2025 Best MBA Programs in Strategic Management

100 Best MBAs in Strategic Management

Find a list of campus and online MBA programs in Strategic Management in the the United States. In-person, campus Strategic Management MBA programs account for 157 programs while online offerings account for 78 programs. Find Strategic Management MBA programs offered and sorted from lowest to highest tuition.

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What is an MBA in Strategic Management?

An MBA in Strategic Management delivers the education and practice a manager needs to think analytically, critically, and strategically, for the purpose of successfully steering a company to their goals while navigating industry challenges and changes. This includes analyzing competition, technology, trends, laws, ethics, economics, and organizational stratagems, and using that analysis to make informed decisions in business planning and tactics. The skill sets gained in this concentration are applicable across a wide variety of industries worldwide. Corporate strategy is a core element of any business, and thus an important role.

What is the Career Outlook for Strategic Management MBAs?

Job growth for strategic management is expected to grow more quickly than the average across professions, between 6% and 12% over the next decade. High early-career earning potential and the likelihood of high-value consultancy positions increase competition among applicants for these very appealing occupations.

Many strategic managers will oversee an individual facet or segment of a company, while those with special skills, expertise, or certifications may find careers in top-level management. Careers in strategic management are prevalent in manufacturing, information technology, and finance, but can be found in every industry.

How Much Do Strategic Management MBAs Earn?

Competition for positions in strategic management may be stiffer than other MBA concentrations, as the compensation is quite good.

The mean annual salary for an MBA graduate with a concentration in strategic management is $130,000. (Source: Pace University Career Services Annual Reports) In 2016, general managers earned between $44,290 and $208,000, while CEO’s earned between $69,780 and $208,000. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Where Do Strategic Management MBAs Work?

Strategic management MBAs may choose careers focused in any number of areas, including corporate design and management, leadership, or organizational structure, to name just a few.

Successful graduates may find career placement in commercial fields, civic offices, educational or government institutions, non-profits, and international conglomerates.

Top executives in these fields have a relevant bachelor’s and master’s degree, and often will pursue a doctorate as well.

What is the Career Outlook for Strategic Managers with an MBA?

There are a variety of management roles available to MBAs with a concentration in strategic management.

• Administrative services managers coordinate support tasks and planning at an administrative level. This may include facility supervision and maintenance, document management, and clerical activities.
• Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers work with multiple relevant areas within an organization to produce and execute strategies to target markets, drive sales, and retain customers.
• Human resources managers work with company management and executives to define roles, recruit talent, execute interviews, hiring, and training of new employees, oversee evaluations, manage benefits, and participate in compensation assessment.
• Industrial production managers coordinate and fine-tune operations and efficiencies in manufacturing plants. They manage employees, manufacturing lines, and machinery in companies that produce products ranging from packaged foods and electronics, to clothing and heavy equipment.
• Health services managers coordinate services in healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals, and may require a degree in public health or health administration.
• Postsecondary education administrators manage varied areas of educational institutions. They may oversee faculty, admissions, academic curricula, or student affairs or services.
• Sales managers set and meet company sales goals by monitoring data and by training and leading sales associates accordingly.

What Skills Do Strategic Manager MBAs Need?

Sector	Description
Communication skills	Top executives must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively. They must effectively discuss issues and negotiate with others, direct subordinates, and explain their policies and decisions to those within and outside the organization.
Decision-making skills	Top executives need decision-making skills when setting policies and managing an organization. They must assess different options and choose the best course of action, often daily.
Leadership skills	Top executives must be able to lead an organization successfully by setting a good example, and coordinating policies, people, and resources.
Learning skills	Effective, successful executives must continually seek out new learning opportunities, whether it is industry-specific or generalized business theory. Sharpening their acumen is a career-long necessity.
Management skills	Top executives must shape and direct the operations of an organization. For example, they must manage business plans, employees, and budgets.
Problem-solving skills	Top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization. They must be able to recognize shortcomings and effectively carry out solutions.
Time-management skills	Top executives do many tasks at the same time, typically under their own direction, to ensure that their work gets done and that they meet their goals. They must balance delegating work and managing critical parts themselves.

Typical Classes for Strategic Management MBA Programs?

• Corporate Diplomacy: Focuses on the long-term success of an organization through the deep understanding and management of stakeholder relationships and communications. Developing a purposeful culture of trust, promoting continual improvement, and navigating hazards and prospects are critical aspects of company longevity.
• Executive Leadership: Teaches tools for improving executive performance, both internally and externally. Leadership requires principle and authenticity, and the ability to impart those virtues in all aspects of business and personal life. Learn practical, innovative ways to build these core values and skills.
• Leading Diversity in an Organization: Traversing diversity, in a multitude of settings, is an important skill for success in the modern business environment. Understanding issues stemming from discrimination, building relationships, and leveraging creativity are all important parts of a successful organization.
• Managing Emerging Enterprise: New businesses face different challenges than existing corporations. The competitive analysis, action, strategies, and development of a new business or industry requires different approaches and thought processes. From structure and culture to management and analysis, learn how to plan for success in a nascent endeavor.
• Managing Established Enterprise: The management of large, established enterprises creates a range of multi-facet challenges for the general manager. A general manager needs to understand the internal workings of a firm, how to assess and create a strategy, and how to take into account increasing, globalization. While these issues are distinct, they are very much intertwined. As a result, this course will provide you with an integrated view of these challenges and show you that effective of an established enterprise requires a combination of insights drawn from economics, sociology, psychology and political economy.
• Technology Strategy: The course is designed to meet the needs of future managers, entrepreneurs, consultants and investors who must analyze and develop business strategies in technology-based industries. The emphasis is on learning conceptual models and frameworks to help navigate the complexity and dynamism in such industries. This is not a course in new product development or in using information technology to improve business processes and offerings. We will take a perspective of both established and emerging firms competing through technological innovations, and study the key strategic drivers of value creation and appropriation in the context of business ecosystems.

On-Campus vs. Online Strategic Management MBA Programs?

The changing expectations of both the non-traditional and new-generation incoming students are altering modern education. As information technology and the use of social media become standard parts of conducting business, what universities teach and how they offer classes has expanded. Combining flexible options of on-campus and online classes is the new norm.

Personalizing an education to a student’s learning style, preferences, and budget is more attainable than ever. This flexibility has brought a rise in the number of MBA graduates in recent years, with 3 million online students.

• The pros of online learning include lower overhead cost, which include online textbooks, dormitory expenses, and commuting cost. There is great convenience and flexibility in choosing your own times for learning, and the benefit of learning in the comfort of your own home.
• The cons of online learning include limited social interaction, computer and software issues, the cost of high-speed Internet, and often requires the student be self-motivated and disciplined to progress through the program.
• The pros of campus-based learning include face-to-face and in-person interaction with instructors and fellow students, regularly scheduled class hours, and use of the school’s library, athletic facilities, and laboratories.
• The cons of campus-based learning include the requirement to travel to classes, lack of time flexibility, and housing costs.
• One of the benefits to online learning as it relates to tuition cost is that a number of schools offer free textbooks online and include these texts in the price of tuition.

How Much is Tuition for MBA Strategic Management Programs?

The tuition costs for an MBA in strategic management averages N/A in-state, N/A out-of-state, and N/A for online in-state study. Tuition does not include other expenses like living costs. There’s about a $14,000 difference in tuition between out-of-state versus in-state, which is something to consider. The benefits of an online program are limited living costs and reduced or eliminated textbook costs for some courses. With a possible starting salary for strategic managers of around $80,000 per year, students must consider their potential income compared to the amount of student debt they are willing to carry. With the highest MBA in strategic management tuition reaching N/A and the lowest at N/A, an exceptional, motivated student may be able to pay off tuition loans rapidly.

The average full-time Tuition for MBA programs in Strategic Management is N/A with a highest of N/A and the lowest of N/A

The average in-state tuition for campus MBA program in Strategic Management is N/A compared to the average out-of-state tuition of N/A. The average in-state tuition for an online MBA in Strategic Management is N/A compared to an average out-of-state online tuition of N/A.

With a tuition cost ranging between N/A and N/A, it may be worthwhile to attend a highly reputable online or in-state program instead of electing to go out-of-state. This may be the difference in a $90K in tuition due to your residency status. You don’t need an MBA degree to know the importance of fiscal responsibility.

You may want to opt for a more affordable degree programs instead of taking out student loans for B-School tuition. A savvy student also realizes that attending an online MBA program can significantly reduce textbook, transportation and living costs.

Reports for most affordable campus MBA programs and most affordable online MBA programs.

What is the Starting Salary for Strategic Management MBAs?

Though it’s not the only factor, compensation is an important consideration for individuals considering obtaining an MBA degree. Salaries for graduates with master’s degrees in business administration can be significantly higher than those of graduates with only a bachelor’s degree. In addition, advance salary projections from the US Department of Labor show that average MBA salaries are expected to increase by 13.5% each year through the year 2028 with an annual need of 99,000 new managers needed each year.

Average starting salary for MBA students from universities that offer an MBA in Strategic Management today is N/A with the lowest of starting of N/A and the highest reported starting salary of N/A.

Reports for campus MBA graduate starting salary and online MBA graduate starting salary.

Best ROI for MBA Programs

The average ROI full-time for MBA programs in Strategic Management is 141% with a highest of 548% and the lowest of 30%.

Return on investment (ROI) is an essential factor when considering which MBA program(s) to apply to. To calculate ROI, consider both the tuition for the MBA program and the average salary a graduate earns. The average tuition cost for an MBA degree in Strategic Management is approximately N/A, while the average starting salary for MBA graduates is around N/A. To calculate ROI, you need to subtract the tuition from the salary and divide by the tuition cost. This will give you a rough estimate of how much value you will get out of the MBA Strategic Management.

The average ROI for all MBA programs in the United States is 146%. The average ROI for Strategic Management programs is 141%.

Reports for campus MBA ROI and online MBA ROI.

GMAT Scores for MBA Strategic Management Programs?

The average on-campus GMAT score for an MBA in strategic management is 571 compared to the average online GMAT score of 561.08. It’s important to note that not all schools require a GMAT, but most competitive institutions want to measure their applicants’ analytical skills prior to rendering a decision. There are other factors outside of a GMAT score that go into business school admission decisions, including an Undergraduate GPA, Personal Statement, Professional Experience, etc. However, a solid GMAT score certainly helps gain acceptance into top-tiered programs.

It’s important to note that not all MBA programs require a GMAT Score for admissions, but most reputable programs do. With that being said, if you have your eye on a list of competitive programs, it’s best to boost your GMAT Score accordingly. Outside of a solid GMAT Score, B-School admissions departments look at a candidate’s undergraduate GPA, professional experience, letters of recommendation, CV, and personal statement. A strong undergraduate performance may offset a sub-part GMAT Score.

For campus MBA programs in Strategic Management, the lowest GMAT score required from an in-person program is 265 and the highest is 737 with an average GMAT score to be accepted in a campus-based Strategic Management MBA program being 571.

For Strategic Management MBA programs offered online, the lowest GMAT score required by a university is 265 and the highest is 718 with an average GMAT score to be accepted in an online Strategic Management MBA program is 561.

Below you will find a list of the 10 highest and 10 lowest average GMAT scores needed for a campus based program offering an Strategic Management MBA concentration.

Reports for campus MBA GMAT scores and online MBA GMAT scores.

Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA Strategic Management Programs?

The best on-campus faculty-to-student ratio (not specific to any concentration) is 3.00, with the worst being 31.00. That’s quite a difference, but may not be relevant to all students. Students who thrive in a traditional lecture-hall classroom may not need one-on-one faculty attention, whereas other students require lots of personal mentoring and prefer to avoid big classes. Similarly, online learning might not evidence the number of students enrolled in a class, but professors may not be as accessible as in on-campus classes. Know your learning style and choose a program where you can be successful.

A low Student/Faculty ratio for any MBA may have more of an impact on students wanting smaller classrooms and greater networking opportunities with professors and fellow classmates. For students who thrive in lecture hall environments and do not require the individual attention/one-on-one mentorship from a B-Schools faculty, then a high Student/Faculty ratio may not be an issue.

Of all the Strategic Management MBA programs offered in-person and on campus, the lowest Student Faculty ratio is 3:1 compared to the highest of 31:1 while the average Student Faculty ratio for all in-person campus program offering an Strategic Management MBA is 15:1.

For Strategic Management MBA programs offered online, the lowest Student Faculty Ratio is 4:1 and the highest is 31:1 with an average Student Faculty ratio from MBA programs offering an MBA in Strategic Management online is 16:1.

Below you will find a list of the 10 highest and 10 lowest student faculty ratios from campus based programs offering an Strategic Management MBA concentration.

Reports for campus MBA Student / Faculty Ratio and online MBA Student / Faculty Ratio.

Student Population from the United States?

The importance of the student population all comes down to a matter of learning style and preference. Students who perform better in more intimate classrooms will appreciate an on-campus population of a mere 7 students. Those who appreciate the diversity of a larger student body to interact with on campus may prefer a population of 3,933. There are advantages to both. A smaller group allows for closer relationships and more access to the faculty. A larger group provides more networking and study-group opportunities. Again, it’s all a matter of taste and choosing where you will perform the best.

Student Population from the United States

The MBA with the smallest percentage of students from the U.S. is 51.33% compared to the largest with 96.68%.

A program with a balance of local, national, and international students provides a broader educational experience. Through the group participation assignments in graduate-level classes, students gain a wider perspective and appreciation for worldviews different from their own. These are also networking prospects that may lend themselves to employment opportunities around the world. International students may bring viewpoints about global competition that enrich the curriculum.

Business is a global affair, so a business school with a healthy mix of student nationalities is a benefit to your degree-earning experience.

Faculty Information for MBA Strategic Management Programs

Strategic management professors are not just classroom-dwellers. Many work as business consultants, both imparting their knowledge and keeping abreast of industry trends through their work.

The average number of on-campus full-time MBA faculty is 78 compared to an average of 6,536 professors in part-time programs. Often, part-time professors are working business professionals who opt to also teach in their field. These faculty have valuable day-to-day business experiences to impart in the classroom, so don’t let part-time faculty deter you.