Best Business Schools in the US

The cost of an MBA degree is high. However, because a top school offers more earning potential and the strength of a lifetime network, the long-term costs are well worth it. In light of this, we prepared a list of the Best Business Schools in the US.

These rankings consider a number of external sources, such as the Financial Times and U.S. News Week, in addition to our particular perspective within the industry. While differences are bound to occur, we are pretty sure that this list will not let you down!

Best Business Schools in the US

1. Harvard Business School

• Class size in 2020: 1,873
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $205,486

For the past few decades, Harvard has been regarded as the premier business school and MBA program, and with good reason—it has the best track record in creating future corporate, political, and cultural leaders.

Harvard Business School has long been known for its unique case system.

With the use of this teaching approach, students can get knowledge from actual business issues and the successful and unsuccessful approaches taken to address them. Nothing compares to understanding how business ideas are implemented in actual business settings.

Furthermore, Harvard Business School students collaborate extensively in groups during these role-playing exercises.

Opportunities to participate in numerous clubs, immersion experiences, and study abroad programs are all part of being a student.

You work as hard as you play at Harvard Business School. Additionally, there are numerous options to enroll in dual degree programs in government, law, and medical.

Famous Alum from Harvard Business School

Jamie Dimon – J.P. Morgan CEO
Jeffrey Immelt – GE CEO
Meg Whitman – Hewlett-Packard’s CEO

2. Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

• Class size in 2020: 855
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $328,074

Graduate School of Business, Stanford University is the new school if HBS is the old school. John F. Kennedy was a student at the Graduate School of Business in the early 1940s; the program has been there for decades, so it’s not like it’s a newcomer to the MBA field.

However, the main route for top MBA programs into Silicon Valley (whether it tech companies, venture capital, or private equity firms) is Stanford GSB.

Candidates are mostly drawn to the hard curriculum and caliber of lecturers in addition to the location.

Although Graduate School of Business, Stanford University accepts students of all backgrounds, the school gives special consideration to those who have a track record of interest in technology or entrepreneurship.

Famous Alum from Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

Phil Knight – Nike CEO
Mary Barra – General Motors CEO
Steve Ballmer – Microsoft Former CEO

3. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

• Class size in 2020: 1,742
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $197,267

With the greatest alumni network in the nation, Wharton was the first business school in the US. Students can get joint degrees in law, foreign studies, and government (Harvard Kennedy School of Government) in addition to a top business education.

Wharton is renowned for its distinctive “Ventures,” which are outdoor field trips where students gain vital leadership skills and learn how to manage difficult situations. Approximately 150 on-campus organizations are available for students to join throughout their study.

Famous Alum from University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Jeff Weiner – LinkedIn CEO
John Sculley – Pepsi and Apple Former CEO
Julian A. Brodsky – Comcast Corporation Founder, Chairman and CEO

4. MIT Sloan School of Management

• Class size in 2020: 813
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $188,173

Candidates can study abroad in dozens of countries because to Sloan’s genuinely global experience. Through the school’s Action Labs, students can work on actual issues facing businesses that are currently operating in China, India, and the United States.

Globalization is even present in student organizations, such as clubs that specialize in international sports and case contests.

Presidents and CEOs are among the over 25% of Sloan alumni who have attained high executive positions. (Yes, you read that right—a quarter). MIT Sloan ranks highly on our list of the Best Business Schools in the US for all of the reasons stated above.

Famous Alum from MIT Sloan School of Management

Carly Florina – Hewlett-Packard Former CEO
John Reed – Citi Former Chairman
Benjamin Netanyahu – Prime Minister of Israel

5. University of Chicago (Booth)

• Class size in 2020: 1,179
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $185,861

The University of Chicago (Booth) is the country’s second-oldest business school. Compared to other business schools, Booth has generated the highest number of Nobel laureates in the Economic Sciences.

With the third-largest endowment among business schools, Booth was the first to offer an Executive MBA program. Moreover, it serves as a nationwide feeder school for BCG, Bain, and McKinsey.

Famous Alum from University of Chicago (Booth)

Satya Nadella – Microsoft CEO
Philip Purcell – Morgan Stanley Former CEO
Susan Wagner – Blackrock COO

6. Columbia Business School

• Class size in 2020: 1,297
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $184,099

The student body of Columbia Business School is renowned for being diverse, comprising individuals from over 60 different countries.

The program’s first year is dedicated to finishing required business courses, while the second year offers students more flexibility in choosing from over 130 electives.

The university has historically been seen as a wonderful place to enter into the finance industry, in part because of its close connection to Wall Street, which is one of its key draws.

Nonetheless, the top post-MBA job opportunities are closely followed by consulting and technology in the banking space.

Famous Alum from Columbia Business School

Warren Buffett
Henry Kravis – KRR Founder
Vikram Pandit – Citi Former CEO

7. Northwestern University (Kellogg)

• Class size in 2020: 1,304
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $170,830

In its MBA program, Kellogg promotes experiential learning and teamwork. Students at Kellogg can pursue a Ph.D., a J.D., and a master’s degree in design innovation all at the same time.

Along with a number of research centers, Kellogg offers a number of travel abroad programs, much like many other top business schools.

All things considered, the company has a solid reputation among students wishing to concentrate in marketing or consulting.

Famous Alum from Northwestern University (Kellogg)

James L. Allen – Booz Allen Hamilton Founder
Arthur E. Andersen – Arthur Andersen Founder
Gregg Steinhafel – Target Corporation President, CEO, Chairman of the Board

8. University of California, Berkeley (Haas School of Business)

• Class size in 2020: 590
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $188,746

Similar to Stanford, Haas benefits from being close to Silicon Valley. Through the Haas@Work initiative, the school gives students the chance to work on projects both locally and globally.

Across a wide range of subjects, electives make up more than half of the curriculum.

Famous Alum from University of California, Berkeley (Haas School of Business)

John Riccitiello – Electronic Arts Former CEO
Walter Haas – Levi Former President
Cathie Lesjak – Hewlett-Packard CEO

9. Yale School of Management

• Class size in 2020: 723
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $172,547

Students at Yale place a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis. To guarantee a well-rounded education, all students also participate in Yale’s Leadership Development Program.

To provide students a worldwide perspective, they also take part in an international tour. MBA program’s ability to provide courses or joint degrees with Yale’s esteemed schools, including its law school, is one of its main appeals.

For those who are considering the top business schools but also want to diversify with other degrees, this is a huge advantage.

Famous Alum from Yale School of Management

Indra Nooyi – PepsiCo CEO
Gail Harrity – Philadelphia Museum of Art COO
Laszlo Bock – People Operations, Google Former Vice President

10. Dartmouth College (Tuck)

• Class size in 2020: 576
• The average salary 3 years after graduation: $173,636

Completing our ranking of the Best Business Schools in the US, Tuck provides students with a personalized learning environment due to its small class sizes.

Students are placed right away within small groups and provided practical project experience. In addition to their demanding coursework and project work, Tuck MBAs get access to the campus ski hill.

The institution specializes in recruiting for consulting, as approximately 35% of its graduates choose careers in consulting each year.

Famous Alum from Dartmouth College (Tuck)

Christopher Sinclair – PepsiCo Former CEO
Peter Dolan – Bristol-Myers Squibb Former CEO
C. Michael Armstrong – AT&T CEO and Chairman

Final Thoughts

With any of these Best Business Schools in the US, you can’t really go wrong. Few classes provide the worldwide experiences that these, taught by exceptional instructors, have to offer. The network you create is one of the key characteristics that sets the finest business schools apart.

For example, Columbia Business School can be the best choice for you if you’re looking for a finance network that is mainly on the East Coast.

Possibly at the top of your list should be Berkeley Haas or Stanford GSB if you want your network to be concentrated in Silicon Valley. We can assist you if you are applying this year to any of these prestigious business schools.