Top Business Schools

By Power of Attorney on June 8, 2012 in Business Schools

If you are looking to further your education by following the business track, there are a number of options open to you.

While you will find numerous offers to attentd on-line and physical schools, successful business graduates are often culled from the top 10 business schools in the country.

The factors that are considered when ranking the top business schools goes well beyond simply seeing how many graduates with business degrees have gone on to run major corporations.

Ranking the top 10 business schools takes into account things like tuition, the average GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score, GPA, acceptance rate of applicants, and the number of business school students who are gainfully employed at the time of graduation.

Cambridge Business School

Here is a short list of the top business schools in America, as compiled by using the criteria listed above:

Harvard – This prestigious university boasts a yearly tuition of $51K and requires a GMAT score of at least 730. On average, Harvard business graduates are placed in jobs that earn $80/year, and that average increases to $112K/year if those students go on to earn an MBA.

Stanford – This California university has the same GMAT requirements as Harvard, though the tuition weighs in at $55K/year. Business graduates earn between $77K and $110K, and Stanford graduates tend to lean toward large-scale economics, with many taking high-paying jobs as consultants for financial organizations and educational institutes.

Chicago/Booth – The University of Chicago has a $53K/year tuition for business students, and their graduates earn $72K – $106K per year (on average) upon completion of their studies. University of Chicago students must have a minimum GMAT score of 720 to enter the business track.

University of Pennsylvania/Wharton – This university costs $53K to attend, and business graduates typically start their jobs earning between $76K and $103K per year.

Columbia University – Right in the heart of New York City, Columbia University is very well known for its undergraduate business school program. With yearly tuition of $55K, and graduation salaries as high as $115K/year, many of its students go on to the larger financial firms in Manhattan, as well as international business careers.

Dartmouth – Located in New Hampshire, this Ivy League business school has an undergraduate business program that costs $53K/year. In addition to the prestige that comes along with attending, most undergrad business students come away with jobs starting at between $74K and $102K per year. As with most other top business schools on this list, Dartmouth requires a minimum GMAT score of 720.

Northwestern – Northwestern University has an entry requirement of 720 on the GMAT, and costs $55K per year for undergraduate business students. Upon completing their undergraduate business degree, most students can expect to earn a minimum of $68K/year.

Cornell University – Cornell University is well known for its undergraduate business track, and given that most students earn between $70K and $105K upon completing the courses, it is well work the $50K per year tuition.

University of Virginia – Many consider this business school to be the most affordable at $44 per year. However, the quality of education, and the fact that most students graduate with jobs starting at $70K/year make the University of Virginia highly sought after for undergraduate business degrees.

MIT – While most people think of MIT as a technology and engineering college, its undergraduate business program turns out some of the best students in the United States. With a tuition of $53K/year, most MIT graduates start earning between $70K and $110K per year, right out of college.

While the top business schools carry a lot of weight with employers, one should not rule out those institutes that operate abroad for their excellent undergraduate business programs.

Many of the top undergraduate business schools in the United States are opening up branches all over the world – from Spain, to Dubai, to Indonesia – in order to bring their academic excellence to other countries so that students who want to specifically study business can get the same great education as their American counterparts.

However, despite the expansion of America’s top business schools into international waters, there are some incredible business universities all over the world that stand on their own when measured against other undergraduate business programs.

Top International Business Schools

IESE University of Navarra (Spain) – While not as old as most business schools, the University of Navarra has an extremely high graduation rate, with many of their business undergrads going onto MBA and doctorate degrees. 97% of business graduates from IESE are employed within 3 months after earning their degrees, and the average salary for these graduates is between $80K and $135K/year (U.S. Dollars).

INSEAD (France/Singapore) – INSEAD University boasts a 94% career success rate within three months for undergraduate business students, with a top end average salary of $140K per year.

IE Business School (Spain) – Not to be outdone by U.S. business schools, IE Business School in Spain has a career success rate of 92% for undergrads, with many of them earning $100K/year within 3 months after graduation. IE Business school graduates are highly sought after by those involved in international business organizations, and many of their students go on to earn doctorates.

HKUST Business School (Honk Kong) – The HKUST Business School proudly shows off its graduates, with 89% of their business students being placed in jobs that earn as much as $120K per year with 3 months after graduation. Many of their graduates seek even higher degrees, such as an MBA or doctorate, and go on to teach at universities around the world.

IIM (India) – The Indian Institute of Management is one of the top international business schools, with students going on to lead positions in international corporations. 96% of its business graduates are employes within 3 months of earning their business degrees, and are easily earning between $100K and $135K (USD) in those careers.

IMD (Switzerland) – Known for teaching its business students the nuances and precision of international business and finance, IMD has a 96% success rate. 91% of their business graduates are placed in successful jobs with 3 months of graduation, with an average salary of $126K (USD) per year. Graduates from IMB are usually recruited by large financial organizations, and international corporations.

Bottom Line

Whether you are in the United States, or looking to study abroad, getting an undergraduate business degree from one of the top business schools in the world will go a long way to ensuring success in your career.

While the requirements for entering and maintaining grades at the top business schools are very stringent, in the end, nearly 100% of the graduates either go on to earn their MBA degrees or doctorates.

For all the hard work and effort to get a degree from the top business schools, the personal and financial rewards are well worth the effort. If you are thinking about getting an undergraduate degree in business, check out the top business schools listed in this article, and see if you have what it takes to be the best.

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