The 2020 Top Business Schools in Pennsylvania
If you are searching for the top 2020 Business Schools in Pennsylvania, look no further. MetroMBA has provided a list of the best graduate business programs that prospective applicants should consider. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offer diverse industry opportunities for someone attempting to re-locate, researching, or expanding their career opportunities. Additionally, you can utilize the MetroMBA Program Search Tool if you are looking to compare these schools and programs side-by-side. The tool allows you to sort by categories that include tuition and GMAT/GRE requirement.
University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business
The Wharton full-time MBA is one of the most prestigious MBA programs globally, consistently ranking in the top 3 per major publications. The campus is located in Philadelphia, with the opportunity to study for one semester in San Francisco by an application. The program takes roughly 20 months to complete, including a 3.5-month internship, which is recommended by Wharton. Students have the choice of 18 majors, with approximately 40% of students completing their degree with two majors. Upon graduation, students earn a starting salary range between $130,000 to $165,000 per year. In addition, Wharton MBA’s have an average signing bonus of $30,000, making this one of the most lucrative post-MBA compensations for graduates.
All MBA programs at the Wharton School of Business:
Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business
The Tepper School of Business is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They offer three MBA programs including the Full-Time MBA, the Part-Time Hybrid MBA, and the Part-Time Flex MBA. The Tepper Full-Time MBA recently became a STEM-designated program, which provides students the ability to lead at the intersection of business and technology. The full-time MBA at Tepper consistently ranks among the top 20-25 MBA programs according to major publications. Full-Time MBA graduates earn an average starting salary of over $126,000 according to the class of 2019, with 94% of their class securing job offers within three months of graduation.
The Part-Time Hybrid MBA is ranked as a top 5 online MBA program according to U.S. News. Additionally, this program is also STEM-designated, offering students a unique online convenience of learning from anywhere, coupled with in-person experiences. This program focuses on an unmatched emphasis on analytics, leadership development and strategic decision-making, designed to prepare students for a long and successful career as an agile leader in a world driven by innovation and technological advancements.
All MBA programs at the Tepper School of Business:
Full-Time MBA, Part-Time Online Hybrid MBA, Part-Time Flex MBA
The Penn State University – Smeal College of Business
The Penn State Smeal MBA ranks among the top 20 public MBA programs in the nation according to various news outlets including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, and US News & World Report. In addition, the Smeal College of Business also offers an Executive MBA located in the heart of Philadelphia, which only takes 17 months to complete. The Penn State Smeal EMBA is the highest-ranked Philadelphia-area program and one of the top programs in the Mid-Atlantic according to the latest assessment from The Economist. The Full-Time Residential program is located in State College, Pennsylvania also ranking among the best in the world according to the latest assessment from The Economist. Average starting salaries for the class of 2019 received $109,000 in compensation, making the Smeal College of Business a top 6 program for pre-MBA salary increase.
All Programs at the Penn State University – Smeal College of Business:
Full-Time Residential Program, Executive MBA in Philadelphia, Penn State Online MBA
University of Pittsburgh – Katz School of Business
The Katz School of Business is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school is known for providing a strong, wide-based foundation in business fundamentals and empower students to tailor a program that builds on their unique strengths and goals. The Katz School of Business was ranked #1 in “Years to Payback” an MBA Investment among All U.S. Universities according to Forbes Best Business Schools Ranking in 2019. Additionally, they also received the #3 ranking in Corporate Social Responsibility among All U.S. Universities according to the Financial Times MBA Ranking in 2020. The Katz School of Business offers a wide-range of MBA programs including the One-Year MBA, the Two-Year MBA, the Professional MBA, the Jount & Dual Degree MBA and the MBA with Business Analytics.
All MBA Programs at the Katz School of Business:
One-Year MBA, Two-Year MBA, Professional MBA, Joint & Dual Degree MBA, MBA with Business Analytics, Executive MBA
Lehigh University – College of Business and Economics
The Lehigh University College of Business and Economics is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is roughly one hour from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City. This makes Lehigh an ideal destination for prospective students. Lehigh is best known for its online FLEX MBA, which is ranked as a top 20 online MBA according to US News & World Report in 2020. The Flex MBA is ideal for those who want to earn their degree part-time. Both on-campus and online options are available.
All MBA Programs at the Katz School of Business:
Additional Resources
Supply Chains, Rankings Changes, and More – Philly News
We know it’s hard to keep up with the news while you’re enjoying your summer, so we put all the latest Philly MBA news in one place just for you!
How UD MBA Grad Lisa Weaver Saved DuPont $8 Million and Counting — UDaily
Lisa Weaver, an MBA graduate from the Delaware University Lerner College of Business and Economics, was recently named to the Institute for Supply Management’s 30 Under 30 Supply Chain Stars list. As category manager for DuPont’s sourcing and logistics department, Weaver led initiatives resulting in more than $8 million in savings.
In a recent Q&A with her alma mater, Weaver explained how her experiences at UD influenced her career in supply chain management.
“Lerner resources like the Career Services Center allowed me to find the right jobs for me at the time,” she said, adding:
“Additional programs like the Graduate Executive Mentors program allowed me to expand my network and develop a relationship with a mentor. My mentor has challenged my thinking, increased my confidence and provided alternative perspectives. Each of these experiences through Lerner have influenced my career in a different way and provided additional capabilities to be successful.”
You can read more about Weaver’s impact at DuPont and her Lerner experience here.
Faculty Quality, Other Factors Propel Penn State Smeal Executive MBA — Smeal News
The Executive MBA Program at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business was ranked as the 26th overall and 7th among programs from public institutions in The Economist’s 2018 recent list of top global EMBAs.
“What makes the Smeal Executive MBA Program truly unique and led to a successful debut in today’s rankings is our unmatched combination of faculty quality and the unique access our students have to those amazing resources,” said Managing Director Jason Stieg. “The program delivers every course in a face-to-face environment using the same renowned faculty who teach in Smeal’s full-time residential MBA program at University Park.”
Smeal’s EMBA in Philadelphia is one of the top ten public programs in the world, according to The Economist.
The Philadelphia-based Executive MBA takes place over 17 months, and is the highest-ranked Philadelphia-area program. You can learn more about the program here.
Saint Joseph’s Offers Exclusive Healthcare MBA Program for American Osteopathic Association — SJU News
According to a recent press release, Saint Joseph’s Haub School of Business has announced a healthcare-focused Executive MBA program designed exclusively for the American Osteopathic Association’s physician members.
“An executive MBA in health care expands doctors’ knowledge of industry challenges and solutions and allows them to prepare for their next steps—career shifts into administration, consultancy, or running a private practice,” said Joseph A. DiAngelo, dean of the Haub School. “We are proud to equip healthcare leaders with such valuable skills.”
The program offers participants an online, two-year MBA while also simultaneously completing medical education credits. To learn more about the executive MBA in health care program, or to learn how to apply, click here.
Temple Fox Business Dean Moshe Porat Resigns – MetroMBA
Months after Temple University’s Fox School of Business was removed from the U.S. News & World Report rankings earlier this year, Moshe Porat—the long-time dean of the business school—was officially asked to resign while the internal structure of the school goes into rebuild-mode.
No news has been released as of yet of Porat’s replacement, or which methods Fox will offer to change in the future when it comes to school rankings. You can read more about his resignation here.
Philly’s Fastest MBA Programs
You’re education is important—but so is your time. And for those looking to earn an MBA to accelerate their job growth or fast track their careers, the faster you can earn that degree the faster you can get back to earning money and making an impact in your field.
Most business schools offer a variety of MBA programs for students to choose from, allowing everyone from recent graduates to experienced executives the flexibility to choose a program that best fits into their life and schedule. For driven students who just can’t wait to reap the benefits of their MBA, many schools offer accelerated or One Year MBA programs that shortens the traditional length of time it would take to earn an MBA. While the curriculum can be rigorous, the programs give students the chance to quickly earn their degree, both minimizing the amount of money spent on classes and the income lost from not working full time.
In Philadelphia, there are a number of programs that allow you to go from applicant to degree holder in as little as twelve months. And since a 2017 study ranked Philadelphia as one of the five most-improved economic cities in the U.S., you won’t want to miss your chance to reap the benefits of this economic boom with your degree in hand.
The Fastest Philadelphia MBA Programs
Fox School of Business – Temple University
The Temple University Fox School of Business Executive MBA is one of Philadelphia’s quickest and most flexible MBA degrees. The program takes place over the course of 16 months, with classes delivered on one three-day weekend per month. The program is designed for experienced professionals who want to pursue their degree without giving up their career, and is constructed to accommodate a full-time work schedule.
For those looking for a quick MBA without the ten or more years of work experience an EMBA requires, Temple Fox’s Online MBA can be earned in just 20 months. Outside of one week-long residency at the start of the program, the digital aspect of this degree gives students not just time flexibility but also location. After the residency, this program can be pursued from pretty much anywhere!
LaSalle University School of Business
The School of Business at LaSalle University offers a One-Year MBA program for students with undergraduate experience in business. Knowing that important business pre-requisites for the degree are already out of the way, students can jump right in and earn their MBA in as little as 12 months.
The AACSB accredited One-Year program is an intensive degree program that requires students to take a full course load for the fall and spring semester as well as working through a winter intersession and summer semester. Students in this program also have the opportunity to specialize their degrees in the fields of accounting or finance, and will help prepare graduates to take the CPA and CFA exams by the end of the year. Students will also be paired with an academic adviser throughout the year who will help plan for their future careers. And the success of past graduates of the One-Year MBA program seems pretty clear, joining major companies like Deloitte LP, KPMG, PwC, and JP Morgan Chase, among others.
The La Salle One-Year MBA is among the fastest MBAs you can earn in any major East Coast city.
Haub School of Business – Saint Joseph’s University
The MBA at Saint Joseph University’s Haub School of Business can be completed in as little as one year for students who meet certain undergraduate requirements. Students can pursue this degree in a variety of ways, whether on campus or online, and whether full or part-time. Regardless of format, the MBA at Haub gives students the option to choose major for their degree, among high-demand disciplines like marketing, data intelligence, finance, international business and more.
The overall data which shows that those with an MBA earn more and have more career opportunities most certainly rings true for graduates of Haub’s MBA program. Nearly 76 percent of graduates said their SJU MBA helped their career advance, and 73 percent reported a salary increase as a result of their graduation. With the chance to limit the time of an SJU MBA to just 12 months, students can work their way to these benefits even faster.
Lehigh University College of Business and Economics
The 1-MBA at the Lehigh University College of Business and Economics is a full-time, one year MBA program designed for professionals looking to either accelerate their career or looking to change careers and move towards a business-related field. The rigorous program, which is located all on campus, cuts the time it takes to pursue a traditional Lehigh MBA in half.
Unique benefits of the 1-MBA at Lehigh include a team of mentors and coaches assigned to students even before they arrive on campus, including a faculty adviser, industry mentor and career coach who will help guide students through their year-long program. The program is also centered around a consulting practicum, which both trains students in practical skills for consulting and provides hands-on experience in the field. The 1-MBA program also focuses intensely on the professional development of every student in the program, offering personalized coaching and global immersion study opportunities that can help shape and prepare students for future business success.
Drexel MBA Team Earns Second Place, and More – Philly News
Let’s review some of the biggest news coming out of Philadelphia business schools this week.
MBA Students Weather the Storm and Win Second Place — LeBow News
Four first-year Drexel University LeBow College of Business MBA students braved a winter storm in order to compete in the inaugural University at Buffalo MBA Case Competition in Buffalo, New York. The Drexel team ended in second place, winning a $3,000 prize. The competition was hosted by the University at Buffalo School of Management and sponsored by Dun & Bradstreet.
“It was an all-star group, and it was a huge learning experience for us,” said Cory Terzis, who—along with Joseph Dipre, Dhruv Gandhi and Zach Hauck—made up Drexel’s team.
The Drexel LeBow MBA team / photo via lebow.drexel.edu
You can read more about the team’s experience here.
In Memoriam: Erivan K. Haub — HSB News
Erivan K. Haub, the namesake of the Haub School of Business at St. Joseph’s University, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, in Pinedale, Wyoming. St. Joesph’s business school was named after Haub in 1997 following the Haub family’s support for business education at SJU over a three decade period of time.
“There is no doubt that the international business world lost an extraordinarily successful and influential entrepreneur with the passing of Erivan Haub,” said University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D. “More importantly, Saint Joseph’s lost a partner who will forever be remembered for his generosity and friendship.”
You can learn more about the life and accomplishments of Haub here.
Postponed: Women’s Leadership Initiative Launch — UD Daily
In a previous edition of Philly News, we reported that Lerner College at the University of Delaware was hosting the Women’s Leadership Initiative Launch at the Roselle Center for the Arts on National Women’s Day. However, bad winter weather prompted organizers to postpone the event. According to the school, the event will be rescheduled, likely in the fall of 2018.
According to University of Delaware, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, “… is the preeminent driver of learning to propel transformational women leaders and advance gender equity in the workplace.”
The event was set to feature alumni speakers like Terri Kelly, president and CEO of W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc., Mary Ellen Payne, former VP of sales and marketing at Verizon Communications, and several others. There is no word on who will be able to attend the make-up event.
Read more about the Women’s Leadership Initiative Launch here.
Finding Philly’s Best MBA Return on Investment
It’s no secret that Philadelphia’s relatively low cost of living has historically made the Birthplace of America an attractive option for those in search of a big city experience outside the skyrocketing markets of other major East Coast cities.
As people flock from the New York metro region in search of a similar urban adventure at a substantially lower price point, Philadelphia has been controversially dubbed the “6th Borough.” Word to the wise for potential b-school interlopers: never tell any Philadelphian their home has been annexed by New York City.
About 90 minutes by train from New York City, the City of Brotherly Love is no Big Apple, but it’s one-of-a-kind. Sure, tourists and locals alike grip cheesesteaks in one hand while pumping their fists on the steps of the Art Museum a la Rocky, but the city reveals itself to those who have the patience (and wherewithal) to dig into it.
Whether that means embarking on a two-year MBA program or choosing among the accelerated options available, Philadelphia just happens to be home to several top ranked MBA programs in the world. Let’s take a close look at Philly’s programs. Oh, and here’s a napkin for the wiz.
Philadelphia Return on Investment
University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business
Officially the oldest business school in the U.S., The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania boasts well-known alumni billionaire financier Ron Perelman, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner, and John Sculley of Pepsi and Apple. Wharton’s tuition of $136,420 and estimated total budget of $195,085 isn’t to be taken lightly. However, full-time MBA graduates earn an average base salary of $130,000 with an average bonus of $20,500, and a supreme 92.6 percent job acceptance rate. So, while having a somewhat unimpressive salary-to-debt ratio, Wharton’s reputation and alumni network precedes itself.
In fact, the school recently topped the annual Forbes best full-time MBA program list, sporting the best five-year financial gain after graduation. Wharton MBA graduates of the Class of 2012 are making a $225,000 average annual salary—roughly 42 percent higher than recent grads, easily topping the cost/debt ratio of the program.
Saint Joseph’s Haub School of Business
Notable alumni of Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University include CEO of NutriSystems, Inc. Michael J. Hagan, Chairman and founder of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corporation James J. Maguire, and Senior vice president of PNC Bank Denise Viola-Monahan. SJU’s $30,294 tuition set against an average base salary of $65,000 means the school offers a competitive MBA to those who don’t want to break the bank.
Temple’s Fox School of Business
Fox School of Business at Temple University’s notable alumni include Systel CEO Jai Gulati, former COO and president for ConocoPhillips John Carrig, and CEO of Actavis and co-founder of Health Care Compliance Association Brenton L. Saunders. Fox’s tuition sits at $57,048 for residents and $80,484 for nonresidents. With a 97 percent job placement rate compared to $25,623 average debt and a $85,278 average base salary, Fox’s salary-to-debt ratio looks attractive.
Drexel University LeBow College of Business
The LeBow College of Business at Drexel University alumni include President and CEO of Rohm and Haas Raj Gupta, former CEO of Science Applications International Corp. Kenneth C. Dahlberg, and the Phillie Phanatic Tom Burgoyne. Tuition is $59,565, and graduating MBAs carry an average debt of $43,894. With a reported average base salary of $84,080, LeBow’s salary-to-debt ratio is competitive. Considering the comparatively low price point, LeBow emerges as an incredibly attractive ROI.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How Philadelphia MBA Programs Help Lower-Income Applicants
University of Delaware Lerner College of Business
A short 20-minute train ride from Center City Philadelphia and under two hours from New York City, the Lerner College at the University of Delaware has an eye-catching reported average base salary of $90,291. Compared to tuition, which ranges from $33,000 to $55,000, depending on residency, Lerner’s ROI could shine through if figures hold true for most MBA earners from this institution.
Penn State Smeal College of Business
Although its central campus is located in Happy Valley, PA, the Smeal College of Business at Penn State offers an executive MBA program in Philadelphia. The program is priced at a hefty $102,000, but average graduate debt is reported at $36,500, and median salaries ranging from $97,890 to $101,857. With such an impressive salary-to-debt ratio, Smeal is an attractive option for those who prefer easy metro access rather than living in the thick of the action. Notable alumni include Chairman and CEO of Petroleum Products Corp. John Arnold, and Former Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co. William Schreyer.
Finding the Best One Year MBAs in Philadelphia
Most applicants pursuing a one-year MBA generally know which industry or area of concentration they want to pursue. They are MBA candidates who want to advance their current careers, not switch them. Others chose the one year route because it can be difficult to leave two years of work and salary. If you’re a prospective MBA in the Philadelphia metro looking to make moves within your industry, we’ve outlined some of the best one year MBA options available. Continue reading…
