Best MBA Programs
A master of business administration (MBA) degree offers focused leadership and management training to help professionals advance their career and move into new roles.
Earning an MBA prepares graduates for careers in growing areas in business, finance, and management. Professionals with an MBA work as financial managers, marketing managers, and top executives, roles that report median salaries of over $100,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects job growth of 9% for these roles from 2020-2030.
Our list ranks the top MBA programs to help prospective applicants find the best fit to reach their professional goals. By researching specialization options, delivery formats, and program lengths, applicants can begin earning their MBA degree. This article also discusses the benefits of an MBA degree, program requirements, and scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions About an MBA Degree
An MBA degree prepares graduates for leadership roles in organizations. MBA holders qualify for decision-making roles that offer above-average salaries.
Featured MBA Programs
What Are the Goals of an MBA Degree?
In an MBA program, graduate students gain leadership and decision-making skills. Coursework in organizational behavior, financial management, and strategic leadership prepares students for management roles. Many programs also incorporate an internship to gain real-world experience and a capstone project to build career-ready skills.
MBA students often focus their education by choosing a concentration area. Many programs offer concentrations in general business, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, and healthcare management. Degree-seekers can also look for programs with unique specializations like entrepreneurship, business strategy, and consulting. These specializations prepare graduates for focused career paths after earning their MBA degree.
Why Get an MBA Degree?
Earning a master of business administration degree brings many benefits. Graduate students specialize their training and prepare for leadership roles in diverse organizations.
- Management Training:
MBA students strengthen their management skills through focused coursework in organizational behavior, operations management, and leadership. This management focus qualifies MBA graduates for new roles.
- Increased Earning Potential:
According to 2019 data, the highest median starting salary for MBA graduates rose to nearly $135,000 per year. An MBA thus translates into greater earning potential.
- More Job Responsibility:
The leadership training in an MBA program prepares professionals for increased responsibilities in their workplace. Professionals may take on supervisory responsibilities or more decision-making responsibilities.
- Specialized Training:
During an MBA, graduate students can specialize their skills by pursuing a concentration. Options include marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, or human resources management.
Career Advancement: With an MBA, graduates can move into supervisory and management roles. An MBA also prepares professionals for leadership positions in business organizations or entrepreneurship opportunities.
What Are the Requirements for an MBA Degree?
Applicants considering an MBA degree typically need a bachelor's degree and standardized test scores. Most schools require GMAT or GRE scores, though some waive that requirement. Applicants often also submit a statement of purpose, professional resume, and recommendation letters.
MBA programs do not require an undergraduate degree in business. However, students may need to complete prerequisite coursework in management, accounting, finance, or statistics before entering the program.
During an MBA program, graduate students complete core, elective, and concentration courses. Many programs also incorporate a capstone project and an internship.
