Diversity in backgrounds, nationality, and experience can add tremendous value to the MBA class experience. Each group brings its expertise and unique experience to the class. Apart from cultural integration, international students have been exposed to unique problems that are resolved under tight deadlines and strict resource limitations – traits of creativity.
Crossing language barriers and communicating the right information would be another skill that an MBA student would develop with an International Class.
For international students, learning about the practices and processes of a developed economy would be the context that can help them scale a venture or find new regulatory interventions.
A strategic reason for targeting international students is to diversify and strengthen the Alumni network. When alumni are from developing countries, access to international job markets opens up, especially since the next wave of growth has already been initiated by China, India, Africa, and South East Asia.
Business Schools with Most International Students
Notably, the highest proportion of international students is found at ESADE (97%), Oxford (93%), HEC Paris (92%), NUS MBA (92%), London Business School (91%), and INSEAD (with students representing 110 nationalities). Business Schools in Europe tend to show high international student percentages. According to the Financial Times rankings, seven of the top ten schools in terms of value for money are European or Asian.
1-Year Advantage (European Schools): When considering the salary received by graduates, the fees, the opportunity cost, and other expenses, Europe's value-for-money advantage is mostly due to the relatively shorter length of the MBA program in comparison to the ones offered in the US.
Top US Schools with Lowest International Representation - Reasons
Conversely, some programs have lower international student percentages. McCombs (28%), UNC (34%), Tuck (33%), and Ivey Business School (35%) are among those with lower representation. Possible reasons include location (less cosmopolitan cities), curriculum focus (more regional or industry-specific), and limited scholarship opportunities for international students.
Even in schools with 30-35% international student representation, the peer-to-peer learning opportunities are immense as the demographic is carefully built in a class. Typically, multi-country, multi-city, or unique engagements in a country/city known for industry, trending technology, policy, or function are valued over over-represented functions, industries, or mindset. Applicants often don't mention this unique value proposition an international peer group offers in their MBA essay.
Top US Schools with Strong International Class - Reasons
Harvard (38%), Stanford (37%), Kellogg (38%), and MIT Sloan (40%) strike a balance between attracting diverse talent and maintaining strong domestic enrolment.
Tepper (53%), Columbia (51%), Yale (50%), NYU Stern (48%), and UCLA Anderson (48%) complete the top 5 list for T20 US schools with the best international class percentage.
| Business School | Full-time MBA (International Students Percentage) |
| Harvard | 38% |
| Stanford | 37% |
| Wharton | 31% |
| Booth | 37% |
| Columbia | 51% |
| Kellogg | 38% |
| MIT Sloan | 40% |
| Duke Fuqua | 47% |
| London Business School | 91% |
| INSEAD | 110 nationalities |
| Tuck | 33% |
| Yale | 50% (includes US permanent and dual citizens) |
| Darden | 41% |
| Haas | 41% |
| NYU Stern | 44% |
| UCLA Anderson | 48% |
| Cornell | 43% |
| McCombs | 28% |
| IESE | 85% |
| IE | 92% |
| Oxford | 93% |
| HEC Paris | 92% |
| SDA Bocconi | 73% |
| Tepper | 53% |
| McDonough | 46% |
| UNC | 34% |
| Rice Jones | 42% |
| Vanderbilt Owen | 31% (Includes foreign nationals, dual citizens and US permanent residents) |
| NUS MBA | 92% |
| Kelley MBA | 58% |
| Foster MBA | 43% |
| USC Marshall | 41% |
| BU Questrom School of Business | 59% |
| Washington University Olin Business School | 51% |
| ESADE | 97% |
| IMD | 60-75% (approx) |
| Rochester – Simon School of Business | 46% |
| Georgia Tech Scheler School of Business | 37% |
| HKUST | 87% |
| Paul Merage School of Business | 44% |
| Ivey Business School | 35% |
| Rotman School of Management | 65% |
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