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Owen Graduate School of Management – Vanderbilt University

Image for Owen Graduate School of Management – Vanderbilt University
Class Size 160
Women 33%
Mean GMAT 687
Median GPA 3.5

The Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Business offers a full-time MBA option that can be completed in two years. The college provides students with a rich variety of real-world projects as well as a flexible curriculum. With a close-knit faculty and many career-focused options for study, the Vanderbilt MBA appeals to students who value a targeted business education across a wide variety of disciplines.

FAQ

What is the tuition for Vanderbilt’s MBA program?

The tuition for Vanderbilt’s MBA program is $68,500 per year. The total cost of the Vanderbilt MBA program is $103,174 per year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to Vanderbilt’s MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Vanderbilt is 687.

Does the Vanderbilt MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Vanderbilt MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Vanderbilt’s MBA program?

The average GRE Quant score for Vanderbilt's MBA incoming class is 158. The average GRE Verbal score for Vanderbilt's MBA incoming class is 159.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Vanderbilt's MBA program?

Vanderbilt does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. The average years of work experience for the latest MBA class at Vanderbilt Owen is 5.6.

What is the average starting salary for graduates of the Vanderbilt MBA program?

The average starting salary for Vanderbilt MBA graduates is $139,711. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is Vanderbilt's full-time MBA program?

Vanderbilt / Owen offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.

What are the application deadlines for Vanderbilt's full-time MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 3, 2023. The Round 2 application deadline is January 8, 2024. The Round 3 deadline is February 27, 2024. The Round 4 deadline is March 26, 2024. After May 15, admissions are rolling.

What percent of Vanderbilt MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Vanderbilt that are women is 33%.

Videos

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In an interview with Dean M. Eric Johnson, Bruce Heyman, former US Ambassador to Canada, discusses his new book: The Art of Diplomacy: Strengthening the Canada-U.S. Relationship in Times of Uncertainty

Admissions

The Class Profile

The Class of 2025 is comprised of 160 students. The class has a median undergraduate GPA of 3.5, an average GMAT score of 687, and a mean GRE score of 317. Women comprise 33% of the class and international students made up 29% of the class. The members of the Class of 2025 averaged 5.6 years of work experience before matriculating.

Application Procedures

Vanderbilt Owen gives its MBA applicants the choice of applying in one of three admissions rounds, which usually take place from mid-October through early April.  After the third round, admissions are rolling. The application requirements for Vanderbilt Owen include completing the school’s application forms and submitting a written essay, a video essay, a résumé, two letters of recommendation, $200 application fee, and unofficial college and graduate transcripts. Applicants must also report their GMAT and, when applicable, TOEFL/IELTS scores. Interviews are required for admission, and Owen encourages applicants to schedule an interview along with a campus visit, no matter where they are in the application process. Webcam interviews will be offered by invitation only after submission of an application.

Application Checklist

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • Official GMAT or GRE test scores
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Resume
  • Written Essay
  • Video Essay
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores (international applicants)

Essay Topic Analysis

Need help with your essays? Get our experts' advice.

Interview Reports

Vanderbilt-owen Q&As

Vanderbilt / Owen LiveWire and DecisionWire

MBA LiveWire

March 18, 2024 1:45pm ET
Accepted to Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via phone
GPA: 3.5
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: Boston
March 18, 2024 9:53am ET
Waitlisted at Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via portal on March 15, 2024
GPA: 3.03
GMAT: 650
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Other
Application Location: Washington, DC
March 17, 2024 3:11pm ET
Waitlisted at Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via portal on March 15, 2024
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
March 16, 2024 1:30am ET
Waitlisted at Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 16, 2024
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
March 15, 2024 7:06pm ET
Waitlisted at Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 15, 2024
GPA: 3.21
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Operations Management
Application Location: New York
March 15, 2024 6:56pm ET
Waitlisted at Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via portal March 15, 2024
GPA: 3.4
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: General Management
Application Location: US
Note:

Mil. Bummed. Hate these games.

March 14, 2024 11:47pm ET
Accepted to Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via phone March 14, 2024
GPA: 3.89
GRE: 325
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: South Asia (not India)
Note:

Just got the call from McKenzie this morning! Received $$ scholarship

March 14, 2024 11:50am ET
Accepted to Vanderbilt / Owen
Round: Round 2
Received via phone on March 13, 2024
GPA: 3.7
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Marketing
Application Location: Washington DC
Note:

75% scholarship. Received phone call yesterday evening

MBA DecisionWire

NYU
March 18, 2024 4:04pm ET
Enrolled: NYU Stern
Admitted: NYU Stern , USC / Marshall
Applied: NYU Stern, USC / Marshall
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Asset Management, inc. Hedge Funds
GPA: 3.11
Notes:

Born and raised in the NYC area and NYU has always been a dream school of mine. No scholarship info so far but I plan on taking loans to supplement my savings and what my company will pay for. I work at a BB in technology/ops, but looking to switch roles.

I scored a 162 on the EA, which I used in my application instead of a GMAT or GRE score.

NYU
March 18, 2024 3:59pm ET
Enrolled: NYU Stern
Admitted: Berkeley / Haas , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper $
$20000
,
Georgetown / McDonough $
$4000
,
NYU Stern , UCLA Anderson
Applied: Berkeley / Haas, Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Georgetown / McDonough, NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, U. Washington / Foster
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consumer Goods Companies: Coca Cola, General Mills, Mondelez, Nestle, PepsiCo, Proctor & Gamble
GPA: 3.2
Location: Portland OR
Notes:

I want to end up on the east coast (so therefore want to build my network out east). I also want to stay in the marketing & CPG space as well. I wanted to do more part time programs, so really focused on part time programs that have hybrid programs.

Advice: Really take the time to reflect and understand what you want out of an MBA. Do the work!

McD
March 18, 2024 11:10am ET
Enrolled: Georgetown / McDonough
Admitted: Georgetown / McDonough
Applied: Georgetown / McDonough
Entering Year: 2024
GRE: 328
Location: India
?
March 18, 2024 5:44am ET
Enrolled: Undecided
Admitted: Emory / Goizueta , Georgia / Terry , Rice / Jones
Applied: Emory / Goizueta, Georgia / Terry, Rice / Jones, UNC Kenan-Flagler
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Technology, Undecided
GPA: 3.1
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Academics

Faculty

Twenty-one professors comprise the Owen MBA faculty for core courses. Seventy-five other faculty members are spread across the program’s seven academic areas: accounting, finance, healthcare, marketing, operations management & quantitative methods, organization studies, and strategy and economics. They come from a variety of backgrounds and can offer students real-world insight into the workings of major corporations.

Curriculum

The Vanderbilt MBA can be completed in two years, and it requires 62 credit hours of study. To facilitate rapid understanding of concepts, the degree operates on a modular system in which two seven-week “mods” make up one semester of study. This gives students the opportunity to cover a significant amount of material quickly.

In their first year, MBA candidates complete 11 core courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting, world economy, economics, finance, leadership, management communication, strategic management, marketing, operations, and statistics. Students then complete 12 hours of study in at least one concentration. MBA students may pursue concentrations in accounting, finance, general management, health care, human and organizational performance, marketing, operations and analytics, and strategy. In addition, students may obtain a career-focused specialization by completing 20 hours of study in brand management, corporate finance, human and organizational performance, or investment management. Students who are interested in gaining further knowledge in their concentration or specialization can complete one of three emphases: entrepreneurship, international studies, or real estate. Lastly, MBA students may take courses for credit from other Vanderbilt graduate schools such as the Law School, Peabody School of Education, or Medical School.

Other MBA Options

In addition to the full-time MBA, Owen offers an Executive MBA. The Executive MBA takes place across 21 months, with classes every other weekend. It is designed for professionals targeting senior-level roles or existing senior managers. Students typically have 11 years of work experience and the core curriculum focuses on strategy, leadership, and finance. In their second year, students have the option to choose between two tracks: Executive Edge and Global Immersion. The Executive Edge Track focuses on strategic skills and improving financial acumen. The Global Immersion Track gives Owen students substantial international business experience by placing them in an international cohort in which they complete immersive residencies in Brazil, Canada and Mexico.

Concentrations at Owen

Accounting
Finance
General Management
Healthcare
Human and Organizational Performance
Marketing
Operations & Analytics
Strategy

Degree Offerings at Owen

Full-Time MBA

https://business.vanderbilt.edu/mba/

Executive MBA

https://business.vanderbilt.edu/emba/

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences, & Competitions

Vanderbilt MBA students may work on their networking and leadership skills by joining some of the school’s 36 clubs. Professional, affinity, outreach, athletic, and special interest clubs are all available. For instance, students may get involved with the Owen Finance Club for educational purposes as well as the Cork & Barrel Club for socializing with their fellow classmates. In addition, fun activities such as Trivia Night and the Owen Olympics are also offered throughout the year. 

Furthermore, the school’s conferences and research seminars offer students additional networking, educational, and career advancement opportunities. For instance, the Vanderbilt Healthcare Business Association hosts a speaker series featuring distinguished speakers. In addition, frequent seminars cover topics ranging from accounting & taxation to strategy & business economics. 

Lastly, Vanderbilt MBAs are encouraged to take part in national case competitions. In recent years, teams from Owen have taken home first-place wins at the Fourth Annual PepsiCo Invitational MBA Marketing and Finance Case Competition, 2016 TechVenture Challenge, and 2016 National Business Case Competition. In addition, Owen students manage the National MBA Human Capital Case Competition, which encourages students from across the country to present solutions for real-world human capital issues. 

Campus Spaces

Located a mile and a half from downtown Nashville, the Owen Graduate School of Management is housed in its own building on Vanderbilt’s campus. The Walker Management Library is also a part of Owen, and it gives students access to helpful databases and technology. 

MBA Careers

Career Services

Owen’s Career Management Center can help guide students toward internships and full-time employment. Career advising, mock interviews, and career development tools are all available for student use. In addition, Owen hosts on-campus recruiting events and information sessions for any interested organizations. Recruiting events take place throughout the year, and organizations may also post job openings directly to students.

Top hiring companies for Owen students include Amazon, Deloitte, EY, Accenture, Genentech, and KPMG Consulting.

Career Statistics

Ninety-seven percent of the Class of 2022 received a full-time employment offer within three months of graduation. The average starting salary was $139,711. Consulting led the pack of industry choices, as 34% chose the field. Financial services followed at 20% and then technology at 17%. Thirteen percent joined healthcare. Nine percent took roles in CPG.

Forty-two percent of the Class of 2022 stayed in the South, with 39 students settling in the Greater Nashville area. The next most popular destination was the Northeast U.S., claiming 17% of graduates. Sixteen percent headed to the West while 13% headed to the Midwest. Nine percent took jobs in the Southwest region of the U.S.

Financing

For the 2023–24 school year, tuition is $68,500 and the estimated total cost (including room & board and personal expenses) is $103,174. 

Scholarships are readily available for MBA candidates. All applicants are considered for scholarships automatically at the time of application, and these awards range from $5,000 to the full cost of tuition. Awards are based on academics, professional achievements, application strength, and the admissions interview. In addition to these scholarships, students may also receive aid from the Forte Fellowships for Women, Diversity Scholarships, the Toigo Fellowship, the National Black MBA Association Scholarship Program, the Point Foundation, and the Reaching Out MBA Fellowship. Fifty named scholarships are also available for applicants.

Furthermore, loans and other financial resources are also available for students. Federal financial aid may be awarded to students who are U.S. citizens. Interested students may also work up to 20 hours per week, and graduate student work assignments, as well as other on-campus opportunities, may be available. Lastly, students are encouraged to consider external funding opportunities aside from student loans.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

  • Tuition: $68,500
  • Transcript Fee: $100
  • Books & Supplies: $500
  • Health Insurance: $3,735
  • Maintenance Fee: $1,250
  • Student Services Fee: $610
  • Student Health Fee: $774
  • Housing: $15,562
  • Food: $7,120
  • Personal: $1,977
  • Transportation: $1,536
  • Total: $103,174

Contact

Mailing Address
Vanderbilt University
Owen Graduate School of Management
401 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-322-6469
Fax: 615-343-1175
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://busines.vanderbilt.edu/
Blog: https://blogs.owen.vanderbilt.edu/
Twitter: @VanderbiltOwen