Top STEM MBA Programs In The United States—And How Much They Cost

STEM MBA programs are increasingly present at business schools in the United States, as an increasing number of schools incorporate a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) element into their MBA curricula.

The STEM MBA trend is largely in response to a significant drop in international applicants to US schools, a result of strict visa requirements and the anti-immigration policies of the the Trump administration. This is also linked to a significant STEM job shortage, with 2 million jobs expected to go unfilled by 2025. 

Compared to the one year visa afforded to most international MBA students, STEM graduates are eligible to extend their stay in the US for three years in total without an H-1B visa, making them far more attractive to employers. STEM graduates can also expect higher salaries compared to those of traditional MBAs. 

With options ranging from electives, to dual degrees, to fully integrated STEM MBAs, here’s a list of the top STEM MBA programs in the US and how much they cost:

Top STEM MBAs In The US

Estimated tuition costs and course lengths apply only to full-time MBA programs.

Anderson School of Management, UCLA 

There are three STEM designated courses on offer at UCLA, catering to graduate students at different stages in their careers. The Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) is a customizable part time program which can be spread across three to five years and is taught both in class and online. Full-time MBA candidates will complete their course in-person within two years, while the more experienced EMBA students will study at weekends over a 22-month period. 

Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

Chicago Booth announced its Full-Time MBA program had received STEM designation in April 2020. Booth prides itself on offering students a flexible course, with 13 different concentrations for students to choose from covering subjects like Behavioural Science, Econometrics and Statistics, and Entrepreneurship

Columbia Business School 

Located within New York City, Columbia Business School aims to provide students with a fast paced, competitive experience to match their surroundings. Both their MBA and EMBA programs have received STEM designation. Students can enrol for intakes in January and August for the MBA, and May and August for the EMBA.

Charlton College of Business, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The Charlton MBA requires 30 credit hours and can be completed part-time or full-time, on-campus or online. Students have the option to concentrate in specific areas, including the STEM-focused business analytics area. Charlton considers itself highly responsive to the changing demands of the global, technology-driven economy.

Foisie Business School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Foisie deliberately designed a program that would equip STEM professionals to take on managerial responsibilities, while still benefitting from the support and networking advantages of a strong course cohort. Options offered include Information Technology, Innovation with User Experience, Operations Analytics and Management and Supply Chain Management.

Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

The Fuqua School of Business prides itself on offering MBAs focused on a candidate’s chosen business area, complemented with individual attention from staff and personalised career support. Their MBA certificate in management science and technology is STEM certified.

Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley

Berkeley Haas was among the first business schools to receive STEM designation in all three of its MBA programs. The redefined “Management Science” programs cover such subjects as the application of statistical modeling, data warehousing, data mining, programming, forecasting, operations research techniques and the analysis of problems of business organization and performance.

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