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10 Of The Best US Business Schools For International Students

International students make up 5% of the 20 million college students in the US

By  Janette Chien

Tue May 29 2018

BusinessBecause
As part of a large-scale trend within academia, US business schools have increasingly begun to prioritize diversity. Diversity, of course, can take many forms; many schools have sought to assemble miniature United Nations from incoming classes.

There are many factors that have inspired MBA programs to go out of their way to cultivate international classrooms, if only because they more accurately reflect the experiences MBA students will have once they enter their chosen field. By and large, international students currently make up 5% of the 20 million college students in the US, according to the Washington Post, and account for more than $35 billion in revenue within higher education.

Percentage of International Students at Top-Tier Schools

The student bodies at top-tier business schools feature significant percentages of international candidates: 32% at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, 35% at Harvard Business School and as high as 40% at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, according to usnews.com. In some mid-tier programs, that percentage surpasses 50%.

For international students to make the right choice requires they look beyond rankings or percentage of international recruits. For instance, does the school’s reputation carry worldwide? Does it have a global scope? Will the program serve cross-cultural needs and provide support with the logistical challenges of studying abroad?

Perhaps most importantly, will the program foster connections with multinational organizations after graduation? Does the pay compare or...

f an international student's US peers?

Post-Graduation Comparisons

Notably, among the top 50 schools, 30 see their US graduates earn an average salary that is higher than their international peers. At University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, US graduates on average earn $18,000 more than their international counterparts. At the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, the disparity can be as high as $30,000.

On the flipside, there are certain US schools where international students come out ahead. Of the top 50 ranked schools, 19 schools show international graduates earning more than their US. counterparts. That discrepancy ranges from comparatively minor — $99 at NYU stern—to major—more than $20,000 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business.

Here's 10 of the best US business schools for international students:


katz-mba

1. Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business at University of Pittsburgh

  • 31% international students representing 11 countries

  • 88% of MBAs hired after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $95,917

  • Average US base salary: $75,636

  • Ranked number three in 'International Course Experience Among US Public Institutions' by the Financial Times


merage

2. Paul Merage School of Business at University of California - Irvine

  • 50% international students representing 16 countries

  • 87% of International MBAs were employed by three months after graduation;

  • Average international base salary: $98,452

  • Average US base salary: $95,170

  • Ranked 62 globally by the Financial Times


simon

3. Simon Business School at University of Rochester

  • 46% international students representing 18 countries

  • 87% of International MBAs hired after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $100,093

  • Average US base salary: $96,772

  • Ranked 111 globally by US News


columbia

4. Columbia Business School

  • 41% international students representing 133 countries

  • 97% of MBAs hired three months after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $124,711

  • Average US base salary: $131,559

  • Ranked seventh globally by the Financial Times


eli broad

5. Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University

  • 43.1% international students representing 88 countries

  • 85% of MBAs hired after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $108,973

  • Average US base salary: $99,805

  • Ranked 21 internationally by US News


tepper

6. Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University

  • 35% international students representing 28 countries

  • 86.2% of International MBAs hired after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $122,724

  • Average US base salary: $115,235

  • Ranked 30 globally by the Financial Times


wp carey

7. WP Carey School of Business at Arizona State University

  • Full-time MBA students receive a full scholarship for tuition

  • 34% international students

  • 95.94% of MBAs hired by three months after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $112,778

  • Average US base salary: $97,179

  • Ranked 57 globally by the Financial Times


fisher

8. Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University

  • 25% international students representing 12 countries

  • 78% of International MBAs with job offers three months after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $110,561

  • Average US base salary: $96,775

  • Ranked 63 globally by the Financial Times


scheller

9. Scheller College of Business at Georgia Institute of Technology

  • 25% international students

  • 93% of MBAs hired by three months after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $124,114

  • Average US base salary: $105,417

  • Ranked 61 globally by the Financial Times


wisconsin

10. Wisconsin School of Business at University of Wisconsin, Madison

  • 18% international students

  • 87% of MBAs hired by three months after graduation

  • Average international base salary: $103,962

  • Average US base salary: $95,020

  • Ranked 71 globally by the Financial Times

Student Reviews

Carnegie Mellon: Tepper

Abby

Verified

30/11/2022

On Campus

Honest Opinion on CMU

Finding yourself in CMU is such a great blessing. The amazing and great professors and lots of networking opportunities. I was in the faculty of engineering and here the course work was very interesting. The lecturers were very strict and couldn't accept late submission of assignments and work given. This made us very focused. The students are generally good and friendly

Joel

Verified

8/11/2022

On Campus

Excellence and Academic Integrity

CMU is one of the top class universities in Pittsburgh. It is a multi-diverse university with high regard for academic integrity, excellence, and innovation. It consists of different programs and departments that work together to achieve a common goal. I enjoy the convenience of moving from one building to the other. The faculty and staff are super friendly. It is relatively easy to make connections with other students, especially where collaboratory research is necessary. I would definitely recommend CMU to anyone looking for a muti-diverse academic experience.

Student

Verified

15/08/2023

On Campus

Stressful yet worthwhile

I've been genuinely impressed with the fusion of creativity and innovation at CMU. The professors are a mixed bag-- some are great and life-changing, but I had a couple (mostly gen eds in freshman year) that were really frustrating. The workload can be intense, and it's no joke. Campus was very lively; clubs, events, etc. – there's something for everyone. Pittsburgh in general has some areas that are great, and others that disappoint-- Oakland is a very nice university town area. Overall, CMU is a hotbed of innovation and learning, but the pace and location do come into play.

Tom

Verified

1/03/2023

On Campus

Quite demanding here

Carnegie Mellon is a demanding academic institution where students are expected to put in a lot of effort. Despite the challenging coursework and constant workload, this environment teaches you how to speak for yourself and stand up for what you believe in. The institution also has a strong graduate network, which helps you succeed in the job hunt both while you are enrolled there and after

Student

Verified

3/09/2024

On Campus

Transformative Learning

My time at Carnegie Mellon university has been truly transformative, opening up a wide array of opportunities that move beyond the traditional classroom experience. Participation in webinars and seminars has allowed me to explore various topics that are not typically included in the standard curriculum. This exposure has helped equip students like myself with essential tools to effectively navigate our complex world.

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