Owen Graduate School of Management – Vanderbilt University

FAQ

What is the tuition for Vanderbilt’s MBA program?

The tuition for Vanderbilt’s MBA program is $62,750 per year. The total cost of the Vanderbilt MBA program is $96,487 per year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

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

The median GMAT score for the incoming class at Vanderbilt is 700.

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?

Vanderbilt does not publish an average GRE score for its incoming class, but does accept the GRE for admissions.

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 5.3.

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

The average starting salary for Vanderbilt MBA graduates is $125,130. 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 11, 2022. The Round 2 application deadline is January 9, 2023. The Round 3 deadline is March 31, 2023. After May 10, admissions are rolling.

What percent of Vanderbilt MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Vanderbilt that are women is 29%.

VIDEOS

Admissions

The Class Profile

The Class of 2024 is comprised of 147 students. The class has a median undergraduate GPA of 3.34, a median GMAT of 700, and a mean GMAT score of 690. Women comprise 29% of the class and international students made up 31% of the class. The members of the Class of 2024 averaged 5.3 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)

Interview Reports

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

The interview is blind – they only have access to your resume. As far as the questions go, there weren’t any curveballs; I got ones regarding obstacles I’ve overcome, short/long-term goals, how I work in diverse settings, why Owen, why MBA, strengths/weaknesses, etc. There was about 10 minutes at the end to ask the interviewer […]

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

It was a pretty chill interview: 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. Why an MBA now? 3. What are your short-term goals? 4. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. 5. What is a common misconception about you? 6. What value will you bring to Vanderbilt and what value will Vanderbilt add […]

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Skype

It was brief, fairly informal and conversational It was a resume-based / blind interview Questions – 1) Walk me through your resume. 2) Long-term / short-term goals. 3) Why an MBA? 4) Why Vanderbilt? 5) What’s the one thing thing that people assume about you in the first glance, but is actually a misconception? 6) […]

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

My interview was with a second-year student. We started with a short introduction and then discussing some technical issues we were both having. The interviewer went over the format of the interview, went over their background, and then proceeded to ask the questions below (not in exact order). 1) Walk me through your resume. 2) […]

Vanderbilt Owen Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

Conversational interview that started with where I was at the time, segued into short conversation before he explained the format and started with questions. 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. Why MBA and why now? 3. Why Owen? 4. What do you do outside of work? 5. What other schools did you apply to? […]

Vanderbilt Owen Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

My interviewer was a second year student who was a fellow veteran. The tone was very conversational and the interviewer noted that all he knew about me was from the resume I included in my application. Questions included: Introduction (elevator speech) What is your post-MBA/short-term career goal? Why pursue an MBA now? If you were […]

Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / On-Campus

The following Vanderbilt / Owen MBA interview questions and report were submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 1 applicant. Good luck to them!  I interviewed with the Associate Admissions Director. He had his laptop in front of him to reference my resume and take notes while we were talking. He started by telling me about himself then dove right into […]

Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / On-Campus

The following Vanderbilt / Owen MBA interview questions and report were submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 1 applicant. Good luck to them!  A nice, 35min conversation with a friendly member of the adcom. -Tell me about yourself -Why MBA? -S/T & L/T goals -Why Owen? -How will you contribute? -Pretend I’m an employer: Give me your 60 […]

Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Interview Questions Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Skype

The following Vanderbilt / Owen MBA interview questions and report were submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 1 applicant. Good luck to them!  I had a Skype interview with an Admissions Director. She called me promptly at the designated time, not a minute later. These are the questions I remember being asked: What are your post-MBA plans after […]

Vanderbilt / Owen MBA Interview Report: Round 2 / Adcom / On-Campus

The following Vanderbilt / Owen MBA interview report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 2 applicant who was admitted. Congratulations to them!  I interviewed with the director of admissions at Vanderbilt and it was a fantastic experience. Questions asked were some of the usual: Walk through résumé. Why MBA? Goals? Why Owen? How will you contribute […]

Vanderbilt-owen Q&As

Admissions Director Q&A: Bailey McChesney of Vanderbilt Owen

We continue with our Admissions Director Q&A series with Bailey McChesney, the Director of MBA Admissions at Vanderbilt Owen. As part of her role, Bailey manages the application evaluation process, incoming student onboarding experience and MBA Recruiting & Admissions Fellows. Bailey began with Vanderbilt Business in March 2011 in an admissions operations role in which she facilitated many […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Bailey McChesney of Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Business

We continue with our Admissions Director Q&A series with Bailey McChesney, the Director of MBA Admissions at Vanderbilt Owen. McChesney manages the application evaluation process and the incoming student onboarding experience. She oversees a team of experienced application evaluators and the MBA Recruiting & Admissions Fellows. Prior to her current role, she enjoyed traveling and […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Bailey McChesney of Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Business

We head to Nashville in this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A, for a deep dive into Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Business. Bailey McChesney began with the Vanderbilt Recruiting and Admissions team in March 2011. She facilitated many of the operational procedures for the department and planned the national MBA recruiting tour, Inside […]

Vanderbilt / Owen LiveWire and DecisionWire

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 2021 received a full-time employment offer within three months of graduation. The average starting salary was $125,130. Consulting and healthcare led the pack of industry choices, as each took in 22% of graduates. Financial services followed at 19% and then technology at 16%. Six percent or less joined CPG, manufacturing, energy and other fields.

Forty-three percent of the Class of 2021 stayed in the South, with 30% settling in the Greater Nashville area. The next most popular destination was the Northeast U.S., claiming 20% of graduates. Twelve percent headed to the West, and the same to the Southwest U.S. Eight percent headed to the Midwest and 5% took jobs in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.

Financing

For the 2021–22 school year, tuition is $62,750 and the estimated total cost (including room & board and personal expenses) is $96,487. 

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: $62,750
• Maintenance Fee: $1,250
• Student Services Fee: $542
• Meals: $6,192
• Room & Board: $12,402
• Books & Supplies: $500
• Personal Expenses: $5,670
• Transportation: $1,440
• Loan Fees: $1,410
• Health Insurance: $3,515
• Total: $96,487

Recent Vanderbilt / Owen News

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

The interview is blind – they only have access to your resume. As far as the questions go, there weren’t any curveballs; I got ones regarding obstacles I’ve overcome, short/long-term

Interview Report Round-Up: Emory Goizueta, UVA Darden, Vanderbilt Owen

In another Interview Report Roundup, we take a closer looks at MBA admissions interview reports that Emory Goizueta, UVA Darden and Vanderbilt Owen applicants have recently shared to the Clear Admit�

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Virtual

It was a pretty chill interview: 1. Walk me through your resume. 2. Why an MBA now? 3. What are your short-term goals? 4. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. 5. What is a common misconception abo

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.

In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and

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It was brief, fairly informal and conversational It was a resume-based / blind interview Questions – 1) Walk me through your resume. 2) Long-term / short-term goals. 3) Why an MBA? 4) Why Vander

Vanderbilt Owen MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

My interview was with a second-year student. We started with a short introduction and then discussing some technical issues we were both having. The interviewer went over the format of the interview,

Real Humans of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA Class of 2024

This edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series takes us to Nashville to meet some new members of the Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2024. Vanderbilt Owen welcomed 147 new students in the fall of 2

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