Best MBA Colleges in USA for Indian Students: Course Overview and Application Process 

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the US can open doors to networking and versatile skill development opportunities, accelerating you on the career ladder and increasing your earning potential. In addition, studying at an MBA college in USA can help you understand the rapid technological advancements and societal change shaping today’s business world, as these colleges embrace an interdisciplinary approach to learning with opportunities for specialised and integrated MBA courses.

With more than 200 MBA colleges across the USA, choosing the right one can seem daunting at first. This blog can guide you by helping you shortlist top MBA programmes, understand the application process, and navigate US visa regulations. Let’s get started.

Best MBA colleges in USA for Indian students 

MBA colleges in USA provide a great return of investment for Indian students as they offer a number of features, like modern infrastructure, exposure to global business leaders, and entry to top notch internship programmes, to ensure that MBA graduates can secure lucrative roles after graduation.

Here are the best MBA colleges in USA for Indian students:

(Source: U.S. News and World Report)

If you’re exploring MBA colleges in USA at the moment, here are some key questions to ask yourself when creating your shortlist:

• What’s the MBA curriculum and faculty like?
• What kind of career-building and networking opportunities are provided in the MBA?
• What sort of career support will you get from the university?
• Where in the US is the campus located?

To help you get started in your research, we’ve gone into more detail of the MBA courses at some of the best US universities in the next few sections.

Adelphi University – Flex MBA and Professional Accelerated MBA 

• Location: New York
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: You are Welcome Here Scholarship

Adelphi University offers the Flex MBA and Professional Accelerated MBA courses at its Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, and this program offers 10 specialisations, including STEM-designated options. The Professional Accelerated MBA allows you to complete your MBA in just 12 months using a hybrid format – mainly online with 12 Saturday classes. Both MBAs allow you to access flexible scheduling options, smaller classes, and personalised attention from faculty with real-world experience.

Barton College – MBA in Strategic Leadership 

• Location: North Carolina
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: N/A

The Strategic Leadership MBA at Barton helps you develop your personal leadership style while acquiring real-world business skills. Delivered in a hybrid format, this programme can be completed in 16 months, or as part of a combined bachelor’s and MBA course in five years.

Edgewood College – MBA 

• Location: Wisconsin
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: Henry J. Predolin Scholarship, Emerging Leaders Program

Edgewood’s MBA curriculum emphasises real-world, case-based learning in key focus areas like strategic management, leadership, finance, and analytics, preparing you for jobs across the US and beyond. Designed for working professionals, the MBA is available entirely online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format.

Gonzaga University – MBA 

• Location: Washington
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: New Student Scholarship

This top-ranking MBA at Gonzaga University focuses on developing your ethical leadership skills by adapting a socially responsible leadership framework in its teaching material. Designed for flexibility and value, the MBA is available both online and in-person, and boasts small class sizes, faculty engagement, and international learning opportunities.

Lakeland University – MBA 

• Location: Plymouth
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: International Student Scholarships

The MBA at Lakeland integrates research, case studies, technology, and diverse learning opportunities to provide you with a wide-ranging professional business education. In addition to developing your theoretical understanding of business and economic problems, you can build practical managerial skills to tackle these challenges in global workplaces. You’re also given the opportunity to work with faculty to design your own MBA concentration by combining elective courses, special studies, and work experience, ensuring the coursework matches your specific needs.

Lewis University – MBA 

• Location: Romeoville
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: N/A

With a curriculum rich in both theoretical learning and practical application, Lewis University’s MBA helps you develop leadership skills applicable both within and outside the business sector, and gain real-world experience during your studies. A cornerstone of the programme is its customisation through career-focused, stackable micro-credentials. Through this structure, you can first earn a core micro-credential in Strategic Business Management, and then choose two additional specialised micro-credentials to tailor your education, enhance your expertise, and increase marketability. Noted specifically on your transcript, micro-credentials demonstrate your mastery of in-demand skills to potential employers.

Oklahoma City University – MBA 

• Location: Oklahoma (MBA delivered online)
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: N/A

Oklahoma City University’s (OCU) 100% online MBA is designed to prepare you for success and career growth across a wide range of disciplines in the business world. As an OCU student, you’ll strengthen your knowledge in economics, decision-making, financial management, operations, marketing, and organisational management through comprehensive core MBA modules. You also have the option to specialise further by choosing from a variety of concentration-specific courses.

Palm Beach Atlantic University – MBA 

• Location: West Palm Beach
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: Dr. Joe J. Eassa, Jr. Scholarship

The two-year MBA at Palm Beach Atlantic University allows you to delve into core principles of upper-level business management across areas like marketing, corporate finance, operations, accounting and auditing, and project management. During the course of your studies, you can strengthen your ability to perform formal assessments of corporate performance using structured frameworks, think critically in various business environments, and use appropriate quantitative methods for management problem-solving and decision-making.

Robert Morris University (RMU) – MBA 

• Location: Pittsburgh (MBA delivered online)
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: N/A

The MBA curriculum at RMU is modelled on employment demands expressed by RMU’s corporate partners. This means that you can benefit from an applications-based approach during your programme, through case studies, assignments, and discussions to emulate real-life work experiences. Designed with the busy life of working professionals in mind, RMU’s MBA is 100% online and asynchronous, meaning you can study when it best fits your schedule. You can complete the degree requirements in as little as one year or in less than two years, depending on the number of classes you take each week.

Shenandoah University – MBA 

• Location: Winchester
• MBA scholarships for Indian students: N/A

At Shenandoah University, you can customise your MBA by choosing from a wide range of in-demand specialisations that align with your specific career goals, including Business Analytics, Cybersecurity Management, Digital Marketing, Esports Management, Healthcare Management, and Sustainable Business. It’s a 12-month programme with a hybrid/online format, making studies flexible for busy professionals and ambitious entrepreneurs.

You can also search for other MBAs in USA that match your goals using our Course finder tool.

Now, let’s take a look at specialisations offered at MBA colleges in USA.

Top MBA specialisations in USA for Indian students 

When exploring MBA options, you’ll find that MBA colleges in USA offer specialisations designed to help you focus on specific career interests. By choosing an MBA specialisation, you can plan to enhance your knowledge and skills specific to a certain industry or profession.

Here’s a list of the most popular MBA specialisations in the US:

• Consulting
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance leadership
• General management
• International management
• IT/Technology management
• Marketing
• Operations management
• Strategy

Additionally, you can also choose from a number of different types of MBAs in the US, like STEM MBAs. We explore these MBA types in more detail in our study guide on MBAs in the US.

Once you’ve decided on the MBA course you wish to pursue, you can start your applications to your preferred US universities. We will be taking a closer look at the application process in the next few sections, beginning with admissions criteria.

Eligibility criteria of MBA colleges in USA for Indian students 

To be accepted at an MBA college in USA, international students must meet certain entry requirements. This includes satisfying criteria like:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited US university or its international equivalent
• TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores
• Standardised test scores

These academic and English language proficiency test requirements vary depending on the university. Once you shortlist your preferred universities, it’s best practice to carefully go through the entry requirements of the MBAs you’re applying for and keep them saved for easy reference while you’re filling out your applications.

After you’ve gained admission into your preferred MBA college in USA, you must obtain the US student visa, which gives you the right to live and study in the country for the duration of your programme.

Student visa requirements for Indian MBA students in the US   

To study in the US as an Indian student, you must obtain a student visa. The US has two types of student visa categories – F and M. If you’re a prospective university or college student, you must apply for and obtain the F-1 student visa.

Once you’ve gained admission to your MBA, your university will issue you a Form I-20 and register you on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). For registration, you must pay $350 as the SEVIS I-901 fee. You can then apply at a US Embassy or Consulate for your student visa.

Your application process to the US also involves formulating a funding plan for your studies. US universities have a variety of tuition fees depending on the program you choose while your living expenses will vary, generally depending on where your university is located. Let’s explore expenses and scholarship opportunities for Indian MBA students in USA in the next two sections.

Funds required to study an MBA in USA 

The expenses associated with your MBA in USA are usually classified under three main categories: your pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and your living expenses.

Your living expenses will vary depending on your location in the US and your lifestyle while your tuition fees depend on the university you select for your programme. Your pre-arrival costs generally include the visa application fee you have to pay before coming into the US.

Pre-arrival expenses to the US 

Your pre-departure preparations include a number of expenses, mostly related to your student visa. To obtain your F-1 student visa, you must pay an application fee of $185, along with a $350 service fee.

When applying for your student visa, you must also prove to the immigration authorities that you have sufficient funds for two years of study and living expenses in the US – approximately $80,000 to $125,000.

MBA tuition fees in USA 

Your tuition fees in the US will vary depending on your university and the type of your MBA programme. In general, your tuition fees will vary between $30,000 and $100,000 per year.

Cost of living in USA for Indian MBA students 

Gathering information about your potential living expenses is an important part of preparing for your student life in the US. Depending on the region you’re studying in, your cost of living will vary. For instance, most smaller cities have relatively affordable rental accommodation, transport, and entertainment options.

Here’s an overview of your living expenses in the US:

You can secure a scholarship to manage some of these expenses while studying in the US.

Scholarships for an MBA in USA for Indian students 

A scholarship can ease the financial burden of studying abroad, allowing you to focus more on your coursework and academic success. In the US, a variety of scholarships are available for Indian students, offered by the US government, universities, and private organisations, helping to make education more accessible and affordable.

Here’s a list of top scholarships in USA specifically for Indian students:

To be eligible for a scholarship in USA, you must demonstrate outstanding work experience, have an impressive academic record, and often show proof of volunteering and/or community service activities. Once you obtain a scholarship, it can help you focus on your studies without worrying too much about the expenses involved and increase your employability by introducing you to valuable scholarship alumni networks.

Next, let’s have a look at the many lucrative career opportunities in USA for MBA graduates, so you can plan your studies according to your interests and career aspirations.

Work permit and career prospects for MBA graduates in USA 

After completing your MBA, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) – a 12-month period during which you can stay in the US and gain work experience. If your MBA is STEM-certified, you can apply for an additional 24-month extension, giving you a total of three years of OPT.

During your OPT period, you can also apply for an H-1B visa, the primary work visa for high-skilled migrants in the US. This is the most common route MBA graduates take to continue working in the country. To apply, you must have an employer sponsor.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, MBA graduates typically get job offers with an average starting salary of $115,000. Shaped by global trends, current labour demands, and economic shifts, the US job market is constantly evolving. Gaining insights into the most in-demand job categories can give you a strategic advantage when you’re job hunting. In general, the following industries are eager to hire MBA graduates:

• Consulting
• Finance
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Tech

At StudyIn, we provide end-to-end support for your journey to the US, making the process fast, smooth, and stress-free. Here’s how we can help you:

• Support with your applications 
• Advice on your US student visa
• Expert guidance on your PhD application
• Help with your Ivy League applications

Our StudyIn experts can guide you through each step of your journey to the USA, including by giving you personalised advice on course selection and finances. Contact us today to clear your doubts about studying at a top MBA college in USA as an Indian student.

FAQs

What is an MBA course?

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) or an MBA is a graduate-level business degree that can train you for increased responsibilities and leadership roles across various industries. Integrating research, case studies, and technology, an MBA will develop your managerial skills to effectively tackle business and economic challenges.

How many years is an MBA in the US?

An MBA in the US typically lasts two years. Some accelerated courses allow you to complete your degree in approximately 12 months online or in hybrid mode.

What’s the eligibility criteria for Indian students to study an MBA in the US?

To be accepted at an MBA college in USA, you must meet certain entry requirements like having an undergraduate degree from an accredited US university or its international equivalent, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores, and GMAT test scores. These academic and English language proficiency test requirements vary depending on the university you’re applying to.