Global ambition, American excellence: Inside the MBA journey at leading US universities

The US has emerged as the destination for internationally minded MBA students, driven by outcomes that remain unusually strong even in a shifting job market. On average, 80% of full-time MBA graduates were employed within three months, a metric that suggests their alma maters have found the formula for a clear line between study and career growth.  

These programmes are also becoming increasingly international – in some cohorts, up to 40% of MBA students now come from abroad – and more STEM-focused. Many institutions have expanded STEM‑designated MBA tracks, reflecting growing demand for analytical rigour and flexibility in navigating post‑graduation work opportunities in the US. 

In this review, “Global ambition, American excellence,” we examine how three US business schools are responding to this evolving landscape, balancing academically rigorous programmes with the new expectations of an increasingly varied and internationally focused cohort of students. 

Crummer School of Business’s STEM-designated Accelerated MBA can be completed in 12-16 months. Source: Rollins College

Rollins College

Rollins College‘s Crummer School of Business is all about seeing you grow. It serves as a launchpad to reach your career ambitions, whether you are pursuing an MBA, seeking a specialised certificate, or contributing to the local business community.

The school offers various MBAs that cater to diverse career stages. If you are looking to get one quickly – faster than the usual two years – the Accelerated MBA (AMBA) with STEM designation is for you.

Crummer’s AMBA programme can be completed in just 12 to 16 months, and it boasts specially designed courses that include operations, business analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, executive leadership, and three electives of your choice. Students there learn in small class sizes, and the programme boasts an almost 1:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for a highly personalised learning experience.

For example, many of Crummer’s courses use the shared discovery approach, which means students work throughout the programme in teams of five or six—an environment that simulates real-world business units. And as Crummer’s placement among the LinkedIn Top 100 Global Business Schools for the past two years suggests, this teaching approach is highly effective.

Crummer faculty and staff also provide international students with dedicated support throughout their MBA journey and career launch with F-1 visa guidance, CPT/OPT processing, H-1B visa cross guidance and beyond. And due to the Crummer AMBA’s STEM designation, graduates will qualify for a 24-month extension of work authorization atop the standard 12-month period. In other words, two more chances at entering H-1B visa lottery than the single chance available with standard OPT—a clear competitive edge in the job market and increased chances to find an employer willing to extend sponsorship.

Finally, the Central Florida lifestyle is yet another among the many reasons international students have sought an MBA degree from Crummer. You’ll find the climate is mild all year round—making anytime a great time to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Studios, explore natural areas like the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys, and enjoy the beaches of Clearwater and Siesta Key.

These attractions, along with the many benefits delivered by Crummer to their international AMBA students and graduates, are what make their programme such a compelling one for attending to earn your graduate business degree.

Bentley University offers the best finance graduate programme in the US. Source: Bentley University/Facebook

Bentley University

Located just 10 miles from Boston, Waltham, Massachusetts is home to Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business. The school’s mission is clear: to develop ethical, innovative leaders who create meaningful value for both organizations and society—leaders who understand that true business success means excelling while making a positive impact.

Bentley’s McCallum Graduate School of Business uniquely bridges the gap between business strategy and technological innovation. Graduate programs combine technical depth with practical business challenges, enabling students to transform insights into meaningful outcomes. Several degrees carry STEM designations, reflecting a curriculum that weaves together data analytics, forward-thinking strategy, and leadership development—preparing graduates to lead transformation in any industry.

This philosophy comes to life in two of Bentley’s graduate programs designed for today’s economy:

STEM MBA

Take the STEM MBA, for example. Curriculum combines emerging technologies with analytics training and real-world implementation, equipping you with highly sought-after skills that lead to increased job prospects and impactful contributions. Four technology-driven STEM-designated majors – Accounting Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics and Financial Analytics – let you enhance your skillset even further.

Master’s in Finance

The STEM-designated Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, ranked #1 graduate Finance program in the U.S. by the Financial Times, is just as tech-forward. A brand new Fintech major builds on its legacy of combining finance expertise with cutting-edge technology and the Financial Analytics major that offers a solid foundation in financial modelling, risk assessment and regulatory compliance, equipping students to excel in roles that require both technical expertise and strategic insight.

Results That Speak for Themselves

The market validates this approach. Bentley’s reputation for producing job-ready graduates has made it a target destination for top employers seeking talent that can immediately contribute to their organisations. International student are also eligible to apply for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period to gain valuable US work experience without immediate employer sponsorship.

These outcomes confirm the impact of a Bentley graduate education: by understanding emerging business concepts and new technologies, graduates are uniquely prepared to tackle complex challenges, innovate within their industries, and lead organisations into the future.

University of Rochester is the first to offer a STEM-designated MBA, regardless of your specialisation. Source: Simon Business School, URochester/Facebook

University of Rochester

Did you know that the University of Rochester‘s Simon Business School is the first in the US to offer a STEM-designated MBA? Although this game-changing degree is available in a lot of business schools nowadays, none does it better than the original creators. Regardless of your specialisation – whether in finance, marketing, or consulting – you will gain specific technical skills to analyse and interpret data, and the management capabilities to successfully communicate and implement the changes that would further your business.

Besides the MBA, another standout programme that is STEM-designated is the MS in Artificial Intelligence in Business. This master’s degree will equip you with sought-after skills, including Python-based analytics, programming, and hands-on AI projects, which will prove valuable when working in an industry that demands business professionals with a technological edge. The programme offers two tracks: internship or non-internship. The latter is an accelerated option for students who wish to enter the workforce directly after graduation.

Studying at Rochester means being in a mid-sized city surrounded by the natural beauty of Western New York and the Finger Lakes region of New York. It is dubbed one of the best places to live in the US for quality of life, as evidenced by its reasonable cost of living, a commutable downtown that is full of arts and culture, and booming suburbs.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International