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
How the Penn State MBA Became a Bloomberg Businessweek Favorite
In one of the most remarkable leaps in the history of Bloomberg Businessweek’s annual U.S. business school ranking, the Penn State Smeal College of Business jumped from 37th to 25th in just a single year: the largest leap for any school in the ranking.
How Philadelphia MBA Programs Help Lower-Income Applicants
Compared to Philly’s east coast metropolitan peers, its cost of living is laughably low. Additionally, Philly has all of the advantages of being located smack dab between DC and NYC. Although Wall Street has long since displaced Philly as the American center for banking, much of that infrastructure and tradition remain, which helps Philly maintain its status as a major economic powerhouse in the 21st century.
Since, according to Philly Mag, Philadelphia has one of the fastest growing millennial populations in the country, the city has creativity and energy that permeates every sector. All of these factors make Philly the perfect place to launch a career.
For low-income students looking to pursue an MBA in Philly, we’ve compiled a list of what some of Philly metro’s top schools are doing to help students fund their higher education.
Fox School of Business — Temple University
The Fox School of Business at Temple University has a variety of options for students looking to finance their MBA. In fact, according to the school’s website, 60 percent of first-year Temple students receive need-based aid each year. On average, first year students receiving need-based aid are awarded $15,000 toward tuition. Fox carefully assesses the applications of all incoming students, and the school distributes merit-based scholarships for those who demonstrate particular promise. There are also specific financial perks for Temple alumni coming into the MBA program. These students are not required to pay an application fee and receive a five percent tuition scholarship.
JUST FOR YOU: Fox Temple EMBA Jumps in New Financial Times Ranking
Lehigh University College of Business and Economics
The Lehigh University College of Business and Economics provides a some merit-based scholarships to helps students fund their education. Awards are determined by the Committee on Financial aid. The committee considers an applicant’s undergraduate record, test scores, and work experience. Scholarships include the Dean’s Scholar, which offers extremely promising students a full ride plus a $10,000 living stipend.
Lehigh also has a number of Director’s Scholars, who may receive awards anywhere from $5,00 to full tuition. Lehigh offers many other scholarships in addition to need-based financial aid specific that varies depending on the MBA track.
LeBow College of Business — Drexel University
When considering Philly Metro MBA programs that provide resources for low-income applicants, it would be remiss not to mention Drexel’s LeBow College of Business. At LeBow, an impressive 82 percent of full-time MBAs get aid that amounts to 62 percent of tuition. Additionally, nearly 70 percent of full-time students benefit from grants that covered about one fifth their tuition. Drexel also offers merit-based scholarships. Additionally, the school offers the URM Scholarship, which offers supplemental fiscal gifts to underrepresented minority students.
Smeal College of Business — Penn State University
Penn State’s Smeal College of Business has a large number of MBA alumni-funded scholarships that are awarded based on academic achievement, work history, and how well students fit into the Smeal program. Around 20 percent of incoming students receive $5-10,000 awards. There are fellowships for specific groups of students, including the Powerful Women Paving the Way Fellowship which is awarded to promising women, and the Maimuna Mijindadi Anyone Memorial Fellowship, for students of Nigerian descent.
The Wharton School — University of Pennsylvania
Students who apply to Wharton are automatically considered for fellowships that offer some level of financial support. Students also have the option of applying to any of over 700 external fellowship programs. Wharton students can also apply for private or federal loans.
The Ivy League business school offers a litany of scholarship opportunities for incoming and current students, from the American Association of University Women, to the Instituto Ling Scholarship Program for international applicants, among others.
Additionally, Wharton hosts a positively booming array of fellowship opportunities, including some of MetroMBA’s favorites, like the Forte Fellowships program and the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Fellowship.
For more information on Wharton’s many financial assistance opportunities, click here.
Friday Morning News & Notes: LBS Wins Again, Traffic Tax And The Kelley Online MBA
Good morning and happy Friday!
Here are a few stories you may have missed from the week that was …
What Are The Best Philadelphia Executive MBA Programs?
The intoxicating allure of the Executive MBA promises better pay, enhanced skills and a shortcut on your up to the higher rungs of the corporate ladder. For those looking to make a career on the East coast, what are the best Philadelphia Executive MBA programs to look out for?
Smeal College of Business Announces New Master’s Program Akin to a Mini MBA
Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business has announced a unique new program for aspiring MBAs from non-business undergraduate majors.
The Master of Professional Studies in Management and Organizational Leadership (MMOL) is a 32-credit accelerated program providing the same instruction traditional business school students receive during the first year of the top-ranked Smeal MBA.
