Best Options for MBA in USA for Indian Students

While considering study options to pursue an MBA in abroad, the foremost preferred destination that rushes to the mind of most of the international student is USA. No other thought is required while making a choice of pursuing an MBA in USA, looking at the most reliable world university rankings i.e. QS rankings or Times Higher Education rankings, more than half of the top ten business schools in the world are housed in United States. Furthermore, various top rankings for MBA programs 

Top MBA Programs in the USA for Indian Students

1. Stanford University (Stanford Graduate School of Business)

• Stanford University is ranked # 4^th worldwide & # 2^nd in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and # 2^nd worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Stanford's MBA program is ranked #1^st (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 3^rd (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and # 8^th (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)   

Duration of MBA program: 2 years  

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A U.S. bachelor degree or equivalent, with no preference for a particular curriculum of the undergraduate study (there is no minimum GPA specified for admission to Stanford MBA)
• You can use a scanned copy of unofficial academic transcripts for each university you attended (front & back both sides), while making the application. Once admitted to the course, it is required to submit official transcripts
• English Language Test score: IELTS Academic overall score of 7.0 or PTE Academic overall score of 68 or TOEFL (iBT) overall score of 100 
• A valid GMAT or GRE score (there are no minimum requirements for GMAT/GRE score)
• There is no mandatory requirement for professional work experience. Both, experienced professional & recent graduates can join Stanford's MBA program (include a 1-page resume in admission application )
• 2 letters of references
• Provide information about  your interests/activities and honors/awards in admission application 
• You may include answers to optional questions while submitting admission application (it is recommended to answer these questions, it can help the admission committee to understand your background)
• Include 2 personal essays (refer to Essay section for further details about writing personal essays)
• Admission interview may be conducted for properly evaluating the suitability about candidature for Stanford MBA

Note: to know more information about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or  academic background or working experience requirements for MBA admission at Stanford, you can refer to MBA entering class profile 

Tuition Fee: US $ 74,706 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: there is a non-refundable application fee for MBA program that amounts US $ 275

Application Deadlines: application deadlines for 2020-21 are as follows

• Round 1: 15^th September 2020
• Round 2: 06^th January 2021
• Round 3: 06^th April 2021

2. Harvard University (Harvard Business School)

• Harvard University is ranked # 7^th worldwide & # 5^nd in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and # 3^rd worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Harvard’s MBA program is ranked # 5^th (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 1^st (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and ranked #2^nd (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)  

Duration of MBA program: 2 years   

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A 4 years undergraduate degree from an accredited US  institution/university or its equivalent. Equivalent programs include international 3 years bachelor degrees (there is no minimum GPA to apply for Harvard’s MBA)
• Upload unofficial academic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, while making the application. Official transcripts are required for verification once admitted to the course
• English Language Test score: IELTS Academic overall score of 7.5 or PTE Academic overall score of 75 or TOEFL (iBT) overall score of 109 
• A valid GMAT or GRE score (no minimum requirements for GMAT or GRE score)
• Answer to essay question/s
• 2 recommendation
• Business resume/CV
• There are no clear specifications mentioned for length of work experience required for admission to Harvard’s MBA.
• After submission of the written application, you may be invited for admission interview

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for Harvard MBA, you can refer to Class of 2021 Profile

Tuition Fee: US $73,440 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: there is a non-refundable application fee for MBA program that amounts US $250 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for MBA class of 2023 (matriculating fall 2021) are as follows:

• Round 1: 8^th September 2020
• Round 2: 5^th January 2021

3. University of Pennsylvania (The Wharton School)

• University of Pennsylvania is ranked # 11^th worldwide & # 8^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and # 15^th worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Wharton MBA program is ranked #1^st (QS Global MBA Rankings  2020),  # 2^nd (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and  # 5^th (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019) 

Duration of MBA: 2 years   

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A college-level education equivalent to 4 years American undergraduate degree or baccalaureate degree. 3 years bachelor degrees are also eligible 
• Upload unofficial academic transcripts for all academic work completed at the undergraduate/baccalaureate level and beyond, while making the application. Official transcripts are required upon admission
• English Language Test score: TOEFL or PTE Academic is required for International students whose native language is not English. This requirement can be waived if you completed your undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction (no minimum score requirements are specified)
• A valid GMAT or GRE score
• Answer to essay question/s
• 2 letters of recommendation
• 1 page Resume/CV
• Experienced as well as early-career candidates with limited or no experience who exhibit strong managerial or professional potential can be admitted   
• You may be invited for Interviews (TBD: Team-Based Discussion)

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for Wharton MBA, you can refer to Wharton MBA Class of 2021

Tuition Fee: US $ 80,432 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: there is a non-refundable application fee for MBA program that amounts US $275 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for 2020-21 are as follows:

• Round 1: September 15^th, 2020
• Round 2: January 5^th, 2021
• Round 3: March 31^st, 2021

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology  (MIT Sloan School of Management)

• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is ranked # 5^th worldwide & # 3^rd in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #1^st worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• MIT Sloan MBA program is ranked #3^rd (QS Global MBA Rankings  2020),  # 6^th (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and  # 19^th (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)  

Duration of MBA: 2 years   

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A bachelor degree from all areas of concentrations including; humanities, social & physical sciences, business or engineering etc. Candidates with 3 years bachelor degrees may also apply for admission 
• Upload clear scanned copy of unofficial academic transcripts for all schools attended or are currently attending, while making application. Sealed official transcripts are required once admitted to the MBA program
• TOEFL/IELTS scores are not required for admission
• Submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program
• A video statement
• A valid GMAT/GRE score
• 1 letters of recommendation (preferably professional) along with contact information of 2 additional referees
• Organizational chart of your department or company  
• 1 page Resume/CV
• There is mandatory requirement for work experience for admission, although students have an average work experience of 5 years
• Admission Interview (on getting an invitation for it)

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to MIT Sloan Class of 2021 profile

Tuition Fee: US $77,168 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable application fee for MBA program is US $250 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for August 2021 entry are as follows:

• Round 1: October 1^st, 2020
• Round 2: January 19^th, 2021
• Round 3: April 12^th, 2021

5. Yale University (Yale School of Management)

• Yale University is ranked # 8^th worldwide & # 6^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #17^th worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Yale School of Management (SOM) MBA program is ranked #18^th (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 14^th (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and #21^st worldwide (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)    

Duration of MBA: 2 years   

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A 4 years bachelor's degree from an accredited US institution or an international equivalent. International applicants with 3 years degrees may apply.
• Upload scanned copies of unofficial academic transcripts for all undergraduate, graduate and non-degree programs you attended in the past, while making the application. Official transcripts are required once admitted to the MBA program
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic scores are not required for admission
• Full time work experience is not a requirement for admission but is encouraged to have some professional full-time work experience
• A valid GMAT/GRE score (there is no minimum requirement for these scores)
• 2 letters of recommendation (professional)
• Answer to essay question
• Answer to video questions
• Resume/CV
• All applicants offered admission to MBA program will be invited for an interview

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to SOM Class Profile of 2021

Tuition Fee: US $72,350 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable standard application fee for MBA program is US $250 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for the next admission cycle are as follows:

• Round 1: September 15^th, 2020
• Round 2: January 7^th, 2021
• Round 3: April 13^th, 2021

6. University of Chicago (Booth School of Business)

• University of Chicago is ranked # 9^th worldwide & # 7^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #10^th worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Booth’s MBA program is ranked #8^th worldwide (QS Global MBA Rankings  2020), # 10^th worldwide (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and #1^st worldwide (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)    

Duration of MBA: 21 months    

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited US college or university or a 4 years American baccalaureate degree equivalent from another country. In light of the Bologna Accord, 3-year degrees are also accepted.
• Upload clear scanned copy of unofficial academic transcripts for all graduate institutions/schools/colleges attended in the past. Official transcripts are required once admitted to the MBA program
• English Language Test score: a minimum score of 104 in TOEFL (iBT) or 600 in TOEFL (PBT) or 7.0 in IELTS or 70 in PTE Academic
• There is no specific minimum work experience requirement for the admission, but is suggested to have some professional full-time work experience prior to applying 
• A valid GMAT/GRE score
• 2 letters of recommendation (1 letter should come from the supervisor & the other can come from a professional contact or a person who has worked with you)  
• Answer to essay questions
• Professional Resume/CV
• Admission interview on getting an invitation for the same

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to Booth's Class of 2021 Stats

Tuition Fee: US $73,440 (1^st academic year (3 quarters)  2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable standard application fee for MBA program is US $250 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for the next fall admission cycle are as follows:

• Round 1: September 24^th, 2020
• Round 2: January 12^th, 2021
• Round 3: April 1^st, 2021

7. Northwestern University (Kellogg School of Management)

• Northwestern University is ranked # 22^nd worldwide & # 16^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #31^st worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Kellogg’s MBA program is ranked #10^th worldwide (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 11^th (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and #4^th (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)   

Duration of MBA: 2 years

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A college-level or university degree equivalent to 4 years baccalaureate degree from US or a degree from certain international 3 years undergraduate programs (e.g. institutions in India or UK) may be acceptable
• Scanned copy of academic transcripts/degree certificates for all institutions/schools/colleges attended in past. Hard copies of official transcripts are required upon matriculation
• 2 years of full-time experience is strongly recommended
• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required from candidates who are not US citizens or US permanent residents (this requirement can be waived if an applicant completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution/college where English was the Only language of instruction)
• A valid GMAT/GRE score
• 2 letters of recommendation (1 letter should come from the supervisor or manager & the other should come from someone who can evaluate your professional performance & your leadership potential)
• Answer to essay questions
• Submission of video essays
• Resume/CV
• Admission interview

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to Kellogg's Class of 2021 Profile

Tuition Fee: US $74,871 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable application fee for MBA program is US $250 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for next fall admission cycle are as follows:

• Round 1: September 16^th, 2020
• Round 2: January 6^th, 2021
• Round 3: April 7^th, 2021

8. University of California-Berkeley (Haas School of Business)

• University of California-Berkeley is ranked # 13^th worldwide & # 10^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #28^th worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Haas’s MBA program is ranked #9^th worldwide (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 12^th worldwide (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and #7^th worldwide (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)  

Duration of MBA: 2 years

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A US bachelor degree or its equivalent. 4 years degree is eligible for consideration from Indian schools or 3 years bachelor degree along with a master’s degree/other advanced degree is eligible for consideration. Candidates with 3 years degree may apply but are at a significant competitive disadvantage (there is no minimum GPA requirement but however a GPA of 3.0 is generally      required for a serious consideration)
• Scanned copy of official academic transcripts/degree certificates for each institution attended in past, can be used only for an initial review. 
• Working experience is not a formal requirement but most of the candidates admitted to Haas's MBA have 2 or more years of working experience. Applications with substantial work experience would not be as competitive
• Minimum overall score of 90 in TOEFL (iBT) or at least 230 in TOEFL (CBT) or at least an overall score of 570 in TOEFL (PBT) or at least an overall score of 7.0 in IELTS exam
• A valid GMAT/GRE score (there is no minimum acceptable score limit)
• 2 professional letters of recommendation (1 from current direct supervisor)
• Answer to essay questions
• Current Resume/CV
• Admission interview on getting an invitation for it

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to Haas's Full-time MBA Class Profile

Tuition Fee: US $68,444 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable application fee for MBA program is US $200 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for next fall admission cycle are as follows:

• Round 1: September 24^th, 2020
• Round 2: January 14^th, 2021
• Round 3: April 5^th, 2021

9. Columbia University (Columbia Business School)

• Columbia University is ranked # 16^th worldwide & # 11^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #18^th worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Columbia Business School MBA program is ranked #11^th worldwide (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 8^th (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and #15^th (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)  

Duration of MBA: 2 years

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. 3 years degree are also accepted, but are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• Scanned copy of official academic transcripts/degree certificates for each undergraduate and graduate degrees received in the past.
• There are no specific working experience requirement but 99% of applicants have at least 1 year of working experience 
• International candidates whose first language is not English might be required to submit English language scores i.e. IELTS or PTE or TOEFL etc. However no English language score requirements are specified on the course website 
• A valid GMAT/GRE score
• First time applicants are required to submit 2 recommendations (1 from direct supervisor & 1 from a former direct supervisor or a professional associates, senior to you, who can share insights on your suitability to MBA program)
• Must complete 1 short answer and 3 essays
• Current Resume/CV
• Applicants may be invited to attend an interview with one of the Columbia Business School alumni

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to Columbia Business School Class of 2021 Profile

Tuition Fee: $ US 77,376 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable application fee for Columbia Business School MBA program is US $250 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for January 2021 entry is October 2, 2020 and application deadlines for August 2021 entry is October 2, 2020 (early) or April 9, 2021 (final) 

10. University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) (Anderson School of Management) 

• University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) is ranked # 17^th worldwide & # 12^th in USA (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020) and #35^th worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Anderson School of Management MBA program is ranked #13^th worldwide (QS Global MBA Rankings 2020), # 25^th (Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2020) and #6^th (The Economist Full Time MBA Ranking 2019)  

Duration of MBA: 2 years

Eligibility/Admissions Requirements: 

• Usually a 4 years bachelor’s degree or its equivalent international qualifications from an accredited institution is required. Applicants with 3 years degree can also be admitted if admission committee find their entire academic as well as overall application is strong enough
• Scanned copy of academic records i.e. academic transcripts/degree certificates is required with the application. Official hard copies should be sent upon request.
• Majority of students admitted to MBA program have some full-time work experience but however early career and college senior prospective students may apply
• A minimum IELTS overall score of 7.0 Or a minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 87 with a minimum score of 25 in writing, 24 in speaking, 21 in reading and 17 in listening 
• A valid GMAT/GRE score (there is no minimum score requirement for GMAT/GRE score)
• New applicants are required to submit 2 recommendations (preferably from a direct supervisor or a manager)
• Provide answer to essays questions (1 essay question for first-time applicants)
• Resume/CV
• Applicants have to attend an interview on getting the invitation

Note: to know more about average GPA or average GMAT/GRE score or academic background or working experience requirements for MBA, you can refer to Anderson's Class of 2021 Profile

Tuition Fee: $ US 65,124 (1^st academic year 2020-21)

Application Fee: non-refundable application fee for MBA program is US $200 

Application Deadlines: the application deadlines for fall 2021 are as follows:

• Round 1: October 2^nd, 2020
• Round 2: January 8^th, 2021
• Round 3: April 16^th, 2021

Hope this list of top business schools can help Indian students to find the most suitable option for studying an MBA program in USA.