# The Top 10 MBA Programs in Pittsburgh, PA

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- Published: 2024-04-20
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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With its thriving industries, world-class universities, vibrant startup scene, and low cost of living, Pittsburgh has emerged as an underrated yet excellent city for MBA talent. This guide profiles the top-ranked MBA programs in Pittsburgh to consider for advancing your business education and career.

## Why Pursue an MBA in Pittsburgh?

Before diving into the rankings, let‘s look at what makes Pittsburgh such a great place to invest in an MBA:

- **Affordable metropolitan area** – Pittsburgh offers a very reasonable cost of living compared to other major US cities, allowing you to get more value out of your MBA investment.
- **Leading industries** – Major Pittsburgh-based companies and industries include technology, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, energy, and robotics. This translates to ample job opportunities for MBA graduates.
- **Access to top talent** – Between Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh, and other schools, Pittsburgh produces exceptional graduates across business and technology programs yearly.
- **Vibrant startup ecosystem** – Initiatives like Innovation Works, Alpha Lab Gear, and Ascender fund and nurture hundreds of Pittsburgh-based startups annually, presentings cool opportunities for entrepreneurially-minded MBAs.
- **High quality of life** – Pittsburgh routinely ranks amongst the top cities in the US for amenities like affordability, safety, culture, recreation, and livability.

In short, Pittsburgh blends midwestern warmth and affordability with outstanding academic and professional opportunities. Now let‘s explore the top MBA programs that call Steel City home:

## 1. Tepper School of Business (Carnegie Mellon University)

The Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University is ranked the #1 MBA program in Pittsburgh and #16 nationwide by US News. As part of world-renowned Carnegie Mellon, Tepper is praised for its rigorous academics grounded in analytical decision-making.

**Key Highlights**:

- Emphasis on technology, analytics, operations research
- Average GMAT: 732
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 5.8 : 1
- Tuition: $73,446 per year
- Popular Career Tracks: consulting, product management, finance, marketing

Tepper also offers a FlexMBA program catered towards working professionals with online and accelerated options. Notable Tepper alumni include former Intel CEO Paul Otellini and Abby Kohnstamm, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Pitney Bowes.

**Learn more:** [Tepper School of Business](https://www.cmu.edu/tepper/)

## 2. Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business (University of Pittsburgh)

As part of the excellent University of Pittsburgh, the Katz School is ranked the #56 MBA program nationally per US News. Katz emphasizes experiential learning like consulting projects plus global exposure through study abroad options.

**Key Details**:

- Average GMAT: 655
- Enrollment: 300 full-time, 146 part-time MBAs
- Annual Tuition: $48,048 (in-state), $60,960 (out-of-state)
- Popular Tracks: marketing, finance, supply chain management
- Strong Healthcare Management MBA

Prominent Katz alumni include former Heinz and Hertz CEO William Johnson and Suresh Vaswani, president of Dell Services. Katz MBAs also frequently land at top regional employers like PNC Financial Services, Dick‘s Sporting Goods, Alcoa, and Bayer.

**Learn more:** [Katz Graduate School of Business](https://www.business.pitt.edu/)

## 3. College of Business Administration (University of Pittsburgh)

Also part of Pitt, the College of Business Administration holds additional accreditation from the AACSB. Their MBA curriculum incorporates global and leadership components plus hands-on learning via projects and simulations.

**Vital Stats**:

- GMAT Average: 550
- Enrollment: 35 Full-Time MBAs, 278 Part-Time
- In-State Tuition: $17,580 per year
- Popular Specializations: marketing, finance, business analytics

Prominent alumni from Pitt Business include former Kraft Foods CEO Robert Eckert and Subaru of America COO Thomas Doll. The program touts strong outcomes landing graduates at major regional corporations like FedEx Ground, Highmark, PwC, Citizens Bank, Dick‘s Sporting Goods, and Alcoa.

**Learn more:** [College of Business Administration](https://www.business.pitt.edu/)

## 4. Duquesne University School of Business

The School of Business at Duquesne University offers AACSB-accredited MBA programs focused on ethics, sustainability and innovation. Students praise the flexibility in customizing their MBA through various concentrations.

**Key Information**:

- Average GMAT: Not Required
- Enrollment: 75 Full-Time MBAs, 102 Part-Time
- Estimated Tuition: $40,422 per year
- Concentrations: Business Analytics, Accounting, more

Duquesne MBA students can also specialize further with dual degrees in fields like healthcare administration, law, and information systems management. Successful alums include executives from companies like Willis Towers Watson, Hilton Worldwide, Citizens Financial Group, and more.

**Learn more:** [Duquesne School of Business](https://www.duq.edu/admissions-and-aid/graduate/your-graduate-admissions-counselors/mba-business-analytics-program-profile)

## 5. Carlow College School of Management

While smaller than the major research programs, Carlow University‘s School of Management emphasize social justice and community engagement alongside business education. Their 30-credit MBA can be completed in just one year.

**Overview**:

- Average GMAT: Not required
- Estimated Annual Tuition: $615 per credit
- Enrollment: 53 graduate business students
- Concentrations: Business analytics, healthcare administration

Carlow‘s service learning focus means students contribute over 5,000 community service hours yearly through the MBA program. Graduates work at regional companies like PNC, Highmark, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Aspirant Education, and more.

**Learn more:** [School of Management](https://www.carlow.edu/academics/schools/school-of-management/)

## How to Pick the Best MBA Program in Pittsburgh

With these powerhouse business schools leading the way, Pittsburgh punched above its weight for the caliber of MBA talent and education offered locally.

As you evaluate your options, here are a few tips for selecting your perfect Pittsburgh MBA match:

- **Schedule campus visits** – Get a firsthand feel for each school‘s culture, facilities and environment
- **Talk to current students** – Ask about academics, career services, work opportunities, etc
- **Consider your career goals** – Let your post-MBA industry and job aspirations guide your program pick
- **Compare costs** – Factor in tuition, scholarships, living expenses, and earning potential
- **Apply broadly** – Leverage options across both top-ranked and up-and-coming business schools locally

With smart research and planning, you‘re bound to discover a Pittsburgh MBA program that catapults you towards your goals while giving you an invaluable edge in the Steel City job market.

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Source: [The Top 10 MBA Programs in Pittsburgh, PA](https://33rdsquare.com/the-top-10-mba-programs-in-pittsburgh-pa/)