If you want to attend a US business school, an MBA in Atlanta has plenty to offer
From a thriving movie industry to fintech breakthroughs, Atlanta, Georgia has some great opportunities for ambitious professionals, making it a popular study destination.
In fact, the US as a whole remains the number one study destination for today’s MBA applicants, with 52% of them listing the US as the place they want to study most.
To find out more about what Atlanta has to offer its business school students, read on, as we list five reasons to choose Atlanta, Georgia for your MBA.
1. It has a flourishing movie industry
In 2019, the US movie industry was worth over $11 billion, and Atlanta is one of its creative epicenters. In fact, movie and TV production in Georgia in 2018 brought in an impressive $9.5 billion.
Attracted by friendly tax regulations, diverse filming locations, and plenty of talent, a growing number of filmmakers are choosing Georgia over California when it comes to shooting scenes.
This atmosphere has attracted everything from blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War to Netflix hit Stranger Things.
As well as spotting the odd celebrity, MBA students in Atlanta can take advantage of career opportunities created by the industry when they graduate. MBAs are well prepared for roles ranging from publicist to studio executive.
At the local Goizueta Business School at Emory University, MBAs can prepare for a career in the entertainment industry by taking courses in the Media and Entertainment concentration while they study.
Goizueta ranks among the best business schools in the US, and the school's MBA was the highest ranked in Georgia by the Financial Times in 2020.
With scores of production companies nearby—including Pinewood Atlanta and Greenway Entertainment Group—there are also plenty of internship opportunities for MBA students.
2. It’s a FinTech hub
Since 2018, 70% of all financial transactions went through companies headed in Atlanta, earning it the unofficial nickname of ‘Transaction Alley’.
Atlanta has become a fintech hub in recent years, thanks to companies like WorldPay, First Data, and Global Payments choosing to head up their operations in the city.
The Georgia Center of Innovation for Information Technology has also given fintech a boost, coordinating with local schools to provide fintech companies with the resources they need to thrive.
Since digital payments are set to reach $4 trillion in 2020, Atlanta’s fintech scene offers some exciting opportunities for business school grads in the fields of finance, strategy, marketing, and tech consulting.
In fact, finance is the third most popular industry for Goizueta’s grads. Goizueta alumni Zach Perret and William Hokey were able to found financial services startup, Plaid, after graduating.
In 2020, Plaid was acquired by Visa for $3.5 billion—twice its final private valuation.
Additionally, around 27% of each MBA cohort at Goizueta choose to hone their skills further with an internship in the finance sector.
3. There are opportunities In Healthcare
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a famous Atlanta landmark, and this healthcare hub offers plenty of opportunities for local students.
Business schools like Goizueta work with the CDC on research in healthcare strategy, and encourage students to explore the industry with events like the Goizueta Futuring Competition.
During this event, teams of students work together to present a scenario for what the healthcare landscape could look like in 2040.
At Goizueta, MBA students with a flair for healthcare can study the healthcare consulting concentration. The school also offers a joint MBA and Master of Public Health (MPA) degree, which can open doors in the industry.
The CDC regularly employs MBA graduates, with roles ranging from public health advisory to managing public affairs or a specific health program.
4. It has a rich and varied culture
Atlanta is a vibrant hub for arts and culture. As a local, you can explore the Museum of High Art, take in a play at the Alliance Theatre, or go to see the Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
You’ll also find festivals, firework displays, and sporting events from Major League Baseball to NFL games.
As the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr, Atlanta has an equally rich history of progressive thinking, making the city an open and friendly place to study.
Atlanta houses the Center for Civil and Human Rights, which has been committed to civil and human rights education since its doors opened in 2014.
The Center’s first president and CEO, Dough Shipman, is an Emory alumni, and ties between the two institutions remain strong. In 2019, students from Emory took part in a conference at the Center to develop strategies to secure people’s right to vote.
5. It's a highly liveable city
Undertaking an MBA is a huge investment—both financially and in terms of time. Along with fees, living costs can quickly add up, so choosing an affordable area can ease the strain.
According to data from the Expatistan Cost of Living Index, Atlanta beats out several popular college towns like New York City, Washington, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago when it comes to affordability.
Atlanta is also one of the most accessible cities in the US, home to Hartsfield-Jackson International, the busiest airport in the world. Because of this travel hotspot, 80% of the US population live within two hours of Atlanta.
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Emory University Goizueta Business School
