Studying in the U.S. in Business Administration: Costs and Career Opportunities

1.1. Individually oriented flexible curriculum

Programs in the U.S. apply the Liberal Arts Education model, which emphasizes both specialized knowledge and multidisciplinary thinking. In addition to your core major, you can also take additional electives, accumulate credits, and adjust your study plan with the support of an academic advisor. Full-time Bachelor's degree programs in the U.S. typically last about four years.

When studying Business Administration in the US, students have the flexibility to build a learning path according to their interests and career orientation through many options:

• Choose a concentration orientation such as Finance, Marketing, International Business, or Business Analytics.

• Study a minor in Data Science, Communication, Psychology or Foreign Languages.

• Studying in parallel (Double Major) to optimize personal capacity.

• Change majors or adjust your in-depth orientation when career goals change.

• Participate in study abroad programs or interdisciplinary projects.

• Begin attending a community college and transfer to a four-year university to complete a Bachelor's degree.

This flexibility is especially suitable for those who want to explore multiple areas before choosing an in-depth direction. Instead of having to immediately identify a specific career position from the first year, you will have more time to understand your strengths, interests and build a curriculum that is suitable for your future plans.

1.2. Opportunities to access the international business environment

The US is home to many multinational corporations, technology businesses, financial institutions, and a dynamic startup ecosystem. Depending on the location of the school, MBA students can access the following typical career environments:

• New York: Featured in the fields of Finance, Media, Advertising, and Consulting.

• San Francisco Bay Area: The hub of Technology and Entrepreneurship.

• Boston: Concentrated in many universities, Technology and Biomedical businesses.

• Texas: Strengths in Energy, Technology, Manufacturing, and Logistics.

• Chicago: An important center for Finance, Consulting, and Commerce.

• Los Angeles: Thrive in the Media, Entertainment, Commerce, and Technology sectors.

Studying near major economic centers can give you access to a wider range of career activities, such as opportunities to attend job fairs, networking events, expert sharing sessions, or business partnerships. Therefore, when choosing a business administration school in the US, you should consider the industry ecosystem around the campus, rather than just focusing on rankings.

1.3. Develop practical skills in addition to academic knowledge

Business programs in the U.S. often focus on experiential learning, rather than just acquiring knowledge from lectures. Students are placed in situations close to the business environment to apply knowledge, analyze problems and propose solutions. Common forms of learning include:

• Business Case Analysis

• Participate in business operation simulation

• Develop a business plan

• Implementing consulting projects for businesses or organizations;

• Data analysis and visual dashboard design

• Presenting the solution to lecturers or business representatives;

• Participate in a contest to solve a business case

• Complete an internship or capstone project.

However, internship opportunities or co-op programs are not always arranged by the university. You need to actively complete your CV, find a suitable position, submit documents, participate in interviews and comply with working regulations related to visa status.

1.4. Alumni network and business connections

One of the valuable advantages of studying in the U.S. in Business Administration is the opportunity to build a network of relationships right from the time you are in school. Not only will these connections help you gain a better understanding of the labor market, but they can also open up opportunities for internships, career mentoring, and employment after graduation.

During their studies, students can connect with:

• Alumni who are working at businesses and organizations in the industry;

• Employers at career fairs;

• Lecturers have practical experience or have worked in enterprises;

• Career mentor;

• Member of academic and professional clubs;

• Founder, expert, and investor in the startup ecosystem.

Before choosing a school, you need to clearly distinguish the type of degree you want to study. BBA, BSBA, MBA, and specialized Master's programs differ not only in name but also aimed at their own groups of learners and career goals.

2.1. Popular Business Administration training levels in the US

Full-time Bachelor's degree programs in the U.S. typically last about four years. However, the actual completion time may vary depending on the number of credits enrolled per semester, the number of credits converted, the internship requirements, and the academic progress of each student.

To optimize your budget, you can choose the 2+2 route: study the first two years at a community college, then transfer to a four-year university to complete the program and receive a Bachelor's degree. This route can help reduce costs in the early stages, but you need to double-check the transfer agreement and the ability to recognize credits between schools before applying.

2.2. Top majors with the highest career prospects

There is no one-size-fits-all major. Job opportunities after graduation also depend on your professional capacity, internship experience, study location, recruitment needs, and work rights. Therefore, you should consider both your personal interests and the skill set that the business is looking for.

• Business Analytics:

  Combines knowledge of management, statistics, and data science, helping students use data to evaluate operational performance and support business decision-making.

• Finance:

  Equip knowledge of investment, banking, risk management and corporate finance. Students can orient themselves to positions such as financial analysts, investment consultants or financial managers.

• Marketing & Digital Marketing:

  Focuses on consumer behavior, brand strategy, digital content, and data-driven marketing. This is the right choice for those who love a combination of creativity, technology, and market analysis.

• Supply Chain Management & Logistics:

  Training in purchasing, inventory management, transportation and operational optimization. This specialization plays an important role in global manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, and distribution businesses.

• Management Information Systems (MIS):

  Connects business knowledge with technology, helping students understand how businesses use information systems to manage data, improve processes, and improve operational efficiency.

2.3. Skills trained by students

When studying Business Administration in the US, students will develop key competencies such as:

• Strategic & Problem-Solving Thinking

• Data Analysis and Data-Driven Decision Making

• Leadership, negotiation and international business communication skills

In order for the process of applying for Business Administration in the US to go smoothly, you need to prepare a set of documents that both meet academic requirements and clearly demonstrate your personal abilities, goals, and strengths. In addition to GPAs and English language certificates, many schools also consider essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and additional documents for each program.

3.1. Academic Requirements

For the Bachelor's (Undergraduate) program, students need to:

• High school graduation or equivalent program

• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 7.0 or higher.

For Postgraduate programs, the requirements are usually more stringent. Students typically need:

• GPA from 3.0+, GMAT score (from 600+) or GRE required.

• 2–5 years of practical work experience (Work Experience) is required.

SAT/ACT (standardized test of admission to American universities) is no longer a universal requirement for all schools. Some schools offer test-optional, some are test-flexible, while competing schools or programs may still require or encourage the submission of scores. Therefore, applicants need to check the official admission page of each school for the correct year of admission.

3.2. English proficiency requirements

International students often need to demonstrate English language proficiency through IELTS Academic, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, PTE Academic or another form recognized by the university.

To see the full academic, financial, and visa requirements, you can refer to the article: Find out information and conditions to study in the US

There is a significant difference between public schools, private schools, and community colleges. The fee also depends on the location of the school, the type of program, and the scholarship or financial aid policy available to each student. Below are the reference tuition fees applied for the 2025-2026 academic year:

In addition to the basic tuition fee, some Business Schools may charge additional program fees, technology fees, or differential tuition. Therefore, to estimate a budget close to reality, you should check the estimated total cost of tuition instead of just looking at the published tuition figures.

You can also refer to the article Cost of studying in the US to plan a comprehensive budget for tuition, housing, insurance, visas, and living expenses.

The United States has hundreds of Business programs with very different tuition fees, entry requirements, and levels of competition. Therefore, when choosing a school, you should consider the quality of training, the variety of specialties, internship opportunities, and the ability to connect with employers.

The list below summarizes the top schools in U.S. News' Undergraduate Business Programs 2026 rankings:

For Vietnamese students, the decision should be based on many factors such as total cost, scholarship opportunities, level of competition, conditions for direct admission to the Business School (school or faculty of Business) and the ability of the program to meet long-term career orientation.

What criteria should you choose a Business Administration school in the US?

When comparing schools, you should not only look at rankings, but also evaluate the program, cost, and ability to support your career goals:

• Program content:

  Choose a school with the right strengths in your field of study (e.g., New York University has an advantage in the field of Finance, while Babson University leads in Entrepreneurship). In addition, check the compulsory courses, electives, concentrations, minors, and capstone projects and the level of data/technology integration in the program.

• Accreditation:

  Priority is given to schools that have achieved AACSB (Association for the Development of Business Administration) international accreditation – quality certification for leading business schools.

• STEM Designation Program:

  Do not be determined based on the name of the industry alone. Check the CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code, DHS's current list of STEM majors, and the information listed on the Form I-20 of the admission course.

• Internship and Employment Opportunities:

  Consider the percentage of students with internships, the network of employers hiring, employment outcomes, and career counseling services.

• Location:

  Consider the cost of living, transportation, internship opportunities and local development majors. Larger cities can offer a wider network of businesses but often come with a higher standard of living.

• Business School Eligibility:

  Find out if the school requires direct admission or pre-business (pre-business stage) before applying internally. At the same time, check your GPA, prerequisites, recognized credits, major tuition fees, and the ability to graduate on time.

U.S. universities offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid to students studying Business Administration in the U.S., helping to reduce cost pressures and expand access to the right program. Some popular options include:

• Merit-based Scholarships: awarded by the university itself, based on GPA, SAT/ACT or GMAT/GRE scores, and extracurricular achievements. The scholarship level ranges from 10% to 100% of the tuition fee depending on the school and the applicant's profile.

• Business School Scholarships: many business schools have their own scholarship funds for outstanding international students, especially at the MBA/MS level.

• Fulbright Scholarship:

  a prestigious scholarship program of the U.S. Government, for postgraduate (Master's, Ph.D.), fully funded tuition, living expenses, and round-trip airfare. Applicants usually require a college degree and work experience.

• Financial Aid/Assistantship: at the postgraduate level, some schools offer scholarships with teaching assistant or research assistant positions, which significantly reduces costs.

Each scholarship has its own criteria, duration, and scope of support. Therefore, you should carefully check whether the scholarship is automatically considered for admission or if you need to apply separately, and prepare your application early to increase your competitiveness.

Update the list of the latest scholarships at: Scholarships to study in the USA 2026

7.1. What jobs can graduates do?

One of the common concerns of students is what to study Business Administration in the US after graduation. In fact, a degree in Business Administration can open up a wide range of career paths, from finance, marketing, consulting, and business analytics to operations or supply chain management. Here are common job positions:

• Financial Analyst

• Business Analyst

• Marketing Specialist/Brand Manager

• Management Consultant

• Supply Chain/Operations Specialist

• HR Specialist

Recent graduates often start in positions such as analysts, specialists, coordinators, or associates to gain practical experience. Management titles typically require professional competence, leadership skills, and a number of years of experience. Therefore, graduating from Business Administration does not mean that you will immediately take on a management role, but it is the foundation to gradually develop to higher positions.

7.2. Average Salary of Business Students After Graduation in the USA

According to the Winter 2026 Salary Survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, graduates of the Business group in 2026 are forecast to have an average starting salary of about 68,873 USD/year. In which, Business Administration and Management is about 68,831 USD/year, while Marketing is 66,994 USD/year. This is the forecast from employers participating in the survey, not a guaranteed salary for all students.

In terms of long-term outlook, the Business and Finance profession has a median salary of $80,920/year in May 2024, higher than the $49,500/year of the entire industry (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, this number includes workers in a variety of positions and experience levels.

7.3. OPT (12 months) vs. STEM OPT (36 months)

After graduation, international students on an F-1 visa are allowed to stay and work in the U.S. through the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program.

• Optional Practical Training (OPT): Allows international students holding an F-1 visa to remain in the U.S. to work in the field of study for 12 months after graduation.

• STEM OPT Extension:

  If you choose to study Business Administration programs with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) designation, you will receive an extension of 24 months, bringing the total time you will work in the U.S. up to 36 months (3 years).

Not all Business Administration programs are eligible for STEM OPT. Students need to check the CIP code, STEM designation, information on Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility for a U.S. student visa), and the school's requirements at the time of admission. If the program qualifies for STEM OPT, students still need to meet the conditions for employment in the right industry, employer participation in E-Verify, and Form I-983 as required.

Find out the conditions, visa extension procedures and work policies at: US student visa 2026

In order to make good use of the curriculum and control the budget, students should prepare early in terms of expertise, career skills and application planning. Here are the important experiences you need to note when studying in the U.S. majoring in Business Administration:

• Identify your professional direction early:

  Experience Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, Supply Chain or Management Information Systems to choose concentrations and build the right skills.

• Find out the admission form: Determine whether the

  school directly admits to the Business School (school or faculty of Business) or requires the completion of the preparatory period and then participates in the internal admission round.

• Accumulate skills and experience from the first year:

  Actively practice Excel, statistics, SQL, presentations; and participate in clubs, business case competitions, practical projects and internships.

• Take advantage of the school's support services:

  Perfect LinkedIn, connect with alumni, and use the Career Center to edit CVs, practice interviews, find internship opportunities, and learn about CPT and OPT regulations.

• Prepare your application early:

  Plan to improve your GPA, take English certificate exams, complete essays and closely monitor the enrollment deadline and scholarships.

Planning to study in the US majoring in Business Administration with IDP

Studying Business Administration in the U.S. opens up a wide range of study options, from Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Business Analytics to Supply Chain and Management Information Systems. However, to choose the right program, you shouldn't just look at the ranking or the name of the school. The important thing is to comprehensively comprehensive: entry conditions, concentration content, internship opportunities and practical work policies after graduation.

If you don't know which major to choose, which school is suitable or need to build a roadmap to apply for Business Administration in the US, IDP can accompany you every step of the way:

• Comprehensive study abroad consulting:

  From major-orientation, choosing the right school, preparing documents to applying for visas and hunting for scholarships to study in the US. In addition, you can participate

  in study abroad exhibitions

  organized by IDP tomeet and answer questions directly from school representatives, find out all information about schools, majors, internship opportunities, recruitment trends and post-graduation pathways suitable for each application.

• English Certificate Preparation:

  Support you to

  register for the IELTS test

  with many attractive offers.

• Assistance with essential services for international students:

  IDP helps you

  find accommodation

  such as homestays, dormitories or rentals that suit your budget and needs. In addition, you are also supported to buy insurance, apply for an international SIM card and banking services, making it easy to connect and manage your finances as soon as you arrive in a new country.

• Equip yourself with information before you go to study abroad:

  Equip yourself with all the knowledge and skills to confidently embark on your study abroad journey.

Sign up for a consultation with IDP to build a pathway to study Business Administration in the U.S. that fits your abilities, budget, and long-term career goals.

Free study abroad consultation hotline: 19006955

1. College Board - Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid Report 2025 - https://newsroom.collegeboard.org/trends-college-pricing-and-student-aid-report-published-tuition-prices-public-institutions-and

2. U.S. News - Best Undergraduate Business Programs - https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-overall

3. Poets&Quants - U.S. News 2026 Best Undergraduate Business Programs Summary - https://poetsandquants.com/2025/09/23/u-s-news-2026-best-business-schools-ranking-mit-joins-wharton-at-the-top/

4. National Association of Colleges and Employers - Class of 2026 Salary Projections Are Promising - https://naceweb.org/job-market/compensation/class-of-2026-salary-projections-are-promising

5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment by Major Occupational Group - https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/emp-by-major-occupational-group.htm

6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Business Career Options: Outlook, Wages, and Entry Requirements - https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2025/article/business-career-options.htm

7. Study in the States - Form I-983 Overview - https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/form-i-983-overview

8. USCIS - Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students - https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students

9. USCIS - Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students - https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-extension-for-stem-students-stem-opt

10. ICE - STEM Designated Degree Program List - https://www.ice.gov/sevis/schools/stem-designated-degree-program-list

11. AACSB - Accreditation Process - https://www.aacsb.edu/educators/accreditation/accreditation-process

12. Fulbright Vietnam - Vietnamese Student Program - https://vn.usembassy.gov/education-culture/fulbright-program-vietnam/fulbright-vietnamese-student-program/

13. U.S. Department of State - Student Visa - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html