Top MBA Programs

The value of an MBA degree is directly related to the prestige of the university and business school which grants it. A recent study of the value of MBA programs concluded that if an MBA applicant does not get into a leading business school, the economic value of the degree is limited.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, and continues to rule. With the breadth of its core, majors, and electives, a student can take a multidisciplinary approach or concentrate on a single area. Core courses cover conventional management subjects such as accounting, finance, marketing operations, statistics, and strategy, in addition to leadership, ethics, and communication skills required at senior management levels.

At Harvard Business School, the general management focus offers students holistic exposure to business disciplines, empowering them with resourceful skills. Opportunities abound for students to explore courses in entrepreneurship and social enterprise, in addition to field-based learning. The classroom experience is centered on the case method, which brings the realities, divergences, challenges, and predicaments of real business issues to each student.

The Stanford MBA program is built on a foundation of basic management skills. The first-year core curriculum provides a knowledge base that is intrinsic to understanding managed organizations, the functional interrelationships within them, and the external markets in which they operate. During the second year, applicants have the flexibility to tailor their electives to meet their professional goals.

The University of Chicago offers ample resources but few prescriptions. The curriculum is intense and meticulous, and demands independent thinking. Students choose their degree option: MBA, International MBA, dual or joint-degrees. They may choose from 13 areas of concentration to emphasize one or more specific disciplines.

At Columbia Business School, there are a variety of initiatives, including dual degree programs, courses offered by other schools within the University, international exchange programs and internship opportunities in the United States and abroad. The curriculum comprises a set of required core courses, additional electives and optional graduate-level classes.

In conclusion, it is advisable to enroll in a leading business school, as leading schools do a better job of equipping students with a keen understanding of the social, environmental, and economic viewpoints required for success in a global economy.