Earning an MBA is a great way to not only propel your career, but to get a better understanding of the way companies and industries work. Not only can an MBA help to give you exposure to higher education, but it will give you the critical thinking skills required to solve the most complex problems and challenges companies are faced with every day. There are several great MBA programs in Pennsylvania that give students the option to accelerate their career to brand new heights.
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What is An MBA?
An MBA is a Masters in Business Administration and is a higher level education degree. An MBA is commonly paired with a specific concentration, or additional Masters degree, giving students a well rounded business education coupled with a targeted curriculum in a field that directly relates to their career. An MBA examines the ways businesses operate internally, as well as with one another on a global scale. A Master in Business Administration covers several business related topics including Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Business Analytics, and Strategy. Every company uses these elements to run a successful business, so students who go on to earn an MBA are in high demand.
What Are The Benefits?
Earning an MBA will challenge students to develop their critical thinking skills in order to find real time solutions to every day problems companies face. An MBA will give students the skills needed to apply critical thinking to a practical and applicable job. For this reason, many of the analytical and problem solving skills can be translated to other areas of life and industry. An MBA is a great way to get exposure to the inner workings of companies, markets, and industries around the world. Many students who earn an MBA report having a better understanding of the strategy behind a business operation. An MBA teaches leadership and management skills, and graduates are often sought after to fill higher paying management positions at companies around the world.
What is the Outlook And Salary?
The outlook for an MBA graduate is incredibly positive. Because of the skills learned through an MBA program, many graduates are fast tracked to leadership and management positions and careers. Every company or business relies heavily on business strategy and analytics, so MBA graduates are in high demand for any company. Many MBA graduates find themselves working in Management, Supply Chain, Project Management, or Marketing. Because there is such a wide range of career paths for MBA graduates salaries vary wildly. On average, an MBA graduate can expect to make about $20,000 more per year with an MBA. Across the board, the average MBA graduate makes $115,000 per year.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania (27 Points) | Indiana, Pennsylvania |
| 2 | Slippery Rock University (25 Points) | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania |
| 3 | York College of Pennsylvania (24 Points) | York, Pennsylvania |
| 4 | Seton Hill University (22 Points) | Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
| 5 | California University of Pennsylvania (21 Points) | California, Pennsylvania |
The Best MBA Programs in PA
When searching for the best MBA programs in PA it can be overwhelming. There are so many qualified and prestigious schools in the state knowing where to start can be quite the challenge. Luckily, we have put together a list of the best MBA programs in PA, highlighting the top 15 schools. We understand you have a lot on your mind when choosing a school for your higher education degree, so we put together a comprehensive list, ranking the top MBA programs in PA.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (27 Points)
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers a 30 credit course curriculum for students wishing to pursue an MBA degree. This program offers a flexible schedule allowing for both full-time students to meet in person, as well as an optional online program that combines 50% online course work and 50% in person meetings. The online program makes this a great option for students who continue to work while pursuing an MBA.
Students have the option to choose from several concentrations and elective courses in addition to their regular course work. Electives and concentrations include courses in Finance, Marketing, International Business, or Supply Chain Management.
School Overview
Slippery Rock University (25 Points)
The MBA program offered at Slippery Rock University gives students multiple options when pursuing their MBA. Students have the choice of completing credits in person, on campus, or can opt into a 100% online MBA format.
The general course of study for students is a 30 credit program that can be completed in just one year. There is also the option for a 36 credit MBA program that gives students the opportunity to concentrate in an area of study which includes Accounting/Finance or Management/Marketing concentrations.
School Overview
York College of Pennsylvania (24 Points)
York College of Pennsylvania offers a comprehensive and condensed MBA program that appeals to students across the country. This school offers small class sizes, a relatively small program, and affordable tuition which makes it a popular option for students who wish to pursue their MBA. This School’s curriculum focuses on applying lessons to real world situations. Passionate faculty guide critical thinking that transforms students into business leaders.
The program is broken into a 30 credit degree option. Degrees are composed of core courses and elective courses. A remote attendance option is available for live classes.
*If an applicant does not meet this criteria, they will request other information, such as a GMAT score. They do not require a GMAT score at the time of application.
School Overview
Seton Hill University (22 Points)
Seton Hill is located in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, and offers a comprehensive MBA program for students. This program is incredibly flexible, allowing students to complete their courses entirely online, fully in person, or a mix of the two. This is a great option for students who want to continue working full time while still earning their MBA.
Aside from the basic core courses, students will have a range of elective courses made available to them to allow them to better focus their concentration on interests that pertain to their chosen career. Course electives include Strategic Management, Global Management, and Project Management courses.
School Overview
California University of Pennsylvania (21 Points)
The MBA program at the California University of Pennsylvania allows students to get a real life application and understanding of the way the business world works. Course curriculums are centered on real life decision making and leadership skills, so that graduates may excel in future careers.
Students have a range of concentrations they can select from when pursuing an MBA at California University of Pennsylvania. Students can choose from Economics, Marketing, Health Care Management, and Business Analytics. It is possible to either attend in-person classes, or enroll in a 100% online version of the program which takes 24 months to complete.
School Overview
Drexel University (19 Points)
Drexel LeBow College of Business is recognized as one of the top MBA degree programs in Philadelphia. Our highly customizable Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree program offers accelerated full-time, part-time and online delivery options, including a part-time MBA at our satellite campus in Malvern, Pa. We also offer a module-based Executive MBA program.
Drexel LeBow’s MBA fosters professional development and advancement by enhancing the leadership, problem solving and project management skills needed to succeed in any industry. Our AACSB-accredited plan of study will prepare you to take your career to the next level through comprehensive business education that explores a wide range of disciplines including finance, marketing, and business analytics.
School Overview
University of Pittsburgh (18 Points)
MBA options at Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business include full-time, part-time, executive programs, doctor of business administration, and more. Students have the option for a one-year, 18-month, or online MBA, as well as a joint degree combining an MBA with another Master’s degree option. Specialization options include accounting, business analytics, finance, marketing, organizational leadership, strategy, technology management, operations and supply chain. Katz is accredited by AACSB and ranked among the top business schools for online programs and salary percent increases for graduates.
School Overview
Pennsylvania State University (16 Points)
The internationally ranked Penn State Smeal MBA Program is a two-year, residential program located in one of the top-rated college towns in the United States: State College, Pennsylvania.
Globally ranked No. 4 in overall faculty quality by The Economist in 2021, the program consists of a small, community-based cohort of only 60 students per year. This intimate academic environment not only provides personalized attention from faculty and program staff, but also experiential project and team-based learning opportunities, and a week-long global immersion experience.
School Overview
Robert Morris University (16 Points)
Robert Morris University offers a complete, yet small campus located in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. The MBA program offers a global focus, allowing students to appreciate the theory and practice of solving real time business challenges in innovative and thought provoking ways.
Students have the opportunity to take courses online, or with in-person classes on campus. There are several different concentrations for students to focus on including Project Management, Supply Chain, and Business Analytics.
School Overview
Lehigh University (14 Points)
The MBA program offered at Lehigh University offers flexible scheduling, making it ideal for the working professional. This degree aims to teach students about basic business theory, but also set professional students up for key leadership roles in their careers.
The program is versatile, offering several different elective courses and concentrations for students to focus their studies. Students have the opportunity to take courses in Finance, International Business, Marketing, Project Management and Supply Chain Management.
School Overview
Carnegie Mellon University (10 Points)
The Tepper School at the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh offers a technology based MBA. This STEM based program sets students up for success in businesses related to technology, science, and engineering. This is an extremely competitive program that is sought after by students across the country.
Students are faced with many MBA options including a full-time in-person option, a part-time online option, or a flex time option which combines in-person and online learning. There are many different concentrations for students to focus on including Strategic Analysis and Leadership Development.
School Overview
Villanova University (9 Points)
Villanova University offers students wishing to pursue an MBA several different options. Students may fast track their education opting for a degree in as little as 24 months. Another option is flex track, offering part-time studies in both an on-campus and remote setting.
Villanova University is unique in the fact that it lets students opt into a dual Masters program. Students can be awarded a JD/MBA degree where students can obtain an additional law degree. This can give students a competitive edge when entering the career marketplace.
School Overview
Temple University (9 Points)
Temple University offers several MBA paths for perspective students to follow. Students may elect for a full-time or part-time MBA program, allowing full-time working students to complete their degree. Further, students may opt for an in-person education, an online education, or a flexible combination of the two.
The university focuses on giving students an exposure to global corporations. Students will understand how to apply innovative thinking to solve real life problems experienced in business every day. Further, students will understand strategy, theory, and practical working skills which can be applied in their future careers.
School Overview
Duquesne University (8 Points)
This private, yet powerful school in Pittsburgh offers quite an MBA program. Duquesne University has a comprehensive MBA program that is ideal for students with varying interests. It is possible to pair an MBA with another degree, or pair it with a coordinating and compatible concentration.
Further, the MBA program from Duquesne University offers an on-campus option, or a completely online option for students. This makes courses flexible allowing plenty of time for full-time working students.
School Overview
University of Pennsylvania (2 Points)
The MBA program offered from the University of Pennsylvania is an incredibly sought after degree, focusing on progressing students’ careers with a better understanding of business diversity throughout the world. Students focus on approaching real business challenges in innovative, and collaborative ways.
Students have the option to pursue a business degree in conjunction with concentrations in several other fields. Students may focus on directly related business activities, such as Finance, Accounting, and Marketing, or may choose to pair an MBA with degrees from other schools including the School of Veterinary Medicine or the School of Design. Overall the program focuses on the ability to gain a global perspective of businesses and the theory of business strategy.
School Overview
Methodology
We have used a ranking point system in order to create our list of the top MBA programs in PA. To create this list we used two different scoring metrics in order to rank the schools’ performance. The first metric was the cost of tuition per credit. If the school listed a yearly tuition price, this amount was divided in half, assuming the school operates with two semesters. The tuition was then further divided by 12 credits, to get a per credit price. In all cases, out-of-state tuition costs were used. Schools that had a lower cost per credit received a more favorable ranking.
The second metric that was used to calculate our top MBA programs in PA was the enrollment size of the particular MBA program. Smaller schools with a lower enrollment rate were given a more favorite ranking. The assumption is that a smaller enrollment would give students a more personalized experience, and thus a better education. The two ranking points are totaled together, giving an overall ranking. Schools with the highest number of points are ranked more favorably.
We understand that choosing the top MBA programs in PA is difficult, so we try to help you make an informed and educated decision. If your school has been listed as part of our top MBA programs in PA we would love to hear your feedback. Please let us know if our information is out of date so that we can update it in our list. We always want to be sure we are giving perspective students the most accurate and up to date information available.
