#48

Contact Georgina Hannah with any questions. Profile updated: August 2, 2023.

Babson College’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business

MBA Program Stats

Annual Tuition: $One Year: $89,550 | Two Year: $113,354 total (for both years) | Year 1: $71,564 | Year 2: $41,790

Annual Tuition Non-Resident: $One Year: $89,550 | Two Year: $113,354 total (for both years) | Year 1: $71,564 | Year 2: $41,790

Acceptance Rate: 64%

Full-Time Enrollment: 312

Average GPA: 3.25

Median GMAT: 650

International: 82%

Female: 33%

Male: 67%

What You Need To Know

The F.W. Olin Graduate School at Babson College is known for its entrepreneurial drive and has consistently ranked #1 MBA in entrepreneurship by the U.S. News & World Report for over 25 years. This 2023 year was no exception. It’s the methodology coined by Babson called Entrepreneurial Thought and Action® that allows their graduates to bring economic and social value with them everywhere they go. No matter what degree they are pursuing, MBAs graduate with an entrepreneurial mindset that sets them apart in the workplace.

The Babson campus is in Babson Park, Massachusetts – 30 minutes outside of Boston, and known for its picturesque campus, featuring beautiful landscapes and its Babson Beaux-Arts style architecture. The faculty at Babson are experienced entrepreneurs, executives, researchers, and scholars, who teach across programs in Wellesley, Boston, and Miami.

“Babson has a very collaborative environment and provides you with the rare opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, to experiment, and to experience a diverse range of thoughts and ideas. These are all imperative for growth, not just in a work environment, but can also help bolster your personal growth,” says MBA Aishani Gupta on Babson’s website.

Academics And Programs

Babson’s full-time MBA program offers 12 and 21- month options. Both require MBAs to take 45 credits, 15 of which are core, and 30 of which are electives used to explore personal and professional interests. The B-School doesn’t require the GMAT or GRE on their application.

Part of the curriculum is the Babson Consulting Alliance Program – a 14-week project where teams of students work in collaboration with an organization to analyze real-time organizational opportunities and create value-added solutions. This core, paired with other core courses focused on opportunity and design, and innovation and growth, prepares students with an entrepreneurial mindset as well as the tools for success.

During the summer, students in the two-year program are offered the opportunity to land internships, take more classes, or participate in Babson’s startup accelerators. Babson MBAs can choose one of 7 concentrations from Business Analytics, Business Analytics & Machine Learning, Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Finance, Quantitative Finance, and Marketing.

Outside of curriculum, MBAs can join any of the school’s 25+ clubs, pitch their business idea (with $100K on the line) during ePitch, help organize or attend guest speaker events, and get involved with Babson’s renowned centers and institutes.

Results are wonderful, with alumni averaging $147,595 three years after graduation according to Financial Times’ 2022 rankings.

Why Students Chose

“I chose Babson because of its rich tradition of using Entrepreneurial Thought and Action as a framework for business. And I was also deeply impressed by the Institute for Social Innovation – and the opportunity to collaborate with students focused on creating economic and social value concurrently.” Martha Buckley (‘23)

“Babson is known as the #1 business school for entrepreneurship. As I chose a business school, I looked at the results of alumni. What were the successes of previous alumni? What industries were they working in or starting businesses in? While doing my own research, I was extremely inspired by the work that alumni were doing; of course, keeping in mind my own long term goals of being an entrepreneur and figuring out what resources and tools I could also leverage in order to be successful.” Ashley Patterson (‘22)

“I chose Babson because of its tight-knit community, diversity, and emphasis on entrepreneurialism and the global marketplace. I also knew that a smaller institution would allow closer collaboration with peers and professors. What I didn’t know was just how well Babson was going to be at adapting to the challenges brought on by the pandemic. I’m so grateful for this school and feel confident that I made the right decision.” Pua Higginson (‘22)

“Babson College was an easy choice, as I have always had the entrepreneurial mindset. Before making the decision, I read several business reviews and had Zoom meetings with alumni who created their own successful entrepreneurships or excelled working for others. What I learned from this research is that the entrepreneurial mindset can help you create a business or be disruptive inside a well-established company. Babson students think differently. When we approach a problem, we analyze it; we take a step back to understand what the origin of the problem is. We do not jump into a rational solution but rather create at least five impossible to achieve ones and then we get to work. Understanding this before coming to Babson was crucial.” Roberto Fiorentino Ferreyros (‘22)

“When I made the decision to apply to business school, I knew I wanted to come away from a program positioned to strategize and execute creative change within organizations. I had spent the better part of two years immersed in a start-up that supported start-ups, where creativity was encouraged and rolling one’s sleeves up was a must. In fostering an environment for biotech start-ups to thrive, I learned that I wanted to be a leader capable of bringing this flexibility and creativity to organizations. Without having the lexicon for it, I recognized the power of entrepreneurship. Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action and hands-on and experiential learning geared to empowering and preparing entrepreneurial leaders resonated deeply with me. Deep down, I felt Babson was the right environment for me to explore leadership, equipping myself with the business tools I didn’t have, bolstering my soft-skills, and providing me with opportunities to shape my future.” Rachel Zelcer (‘21)

Career Stats

Compensation Stats for Babson MBAs

Compensation   Statistics 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Average Base Salary $117,627 $117,802 $102,141 $94,103 $85,000 $96,485
Average Signing Bonus $35,108 $32,773 $37,083 $28,333 $11,148 $14,190

Babson MBA Graduate Employment Offers

Employment Offers 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
% of MBAs with Job Offer 3 months   post-Graduation  76% 83% 87% 81% 78% 83% 83

Industry Choices of Babson MBAs

Industry 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Consulting 12% 13% 11% 8% 7% 11%
Consumer Products/Retail 8% 8% 16% 17% 15% 13%
Financial Services 16% 22% 20% 17% 14%
Healthcare/Lifesciences 8% 6% 7% 8% 14% 10%
Manufacturing 17% 8% 9% 11% 11% 11%
Other 11% 17% 18% 32%
Technology 18% 24% 20% 21% 15% 23%

Admissions For Babson College (Olin)

From Babson College

Redefine your career and discover how to thrive in a changing international business landscape at the MBA program ranked #1 for entrepreneurship (U.S. News & World Report). At the heart of Babson’s MBA, you’ll find real-world experiential learning that teaches you how to balance experimentation and analysis in order to solve complex problems. Put your education into action during class consulting projects and summer internships, where you’ll be uniquely prepared to make an impact in the business world from day one.

As a full-time student, you will be immersed in an environment where your professors are experts in their fields and where international peers add global perspectives to every discussion. Some want to start a new venture. Others want to switch careers entirely. Regardless of the path you take, Babson offers a supportive global community that prepares MBA students for success.

Fast Facts

  • Two full-time formats: Access the same courses, experiential learning opportunities, intensity tracks, concentrations, and academic centers whether you choose the One-Year or Two-Year format.
  • Tailor your experience: 2/3 of your courses are electives and special topics you choose to align with your career goals and ambitions.
  • Focus on your interests: Specialize with 7 MBA concentrations, including 2 STEM-designated concentrations in Quantitative Finance and Business Analytics & Machine Learning.
  • Tight-knit cohort: Take your core courses with your cohort, allowing you and your classmates to form strong, lifelong connections.
  • Get involved: Entirely student-run forums and conferences bring world-class speakers and events to campus.

Babson also offers full-time specialized master’s programs in finance, business analytics, and entrepreneurial leadership. Discover an education built on action and a dynamic, global community of innovators.

  • Master of Science in Finance: Leverage professional-grade tools and resources and master the financial modeling and coding skills employers are seeking. This STEM-designated degree is offered in 9 and 16-month tracks.
  • Master of Science in Business Analytics: A STEM-designated degree to transform information into innovation. Draw insights from complex data to inform business strategy. Choose from 9- and 16-month options.
  • Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership: Grow your network in less than a year with a full-time program designed to spark innovation and inspire leadership early in your career. MSEL is a 9-month program.

Now more than ever, the world needs resilient, entrepreneurial leaders who can take action and solve problems. Come to Babson to develop your entrepreneurial mindset and prepare for a rewarding career.

Essay Questions For Babson College (Olin)

Candidates may include an essay to provide additional pertinent information to the admissions committee (optional).

Student Features For Babson College (Olin)

Meet Babson College’s MBA Class Of 2020

Entrepreneurship is driving force for incoming class

2023 MBA To Watch: Melissa Belec, Babson College (Olin)

“Grit & Grace - I am hardworking and approach every challenge with a positive attitude”

2023 MBA To Watch: Abhishek (Abby) Dudhankar, Babson College (Olin)

“A resilient problem-solver driven by empathy and optimism"

2023 MBA To Watch: Santucee Bell, Babson College (Olin)

“An entrepreneurial thinker with a bias for action and a heart for helping others”

2023 Best & Brightest MBA: Martha Buckley, Babson College (Olin)

“An optimist, who believes in using business as a catalyst for social and environmental impact”

2022 Best & Brightest MBA: Roberto Fiorentino Ferreyros, Babson College (Olin)

“I am a persistent, creative, analytical, and loyal person who wants to change the world”

2021 Best & Brightest MBAs: Nathalya Mamane, Babson College (Olin)

“If I don’t make you laugh, I am not making the best of the day”

2020 Best & Brightest MBAs: Prabaarja Bedi, Babson College (Olin)

Entrepreneur shows creating impact is not an 'either/or' but rather a 'yes/and'

2022 MBA To Watch: Pua Higginson, Babson College (Olin)

“Empathetic, adaptable, and obsessively inquisitive”

2022 MBA To Watch: Ashley Patterson, Babson College (Olin)

“Courageous doer that has the audacity to go after everything her heart desires, no matter what”

2021 MBAs To Watch: Rachel Zelcer, Babson College (Olin)

“A gregarious, thoughtful, driven leader, with an outgoing personality and a dry sense of humor”

2020 MBAs To Watch: Sydney Swain, Babson College (Olin)

Classmates sing the praises of this "rock star"

2020 MBAs To Watch: Paul DelVecchio, Babson College (Olin)

'A collaborative entrepreneurial leader with a mind for integrated sustainability'

2020 MBAs To Watch: Katie Nicolle, Babson College (Olin)

Former Miss New Jersey moving into education and non-profit sectors

School Features

2020 Best 40 Under 40 Professors: Nathan Karst, Babson College

'Never before have I had a professor be so dedicated to his students'

2017 Best 40 Under 40 Professors: Ruben Mancha, Babson College

For this professor, information systems passion is contagious

2016 Best 40 Under 40 Professors: Lauren Beitelspacher, Babson College

Marketing maven collects her second "40 Under 40" award

2015 Best 40 Under 40 Professors: Vikki Rodgers, Babson College

Explorer prof connects business with environmental science

Rankings Data For Babson College (Olin)

Ranking 2023-2024 2022-2023 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020
Poets&Quants 48 56 62 62 57

News Coverage For Babson College (Olin)

2024 Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors: Nada Hashmi, Babson College

Congrats to Nada Hashmi of Babson College for being named a 2024 Best 40 Under 40 MBA Professor.

At Babson College, Entrepreneurs Celebrate Northern Ireland’s Progress & Potential

Irish delegation of Ulster University alumni mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement with a week-long entrepreneurship course

Startup Hub Babson Reports MBA Pay & Bonus Growth In 2023, But Jobs Were Harder To Find

School to school, the story of last year is the decline in job offers for graduating MBAs; grads at this Boston-area school felt the pinch, too

Entrepreneurship Hub Babson Hosts A Week-Long Celebration Of The Power Of Business Creation

Among the school's Global Entrepreneurship Week guests is keynote speaker John Jacobs, co-founder of Life Is Good

2022 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: Atlas Urban Farms, Babson College (Olin)

"A vertical farming systems for chefs, so they can grow their own food inside their restaurants"

Why An Already-Successful Indian Entrepreneur Chose Babson For His MBA

Rakshit Reddy's company pulls in more than $50M annually. What could Babson teach him about starting a business?

For Third Straight Year, Babson Holds Line on MBA Tuition

Two-year MBA tuition will remain at $115,244

Which Schools Produce The Most Unicorn Founders? This Stanford Prof Has Crunched The Numbers

Here's where you can find the most meticulous & reliable data on the origins of unicorns

2021 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: High Time Foods, Babson College (Olin)

Plant-based meat company successfully targets the minced chicken market

2020 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: Exidio, Babson College (Olin)

Application designed to protect data security and personal privacy

2020 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: Hoamsy, Babson College (Olin)

Platform enables students to find an apartment...and a roommate

Babson Will Use $50M Grant To Establish New Leadership School

Entrepreneurial school will be named after Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot

Babson Launches $300M Campaign

In 100th year, college plans big entrepreneurship investments

Rollag Takes Reins At Babson’s Olin School

Long-time prof has taught entrepreneurship for 17 years