{"id":42729,"date":"2026-09-01T08:42:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T12:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/?p=42729"},"modified":"2026-09-01T08:42:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T12:42:47","slug":"mba-programs-outside-top-ten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/mba-programs-outside-top-ten\/","title":{"rendered":"The mbaMission Podcast: Finding MBA Programs Outside the Top Ten That Fit Your Goals | Ep 118"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this episode of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mbaMission Podcast<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, host Harold Simansky, mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald, and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya discuss some of the MBA programs applicants often overlook despite the strength of their offerings\u2014just because the schools are not among the top ten in the popular MBA rankings. Their conversation challenges the common assumption in admissions that the highest-ranked school must be the best option for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">every<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> MBA candidate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Finding MBA Programs Outside the Top Ten That Fit Your Goals | Ep 118\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DVDZ9AlUNNE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-mbamission-podcast\/id1748825410?i=1000787146905\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-41854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/apple-podcasts-button-300x100.jpg\" alt=\"apple podcasts button\" width=\"300\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/apple-podcasts-button-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/apple-podcasts-button.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/6xbLsCJflH9x4rfx9T3Rtc?si=1dad86de3a0b47fa\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-41852\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spotify-button-300x100.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spotify-button-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spotify-button.jpg 563w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the truth is that rankings matter far less than fit. Checking a school\u2019s employment report, regional network, industry strengths, scholarship opportunities, program format, and surrounding city can much more accurately reveal the value of its MBA program with respect to an applicant\u2019s goals and preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/mba-programs-outside-top-ten\/#start_with_your_career_goal\" >Start with Your Career Goal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/mba-programs-outside-top-ten\/#think_about_geography_as_strategy\" >Think About Geography as Strategy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/mba-programs-outside-top-ten\/#evaluate_the_return_on_investment_potential\" >Evaluate the Return on Investment Potential<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/mba-programs-outside-top-ten\/#look_for_fit_in_the_full_experience\" >Look for Fit in the Full Experience<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"start_with_your_career_goal\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start with Your Career Goal<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harold recommends beginning with the question that every business school applicant needs to be able to answer clearly: What do you want to do after you graduate with your MBA? Employment reports can reveal helpful patterns and insights. A program\u2019s location, alumni base, faculty focus, and\/or relationships with recruiters might position it to place a meaningful percentage of its graduates into a specific industry, even if the school is not recognized in the rankings for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, while having the name of a nationally recognized program on your MBA resume can be helpful in some ways, a lesser-known or specialized program could actually offer better access to the exact employers and market you hope to pursue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"think_about_geography_as_strategy\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think About Geography as Strategy<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jeremy and Gavriella emphasize that a program\u2019s geography can play a powerful role in its recruiting process, options, and results. If you know you want to build your career in a specific city or state, look for schools that have deep, well-developed networks with employers in that area. Within its home market, a program can open important doors for its students through alumni connections, recruiter familiarity, and easy access to local companies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same approach can be applied internationally. Candidates who want a global career or a career in a specific region beyond the United States might find that an MBA program outside the U.S. top ten would offer them greater cultural fluency and professional access.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"evaluate_the_return_on_investment_potential\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate the Return on Investment Potential<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The episode also makes a strong case for closely considering scholarship options and anticipated debt. A candidate might receive significant funding from a lower-ranked program, and this would allow them to graduate with more flexibility and less financial pressure\u2014creating a better return on their investment than that of someone who paid full price to attend a more recognized school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That financial element of earning an MBA becomes even more important to consider as the number and popularity of one-year MBA programs grow. For an applicant who already has professional experience, undergraduate business training, or a firmly focused career goal, a shorter program can provide the necessary skills and access without requiring them to take two full years away from the workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"look_for_fit_in_the_full_experience\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for Fit in the Full Experience<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quality of life needs to be part of the school-selection conversation, too. Harold, Jeremy, and Gavrielle identify programs that candidates might not realize are connected to strong industry hubs, host emerging startup communities, are located in lower-cost cities, and offer important lifestyle advantages. Those factors can affect not only one\u2019s two years in business school but also the professional network and personal life they enjoy after graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This episode\u2019s ultimate takeaway is that an applicant\u2019s target MBA programs should reflect their goals, finances, desired geography, and preferred learning environment, not be just a list of familiar schools that top the various rankings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New episodes of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mbaMission Podcast<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are released every Tuesday on all major streaming platforms, with full video episodes available on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@mbaMission\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mbaMission\u2019s YouTube channel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are curious about how your story, experiences, and goals align with what top business schools are looking for, sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with Harold, Jeremy, Gavriella, or another member of mbaMission\u2019s admissions team.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Beyond MBA rankings, the right business school should fit your career goals, target industry, geography, finances, and long-term plans. In Episode 118, host Harold Simansky, mbaMission Founder Jeremy Shinewald, and Managing Director Gavriella Semaya discuss how to evaluate MBA programs applicants often overlook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":42731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[130,123,643],"tags":[600,453,629,681,673,683,682],"class_list":["post-42729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-schools-outside-the-top-15","category-career-advice","category-mbamission-podcast","tag-business-school-fit","tag-mba-admissions","tag-mba-programs","tag-mba-rankings","tag-mba-roi","tag-mba-scholarships","tag-mba-school-selection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Finding MBA Programs Outside the Top Ten | mbaMission Ep 118<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking beyond the top ten MBA programs? 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