Emory Goizueta’s Two-Year MBA is ranked No. 23 by U.S. News (2026 edition), and its incoming Class of 2028 is 40% international, drawn from 21 countries. For 2026-27, tuition is $79,200 a year, and every Goizueta MBA programme is STEM-designated, so F-1 graduates can stay in the U.S. on OPT for up to 36 months. Round 1 closed on 30 September 2026. Your Deadline is Round 2 on 6 January 2027, which is also the last round for full scholarship consideration.
The main reasons international applicants shortlist the Emory Goizueta MBA are its Atlanta location, a Class of 2025 median base salary of $175,000 with heavy placement into consulting, and scholarships open to international students, including the Robert W. Woodruff Scholarship. Goizueta does not publish a GMAT average for its current class, so this guide uses what Emory does publish, plus essays, interview, costs and the mistakes to avoid.
Emory Goizueta MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Two-Year MBA (full time), Atlanta |
| U.S. News rank | No. 23, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026) |
| Class of 2028 size | 98 students |
| International students | 40%, from 21 countries |
| Average GPA | 3.43 |
| Average work experience | 6 years |
| Average GMAT / GRE | Not published on the class profile |
| Tuition 2026-27 | $79,200 a year ($39,600 a semester) |
| Application fee | $175 |
| STEM | All Goizueta MBA programmes; up to 36 months of OPT |
| Median base salary (Class of 2025) | $175,000 |
Emory Goizueta MBA ranking
U.S. News ranked Goizueta No. 23 for full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools list, released in April 2026. It shares the spot with UT Dallas Jindal. Emory’s own news site also reported a No. 17 Fortune ranking in February 2026, but for consistency this site uses U.S. News for every MBA guide.
Emory MBA class profile and acceptance rate
| Class of 2028 metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Class size | 98 |
| International students | 40% |
| Countries represented | 21 |
| Women | 38% |
| Average GPA | 3.43 |
| Average work experience | 6 years |
| Military | 6% |
| Underrepresented U.S. minorities | 53% of U.S. students |
Goizueta’s class profile does not list GMAT, GRE, age or acceptance rate. That makes it hard to judge your test score against the class, so focus on what the school says it wants: a competitive GMAT or GRE, at least two years of full-time work after your degree, and clear post-MBA goals. The school also accepts the Executive Assessment, MCAT and LSAT, and it offers a test waiver (below).
The class is small, under 100 students, so each admit has to add something specific to the room.
Emory Goizueta MBA requirements for international students
- A bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record.
- At least two years of full-time work experience after your undergraduate degree (joint-degree students excepted).
- GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE or Executive Assessment. MCAT and LSAT are also accepted. Scores are valid for five years.
- English proficiency evidence if English is not your first language.
- Transcripts from every university you attended, showing your name, degree, date, GPA and every course with grades. Scanned copies are fine for review; personal downloads are not. Official transcripts are due when you pay the deposit.
- A one or two-page resume, most recent role first.
- Two recommendations, preferably professional, with at least one from someone who knows your current role well. The GMAC Common Recommendation Form is accepted.
- Three short answers, two essays and an optional essay.
- A video essay.
- The $175 application fee.
English requirements
| Test | Recommended minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 5.0 (new 1 to 6 scale) |
| IELTS | 7.0 |
| PTE Academic | 68 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
Emory calls these recommended minimums, not automatic cut-offs. TOEFL moved to a 1 to 6 scale in January 2026, which explains the 5.0 figure. You can be waived if you earned, or will earn before enrolment, a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution that teaches primarily in English, or if you have at least two years of full-time work in the past five years where English was the main business language. That second route can cover applicants who have worked in English-speaking offices in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India or elsewhere. The school may still ask for a test even if a waiver seems to apply.
Test waiver
You can apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver if you have a conferred bachelor’s degree and at least two years of full-time post-undergraduate experience. Decisions take about 10 to 14 business days, and the waiver is valid only for the 2026-27 cycle. For Round 2, the waiver request deadline is 1 December 2026.
Emory Goizueta MBA deadlines 2026-2027
All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
| Round | Application deadline | Test waiver request by | Notification | Deposit due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (closed) | 30 September 2026 | 16 September 2026 | 2 December 2026 | 10 February 2027 |
| Round 2 | 6 January 2027 | 1 December 2026 | 22 March 2027 | 21 April 2027 |
| Round 3 | 17 March 2027 | 3 March 2027 | 5 May 2027 | 19 May 2027 |
| Rolling | Up to two weeks before the programme starts, if seats remain | Not applicable | Within 10 business days of a complete file | Two weeks after notification |
Scholarship deadline
Goizueta says applicants seeking scholarships should apply by Round 2 (6 January 2027) for full consideration. Named awards are also best targeted in Round 2. The Woodruff Scholarship needs you to be admitted by the Round 3 deadline.
How to apply, step by step
- Decide on testing: Book the GMAT, GRE or EA, or submit a waiver request by 1 December 2026 for Round 2.
- Collect transcripts: Scan an official transcript from every institution. Personal downloads are not accepted.
- Choose two recommenders: At least one should know your current work well.
- Write the short answers and essays: Three 40-word answers, two 300-word essays, and an optional 500-word essay.
- Record the video essay: Instructions and the link appear in the application portal.
- Submit and pay $175 by 11:59 p.m. ET on 6 January 2027.
- Interview if invited: About 30 minutes, on campus or virtual.
- After admission: Pay the deposit, send official transcripts and scores, and start the I-20 process with proof of funds.
Emory Goizueta MBA essays 2026-2027
| Item | Prompt (summary) | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Short answer 1 | Your short-term post-MBA career goals | 40 words |
| Short answer 2 | How your experience and the Goizueta MBA will help you reach them | 40 words |
| Short answer 3 | A fun fact about you | 40 words |
| Essay 1 | A meaningful pursuit you have not started yet and what is holding you back, with reference to Roberto C. Goizueta’s view on risk-taking | 300 words |
| Essay 2 | Something you have come to understand differently over time, and what caused the change | 300 words |
| Optional essay | Anything not covered elsewhere, such as gaps, academic issues or recommender choice | 500 words |
| Video essay | A “small talk” question | Set in the portal |
The 40-word short answers
Forty words is about two sentences. For the goal, give a function, an industry and a type of employer. For the second answer, name one skill you have and one you need, and one Goizueta resource that closes the gap. Cut every adjective you can.
For illustration: “After the MBA, I will join a healthcare strategy practice at a consulting firm in Atlanta, helping hospital systems in emerging markets plan capacity.”
Essay 1: the pursuit you have not started
This is the most unusual Goizueta prompt. The committee wants to see how you think about risk. Pick something real you want to do (start a business, move into a new field, take on a family company) and be honest about what has stopped you: money, timing, a skill gap or fear of failure. Then say what would need to change, and how the MBA fits. Read a short summary of Roberto Goizueta’s career at Coca-Cola before you write, because the prompt references his approach to risk.
For illustration: “For three years I have kept a folder titled ‘cold chain’ on my desktop, full of costings for a pharmaceutical storage business in Abuja that I have never pitched to anyone.”
Essay 2: something you understand differently now
Choose a belief you actually changed, describe what you thought before, the event or person that changed it, and how you act differently now. Work examples are fine, and so are personal ones.
For illustration: “I used to think the best manager was the one who knew the most, until my first team quietly stopped asking me questions.”
Optional essay and video
Use the optional essay for gaps, a low GPA, a three-year degree or your choice of recommenders. The video essay is a “small talk” question, so treat it like meeting a classmate: relaxed and specific.
The Goizueta interview
Interviews are by invitation after the committee reviews your complete file, and Emory says every admitted student was interviewed. They last about 30 minutes, on campus or virtual. Emory asks you to wear business attire and bring an updated resume. Expect questions on your goals, why Goizueta, leadership examples and how you handle risk, given Essay 1.
What the admissions committee looks for
Goizueta’s admissions page sets out its expectations directly: a strong undergraduate record, a competitive test score, at least two years of full-time work, clearly defined post-MBA goals, and evidence that you can excel, lead, learn and grow. With a class under 100, fit with a small, close group also matters, which is why the short answers include a fun fact.
Emory Goizueta MBA tuition and cost 2026-2027
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition 2026-27 | $79,200 a year ($39,600 per semester) |
| Full-time MBA programme fee | $750 per semester |
| Global Experiential Module fee | $3,200, fall term only |
| University fees (athletic, activity, health and wellness) | $476 per fall or spring term |
| One-time transcript fee | $70 |
Goizueta’s tuition page gives a programme total of $158,400 in tuition and $163,549 in tuition and fees, plus other estimated costs of $38,444 covering living ($30,148), books ($2,000), required health insurance ($5,588) and parking ($708). The page does not say which year those figures belong to, so use the Emory 2026-27 fee schedule above for tuition and treat the living estimate as a guide. Health insurance is mandatory.
Costs not covered
- Test fees, score reports and the $175 application fee.
- SEVIS and visa fees, flights and initial setup costs.
- Funds for a spouse or children, which you must show for the I-20.
- Local transport or a car in Atlanta.
- Travel for recruiting and the global module beyond what the fee covers.
Emory Goizueta MBA scholarships for international students
Goizueta states that its MBA scholarships and fellowships are offered to domestic and international admitted students.
| Award | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Robert W. Woodruff Scholarship | Full tuition and fees plus a $15,000 stipend each year | Four awards; you must be admitted by the Round 3 deadline |
| Merit-based MBA scholarships | Typically partial to full tuition plus stipend | All complete applications by Round 3 are considered automatically |
| Named scholarships (Goizueta Scholars, Bank of America/Mills B. Lane, Goetz MBA and others) | Not listed | Round 2 recommended |
| Assistantships | Hourly pay | Research, teaching or admin roles from the spring semester |
| Military awards (Yellow Ribbon, Military Fellowship) | Up to $10,000 stipend for the fellowship | U.S. military and GI Bill only |
For loans, Goizueta lists an International Student Loan, letting you borrow up to the budgeted cost of attendance minus scholarships. The page does not name the lender or say whether a cosigner is needed, so check with Emory’s Office of Financial Aid. Goizueta does not mention Prodigy or MPOWER. For more U.S. funding options, see our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
All Goizueta MBA programmes are STEM-designated. F-1 students can use 12 months of post-completion OPT plus the 24-month STEM extension, for up to 36 months in total. The longer window gives you more than one H-1B lottery attempt while you work.
Emory Goizueta MBA salary and employment
From the Class of 2025 Two-Year MBA employment report (programme size 125):
- 82% of the class accepted offers within three months of graduation. For domestic students the figure was 89%, which implies a lower rate for international students. Emory does not publish the international figure itself.
- Median base salary: $175,000. Median total compensation: $205,000.
- The 10-year average for offers accepted within three months is 92%.
| Industry (Class of 2025) | Share of class | Median base |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting | 41% | $175,000 |
| Financial services | 21% | $175,000 |
| Healthcare | 13% | $155,000 |
| Technology | 9% | $121,980 |
| Consumer packaged goods and retail | 6% | $112,500 |
Hiring companies named by Goizueta include Amazon, Bain & Company, Bank of America, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte Consulting, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley and PwC.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Applying in Round 3 and expecting full scholarship consideration. Goizueta points scholarship seekers to Round 2.
- Treating the 40-word short answers casually. They are read first and set the tone.
- Writing Essay 1 about a goal you have already started. The prompt asks for something you have not started.
- Uploading a personal transcript download, which Emory does not accept.
- Assuming the 82% placement figure applies equally to international graduates. Ask the career centre for the international rate.
- Skipping the English test without checking that your work history meets the waiver wording.
Who should apply to Goizueta, and who shouldn’t
Apply if you want consulting or finance in the U.S. Southeast, value a small class, have six or so years of experience, and can show clear goals. The Woodruff Scholarship and other merit awards are open to you as an international applicant.
Think twice if you need a published GMAT average to judge your chances, if you want technology roles mainly (only 9% of the Class of 2025 went into tech), or if you cannot fund $79,200 a year in tuition without a scholarship.
Goizueta vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Nonresident tuition 2026-27 | International share | Round 2 deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emory Goizueta | No. 23 | Not published | $79,200 a year | 40% | 6 January 2027 |
| Indiana Kelley | No. 21 | 618 (Class of 2028) | $55,695 a year | 39% | 5 January 2027 |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | No. 21 | 652 (Class of 2027) | $74,192 with mandatory fees | 35% | 6 January 2027 |
| Georgia Terry | No. 25 | 641 (Class of 2027) | $36,000 a year ($18,000 a semester) | 21% | 10 January 2027 |
FAQ
What is the Emory Goizueta MBA application fee?
The fee is $175. U.S. military members and veterans get an automatic waiver, and Forté MBA Launch, Peace Corps and Teach for America participants can request one by email.
Is the Emory MBA STEM-designated?
Yes. All Goizueta MBA programmes are STEM-designated, so eligible F-1 graduates can work in the U.S. for up to 36 months on OPT.
Can international students get the Woodruff Scholarship at Emory?
Yes. Emory offers its MBA scholarships to domestic and international admitted students, and the Woodruff page lists no citizenship limit. There are four awards, each covering full tuition and fees plus a $15,000 annual stipend.
What is the Goizueta MBA deadline for 2027 entry?
The Deadline is Round 2 on 6 January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Round 3 closes on 17 March 2027, but Round 2 gives full scholarship consideration.
Sources and updates
Programme facts come from Goizueta’s Two-Year MBA admissions, application process, class profile (Class of 2028), tuition and scholarships, and employment pages, plus the Class of 2025 employment report PDF. The 2026-27 tuition rate and fees are from Emory’s official 2026-2027 tuition and fee schedule. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (released 7 April 2026), as reported by Poets&Quants and Clear Admit. Checked on 29 October 2026. Emory updates costs each spring, so confirm with the school before you apply.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
