Best MBA Schools in USA
An MBA from a top US institution is the highest-ranked degree in business management. It confers a certain status and carries great prestige worldwide.
However, getting into one of the best MBA schools in USA is not easy. It requires a strong resume and a well-written essay. Moreover, the admissions committee weighs diversity and culture.
1. Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Graduate School of Business, or GSB, is one of the most selective MBA programs in the US. The school accepts around 6% of applicants each year. This makes it important for students to stand out from the competition with a strong application that demonstrates the above qualities.
GSB’s campus is on the edge of Silicon Valley and features a recently constructed, environmentally-conscious Knight Management Center (12.9 acres with nine buildings, named after alum Philip Knight, founder of Nike). Its 119 tenured or tenure-track professors provide an outstanding six-to-one student-faculty ratio.
The school offers a traditional MBA program that typically takes two years to complete, an MSx program for mid-career professionals, and a PhD program. Many of its alumni have become CEOs or presidents of their companies.
2. Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is a leading global institution and one of the world’s best MBA programs. It’s part of the elite M7 group, which includes Columbia, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, and Stanford.
The curriculum is renowned for its emphasis on leadership and the case method teaching approach. It also offers extensive networking opportunities and alumni resources.
HBS students come from all backgrounds and industries, which gives the program a vibrant and diverse culture. However, students from industries with little or no business exposure might find it difficult to follow and contribute in class discussions at first. This might also be true for students coming from the arts, humanities, or military fields. HBS’s classes can be intense and competitive, especially when compared to other top MBA programs.
3. Dartmouth College
This Ivy league institution boasts a small 7:1 student-teacher ratio, and provides students with off-campus opportunities for hands-on experience. It also produces many elite professors and doctors, and has great programming for students interested in extracurricular activities.
Students are encouraged to be themselves when applying, and the college aims to humanize applicants outside of their grades and test scores. The supplemental essays are an excellent place to show this, and the school encourages you to write about something that really interests you.
Dartmouth’s campus is very close-knit and friendly, and students often share a common set of interests. While the school may not replicate the city lifestyle that some might expect from a top-tier university, mentors and alumni claim that the community is one of its best features.
4. University of Georgia
UGA is a good school for people who want to go to college and learn a lot, both academically and socially. They offer a lot of scholarship opportunities and the classes are tough, so I would recommend taking lots of AP and honors classes in high school.
The university is also known for its vibrant campus and spirited student community. Its historic downtown is ranked as one of the best college towns in America, and its competitive Bulldogs sports teams are top-notch. The university also takes a strong interest in community service, with students leading initiatives like the annual UGA Miracle fundraising and 24-hour dance marathon.
The University of Georgia’s research is a major economic driver, and its scientists are leaders in pivotal fields such as vaccine development, regenerative medicine and plant science. In addition, its graduates are making a difference in society by serving in public office and the military, as well as pursuing careers in business, entertainment and more.
5. University of Notre Dame
Students at Notre Dame get an immersive experience with a unique environment that is rooted in tradition and rigorous academic programs. They are taught by world-class faculty members and graduate with a strong network of alumni that includes Condoleezza Rice, Regis Philbin, Nicholas Sparks, and other accomplished professionals.
The university offers 67 undergraduate studies degrees through its colleges of arts and letters, science, business, and engineering. It also houses a graduate school and research institutes and offers study abroad programs in London, Beijing, Dublin, Jerusalem, and more.
While Notre Dame is known for its football team, it is also home to many student-run media outlets, including three newspapers, two radio stations, and several magazines and journals. Students are encouraged to participate in internships and research, which helps them build real-world skills and a competitive resume.