From great US cities to global business success

The more vibrant a city or country is, the brighter your career prospects will be. In 2024, there were approximately 33.2 million businesses in the US — 20,000 were large corporations, 32.7 million were small businesses, including startups. This is where you’ll find the most Fortune 500 companies than any other country in the world as well. 

With seemingly no shortage of options, the US is the ideal place to either start a business or dive deeper into the field to understand its inner workings. Which is why a business degree from a US university is the smart choice. 

With an advanced degree from its best business schools, you’re not only surrounded by today’s top talents, but also gain a golden ticket to the world’s most coveted opportunities, professional and otherwise. For the most strategic start to your enhanced or new career, these three universities based in vibrant cities with thriving economies should be your first  choices. 

Great prospects, great weather, and great outdoors – that’s what an AMBA and EMBA at the Crummer Graduate School of Business are all about. Source: Rollins College

Rollins College

The future of business education is at Rollins College’s Crummer Graduate School of Business. Under the dynamic leadership of new dean, Dr. Anil Menon, the school is reimagining the MBA to boldly take on the complexities of today’s global challenges and the transformative potential of AI. “Beyond preparing you for that job, we will bring in the best of liberal education in terms of critical thinking, analytical thinking, creative thinking, [and] communication skills,” Dr. Menon says. “We are focused on you, your first job, your career growth, and also the network that will help you along the way.” 

Choose Crummer and you’ll have no shortage of inspiration thanks to the school’s nationally recognised professors, impressive alumni, and deep links with local and national organisations. An MBA here is no ordinary journey – Crummer educates, consults, accelerates, and elevates graduate business education as you know it. 

The setting? One of the fastest growing regions in the US: Orlando. This is the perfect place for anyone to start a new chapter in their career. The city is a fast-growing tech hub with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre stationed here. Other sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and healthcare are just as robust. Major employers include Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and various, highly profitable healthcare providers. 

Strategically located at the centre of it all is Crummer. Wherever you are in your professional journey, Crummer will transform you into an in-demand future leader in your chosen industry and beyond. 

The STEM-designated Accelerated MBA (AMBA) is ideal for recent graduates and those pivoting to a new field who seek management training with a technical focus. International students may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), a great way to gain up to 36 months of experience in an American company. The Early Advantage MBA (EAMBA) is designed to launch your career or restart it; no prior business work experience required. There are four concentrations: Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Marketing.

Apply to the Crummer Graduate School of Business now. Tuition waivers up to US$30,000 available for AMBA and EAMBA students who get into the highly selective Dean’s Scholar Program.

The University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business offers strong academics, hands-on learning, and a focus on values-driven business. Source: Knauss School of Business at USD/Facebook

University of San Diego

The University of San Diego‘s Knauss School of Business blends rigorous academics with hands-on learning and a commitment to ethical business practices. Nestled on a stunning coastline overlooking the Pacific Ocean, USD provides an inspiring backdrop where peace and profit coexist and ethics align with enterprise. Here, students unite to build a fairer, more prosperous world, reflecting USD’s philosophy that there is always a better way to do business.

For nearly five decades, the Knauss School of Business has earned top international accolades, with full accreditation from AACSB International. Its reputation as a premier institution is reinforced by its consistent ranking among the world’s leading business schools, notably securing the #67 spot in CEOWORLD magazine’s Best Business Schools in the World.

Whether pursuing a promotion, shifting career paths, or embarking on a new entrepreneurial journey, a degree from USD’s Knauss School of Business is a sound investment. The school offers a wide range of programmes, including the MBA, Master of Science in Accountancy or Taxation, Business Analytics, Finance, Real Estate, and Supply Chain Management, each designed to meet the evolving needs of the business world.

USD’s commitment to immersive learning extends beyond the classroom. The school offers global experiences in cities like Tokyo and Madrid. These international collaborations, paired with peer-driven projects, help students enhance their practical skills in a dynamic learning environment where aspirations become reality.

The outcome? An impressive 99% of graduates are employed or pursuing higher degrees as of 2023, illustrating the Knauss School of Business’s commitment to student success.

The University of Houston-Clear Lake’s College of Business has a welcoming community to call home. Source: University of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Excellent graduate business programmes at an affordable rate. A fantastic return on investment with career pathways leading to significant salaries. A welcoming community to call home in one of the most diverse cities in the US. All this can be found at the University of Houston Clear Lake’s College of Business, where students become leaders ready for long-term success in a dynamic world marketplace.

The AACSB-accredited college, located near NASA, offers programmes for both undergraduate and graduate students. All prepare you for long-term success – you’ll benefit from small class sizes, diverse perspectives, and rigorous academics that blend with wide-ranging industry experiences. Think hands-on experiences with companies in the city and beyond, honing invaluable industry skills that employers look for. Such is befitting of an internationally recognised business school.

But what truly sets the college apart is its STEM-designated programmes that gear you up for a fast-changing world with advances in technology. Explore the Accounting MS, ideal for those passionate about corporate transparency and high-quality financial reporting. The Finance MS will position you as a highly qualified expert in corporate finance, investments, economics and global money markets. If creating efficient, effective operations and systems is your goal, pursue the Management Information Systems MS.

Regardless of programme choice, all share the same excellence. You learn from faculty members who fuse research with applications in professional practice, innovative pedagogy, and disciplined-based scholarship. You can join a mentorship programme that makes you eligible for personalised guidance from industry professionals – this includes networking opportunities to secure connections and lead you to your dream roles.

The result? A great stepping stone towards global success. The college’s graduates are now high-powered entrepreneurs, managers, accountants, lawyers and more. As a Clear Lake fresh graduate, you’ll enter the workforce with salaries comparable with competitors from larger, private universities – this means lower costs with similar outcomes.

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