Executive MBA in USA: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility, Opportunity

Learning never stops for ambitious professionals. An executive MBA is perfect for ambitious and experienced managers who want to reach the c-suite level. This programme helps them progress in their careers and become leaders of their organizations. Unlike many other programmes, an executive MBA is a practice-oriented business programme. It focuses on teamwork skills, leadership skills, and career development. This programme is appropriate for professionals at the mid-senior or senior level who want to learn further without leaving their full-time job. Below is a complete guide on executive MBA in USA: top universities and colleges, programme fees, eligibility criteria, and opportunities for candidates after completing EMBA.

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Top Universities and Colleges for Executive MBA in USA

Almost all reputed universities and business schools offer Executive MBA in USA. Here is a list of the top 15 universities according to last year’s US News Best EMBA programme rankings:

1. University of Chicago – Chicago Booth School of Business
2. Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management (Evanston)
3. University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School
4. Columbia University – Columbia Business School
5. New York University – NYU Stern School of Business
6. Duke University – Duke University’s Fuqua School
7. UC-Berkeley – Haas School of Business
8. MIT – MIT Sloan School of Management
9. UCLA – UCLA Anderson School of Management
10. University of Michigan – Ross School of Business
11. Santa Clara University – Leavey School of Business
12. UT Austin – McCombs School of Business
13. Arizona State University – W. P. Carey School of Business
14. Cornell University – Johnson Graduate School of Management
15. Emory University– Goizueta Business School

Apart from these top-ranking universities and their business schools, one can apply to other reputed business schools, such as the Warrington College of Business in Florida and Miami Herbert Business School. Working professionals prefer doing cohort programmes from business schools because these schools specialise in executive business courses and have a long list of reputed alumni.

Eligibility Criteria And Admission Process For Executive MBA in USA B-Schools

To join the program, candidates need to pass specific eligibility criteria of universities. Most business schools set working experience as the main criteria for executive education. Down below is a list of minimum working experience requirements for the executive MBA programmes in top b-schools:

• NYU Stern – 6 years
• Anderson School of Management – 8 years
• Kellogg School of Management – 8 years
• The Fuqua School of Business – 8 years
• Ross School of Business – 8 years
• McCombs School of Business – 9 years
• Columbia Business School – 8 years

Having minimum work experience is an essential part of the eligibility criteria. Apart from this, the top business schools require candidates to have the following:

• Proficiency in the English Language: Some business schools ask for ELP test scores; others don’t. However, being proficient in English is a set requirement by every major university for the executive MBA program. An IELTS score between 6.5 to 7.0 and a TOEFL score between 80 to 90 is prefered by the universities.
• Letter of Recommendation: Generally, two letters of recommendation are expected from candidates. Every business school determines the type of recommender and information they deem to be valid. In the letters, the recommender has to give information such as how long they know the applicant, how the applicant behaves with others, and so on.
• Interview: Personal interview is another major part of the admission process. Generally, the personal interview is 30 to 45 minutes long. Sometimes, applicants who do not pass the eligibility criteria are also called for a personal interview. In such cases, cracking the interview becomes the last way of getting into the executive MBA program.
• Exams and Questions: GRE, GMAT, and other similar standardised tests are also considered important for entering into EMBA. Some universities take their own executive assessment tests. In such cases, candidates can skip GRE and GMAT and directly the take university’s test. The top-ranked universities also require candidates to answer three essay questions.

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Standard Fees In Top Universities for Executive MBA in USA

Here is a list of tuition fees of the top universities that offer executive MBA in USA:

• University of Chicago – USD 194,000
• Northwestern University – USD 217,837
• University of Pennsylvania – USD 210,900
• Columbia University – USD 213,240
• New York University – USD 204,000
• Duke University – USD 152,000
• UC-Berkeley – USD 194,000
• MIT – USD 154,336
• UCLA – USD 167,992
• University of Michigan- Ann Arbor – USD 173,500
• Santa Clara University – USD 111,235
• UT Austin – USD 116,000
• Arizona State University – USD 87,938
• Cornell University – USD 154,254
• Emory University – USD 118,347

Why Study Executive MBA in USA?

Having an executive degree completed from one of America’s top institutes gives candidates an upper hand for a job promotion. Here is a list of a few reasons why professionals should study EMBA in the US even after gaining many years of experience:

• Entrepreneurship Skills: Apart from essential business administration skills, an executive MBA also teaches entrepreneurship skills. So, whether a professional wants to join senior executives in their company or they want to start their own venture, EMBA has something to teach her.
• Network Growth: International students for EMBA come from various parts of the world, such as Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, and so on. These professionals make networks while completing the MBA and utilise the same network in their professional life. It is hard to find such a prestigious group of people elsewhere.
• The Prestige of College: Whether a candidate is from India, China, or any other country in Asia, having a degree from a top-ranking college in the US gives them an advantage of prestige. Only a small number of EMBA students return to their country. In case they do, they almost always advance in their career faster as compared to their peers.

• Exposure to Better Opportunities: EMBA students undoubtedly advance in their career in the company or field they are working in. But, along with that, they are also exposed to new and better opportunities. This way, the executive MBA programme is appropriate even for people who want to get into new ventures.

Summing It Up An executive MBA is a specialized programme for working professionals who already have some experience but want to learn leadership and management skills. It is the perfect programme for mid-senior or senior-level people who wish to reach the c-suite level. Every business school of America’s top universities offer an EMBA programme. Applicants can check the eligibility criteria on the university’s official website. The admission process includes a regular screening process that includes letters of recommendation, personal interviews, and proficiency in English. Once completed, this programme opens a vast number of opportunities for working professionals.

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