Top Business Schools for Strategy or Business Development 2024

An MBA in Strategy or Business Development can help students diagnose business problems and develop the best solutions. This specialized education equips future business leaders with the skills needed to navigate complex corporate landscapes and drive organizational success.

Indeed, from meeting organizational objectives to carrying out individual projects, managers need to think strategically at all levels. Strategic thinking involves not just addressing immediate issues but also anticipating future challenges and opportunities. A handful of business schools offer specialized MBA programs in Strategy; others offer MBA specializations in Business Development, Strategic Management, and related fields. Virtually all MBA programs offer strategy courses as part of their core curriculums, ensuring that graduates possess a foundational understanding of strategic principles.

MBA graduates specializing in Strategy or Business Development can find rewarding careers in a wide range of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and consumer goods. They often take on roles such as strategy analysts, business development managers, and corporate strategists. Additionally, many MBA grads pursue careers as strategy or business development consultants, offering their expertise to various organizations to help them achieve their strategic goals.

For those interested in strategy functions within consulting firms, the best MBA programs for Consulting are also worth considering. These programs typically emphasize strategic problem-solving skills and offer extensive networking opportunities with consulting industry leaders.

Selecting the right MBA program is crucial for aspiring strategists. Factors such as faculty expertise, curriculum focus, industry connections, and alumni success should be carefully considered. The following list highlights the top MBA programs for Strategy or Business Development, renowned for their rigorous academic standards and exceptional career support services. Explore these programs to find the best fit for your professional aspirations.

See the Top 10 MBA programs for Strategy or Business Development below.

 

Berkeley, California 101 Followers 116 Discussions
UC Berkeley - Haas

With an MBA specialization and strong ties to global strategy and consulting firms, Haas is a strong choice for strategy-minded students. In recent years, typically around 18 to 20 percent of its MBA classes tend to land jobs in either strategy or business-development role.

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Beijing, China 8 Followers 52 Discussions

For students interested in strategic management in China, the Guanghua MBA is a great option. The program offers specialized electives in subjects such as “Emerging Topics in Chinese Strategy,” which is offered in partnership with McKinsey & Company. Typically, some 8-10 percent of the school’s MBA class goes into strategic planning positions. 

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Toronto, Canada 77 Followers 116 Discussions

In terms of research, Rotman’s focus in strategy is diverse, leveraging insights from various disciplines like sociology and other fields. Although the school doesn’t offer a specific MBA track in Strategy, it does offer numerous elective courses, such as “Strategy and Competitive Advantage,” and “Strategic Change and Implementation.” 

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Boston, Massachusetts 87 Followers 205 Discussions
Harvard

With its annual Strategy Research Conference and a strong research output, Harvard has become a hub for strategy-oriented academics. The MBA curriculum offers a rich offering of strategy-related electives.

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St. Gallen, Switzerland 46 Followers 143 Discussions
St. Gallen

The MBA program leverages insights from the school's well-regarded flagship master's program in Strategy and International Management. 

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong (PRC) 43 Followers 85 Discussions
HKU

Although the school doesn’t offer a specialized MBA in Strategy, its MBA offers, as part of its core curriculum, classes such as “Competitive Strategy” and “Strategic Marketing and Management.” It also offers a handful of strategy courses as part of its elective selections. According to the school, in recent years, over one-quarter of HKU's MBA class have gone into functional roles in strategy, planning, or consulting.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom 53 Followers 292 Discussions
Cambridge - Judge

Some five percent of Cambridge’s most recent MBA class went into business development roles, and 11 percent went into related corporate planning / strategy positions. The school offers an MBA concentration in Strategy, which addresses core topics like competitive positioning, portfolio analysis, and mergers and acquisitions. 

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Shanghai, China 30 Followers 38 Discussions
Fudan

Fudan does not offer a specialized MBA in Strategy; however, it does include some elective courses covering topics in strategy, including “Global Strategic Marketing” and “Enterprise Development Management.” In recent years, some 14-16 percent of Fudan’s MBA classes have gone into strategy or business development roles.

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Dunedin, New Zealand 42 Followers 34 Discussions
Otago

Although the school does not offer an MBA specialization area in strategy, there are plenty of strategy-oriented courses in the core curriculum, such as “Strategic Planning for International Markets” and “Strategy Implementation.” According to the school, over one-fifth of MBA grads have gone into business development roles. 

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Los Angeles, California 103 Followers 120 Discussions
USC - Marshall

Marshall MBA students can choose to pursue strategy-oriented electives from the school’s department of management and organization. Marshall MBAs also have the option of pursing a Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Management Consulting, which covers the tools, concepts, and frameworks that will help them develop their strategic skills. Of the most recent MBA class, 25 percent went into functional roles in consulting, which includes strategic planning positions. 

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