Why This Matters
-
THE DEMAND FOR FINANCIAL MANAGERS WILL GROW BY 17%
Risk management and cash management are expected to be in high demand over the next decade. As a result, jobs for financial managers are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
-
EARN $55,000+ MORE WITH AN MBA DEGREE
The median annual wage for management positions in 2021 was $102,450, while the median wage for all occupations was $45,760.
-
THE U.S. NEEDS 82,400 MORE COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGERS
As more businesses embrace digital innovations, the need for managers in the technology sector is expected to grow by 16%.
Our Research
This list features some of the best MBA programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are available at accredited institutions, including The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), both reputable organizations who assess business programs for educational excellence and a commitment to quality education.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of MBA programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 50 MBA Programs
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
While an MBA can offer a competitive advantage to your career, due to cost, you may also consider a specialized Master of Science or Master of Arts degree. These programs follow a similar curriculum. A specialized master’s degree might also provide more value if there’s a specific subject you would like to focus on. Some universities offer a Master of Management degree, which doesn’t require work experience and covers general management principles.
Because networking is a large part of business and management, accreditation does hold some importance when it comes to MBA programs. Accreditation by the AACSB is a quality stamp, and the organization accredits only 30% of MBA programs.
The top three accrediting agencies for MBA programs are the AACSB, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) ensure that accreditors award this distinction only to schools that meet high academic standards.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 8% growth for all management positions between 2021 and 2031. Over 883,900 jobs will be created during this time. As new businesses start and existing ones expand, there’s increasing demand for workers to manage these operations.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching MBA programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? To pursue an MBA degree, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or internationally accredited institution. Many programs also require at least two years of work experience. MBA programs deal with high-level strategy and assume students have previous business experience.
- What tests are required for this online degree? Studying online for an MBA may require the submission of a standardized test score. Both the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are accepted for most MBA programs.
Many MBA programs require supplemental information, such as a personal statement or professional recommendations. Check on the school website for information about admissions for an accurate list of required materials. These resources might mention important deadlines for scholarships and financial aid applications. Cost-conscious students should also consider accelerated one-year MBA programs that have lower tuition fees.