With perks such as low tuition costs and the ability to speed up the learning process without compromising the quality of teaching, the demand for one-year MBA programs in the US is rising. Business schools such as Goizueta business school, Johnson Graduate School of Management, and Kellogg School of Management are a few US business schools offering a one-year MBA program.
Here are the top 10 One-Year MBA programs in the US:
- Kellogg School of Management
- Marshall School of Business
- Goizueta Business School
- Johnson Graduate School of Management
- Joseph M.Katz Graduate School of Business
- Mendoza College of Business
- Hough Graduate School of Business
- Cox School of Business
- Graziadio School of Business and Management
- F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business
This article explores the top 10 one-year MBA programs in the USA and helps you decide if a 1-year MBA program is a suitable choice for you.
One-Year MBA program – Who is it for?
The one-year MBA programs target students with more experience and who are not looking for a career shift. It is the right choice if you want to advance within your field.
Why? The one-year format does not offer internship opportunities.
Internships are great for exploring a new role and building up experience. According to Brian Mitchell, associate dean for full-time MBA programs at Goizueta Business school, a summer internship gives students extra time to explore various industries. So, a one-year format is unsuitable for students still figuring out which industry or field to work in.
Thus, a one-year MBA program is a great career accelerator for students who do not need a career direction.
Advantages of a one-year MBA Program
Before we dive into the top one-year MBA program in the US, let us first understand the advantages of 1-year MBA program over a traditional 2-year MBA program:
- Shorter Course length: A One-year MBA programs offer you the same MBA credentials in half the time. The curriculum is similar to the 2-year program, with a standard set of core courses and various electives. For instance, the one-year format at Goizueta Business school includes core economics, marketing, and leadership courses, with around 10 electives to choose from.
- Lower Tuition Fee: Compared to a 2-year program, the tuition fee is lower for a 1-year MBA program. For instance, the total tuition for the accelerated MBA program at Kellogg School of Management is $122,878, whereas, for the traditional 2-year program, it is $161,858.
- Similar/Higher post-MBA salary: Depending upon the candidates’ work experience, one-year MBA graduates tend to get equal or even higher wages than 2-year MBA graduates. For instance, the average post-MBA base salary for full-time MBA graduates (Class of 2021) at Mendoza College of Business is $150,638 for both one-year and two-year MBA graduates.
Apart from the points mentioned above, the opportunity cost of leaving a job is much lower in the case of a one-year MBA program.
Top 10 one-year MBA programs in the US
Did you know globally, 1 in 5 prospective students prefer a one-year full-time MBA format? According to the GMAC Prospective Student survey 2022, approx. 21% of prospective students in the business school pipeline are interested in earning a one-year MBA, which is the second largest format after 2-year MBA (22%).
When it comes to destination majority of the candidates prefer East and Southeast Asia (25%), followed by the USA (23%) and Western Europe (22%) for a one-year MBA program. In fact, only USA and East/SouthEast Asia saw an increase in the percentage of candidates who prefer to study one-year MBA. The percentage of candidates who prefer to study one-year MBA in Western Europe declined by 3.9%:
| Full-time one-year MBA | 2019 | 2021 | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 18% | 23% | 5% |
| Western Europe | 25% | 22% | -3.9% |
| Canada | 24% | 21% | -2.8% |
| Central & South Asia | 30% | 13% | -17.8% |
| East & Southeast Asia | 20% | 25% | 5% |
So, we can say only the US and East/SouthEast Asia saw an increase in the percentage of candidates who want to pursue a one-year MBA program.
Here are the top one-year MBA programs with their latest MBA class stats, such as GMAT score, Tuition cost, and Average base salary:
| One-Year MBA Programs | Average GMAT Score | Tuition | Average Base Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katz Graduate School of Business | 625 | $ 79,500 | $ 99,177 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 727 | $ 1,08,016 | $ 1,45,000 |
| Marshall School of Business | 630 | $ 1,21,728 | $ 1,22,634 |
| Goizueta Business School | 625 | $ 1,50,300 | $ 1,29,529 |
| Johnson Graduate School of Management | 720 | $ 1,18,758 | $ 1,38,900 |
| Mendoza College of Business | 635 | $ 85,400 | $ 1,50,638 |
| Hough Graduate School of Business | 687 | $ 60,261 | $ 1,06,900 |
| Cox School of Business | 683 | $ 61,614 | $ 1,14,000 |
| Graziadio School of Business and Management | 625 | $ 27,315 (per term) | $ 76,000 |
| F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business | 640 | $ 89,550 | $ 1,47,595 |
In detail, let us look into the US’s top five 1-year MBA programs.
Kellogg School of Management
The one-year MBA program at Kellogg starts in June. The curriculum helps you get accustomed to the rigorous academic pace of MBA studies and complete three to five courses. The summer quarter begins with required classes in Organization and Strategy & Management. Supplementary courses like Accounting and Finance are also offered. In September, the one-year MBA students join the second-year full-time program class and complete the electives.
Here are a few key stats about Kellogg’s full-time MBA Class 2021:
- Class size: 145
- Mean GMAT score: 727
- %of female students: 41%
- % of international students: 31%
The tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is $ 1,08,016. The average base salary of a full-time MBA student is $145,000, with an average signing bonus of $30,000.
Application Deadlines
The one-year Kellogg MBA application deadlines are:
| Kellogg MBA Application Round | Application Deadline | Decision Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 14, 2022 | December 14, 2022 |
| Round 2 | January 10, 2023 | March 28, 2023 |
| Round 3 | April 5, 2023 | May 10, 2023 |
Marshall School of Business
The 12-month program (IBEAR MBA) at USC’s Campus in Los Angeles is designed for mid-career professionals seeking global leadership positions. As an IBEAR MBA student, you will have the opportunity to pursue a STEM track. The students have the opportunity to leverage USC’s Trojan alumni network, and the curriculum includes a 10-day International Experiential Learning Program trip. The experiential learning program offers a deep understanding of business practices, conditions, and opportunities.
Here is what a typical IBEAR MBA class looks like:
- Class size: 55
- Mean GMAT score: 630
- Number of countries represented: 12-15
- Average work experience: 12
The tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is $ 1,21,728, and the total cost, including tuition, program, IELP, and the mandatory fee, is $132,351. The average base salary of a full-time MBA student is $1,22,634.
Application Deadlines
Marshall’s IBEAR MBA program has started accepting applications for summer 2023, beginning on August 1. Here are the application deadlines:
| Marshall MBA Application rounds | Application Deadline | Decision Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 17, 2022 | December 19, 2022 |
| Round 2 | January 3, 2023 | February 27, 2023 |
| Round 3 | February 27, 2023 | April 10, 2023 |
| Round 4 | March 27, 2023 | May 8, 2023 |
| Round 5 | Rolling Round | Rolling Round |
Goizueta Business School
The Goizueta One-Year MBA program curriculum is a mix of theory and practical. You’ll learn theory and immediately act on it by working with real-world clients to solve real business problems. The program starts with an immersive summer semester that sets the tone for your entire MBA experience.
From the beginning, you’ll work in small groups on leadership exercises, team building, and outdoor challenges. By the end of the summer, you’ll be finished with your core curriculum and ready to spend the following two terms honing your skills in the classes that interest you most. The program also offers a STEM-designated Business Analysis track to extend your OPT.
Here is the average MBA class profile for 2021:
- Class size: 33
- Mean GMAT score: 625
- %of female students: 39%
- % of international students: 3%
The tuition fee is $105,300. The average base salary of a one-year MBA student is $129,529.
Application Deadlines
Here is the latest MBA Application deadline for Goizueta Business School:
| Goizueta MBA Application Rounds | Application Deadline | Notification | Deposit Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 5, 2022 | December 7, 2022 | January 25, 2023 |
| Round 2 | January 9, 2023 | March 15, 2023 | March 29, 2023 |
| Round 3 | March 8, 2023 | April 5, 2023 | April 19, 2023 |
Johnson Graduate School of Management
Cornell’s one-year MBA program is for professionals preparing for leadership roles or who want to take minimum time away from work and accelerate their careers. The program starts in May and combines core and customized electives. The core courses offer you foundational knowledge needed for leadership, post which experiential learning opportunities are offered. Here is the average MBA class profile for 2022:
- Class size: 59
- Median GMAT score: 720
- Median GPA: 3.51
- Average work experience: 6 years
- %of female students: 25%
- % of international students: 71%
The tuition fee is $118,758. The average base salary for a one-year MBA student is $ 1,38,900.
Application Deadlines
Here are the latest MBA Application deadlines for Johnson College of Business:
| Johnson MBA Application Rounds | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | November 10, 2022 |
| Round 2 | May 1, 2023 |
| Round 3 | July 3, 2023 |
Joseph M.Katz Graduate School of Business
The Accelerated MBA program at Katz Graduate School of Business is highly focused and enables you to complete your MBA degree within 12 months. The course offers a broad foundation of business knowledge and empowers you to customize a program that builds on your unique strengths, professional goals, and life experiences. The business school also provides individualized coaching, mentoring, and 1-on-1 support.
Here are a few key stats about Katz’s one-year MBA Class 2021:
- Class size: 57
- Average GMAT score: 625
- Average GPA: 3.36
- %of female students: 34%
- % of international students: 44%
The tuition fee for the 2021 – 2022 academic year is $79,500. The average salary of a full-time MBA student is $99,177, with an average signing bonus of $22,572.
Application Deadlines
The one-year Katz MBA application deadlines for the fall intake are:
| Katz MBA Application Rounds | Application Deadline | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 1 | December 15 |
| Round 2 | December 1 | February 15 |
| Round 3 – Deadline for international applicants and scholarship | April 1 | May 15 |
| Round 4 | TBD | TBD |
Top One-Year MBA Program in the US – FAQs
Yes. A shorter duration translates to lower opportunity costs, less tuition fee investment, and living expenses. A one-year MBA program lets you revive your career momentum in one year instead of two years.
Yes. Many US business schools offer one-year MBA programs, such as Kellogg School of Management, Tepper Business School, and Johnson Graduate school of Management.
Yes. Business schools like Kellogg and Cornell Johnson offer STEM-designated tracks.
