD 76,410 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 4 | MBA | 24 Months | USD 84,350 |
| Columbia Business School | 8 | MBA | 20 Months | USD 88,300 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 11 | MBA | 24 Months | USD 83,610 |
| Haas School of Business | 13 | MBA | 21 Months | USD 85,406 |
| UCLA Anderson School of Management | 14 | MBA | 22 Months | USD 79,452 |
| Booth School of Business | 15 | MBA | 21 Months | USD 84,198 |
| Yale School of Management | 16 | MBA | 22 Months | USD 85,400 |
Popular MBA Specialisations in the USA
Some of the popular MBA specialisations in the USA are listed below.
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- International Business
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Healthcare Management
- Human Resource Management
- Project Management
- Supply Chain Management
Course Features of MBA in the USA for Indian Students
The main course features of an MBA in the USA are given below.
- An MBA program in the USA strongly emphasises developing leadership and management skills through rigorous coursework.
- The coursework includes the study of core subjects, elective subjects, internship opportunities, capstone projects, entrepreneurial projects, and case studies.
- The duration of the whole program is around 20-24 months, in which the first year is dedicated to fostering the understanding of foundation knowledge.
- The second year of an MBA in the USA provides exposure to more specialised study, including summer training, internships, and case studies.
- Some universities offer global immersion trips or study exchange programs.
MBA Subjects in the USA Universities
The following is a general list of commonly available MBA subjects in US universities. The list varies depending on the university and specialisations chosen by the student.
Core Subjects
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Economics
- Marketing Management
- Operations Management
- Organisational Behaviour
- Business Ethics
- Corporate Governance
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Business Statistics & Analytics
Elective Subjects
- Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Consumer Behaviour
- Brand Management
- Pricing Strategies
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Investment Management
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Business Analytics
Capstone Projects
These projects are prepared by the students in the final semester of their MBA program. The topics are usually allotted by the faculty, and students are required to conduct research and analysis to solve real-world problems by interacting with experienced professionals.
Eligibility Criteria for an MBA in the USA
The general entry requirements for the MBA program in the USA are described below.
Academic Requirements
- A 3-4 years bachelor’s degree in any field or discipline with a minimum average score of 60-75%, depending on the university.
- Students must have the basic knowledge of quantitative topics such as calculus, statistics, probability, etc.
English Language Requirements
The minimum English proficiency test scores for an MBA in the USA vary by university. However, we have tabulated the general range of minimum scores for some of the popular English language proficiency tests below.
| Proficiency Test | Minimum Score or Band |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80-110 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5-7.0 |
| PTE | 55-70 |
| Duolingo | 105-120 |
GMAT Focus & GRE Score Requirements
Submitting the GMAT Focus and GRE scores while filing the university application is prerequisite.Â
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| GMAT Focus | 650-710 |
| GRE | 310-330 |
Work Experience
International applicants must demonstrate their professional capabilities by submitting proof of 3-5 years of managerial or leadership experience.
Other Requirements
Most of the USA universities and B-schools require applicants to fulfill the following criteria so that they can align their aspirations and values with the desired course outcome. Candidates must also have
- An interest in current affairs
- An interest in areas outside their immediate environment
- Willingness to engage in debate and discussions
- Strong listening skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
Documents Checklist for University Application Process
- 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 an MBA in the USA?
- Shortlist at least 8 universities given the table that we have provided in the earlier section, 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 that are asked on the website.
- 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.
Career Opportunities after an MBA in the USA
- Completing an MBA in the USA can elevate your career significantly.Â
- The USA universities are globally recognised institutions that offer unlimited access to a global network of industry professionals and old MBA graduates.Â
- Depending on their specialisations and interests, students can find diverse and lucrative career opportunities in industries such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Bain & Co., Walmart, eBay, etc.
| Job Posts | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| General Manager | USD 58,000-100,000 (INR 49 Lakhs-84 Lakhs) |
| Operations Manager | USD 60,000-100,000 (INR 50 Lakhs-84 Lakhs) |
| Brand Manager | USD 86,000-100,000 (INR 72 Lakhs-84 Lakhs) |
| Product Manager | USD 95,000-200,000 (INR 80 Lakhs-1.69 Crore) |
| Business Development Manager | USD 75,000-100,000 (INR 63 Lakhs-84 Lakhs) |
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The USA is the leading choice for Indian students to pursue an MBA course because of the reputation of the B-schools and universities. The US business schools such as Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton are among the top institutes offering MBA programs.
They also consistently topped global MBA rankings of QS due to high ROI, employability, and class outcomes. MBA graduates in the USA often receive strong support from employers who sponsor their professional development programs and pathways for career advancement.Â
FAQs
Can I get a scholarship for an MBA in the USA?
You can apply for scholarships for an MBA in the USA. Apart from universities, many private, public, and nonprofit organisations provide partially and fully funded scholarships.
Some of the examples are Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship, Forte scholarships, Inlaks Shivdasani scholarships, etc.
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.
What is a STEM MBA in the USA?
The STEM MBA program in the USA is a master of business administration program that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics components, such as analytical thinking, research, technical skill, etc., into a traditional MBA curriculum.
When to apply for an MBA in the USA?
Most US universities offer MBA programs in the fall intake (September/October of every year). The application cycle generally closes in January or February of the same year. However, depending on the university, the process is often divided into multiple rounds, each with its own deadlines.
Which MBA specialisation is best in the USA?
Some of the top MBA specialisations in the USA are finance, technology management, healthcare management, marketing, consulting, entrepreneurship, and operations and supply chain management.
