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 syllabus.

Students who graduate from STEM MBA programs are well placed to tap into the opportunities created by the emerging jobs of the future. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025 97 million new roles will emerge that bridge the gap between humans, machine, and algorithms. They'll mostly have a heavy STEM focus. 

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 and 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 MBA Programs In The US

Estimated tuition costs and course lengths apply only to full-time MBA programs, and the prices listed are for international or out-of-state residents. In-state candidates are likely to pay less for some programs. 

Anderson School of Management, UCLA

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There are three STEM designated MBA 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. 

The full-time STEM MBA cost at UCLA is just over $130,000. The program requires candidates to complete their course in-person within two years, while the school's STEM Executive MBA sees students study at weekends over a 22-month period. 

Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business

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The STEM designated MBA degree at W.P. Carey School of Business is a 21-month program that costs just under $100,000 in tuition for international candidates. Out-of-state domestic candidates pay a lower price of $95,000, and state residents pay just under $60,000. 

The STEM designation means that MBA grads are eligible to stay in the US after graduating for up to 36 months under Optional Practical Training. Students also have the option of tailoring their MBA with several concentrations, including Business Analytics, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management. 

Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

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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

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Located within New York City, Columbia Business School aims to provide students with a fast paced, competitive experience to match its surroundings. The school has both a STEM designated MBA and Executive MBA program. Students can enrol for intakes in January and August for the STEM MBA, and May and August for the STEM EMBA.

Charlton College of Business, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

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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 their MBA 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

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Foisie deliberately designed a program that would equip STEM professionals to take on managerial responsibilities, while still benefiting from the support and networking advantages of a strong course cohort. The school's Online MBA curriculum includes STEM-focused modules in Information Technology, Innovation with User Experience, Operations Analytics and Management, and Supply Chain Management.

Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

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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 personalized career support. Its MBA certificate in management science and technology is STEM designated.

Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley

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