1 year MBA in USA is a quicker alternative to the conventional 2 year MBA program. In USA, Cornell University, University of Southern California, University of Florida and numerous other top universities are offering the 1 year MBA program. The top universities and business schools in USA offer 1 year MBA as a combination of a STEM-designation path, and accelerated curriculum.

Students generally need a GPA of 3.0/4 (83-86%) or higher for admission to the 1 year MBA program. The GMAT score of the admitted students ranges above 550 and reaches up to 740. The US business schools expect the applicant to have a professional experience between 2 to 6 years. The cost of pursuing 1 year MBA in USA is comparatively lesser than the full-time MBA in USA. For Indian students, the average tuition cost for 1 year MBA ranges around 80,000 USD (65.28 lakhs INR).

Need financial assistance to cover the overall cost? Check: MBA Scholarships in USA

The primary admission round of 1 year MBA in USA commonly begins in September or October. The final round of admission for international students are arranged between January to early April. International students are advised to apply at the earliest to increase their chance of securing admission.
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Intakes in USA

1 Year MBA in USA ROI

Why Study 1 Year MBA in USA?

If you are confused about whether to study the 12 months accelerated MBA program, here are some factors to consider before applying for admission:

  • Do you have enough knowledge about the curriculum in the accelerated program? The 1 year MBA is an accelared program designed for students coming from undergraduate background in business and possesses a basic idea about the course curriculum. 
  • Do you want to avail similar post-graduate job opportunities like a 2 year MBA program? 1 year MBA graduates can secure equivalent jobs to 2 year MBA graduates with demonstration of academic excellence. 
  • Do you have a clear idea about your professional aspirations and desired industry? If you are keen to learn in details about business administration with previous experience in related field, then 1 year MBA is a perfect program for you. But if you belong to a different academic background like Engineering, Architecture, Arts or others, it might be a little troublesome to comprehend the program.
  • Do you intend to make an industry or career change in the near future? Students who are currently employed across various sectors and planning to make a change in career can pursue the 1 year MBA program.
  • Will your previous professional experiences supersede the lack of internship opportunity in the 1 year MBA program? In USA, professional experience are highly regarded for admission as well as recruitment. Students with a professional experience that can replace the need for internships in CV can choose to avoid the 1 year MBA program. Students who needs a proof of internship for their CV should choose other MBA programs in USA. 

Know More: MBA admissions in USA

Top Universities for 1 Year MBA in USA

Indian students constitute a good number of the MBA classes in USA. Some of the top institutes offering a 1 year MBA in USA and their admission details are as follows:

University Tuition Fees (USD) Program Application Deadline
Cornell University Summer: 42,068 Tech MBA January 5, 2023
Fall/Spring: 76,690
University of Florida 62,807.52 Weekend Professional One-Year MBA June 1, 2023
University of Southern California 132,351 IBEAR MBA (International) Round 3: February 27, 2023
University of Pittsburgh 79,500 Accelerated MBA February 1, 2023
Northwestern University 108,016 One-Year MBA Round 3: April 5, 2023
University of Notre Dame 85,400 One-Year MBA Round 2: January 10, 2023 (Closed)
Emory University 108,653 Goizueta One-Year MBA Round 3: March 8, 2023
Babson College 89,550 One-Year MBA March 14, 2023 | April 20, 2023
Tennessee State University 13,281 MBA Accelerated Fall: April 1, 2023 | Spring: September 1, 2023 | Summer: February 1, 2023
Bryant University 45,600 (1,140 per credit for 40 credits) One-Year MBA -
Hult International Business School Boston and SF campus: 85,000 | London campus: 64,000 | Dubai campus: 295,000 AED Global One-Year MBA Round 3: February 16, 2023 | Round 4: April 20, 2023 | Round 5: June 8, 2023 | Round 6: July 27, 2023  | Round 7: September 7, 2023
Florida International University 47,000 Full-time International MBA June 1, 2023

How to get into 1 Year MBA in USA?

One year MBA is a desired program attracting both college graduates and working professionals. The steps of applying to 1 year MBA in USA are as follows:

  • Step 1: Choose the program and related specialization you want to pursue
  • Step 2: Check the top universities in USA offering your desired program
  • Step 3: Check eligibility, upcoming deadlines and supporting documents required
  • Step 4: Complete the application form and submit the application fees (if applicable) to your desired college(s)
  • Step 5: Submit all the required documents through mail, email or any other means specified by the institute
  • Step 6: Wait for the admission decision and if selected, follow the further instructions from the university or college.

1 Year MBA in USA Admission Requirements

The eligibility criteria for a one year MBA in USA is quite similar to the 2-year degree. Following is a list of the common admission requirements for admission to the program:

  • Completed application form
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (79-86%) or above
  • Academic transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose (500-600 words)
  • Personal essay
  • CV
  • Proof of fund availability
  • Academic and professional LOR(s)
  • Proof of professional experience (2 to 5 years minimum)
  • Competitive GRE or GMAT score (GMAT range: 550-740)
  • Competitive TOEFL score or equivalent (Average TOEFL Score: 100)

Class Profile for 1 year MBA in USA

The specific admission requirements for 1 year MBA in various schools, colleges or universities in USA are tabulated below:

University/College Median GPA Average GMAT Score Average Work Experience TOEFL iBT Score
SC Johnson Graduate School of Management 3.51/4 (89-90%) 720 6 Years 100
Kellogg School of Management 3.7/4 (90-92%) 727 2 Years 100
Hult International Business School No minimum GPA, 3.15/4 (86-87%) 550-630 3 Years of relevant experience 80+
Mendoza College of Business 3.3/4 (87-89%) 540-710 (middle 80%) 5 years 100
Marshall Business School 3.6/4 (89-90%) 716 5 years 103
Goizueta Business School No bar 640-740 2 years 100
Katz Graduate School of Business 3.0/4 (83-86%) 600 Professional experience can provide GMAT or GRE waiver 80

One Year MBA in USA Placements

The 1 year MBA in USA has similar job opportunities like the traditional MBA program. According to the reports of SC Johnson College of Business, 97% graduates of the class of 2021 received job offers within 6 months of graduation.

The base salary of the 1 year MBA graduates at Cornell is 138,900 USD (1.1 Crore INR) per annum. These graduates have also secured a signing bonus of 23,868 USD (18.97 lakhs INR). Following are some of the top employers recruiting these graduates.

One Year MBA in USA Top Employers

Also Check: MBA Jobs in USA

1 Year MBA vs 2 Years MBA in USA

A one year MBA in USA provides excellent career exposure to the students across the globe. The program is specifically designed for candidates engaged with business education or profession. A quick comparison of the 1 year MBA with the 2 year MBA in USA is given below:

1 Year MBA 2 Year MBA
20-30% more affordable than 2 year MBA across universities Standard cost is higher than 1 year MBA
Accelerated career development Longer time span
Best suited for experienced professionals from business background Good for experienced students or students opting for a career change from a different stream
Growing acceptance among employers, considered equal to 2 year graduates by top US universities Traditionally popular program, graduates from USA are welcome across the globe
Less or no networking opportunity Networking opportunities with seniors and juniors, hands on training and internship opportunities
Higher academic and work experience standards than 2 year full time MBA Standard academic and professional experience requirements

Explore:

The admission and degree requirements for the 1 year MBA in USA is almost identical to the 2 year MBA courses. Most business schools in the US offer admission to the program in multiple rounds. The 1 year MBA program is best suited for students with undergraduate experience in Business grounds planning to accelerate their career journey. If you want to bypass the traditional 2 year MBA program, you can check the other affordable MBA programs in USA.

FAQs

Ques. Is a 1 year MBA in USA worth it?

Ans. The work opportunities for 1 year MBA graduates are gradually increasing with lucrative salary offers from top employers. The top universities in USA often consider the 1 year MBA program equally with the 2 or 3 year programs. The accelerated MBA program allows the least opportunity for internships, networking, and hands-on training. If you belong to a different academic stream and are considering MBA for a career change, then accelerated MBA might not be the best option for you. The 1 year MBA program is designed for students from business backgrounds to accelerate their education.

Ques. Which MBA is best in USA?

Ans. The US universities offer several types and combinations of MBA like full-time MBA, part-time MBA, accelerated MBA, MBA joint degree, executive MBA in USA and others. The MBA programs in USA are subjective to the students’ career goals. The 1 year MBA is an accelerated program designed for boosting the graduate education of the business students.

Ques. Is a 1 year MBA in USA better than a 2 year MBA?

Ans. A 2 year MBA is suitable for students seeking extensive knowledge about business and management. If you are planning to pursue an MBA as a change in career, the 2 year MBA is suitable for you. On the contrary, the 1 year accelerated program is perfect for students with both academic and professional experience in business. The 1 year program helps students to accelerate their career mission.

Ques. Can I pursue 1 year MBA in Harvard or Stanford?

Ans. No. Both Harvard University and Stanford University offers a 2 year MBA program. Instead, students can pursue a 1 year Master of Science in Management program.

Ques. What specialization is best for 1 year MBA in USA?

Ans. MBA in Data Analytics, MBA in Entrepreneurship, MBA in Risk Management are some of the top 1 year MBA programs in USA. Besides, MBA in Finance, MBA in Strategy, MBA in International Business are some of the in demand MBA programs in USA.

Ques. Where do 1 Year MBA graduates in the USA work?

Ans. 1 year MBA graduates in USA work across Accenture, Google, Amazon, EY, Micron Technology, Tesla and several other leading companies. Know More: MBA Jobs in USA