Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate-level degree in the US designed for professionals seeking advanced leadership and management roles in business.
Careers open to business graduates
Institutions awarding this level in business (1,340)
Source: IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education). IPEDS records the field and level of each award, not its exact title.
- Western Governors University · Salt Lake City
- Southern New Hampshire University · Manchester
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Urbana
- Northwestern University · Evanston
- New York University · New York
- University of Southern California · Los Angeles
- University of Phoenix-Arizona · Phoenix
- Boston University · Boston
- Louisiana State University in Shreveport · Shreveport
- Columbia University · New York
- Grand Canyon University · Phoenix
- University of Maryland Global Campus · Adelphi
- Florida International University · Miami
- Liberty University · Lynchburg
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus · Atlanta
- Harvard University · Cambridge
- University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia
- Indiana University Bloomington · Bloomington
- The University of Arizona Global Campus · San Diego
- Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore
- American Public University System · Charles Town
- Duke University · Durham
- University of Chicago · Chicago
- University of Florida · Gainesville
- University of the People · Pasadena
- Cornell University · Ithaca
- Georgetown University · Washington
- DeVry University-Illinois · Lisle
- University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles
- Webster University · Saint Louis
- Northeastern University Professional Programs · Boston
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor
- The University of Texas at Austin · Austin
- Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach
- The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson
- Pepperdine University · Malibu
- Capella University · Minneapolis
- University of Maryland-College Park · College Park
- Strayer University-Global Region · Washington
- Washington University in St Louis · Saint Louis
- Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi
- University of Rochester · Rochester
- Baruch College · New York
- Southern Methodist University · Dallas
- University of North Texas · Denton
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion · Tempe
- Colorado State University Global · Aurora
- University of the Cumberlands · Williamsburg
- Purdue University Global · West Lafayette
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge
- Rutgers University-Newark · Newark
- Texas A & M University-College Station · College Station
- Pennsylvania State University-World Campus · University Park
- Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs
- University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville
- Hult International Business School · Cambridge
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Seattle
- Michigan State University · East Lansing
- Fordham University · Bronx
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst
- DePaul University · Chicago
- Purdue University West Lafayette · West Lafayette
- Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem
- University of Denver · Denver
- University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa
- University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley
- The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington
- University of Iowa · Iowa City
- Georgia State University · Atlanta
- Rice University · Houston
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis
- American InterContinental University · Chandler
- Florida State University · Tallahassee
- University of Utah · Salt Lake City
- University of Georgia · Athens
- George Washington University · Washington
- University of South Florida · Tampa
- William & Mary · Williamsburg
- University of Southern Indiana · Evansville
- University of Connecticut · Storrs
- University of Massachusetts Lowell · Lowell
- University of Oklahoma · Norman
- Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton
- Yale University · New Haven
- University of California-Irvine · Irvine
- Fitchburg State University · Fitchburg
- Campbellsville University · Campbellsville
- University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago
- Villanova University · Villanova
- University of Central Florida · Orlando
- Northeastern University · Boston
- University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame
- University of Cincinnati · Cincinnati
- Arizona State University Digital Immersion · Scottsdale
- Walden University · Minneapolis
- Stevens Institute of Technology · Hoboken
- University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Denver
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville · Knoxville
- University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham
- Wilmington University · New Castle
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge
- Washington State University · Pullman
- Stanford University · Stanford
- University of Louisville · Louisville
- University of California-Davis · Davis
- Babson College · Wellesley
- Syracuse University · Syracuse
- University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia
- Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant
- Emory University · Atlanta
- Tulane University · New Orleans
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke
- Texas Tech University · Lubbock
- University of Miami · Coral Gables
- Texas Woman's University · Denton
- Auburn University · Auburn
- Bentley University · Waltham
- University of Houston - Downtown · Houston
- Saint Leo University · Saint Leo
- Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland
- Temple University · Philadelphia
- University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington
- Lamar University · Beaumont
- Eastern Washington University · Cheney
- Clemson University · Clemson
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus · Albuquerque
- Saint Joseph's University · Philadelphia
- Santa Clara University · Santa Clara
- Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University · Daytona Beach
- National University · San Diego
- Nova Southeastern University · Fort Lauderdale
- Boston College · Boston
- Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights
- University of Wisconsin–Madison · Madison
- Vanderbilt University · Nashville
- University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio
- Wayne State University · Detroit
- University of Houston · Houston
- University of Kansas · Lawrence
- Suffolk University · Boston
- Baylor University · Waco
- University of North Alabama · Florence
- Benedictine University · Lisle
- St. John's University · Queens
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette
- Stony Brook University · Stony Brook
- University of Arizona · Tucson
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte
- Brigham Young University · Provo
- Loyola University Chicago · Chicago
- Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global · Marion
- Montclair State University · Montclair
- Ana G. Mendez University · Orlando
- Binghamton University · Binghamton
- University of New Haven · West Haven
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University · Durant
- California State University, Long Beach · Long Beach
- North Carolina State University · Raleigh
- East Texas A&M University · Commerce
- Dominican University of California · San Rafael
- Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh
- The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio
- Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park
- Golden Gate University · San Francisco
- Pace University · New York
- Ohio University Lancaster · Athens
- San Diego State University · San Diego
- Mercer University · Macon
- San Jose State University · San Jose
- Bellevue University · Bellevue
- Brandman University · Irvine
- East Carolina University · Greenville
- Mississippi State University · Starkville
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg
- The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler
- Quinnipiac University · Hamden
- Drexel University · Philadelphia
- University of California-San Diego · La Jolla
- Emporia State University · Emporia
- William Paterson University · Wayne
- Youngstown State University · Youngstown
- Bowling Green State University · Bowling Green
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins · Fort Collins
- Troy University · Troy
- Franklin University · Columbus
- University of Hartford · West Hartford
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater · Whitewater
- Lewis University · Romeoville
- Northern Illinois University · DeKalb
- Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater
- Naval Postgraduate School · Monterey
- University at Buffalo · Buffalo
- Texas A&M University-Victoria · Victoria
- Dartmouth College · Hanover
- Seattle University · Seattle
- Boise State University · Boise
- Longwood University · Farmville
About
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate study program pursued after earning a bachelor’s degree. It occupies a high level in the US educational system, focusing on developing strategic thinking, leadership, and advanced business skills. The MBA is intended for individuals aiming to enhance their career prospects in various industries, including finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. It prepares graduates for managerial and executive positions by deepening their understanding of business operations and decision-making. This degree is widely recognized across the US and internationally, often offered by universities accredited by regional agencies. It serves as a bridge to senior roles and can also open doors to specialized professional certifications.
- Graduate-level degree after a bachelor’s
- Focus on leadership and management skills
- Offered by accredited four-year institutions
- Widely recognized in business sectors
- Prepares for executive and managerial roles
- Can lead to professional certifications
How to get in
Admission to an MBA program typically requires a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Candidates often submit applications through processes that may include the Common App or direct university portals. Many programs ask for standardized test scores such as the GMAT or GRE, though some waive these depending on experience. Applicants usually provide a resume, letters of recommendation, and personal statements to demonstrate leadership potential and career goals. The selection is competitive, favoring candidates with professional experience, strong academic records (GPA), and clear career ambitions. Financial aid applications like FAFSA may be available to eligible students.
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Competitive admission process
- Standardized tests often requested
- Professional experience valued
- Letters of recommendation needed
- FAFSA for financial aid
Format and schedule
MBA programs generally last between one and two years of full-time study, though part-time and online options offer more flexibility. The curriculum is structured around credit hours, combining core courses with electives tailored to career goals. Many programs include internships or consulting projects to provide practical experience. Evaluations often involve exams, case studies, group work, and presentations. Some schools offer accelerated tracks or executive MBA formats for working professionals, balancing study with career commitments. The academic calendar and course load vary by institution but emphasize applied learning and leadership development.
- One to two years full-time study
- Part-time and online options available
- Credit hour based curriculum
- Internships and projects included
- Various evaluation methods used
- Executive MBA for professionals
What next?
Graduates with an MBA often enter or advance in leadership roles across industries such as finance, consulting, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The degree enhances career mobility and can lead to executive positions with greater responsibility and salary potential. Some graduates pursue further education, such as specialized master’s degrees or professional certifications. MBA programs may have articulation agreements facilitating credit transfer to doctoral studies. The degree is also a common prerequisite for certain professional licenses and exams in business-related fields. Networking opportunities during the program support career advancement and job placement.
- Access to leadership and executive roles
- Career advancement and mobility
- Pathway to doctoral programs
- Preparation for professional certifications
- Networking opportunities included
- Applicable across many industries
Frequently asked questions
What prior education is needed for an MBA?
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required to enter an MBA program. Some programs may consider relevant professional experience as well.
Are standardized tests mandatory for admission?
Many MBA programs require GMAT or GRE scores, but some waive these tests depending on the applicant’s experience or other qualifications.
How long does it take to complete an MBA?
Full-time MBA programs typically last one to two years, while part-time and online options may extend the duration.
Can I work while studying for an MBA?
Yes, many programs offer part-time, evening, or online formats designed for working professionals.
Is financial aid available for MBA students?
Eligible students can apply for financial aid through FAFSA and may also access scholarships or employer sponsorships.
What careers can I pursue with an MBA?
An MBA prepares graduates for leadership roles in fields like finance, consulting, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Does the MBA lead to professional licensing exams?
While the MBA itself is not a license, it can prepare students for certain business-related professional exams and certifications.
Is the MBA recognized internationally?
Yes, MBAs from accredited US institutions are widely recognized globally and valued by employers.