MBA in a Shifting World: The Current State of an American MBA & Looking Beyond

As a second-generation American, daughter of Chinese immigrants, it has always been drilled into me that I attend a top university in the States. One of the greatest institutions of the USA is our higher education system, with world-renowned programs like Ivy League Harvard and Columbia, West Coast-respected Stanford, UC Berkeley, and many more across the country. I’m proud and honored to have experienced this firsthand, having attended UC Berkeley for my undergraduate and UCLA Anderson for my MBA. And while today our higher education continues to be one of the best worldwide—drawing top talent across the globe—the current administration’s actions and stance have created a complicated situation for the autonomy of American higher education, including increased difficulty for international students.

The administration's attempts to push back against DEI have also been disruptive. While MBA programs remain committed to diversity, recognizing its importance in business, they’ve been compelled to adjust their messaging—confusing both international and U.S. applicants alike. So, whether you’re an international applicant contemplating options outside of the USA or an American applicant thinking of global exposure, it feels like a good time to unpack how to approach applying for U.S. programs in this changed environment—and explore the myriad stellar MBA and Master’s options around the world.

Even before the current administration’s attack on U.S. higher education institutions, programs abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, and even Asia have been gaining more interest—and with good reason:

1. Cost – American MBA programs are known to be the most expensive. Applicants, especially international ones who face visa restrictions, worry about ROI. Even U.S. students are hesitant due to the burden of student loans.

2. More varied (and often shorter) options – Traditionally, U.S. MBA programs are two-year programs. While the extra time can be beneficial for pivoters or for an internship, it can be unnecessarily long for those not making a major shift. That extra year also means additional costs, so although the one-year program may feel rushed for some, it could offer a better ROI overall.

3. Visa/Career Pathways – Even before this administration, U.S. visas have been restrictive and complicated for those looking to work and stay long term. The recent actions of this administration have made things even more complicated.

4. Diverse Cohort – While American MBA programs aim for diversity, international student intake is still often less than 50%, which pales in comparison to top European programs. In fact, a global perspective, community focus, and the ability to work with diverse individuals are sometimes considered even more important than test scores. This is why many top European MBA programs often have slightly lower average GMAT scores. A key example is INSEAD, which prioritizes having a diverse class evenly divided by region.

5. Career Opportunities in Emerging Global Markets – While the U.S. has long been a leader in industries like tech and consulting, countries abroad are catching up. There are strong consulting hubs across European cities, and Singapore has become a top destination for tech and fintech careers.

It’s rarely just one factor that compels someone to look beyond the U.S. MBA options but despite all these points, U.S. MBA programs remain the top choice for many applicants due to their high ROI, leadership development, and world-class career opportunities. Ultimately, it's important to weigh these factors and reflect on what matters most to you.

To help, let’s explore some of the top programs across different regions (outside of the USA):

🇪🇺 Top European MBA Programs

School	Location	Duration	Notable Strengths
INSEAD	France 🇫🇷 / Singapore 🇸🇬	10 months	Global brand, intense 1-year format, consulting-heavy, top ROI
LBS	UK (London) 🇬🇧	15–21 months	Prestigious, top placements in consulting & finance, strong alumni network
HEC Paris	France 🇫🇷	16 months	Excellent for luxury/consumer goods, strong EU presence
IESE	Spain (Barcelona) 🇪🇸	15–19 months	Humanistic leadership, global curriculum, case method
Cambridge Judge	UK (Cambridge) 🇬🇧	12 months	Strong in entrepreneurship & innovation, highly international cohort

🇨🇦 Top Canadian MBA Programs

School	Location	Duration	Notable Strengths
Rotman (Toronto)	Toronto	20 months	Leadership development, big-city access, integrative thinking approach
Ivey (Western Univ)	London, Ontario	12 months	Case-based, general management focus, fast-paced curriculum
Desautels (McGill)	Montreal	20 months	Top global brand, bilingual city, global mindset
Schulich (York Univ)	Toronto	16–20 months	Flexible, affordable, good global electives and exchanges
Sauder (UBC)	Vancouver	16 months	West Coast access, innovation, entrepreneurship

🌏 Top Asia MBA Programs

School	Location	Duration	Notable Strengths
NUS Business School	Singapore 🇸🇬	17 months	Asia-Pacific access, global curriculum, sustainability and innovation focused
CEIBS	Shanghai, China 🇨🇳	18 months	Top school in China, bilingual culture, strong MNC/local ties
HKUST	Hong Kong 🇭🇰	16 months	Strength in finance, regional access, compact global program
ISB	Hyderabad, India 🇮🇳	12 months	Best value in Asia, world-class faculty, strong corporate partnerships
Tsinghua-INSEAD EMBA	China/Singapore/France	22 months	Cross-border leadership, East-West immersion, elite network

🇦🇺 Top Australian MBA Programs

School	Location	Duration	Notable Strengths
Melbourne Business	Melbourne	12–16 months	International cohort, strong employer connections in Asia-Pacific
AGSM (UNSW)	Sydney	12–16 months	Leadership-focused, well-networked in APAC
Monash Business	Melbourne	24 months	Large public university with global reach
UQ Business School	Brisbane	12 months	Up-and-coming, reputable for domestic students
MGSM (Macquarie Univ)	Sydney	12–24 months	Flexible formats, good for professionals with work experience

As seen here, there are still many excellent options beyond the USA.

That said, despite the uncertainty and challenges, I believe that U.S. MBA programs should still be considered. The U.S. still hosts some of the world’s top-tier programs, and these programs are not giving up on global talent. Here are some reasons to keep American MBA programs on your list:

1. Unparalleled Resources and Innovation – There’s a reason U.S. MBA programs remain some of the most prestigious. The U.S. continues to lead in leadership training and innovation. The faculty and research centers are world-class, and students have access to leading tech and finance hubs. And while U.S. programs are the most expensive, they are also the most resource-rich. Many of my clients have received over $50K in scholarships proving that U.S. programs are still offering the most scholarship support.

2. Global Network & Opportunities – Whether you stay in the U.S. or move abroad, alumni from American MBA programs are influential worldwide. Many become global leaders, and alumni networks within the USA and abroad offer strong support and access to top employers.

3. Long-term ROI – Given the prestige of top U.S. MBA programs (especially M7s and T15s), graduates typically benefit from better long-term ROI: higher salaries, more job opportunities, and powerful networks. As I always remind my clients, the MBA is more than just a degree—it's a transformative experience. No matter the cost, I wouldn't trade my MBA for anything, because it gave me diverse perspectives, professional growth, and the confidence to become a leader.

Despite the political challenges, U.S. MBA programs continue to champion international perspectives. These institutions understand the critical value of diversity not only for business but for society. As demonstrated by Harvard’s response to recent political interference, they are actively defending diversity and inclusion. It's also bittersweet to say this, but due to the predicted decline in international applicants from the administration’s unwelcoming stance, chances may actually improve for international applicants who do apply. One thing is for sure, MBA programs are unequivocally still supportive of diverse, global applicants.

So, if you’re drawn to U.S. MBA programs—don’t give up. There are still pathways, and people—admissions officers, alumni, peers—are still fighting to keep them open.

So how can you approach this application season strategically?

Given the recent U.S. visa uncertainty, including the temporary visa interview pause, many international applicants are understandably worried. But it’s important not to panic. If my MBA taught me anything, it’s to be resilient and flexible—to create and find opportunities to adapt to. I encourage that same mindset.

Here are some strategies:

1. Start Early & Diversify Applications – Unless there’s an official declaration of permanent visa cancellation, if you're set on a U.S. MBA—go for it! But also make time to apply to programs outside of the U.S. Even unaffected applicants should apply early to allow flexibility. This is especially important for programs with rolling deadlines or alternative intakes, like HEC’s monthly rounds or INSEAD’s alternative January start.

2. Highlight Global and Local Experience – European programs especially value applicants with a global mindset and community involvement. Whether applying to U.S. or international programs, showcase your ability to work across cultures and contribute to diverse teams.

3. Focus on the Why Now – A strong MBA application connects past experiences, future goals, and why now is the right time. In this time of uncertainty, be transparent in your essays. Show how you’re committed to making an impact in an increasingly complex global business world. This and resilience is a key quality that MBA programs value.

4. Stay Informed and Hopeful – Several of my clients have recently asked about the political attacks on higher education and while none of us can predict what’s next, I stay on top of these developments and advise my clients with full transparency. My consistent read is: while the setbacks are real, the pushback is strong. Universities are fighting back through legal channels, alumni are speaking out, and admissions offices are standing firm. Many students who are facing visa issues have been granted deferrals and federal judges are issuing injunctions. So stay up to date on the news and stay positive.

Despite everything that’s happened in the last few months, my honest take is that the long-term ROI of top U.S. MBA programs remains unchanged. I believe our institutions will ride this out, and no matter who is in office, American higher education will continue to be a global center of innovation and opportunity.

This year, the path might look different. But if an American MBA is your dream—go for it. Just be smart about your options, and explore programs outside of the States as well; They are incredible programs too. In fact, I also encourage U.S. applicants to look abroad—because this moment reminds us how important it is to develop a global mindset as future leaders and studying abroad is not just a way to cultivate this—it's also fun.

Are you an international applicant navigating the changing application landscape—or a U.S. applicant exploring MBA options at home and abroad? Let’s chat! Schedule a free 30 minute consultation call with me here, where we'll evaluate your profile and goals, identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and map out a personalized strategy for your applications; whether it's top USA or European programs or Asia's #1 NUS, I've helped my clients reach them all by guiding them in crafting a narrative that reflects their global leadership potential. Let me show you how I can help you unpack and communicate your unique story and energize you with confidence throughout your MBA/Masters application journey to reach your goals. Schedule your FREE consultation call today!