The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, often simply referred to as Chicago Booth, is globally recognized for its rigorous academic approach, data-driven mindset, and leadership in economics and finance. Ranked consistently among the top five business schools in the United States, Booth has produced influential leaders, Nobel laureates, and trailblazing entrepreneurs.
Located in Chicago, Illinois, with additional campuses in London and Hong Kong, Booth is known for its flexibility, freedom of thought, and empirical research-based learning, making it a prime destination for students aiming to become strategic thinkers and global leaders.
Overview of the Booth MBA Program
-
Established: 1898
-
Location: Chicago, IL (main campus)
-
Affiliation: University of Chicago
-
MBA Format: Full-Time (2 years)
-
Class Size: ~620 students/year
-
Median GMAT: 728
-
Acceptance Rate: ~22%
-
Tuition (2025): ~$82,500/year
Booth’s MBA is known for its customizable curriculum, powerful alumni network, and unmatched strength in economics and analytics.
Academics and Curriculum
Unique Feature: Flexible Curriculum
Booth does not have a rigid core curriculum. Instead, students complete Foundation Courses in:
-
Accounting
-
Microeconomics
-
Statistics
From there, students can build their own curriculum, choosing electives that align with their career interests.
Popular Courses and Tracks:
-
Behavioral Economics
-
Entrepreneurial Finance
-
Marketing Strategy
-
Data Analytics
-
Leadership Studio
Booth’s LEAD program (Leadership Exploration and Development) is the only required course, focused on personal leadership development and emotional intelligence.
Career Outcomes and Placements
Booth has one of the strongest career services in the U.S., with top placements in consulting, finance, tech, and entrepreneurship.
2024 Career Statistics:
-
Median Base Salary: $165,000
-
Signing Bonus (median): $30,000
-
Top Hiring Industries:
-
Consulting: 34%
-
Finance: 30%
-
Tech: 18%
-
Healthcare, Real Estate, and Startups: 18%
-
Top Employers:
-
Bain, BCG, McKinsey
-
JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone
-
Google, Amazon, Meta
-
Citadel, Accenture, PwC
-
Stripe, Uber, Tesla
The Career Services Office at Booth offers personalized coaching, job search resources, networking events, and mentorship programs.
Focus on Finance and Economics
Chicago Booth is widely considered the top MBA program for finance, backed by:
-
13 Nobel Laureates in Economics affiliated with the University of Chicago
-
The Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP)
-
The Fama-Miller Center for Research in Finance
Courses & Specializations:
-
Investment Banking
-
Asset Management
-
FinTech & Blockchain
-
Private Equity & Venture Capital
-
Quantitative Finance
Booth’s finance graduates are top picks for Wall Street firms, hedge funds, and global banks.
Global Opportunities
Booth has a truly global footprint, with international campuses and a vast global alumni network.
International Components:
-
Global Social Impact Practicum
-
Study Abroad Options (partner schools across 30+ countries)
-
International Business Exchange Program (IBEP)
-
Global Capstone Projects
Students often travel for consulting projects, startup incubators, and finance competitions around the world.
Entrepreneurship at Booth
Chicago Booth fosters a strong startup and innovation culture through:
-
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
-
Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge (NVC)
-
One of the top-ranked business plan competitions in the U.S.
-
-
Access to UChicago researchers, engineers, and scientists
Booth startups have raised billions in funding, including:
-
Grubhub
-
Braintree (acquired by PayPal)
-
Simple Mills
-
Tovala
-
Foxtrot
Faculty and Research Excellence
Booth professors are world-class researchers and practitioners, especially in:
-
Behavioral Science
-
Finance
-
Strategy
-
Operations
-
Macroeconomics
Famous faculty include:
-
Eugene Fama (Efficient Market Hypothesis)
-
Richard Thaler (Behavioral Economics, Nobel Prize Winner)
-
Raghuram Rajan (Former IMF Chief Economist, ex-Governor of RBI)
Booth students collaborate with faculty on research, case studies, and real-world business problems.
Student Life and Culture
Booth is known for being intellectually rigorous yet collaborative. Students support one another and value freedom of expression and debate.
Clubs & Organizations:
-
Booth Analytics Club
-
Booth Investment Group
-
Booth Women’s Network
-
Booth Technology Group
-
Booth Black MBA Association
-
Booth Venture Capital Club
-
Booth Consulting Club
Events & Traditions:
-
Winter Formal
-
Booth Follies (student comedy/skit night)
-
Random Walk (international pre-MBA trip tradition)
-
Leadership Retreats
Students can also engage with the wider University of Chicago community.
Admissions: What Booth Looks For
Booth values:
-
Analytical thinkers
-
Leadership potential
-
Diverse experiences
-
Clear career goals
Application Requirements:
-
GMAT or GRE
-
Resume
-
2 Essays
-
2 Recommendations
-
Optional essay
-
Interview (invite only)
Class Profile (2025):
-
GMAT Median: 728
-
Average GPA: 3.6
-
Women: 42%
-
International: 36%
-
U.S. Minorities: 39%
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Booth offers both merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Popular scholarships include:
-
The Neubauer Family Fellowship
-
Dean’s Award for Excellence
-
Booth Scholars Program (for early-career admits)
-
Military & Veterans Scholarships
Booth also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans.
Alumni Network
Booth’s alumni network spans more than 55,000 people across 120+ countries, offering unmatched connections and opportunities.
Notable Alumni:
-
Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft)
-
Eric Lefkofsky (Co-founder, Groupon)
-
Byron Trott (Founder, BDT Capital)
-
Jo Ann Jenkins (CEO, AARP)
-
Heidi Miller (Former CFO, JPMorgan Chase)
Alumni often return to mentor students, invest in startups, and host global Booth events.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a data-driven leader, someone who values freedom of thought, and wants to learn from pioneers in economics and business, then Chicago Booth could be your ideal MBA destination.
With strengths in finance, entrepreneurship, analytics, and global business, Booth offers a transformational MBA experience. Its flexible curriculum, powerful alumni network, and analytical focus make it one of the most sought-after MBA programs in the world.