Top MBA Programs: An In-Depth Look

Find out how much MBA programs cost, how long they last and what you will learn

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MBA Program Length

The length of MBA and other graduate degree programs vary per school and type of program, but here are some examples of typical program lengths for common degree programs:

Hours in the Classroom

The amount of time you spend in the classroom will depend on the type of program in which you enroll. If you choose a traditional, full-time, 2-year MBA program you may average as little as 2 or 3 hours a day in the classroom. If you choose a more intensive, accelerated MBA program, you may spend as many as 6 hours a day in class. Part-time MBA programs generally require more limited attendance.

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MBA Program Tuition

The size of your business school tuition bill will be determined, in large part, by the relative size and prestige of the program you choose, by whether your school is public or private, in-state or out-of-state. Depending on the school you attend, you could pay as little as $7,000 per year to attend an MBA program—or you could pay as much as $50,000 per year. The cost of an MBA program can easily be offset through grants, scholarships and other types of financial aid.

Core Business School Subjects

According to The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), "Although no two business schools offer the same curriculum, all MBA programs expose students to a common body of knowledge in basic accounting, economics, finance, human resources and organization design, marketing, operations, policy, and quantitative methods and statistics."

These core subjects are generally taught in the first year of a traditional, 2-year MBA program. Other types of programs may require that you be proficient in some or all of these areas upon entrance, and may not cover as many of them, or cover them in as much detail.

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MBA Teaching Methods

MBA programs commonly use a teaching technique known as the "Case Study Method," which means that, instead of being structured around traditional lectures, essays and exams, in most MBA classes students are divided into teams and presented with business scenarios, complete with problems that they must work together to solve.

Internships

Many full-time students of 2-year MBA programs take advantage of the summer between academic years to complete an internship. In some cases, the curriculum requires an internship, which may be a scheduled part of the 2-year program. According to the GMAC, 68% of students enrolled in full-time MBA programs complete internships. (Students in other types of MBA programs don't usually complete internships, given that these programs are designed for working students, or are designed to be completed on an accelerated schedule.) Schools often help place students in internship positions.

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MBA Program Success

You're likely to do well in an MBA program if you're able to:

• Work creatively under deadline
• Articulate your ideas clearly and succinctly—even in high-pressure situations
• Effectively manage your time
• Define what you want to get out of a particular experience—and then maintain your focus on these objectives despite distractions
• Develop good working relationships with team members of diverse personality types and backgrounds
• Maintain a high energy-level while meeting the demands of a rigorous schedule

Working While Attending School

Working while going to school, depends on the type of program you choose. Part-time and executive programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of working students, while accelerated, 1-year MBA programs are likely to demand your full attention. Most traditional, 2-year MBA programs will probably fall between these two extremes; they may allow you enough time to hold a part-time job, but they're not specifically designed to accommodate a working person's schedule, and working while attending business school full time is not generally recommended by schools.

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