Last Updated on February 8, 2025
Most Indian MBA aspirants have this question: Should I do my MBA from an Indian business school or look for MBA programs abroad in the USA or Europe? This article helps you understand the pros and cons of an Indian MBA vs a US MBA and decide which MBA degree will be better for you based on your long-term goal. Lastly, it will discuss which of these locations will provide a better ROI.
MBA in USA
An MBA from an American university could be beneficial in understanding business from an international perspective. This is very advantageous if you want to work or settle abroad post-graduation. Most American B-schools have a large diversity in their student class, so you benefit from understanding different cultural viewpoints and perspectives. MBA colleges in the USA also have better infrastructure and better professors.
The post-degree pay package of a US or European MBA will be higher than an Indian MBA because of the currency difference. However, a foreign MBA is also more expensive, and it may take more time to recover the fees for the business degree, especially if you opt for a US MBA. Furthermore, the Indian market functions very differently than the American market. Hence, the things you will learn in a B-School in the USA will be less applicable to India. Hence, a foreign MBA is preferable if you want to work in India after your MBA.
Cost of Study
The cost of an MBA course in foreign countries is one of the reasons why many candidates from India take it. In the US, the tuition fees for a two-year MBA are from$90,000 (66,84,871) to $1,40,000 (INR 2,975,544). On the other hand, a one-year MBA program will cost less, around $55,000 (INR 40,85,323) and $80,000 (INR 59,42,288).
Entrance Exams for MBA
Candidates must undergo tests like the GMAT and GRE to pursue an MBA from a foreign university. These tests are conducted on a rolling basis and give the candidates the choice of exam date at their convenience.
MBA Course Structure
As we discuss MBA in India vs MBA in the USA, knowing the course structure is essential. This helps the candidates decide whether to opt for an MBA from the USA. As far as the MBA USA course structure is concerned, the approach is more pragmatic. The students get case studies from various business organizations to enhance their understanding. This further helps one put into practice all the things they might have learned in theory. Some of the subjects that are common in MBA USA are
- Accounting and Management
- Business, Government & the International Economy
- Finance
- Entrepreneurial Management
- General Management
- Negotiation
- Organizations & Markets
- Marketing, Strategy
- Technology & Operations Management
- Leadership & Organizational Behavior
- Technology & Operations Management
The specializations in MBA can be done in subjects like the following-
- Marketing
- Finance
- Hospitality Human Resources
- Supply Chain Management
Placements
Not all MBA colleges abroad offer placements to students. Though some colleges may assist students in their job hunt, only some colleges guarantee a placement. The students themselves have to find jobs. However, studying from a top B-school abroad adds value to a student’s profile, making it easier for them to get a job. Nevertheless, many B-schools abroad conduct workshops and industrial visits, which is an excellent opportunity to connect with potential employers.
Salary
This is one of the most exciting parts of doing an MBA course in the USA. Candidates who do their MBA from top-ranked universities like Harvard University or the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania can even get a salary of $1,05,008 (INR 78 lakh) per annum; however, the packages vary widely for other business schools.
MBA in India
An MBA in India will aid in gaining business-related knowledge pertinent to the Indian market. An Indian MBA will be significantly cheaper, and you can repay your student loan much faster. If you wish to work in India after your degree, this is preferred from both knowledge and economic perspectives.
Around 70% of the curriculum in an Indian MBA course will be familiar to the American counterparts. However, the way the curriculum is structured, and the facilities to support learning will be below par level (unless you are at one of the IIMs).
The post-degree salary of an MBA graduate from India will be lower than that of a US MBA. If you wish to work abroad, an Indian MBA will be disadvantageous since they would prefer students from their B-Schools.
Cost of Study
One’s budget for anything can act as a significant deciding factor. Knowing the cost is essential if you want to take an MBA course. The cost of an MBA depends totally upon the college you are choosing. Doing it from IIMs could cost around INR 8 lakh to INR 23 lakh. The fee for the MBA Program for one year from IIM Ahmedabad is INR 28 lakh. However, if you do your MBA from a tier-2 business school in India, the program fees will start from INR 8 lakh.
Entrance Exams for the MBA
There are many entrance exams for MBA in India, but the most popular one is the Common Admission Test (CAT). It is comparatively more challenging than the other tests and assesses the students’ verbal, logical, and quantitative abilities. The highly prestigious business schools in the country, like IIMs, accept CAT scores. The candidates who clear the cut-off score are invited to participate in Personal Interviews and Group Discussions. The other entrance tests for MBA in India are SNAP, XAT, NMAT by GMAC, and IIFT, which also work similarly.
MBA Course Structure
As far as the course structure for an MBA in India is concerned, it may vary from one business school to another. However, the basics are all the same. However, the MBA course structure in India is focused more on theories. The two-year MBA course is divided into four semesters. The main subjects that one has to cover in these two years include
- Business Communication
- Economic Environment of Business
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Management
- Human Resource Management
- Management Accounting
- Information Technology Management
- Management of Information System
- Managerial Economics
- Management Science
- Marketing Management
- Marketing Research
- Organizational Behavior
- Organization Effectiveness & Change
- Quantitative Methods
- Production & Operations Management
- Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility
- International Business Environment
- Legal Environment of Business
- Project Study
- Strategic Analysis and Strategic Management
Placements
You will be placed through campus selection on completing your MBA from a B-school in India. Students can even get the opportunity to be interviewed by top MNCs and even banks. You can look at the usual companies that visit your campus for recruitment to get a reasonable estimate of the recruitment scenario when you graduate there.
Salary
The salary range depends much on the B-school from which the candidate has an MBA. If the candidates have completed an MBA from B-schools like Premiere Business School (IIM) and ISB, the salary range can be between INR 18 lakh and INR 25 lakh.
MBA in India vs USA: Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria to study at a B-School in India varies across universities. The standard requirements students must fulfill are listed below to pursue an MBA in India.
- Interested candidates must have completed 12th grade in any stream with a minimum aggregate of 60% from a recognized brand.
- Must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks from a recognized university
- Should crack the valid cut-off score in CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT or any other equivalent exam
On the other hand, to pursue an MBA in the USA, the eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a renowned university with a CGPA of 7 or above
- A work experience of two to four years on average
- Meeting the GMAT score cut-off set by a particular university
- Appearing for a personal interview with the admission committee of a university
Indian MBA vs. USA MBA- Pros & Cons
Determining where to pursue an MBA is an important decision requiring significant investment in money and time. Thus, every aspirant should explore all aspects of the course before pursuing an MBA in India or the USA. Let us now analyze and compare the variations between an MBA from India and the USA.
Pros of MBA in India vs USA
| MBA in India | MBA in USA |
| Familiar social environment to study | A plethora of course options are available |
| Much cheaper cost of education | Good average salary after an MBA |
| Work experience is not mandatory | International Exposure |
| Placement guarantee | Greater return on investment |
Cons of MBA in India vs USA
| MBA in India | MBA in USA |
| Lesser average salary | No placement guarantee |
| Course options are limited | Higher cost of studying |
| Work experience criteria |
Other Factors in Choosing Location Between MBA in India Vs. USA
The ranking of the colleges you are targeting will also influence your decision. If you are looking at the top-ranked US colleges like Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford or EU colleges like London Business School and INSEAD, these are the best options, and you will be considered one of the world’s best. But if you have to choose between a top 10 international b-school vs a top 10 Indian b-school, then a top 10 international school will be a better choice.
If you have to choose between a top 10 Indian b-school like one of the IIMs vs a medium tier US / EU b-school, then an IIM will be a better option. However, if you wish to choose between an average Indian MBA degree and an average foreign MBA, you must choose based on the above points, like MBA fees, preferred country of work, and post-MBA salary.
Conclusion
In summary, you need to first list your critical criteria in terms of career plan, budget, the country where you want to stay, etc, and prioritize them. Once you do that, deciding whether to do an MBA in the USA (abroad) or India will be more accessible.
Read also:
MBA in USA for Indian Students
FAQs
Q. Is an MBA better in the USA or India?
An international MBA is your best option for a global career, especially in top markets like the US. These programs offer unmatched worldwide exposure and networking opportunities. But, if you plan to work in India or the US, an Indian MBA is a solid choice.
Q. Is MBA tough in the USA?
MBA degrees are relatively easy to graduate, although they are challenging. Many potential students ask why it is so tricky to graduate with an MBA. The truth is that for the average student, an MBA is easy to obtain.
Q. What is the salary of an MBA in the USA?
The MBA salary in the USA, on average, is USD 115,000, as per US Labor Report 2023.
Q. Is an Indian MBA valid in the US and vice-versa?
An Indian MBA is valid in the US; however, the kind of salary package you will get depends significantly on the business school you graduated from. And if you are concerned about whether the US MBA is valid in India, even in that case, you get a green signal as it is very much accepted, provided the business school is recognized. Therefore, no matter which country you pursue your MBA from, whether India, the USA, or any other country, you must first ensure the business school is recognized and comes under the top-tier B-schools. And passing with flying colors will only add value to your degree.
Q. Who are the top recruiters for MBA in India Vs. USA?
MBA programs in India and the USA have top recruiters, including global and Indian companies. Some top recruiters for MBA programs in India include Apple, Accenture, Reliance Industries Limited, Cognizant, Wipro, Infosys, ICICI Bank, and Deloitte. Some top recruiters for MBA programs in the USA include Deloitte, McKinsey & Company, Accenture, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and KPMG.
Linette Shoji is a seasoned content writer specializing in guiding students through the complexities of applying to universities abroad. Her well-researched, clear, and practical articles break down intricate information into easy-to-understand advice. Linette’s work empowers students to make informed decisions, ensuring a smooth and successful journey to higher education.
