The one-year MBA can be a good option for mid-career professionals wishing to accelerate their career advancement without an extended break from work.
Typically, one year business programs were more popular and commonly offered in the UK and Europe. However in the recent years, they have been gaining traction in the US as well.
According to recent GMAC Prospective Students Survey Summary Report, the one-year MBA surpassed the two-year MBA as being the most preferred program type.
These intensive programs with a rigorous curriculum help you build on your knowledge, skills and network in a much shorter time.
Why one-year MBA?
The shorter format is particularly appealing in terms of a swifter return on investment (ROI) due to lower tuition and living costs in comparison to two-year programs and the minimal opportunity cost of being out of the job market (forgone salary during the study period).
A good fit for those with a relatively higher work experience, these one-year intense programs help bridge knowledge and skill gaps swiftly through a focused curriculum and practical hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
Lesser known facts about one-year MBA in USA
USA is popular for its 2-year MBA programs, so not many would be aware that these one-year MBA programs have been around for more than 50 years in the US.
University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business, was the first American business school to start offering the one-year MBA program way back in 1963.
This was closely followed by Kellogg which started its one-year program in 1964. USC Marshall School of Business’ one-year MBA program is also one of the oldest, established in 1978.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the leading one-year MBA programs in the US.
Top one-year MBA programs in USA
1. Northwestern – Kellogg
Kellogg is one of the top choice if you’re looking for an elite M7 school offering a one-year MBA. The program commences in June with a cohort of around 133.
The program leverages your business knowledge and experience and allows you to skip the core classes. This gives you time to focus on electives aligned with your career goals. In September, you’ll join the second year full-time MBA class.
The MBA program curriculum builds on your business fundamentals, so pre-enrolment courses in economics, statistics, operations and marketing, need to be completed before the summer quarter commences.
Also read: Kellogg One Year MBA admission with scholarship after GMAT score jumps by 90 points
2. MIT Sloan Fellows
This prestigious one-year MBA program offered by a top M7 school is tailored for mid-career and experienced professionals.
Applicants are required to have a minimum of 10 years of work experience, the average being 14.5 years.
The cohort of 113 sees a majority of international participants (76%) coming in from 40 countries worldwide.
There are 3 degree options available: MBA, Master of Science (SM) in Management, Master of Science (SM) in Management of Technology
Another program that many MIT Sloan Fellows applicants consider is the Stanford MSx. However, it awards a Master of Science degree as opposed to an MBA. So we’ve not included it here. But if you don’t care about the nomenclature, it’s a solid degree to consider. And you get the Stanford tag!
3. Johnson Cornell Tech
For those looking for a one-year MBA from an Ivy League business school, Johnson offers a STEM-designated 12-month Tech MBA.
Earlier it offered 2 one-year MBA programs, however, it has recently closed down its top ranked one-year accelerated MBA after more than 2 decades in order to focus on its tech MBA.
The program which was introduced in in 2014, commences in June on the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City offering scenic views of the Manhattan skyline.
With an intimate class size of 96 with students coming in from 22 countries worldwide, you’ll have a more personalized experience compared to the two-year program, which has a class size of 280.
Candidates are required to have digital expertise or knowledge of the tech industry, backed by years of full-time professional experience.
4. Duke – Fuqua
Fuqua’s Accelerated Daytime MBA program is an intense STEM-designated ten-month program in Durham, starting July to May.
However, this program has specific eligibility criteria. Applicants must have completed any one of the following: Master in Management Studies (MMS) from Fuqua or Master in Management (MiM) or Master in Quantitative Management (MQM) or equivalent degree. There are also some courses that you should have completed during your graduate program study.
It is preferred that candidates have two years of work experience after completion of the above programs.
The program allows you to skip the business fundamentals and move on straight to the electives and experiential learning opportunities.
5. NYU Stern
NYU Stern offers the one-year MBA in two flavors.
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Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA
A program for those with a strong technology background – saw its inaugural class in May 2018. This STEM designated degree program that runs May to May, integrates both business and tech to prepares students for tech leadership roles.
“We wanted to target areas where the internship wasn’t seen as being as vital, but where we as Stern had great relationships to build experiential learning and exposure that would supplement the lack of a traditional internship.” quotes J. P. Eggers, founding academic director and Interim Dean of NYU Stern
Estimated total cost of the one-year tech MBA is $159,733 for the class of 2023, compared to $244,828 for the full-time program.
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NYU (Stern) Fashion & Luxury MBA
This program is for those looking for a business career in luxury, fashion, beauty, lifestyle and retail. The program runs May to May allows students to gain real world experience through built-in industry projects.
6. University of Southern California – Marshall
Established in 1978, the one-year STEM-designated International Education and Research (IBEAR) happens to be one of the oldest one-year programs in USA.
Suited for mid-career professionals, the MBA class comprises 55 students coming in from 12-15 countries. The average work experience is around 12 years.
One-third of the class receives company sponsorship or have a family-owned business while two-third are self-sponsored candidates.
Those applying are required to have completed a minimum of six years of full-time work, military or graduate study prior to the start of the program
7. Emory – Goizueta
The one year accelerated STEM MBA has an intimate class size of 40 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1. The small class size translates into a close-knit community with students receiving personalized attention.
The average work experience of the class is around 5 years. At least two years of work experience is recommended while applying. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects addressing critical issues across industries.
The MBA program has its campus in culturally diverse and vibrant Atlanta in Georgia – a tech hub and also one of the fastest growing cities
8. UF Warrington
There are two options available at UF Warrington in the one year MBA format.
- Full-Time One-Year All Majors
The 12 month long accelerated MBA format with its rigorous curriculum is designed for professionals with varied academic and professional backgrounds. The program that begins in May, covers the same course material as a 2-year MBA program.
- Full-Time One-Year Business Majors
This fast-track MBA format allows you to complete the program in a shorter span of 10 months. To enrol, your undergraduate coursework should meet the eligibility requirements. It is more suited for those with an extensive business background. The program commences in June.
9. Babson
The F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College has consistently been ranked at number one for entrepreneurship.
In partnership with more than 80 organizations, the MBA program provides students with consulting opportunities and a chance to tackle real-world challenges.
The 12 months program starts in May at Wellesley, Massachusetts with a class comprising 67% international students with an average of 6 years of work experience.
10. Pittsburgh – Katz
The 12 month accelerated MBA program with its rigorous curriculum is a good fit for professionals with extensive work experience. The program spans from August to July and can be completed in three consecutive terms.
In addition to experience-based learning opportunities through elective coursework, students can also participate in co-curricular experiences including community-based projects, case competitions, summer internships as well as professional development programming.
Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business closed down its one-year MBA program. The one-year MBA class graduating in 2024 was the last.
One-year MBA programs and tuition
| Business School – One year MBA | One year MBA tuition | |
| 1 | Northwestern (Kellogg) | $115,936 |
| 2 | MIT Sloan Fellows | $152,280 |
| 3 | Johnson Cornell Tech | $129,918 |
| 4 | Duke (Fuqua) | $100,000 |
| 5 | NYU Stern | |
| – Tech MBA | $112,516 | |
| – Fashion & Luxury MBA | $117,128 | |
| 6 | University of Southern California – Marshall | $127,872 |
| 7 | Emory (Goizueta) | $110,550 |
| 8 | UF Warrington | |
| – Full-Time One-Year All Majors | $61,260 | |
| – Full-Time One-Year Business Majors | $41,173 | |
| 9 | Babson | $89,550 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh – Katz | $88,563 |
One year MBA vs Two year MBA in USA
Let’s take a look at the two MBA formats in terms of its benefits or drawbacks. A one-year US MBA provides limited or in some cases, no internship opportunity; whereas the two-year MBA gives you a better chance to explore internship options especially during the summer between the two years.
To get a foot in the door in some industries like consulting, an internship is an essential prerequisite. “You tend to see more career enhancers as opposed to someone who is going back for their MBA to make a career pivot,” says Tom Keller, director of graduate programs at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business.
But this is not a hard-and-fast rule as we have seen career switchers after a one-year MBA as well. Due to the limited program duration, you need to have clarity about your post-MBA goals and a more targeted approach while selecting your coursework.
Some one-year MBA programs may require a slightly higher work experience (compared to a 2 year programs) or completion of certain courses to cope up with the intensive nature of the curriculum.
Let’s compare the two in terms of ROI. At Kellogg, the estimated tuition and other expenses including food, housing, health insurance, books, and other fees comes to $168,327 for a one-year MBA while for a two-year MBA, it goes as high as $250,382. We need to additionally take into account the opportunity cost for the additional year in case of a two-year program.
Now let’s compare the employment outcomes at Kellogg for both of the above: Those with more than 5 years of work experience at Kellogg’s 1 year program got an average base salary of $163,143 while for the 2 year MBA, it was $172,942.
At Goizueta, the total tuition, living and other expenses comes to $144,850 for the one year MBA while for the two year program, it comes to $203,807. The average base salary is $148,297 for the 1 year MBA while for the 2 year program, it is $152,317 which is comparable.
In terms of ROI, the one-year MBA program seems to fare better.
1-Year MBA vs 2-Year MBA: Which one should you choose?
Brian Mitchell | Associate Dean, Full-Time MBA Programs, Goizueta Business School (Emory)
When deciding between enrolling in a one-year MBA program or a two-year MBA program, candidates should consider two general factors, each with their own specific nuances.
First, they should consider the nature of the change they are seeking by coming back to business school. If the goal is to accelerate one’s career in a way that leverages previous experiences, then a one-year MBA program could be a great fit. For example, we often have engineers who have experience in technical roles and want to advance their careers from individual contributors to strategic leaders in tech. It is also common for analysts and consultants to enroll in the one-year MBA program as a pathway to more senior management and strategy consulting roles.
The second factor to consider is the return-on-investment (ROI) scenarios for each program. If one’s career goals can be achieved with a one-year MBA program, then such a program might be even more attractive due to the limited time out of the workforce. At Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, our one-year MBA program is a three-semester experience, exactly 12 months in length. The accelerated nature of the program allows our students to have a full MBA experience, including student life activities and global experiential learning, while getting back to earning income in half the time of the traditional two-year MBA format. Considering the value of our time, this factor is important for many of our students.
If you’re keen on exploring the one-year MBA option, but not sure if it’s the right fit for your profile, get in touch with MBA Crystal Ball. Our experienced MBA consultants have helped thousands of applicants get into the top MBA programs of their choice. Our email: info@mbacrystalball.com
Also read:
– Cornell 1 Year MBA admission blog by stock-trader and entrepreneur
– Kellogg One Year MBA admission with scholarship after GMAT score jumps by 90 points
