Which is the Best Country for MBA? : Top Destinations, Costs & Career

More and more Indian students are now going abroad for an MBA to build their careers and gain global exposure. This guide will help you compare the best country for MBA, like the USA, the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, and others. We will also see tuition fees, living costs, admission needs, scholarships, work visas, job returns, rankings, and PR options further.

What Are The Top Countries for MBA Studies?

Here is the list of top countries for MBA, which will cover top universities, cost, salary, scholarships, and many more.

1. United States

• Best Universities: Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton (UPenn), MIT Sloan, and Columbia Business School are the best universities for MBA studies.
• Cost of Tuition and Living: Tuition fees for an MBA in the USA range from $70,000 to $90,000; and living costs go around $20,000 to $25,000 annually.
• Salary Expectation: Approximate salary after MBA in the USA ranges from $120,000 to $150,000 per annum. 
• Job Prospects: Good job opportunities in finance, consulting, and technology. Under the OPT (Optional Practical Training) regulation, the candidates can gain occupational work experience ranging from 1 year to 3 years post-graduation.
• Application Requirements: GMAT/GRE, TOEFL/IELTS, 2-5 years of work experience, essays, recommendations, and interviews.
• Best Cities: Boston, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco are the best cities in the USA for studying an MBA.
• Scholarships: Fulbright-Nehru, Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, university merit-based aid.

2. United Kingdom (UK)

• Best Universities: London Business School, Oxford (Said), Cambridge (Judge), and Imperial College Business School are the best universities for an MBA in the UK.
• Cost of Tuition and Living: Tuition fees in UK for MBA ranges from £45,000 to £65,000; and living costs range from £12,000 to £18,000.
• Salary Expectation: Average starting salary after MBA in the UK ranges from £50,000 to £75,000 a year. 

There are numerous opportunities available depending upon the specialisations –

Job Role	Avg. Salary
Finance Manager	£48,000
Strategy Manager	£57,996
Marketing	£42,784
Senior Manager	£72,998

Reference is taken from the Indeed Website.

• Job Prospects: Increasing prospects in finance, consulting, and tech in London; The Post Study Work visa allows 2 years. 
• Application Requirements: GMAT/GRE, IELTS/TOEFL, work experience (preferably 3+ years).
• Best Cities: London, Cambridge, Oxford, and Manchester are the best cities in the UK for MBA studies.
• Scholarships: Chevening, GREAT Scholarships, LBS Funded Scholarships.

3. Canada

• Best Universities: Rotman (Toronto), Ivey (Western), Schulich (York), Desautels (McGill), Sauder (UBC) are the best universities in Canada for MBA.
• Tuition & Living Cost: Tuition fees in Canada for an MBA range from CAD 27000 to 56000, and living costs range from CAD 22500 annually.
• Salary Expectation: MBA Graduates in Canada have opportunities depending on their specialisations in various fields such as operations, supply chain, finance, marketing, or sales. Average annual salary is CAD 80,000 PER YEAR.
• Work Opportunities: Students can apply for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), supported by strong immigration pathways.
• Application Requirements: GMAT/GRE, IELTS/TOEFL, with 2-5 years of working experience.
• Best Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are the best cities for studying an MBA in Canada.
• Scholarships: Ontario Graduate Scholarships, Rotman Entrance Awards, Canadian Commonwealth Scholarships.

Salary Reference: https://ca.indeed.com/career/salaries?from=gnav-compui

4. Germany

• Best Universities: Mannheim Business School, ESMT Berlin, and Frankfurt School of Finance are the top universities in Germany for an MBA.
• Tuition & Living Cost: Lower cost for MBA in Germany as compared to other countries is approx €14,000-€30,000 per year , and living cost may range between €12,000 a year.
• Salary Expectation: A yearly salary after an MBA in Germany ranges between €70,000-€100,000 at Manager Level.
• Work Opportunities: Germany offer strong career in manufacturing, automotive, and finance with an 18-month job search visa is available. 
• Application Requirements: GMAT, English/German proficiency, bachelor’s + work experience.
• Best Cities: Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Mannheim are the best cities in Germany for MBA.
• Scholarships: DAAD Scholarships, ESMT Berlin scholarships.

5. Australia

• Best Universities: Melbourne Business School, UNSW, Monash Business School, and UQ Business School are the best universities in Australia for an MBA.
• Costs of Education and Living: Living expenses as per DHA are AUD 29710 per year, while the average tuition cost per year range approx: AUD 40000 TO AUD 84000.
• Salary Expectations: You can expect a salary range in Australia after an MBA between AUD 102000-120,000/year.
• Opportunities to Work: A post-study work visa allows for up to 4 years’ stay and a strong demand in consulting and finance.
• Documents Required for Application: GMAT or GRE, IELTS or TOEFL, having experience of two to five years. 
• Cities with Maximum Opportunities: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are the popular cities in Australia for an MBA studies. 
• Scholarships: Australia Awards and scholarships from Melbourne Business School.

6. Singapore

• Notable Universities: INSEAD (Asia Campus), NUS Business School, and NTU (Nanyang) are the top universities in Singapore for MBA studies. 
• Tuition & Living Expense:  Average yearly tuition fees for an MBA in Singapore range between SGD 45,000-99,000; & average annual living costs may range between SGD 12,000-18,000.
• Salary Expectation: After an MBA in Singapore, one can expect an approximate salary of SGD 79000 per year. 
• Job Opportunities: Singapore is a leading hub for finance and a tech offering excellent placement opportunities after an MBA. 
• Admission Requirements: GMAT/GRE, TOEFL/IELTS or professional experience. 
• Best Cities: Singapore (city-state). 
• Scholarships: INSEAD Syngenta Endowed Scholarships, NUS merit scholarships. 

7. France

• Top Universities: INSEAD, HEC Paris, ESSEC, and ESCP are the notable universities in France for MBA.
• Tuition & Living Cost: Tuition costs range between €50,000 to €10000 & living expenses range between €10,000 to €15,000 per annum in France for MBA. 
• Salary Expectations: You can expect an average salary of €73,000 per year after an MBA in France.
• Job Opportunities: France has a strong presence in luxury, consulting, and finance sectors, with 2-year post-study work permit available for graduates.
• Application Requirements: GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS, essays, and interviews. 
• Best Cities: Paris and Fontainebleau are the best cities in France for MBA.
• Scholarships: Eiffel Excellence Scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and HEC. 

8. Netherlands.

• The most awaited universities are the Rotterdam School of Management, Maastricht University, and TIAS Business School in the Netherlands for MBA. 
• Tuition & Living Cost: Tuition costs for an MBA in the Netherlands range between EUR 20000 TO EUR 67000 per year & Living costs may range around € 1000 – € 1500 per month. 
• Salary Expectation: After an MBA in the Netherlands, you can earn a salary of 68000 to 100000 euros every year. 
• Work Opportunities: The Netherlands, being a strong international business hub, offers graduates a one-year job search visa. 
• Application Requirements: GMAT, IELTS/TOEFL, and working experience. 
• The Best Cities: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Maastricht are the best cities in Netherlands for MBA.
• Scholarships: Orange Tulip Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus.

9. Switzerland

• Top Universities: IMD Lausanne, University of St. Gallen, and Geneva Business School are the famous universities for MBA in Switzerland. 
• Tuition & Living Cost: Average tuition fees are 45000 Swiss Francs per year in Switzerland for MBA & Living expenses may range about 2000 Swiss Francs per month.
• Salary Expectation: MBA graduates in Switzerland earn between 100,000 to 150,000 Swiss Francs/year, among the highest in the world. 
• Work Opportunities: Switzerland offers strong opportunities in banking, consulting, and pharma, it is a competitive but rewarding job market. 
• Application Requirements: GMAT, English proficiency, preference should be given to the heavy experience. 
• Best Cities: Lausanne, Zurich, Geneva are the best cities in Switzerland for an MBA.
• Scholarships: IMD MBA Scholarships, Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

10. New Zealand

• Top Universities: The University of Auckland Business School, Victoria University of Wellington, and Otago Business School are the best universities in New Zealand for an MBA. 
• Tuition & Living Expense: The average tuition cost for an MBA in New Zealand is  NZD 45,000-65,000 per year & living expenses as per visa rule are NZD 20000 per year
• Salary Expectations: MBA graduates in New Zealand earn between NZD 62,000 and 90,000 per year..
• Work Opportunities: New Zealand offers up to a 3-year post-study work visa, with strong opportunities in consulting, IT, and management. 

What Are The Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing a Country for an MBA?

• Choosing a country based solely on the ranking of the universities without considering the ROI.
• Ignoring visa and PR policies.
• Not paying attention to the cultural fit and language barriers.
• Beneath the living expenses threshold.

How does Education Street help you choose the best MBA country? 

Education Street helps Indian students find the best MBA country based on their career goals, financial plans, and style of living. The company’s experts help prepare for exams, select schools, and employ a proper strategy for application and scholarships, even as they assist with visa guidance and education loans-all institutional conduits designed to maximize returns from investments made.

Frequently Asked Questions about the best countries for MBA

• What is the best country for an MBA for Indian students?

The USA and the UK are still in the first place. But Canada is popular among students for its affordability and PR options. While Germany and Australia also rank high.

• What is the average cost for an MBA in the USA?

On average, it costs around $90,000-$120,000 for the whole program excluding living costs.

• How to apply for an MBA abroad?

To apply for an MBA abroad, you need to shortlist universities, take GMAT/GRE and IELTS/TOEFL, prepare essays and recommendations, submit your online application, and get ready for interviews.

• Which exam is required for the MBA foreign course?

For an MBA abroad, you are generally required to take the GMAT or GRE, along with IELTS or TOEFL for English proficiency. 

• Which country has the best job opportunities after an MBA? 

The highest MBA salaries are reported in the USA, Canada, and Switzerland, while Germany and Australia stand out for strong job security and favorable immigration policies. 

• Which country has the highest salary after completing an MBA? 

Switzerland has the highest MBA salaries, followed by the USA. 

• Do scholarships exist for an MBA abroad? 

Indeed, most countries and universities offer need-based and merit-based scholarships to students. 

• Is an education loan available for an MBA abroad? 

Yes, Indian banks and NBFCs give up to 100% funding for the top schools. 

• How many years of work experience are required for an MBA abroad? 

Usually requires 2–5 years of work experience; however, some universities accept fresh graduates. 

• Is there a specific time when I can apply for an MBA in a foreign country? 

Most of the time, the application starts 10-12 months before the actual intake. 

• Am I allowed to work while studying for an MBA abroad? 

Yes, most countries allow part-time work for up to 15–20 hours per week. 

 

Author Name: Ankita Thakker

Designation: Founder & CEO of  Education Street