Top MBA Programs of 2023

When you’re looking for the best MBA programs that are a fit for you, your first instinct is likely to look for a list of the top MBA programs. Read on to discover this year’s top MBA schools.

Top 25 MBA Programs in the US (2023)

US News and World Report uses the same methodology each year to survey all 493 Master’s in Business Administration programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Of the 363 respondents this year, 134 supplied enough information to be ranked in 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Note: This report’s rankings take into account such criteria as program assessments by peers and recruiters, graduate employment rates and placement successes, mean starting salaries for graduates, student selectivity, the mean GRE and GMAT scores of accepted applicants, and the program’s acceptance rate.

The above schools above accept the GMAT or GRE. However, check with each individual program before applying, as more schools are quickly becoming open to different tests. These tests includes the Executive Assessment (EA), or in some cases, the LSAT or MCAT!  Acceptable tests vary significantly by school and program, so it is worth doing a bit of research before deciding on which test you will take.

Getting Into Top MBA Programs

So you’ve decided that an MBA is worth it for you—what next? If you’re applying to the top MBA schools, you’ll need to work on polishing the parts of your application that you can still control.

GPA, Scores, and Other Factors

Because most students applying to MBA programs have full-time work experience, it’s likely that your college days are behind you.  If you’ve been in the business world for more than a few years, you might also want to check out an executive MBA.

To some extent, the schools to which you choose to apply will depend on your undergraduate GPA and test scores.  Undergraduate GPA and test scores are two of the most important factors in admissions.  However, if your GMAT or GPA isn’t in the range of the top 10 MBA programs’ averages, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t apply!  It does mean that you’ll need  to compensate for this elsewhere in your application.  The application factors within your control include GMAT or GRE scores, getting strong letters of recommendation, and writing outstanding essays.  You may also  want to explore other options, such as less selective schools, or explore in person and online MBAs with no GMAT requirement.

How important are MBA rankings?

MBA program rankings are important since prospective employers care about them, meaning you are more likely to be hired after your degree if you’ve attended a well-ranked business school. Your salary is likely to be higher as well. A smart MBA applicant calculates their potential return on investment on each MBA program before applying, and a better-ranked school will often turn out to be a better investment than attending a similar program at a lower-ranked or lesser-known school.

You should also pay close attention to a school that ranks well for a specific specialization, such as marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, supply chain management, etc. This is usually a sign that the school makes an effort to lead in that field and has been focusing on the subject in question for a long period of time. Employers watch these MBA rankings too and are likely to seek new employees from schools that specialize in the relevant fields.

Finding an MBA program that’s a good fit for you takes some work. You will want to consider the specifics of each program — things like location, cost, size, student body, reputation, and other factors that are particular to you.  Plus, you’ll want to factor in your personal goals, and where you’d like to see yourself, career-wise, in five and ten years to find the programs that fit you best.  With some research and self-reflection, you’ll be able to do it. Good luck!