NYU Stern MBA - Class Profile, Fee, Salary & Curriculum

Located in New York City(Greenwich Village campus), NYU Stern School of Business was established in 1900 as the NYU School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance. In addition to the Full-time MBA, Stern also offers part-time MBA, Executive MBA Program and the Trium Global Executive MBA program.

The proximity to Wall Street was always a differentiator for Stern. However, taking the title of the MBA program with the highest veteran representation over Tuck, Ross and McCombs was certainly a surprise.

In this in-depth analysis of NYU Stern Full-time MBA program, we cover:

• NYU Stern MBA Class Profile
• NYU Stern Pre-MBA Education
• NYU Stern Pre-MBA Industry
• NYU Stern MBA Curriculum
• NYU Stern MBA Specializations
• NYU Stern MBA Experiential Programs
• NYU Stern MBA Global Programs
• NYU Stern MBA Fees and Total Cost
• NYU Stern MBA Scholarships, Loans, and Financial Aid
• NYU Stern MBA Application Process
• NYU Stern MBA Dual Degrees
• NYU Stern MBA – Entrepreneurship
• NYU Stern MBA Salary by Function
• NYU Stern MBA Salary by Industry
• NYU Stern MBA Employment by Region

Class Profile

With an acceptance rate of 19% from nearly 3,958 applications, the class size of NYU Stern is at a respectable 360.. The latest class had a median GMAT score of 729 where women representation crossed 40%, but the international representation fell to 32%.

Pre-MBA Education

Business/Economics (collectively) represent 43%, and STEM another 24%, taking the total close to 70%. Situated at the heart of Wall Street with industry connections and experiential learning opportunities, NYU Stern has carefully optimized for a class with strong analytical skills, serving the larger post-MBA employers at UBS, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs.

Pre-MBA Industry

Finance dominates the pre-MBA industry of the incoming class, represented by 23%. MBA as a career- changing tool to Finance served Technology and Military applicants the most – a combined total that was represented at 18%, while Consulting was at a low of 12%. Consumer products, Military/Government, and Non-Profit/Arts/Education each represent 9%, offering a relatively conservative mix of professions, matching the strength of New York and Stern’s post-MBA placement trends.

NYU Stern MBA Curriculum

Core

Apart from two compulsory core courses - Financial Accounting & Reporting and Statistics & Data Analysis, students can choose 5 core courses from 8 - Business Analytics, Firms & Markets, Foundations of Finance, The Global Economy, Leadership in Organizations, Marketing, Operations Management, and Strategy. The capstone project in Professional Responsibility is compulsory for all students and cannot be waived. Full-time MBA students can take an additional free course (3 credits) in the year they earn their 60th credit.

Specializations

Three specializations from the choice of 27 are mandatory to gain the 60-credit MBA degree from NYU Stern. Students can take up to a quarter of their credits from a pre-approved list of graduate institutions and courses as part of their MBA.

Consulting

Multiple specializations are offered at NYU Stern that can help tailor the MBA towards a consulting function, among which Business Analytics, Leadership & Change Management, Management, Management of Technology & Operations. Strategy, Supply Chain Management & Global Sourcing stands out for its relevance.

Coursework in the areas of strategy, operations, company growth, and decision models is recommended.

Three experiential learning opportunities (Consulting Lab: Branding + Innovation, Stern Consulting Corps and Communication for Consultants) and two student clubs relevant to Consulting offers students the industry-relevant skills for  McKinsey, Bain, BCG, KPMG, and other top-tier consulting firms that are regular recruiters for NYU Stern’s Full-time MBA program.

Finance

NYU Stern’s stronghold – the Finance specialization is ideal for anyone entering Investment Banking and Real Estate financing. Through the Michael Price Student Investment Fund, students can apply their skills in managing the ~ $1.8 million fund. From a broad range of courses from futures & options, real estate capital markets, investment banking, behavioral finance, and bankruptcy & reorganization, the specialization offers an in-depth perspective in decoding competitive, regulatory, and consumer behavior in the industry.

Accounting

The accounting specialization at NYU Stern offers a firm foundation in the interpretation and forecasting of financial statements and builds expertise in strategy from implications of taxes on business strategies to incentives that affect managerial reporting. Additionally, students learn to build accounting information systems through API and integration of systems that help in identifying decision-makers and information flow.

Banking

This specialization is ideal for careers in Asset Management, Sales & Trading, Consumer & Retail Banking, and Corporate Finance. The courses offered under this specialization not only delve deeper into the subjects like Derivatives, Managing Investment Funds, Debt Instruments & Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, but also offer entrepreneurial courses such as New Venture Financing, Venture Capital Financing, and Entrepreneurial Finance. Multidisciplinary finance courses that feed into the strategy for business leaders are also available as electives - Economic and Financial Approach to Climate Change, Managing Climate, Cyber, Geopolitical, and Financial Risk, and Climate Finance: An Economic and Financial Approach to Climate Change.

Corporate Finance

Focused on firm performance, cash allocation, valuation, and risk, this specialization is ideal for careers in Investment Banking, Real Estate Finance, and Mergers & Acquisitions. The cases in Corporate Finance courses delve into multiple international settings around which financial decisions around M&A and restructuring were made, giving students a real-world and international perspective on corporate finance.

Marketing

NYU Stern’s marketing department is one of the top 5 in the world. Experiential learning, mentorships, and leading faculty are its strengths in molding students for leadership positions. Nespresso. Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson are some of the regular recruiters.

Associated specializations offered at NYU Stern MBA for those who want to dive deeper into marketing are - Brand Management, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Entertainment, Media & Technology, and Luxury Marketing

Brand Management

Tailored for general careers in Product Management, Marketing Management, Consulting, this specialization also offers industry-specific knowledge catered towards Pharmaceutical Marketing,  Entertainment & Media, and Luxury/Retail Marketing. Entrepreneurs who want to broaden their exposure to the marketing function should explore these courses – Marketing Planning & Selling, Marketing for Entrepreneurs, The Business of Producing: Entrepreneurship in Entertainment & Media, Storytelling in Business, Tech Product Management, Digitalization, and Society: The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Digital Disruption: Creating and Capturing Value and Consultative Selling.

Business Analytics

This is a quantitative specialization popular among those who have the ambition to climb the corporate ladder and capture the C-Suite role in the next 10 years. With courses in Stochastics, Econometrics, Regression, and Multivariate Data Analysis, Business Analytics specialization have a broad career implication in Finance, Consulting, and Marketing. Students learn to analyze the impact of data-driven decisions, forecast stock returns, and optimize task completion by changing task characteristics with the help of data and a credible feedback loop.

Entertainment & Media

Time Warner, Disney, Sony, Viacom, and NBCUniversal – each went through a transformative phase from old-world distribution to platform-driven digital distribution models. Through the case study, the journey of each media giant is analyzed and interpreted. In addition to developing the strategy and skills to navigate change in the business model, candidates interested in entering the industry will gain a broader perspective on strategy, intellectual property management, and partnerships. Blizzard Entertainment, HBO, and Hulu were three employers popular among NYU Stern graduates.

Related specializations include Brand Management, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Entertainment, Media & Technology, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Management of Technology & Operations, and Marketing.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Entrepreneurial & Innovation cover venture capital, social entrepreneurship, private equity, and small Business. Related specializations include Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, FinTech, Law & Business, Social Innovation and Impact, and Strategy. Competitions with awards ranging from $75,000 to $100,000 are managed by NYU Stern, encouraging entrepreneurial development. Block Six Analytics, Torch Films, Mott & Bow are some of the businesses and start-ups emerging from NYU Stern.

Healthcare

800,000 employed in the Healthcare and $2.6B in VC funding allocated to 117 NYC-based healthcare companies proves New York’s strength in the healthcare industry. Stern MBA’s emphasis is on leveraging the professional network, building foundational knowledge, offering strategic problem-solving tools, and developing communication skills for healthcare professionals to grow in the industry. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer Inc were the top employers interested in NYU Stern MBA graduates. Related coursework explores the biotechnology industry, innovation in Pharma & Biotech, Drug Development in a New Era, Financial Analysis in Healthcare, The Making of a Healthcare Entrepreneur, and The Realities of Managing Complex Health Systems.

Luxury Marketing

With over 60% of customers making the decision on luxury products through exposure to internet media, social media influencers, and the narrative on the brand’s quality, luxury retailers and traditional retailers entering luxury markets must consider multiple touchpoints in their marketing plan. Through the specialization, students develop the perspective and unique skill set to leverage analytical tools and distribution channels to establish relevant conversations with customers. Walmart eCommerce, Nike, H&M are some of the companies that hire from NYU Stern in this specialization. Advertising Management, Global Strategy, Luxury Marketing, Innovation and Design, Brand Strategy, and Decision Models are explored through the coursework. Related specializations are - Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Global Business, Luxury Retail, Supply Chain Management, and Global Sourcing.

Real Estate

Electives from NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate are combined with the curriculum at NYU Stern MBA. Associated specializations include real estate, finance, and corporate finance. Coursework explores Real Estate Primary Markets, Real Estate Capital Markets, Real Estate Development and Entrepreneurship, Real Estate Transactions, Real Estate Investment Strategies, and Urban Systems. Allianz Real Estate of America and Double U Development are some of the companies that hire NYU Stern MBA graduates in this domain.

Social Enterprise

5 experiential learning opportunities with an equal number of student-led clubs and centers provide NYU Stern MBA graduates with ample opportunities to specialize in Social Enterprise. Coursework explores Social Entrepreneurship, International Social Impact Strategies, Globalization: A Cross-Functional Perspective, Managing Change, Examining the Nonprofit Capital Market, and Social Venture Capital.

Technology

An interdisciplinary approach to Tech leadership, the specialization combines Business with the tools to scale and maximize business decisions. Trading Strategies and Systems, Design and Development of Web and Mobile Applications, Business Strategy for the Digital Economy, Financial Information Systems, Robo Advisors, and Systematic Trading and Information Technology Strategy are explored in the coursework. Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Entertainment, Media & Technology, FinTech, Management of Technology & Operations, and Tech Product Management are the associated specializations offered at NYU Stern that found Apple, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Salesforce.com, Verizon, and Visa leading the recruiter list.

NYU Stern MBA Experiential Programs

Aligned with the specializations, NYU Stern Full-time MBA program offers 15 experiential learning opportunities.

NYU Stern MBA Global Programs

Doing Business in... (DBi) Program

The 1-week to 2-week DBi program includes classes, corporate visits, speakers, and cultural visits. Stern students visit countries in Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, where they explore the business challenges and customer problems unique to the region. Previous visits include Shanghai, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and Turkey.

Faculty-Led International Courses

Faculty-led international courses leverage the unique background of the faculty with previous courses, including Operations in Panama and The Craft and Commerce of Cinema: Cannes Film Festival.

NYU Stern MBA Fees and Total Cost

NYU Stern is the most expensive MBA program at a total 1-year cost of $121,541. There is no difference in fees between domestic and international students. Living expenses for 9-months (an academic year) are $27,420 with added transportation cost of $1,132. Tuition fees are $78,700, with registration fees adding another $4,429. Health insurance and other miscellaneous expenses contribute $8,144 to the total, and books/supplies cost $1,500. Loan fees of $216 are included in the total cost.

NYU Stern MBA Scholarships, Loans, and Financial Aid

Private Loans for International Students

With US Co-Signer: a social security number is needed in addition to a co-signer for the loan application. Some of the providers include but are not limited to Citizens Student Bank Loan, Discover MBA loan, Sallie Mae Student Loans, SoFi Graduate Student Loans, and Union Federal Private Student Loan. The processing time is around 4 weeks or longer.

Without a US Co-Signer: International students might find it more viable to take a domestic private loan with a US Co-Signer. Some options for students without a Co-Signer are MPower Financing and Prodigy Finance Student Loan.

The Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) MBA Fellowship

The BAEF MBA Fellowship is an interest-free loan of $100,000 for two academic years. The repayment period is 5-years, and students must be Belgian nationals.

Canadian Students

The Government of Canada has multiple financial assistance programs, but these vary by province. Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut operate their own student financial assistance programs. Students, who are Canadian nationals, are advised to consult their home province.

Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund

Applicable only to Latin American and Caribbean OAS member countries, the Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund is an interest-free loan with 1-year loan repayment and the condition that the candidate must return to their home country to facilitate intercultural exchange and socioeconomic development.

Private Loans for Domestic Students

The 19 domestic student loan providers listed in the table have no affiliation with NYU Stern, and students aren’t obliged to use them. Students will need to prioritize federal loans and complete the FAFSA form before considering private loans. The loan amount will always be below the cost of attendance

Scholarships

78 scholarships are available for NYU Stern MBA students, some of which require individual applications. NYU Stern offers 19 military scholarships (the highest of any top US MBA program), 13 scholarships for women, 7 for LGBTQ, and 2 promoting entrepreneurship. Scholarship awards range from $500 to full tuition and additional stipends (living expenses).

NYU Stern Loan Assistance Program

A maximum reward of $15,000 is provided to students working for an international or US governmental organization with a social mission. The eligibility criteria are that students in need must have an outstanding loan taken to pursue their NYU Stern MBA (approved by the NYU Stern Graduate Financial Aid Office) and an annual salary of $100,000. The candidates’ prior experience, commitment to the social cause, and their impact in facilitating sustained growth of the organization are considered as part of the selection process.

The application process requires a 500-word personal statement citing their role in the organization, motivations for taking the position, potential contributions, and long-term career goals. The deadline to apply for the Loan Assistance Program is 15th December each year.

NYU Stern MBA Application Process

A non-refundable application fee of $250 is charged for NYU Stern full-time MBA application, and the deadlines are the 15th of September, October, January, and March. International students should be conscious of visa processing timelines, apply early in the admissions cycle and facilitate offsite interviews.

Transcripts and Resume

Applicants must submit undergraduate degree, GMAT/GRE transcripts, resume, EQ Endorsements (usually 2 letters of recommendation from professional supervisors), Mastery of English certificates, and short answer/essay questions to complete the application.

64% of accepted applicants from the last class profile completed the GMAT and 18% the GRE. NYU Stern does accept LSAT/MCAT/DAT, but only a very negligible percentage chose to leverage the score. Just 1% of all applications were subject to the pandemic waiver last year. The candidate’s resume must provide details of the responsibilities they undertook while in the relevant role and demonstrate progression.

EQ Endorsements

The NYU Stern MBA selection process emphasizes equal priority to intellectual capability, and emotional intelligence (interpersonal and leadership skills) focused on the betterment of society and business growth. It is the only top US MBA program allowing applicants to include a second EQ Endorsement or recommendation letter from a personal connection, however, not from a family connection. Technically more than 2 EQ Endorsements are allowed but not recommended unless they are necessary or add value to the application.

The primary EQ Endorsement must be from a professional supervisor. The recommender must be an informed assessor of the applicant’s potential to succeed at NYU Stern’s MBA program, future career, and the EQ strengths that will propel them to do so. The letter should contain details of the interaction between the recommender and candidate, the applicant’s strengths or any factors that made them stand out compared to their peers, instances of the exchange of feedback between the recommender and candidate, the candidate’s response to the feedback. The recommender is also required to analyze and demonstrate the candidate’s EQ (self-awareness, empathy, communication, and self-management skills) with an example.

Essays

The first question on the application form is a short-answer question on the applicant’s short-term career goals. The 150-word answer should detail the motivations behind the choice and reason how the NYU Stern MBA is going to further the candidate’s aspirations.

The first essay is a fill-in-the-blank question - Change: ____ it. The context to the question is that the global business environment is an ever-changing dynamic. Candidates are required to use a word to fill in the blank and explain why it resonates with them. Candidates are then asked for their perspective on how they would adopt the tagline as an ethos during their studies at NYU Stern.

The second essay requires candidates to think visually, write a brief introduction of 3 lines on the images, and caption (explaining the significance) each of the six images chosen as though they were presenting to their peers. The format for this essay is PDF that is required to be uploaded. The third essay is optional and should detail any additional information such as employment gaps, undergraduate records, or any other admission requirement that needs to be explained.

NYU Stern MBA Dual Degrees

Six dual degrees are offered with the MBA. One is a partnership with HEC Paris. The subject areas in which the dual degree with the MBA is offered are law (NYU School of Law), medicine (NYU School of Medicine), film studies (Kanbar Institute at the Tisch School of the Arts), mathematics in finance, policy (Wagner School of Public Service), biology (Graduate School of Arts & Science), and dentistry (NYU College of Dentistry).

Stern MBA is the only top US MBA program to offer the MS in Mathematics (Finance) that only first-year full-time Courant (NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences) MS in Mathematics (Finance) students can apply.

NYU Stern MBA and HEC School of Management MBA

Students have the choice to begin their degree from either NYU Stern or HEC Paris, joining at the beginning of the first year (to study the core curriculum) or beginning of the second year (to study the chosen electives). The application fee is waived off for HEC MBA students applying to NYU Stern. Only one EQ Endorsement is needed. Career Services provided by both institutions, along with alumni facilities, are available for students pursuing this dual degree.

NYU Stern MBA – Entrepreneurship

Stern Venture Fellows Program, Social Problem Based Entrepreneurship, and Endless Frontier Lab are experiential learning opportunities complementing the specializations offered in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Whether building, incubating, or seeking seed-funding for a science-based company, NYU Stern offers these opportunities with guided mentorship and networking. Stern Entrepreneurship and Startup Association, Social Impact and Sustainability Association, The Stern Technology Association, W.R. Berkley Innovation Labs, and Leslie eLab offer a powerful community for entrepreneurs – from career-building to start-up development and funding.

NYU Andre Koo Tech MBA

Students can pursue a Tech MBA at Stern, which has its own application procedures and timelines (runs from May to May the following year). The program prepares students with the technical and business acumen to succeed in the technology industry using experiential learning and coursework, where students build meaningful connections to support their careers.

NYU Fashion & Luxury MBA

Each term, students have experiential opportunities to apply their learning, build their portfolios, and gain connections. The NYU Fashion and Luxury MBA combines marketing, strategy specific to the fashion world and offers students real-world projects to solve. In 2019, NYU Fashion & Luxury MBA students traveled to Milan, one of the fashion capitals of the world, to explore the luxury market in a global context.

Fertitta Veterans MBA Program

A summer program for military personnel, Fertita Veterans MBA program is open to all Military veterans and active-duty students regardless of earning the Fertitta Scholarship. The program teaches accounting, statistics & data analysis before they join the full-time MBA program.

NYU Stern MBA Salary by Function

Consulting was the most popular function at 39.9%, with the majority in management consulting (28%) and 7% in strategy consulting. Investment banking was the second popular function chosen by Sternies. Brand management was the least represented in the top 5 functions at 4%.

NYU Stern MBA Salary by Industry

On percentage hired for investment banking, NYU Stern ranks #1. The program also has the second-highest median sign-on bonuses at $55,065, Columbia is #1 at $60,000. A big part of the impressive placement is the NYC-catered experiential learning opportunities, and a strong wall street connection the students and career service team have established over the years.

Other top industries were consulting, technology, and Healthcare/Pharma/Biotech, with Consulting attracting the largest median base salary and financial services the highest median sign-on bonus.

NYU Stern MBA Employment by Region

71.2% of all full-time jobs were based in the US, of which 45.8% were in New York. Usually, among the top US MBA programs, it is an 85% US and 15% international split. NYU Stern has a large representation in international employment of 28.8%. Asia represents 13.3% of all employment and Europe 7.5%, Latin America the least at 4%. Outside the US, consulting was the highest represented industry (50%) and function (51.4%). Second place was tied between investment banking and general management at 5.9%.

Related Download

F1GMAT's NYU Stern MBA Application Essay Guide

Reference

NYU Stern Full-time MBA