Cost

Tuition for M.B.A. programs varies based on the reputation of the school and the quality of the faculty. Yearly tuitions can range from a few thousand dollars to over $30,000 at elite institutions.

Reputation and career placement

A graduate business school's reputation can impact how successful its graduates are in the job market. While a handful of elite b-school programs seem to have all-around global reputations, every business school builds its reputation on multiple levels.

• Some business schools have a particularly strong regional reputation (e.g., the South, the Midwest, or the Pacific Northwest).
• Others schools have strong ties to an industry (e.g., aviation, information technology, or auto manufacturing).
• And others are known for the strength of their specialized programs (e.g., international business, nonprofit management, or entrepreneurship).

Performance

The graduate program you choose could impact where you work and what kind of jobs you can expect to get.

Before you invest a lot of time and money toward an M.B.A., learn how graduate business schools stack up against each other and what areas they shine in.

Check out sites and guides that rank b-schools. They show which schools excel in which areas, and the rankings can give you an idea of how successful each school is placing its graduates in jobs.

Program

Choose a school that offers the specialty you want to pursue. If you haven't determined your specialty, focus on schools that offer a degree in general management.

Schedule

More than 60% of all M.B.A. students attend school part time. Does the school offer classes that fit into your busy schedule?