2022 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania

Research the best MBA programs in Pennsylvania by concentrations offered, how the MBA programs are offered (full-time, part-time, online, weekend and evenings), rankings by publication, cost of tuition, number of alumni, GMAT requirements and more.

To meet the diverse needs of Pennsylvania businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 50 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Options for earning your MBA in Pennsylvania have never been more flexible. Pennsylvania MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule. You will find 9 different paths to earn your MBA in Pennsylvania including Online, Campus, Full-Time, 1-Year, Distance Education, Evenings and Weekends, Off Campus, Part-Time and Partnership.

Pennsylvania has 48 Accredited MBA programs. There are 14 private and 13 public schools offering MBA programs.

Research additional school detail on the school summary pages, in the tables and charts below and throughout the site.

MBA Program Comparisons: Pennsylvania vs Online vs U.S.

Rankings for MBA Programs in Pennsylvania

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 48 accredited MBA programs offered in Pennsylvania, 26 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (MBAGuide, PQ, US News, Forbes, BW, FT and Economist) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

Pennsylvania schools have earned a total of 57 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• University of Pennsylvania: 7
• University of Pittsburgh: 7
• Carnegie Mellon University: 7
• The Pennsylvania State University: 7
• Temple University: 6
• Drexel University: 3
• King’s College: 1
• The Pennsylvania State University Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies: 1
• University of Scranton: 1
• Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for Pennsylvania schools:

• MBAGuide: 26
• US News: 6
• Forbes: 5
• BW: 4
• FT: 5
• Economist: 5

Salaries for MBA Graduates in Pennsylvania

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in Pennsylvania is about $91,117, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $56,800 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $146,303 from University of Pennsylvania.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in Pennsylvania is between $56,800 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and $126,250 from Carnegie Mellon University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within Pennsylvania is $89,275.

In-Person

• Average: $91,117 from Pennsylvania's 27 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $56,800 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Highest In-Person:$146,303 from University of Pennsylvania

Online

• Average: $89,275 from Pennsylvania's 18 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $56,800 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Highest Online: $126,250 from Carnegie Mellon University

Tuition for MBA Programs in Pennsylvania

If you plan on attending an MBA program, it's best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in Pennsylvania will cost about $40,834, the least expensive MBA program is $15,480 from Shippensburg University, and the most expensive is $74,500 from University of Pennsylvania.

An Online MBA program from an institution in Pennsylvania will cost you between $15,480 from Shippensburg University and $68,000 from Carnegie Mellon University. The average cost of online MBA programs within Pennsylvania is $36,924.

In-Person

• Average: $41,597 from Pennsylvania's 27 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $15,480 from Shippensburg University
• Highest in-person: $74,500 from University of Pennsylvania

Online

• Average: $36,924 from Pennsylvania's 18 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $15,480 from Shippensburg University
• Highest online: $68,000 from Carnegie Mellon University

GMAT Scores Needed for MBA Programs in Pennsylvania

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in Pennsylvania is 565, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 456 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and the highest GMAT score needed is 730 from University of Pennsylvania.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Pennsylvania is between 456 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania to 687 from Carnegie Mellon University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Pennsylvania is 559.

In-Person

• Average: 565 from Pennsylvania's 27 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 456 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Highest in-person: 730 from University of Pennsylvania

Online

• Average: 559 from Pennsylvania's 18 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 456 from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Highest online: 687 from Carnegie Mellon University

Student Enrollment for Pennsylvania MBA Programs

The importance of networking, whether it's by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Pennsylvania state's MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 15 and 1,740. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 26 and 1,099.

In Person

• Lowest: 15 from Duquesne University
• Highest: 1,740 from University of Pennsylvania
• Average: 197 from Pennsylvania's 48 MBA Programs.
• Average: 186 from 876 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 16 from Kutztown University
• Highest: 378 from Carnegie Mellon University
• Average: 112 from Pennsylvania's 18 MBA Programs.
• Average: 145 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

Percent of Global MBA Student Population

The MBA programs in the United States are coveted around the world and attract a healthy percentage of global students each year. A culturally diverse student population is especially important in an ever-changing global economy. With increasing globalization, a well diversified student body from outside the United States can provide much needed global world-view as well as valuable networking opportunities.

In Pennsylvania the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of 52% to a high of 69%.

For online programs in  Pennsylvania the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of 66% to a high of 69%.

In Person

• Lowest: 52% from University of Pittsburgh
• Highest: 69% from The Pennsylvania State University
• Average: 64% from Pennsylvania's 27 in-person MBA Programs.
• Average: 75% from 590 nation's in-person MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 66% from Carnegie Mellon University
• Highest: 69% from The Pennsylvania State University
• Average: 68% from Pennsylvania's 18 online MBA Programs.
• Average: 76% from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

MBA Concentrations Available from MBA Programs in Pennsylvania

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of Pennsylvania businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 50 MBA concentrations including:

• Finance: 34
• Accounting: 31
• Marketing: 30
• International Business: 26
• General Business: 25
• Information Systems: 24
• Supply Chain: 24
• Management: 24
• Entrepreneurship: 20
• Economics: 19

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• Temple University: 31
• Drexel University: 23
• University of Pennsylvania: 22
• Carnegie Mellon University: 21
• University of Pittsburgh: 21
• Widener University: 19
• Clarion University of Pennsylvania: 18
• The Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg: 18
• Villanova University: 18
• Saint Joseph’s University: 18

 Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA Programs in Pennsylvania

Quality MBA programs invest in the number of professors relative to the students attending the program. Commonly known as the Student Faculty ratio. Generally, the lower the ratio, the better it is for students. MBA students will get the personalized one-on-one attention from faculty mentors that have extensive experience in the industry. The Student/Faculty metric is a matter of personal preference and for those students who excel in lecture hall environments, you may not need the low student/faculty ratio.

In Pennsylvania the student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 27:100 the highest (less desirable) of 4:1. For online MBA programs thee student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 27:100 the highest (less desirable) of 4:1.

In Person

• Lowest: 27:100 from Villanova University
• Highest: 4:1 from Drexel University
• Average: 31:25 from Pennsylvania's 27 MBA Programs.
• Average: 129:50 from 590 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Online

• Lowest: 27:100 from Villanova University
• Highest: 4:1 from Drexel University
• Average: 119:100 from Pennsylvania's 18 MBA Programs.
• Average: 249:100 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.

Full-Time Faculty

Highly competitive MBA schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academics and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective field. Most business professors have experienced success in the corporate world and have written extensively in their chosen field. The number of highly-qualified full-time faculty is directly related to the reputation of most elite MBA programs.

The number of full-time faculty for MBA programs in Pennsylvania ranges from a low of 16 professors to a high or 192.

• Lowest: 16 from The Pennsylvania State University Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies
• Highest: 192 from Temple University
• Average: 64 from Pennsylvania's 48 MBA Programs
• Average: 65 from 324 Online MBA Programs

Percent of Faculty with a PhD

Another high-level perspective to consider when determining the quality of an MBA faculty is to note the number of faculty who have earned a PhD in their respective area of excellence. Note to writer - create a fuller amount of content for this section.

In Pennsylvania MBA programs range from 72.00% of the faculty having a PhD to a 100.00% of the MBA faculty having a PhD.

• Lowest: 72% from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
• Highest: 100% from University of Pennsylvania
• Average: 86% from Pennsylvania's 48 MBA Programs
• Average: 83% from 324 Online MBA Programs

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can't be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

Cities in Pennsylvania with Accredited MBA Programs

Looking for a particular city in Pennsylvania with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in Pennsylvania. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more. The following is a list of cities in Pennsylvania with accredited MBA programs: Bethlehem, Bloomsburg, Chester, Clarion, Erie, Indiana, Kutztown, Lewisburg, Malvern, Middletown, Moon Township, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Shippensburg, University Park, Villanova, West Chester and Wilkes-Barre.

Table of Best Ranked MBA Programs in Pennsylvania