About a Master’s in Business Management in the USA
A Master’s in Business Management in the USA typically spans 1 or 2 years of full-time study, and up to 3 years if you go the part-time route.
Most of these programs have a mandatory six-month internship, or a ‘capstone project’ that you need to complete, in order to graduate. This gives you a guarantee that you are walking away with work experience.
Your course curriculum will include modules in human resources (HR), statistics, data analytics, management concepts, and organizational design, among others. You also get the option to structure your course with several elective courses. Students can expect great career outcomes after a Master’s in Business Administration in the USA, because of the wide range of roles for which top recruiters hire from the top universities in the country.
Note: Don’t get confused between an MS in Business Management, Business Analytics, and an MBA. Business Analytics programs are for data-driven roles, like analysts. Business Management programs are for those looking to break into leadership roles. MBAs are for those looking to get a senior leadership position.
Also, an MS in Business Management in the USA is considered to be a middle ground between an MBA and a Business Analytics program. It’s the best of both worlds: you learn management concepts as in an MBA, and you learn how to use data, as you would from a Business Analytics program.
Next, let’s find out more about the best universities for an MS in Business Management in the USA.
Top universities in the USA for an MS in Business Management
Here is the list of the top universities for an MS in Business Management in the USA.
| QS Ranking | University | City, State | School of Business/Management |
| 1 | Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Harvard Business School |
| 4 | Stanford University | Stanford, California | Stanford Graduate School of Business |
| 5 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Sloan School of Management |
| 7 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Wharton School |
| 13 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, California | Haas School of Business |
| 15 | New York University (NYU) | New York City, New York | Stern School of Business |
| 16 | University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois | Booth School of Business |
| 17 | Northwestern University | Evanston, Illinois | Kellogg School of Management |
| 20 | Columbia University | New York City, New York | Columbia Business School |
| 25 | Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | Yale School of Management |
| 33 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Ross School of Business |
| 37 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, California | Anderson School of Management |
| 38 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | SC Johnson College of Business |
| 53 | Duke University | Durham, North Carolina | Fuqua School of Business |
| 57 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Texas | McCombs School of Business |
| 63 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Tepper School of Business |
| 68 | Pennsylvania State University | University Park, Pennsylvania | Smeal College of Business |
| 75 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia | Scheller College of Business |
| 80 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, California | Marshall School of Business |
| 83 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, Michigan | Broad College of Business |
| 87 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | Princeton School of Public and International Affairs |
| 94 | Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington, Indiana | Kelley School of Business |
| 95 | Boston University | Boston, Massachusetts | Questrom School of Business |
| 95 | Texas A&M University | College Station, Texas | Mays Business School |
| 105 | Arizona State University | Tempe, Arizona | W. P. Carey School of Business |
| 107 | Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana | Krannert School of Management |
| 112 | University of Minnesota Twin Cities | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Carlson School of Management |
| 115 | University of Washington | Seattle, Washington | Foster School of Business |
| 116 | University of Maryland, College Park | College Park, Maryland | Robert H. Smith School of Business |
| 120 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, Illinois | Gies College of Business |
| 122 | The Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio | Fisher College of Business |
| 131 | University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida | Warrington College of Business |
| 143 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Kenan-Flagler Business School |
| 145 | Dartmouth College | Hanover, New Hampshire | Tuck School of Business |
| 151 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Carroll School of Management |
| 151 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena, California | N/A |
| 151 | George Washington University | Washington D.C. | School of Business |
| 151 | Georgetown University | Washington D.C. | McDonough School of Business |
| 151 | The University of Georgia | Athens, Georgia | Terry College of Business |
| 151 | University of South Carolina | Columbia, South Carolina | Darla Moore School of Business |
| 151 | University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, Texas | Naveen Jindal School of Management |
| 151 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia | Darden School of Business |
| 151 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | Wisconsin School of Business |
| 201 | Florida International University | Miami, Florida | FIU Business |
| 201 | Northeastern University | Boston, Massachusetts | D’Amore-McKim School of Business |
| 201 | Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Fox School of Business |
| 201 | The University of Arizona | Tucson, Arizona | Eller College of Management |
| 201 | Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, Missouri | Olin Business School |
| 251 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, Florida | College of Business |
| 251 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, Georgia | J. Mack Robinson College of Business |
| 251 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, Maryland | Carey Business School |
| 251 | Rice University | Houston, Texas | Jones Graduate School of Business |
| 251 | Rutgers University–New Brunswick | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Rutgers Business School |
| 251 | University of California, Davis | Davis, California | Graduate School of Management |
| 251 | University of California, San Diego (UCSD) | San Diego, California | Rady School of Management |
| 251 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida | UCF College of Business |
| 251 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, Massachusetts | Isenberg School of Management |
| 251 | University of Miami | Miami, Florida | Miami Herbert Business School |
| 251 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, Indiana | Mendoza College of Business |
| 251 | Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | Carson College of Business |
The data above is taken from the 2024 QS World University Rankings, by subject (Business Management Studies). Note: The University of Chicago also offers a Master’s in International Business Management in the USA, but their MS in Business Management is the one that features on the 2024 QS Rankings.
As you can see, you have a lot of great options to study an MS in Business Management in the USA. Let’s learn more about some of them.
Stanford University
The Stanford MS program is a one-year, full-time master’s degree in management for mid-career professionals. It offers a customizable curriculum with over 120 electives. The program focuses on career growth, career changes, or entrepreneurship. Students live on campus in Silicon Valley, fostering a strong, collaborative community. The program includes career support and access to a large alumni network. Financial aid is available through need-based fellowships and loans.
Location: Stanford, California
Established In: 1891
Program Name: MS in Management (Business)
Program Duration: 12 months
Admissions Deadline: January, 2025
Tuition Fees: Approximately $141,900 for the entire program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT Sloan’s MS in Management Studies program is a nine-month, full-time master’s degree in management designed for graduates or current students from select partner schools. The program offers advanced studies in management, allowing students to customize their curriculum based on their career goals. Despite its nine-month duration, it is a comprehensive master’s degree, not just a master’s certificate in Business Management in the USA. The program includes over 120 electives and emphasizes leadership, innovation, and collaboration. Students benefit from living and studying in Cambridge, MA, and have access to MIT’s extensive resources and alumni network. Financial aid is available through a combination of fellowships and loans. Applications open on November 1, with an application fee of $100.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Established In: 1861
Program Name: Master of Science in Management Studies (MSMS)
Program Duration: Nine months
Admissions Deadline: February 15
Tuition Fees: $84,350 for the entire program
Duke University
The Master of Management Studies (MMS) program at Duke Kunshan University is a global 10-month course tailored for recent graduates. It offers a foundation in core business disciplines and exposure to the American and Chinese economies. Students spend time on Duke’s campuses in Durham and Kunshan, learning from top-ranked faculty and an international peer group. The program emphasizes team learning, real-world collaboration, and international business experience.
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Established In: 1838
Program Name: Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University
Program Duration: 10 months
Admissions Deadline: January
Tuition Fees: $65,300 for non-Chinese students, 200,000 RMB for Chinese students
The University of Texas at Dallas
The Master of Science in Management Science at UT Dallas’ Naveen Jindal School of Management is a flexible program designed to provide a foundation in business disciplines. The program can be completed in 18 to 24 months and offers hybrid, online, and traditional formats. With only four core courses required, students can choose from over 100 electives to tailor their degree to their career goals. The program emphasizes problem-solving techniques and offers practical experience through internships or capstone courses. Financial aid and scholarships are available to qualified students.
Location: Richardson, Texas
Established In: 1969
Program Name: Master of Science in Management
Program Duration: 18 to 24 months
Admissions Deadline: January
Tuition Fees: Approximately $30,995 per year
Now you should have a good idea of when to apply and what it costs to study an MS in Business Management in the USA. In the next section, we’ll cover the curriculum for these programs.
Course Curriculum for an MS in Business Management in the USA
Note that each university’s curriculum for the MS in Business Management program will be different. However, there are some common topics that almost all Master’s degree programs in Business Management in the USA will teach.
These common courses are listed below:
| Course Name | What the Course Teaches You | Real World Application |
| Financial Management | Managing financial resources, investment strategies | Creating a budget for a marketing campaign |
| Marketing Management | Market analysis, strategy development, consumer behavior | Developing a product launch plan |
| Operations Management | Efficient production processes, supply chain management | Streamlining the supply chain for a manufacturing company |
| Organizational Behavior | Human behavior in organizations, leadership skills | Improving team performance through motivational techniques |
| Strategic Management | Long-term business strategies, competitive analysis | Formulating a strategic plan for business expansion |
| Managerial Accounting | Internal financial reporting, budgeting, cost analysis | Analyzing cost control measures to increase profitability |
| Business Analytics | Data analysis, statistical methods, decision-making | Using data to predict consumer trends and improve sales |
| Human Resource Management | Recruitment, training, employee relations | Implementing a new employee training program |
| Global Business | International markets, global trade, cross-cultural management | Expanding business operations into a new country |
| Information Systems | Managing information technology, system development | Overseeing the implementation of a new CRM system |
| Entrepreneurship | Business planning, startup management, innovation | Launching a new tech startup |
| Project Management | Planning, executing, and closing projects | Leading a project to develop a new software application |
Naturally, not all universities will teach every single one of these courses. As we have mentioned above, you get a lot of freedom to choose your elective courses. Remember, UT Dallas and Stanford offer more than 100 electives to choose from, which is the norm.
And that was the course curriculum for an MS in Business Management in the USA. In the next section, we’ll take a look at admission requirements for these programs.
Also Read: Master’s in Business Analytics in the USA (MSBA)
Eligibility for studying an MS in Business Management in the USA
Just like with the course curriculum, many universities may have specific entry criteria for their graduate programs. It is best to check with your target university for any such admissions criteria.
However, here is an indicative guide of what most universities need from graduate applicants:
- You will need a bachelor’s degree, at least three years in duration. The degree will need to be from a registered and recognized university. If your transcripts are not in English, official translations will be needed.
- You will need to have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, averaged across all years of study.
- You will need to provide at least two letters of reference. Most universities accept both professional (work) and academic (university) references.
- International students also need to take an English proficiency exam, such as the IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic.
- You will need to provide an updated resume, and in some cases, a statement of purpose (SOP).
- Some universities (like MIT) also have minimum work experience requirements that can sometimes be waived.
These are just the minimum requirements. Many of the top universities for an MS in Business Management in the USA have tougher entry criteria. The requirements related to GMAT or GRE scores for these programs are covered in the section below.
GMAT/GRE requirements for studying an MS in Business Management in the USA
Most MS in Business Management programs in the USA require either a GMAT or GRE score for admission.
However, there are no minimum GMAT or GRE scores for these programs. Each application is considered holistically, so having a mediocre GMAT or GRE score won’t be too much of a barrier, if the rest of your profile is good.
Now, some universities do waive this requirement for those with undergraduate degrees in quantitative fields like math or computer science.
That said, if your undergraduate degree was not quantitative, or if your undergraduate GPA is not competitive, your application would indeed benefit from submitting one of these scores.
Note: Some university financial aid programs do have compulsory GMAT or GRE requirements, so do your research thoroughly. We’ll talk more about financial aid in the next section.
Scholarships to study an MS in Business Management in the USA
The cost of studying an MS in Business Management in the USA for international students can easily cross 50 lakhs per annum. That is why most students look for scholarships, work part-time, or do both to help fund their studies.
Below is a list of some scholarships offered by the government of India and other public bodies, for students who wish to study abroad:
| Awarding Body | Award Type | Award Name | Description |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | Scholarship | Inlaks Scholarships | Provides funding for Indian students to pursue full-time Master’s, M.Phil., or Doctoral programs abroad. |
| Aga Khan Foundation | Scholarship | Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Offers scholarships to outstanding students from select developing countries, including India, for postgraduate studies. |
| Tata Trusts | Scholarship | J.N. Tata Endowment Scholarship | Provides partial financial assistance to Indian students for higher studies abroad, covering various fields of study. |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Scholarship | Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships | Offers interest-free loan scholarships to Indian students for postgraduate studies abroad in any field of study. |
| Fulbright-Nehru Program | Fellowship | Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships | Provides opportunities for Indian students to pursue a Master’s degree in the USA in various fields, promoting cultural exchange. |
However, the competition for these awards is skyrocketing, especially in recent years. Lakhs of students apply for just a few thousand scholarships. You’d have a much better chance by applying directly for scholarships to your target university.
Luckily, most universities in the USA have their own financial aid programs. A few examples of these are given below:
| Awarding Body | Award Type | Award Name | Description |
| Harvard University | Scholarship | Harvard University Graduate Fellowships | Provides financial aid for international students pursuing graduate studies at Harvard. |
| Stanford University | Scholarship | Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship | Offers financial assistance to Indian students for pursuing an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business. |
| Duke University | Fellowship | Karsh International Scholarship | Provides full tuition, room, board, and a stipend for exceptional international students pursuing any graduate program at Duke. |
| UT Dallas | Scholarship | Naveen Jindal School of Management Dean’s Excellence Scholarship | Awards partial scholarships based on academic merit to international students in graduate programs at UT Dallas. |
| Yale University | Fellowship | Yale Greenberg World Fellows Program | Offers a fellowship for mid-career professionals to study and gain leadership training at Yale for a semester. |
And remember, most, if not all universities in the USA offer graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, even to international students. These usually come with a tuition fee waiver, which can further reduce costs.
Most students also need education loans even if they can get a scholarship to pay off part or whole of their tuition fee. You can obtain an education loan for an MS in Business Management in the USA through various banks and financial institutions (NBFCs). However, navigating the details of different loan options and their terms can be challenging and time-consuming. For reliable assistance and tailored loan offers, FundRight is an excellent solution.
FundRight is a platform that simplifies the process of securing an education loan. Unlike traditional methods where you need to contact multiple lenders, FundRight lets top banks and NBFCs compete for your loan, ensuring you receive the best possible terms. This efficient approach saves time and guarantees competitive offers.
Here’s how FundRight works:
- Create an account on FundRight and enter your personal and financial information.
- Within two days, receive loan offers from more than 15 lenders.
- Consult with a financial advisor to compare the offers and select the best one for you.
- Submit all required documents securely through the FundRight platform.
- Get your loan approval in as little as 10 days.
FundRight makes the process of finding and securing an education loan straightforward and effective. Start preparing for the Spring 2025 admissions by signing up on FundRight today to get the best financial support for your studies.
In the next section, we’ll cover the scope of an MS in Business Management in the USA.
Career Scope of Business Management in the USA
An MS in Business Management in the USA is perfect for recent graduates or those early in their careers who want to strengthen their understanding of business fundamentals.
This degree offers a broad scope, equipping you with skills in leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication.
With an MS in Business Management in the USA, you can:
- Gain the skills needed to move into managerial and leadership positions. The knowledge you acquire makes you a strong candidate for promotions and new opportunities within your organization.
- Prepare to work in diverse industries such as finance, marketing, operations, and consulting. The versatility of the program means you can pivot to different roles and sectors.
- Build a strong foundation if you decide to pursue an MBA or other specialized master’s programs later. The MS in Business Management provides the groundwork for advanced studies, giving you an edge in competitive applications.
- Engage with peers, professors, and industry professionals who can offer support, mentorship, and opportunities throughout your career.
Overall, the skills you learn are evergreen and will be applicable in various sectors, including finance, marketing, operations, and human resources among others. In the next section, we’ll take a look at the top companies that hire MS in Business Management graduates.
Top recruiters in the USA for Master’s in Business Management graduates
Based on class profiles from top universities offering an MS in Business Management in the USA, these are some of the top recruiters:
- Amazon
- Goldman Sachs
- McKinsey & Company
- Microsoft
- Deloitte
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
- Apple
- IBM
These offer various opportunities across different functions such as finance, consulting, technology, and operations.
Specific job titles and accompanying salaries will be discussed in the next section.
Job prospects and salaries offered after studying an MS in Business Management in the USA
Here are some of the most common titles for jobs after an MS in Business Management in the USA:
| Job Role | Average Salary (USD) |
| Financial Manager | $139,790 |
| Sales Manager | $130,600 |
| Compensation and Benefits Manager | $131,280 |
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | $127,830 |
| Business Development Manager | $108,000 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $85,720 |
| Client Services Manager | $58,600 |
| Human Resources Manager | $121,220 |
| Project Manager | $92,000 |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,000 |
Note: The job titles have been sourced from the careers departments of various universities, and the class profiles for specific MS in Business Management programs. The salary data has been taken from Glassdoor and Indeed.
And with that, we come to the end of this article about the MS in Business Management courses in the USA. We hope you found it useful, and we’ll see you in the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a Computer Science Engineering (CSE) student can pursue an MS in Business Management in the USA. Many programs welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds. Your technical skills combined with business management knowledge can open up a wide range of career opportunities. The program would enhance your ability to manage tech-driven businesses or start your own company.
Yes, a Mechanical Engineer can definitely study an MS in Business Management in the USA. This degree can help you transition from a technical role to a managerial or leadership position. Combining engineering expertise with business management skills can significantly boost your career in business management in the USA, which would end up making you well-suited for roles that require both technical and managerial acumen.
While some programs prefer candidates with work experience, many MS in Business Management programs in the USA accept students directly from undergraduate studies. It’s essential to check the specific requirements of each program, as they can vary.
Yes, many MS in Business Management programs include internships as part of the curriculum. Internships provide practical experience, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world business settings and often lead to job offers post-graduation.
Class sizes can vary, but MS in Business Management programs often feature smaller, more intimate classes compared to undergraduate programs. This allows for personalized attention, more interaction with faculty, and better collaboration with peers.
