MBA Program Stats

Annual Tuition: $28,425

Annual Tuition Non-Resident: $53,533

Acceptance Rate: 27%

Full-Time Enrollment: 221

Average GPA: 3.4

Median GMAT: 680

Median GRE: 324

International: 58%

Minority: 11%

Female: 38%

Male: 62%

Average Age: 30

What You Need To Know

Since 1947, the Kelley School of Business has offered MBA students a collaborative, high-caliber learning environment designed to build strong leaders and global thinkers.

The Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA provides a personalized, flexible experience that blends rigorous academics, hands-on career preparation, and a supportive community. Students begin with a world-class, on-campus first year and can choose to complete the second year on campus or online through the top-ranked Kelley Direct platform—without compromising access to career services, leadership opportunities, or networking.

Kelley maintains a deliberately focused class size of around 100 students per cohort, ensuring every student benefits from individual attention, close faculty mentorship, and collaboration with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Set in Bloomington, Indiana—a vibrant college town known for its academic excellence, culture, entrepreneurial energy, and natural beauty—Kelley MBAs graduate ready to make an impact. Our alumni launch careers at top employers including Amazon, Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, IBM, and Eli Lilly—bringing the Kelley advantage to organizations worldwide.

“At Kelley, the phrase “a close-knit community” stands true to its word. The Kelley community is a result of small class size, greater faculty interactions, and personalized coaching, which gives numerous opportunities to interact and communicate. I have met ambitious people who are always available to not only have a good time but also help you out when in need. Besides improving my business acumen, I have made some of the best relationships that will stay with me forever. I will always cherish the decision to pursue an MBA at Kelley!” says Priya Garg, Class of ‘24 on Kelley’s website.

Academics And Programs

The 21-month Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA delivers a rigorous, highly personalized academic experience in a collaborative environment where students learn from world-class faculty, each other, and real-world business challenges.

As Faculty Chair John Hill explains, “Our program sits in the sweet spot—large enough to offer robust resources and opportunities, yet small enough for students, faculty, and staff to know each other well. The result is a supportive, high-performing culture that drives both personal growth and professional outcomes.”

Personalized and Practical Learning
Students begin with a strong academic foundation through integrated core courses and early career programming such as Me, Inc.—a two-week workshop that helps them discover career goals, build personal brands, and connect with dedicated career coaches. The Academy model provides industry-specific projects, alumni mentoring, and company engagement in areas such as consulting, finance, healthcare, marketing, and supply chain—making classroom learning immediately applicable.

Flexible Options, Global Impact
Through the innovative +Flex option, students can complete their second year on campus or online through Kelley Direct, the nation’s #1-ranked online MBA, while still enjoying full access to career services, networking, and leadership development. Programs like GLOBASE—where students consult with international organizations through a mix of virtual and in-country projects—add a global perspective to the MBA experience.

Rankings Data For IU Kelley

Ranking	Poets&Quants
2025-2026	39
2024-2025	34
2023-2024	37
2022-2023	22
2021-2022	22

Why Students Chose

5 REASONS THE MBA CLASS OF 2024 CHOSE INDIANA KELLEY

1) Me, Inc: “Besides Kelley’s outstanding values, core curriculum, academies, and electives, what convinced me to choose Kelley was the Me, Inc. program. Through an immersive process of self-discovery, Me, Inc. enabled me to understand how my personal story, strengths, weaknesses, values, ideal work environment, and leadership style connect with the next steps in my career. Before this program, my personal brand was not a priority. Nevertheless, now I understand its significance, and most importantly, I have a clear vision of how it will guide me through my future professional development, before the start of classes.”
Juan Diego Vasquez (’24)

2) Academies: “I plan to join the Consulting Academy. In my previous professional experience, I enjoyed creating innovative solutions to challenges, utilizing extremely limited resources. What excites me about the consulting academy is the ability to apply what I learn in the classroom through real-world consulting projects, as well as gaining exposure to top-consulting firms of all sizes.”
Alyssa Rapelje (’24)

“I come from a clinical healthcare background. When I was looking at MBA programs, I wanted a program that had resources to support my interest in the business of healthcare. While I was researching Indiana Kelley, I learned the position Indiana, as a state, has in life science careers. Indiana is #2 in U.S. states for life science exportation and the life sciences makes up 28% of the total exports for Indiana. The PLUS Life Sciences Academy is an optional academy that helped tip the scales to choosing Indiana Kelley. I liked that the PLUS Life Sciences Academy has electives to learn formally, and networking events with leaders in the industry. While I was looking at schools, George M. Telthorst, the director of the program, made himself available for a conversation. The availability of him and others at Indiana Kelley was definitely noticeable. I am looking forward to the discussions among peers and healthcare executives that visit for scheduled events.”
Denis Jerome Tuttle (’24)

3) GLOBASE: “The Global Business and Social Enterprise (GLOBASE) program is an activity that excites me the most at Indiana Kelley. It serves as a platform to support various business entities around the globe, equipping them to attain higher level of impact in their communities. The diverse culture, work experience, and expertise that the MBAs bring to bear through this program have the capacity to revolutionize businesses which in most cases have not had such level of professional touch. I find such engagement exciting and fulfilling as it opens a world of opportunities to business owners while offering Kelley an avenue to give back to humanity.”
Chukwuka Stanley Ekeocha (’24)

4) Bloomington: “My wife and I thought moving to Bloomington would be in the middle of nowhere. I’ve lived many years in New York City and Houston — two of the four biggest cities in the U.S. My wife is from the massive metro of Johannesburg. We moved to Bloomington blindly, thinking we’d be in for a very low-key, dare I say boring, two years (besides school). We were wrong. Bloomington is beautiful and happening! Rolling hills, four beautiful seasons (winter is a little long for us though!), and proximity to outdoors activities. We’ve dined at several international restaurants, taken in shows at the top-ranked Jacobs School of Music, and attended games and events. The town is big enough to have lots to do, but small enough to feel like real community. Plus, being in a smaller college town meant connections with my classmates were made that much stronger.”
Adam Cochran (’22)

“The biggest myth is that Bloomington is a college town. It isn’t a myth though, but there’s always something going on so you will be able to find something to do. Bloomington is centrally located. It’s close to bigger cities such as Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Chicago.”
Nakia Lee (’22)

5) Kelley Clap: “At the end of each class, Kelley students clap. The Kelley Clap is iconic and is indicative of the Kelley community. The Kelley Clap comes from a distinguished Kelley professor, Walt Blacconiere, who passed much too early from pancreatic cancer. Professor Blacconiere was known for clapping at the end of each lecture to celebrate and express gratitude for the learning that had taken place. Eventually, students started joining in. This is now a tradition that continues in every single classroom at the end of every single class. I love clapping at the conclusion of class, whether it’s with my two hands or an emoji on Zoom, as it reminds me to be thankful for the learning I get to experience at Kelley.”
Sam Yoder (’24)

Career Stats

Career development is built into your Kelley experience from the very beginning. Dedicated coaches work one-on-one with you to shape your internship preparation, job search strategy, and professional networking—ensuring you’re ready for every step of the recruiting process.

This individualized support continues throughout the program, whether you complete your second year on campus or online through the +Flex option. The result: consistent career outcomes that place Kelley among the nation’s top MBA programs for employment success.

Real-World Connections

Through Academy consulting projects, company treks, and industry-focused events, you’ll connect directly with recruiters, alumni, and executives from top firms across consulting, technology, finance, healthcare, consumer products, and more. This hands-on exposure gives you both the confidence and the professional experience to compete at the highest level.

A Network That Opens Doors

With a global alumni network of more than 137,000 professionals and a collaborative culture that links students, faculty, and graduates well beyond campus, Kelley gives you the relationships, mentoring, and career resources you need to launch your next chapter with impact.

Kelley MBAs accept positions across diverse industries, with consulting, marketing, and finance representing nearly two-thirds of accepted offers.

Compensation of Kelley MBAs

Reported income of recent MBA graduates over 5 years

Career Statistics	2024	2020	2019	2018	2017
Base Salary	$135,742	$119,000	$115,000	$107,000	$110,000
Signing Bonus	$33,232	$25,000	$20,000	$25,000	$25,000

Source: Kelley MBA Employment Reports 2017-2024

Industry Choices of Kelley MBAs

Recent graduates employed by industry sector over recent years

Industry	2024	2020	2019	2018	2016
Consulting Services	24%	30%	21%	18%	17%
Consumer Packaged Goods	14%		15%	16%	17%
Energy			2%	2%	2%
Financial Services	8%	17%	11%	12%	10%
Healthcare	14%		12%	11%	10%
Human Resources		2%
Marketing/Sales		29%
Manufacturing	16%		10%	13%	17%
General Management		14%
Media/Entertainment					1%
Other Services		4%	8%	12%	1%
Retail			1%		5%
Social Impact
Technology	14%		19%	15%	19%
Information & Technology		2%
Operations/Logistics	5%	2%	1%
Other	6%

Note: 2017 data unavailable at time of publishing.
Source: Kelley Employment Reports 2016 – 2024

Kelley no longer publishes in its employment report its top employers, preferring to list all of the firms that hired the school’s graduates.

Admissions For IU Kelley

From the Kelley School of Business

Whether you’re pursuing a career change or looking to accelerate your current path, the journey to an MBA is a life-changing investment. At the Kelley School of Business, we’ve built one of the nation’s top-ranked MBA programs to deliver both personal and professional transformation.

Our Full-Time MBA is ranked #22 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report and recognized among the Top 15 programs nationally for employment outcomes. With 93% of graduates employed within 90 days and a mean starting compensation of $168,974 (salary + signing bonus), the Kelley MBA offers one of the highest returns on investment among top business schools.

Right from the start, you’ll partner with a dedicated career coach, learn from Academy Directors who connect you with industry expertise, and receive mentoring from peers and alumni across 137,000+ professionals worldwide. This personalized support—combined with a rigorous curriculum, real-world consulting projects, and leadership development—ensures you graduate ready to make an impact on day one.

These are just some of the reasons why Kelley has a proven record of rewarding your investment.

Princeton Review (2025):

#3 Best MBA for Marketing
#3 Most Family-Friendly MBA Program
#5 Best Professors
#10 Best MBA for Consulting
Listed among Best Business Schools (Midwest)

U.S. News & World Report (2025):

#7 in Entrepreneurship
#22 Best Business Schools (Full-Time MBA)
Top 15 MBA Programs for Employment Outcomes (100+ graduates, 3 months post-grad)

Financial Times (2024):

Recognized for Career Outcomes & ROI Excellence

QS MBA Rankings (2025):

#18 in the U.S.

Insider Monkey (2024):

#2 MBA with Highest ROI

An MBA as Unique as You

At Kelley, we believe an MBA should be as unique as the person earning it. From the start, our Full-Time +Flex MBA program is designed to help you uncover your strengths, define your goals, and chart a personalized path to leadership.

It begins with Me, Inc.—a two-week, career-acceleration initiative that helps you build your personal brand, understand your leadership style, and gain the confidence to lead with purpose. Through intensive workshops, peer collaboration, and personalized coaching, you’ll leave Me, Inc. with a clear vision of your career path before your first semester even begins.

Your first 15 weeks are dedicated to mastering business fundamentals through a fully integrated core curriculum taught by a team of expert faculty. This collaborative, cross-functional approach ensures you understand how every area of business connects—preparing you to lead complex teams and organizations.

From there, you’ll customize your experience:

Majors: Choose from seven majors—including five STEM-designated options—or design your own to fit your career ambitions.
MBA Academies: Dive into industry-focused Academies like Consulting, Finance, Healthcare, Marketing, and more, combining classroom learning with company-based consulting projects, networking events, corporate treks, and leadership opportunities.

And with Kelley’s innovative +Flex option, you can choose to complete your second year on campus or online through the nation’s #1-ranked Kelley Direct MBA—while still accessing the full suite of career services, networking, and experiential learning opportunities.

The result? A highly personalized MBA experience that blends academic rigor, real-world application, and leadership development—so you graduate ready to make an impact from day one.

Career Placement

Kelley’s Full-Time MBA delivers career outcomes that rival the best programs in the world. Consistently ranked a Best-Value MBA by Insider Monkey and recognized nationally for employment success, Kelley prepares graduates to launch careers with lasting impact.

For the Class of 2024, 93% received job offers within 90 days, with a mean starting compensation of $168,974 (salary + signing bonus). Employment spans every major U.S. region and seven countries worldwide—demonstrating Kelley’s national presence and growing global impact.

Top companies across consulting, tech, finance, healthcare, consumer products, and manufacturing actively recruit Kelley MBAs every year—organizations like Amazon, Deloitte, EY-Parthenon, Johnson & Johnson, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, and Eli Lilly.

Through Academy consulting projects, national corporate treks, and global experiences, every aspect of the Kelley MBA is designed to ensure you graduate confident and career-ready from day one.

Global Experiences and Reach

Kelley’s Full-Time MBA prepares you to lead in a connected world, combining a comprehensive curriculum with hands-on international experiences that build cultural agility and global business expertise.

Through 20+ formal exchange programs across five continents as part of the Partnership in International Management (PIM), you can study abroad at top business schools, gaining diverse perspectives on markets, industries, and leadership practices.

Our signature Global Business and Social Enterprise (GLOBASE) program takes learning even further—pairing virtual consulting projects with immersive international travel. You’ll work directly with entrepreneurs and organizations in emerging economies, tackling real-world challenges and creating solutions that drive both economic and social impact.

These experiences not only set you apart in competitive job markets but also prepare you to make a difference on a global scale. Whether you complete your second year on campus or through the +Flex option, Kelley ensures you have access to international opportunities that enrich your professional network and broaden your leadership horizons.

Life at Kelley

Life at Kelley goes beyond academics—it’s about joining a tight-knit network where ambition is matched with support and professional growth blends seamlessly with personal connection.

Bloomington offers the best of both worlds: the resources and energy of a Big Ten campus with the accessibility, affordability, and community feel of a welcoming college town. From consulting and entrepreneurship groups to cultural clubs and community volunteering, you’ll find opportunities to lead, connect, and belong—many of which extend to partners and families.

Set in the heart of Indiana University’s vibrant campus, Bloomington delivers diverse dining, live music, theater, outdoor recreation, and Big Ten sports—plus easy access to major metros like Indianapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville for internships, weekend trips, or networking.

At Kelley, you’ll enjoy a world-class MBA experience in a location that combines cultural richness, natural beauty, and true community—so you can focus on building your future without losing the lifestyle you value.

A Global Network for Life

When you join Kelley, you’re not just earning an MBA—you’re entering one of the largest and most active business school alumni networks in the world. With 137,000+ alumni across every major industry, region, and role, the Kelley network opens doors to career opportunities, mentorship, and connections that extend well beyond graduation.

From Fortune 500 executives to entrepreneurs launching startups on multiple continents, Kelley graduates are shaping industries worldwide—and they’re committed to helping the next generation succeed. Whether you’re seeking a career pivot, a boardroom introduction, or guidance from someone who’s been in your shoes, the Kelley network is a lifelong community you can count on.

More MBA Options

In addition to the Full-Time MBA, Kelley offers highly ranked programs for working professionals and specialized audiences—delivering the same academic excellence, expert faculty, and career support in formats designed to fit diverse needs:

Kelley Direct Online MBA: The first online MBA offered by a top business school and ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report (2025), Kelley Direct combines rigorous academics with the convenience to learn from anywhere.
Evening MBA (Indianapolis): A flexible, part-time program blending on-campus and online instruction, consistently ranked among the nation’s top part-time MBAs for quality and ROI.
Physician MBA: A two-year MBA designed exclusively for physicians, integrating practical business expertise with healthcare-focused leadership training to prepare medical professionals to transform the business of medicine.

Essay Questions For IU Kelley

Kelley requires that prospective MBAs answer three essay questions, with an optional fourth.

The first is: Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider?

The second is respond to one of the following short essay prompts:

My greatest memory is…
b. I’m most afraid of…
c. My greatest challenge has been…
d. I’m most proud of…

The third asks MBAs to Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy.

The optional last question leaves room for prospective MBAs to inform admissions on any other information they might want admissions to know as they evaluate their application.

Student Features For IU Kelley

Meet Indiana Kelley’s MBA Class Of 2024

An inside look at Kelley first-years

Meet Indiana Kelley’s MBA Class Of 2023

A class of career changers seeking the personal touch

Meet Indiana Kelley’s MBA Class Of 2022

Career changers enjoying intensive coaching and deep industry training

Meet the MBA Class of 2025: Rex Rumsey, Indiana University (Kelley)

“I’m a HealthTech enthusiast, dedicated to optimizing digital, organizational, and clinical solutions to enhance healthcare”

2023 Best & Brightest MBA: Brittany Bolden, Indiana University (Kelley)

“Tenacious and scrappy introvert, passionate about gender/race/class equity and learning about different cultures”

2023 Best & Brightest MBA: Ben Krebs, Indiana University (Kelley)

“Hard-working and easy-going problem solver - passionate leader dedicated to making a positive impact”

2022 MBA To Watch: Nakia Lee, Indiana University (Kelley)

“Detailed oriented, dependable, recognizes opportunity and capitalizes on it”

2023 MBA To Watch: Sarah Kiley, Indiana University (Kelley)

“Bostonian, aunt, sports fanatic, relationship builder, and former competitive Irish Step Dancer”

2023 MBA To Watch: Cedrick Agorbia-Atta, Indiana University (Kelley)

"Resourceful, adventurous, reliable, and proactive and funny.”

2022 MBA To Watch: Amisha Mittal, Indiana University (Kelley)

“I am a fun-loving person who loves to try out new things”

School Features

Kelley Direct Day In The Life Journal

The Future Of The MBA Is Happening Right Now At Indiana Kelley

In its sparkling $10 million studio, Kelley Direct at Indiana University is leading a new era of 'hands-on virtual' learning

2022 Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors: Stephanie Lu Wang, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

A leading scholar on international business, Stephanie Lu Wang of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business consistently receives high marks and positive feedback from her students

2022 Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors: Scott J. Shackelford, Indiana University Kelley School of Business

Scott J. Shackelford of Indiana University Kelley School of Business is a world leader in the push for cyber peace

MBA Watch For IU Kelley

MBA Watch is where thousands of MBA applicants not only get to tell their story but have John A. Byrne, MBA admissions coaches and our audience, assess their odds of admission and get help to improve their chances of getting in!

Mr. Clinical Trial Ops

Recent grad pharmacist starting a 2yr Fellowship in "Big Pharma" Clinical Trial Operations.

Mr. Colombian Sales Leader

Young professional originally from Colombia with a proven track of success in sales and product management in the manufacturing and engineering industries.

Mr. Construction Manager

I have managed two multi-family/apartment complex developments in NC (totaling $88 million dollars) and I am currently managing the construction of a major industrial facility ($600+ million) and I am OSHA certified.

Mr. Emporio Armani

A personal tragedy senior year of undergrad derailed my GPA and career plans.

Mr. Community Involvement

I love doing extracurricular activities and took a position with a chapter of AMA to continue my marketing passion.

Mr. Senior Finance Manager

I am a Senior Finance Manager with a fast pace growing fintech start-up in Nigeria.

Ms. Coding Tech Leader

I am a Software Developer with 5+ years of experience.

Mr. Strategy Consulting

Financial Consultant - Valuations.

Ms. Second Chances

In 5 years I moved from an assistant to an HR manager role, leading dept.

Mr. Military 2.0

Transitioning U.

MBA Program Consideration Set

If you believe you’re a close match to this school–based on your scores, age and work experience, you could look at these other competitive full-time MBA programs as well. We list them by stretch, match, and more to consider. These options are presented on the basis of brand image and ranking status as a general guideline. These are meant to be a starting point for further exploration.

Stretch Schools

Match Schools

More Schools to Consider

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News Coverage For IU Kelley

Indiana University's Kelley School of Business

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business