MBA in USA for Indian Students: Universities, Courses, Fees, Eligibility

Pursuing an MBA in the USA is the best choice for international students due to its renowned universities and high-quality education. According to the QS Global MBA Rankings 2024, over 118 MBA colleges in the USA are among the top business schools globally, including prestigious institutions like Stanford, MIT, and Harvard. The United States is home to over 670 universities offering diverse MBA programs with a range of specializations such as Finance, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, and Operations Management. Students can have the option to choose MBA courses in full-time, online, one-year, part-time, STEM, and executive MBAs.

While the cost of an MBA in the USA varies by university, location, and program, scholarships and part-time jobs can help mitigate expenses. The average tuition fee for an MBA in the USA ranges from $65,000 to $85,000. Many MBA colleges in the USA offer scholarships that waive fees for Indian students. To apply for the MBA programs in USA, you need to fulfill the admission requirements such as 10+2+4 education, submit English language proficiency scores, GRE or GMAT scores, SOP, LOR, work experience, etc. Post-MBA, graduates can expect to earn an average salary of $132,000 per year. This article will be the complete guide to MBA in USA for Indian Students with details such as top universities, specializations, tuition fees and living costs, intakes, eligibility, documents, scholarships, career prospects, and work permits.

Why study MBA in USA?

• Top-ranking universities - The USA has 118 top-ranked universities in the QS World University Rankings 2024. This is because the quality of education in the USA is higher than in other countries. Business schools in the USA have all types of MBA specializations.
• Scholarships - Even though the tuition fee in the USA is high, you can avail of many scholarships. There are fully and partially funded scholarships for those who have good academic grades.
• Hands-On experience - The USA has some of the largest companies across a wide range of industries. These companies offer college students the opportunity to work through internships and projects. They can also connect with industry experts and alumni and learn from them. MBA students in the USA can gain practical experience during their studies.
• Multicultural environment - The US colleges have students from all over the world. The campuses and culturally diverse providing a unique learning environment. Students get the opportunity to make international connections and learn other languages.
• Excellent career opportunities - According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, there will be a 9% growth in management occupations by 2030, leading to around 906,800 new jobs. Also, most of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the US, enhancing your chances of joining a reputable firm. 

Check: Benefits of studying in USA

Top MBA Universities in USA

In the QS Global MBA Rankings 2024, 118 US universities and business schools secured the position. Check the table below for the top 10 universities in USA that offer top-notch MBA programs.

QS Global MBA Rankings 2024	Top US Universities
1	Stanford Graduate School of Business
2	Penn (Wharton)
3	Harvard Business School
6	MIT (Sloan)
7	Columbia Business School
12	Northwestern (Kellogg)
13	UC Berkeley (Haas)
14	Chicago (Booth)
15	UCLA (Anderson)
16	Yale school of management

MBA in USA without GMAT

GMAT score is an important requirement to get admitted for the MBA programs in the USA. However, some business schools don’t require a GMAT score. They are:

• Stanford University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• The University of Chicago
• Columbia University
• Ross School of Business
• Georgetown University
• Texas A & M University
• Kellogg School of Management
• NYU Stern
• Rutgers Business School
• Loyola University Chicago
• Boston University
• Michigan State University
• University of Delaware

Check: MBA in USA without GMAT

Best MBA programs in the USA

When choosing the best university for an MBA in the USA, the specialization you want to pursue is an important factor. In the USA, universities offer a wide range of specializations for MBA programs such as Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, International Business, etc. Below are some of the popular MBA specializations in the USA.

Popular MBA Specializations in USA
MBA Specialization	University Name
MBA in General Management	Harvard University Stanford University Northwestern University University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Yale University
MBA in Marketing	Stanford University Northwestern University UCLA Harvard University Indiana University
MBA in Human Resource Management	Northwestern University Vanderbilt University University of Michigan Brigham Young University Purdue University
MBA in Entrepreneurship	Babson College Stanford University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of California, Berkeley University of Pennsylvania
MBA in Finance	University of Pennsylvania University of Chicago New York University Columbia University Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MBA in Business Analytics	University of Pennsylvania New York University University of Michigan Boston University University of Virginia
MBA in Consulting	Brigham Young University (Marriott School of Business) George Washington University University of Pittsburgh (Katz Graduate School of Business) Pennsylvania State University (Smeal College of Business) Ohio State University (Max M. Fisher College of Business)
MBA in Operations Management	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Purdue University (Daniels) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ross) Stanford University
MBA in Information Systems or Information Technology	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) University of Arizona (Eller) University of Texas-Austin (McCombs) Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller)

Check: Highest Paying MBA Specialization

MBA Fees in the USA

According to Education Data Initiative data from February 2024, the average cost of studying MBA in USA is $56,850. These expenses encompass not only the tuition fees but also the cost of living and other related expenditures that international students will encounter before and during their stay in the USA. 

The overall cost of an MBA in the USA, including tuition fees and living expenses, generally falls between $160,000 and $180,000 per year. This includes course fees, which range from $60,000 to $80,000 per annum, and living expenses, which cost around $8,000 to $10,000 per month. The total cost of studying an MBA in the USA for an Indian student strongly depends on their chosen university and lifestyle. The top universities such as MIT and Harvard University have higher tuition fees, with MIT ranging from INR 35L-75L and Harvard ranging from INR 18L-63L. However, there are affordable MBA colleges in the USA offering the program at a lower cost. 

These are the different types of MBAs offered in the USA. The estimated average annual fees are also provided.

Type of MBA	Average annual fees
Full-time MBA	USD 65,000 (INR 53 lakhs)
Part-time MBA	USD 45,000 (INR 37 lakhs)
Executive MBA	USD 88,000 (INR 72 lakhs)
Online MBA	USD 30,000 (INR 24 lakhs)
Global MBA	USD 70,000 (INR 58 lakhs)

Check: Cost of Studying in USA

MBA Intakes in USA

US universities offer three intakes throughout the year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. However, fall and spring are the primary intakes, and only a few colleges offer summer admissions. Application deadlines for each intake are typically a few months before the start date, so it is recommended to apply early.

The three intakes in the USA are:

• Fall: Begins in August/September.
• Spring: Starts in January and is ideal if you miss the Fall intake.
• Summer: Starts around May and is available for limited programs and colleges.

Eligibility Requirement for MBA Colleges in USA

The eligibility requirements for pursuing an MBA in the USA vary from institution to institution. International students must meet several prerequisites to gain admission to an MBA program in the USA. Generally, applicants are required to complete a graduate degree and 10+2. Students who have pursued a master’s degree can also apply for an MBA. 

To pursue an MBA in the US, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Completion of 16 years of education (10+2+4). Some universities may accept 15 years of education.
• A bachelor's degree (3-4 years) in a specific field with an average GPA of 3.0 or above (may vary by university).
• GRE: Minimum score of 300 or above.
• GMAT: Minimum score of 600
• Proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs) from faculty or professionals.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of work experience 

Check out MBA in USA eligibility for more details.

Documents required to apply for MBA in USA

The documents required to apply for an MBA in USA are:

• Academic Transcript
• GMAT/GRE score
• IELTS or TOEFL score
• Letters of Recommendation
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose for MBA
• Student Visa
• Work experience certificate
• Passport-size photographs

MBA Scholarships in USA

Securing sufficient funds for an MBA can be challenging, as most universities in the USA do not offer tuition fee waivers. To reduce the financial burden, there are many scholarships provided for international students by governments, organizations, and universities. MBA scholarships in the USA are awarded based on merit-based and need-based, and also there are one-time stipends and tuition fee reductions available. Before applying, students must pay attention to the eligibility criteria and the costs covered by the scholarships they are awarded.

The following table includes the popular scholarships for MBA in the USA

Business School	Scholarship Name	Award Amount
Harvard Business School	Forte MBA Fellowships	Up to 25,000 USD
	Need-Based Tuition Assistance	46,000 USD per year, or 92,000 USD total
Stanford Graduate School of Business	Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program	Full tuition for up to 3 years  Stipend for living, academic, and travel expenses.
Wharton School	Joseph Wharton Fellowships	Variable
MIT Sloan	McKinsey Award	10,000 USD
Kellogg School of Management	Kellogg Scholarship	7000 USD
Columbia Business School	Meyer Feldberg Distinguished Fellowship Program	USD 100,000
Haas School of Business	Haas Global Impact Scholarship	Full tuition
	Dr. Tahir Fellowship	Variable
University of Chicago Booth School of Business	Social Impact Fellowship	Full tuition
Yale School of Management	Schwarzman Scholars Program	Full tuition
NYU Stern School of Business	William R. Berkley Scholarship	10,000 USD
Fuqua School of Business	Merit Scholarships	Partial or Full Tuition Coverage
Boston Business School	Dean’s Scholarships	10,000 USD or Full tuition coverage

Career prospects after MBA in USA

According to US Labor Report 2023, the average salary of MBA graduates in USA is USD 131,200 per year. The table below shows the popular MBA programs, top job roles, and their salary.

Program	Job Profile	Average Salary Per Year
MBA in Information Technology	Systems Administrator IT Manager Senior Software Engineer	$46,000 - 92,000 or 60,00,000 INR $57,000 - 125,000 or 80,00,000 INR $85,000 - 157,000 or 80,00,000 INR
MBA in Finance	Senior Financial Analyst Financial Controller     Senior Accountant     Accounting Manager	$67,000 - 108,000 or 75,00,000 INR $64,000 - 133,000 or 80,00,000 INR $80,220 or 65,69,000 INR $68,950 or 56,45,000 INR
MBA in Human Resource Management	Human Resources Manager Human Resources Specialist     Human Resources Coordinator     Human Resources Director	$50,000 - 96,000 or 70,00,000 INR $40,000 - 75,000 or 50,00,000 INR $38,000 - 63,000 or 35,00,000 INR $12,2050 or 1Cr. INR
MBA in Marketing	Marketing Director     Marketing Manager     Sr Product Manager	$12,2050 or 1Cr. INR $100855 or 8251000 INR $12,2050 or 1Cr. INR
MBA in Investment Banking	Financial Analyst     Executive Assistant     Investment Banking Analyst	$48,000 - 87,000 or 40,00,000 INR $51,000 - 96,000 or 60,00,000 INR $53,000 - 87,000 or 60,00,000 INR
MBA in Business Analytics	Business Strategist Analyst     Business Application Analyst     Business & Data Analyst	$50,000 - 96,000 or 60,00,000 INR $70,000 - 100,000 or 70,00,000 INR $40,000 - 90,000 or 60,00,000 INR

Check: Jobs in USA for Indians

Work permit after studying MBA in USA

Students wishing to stay in the USA after completing their MBA degree must obtain a post-study work visa. The US government's student-friendly policies make it relatively easy for graduates to obtain a post-graduate work visa. If you have an F1 visa, you can stay in the USA. International students on an F1 visa can take temporary employment directly related to their major area of study for up to one year through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program. Those enrolled in STEM programs, including Computer Science, Engineering, and Business Management courses, can extend their stay by up to three years.

Check: USA student visa

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many intakes are in USA?

There are 3 intakes in USA:

• Fall intake
• Summer intake
• Spring intake

2. How much does MBA cost in USA for Indian students?

To study MBA in USA, Indian students will have to spend anywhere from 30 lakhs to 70 lakhs on tuition fees.

3. Who is eligible for MBA in USA?

1. You should complete at least 4 years of bachelor's degree.
2. Minimum 600 in GMAT.
3. A good score in English language proficiency tests.
4. 2-3 years of work experience.

4. Is GMAT compulsory for MBA in USA?

It depends on the school you apply to. For some business schools, GMAT is mandatory and for others, they don't ask for GMAT scores.

5. What is the duration of an MBA in the USA?

The duration of a full-time MBA program in USA is 1-2 years. For part-time and online MBA programs the duration will vary depending on the university.