10 Of The Best US Business Schools For International Students

As part of a large-scale trend within academia, US business schools have increasingly begun to prioritize diversity. Diversity, of course, can take many forms; many schools have sought to assemble miniature United Nations from incoming classes.

There are many factors that have inspired MBA programs to go out of their way to cultivate international classrooms, if only because they more accurately reflect the experiences MBA students will have once they enter their chosen field. By and large, international students currently make up 5% of the 20 million college students in the US, according to the Washington Post, and account for more than $35 billion in revenue within higher education.

Percentage of International Students at Top-Tier Schools

The student bodies at top-tier business schools feature significant percentages of international candidates: 32% at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, 35% at Harvard Business School and as high as 40% at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, according to usnews.com. In some mid-tier programs, that percentage surpasses 50%.

For international students to make the right choice requires they look beyond rankings or percentage of international recruits. For instance, does the school’s reputation carry worldwide? Does it have a global scope? Will the program serve cross-cultural needs and provide support with the logistical challenges of studying abroad?

Perhaps most importantly, will the program foster connections with multinational organizations after graduation? Does the pay compare or exceed that of an international student's US peers?

Post-Graduation Comparisons

Notably, among the top 50 schools, 30 see their US graduates earn an average salary that is higher than their international peers. At University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, US graduates on average earn $18,000 more than their international counterparts. At the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, the disparity can be as high as $30,000.

On the flipside, there are certain US schools where international students come out ahead. Of the top 50 ranked schools, 19 schools show international graduates earning more than their US. counterparts. That discrepancy ranges from comparatively minor — $99 at NYU stern—to major—more than $20,000 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business.

Here's 10 of the best US business schools for international students:

1. Joseph M Katz Graduate School of Business at University of Pittsburgh

31% international students representing 11 countries
88% of MBAs hired after graduation
Average international base salary: $95,917
Average US base salary: $75,636
Ranked number three in 'International Course Experience Among US Public Institutions' by the Financial Times