Top 10 US Cities for Indian MBA Applicants
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The United States remains the world’s most popular study destination for business school candidates.
If you’re looking to apply to an MBA program in the United States, it’s useful to know where other applicants have applied. Choosing where in the US to study has wide-ranging consequences—you could be living in a city for at least two years or longer if you get a visa and land a graduate job.
While an MBA can give you access to jobs across the US and internationally, your business school will have the closest links to employers in the city where it’s located. That’s where you’ll do your networking and connect with local recruiters.
We analyzed GMAT™ exam score sending data to find out which American cities are the most popular among MBA applicants from India.
Here’s the top 10 countdown:
10. Ann Arbor, MI
Located just outside Detroit, Ann Arbor attracts MBA applicants to its major business school, Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. The university is the city’s largest employer, but graduates also find roles in IT, biomedicine, and healthcare in the city.
There are a number of major companies with operations in Ann Arbor, which adds to the city’s attractiveness. Pfizer has a large research facility in the city and it’s also home to an office for Google’s AdWords service.
9. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Along with Raleigh and Durham, Chapel Hill is part of the so-called Research Triangle in North Carolina, where world-class universities and technology firms come together to offer an attractive place to study at business school.
North Carolina State University, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill all offer MBA programs.
8. New Haven, CT
New Haven in Connecticut is perhaps best known as the home of Yale School of Management. It’s not only prestigious MBA programs that brings applicants to New Haven though—the city has a flourishing technology scene, especially in biotech.
New Haven is known for its startup community and has been designated an ‘Innovation Place’, receiving additional support and funding for entrepreneurs.
7. Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania has made a name for itself as a haven for technology companies and startups. Popular sectors in the city include robotics, financial services, energy, and advanced manufacturing, and major companies such as Amazon and Facebook have offices in the city.
From Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University to the University of Pittsburgh, there are a few options in the city for your MBA program. No matter which you choose, you’ll have access to a diverse jobs market, especially if you’re looking to explore innovative roles in tech.
6. Los Angeles, CA
The City of Angels isn’t only a prime destination for Hollywood actors, but also the business leaders of the future. LA’s top industries include entertainment, aerospace, bioscience, and fashion.
There are plenty of MBA programs to choose from in the city, meaning you’re sure to find a school that matches your aspirations. From the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California to UCLA Anderson School of Management, an MBA in Los Angeles will catapult your career in California.
5. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia offers a lower cost of living to other cities, alongside a similarly diverse economy. Whether you’re looking to explore careers in financial services, technology, or bioscience, you’ll find an opportunity in Philadelphia.
This city is home to The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious business schools in the United States.
4. New York, NY
The cultural capital of the United States, New York is synonymous with Wall Street and financial services, but you can also explore opportunities in professional services and manufacturing after an MBA in the city.
A global city and home to many multinational companies, New York is ranked the top city in the US for economic output.
There are a wealth of MBA programs in the city, offered by business schools including Columbia Business School, NYU Stern School of Business, and Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.
3. Chicago, IL
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers Chicago’s best-known MBA program, but the city itself has its merits. Chicago ranks third in the US in terms of economic output and is the home of five major financial exchanges, as well as companies like Boeing, State Farm, and Mondelez International.
With a strong, diversified economy, in Chicago, Illinois you can gain a business degree and explore opportunities in a wide variety of industries including financial services, manufacturing, and insurance.
2. San Francisco, CA
An MBA in San Francisco takes you to the heart of the technology industry, so it’s no surprise that Indian applicants are flocking to the city. If you’re interested in exploring opportunities in fintech, health-tech, or working for top tech firms like Amazon or Google, then San Francisco’s proximity to Silicon Valley is an attractive proposition.
The most famous business school in the San Francisco area is Stanford Graduate School of Business, while other popular business schools in the city include the University of San Francisco School of Management giving you various reasons to pursue an MBA in San Francisco.
1. Boston, MA
Boston, Massachusetts, is the home of Harvard Business School, but there’s more to Boston than Harvard alone.
Between 2016 and 2017, the number of jobs in the city increased by 2.2 percent, outpacing the rest of the US. Major industries in the greater Boston area include healthcare, technical services, and finance, so there’s plenty of career opportunities for you to explore after their MBA.
Boston is also home to many of the top employers of MBAs. The best-known companies with headquarters in Boston include General Electric, Fidelity Investments, and the Boston Consulting Group.
Find your best fit international program
With so many great US cities to consider (not to mention European options as well), how will you decide where to apply for your international MBA?
Our free guide, Finding Your Best Fit Full-Time MBA Program, gives you the expert tips and guidance you need to confidently narrow your options and identify the programs that make the most sense for your needs, preferences, and career goals. Get exclusive, insider advice on:
- The key questions you need to ask yourself to ensure optimal preference-to-fit alignment
- The best tools to use to understand what your options are
- How to build out your program list and what mix of programs should be on it
- Best practices for connecting with schools and getting your questions answered
- Developing specific, tailored responses to “why this program?”
