Foster School of Business is the business school of the University of Washington in Seattle, established in 1917 as one of the oldest business schools on the US West Coast. It ranks #9 globally and #3 in the USA in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2025, giving Indian MS and MBA aspirants a top-tier West Coast option next to Silicon Valley recruiters.
The school offers a two-year Full-Time MBA, a 12-month MS in Business Analytics, a nine-month MS in Accounting, an Evening MBA, a Hybrid MBA, an Executive MBA, doctoral programs and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. All programs are taught in English, and international students form 56% of the latest Full-Time MBA class. Indian applicants typically target Autumn (September) entry, with a smaller MBA in USA feeder pool applying to the Hybrid track.
- QS Business Masters 2025: #9 global, #3 USA
- Acceptance rate (Full-Time MBA): 28% (estimated)
- Intakes: Autumn (September) main; Hybrid MBA starts each September
- Full-Time MBA total tuition (non-resident): USD 115,662 (INR 109.1 lakh)
- International students in MBA class: 56% of intake
- Median starting salary (Class of 2023): USD 145,000 (INR 136.7 lakh)
Also Check: MS in USA for Indian Students
Foster charges non-resident tuition to Indian students across all business degrees, but 100% of admitted MBA candidates are reviewed for merit funding at no separate application step. F-1 visa holders receive a 36-month STEM OPT extension on the MSBA and MBA STEM tracks, which shapes the cost-benefit calculation for most Indian applicants.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.30 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Autumn 2027 intake). Full-Time MBA Round 1 closes 1 October 2026, with Round 2 on 5 January 2027 as the final round for international applicants. MSBA and MS Accounting cycles run on a rolling basis with the priority deadline in January 2027; Indian applicants should target Round 1 for maximum scholarship consideration.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Foster School of Business 2027
- Foster School of Business Admission 2027
- Foster School of Business Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Foster School of Business Acceptance Rate 2027
- UW Foster Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Foster School of Business Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Foster School of Business Scholarships 2027
- Foster School of Business Rankings 2027
- Foster School of Business Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Foster School of Business vs Peer Universities
- Foster School of Business FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Foster School of Business 2027
Foster charges tuition on a fee-based, per-quarter model. Non-resident tuition applies to every Indian applicant, and each masters program has its own program cost published each academic year by the Foster finance office.
Foster School of Business Popular PG Courses for Indian Students 2027
The Full-Time MBA runs across six quarters over 2 years; the MSBA and MS in Accounting are cohort programs with fixed program costs. Fees below are the total non-resident program cost for the 2026-27 academic year, converted at 1 USD = INR 94.30.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time MBA (2 years) | 115,662 | 109.1 lakh | Bachelor’s with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended); 5+ years work experience |
| MS Business Analytics (12 months) | 62,955 | 59.4 lakh | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended); STEM background |
| MS Accounting (9 months) | 49,500 (estimated) | 46.7 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended) |
| Hybrid MBA (24 months) | 100,344 (estimated) | 94.6 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended); 3+ years experience |
| Executive MBA (21 months) | 129,600 (estimated) | 122.2 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended); 8+ years experience |
| Technology Management MBA (18 months) | Verify at official fee schedule | Verify at official fee schedule | Bachelor’s with 60% (recommended); tech industry experience |
| Evening MBA (3 years) | 105,336 (estimated) | 99.3 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| PhD in Business Administration | Fully funded | Fully funded | Master’s with 70% or CGPA 7.0/10 (recommended) |
[Source: Foster School of Business official fees]
Foster School of Business Popular UG Courses for Indian Students 2027
The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration is the only undergraduate program at Foster. Non-resident tuition below reflects the University of Washington 2026-27 rate.
| Program | Annual Fee (USD) | Annual Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA in Business Administration (4 years) | 44,740 | 42.2 lakh | Class 12 with 85% or above (recommended); SAT/ACT optional |
Insider note: Indian applicants over-index on the MSBA and Hybrid MBA at Foster because both carry STEM designation, unlocking the 36-month OPT extension. The two-year Full-Time MBA is the strongest pick if your target sector is consulting or finance in Seattle or the Bay Area.
Read More: Foster School of Business Fees and Cost of Living Guide
Foster School of Business Admission 2027
Foster runs one primary Autumn intake in September, with rolling MSBA reviews and three MBA rounds. Round 2 is the final application window for international applicants seeking F-1 visa timing.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time MBA Round 1 deadline | 1 October 2026 | Best round for merit scholarships and F-1 processing |
| Full-Time MBA Round 2 deadline | 5 January 2027 | Final round for international applicants; decision by 26 March 2027 |
| Full-Time MBA Round 3 deadline | 23 March 2027 | Domestic applicants only per official policy |
| Credential verification (WES/ECE) | Start 6 weeks before deadline | Third-party evaluation required for all Indian degrees |
| Programme start | September 2027 | Foster Immersion pre-term begins late August |
[Source: Foster School of Business admissions]
Planning note: Foster requires all international applicants to finalise F-1 visa steps by the Round 2 deadline of 5 January 2027, since Round 3 is closed to non-US applicants. Indian candidates applying in Round 2 should keep transcripts and WES verification ready by mid-December 2026.
Read More: Foster School of Business Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Foster School of Business Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Foster reviews Indian applicants holistically, but a few thresholds are non-negotiable for the Full-Time MBA and STEM masters.
- Bachelor’s degree: A four-year degree from a recognised Indian university with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10 (recommended). Three-year Indian bachelor’s degrees are accepted with prior WES review.
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 100 (0-120 legacy scale) or the equivalent 5 (1-6 scale, tests taken on/after 21 January 2026), IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo English Test 130.
- Credential verification: WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation, ordered at least six weeks before the target round.
- GMAT or GRE: Test-optional for Full-Time MBA; strongly encouraged for Indian applicants given the competitive pool. Median GMAT 720 (10th edition) or 655 (GMAT Focus).
Key insight: Foster grants a TOEFL/IELTS waiver only when a previous degree was fully taught in English at an English-medium institution based in an English-speaking country. Indian degrees taught in English do not qualify for the waiver even if the medium of instruction letter is issued.
Foster School of Business Acceptance Rate 2027
The Full-Time MBA acceptance rate at Foster is 28% (estimated), based on the most recent class of roughly 100 admits from about 350 applications. The MSBA is noticeably tighter given its single 12-month cohort.
| Year | Acceptance Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28% (estimated) | Stable |
| 2025 | 29% (estimated) | Stable |
| 2024 | 30% (estimated) | Slight tightening |
Foster does not publish an official acceptance rate for either the MBA or MSBA. Indian candidates should treat this rate as a directional benchmark rather than a strict cutoff, since class composition targets shift year on year.
Reality check: A 28% headline masks the Indian applicant pool, which is far more competitive. Strong Indian applicants typically clear 720 on the classic GMAT or 655 on Focus and show two or more Foster-relevant work themes.
Read More: Foster School of Business Acceptance Rate
UW Foster Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual cost for an Indian Full-Time MBA student at Foster runs between USD 82,000 and USD 90,000 (INR 77.3 lakh to INR 84.9 lakh), covering tuition, living expenses and mandatory international student health insurance.
UW Foster Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027
Foster tuition is charged quarterly, and non-resident international students pay the higher of the two published tiers. The MSBA is billed as a fixed program cost.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time MBA (2 years total) | 115,662 | 109.1 lakh |
| MS Business Analytics (12 months total) | 62,955 | 59.4 lakh |
| BA in Business Administration (per year) | 44,740 | 42.2 lakh |
[Source: University of Washington ISS]
Monthly Cost of Living in Seattle for Indian Students
Seattle sits in the higher band of US student cities, roughly on par with Boston but below the Bay Area. UW publishes an official nine-month living estimate that most Indian students track against.
| Category | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared apartment) | 1,500 | 1,41,450 |
| Food and groceries | 600 | 56,580 |
| Transportation (U-PASS included) | 150 | 14,145 |
| Books and supplies | 130 | 12,259 |
| Personal and miscellaneous | 500 | 47,150 |
| Health insurance (ISHIP) | 240 | 22,632 |
| Monthly total | 3,120 | 2,94,216 |
| Annual total (9-month academic year) | 39,632 | 37.4 lakh |
[Source: University of Washington ISS 2026-27 official cost estimate]
Insider note: Rents on Ave (University Ave near campus) and Wallingford run USD 800 to USD 1,100 per person in a shared unit, well below the Seattle downtown average. Most Indian students split a 2BHK to keep monthly outflow under USD 3,000.
Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
Foster School of Business Campus, Facilities and Student Life
Foster occupies six buildings on the main University of Washington campus in Seattle, with PACCAR Hall serving as the primary MBA classroom and student space. Downtown Seattle and Amazon HQ sit a 15-minute light rail ride south.
- Location and transit: Campus is 8 km north of downtown Seattle; the Link light rail U-District station connects campus to SeaTac airport in 45 minutes.
- Housing: UW does not guarantee graduate housing; roughly 25% of MBA students live in Nordheim Court or Radford Court, while others rent on Roosevelt or in Wallingford.
- Facilities: The Arthur W. Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, Foster Career Center and dedicated MBA study lounges anchor student life at PACCAR Hall and Dempsey Hall.
- Indian community: The MBA Association and Foster Consulting Society run active Indian student sub-groups, and roughly 15% to 20% of each MBA cohort holds Indian passports at admission.
What Indian students say: Seattle winters are grey and rainy but far milder than the US East Coast, and the tech recruiting pipeline from Foster to Amazon, Microsoft and Meta is the single biggest draw. The rain is a real adjustment for students from South Indian coastal cities.
Foster School of Business Scholarships 2027
Foster awards merit-based funding to over 60% of admitted Full-Time MBA students, with a mix of institutional awards, external fellowships and diversity scholarships. Indian applicants are considered for all merit awards automatically at the time of admission review.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Merit Scholarships | Merit | Partial to full tuition | All admitted Full-Time MBA applicants | Automatic with Round 1 or 2 |
| Forte Fellowship | Diversity | Partial to full tuition | Female MBA applicants | Automatic with MBA application |
| Consortium Fellowship | Diversity | Full tuition | US citizens/PR from underrepresented groups | Via Consortium application |
| ROMBA Fellowship | Diversity | Minimum USD 20,000 (INR 18.9 lakh) | LGBTQ+ MBA applicants | Automatic with MBA application |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | External | Full tuition plus stipend | Indian nationals, non-US work required post-graduation | USIEF deadline: mid-May 2026 for 2027 intake |
[Source: Foster School of Business scholarships]
Planning note: The Consortium Fellowship does not extend to Indian passport holders since it requires US citizenship or permanent residence. Indian applicants should focus their scholarship strategy on the Foster Merit awards in Round 1 and a parallel Fulbright application through USIEF.
Read More: Foster School of Business Scholarships Guide
Foster School of Business Rankings 2027
Foster’s strongest performance sits in the QS Business Masters and Financial Times Global MBA rankings, where it consistently lands inside the global top 40 and US top 20.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS Business Masters (Business Analytics) | 2025: #9 world / #3 USA | 2024: #10 world | 2023: #12 world |
| QS Executive MBA | 2026: #32 world | 2025: #34 world | 2024: #36 world |
| QS Online MBA (Hybrid) | 2026: #8 world | 2025: #9 world | 2024: #10 world |
| US News Best Business Schools | 2025-2026: #22 USA | 2024-2025: #22 USA | 2023-2024: #23 USA |
| Financial Times Global MBA | 2025: #34 world / #14 USA | 2024: #35 world | 2023: #38 world |
| Bloomberg Businessweek | 2024: #17 USA | 2023: #19 USA | 2022: #20 USA |
[Source: QS, US News, Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek]
Key insight: The QS Business Masters #9 rank for the MSBA is the strongest signal for an Indian applicant, since it sits above several M7 schools’ analytics programs. For MBA candidates, the FT and US News scores matter more to Indian employers than the QS Global MBA table.
Read More: Foster School of Business Rankings Analysis
Foster School of Business Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Foster reports strong hiring numbers led by Seattle’s tech corridor. The 2023 employment data below is the most recent published set as per the Foster Career Center.
- Placement rate: 89% of Full-Time MBAs received a job offer within three months of graduation.
- Median base salary: USD 145,000 (INR 136.7 lakh); average base USD 151,116 (INR 142.5 lakh).
- Signing bonus: 72% of graduates received a signing bonus averaging USD 35,774 (INR 33.7 lakh).
- Top hiring sectors: Technology (47%), consulting (about 33%) and financial services led the 2024 outcomes.
- Career support: Foster Career Center offers Indian students dedicated F-1 visa timing sessions and CPT/OPT clinics from October onward.
Notable recruiters include Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Deloitte, PwC and Boston Consulting Group, though Foster does not publish a fixed recruiter list each year. The STEM designation on the MBA and MSBA gives Indian graduates a 36-month OPT window to convert internships into full-time roles.
Insider note: Indian graduates cluster in Amazon and Microsoft product management roles, since both firms conduct on-campus interviews at Foster ahead of open applications. Consulting recruiting is dominated by BCG Seattle and Deloitte, with McKinsey historically less active on campus.
Foster School of Business vs Peer Universities
The peer set below covers US top-25 business schools that Indian applicants typically consider alongside Foster, plus one Indian benchmark for reference.
| School | QS EMBA 2026 | US News MBA 2025-26 | Annual PG Fee (USD) | Annual PG Fee (INR lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster School of Business | #32 | #22 | 57,831 | 54.5 lakh | Seattle tech pipeline plus STEM MBA option |
| UCLA Anderson | #28 | #18 | 76,290 | 71.9 lakh | West Coast brand with entertainment recruiting |
| USC Marshall | #41 | #20 | 72,800 | 68.6 lakh | Strong LA and Asia-Pacific alumni network |
| UT Austin McCombs | #37 | #16 | 52,590 | 49.6 lakh | Lower tuition; strong Texas tech recruiting |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | #45 | #19 | 68,240 | 64.3 lakh | Small class size; consulting focus |
| ISB Hyderabad (India) | NA | NA | 47,700 | 45.0 lakh | One-year program in India; PGP rank #24 FT MBA 2024 |
Foster stands out for its combination of Seattle proximity to Amazon and Microsoft plus a genuinely STEM-designated MBA, a rarer combination than UCLA or USC offer at similar tuition. Indian candidates targeting West Coast tech should place Foster in Round 1 with UCLA and McCombs as parallel bets.
Foster School of Business fits Indian applicants who want a mid-tier US MBA cost with a first-tier tech job outcome. The combined USD 156,000 investment across tuition and living converts to a first-year median of USD 145,000 plus a signing bonus, and the STEM 36-month OPT window is the single sharpest visa advantage on the study in USA map for tech-bound Indians.
Foster is not the right pick if your target is investment banking, private equity or East Coast consulting head offices, where Wharton, Booth and Columbia dominate campus hiring. Applicants with that goal should benchmark against UCLA Anderson, whose finance recruiting pipeline into New York is materially deeper than Foster’s.
Foster School of Business FAQs
Ques. Does Foster School of Business waive the application fee for Indian applicants?
Ans. Foster charges a non-refundable USD 90 application fee for the Full-Time MBA and does not offer country-based waivers for Indian applicants. Fee waivers exist only for US military veterans, Consortium members and Forte candidates. Indian applicants should budget for the fee separately when planning Round 1 or Round 2 submissions, and pay via credit card at the time of application submission.
Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at UW Foster?
Ans. F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during quarters and full-time during breaks. Off-campus employment requires CPT authorisation, typically granted from the second quarter onward for MBA students and after nine months for MSBA students. Foster Career Center handles CPT paperwork for tech and consulting internships in Seattle.
Ques. How does Foster verify Indian bachelor’s degree transcripts?
Ans. Foster requires a course-by-course credential evaluation from WES or ECE for all Indian bachelor’s degrees, both three-year and four-year. Applicants must send official transcripts to the evaluator, and WES sends the report directly to Foster admissions. Budget six to eight weeks for the full WES cycle, and start before the Round 1 deadline of 1 October 2026.
Ques. Is the GMAT waiver available at UW Foster for Indian applicants?
Ans. Foster offers a test-optional pathway for the Full-Time MBA where applicants can request a waiver by demonstrating quantitative readiness through prior CA, CFA, engineering coursework or STEM undergraduate degrees. Indian applicants with strong quantitative backgrounds should still submit a GMAT or GRE score, since the class median remains 720 on the classic GMAT.
Ques. Which Indian banks provide education loans for Foster MBA students?
Ans. State Bank of India, HDFC Credila, ICICI Bank, Avanse and Prodigy Finance all recognise Foster School of Business for education loans up to INR 1.5 crore. SBI and HDFC Credila offer the most competitive rates for secured loans backed by collateral, while Prodigy Finance provides unsecured loans without a co-signer. Loan disbursement typically requires the Foster I-20 and admission letter.
Ques. Does UW Foster accept a three-year Indian bachelor’s degree?
Ans. Foster accepts three-year Indian bachelor’s degrees for the Full-Time MBA and MSBA provided the WES evaluation confirms US bachelor-equivalency. Applicants with three-year BCom, BA or BBA degrees typically qualify without needing a bridge master’s, but three-year BSc holders should confirm with Foster admissions before applying. WES evaluation is mandatory in both cases.
Ques. What are the dependent visa rules for Foster MBA students from India?
Ans. F-1 students at Foster can bring a spouse and children under 21 on F-2 dependent visas. F-2 spouses cannot work in the US but can enrol in part-time study; F-2 children can attend K-12 school full-time. Foster’s International Programs Office issues the dependent I-20 alongside the student I-20, and Indian applicants must show financial proof covering dependents in the visa interview.
Ques. How long does the STEM OPT extension last at UW Foster?
Ans. The Full-Time MBA and MSBA at Foster carry STEM designation, giving Indian graduates 12 months of standard OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension for a total of 36 months of work authorisation. The MS in Accounting is not STEM-designated, so accounting graduates get only 12 months of OPT. Employers must be E-Verify registered for the STEM extension to apply.
Foster School of Business Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
M.S Business Analytics 1 year Course Offered by: | INR 43 L/Yr USD 44,811 /Yr | 90 | 70-75%, IELTS 6.5-7, TOEFL 80-92, Duolingo 110-125 | |
M.B.A 2 years Course Offered by: | INR 43 L/Yr USD 44,811 /Yr | 90 | TOEFL- 4.5 | IELTS- 6.5 | Duolingo- 110 | |
M.S. Accounting 9 months | INR 23.7 L/Yr USD 24,750 /Yr | 90 | GPA 3.0, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL: 80, Duolingo: 110 |
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Foster School of Business Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.8 L/Yr$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 19.2 L/Yr$20,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 4.8 L/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Foster School of Business Admissions
Application Portal: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/freshman/how-to-apply/app-fee/#international
Foster School of Business Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Proficiency | ||||
| TOEFL | 691 | - | - | - |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| paper baesd | - | 600 | - | - |
| internet based | - | 100 | - | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees



















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