M.B.A at Drexel University [DREXEL PHILLY], Philadelphia Fees, Entry Requirement & Application Deadline

M.B.A from Drexel University

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1891established year
24190enrollment
Private (Not for Profit)
Partner [2 Courses]
7.4/10

Master of Business Administration [M.B.A]

18 months
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study: 

Ranked #251 out of 389 by QS Global Ranking 2026

$41,550 /Yr

1 Students Applied
1 Students Admitted
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 26, 2026

Drexel University Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a 12 to 18 month full-time, on-campus graduate business degree at the University City Campus in Philadelphia. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree judged equivalent to a United States degree. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 tuition was US$1,427 per credit (INR 1.37 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.

The MBA trains students to connect people, data and technology through simulation courses, integrated cases and experiential projects. It suits career changers who can handle an accelerated schedule and want internship or STEM concentration options rather than a slower online route.

  • The full-time MBA offers 12 month, 15 month and 18 month pacing, so internship planning changes the total stay and living budget.
  • The Fall 2027 curriculum moves to 36 semester credits, which replaces the older 48 quarter-credit structure.
  • Some MBA concentrations are STEM-designated, which can extend Optional Practical Training for eligible F-1 students.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 01 May 2027.

The deadline page does not publish a portal cutoff time, so Indian applicants should submit before 01 May 2027 in Philadelphia time. The priority scholarship date is 01 March 2027, which makes early document preparation financially important.

Also Check: Drexel University admissions

Drexel University MBA Fees and Living Costs 2027

Fall 2027 tuition is not yet published on the checked Drexel fee pages. The table therefore uses 2026-27 official figures as prior-cycle planning context for the full-time MBA mode.

Cost itemOfficial amountINR equivalent
Accelerated Full-Time MBA tuition per credit, 2026-27US$1,427INR 1.37 Lakhs
Calculated 36-credit tuition illustration, 2026-27US$51,372INR 49.22 Lakhs
International I-20 estimate for tuition and fees, three quarters, 2026-27US$38,529INR 36.92 Lakhs
Part-Time MBA tuition per credit, 2026-27US$1,391INR 1.33 Lakhs
Online MBA tuition per credit, 2026-27US$1,350INR 1.29 Lakhs

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.8168 as of 25 September 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

  • The full-time 36-credit illustration is useful for scale, but it is not Drexel’s confirmed Fall 2027 tuition.
  • The I-20 estimate helps with visa funding proof because it includes Drexel’s living and other-cost categories.
  • The online rate is cheaper per credit, but online study does not support the same F-1 visa route.

Cost of Living in Philadelphia for MBA Students

Drexel publishes a combined international estimate rather than a rent, food and transport split. The monthly figures below divide the 2026-27 nine-month estimate by nine for planning only.

ExpenseMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)9-month total (USD)9-month total (INR)
Living expensesUS$2,278INR 2.18 LakhsUS$20,502INR 19.64 Lakhs
Other costsUS$1,195INR 1.15 LakhsUS$10,756INR 10.31 Lakhs
Non-tuition subtotalUS$3,473INR 3.33 LakhsUS$31,258INR 29.95 Lakhs

Using the 2026-27 per-credit rate for 36 credits gives US$51,372 (INR 49.22 Lakhs) before living costs. Adding Drexel’s 9-month non-tuition estimate of US$31,258 (INR 29.95 Lakhs) gives a prior-cycle planning illustration of US$82,630 (INR 79.17 Lakhs).

Fee status note

Verify the target fee on the official fee page. Use the prior-cycle total only to size loan capacity, not as a confirmed invoice.

Key insight: The cost risk is the unpublished 2027-28 tuition, so build funding around the confirmed 01 March 2027 scholarship date first.

Drexel University MBA Admission 2027

Drexel LeBow reviews MBA applicants holistically, and GMAT or GRE scores are not required. The strongest Indian file links the bachelor’s record, work evidence and 500-word personal statement to the accelerated full-time format.

RequirementOfficial ruleIndian applicant meaning
Bachelor’s degreeApplicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.The degree must be judged equivalent to a United States bachelor’s degree.
Three-year Indian degreeDrexel may accept 15 years of education from a top-rated institution.The degree needs NAAC A or better accreditation and Division I or First Distinction.
GMAT or GREScores are not required for graduate business admission.A score can still support scholarship review or a weaker quantitative profile.
InterviewAccelerated Full-Time MBA applicants may be selected for an interview round.Prepare concise examples for career change, leadership and quantitative readiness.
Core documentsTranscripts, one recommendation, CV or resume and personal statement are required.Upload unofficial records early, then arrange official documents before enrollment.

The three-year degree rule is useful for Indian commerce and business graduates because Drexel names Indian quality markers directly. Applicants outside those markers should budget time for a course-by-course evaluation before the deadline.

English Language Requirements

International applicants educated outside the United States need English proof unless Drexel grants a waiver. Drexel lists TOEFL iBT on its current scale, so applicants should not convert it to the older 0 to 120 format.

RoutePublished score or rulePlanning note
TOEFL iBTOverall minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.5Use the exact scale listed by Drexel for the application cycle.
IELTSOverall 6.5 with 6.5 in Speaking and ListeningThis route gives a clearer band target for Indian test-takers.
Duolingo English TestDrexel LeBow prefers 115 or higherThis is faster for applicants facing tight document timelines.
Waiver routePossible after a recognized English-speaking degree or five years of United States workAsk before skipping a test because waiver options sit inside the application.
  • Choose IELTS if you want a familiar band score and can meet the 6.5 Speaking and Listening floor.
  • Use Duolingo only when speed matters because Drexel still calls 115 a preferred score.
  • Submit GMAT or GRE only when it improves scholarship review or proves quantitative preparation.
Tip for Indian students: The file should prove MBA readiness without relying on a test waiver, because Drexel can review grades, experience and writing together.

Drexel University MBA Application 2027

Fall 2027 is the relevant intake for the Accelerated Full-Time MBA, because Spring 2027 is limited to part-time hybrid and online MBA options. The international deadline is earlier than the domestic and online deadline, so visa planning must drive the timeline.

The on-campus application fee shown for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 is US$58 (INR 5,557), but Drexel has not separately stated a Fall 2027 fee. Treat the fee as a current published reference until the BusinessCAS form confirms the exact charge.

StagePublished dateApplicant action
Priority scholarship deadline01 March 2027Submit a complete file by this date for scholarship consideration.
International application deadline01 May 2027Use this deadline for the full-time on-campus MBA and visa route.
Domestic and online application deadline01 August 2027Do not use this later date for an Indian F-1 application plan.
Classes begin23 August 2027Plan I-20, visa interview and travel buffers before orientation week.

Drexel does not publish a portal cutoff time beside these dates, so the safest Indian applicant action is to submit before the Philadelphia calendar date begins. Check Drexel’s official deadline page before submitting because that page controls the intake list.

  • Build the application around the 01 March 2027 scholarship date, not the later final international deadline.
  • Ask recommenders early because all materials must be received by the deadline date.
  • Use the interview possibility to prepare career-change examples before submitting the personal statement.

Read More: Drexel University courses

Application tip: A 01 March 2027 submission gives the MBA file scholarship visibility and leaves two months for missing transcript or English-test issues.

Drexel University MBA Scholarships 2027

Drexel LeBow considers domestic and international MBA applicants for scholarships automatically, but it does not publish a guaranteed award amount for Fall 2027 MBA admits. This makes the priority scholarship deadline more important than a late application strategy.

Funding routePublished valueWho can use itTiming
Alumni Merit ScholarshipAmount not publishedMBA and MS applicants, including international applicantsAutomatic review with a complete admission file
Drexel Lifelong Learner Award30% tuition savingsDrexel bachelor’s or master’s alumni in participating graduate programsUse when applying, if the applicant has Drexel alumni status
Online alumni savings15% to 30% tuition savingsDrexel alumni and immediate family members in online programsRelevant only if the applicant changes to the online MBA route
Online military savings10% to 40% tuition reductionEligible military-affiliated online students and family membersNot a general full-time MBA funding route for Indian applicants

The practical funding decision is simple: submit by 01 March 2027 if scholarship review matters. GMAT or GRE scores are optional, but Drexel says submitted scores can support merit review, especially for applicants with limited quantitative evidence.

  • Prioritize the strongest complete file over a rushed final-deadline submission because merit review is tied to the application.
  • Use the Lifelong Learner Award only if you already have Drexel alumni status, since it is not a general Indian applicant scholarship.
  • Do not count online savings toward the full-time on-campus MBA because the delivery mode and visa path differ.

Read More: scholarships for Indian students in USA

Scholarship reality: The strongest funding action is a complete file by 01 March 2027, because Drexel does not publish a fixed full-time MBA award table.

Drexel University MBA Salary 2027

Drexel publishes LeBow master’s and MBA outcomes, but it does not publish a separate full-time MBA salary table for the target intake. Use the figures below by scope, because cohort evidence and market evidence answer different questions.

Evidence scopeLatest published figureApplicant meaning
LeBow master’s and MBA class of 202593% employed one year outThis is school-level employment evidence, not a course-only placement rate.
LeBow class of 2025 alumni working full time96% overall job satisfactionThis supports career-service context but does not predict one applicant’s result.
LeBow master’s graduates working full time, class of 2024US$91,528 average salaryEquivalent to INR 87.70 Lakhs, and it is not MBA-only salary data.
University-cited GMAC market benchmark, 2023 surveyUS$125,000 median starting salary for United States MBA graduatesEquivalent to INR 1.20 Crore, and it is an external market benchmark.

Source: Drexel LeBow published class outcomes and MBA fact-sheet market benchmark.

The ROI case depends on whether the applicant can use the accelerated schedule for a career switch or internship. The evidence is positive at school level, but the missing MBA-only salary table raises risk for loan-heavy applicants.

  • A prior-cycle cost illustration of US$82,630 (INR 79.17 Lakhs) requires funding headroom before living extensions or exchange-rate movement.
  • The 93% employed figure covers LeBow master’s and MBA graduates, so use it as school-level evidence only.
  • The US$91,528 (INR 87.70 Lakhs) average salary is a master’s-level figure, so compare it with your target function.
  • The US$125,000 (INR 1.20 Crore) GMAC benchmark is market evidence, so it should not anchor a personal payback forecast.

Use a United States take-home pay calculator on any offer because gross salary, city tax and health benefits can change loan repayment capacity. For India-return planning, compare the MBA cost with roles that value United States business exposure.

Also Check: Drexel University profile

ROI reality: The MBA is most rational when the applicant can use the internship, STEM concentration or career coaching to change role level, not just add a degree title.

USA Visa for Drexel University MBA Students 2027

For the on-campus MBA, international students normally need F-1 status through Drexel’s I-20 process. The student visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,726), and the I-901 SEVIS fee for F-1 students is US$350 (INR 33,536). Standard Optional Practical Training is 12 months, while eligible STEM concentrations can support a 24-month extension. Confirm the consular process on the official Student Visa page before paying fees.

  • Choose the on-campus full-time route if United States work authorization is central to the MBA decision.
  • The STEM extension depends on the chosen concentration, I-20 record, employer plan and immigration approval.
  • F-2 spouses and minor children may accompany an F-1 student, but F-2 dependants cannot work.
  • H-1B sponsorship depends on employer need and prevailing wage rules, not on Drexel admission alone.

Read More: post-study work visa in USA

Visa reality: The MBA’s STEM value is concentration-dependent, so confirm the exact concentration before treating the degree as a 36-month work-window plan.

Drexel University MBA Ranking 2027

LeBow has current business-school and MBA rankings, but the ranking scope varies by source and study mode. Treat them as reputation signals, not as salary, scholarship or admission guarantees.

Ranking sourceLatest published positionScope to read carefully
CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings 2026Tier One Global MBA Business SchoolLeBow business-school MBA recognition, not a placement statistic.
CEO Magazine Online MBA Rankings 202622nd globally and 4th in North AmericaOnline MBA ranking, so it does not describe full-time on-campus delivery.
Princeton Review 2027Best Business Schools and Best Business Schools NortheastBusiness-school recognition across the LeBow portfolio.
US News 2026#110 Best Business Schools and #114 Part-Time MBAUseful for reputation context, but not a full-time MBA outcome table.

The most decision-useful ranking signal for Indian applicants is not a single rank. It is the combination of business-school recognition, AACSB accreditation and the MBA’s applied curriculum.

Honest take: Rankings support LeBow’s market visibility, but the stronger fit test is whether the accelerated format matches your work experience and funding plan.

Drexel University’s full-time MBA fits Indian applicants who want an accelerated, applied business degree in Philadelphia with internship and STEM-concentration possibilities. The strongest fit is a candidate who can prove leadership, quantitative readiness and a clear career-change reason without depending on GMAT. The main tradeoff is cost uncertainty, because Fall 2027 tuition is not yet published. Submit by 01 March 2027 if scholarship review affects the funding decision.

Drexel University MBA FAQs

Ques. Is Drexel University’s MBA a good fit for Indian career changers?

Ans. Yes, it can fit Indian career changers who want a 12 to 18 month on-campus MBA with applied projects. The pace is demanding, so the application should prove leadership, analytics readiness and a focused post-MBA role.

Ques. What is the Drexel University MBA tuition for Fall 2027?

Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished on the checked Drexel fee pages. The 2026-27 full-time MBA rate was US$1,427 per credit (INR 1.37 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.

Ques. Does Drexel require GMAT or GRE for the MBA?

Ans. No, Drexel LeBow says GMAT or GRE scores are not required for graduate business admission. Submitting a score can still help merit review or a file with limited quantitative evidence.

Ques. Which deadline should Indian applicants use for the Fall 2027 MBA?

Ans. Indian applicants should use 01 May 2027 as the international application deadline for Fall 2027. The better funding strategy is to submit by 01 March 2027 for priority scholarship consideration.

Ques. Can Drexel MBA students get STEM OPT in the United States?

Ans. Some Drexel MBA concentrations are STEM-designated, and eligible F-1 students can seek a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm the exact concentration before treating the MBA as a 36-month work-window plan.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$41550

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Living Expenses$19809
Total Cost$19809

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$40350
2022$31997

Scores Required

90 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

61 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

110 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

49

ECTS Credits


Required Document List

The required documents are:

  • Completed Application?: Students have to complete the online application and submit or mail the supplemental documents.
  • Application Fee: An application fee of $65 U.S. is required.?
  • Transcripts: When applying for a graduate degree, unofficial transcripts are required for each institution attended. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the admissions portal or sent via email.
  • Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation is required. Professional or academic recommendations are accepted.
  • Standardized Test Scores: Submission of IETS, TOEFL score with GMAT and GRE score are required.
  • Professional Resume: Applicants can upload their resume as part of their application. The resume should provide an overview of their previous work history, including internship or co-op experience.
  • Essay: Applicants must submit a personal statement of approximately 500 words that addresses their career goals, experience and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree from Drexel LeBow.?


Ranking

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Business 251 out of 389 in Global Ranking
( #45 out of 108 in USA 2026)

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