MBA in UK or MBA in USA: Which is Better?

It can be quite a dilemma to choose between an MBA in UK or MBA in USA. Both countries are globally renowned for their education, have a rich global culture, and are gateways to several career opportunities. By reading this detailed article, students will be able to make a more informed decision about which MBA destination is right for them.

MBA in UK or MBA in USA: Key Differences

We have provided a detailed comparison of MBA in UK or MBA in USA in the table below. Various points of difference like eligibility, costs, ROI, etc, have been taken into consideration. 

Basis of Difference	MBA in the UK	MBA in the USA
World Ranking	As per QS Global MBA rankings 2022, UK’s London Business School ranks #6 in the world.	QS Global MBA rankings 2022 reveal that six of the US business schools rank among the top 10 universities for MBA globally.
Top Universities	Top MBA universities in UK are London Business School, Judge Business School (University of Cambridge), Saïd Business School (University of Oxford), Warwick Business School (University of Warwick), Imperial College Business School (Imperial College London)	Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford University), Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania), Sloan School of Management (MIT), Harvard Business School (Harvard University), Columbia Business School (Columbia University)
Eligibility	A 3-4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute with 2.75 to 3.6 GPA, 2-4 years of work experience	A 3-4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute with 2.75 to 3.6 GPA, 3-6 years of work experience
Duration	12-21 months (generally 12 months/one year)	2-3 years
Tuition Fees	£10,000 to £15,000 per annum	$70,000 to $75,000 per annum
Admission Requirements	GMAT: 680-700, GRE: 160 (quantitative) and 160 (verbal), TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores	GMAT: 650-730, GRE: 165 (quantitative) and 170 (verbal), TOEFL/IELTS
Curriculum	The program is based on classical curriculum with higher emphasis on theory than practical experience. Students can choose from an array of specializations.	Students can gain hands-on practical experience. A variety of subjects are offered. Moreover, the program provides scope for research and collaboration. Guest lectures and seminars are also conducted.
Cost of Living	£10,000 to £15,000 annually	$2,500 to $5,000 annually
Scholarships	Mostly awarded by universities based on merit/financial need/ethnicity. Some of the prominent UK scholarships include: The London Business School Fund Scholarship, Cambridge Judge Business School Scholarship, Oxford Saïd Business School Scholarships, etc.	Comparatively better in terms of availability of scholarships. Popular US MBA scholarships include Fullbright Foreign Student Program, Harvard University Scholarships, Wharton’s Emerging Economy Fellowships, etc.
Work-Study Opportunities	Relatively fewer on-campus/off campus part-time job options in the UK	A plethora of part-time jobs in the US are available for overseas MBA students
Post-Study Options/Work Visa	2 years’ work visa upon graduation, through the new Graduate Route	Students with F-1 visa can engage in OPT for upto 12 months post graduation. H-1B visa: During OPT, students can apply for an H-1B visa, which is a USA work visa for high-skilled migrants. STEM-certified MBAs have an additional advantage due to the 24-month extension of OPT. It means that they have two more years to apply for an H-1B.
Top Recruiting Firms	American Express, Iceland, Zurich, Building Society, AXA, Legal & General	Google, Deloitte, Amazon, BCG, Goldman Sachs, McLinsey
Average Salary	$116,000 per year	$109,000 per year
ROI	The shorter duration of MBA in the UK means one year less of tuition fees. B-schools such as the London Business School offer a salary of 107%, according to QS.	North America provides the best salary hike in the USA, with an average of 74%. Therefore, MBA graduates from US business schools pay back their tuition fees in around 55 months, according to QS.
Upper Age Limit	The average age of students pursuing MBA in the UK is 28-35.	The average age of students studying MBA in the US ranges between 25 and 28.

Why Study MBA in the UK?

While we know that UK has some of the top-ranking business schools, here are some of the other benefits of pursuing an MBA in the UK:

• Duration: The MBA program in the UK has a shorter duration that that in the US. One year MBA programs in the UK are quite popular among students as they provide an early exposure to the industry.
• Diverse Course Offerings: A variety of courses and specializations are offered in the UK. The curriculum of UK business schools ensures that you remain up-to-date with the latest changes in the global job market. The core management subjects in the UK usually include Human Resources, Information Systems, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, etc., along many electives.
• Strong Research Platform: Research Excellence Framework reported that 46% of the UK’s university research is ‘internationally excellent’ and 30% is ‘world leading’. Therefore, students can benefit from the world-class research facilities provided by the UK universities.
• Career Advisory Services: A majority of the business schools in the UK assist students with CV building, interview preparation, etc. Moreover, students are also encouraged to start their own business.
• Affordable Cost of Living: The cost of MBA in USA vs UK is an important factor to consider. The shorter course duration of MBA in the UK implies a lower cost of studying and living in the country. On average, the total cost of studying in the UK comes up to be around £20,000. Thus, when compared to US, it is more affordable to pursue an MBA in the UK. You might be interested in learning more about MBA in UK fees.

Why Study MBA in the USA?

Following are some points to help students understand why an MBA from the USA is a good option:

• Networking Opportunities: In terms of making connections, top US business schools have the best established networks and connections with global businesses around the globe. Students can always take assistance from these connections while looking for a job or internship during studies. This is a major advantage of studying MBA in USA.
• Quality of B-Schools: Though rankings are not the only factor to select a business school, they are good benchmark for figuring out the quality of the institution. US business schools have consistently ranked among the top business schools as per QS global MBA rankings. These rankings provide good insight into ROI, salary levels, employment rates, etc.
• Climb the corporate ladder: With an MBA degree from the US, you can land well paying jobs at renowned companies. It will enhance your employability, broaden your horizons, and ensure competitive salaries. A research by U.S. News & World Report research shows that graduates from top-ranked B-schools in the US reported an overall average base salary plus a bonus of more than $101,034 in 2020.
• Higher ROI: In comparison to MBA costs in the US, most programs offer a high return on investment, as per a career outcomes survey by US News & World Report. It further found that top-ranked institutions yielded seven times higher MBA salaries than their estimated tuition costs. 

MBA in UK or MBA in USA: Which One is Better?

Well, as explained above, both UK and USA are excellent study destinations for pursuing an MBA. However, in order to decide between two equally good options, students must consider their career goals, interests, and priorities. It is you, ultimately, who will benefit most from an MBA degree, whether it is from the US or the UK. Therefore, consider all the aspects given in the article to make an informed decision.