Best MBA Programs in New Jersey

Rutgers Business School – Newark and New Brunswick

Overview

Rutgers Business School is one of the most prestigious business schools in New Jersey, offering MBA programs at both its Newark and New Brunswick campuses. It is AACSB-accredited, providing a world-class education that blends academic theory with real-world application. Rutgers is known for its strong emphasis on experiential learning, with programs like the Rutgers MBA Team Consulting Program, which allows students to work directly with companies to solve real business problems. This approach prepares graduates to lead in a dynamic global marketplace.

The Rutgers MBA offers full-time, part-time, and executive options. The full-time MBA is designed to be completed in two years, while the part-time program offers flexibility for working professionals. The program’s curriculum covers essential areas of business such as finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, with concentrations available in areas such as supply chain management, pharmaceutical management, and technology. Rutgers is particularly known for its supply chain management program, consistently ranked among the top in the nation.

Given its location, Rutgers MBA students have access to an extensive network of corporate partners in New York City, Philadelphia, and throughout New Jersey. The school maintains strong ties to industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, and technology, ensuring that students have excellent internship and job placement opportunities.

BusinessWeek Ranking

  • Rutgers is ranked among the top 50 MBA programs in the U.S., particularly recognized for its supply chain management and finance programs.

Number of Students

  • Approximately 350 full-time MBA students and 400 part-time students.

Acceptance Rate

  • The acceptance rate is around 45%, making it a moderately competitive program.

Average GMAT Score

  • The average GMAT score for admitted students is 680, though the school offers waivers for candidates with significant work experience or other advanced degrees.

Top Hiring Companies

  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Prudential Financial
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Pfizer
  • Merck

Average Starting Salaries

  • Graduates of the Rutgers MBA program earn an average starting salary of $120,000 per year, with higher earnings in finance and consulting roles.

Notable Alumni

  • Greg Brown: CEO of Motorola Solutions.
  • Marc Lore: Entrepreneur and CEO of Jet.com (acquired by Walmart).
  • Ralph Izzo: CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG).

Seton Hall University – Stillman School of Business

Overview

Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business offers a flexible, AACSB-accredited MBA program that is designed to meet the needs of both full-time students and working professionals. The program is known for its small class sizes and personalized approach, allowing students to build close relationships with faculty and peers. Seton Hall emphasizes leadership, ethics, and global business perspectives, which are incorporated throughout the curriculum.

The Stillman MBA program offers specializations in areas such as finance, marketing, accounting, and sport management. One of the unique aspects of Seton Hall’s MBA is its proximity to New York City, providing students with access to a wide range of industries and networking opportunities. The school has a strong reputation for its finance and accounting programs, which attract students looking to pursue careers in banking, corporate finance, or consulting.

In addition to its academic rigor, the Seton Hall MBA program focuses on experiential learning. Students participate in internships, case competitions, and consulting projects with local businesses. The school’s strong connections to the business community in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area ensure that graduates are well-prepared to enter the job market.

BusinessWeek Ranking

  • Not ranked in BusinessWeek’s top 50, but regionally recognized for its finance and accounting programs.

Number of Students

  • Approximately 200 MBA students.

Acceptance Rate

  • Around 55%, offering a balance of accessibility and selectivity.

Average GMAT Score

  • The average GMAT score for admitted students is 620, though GMAT waivers are available for candidates with substantial work experience.

Top Hiring Companies

  • KPMG
  • EY (Ernst & Young)
  • Bank of America
  • Prudential Financial
  • Novartis

Average Starting Salaries

  • Graduates of the Seton Hall MBA program typically earn starting salaries of around $95,000 per year, with higher salaries in finance and accounting roles.

Notable Alumni

  • Frank J. Bisignano: CEO of Fiserv.
  • Patrick Murray: Former CEO of Dresser-Rand.
  • Joseph Riccardo: CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of New Jersey.

Stevens Institute of Technology – School of Business

Overview

The Stevens Institute of Technology offers a technology-driven MBA program that is particularly well-suited for students looking to pursue careers in industries such as technology, finance, and engineering. The Stevens MBA emphasizes innovation, analytics, and technology management, providing students with the skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital economy. The program is AACSB-accredited and designed to integrate business knowledge with technical expertise, making it an ideal choice for students with an engineering or technology background.

Stevens offers both full-time and part-time MBA options, allowing students to choose a path that fits their schedules. The program’s curriculum is built around core business subjects such as finance, marketing, strategy, and data analytics, with a strong emphasis on applying these concepts to real-world business challenges. The program also offers concentrations in areas like business intelligence and analytics, finance, and project management.

One of the key strengths of the Stevens MBA is its focus on experiential learning. Students have the opportunity to participate in consulting projects, internships, and entrepreneurial ventures through the Stevens Venture Center, which helps students develop and launch their own startups. The school’s location in Hoboken, just minutes from New York City, gives students access to a wealth of networking and career opportunities in the tech and finance sectors.

BusinessWeek Ranking

  • Stevens is ranked among the top 100 MBA programs nationally, with particular recognition for its focus on technology and analytics.

Number of Students

  • Approximately 150 MBA students.

Acceptance Rate

  • Around 50%, making it a moderately competitive program.

Average GMAT Score

  • The average GMAT score for admitted students is 640, though waivers are available for students with technical or managerial experience.

Top Hiring Companies

  • Goldman Sachs
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Verizon
  • Deloitte
  • Amazon

Average Starting Salaries

  • Graduates of the Stevens MBA program typically earn starting salaries of around $110,000 per year, with higher earnings in technology and consulting roles.

Notable Alumni

  • Mark B. Rosenberg: CEO of Euro Pacific Capital.
  • David Chavern: CEO of the News Media Alliance.
  • John Dearie: Executive Vice President at the Financial Services Forum.

Montclair State University – Feliciano School of Business

Overview

Montclair State University’s Feliciano School of Business offers an AACSB-accredited MBA program designed to provide students with the leadership and business skills needed to succeed in a competitive global marketplace. Montclair State emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, offering students a curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical business experience. The program offers both full-time and part-time options, catering to recent graduates and working professionals alike.

The Feliciano MBA provides concentrations in areas such as finance, marketing, international business, and human resources. Students benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty, ensuring a collaborative learning environment. The program also places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, with students participating in internships, consulting projects, and business case competitions.

Montclair State’s location near New York City allows students to tap into a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. The Feliciano School of Business maintains strong ties to corporate partners in the region, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and job placement services.

BusinessWeek Ranking

  • Not ranked in BusinessWeek’s national top 50, but regionally recognized for its emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Number of Students

  • Approximately 250 MBA students.

Acceptance Rate

  • Around 60%, making it an accessible option for many applicants.

Average GMAT Score

  • The average GMAT score for admitted students is 600, though waivers are available for candidates with substantial work experience.

Top Hiring Companies

  • Prudential Financial
  • Hackensack Meridian Health
  • ADP
  • Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
  • Verizon

Average Starting Salaries

  • Graduates of the Montclair State MBA program typically earn starting salaries of around $90,000 per year, with opportunities for advancement in management and leadership roles.

Notable Alumni

  • Steve Fastook: Senior Vice President of Operations at CNBC.
  • Greg Collins: Chief Operating Officer at Dun & Bradstreet.
  • Tim Pernetti: President of IMG College.

Fairleigh Dickinson University – Silberman College of Business

Overview

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Silberman College of Business offers a flexible MBA program that is designed to meet the needs of working professionals. The program is AACSB-accredited and provides a strong foundation in core business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Fairleigh Dickinson’s MBA program is known for its focus on leadership development, ethics, and global business practices, preparing graduates for leadership roles in a variety of industries.

The MBA program at Fairleigh Dickinson offers both on-campus and online options, allowing students to complete their degree in a format that fits their schedule. The program also offers several areas of specialization, including finance, marketing, healthcare management, and international business. In addition to the general MBA curriculum, students can participate in experiential learning opportunities such as internships, case studies, and consulting projects with local businesses.

Fairleigh Dickinson has strong connections to the business community in New Jersey and New York, providing students with access to a wide range of networking and job placement opportunities. The school’s focus on global business practices also prepares students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world, with opportunities for study abroad and international business experiences.

BusinessWeek Ranking

  • Not ranked in BusinessWeek’s national top 50 but recognized regionally for its global business focus.

Number of Students

  • Approximately 200 MBA students.

Acceptance Rate

  • The acceptance rate is around 65%, offering accessibility to a wide range of students.

Average GMAT Score

  • The average GMAT score for admitted students is 580, though waivers are available for students with significant professional experience.

Top Hiring Companies

  • Merck
  • Novartis
  • BASF
  • Colgate-Palmolive
  • Quest Diagnostics

Average Starting Salaries

  • Graduates of the Fairleigh Dickinson MBA program typically earn starting salaries of around $85,000 per year, with opportunities for salary growth as they advance in their careers.

Notable Alumni

  • Peter V. Ueberroth: Former Commissioner of Major League Baseball.
  • Steve Pamon: COO of Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment.
  • Brian Mulligan: Former CFO of Seagram and Universal Studios.