The Top One-Year MBA Programs In The United States

MBAs come in different formats, from online to in-person and part-time to full-time.

While the most common format has long been a two-year, full-time, in-person course, more schools have started to introduce one-year options, making the process of earning their degree much quicker without needing to sacrifice too much time out of the office.

Other perks of a one-year format include lower tuition costs, more summer internship, opportunities and looser eligibility requirements.

Here are 10 one-year MBAs from top US b-schools to think about.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Cornell offers an accelerated one-year program starting in the summer with a 13-week introductory crash course covering business foundations and leadership training.

The MBA combines a STEM-designation path, a flexible curriculum, student leadership initiatives, course options on the East Coast, and a tight-knit student community.

Candidates can choose from a wide range of electives and have the opportunity to take classes at Cornell Tech in New York City.

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati’s MBA can be completed in one year or 16 months – if candidates decide to undertake an optional internship.

The program focuses on giving students a highly customizable curriculum with a wide range of electives and 20 specializations.

While Ohio might not seem as career-friendly as Silicon Valley, some of the world’s largest companies such as Procter & Gamble, Kroger and Macy’s are located within three miles of the university campus, allowing candidates to make important connections while on their MBA.

Florida International University, Chapman Graduate School of Business

FIU’s one-year MBA program focuses on giving candidates a deep understanding of global issues. Students can choose to study abroad or elect an internship experience at an international or multinational company, increasing their standing in the job market.

Aside from core and elective courses, students are required to take four Professional Development Seminars (PDS) – team building, presentation skills, case analysis and career services – to further develop their skillset and become better leaders.

The Kellogg School of Management

Kellogg’s one-year MBA is one of the highest-ranked accelerated programs. The MBA starts in the summer with a pre-enrollment course, with candidates joining the full-time, two-year cohort in September for the remainder of the program.

The MBA is highly personalized, and students can choose from over 200 electives to tailor their curriculum to their career aspirations.

Moreover, candidates can select pathways to specialize in their preferred area of business. These include data analytics, entrepreneurship, growth and scaling, healthcare, real estate, social impact, and venture capital & private equity.

The Fuqua School of Business

Fuqua’s one-year MBA is one of the most popular programs on our list, boasting a cohort of over 390 students. This accelerated program starts in the summer with a four-week course, where students take classes on core business topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, and tech.

Students can then choose from 13 specialization areas to boost their expertise. These include marketing, energy & environment, finance, fintech and social entrepreneurship.

Goizueta Business School

Goizueta’s one-year MBA is an accelerated program that focuses on solving real-world business problems. Candidates work with real clients, study abroad, become leadership coaches and learn from renowned businesspeople.

Classes are small, with a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio that allows candidates to form strong bonds with faculty and staff. The program kicks off with an immersive summer semester, followed by two semesters of electives and highly specialized classes.

Mendoza College of Business

The one-year MBA at Mendoza begins with a 10-week summer session where students master core topics such as financial accounting, finance, career leadership and strategic decision making. In September, candidates choose their preferred concentration area and join the second-year cohort of Mendoza’s two-year program.

The concentration tracks are business analytics, business leadership, corporate finance, innovation & entrepreneurship, investments, marketing, strategy, and supply chain & operations management.

Gatton College of Business and Economics

The one-year MBA program at Gatton is an immersive, cross-disciplinary, hands-on course designed for leaders from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including STEM, arts and sciences and communications. The course is highly interactive and admits candidates on a rolling basis.

The cornerstone of Gatton’s one-year MBA is an internship program called Project Connect, where students spend 32 weeks working for companies on business projects surrounding data analysis, market research, growth strategies, supply chain management, logistics and operations.

Marshall School of Business

USC Marshall’s one-year I-BEAR MBA is ideal for mid-career professionals who want to grow their experience and land international, top-tier positions. The program focuses on giving candidates an immersive and global learning experience, with a wide range of global business consulting projects to participate in.

Moreover, students can tailor their curriculum to their career needs and become international leaders.

Sawyer Business School

Sawyer Business School’s MBA is designed for candidates to develop intellectual agility, analytical thinking, and executive leadership skills. Students can complete the program in as little as 11 months if they choose to study full-time.

Aside from core courses, candidates are required to take four MBA electives as part of concentration areas, including accounting, business law and ethics, entrepreneurship, and healthcare administration.