How to choose where to study for your MBA in the US

From honing your business acumen to gaining valuable experience and expanding your professional network, an MBA can help you level up your career and gain a significant boost in your salary.

Thanks to its reputation as a tool for career progression, the MBA is one of the most popular business school degrees—with 35% of aspiring students favoring the program, according to our latest research.

If you're interested in enrolling in a degree, your options will likely range from in-state institutions to business schools across the country. So, how do you decide where to study?

Here's a breakdown of what's available, plus the key factors that should influence your choice, from your career goals to your desired lifestyle.

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Where in the US should you study your MBA?

Broadly, there are three options to choose from when deciding where to study your MBA. You could choose a business school that's local to where you live, apply to a program in your region, or broaden your search and look nationally.

Local

If you already have local roots, such as an established career or family nearby, it may make the most sense to study locally. Studying at a business school in your area can make it easier to maintain professional or personal commitments, and you’ll also have a better understanding of the local culture, people, and job market.

Staying close to home, you may have fewer opportunities to expand your network and build diverse connections, though you'll still be able to access your school’s regional alumni and employer network.

Regional

If you are seeking a change of scenery without necessarily looking to move across the country, consider business schools in neighboring states or your broader region.

Looking beyond your immediate area can significantly expand your MBA options without requiring you to completely relocate. You’ll be able to build a network within the region, giving you access to a wider pool of internships and career opportunities—while maintaining personal and professional connections closer to home.

National

If you’re looking to leave your local area or region, you'll find business schools located all over the US. Broadening your search to other regions of the US provides the largest selection of MBA programs to choose from.

Whether you’re drawn to the fast-paced environment of New York, the tech scene in California, or the college towns of the Midwest, you’ll meet new people, be exposed to different career paths, and likely experience a lifestyle change.

If you’re targeting a particular industry or company, studying at a business school with connections to the sector can help you meet recruiters and make the connections necessary to progress in your career.

What are the different regions to consider for a US MBA?

Wherever you're set on choosing, the location can influence everything from your day-to-day lifestyle to the employers you meet through on-campus recruiting. The US is home to several major MBA hubs, each with its own business schools, industries, and career opportunities.

While you can delve deep into the immense variation across the 50 states, broadly these regions can be categorized into four main areas: the South, Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast.

The South

The largest of these geographical areas is the South. Home to major MBA hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, Miami, and Nashville, there are plenty of business schools to choose from in this area. The region also offers career opportunities in industries ranging from tech to energy.

Tuition and living expenses are often more affordable in many southern states, particularly when compared to the cost of attending business schools in the Northeast or West Coast.

The Midwest

The Midwest is another geographically large region. From major cities like Chicago and Columbus to college towns like Ann Arbor and East Lansing, the Midwest is known for its friendly culture, agricultural and manufacturing heritage, and sense of community.

Home to a range of corporate headquarters, manufacturing hubs, and Fortune 500 companies, there are plenty of opportunities to take the next step in your career once you graduate from a Midwest MBA. The central location of the Midwest means that you’ll also have strong links to other US regions, meaning you can build your network and benefit from opportunities beyond the area.

The Northeast

Although smaller geographically than the South and Midwest, the Northeast has plenty of business schools, cultural experiences, and career opportunities to offer. The Northeast is home to several of the prestigious M7 business schools, including Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and The Wharton School. This makes it particularly attractive for those targeting top programs.

From the financial center of New York, home of Wall Street, to the academic hub of Boston, studying in the Northeast can help you embed in major cities, access a range of industries, and meet with a high concentration of employers.

The West Coast

Finally, another key region of the US is the West Coast—home to California, Oregon, and Washington. Despite being the smallest region by state count, the West Coast contains several prominent MBA markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego.

Home to Silicon Valley—a global hub for innovation and tech—whether you have an interest in tech or are hoping to launch your own startup after business school, studying an MBA on the West Coast can open important doors.

West Coast business schools can provide exposure and connections to international companies, emerging markets, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

There is no single best region to pursue an MBA. The right location for you depends on a combination of your career goals, personal and professional commitments, what kind of lifestyle you’re looking for, and where you want to build your professional network.

If you want to learn more about the kinds of opportunities are available in the key cities across these regions, and which business schools you should consider, read more about the top cities in the US for an MBA.