MS in Business Management in the USA: Top Universities, Cost, Courses & Salary

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.

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:

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:

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:

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:

1. Create an account on FundRight and enter your personal and financial information.
2. Within two days, receive loan offers from more than 15 lenders.
3. Consult with a financial advisor to compare the offers and select the best one for you.
4. Submit all required documents securely through the FundRight platform.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
• Google
• 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:

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.

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