Enrollment: 700
Average GMAT: 609.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 560-620
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.30
Regular Application Deadline: 04/15
Rolling Admission: Yes
School Type: Public
Average Age: 28.00
Average Work Experience (months): 60
Student Faculty Ratio: 35:1

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: Yes
Total Faculty: 97

Out-of-State Tuition: $11,894.00
In-State Tuition: $3,758.00

Best Business Schools

Students Say - Academics
A solid return on investmentâ€"especially for California nativesâ€"and a "great reputation in international business and entrepreneurship" are among the major attractions at San Diego State University's Graduate School of Business. Entrepreneurship is a particular strength, with the prestigious Entrepreneurial Management Center helping SDSU earn a "high ranking among all entrepreneurship programs." A sports business MBA program "that partners with Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association teams" is another big draw.

Potential SDSU business grads have a number of choices to consider. The conventional MBA program here presupposes that students did not study business as undergraduates. Thus, it includes 19 foundation credits that cannot be waived (because the program is cohort-based). Students who studied business as undergraduates, however, are more suitable candidates for the MSBA program. Students "really like the way it is set up. It allows you to finish in one year and specialize in an area." The Sports Business Management MBA has its own separate program. SDSU also offers an MS in accounting ("one of the few accredited accounting programs in the state," one student writes) and an Executive MBA program.

Students praise SDSU as an "efficient school" where "the faculty is very attuned with latest trends in the business world, and professors can offer very practical experience in the classroom based on their consulting work." Faculty instruction is supplemented by "guest lecturers who are well-respected and powerful." Throughout the curriculum, students here "do a lot of group work, which facilitates good student relationships and teamwork." Students appreciate that "classes are taught in an open and participatory environment" that fortunately is "not overly competitive. Quality of life is important to the people attending and working in the community, and they aim to balance academic achievement with living well." The school's city of San Diego location also means that a steady supply of local business leaders are always on hand, whether as mentors or potential employers.

Students Say - Admissions
Nearly 1,500 potential MBAs apply to SDSU's "highly competitive" program every year. The Admissions Committee considers a number of factors, including GMAT score (minimum score of 540 is required; the average score of an admitted student is 609); GPA for the final sixty course hours of undergraduate academic work (minimum 2.85 for American students, 3.0 for international students (for their entire four year degree); average GPA for admitted students was 3.3); letters of recommendation, resume (work experience is preferred but not required); and personal statement. None of the final three is required, but ea ch "can enhance an application," according to the school's website. International students whose first language is not English must also submit official TOEFL scores; a minimum paper-and-pencil test score of 550 or an Internet-based test score of 79 is required. Applications are accepted for both the Fall and Spring terms. They are processed on a rolling basis, so it's best to apply as early as possible.

Students Say - Campus Life
SDSU "provides an interesting, active environment, allowing students to be as involved or as isolated as they choose." Business students at this school are presented with "an incredible array of options to create the ultimate experience." Most important to business students, "There are many clubs to join that are great networking, social and career opportunities." In addition to these "great clubs" are "large events and a variety of cultural activities to participate in" while enjoying a "nice campus. . .that seems always to be striving for continual improvement."

The city of San Diego brings a lot to the table as well. It's "an outstanding place to live" with plenty of opportunity for those who wish to stick around after they graduate. Biotechnology, software development, and wireless communications industries all thrive here. The city is widely regarded as a leading laboratory for entrepreneurial development, and the U.S. military has a huge presence.

SDSU attracts "a great mix of enthusiastic people who are excited about furthering their education." This "intelligent, multi-cultural, driven, diverse" population includes "some who have many years of work experience and others who have only recently finished their undergraduate degrees." True to the Californian character, "Many here don't appear to be very competitive, which makes the atmosphere pretty relaxed and easy going. Still, the students are often the quietly successful type, so you never know what they are capable of until you ask them."

Students Say - Careers
Career and placement services for SDSU MBAs are handled through the Career Services Office of the university; there is no dedicated Career Services Office for the MBA program. Supplemental services are provided through the MBA Association and the Entrepreneurial Management Center. Students see Career Services here as a weak area, with comments that "on-campus recruiting needs to be improved." As far as the effectiveness of the alumni network goes, students are split. Some see it as a strength, while others feel the school should work harder to "foster better communication between the students and alumni for employment purposes."

University of San Diego
University of California, Los Angeles

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