Several leading MBA colleges in USA like Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Columbia University offer MBA programs without requiring work experience. These programs focus on academic excellence and leadership potential, offering opportunities for fresh graduates to gain valuable business insights.
Listed below are the 10 best US universities offering MBA without work experience
QS 2025 MBA Rankings
|
University Name
|
Fees (in USD)
|
Fees (in INR, Approx.)
|
1
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
|
$82,455
|
INR 69.66 Lakhs
|
4
|
Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|
$86,550
|
INR 73.13 Lakhs
|
8
|
Columbia Business School, Columbia University
|
$84,496
|
INR 71.44 Lakhs
|
11
|
Kellogg, Northwestern University
|
$120,432
|
INR 101.74 Lakhs
|
13
|
Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
|
$73,160
|
INR 61.83 Lakhs
|
14
|
UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles
|
$46,400
|
INR 39.22 Lakhs
|
17
|
Stern School of Business, New York University
|
$86,916
|
INR 73.41 Lakhs
|
31
|
SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University
|
$74,026
|
INR 62.55 Lakhs
|
34
|
Marshall, University of Southern California
|
$72,501
|
INR 61.27 Lakhs
|
35
|
Questrom School of Business, Boston University
|
$66,670
|
INR 56.34 Lakhs
|
1.Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
Stanford's MBA program ranks #1 globally due to its focus on leadership and innovation. The program boasts an impressive average salary of $200,000 for graduates. The class profile includes 47% international students, reflecting its diverse cohort.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$82,455 (INR 69.66 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~6.9%
|
Placement Rate
|
~94%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Entrepreneurship, Finance
|
GMAT Score
|
730+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Strong academic achievements
- Leadership skills
- Diverse experiences
- Exceptional essays
|
2. Sloan, MIT
MIT Sloan emphasises analytical thinking and problem-solving, ideal for students interested in technology and entrepreneurship. Graduates from this program report a 93% job placement rate within three months, with tech and consulting as top industries.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$86,550 (INR 73.13 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~11%
|
Placement Rate
|
~92%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Tech & Operations, Strategy
|
GMAT Score
|
720+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Bachelor’s degree
- strong academic record
- Letters of Recommendation
- Essays
- Interviews
|
3. Columbia Business School, Columbia University
Columbia's MBA offers unique access to New York's financial hub, with finance being the dominant sector for graduates. The program reports a median base salary of $180,000, and 60% of students receive job offers from top firms like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$84,496 (INR 71.44 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~16%
|
Placement Rate
|
~95%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Consulting, Finance
|
GMAT Score
|
730+
|
Admission Requirement
|
|
4. Kellogg, Northwestern University
Known for its focus on marketing and leadership, Kellogg's MBA program has an average starting salary of $170,000. It offers a unique "Team-Based Learning" model, which 95% of graduates credit for enhancing their collaborative skills.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$120,432 (INR 101.74 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~20%
|
Placement Rate
|
~93%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Marketing, Consulting
|
GMAT Score
|
720+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Strong academic record
- Leadership qualities
- High GMAT/GRE scores
- Personal essays
- Professional recommendations
|
5. Haas, University of California, Berkeley
Haas emphasises principles like "Question the Status Quo," making it a top choice for entrepreneurs. Its graduates enjoy a 200% ROI within three years, with tech and consulting sectors as key employment areas.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$73,160 (INR 61.83 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~17%
|
Placement Rate
|
~91%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Tech Management, Strategy
|
GMAT Score
|
725+
|
Admission Requirement
|
-
Strong academic background
-
Leadership and teamwork skills
-
Relevant professional experience
-
Personal statement
-
Competitive GMAT/GRE scores
|
6. UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA Anderson offers a strong focus on innovation, especially in entertainment and media, given its Los Angeles location. Graduates enjoy a 95% job placement rate, with salaries averaging $160,000.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$46,400 (INR INR 39.22 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~22%
|
Placement Rate
|
~90%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Entertainment, Finance
|
GMAT Score
|
710+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Solid academic record
- Leadership involvement
- Work experience
- Insightful personal essays
- GMAT/GRE scores
|
7. Stern School of Business, New York University
NYU Stern is renowned for its finance and analytics programs, with graduates earning an average salary of $175,000. The program includes a global immersion trip, providing students with international exposure.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$86,916 (INR 73.41 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~23%
|
Placement Rate
|
~93%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Finance, Tech & Analytics
|
GMAT Score
|
720+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Excellent academic achievements
- Leadership experience
- Unique and diverse background
- Strong personal essays
- High GMAT/GRE scores
|
8. SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University
Cornell's MBA program offers a unique "Performance Learning" approach, with a strong focus on consulting and healthcare management. Graduates typically see a 190% ROI, making it a high-value investment.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$74,026 (INR 62.55 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~30%
|
Placement Rate
|
~91%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Consulting, Finance
|
GMAT Score
|
700+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Strong academic profile
- Leadership experience
- Work history
- Compelling essays
- GMAT/GRE scores
|
9. Marshall, University of Southern California
USC Marshall is known for its entrepreneurial focus, with programs like the Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. The average starting salary for graduates is around $150,000, with 92% job placement within three months.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$72,501 (INR 61.27 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~31%
|
Placement Rate
|
~89%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Entertainment, Marketing
|
GMAT Score
|
700+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Solid academic history
- Leadership experience
- Personal essays
- Recommendations
- Competitive GMAT/GRE scores
|
10. Questrom School of Business, Boston University
Questrom School of Business is gaining traction for its focus on healthcare and sustainability. It reports a job placement rate of 88% within three months, with average salaries at $140,000. The program includes case competitions and practical projects, enhancing real-world skills.
Course Duration
|
2 years
|
Fees (in USD)
|
$66,670 (INR 56.34 Lakhs)
|
Acceptance Rate
|
~27%
|
Placement Rate
|
~88%
|
Popular Specialisation
|
Health Sector, Finance
|
GMAT Score
|
680+
|
Admission Requirement
|
- Strong academic performance
- Leadership experience
- Personal essays
- Letters of recommendation
- GMAT/GRE scores
|
Suggested: Cheap & Affordable MBA Colleges in the USA