MBA abroad
MBA in the USA for Indian students
The USA has the largest group of top ranked two year MBA programmes. Tuition at the schools listed here runs from $83,700 to $93,908 for each academic year, and the schools publish a full cost of attendance that adds housing, food, insurance and fees.
Schools and published fees
Fees checked in October 2026 on each school's own page. Open the school link to confirm the figure for your intake.
| School | Programme | Published fee | Basis and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Business SchoolBoston, Massachusetts | Full time MBA2 years | $84,760 | Tuition per academic year, 2026 to 27Total cost of attendance for the nine month year ranges from $130,318 to $186,312 depending on household circumstances. About 10 percent of students with the greatest financial need receive full tuition scholarships. |
| Stanford Graduate School of BusinessStanford, California | Full time MBA2 years | $89,187 | First year tuition, 2026 to 27The school profile showed a first year cost of attendance of $135,771 for a single student in 2025 to 26, including living, housing and insurance. |
| The Wharton SchoolPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania | Full time MBA2 years | $87,970 | Tuition per academic year, 2026 to 27Tuition and fees together are $93,008, and the school budgets a total MBA cost of $135,441 for the year. |
| Chicago BoothChicago, Illinois | Full time MBA2 years | $89,976 | Tuition for the nine month year, 2026 to 27Estimated cost of attendance for the year is $132,449, including tuition, fees, housing, food and other costs. |
| Kellogg School of ManagementEvanston, Illinois | Full time MBA, two year and one year2 years or 1 year | $88,536 | Two year MBA tuition per year, 2026 to 27The one year MBA tuition is $123,600 for 2026 to 27. |
| Columbia Business SchoolNew York, New York | Full time MBA2 years | $93,908 | Tuition per academic year, 2026 to 27First year budgets published by the school run from $136,104 to $151,010 depending on circumstances. |
| MIT Sloan School of ManagementCambridge, Massachusetts | Full time MBA2 years | $91,892 | Tuition per academic year, 2026 to 27, including the $2,200 annual programme fee |
| Yale School of ManagementNew Haven, Connecticut | Full time MBA2 years | $90,900 | Tuition per academic year, 2026 to 27Tuition and fees together are $91,400. |
| Duke Fuqua School of BusinessDurham, North Carolina | Daytime MBA2 years | $83,700 | Tuition for 2026 to 27 (class of 2028)Total cost of attendance for the nine month period is $118,974. |
| UC Berkeley HaasBerkeley, California | Full time MBA2 years | $89,033 | Tuition and fees per year for non resident students, 2025 to 26California residents paid $76,788. International students pay the non resident rate. The latest year was not shown on the page, so confirm 2026 to 27 with the school. |
Format, tests and work rights
Programme format
Most programmes run for two academic years with a summer internship in between. A few schools, such as Kellogg, also offer a one year track.
Entrance and English tests
Schools accept the GMAT or the GRE and most also accept English tests such as IELTS or TOEFL from applicants who did not study in English. Each school publishes its own minimums.
After the MBA
Students on an F-1 visa can work in their field for 12 months after graduation under Optional Practical Training. A degree on the DHS STEM designated list can add a 24 month extension, so check whether your MBA is STEM designated before you rely on it.
Points to weigh
- Tuition is only part of the cost. Harvard puts the nine month cost of attendance between $130,318 and $186,312, and Columbia budgets $136,104 to $151,010 for the first year.
- Two years of study means two years of tuition and living costs, and one fewer year of salary.
- Need based aid exists at some schools. Harvard says about 10 percent of students receive full tuition scholarships.
Questions about an MBA in the USA
How much does an MBA in the USA cost?
Published tuition for 2026 to 27 at the ten schools on this page runs from $83,700 to $93,908 for each academic year. With housing, food, insurance and fees, the schools budget roughly $119,000 to $186,000 for the first year, so a two year MBA can often cost well over $200,000 in total.
Do I need the GMAT or the GRE?
Most US schools accept either test. Choose the one where you score better in practice, and check each school admissions page for its current policy.
Can I work in the USA after an MBA?
F-1 students can apply for 12 months of Optional Practical Training. Graduates of a STEM designated degree can apply for a further 24 month extension. Check the DHS list and ask the school whether your programme is on it.
Compare other regions
Back to the MBA abroad hub, read the complete guide, or practise for the English test with our free IELTS tests.