The Ohio State Fisher MBA is the full-time, two-year MBA at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business in Columbus. It is ranked No. 32 by U.S. News (2026 edition), offers a STEM MBA specialization, and is one of the smallest and most selective programmes in the top 35: Poets&Quants reports a 13.3% acceptance rate and just 43 new students for the fall 2025 intake. Around 45% of recent entrants are international.
The early round and Round 1 have closed, so your Deadline is Round 2 on 18 January 2027. International applicants must apply by Round 4 on 1 April 2027 at the latest. Non-resident tuition and fees come to about $62,500 a year under Ohio State’s 2026-27 fee rates, far below most private schools at this rank, and three in four students receive merit funding. This guide covers the Fisher MBA requirements for international students, the essay, the Kira video interview, costs, scholarships and salaries.
Ohio State Fisher MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Full-Time MBA, two years (60 credit hours), Columbus |
| U.S. News rank | No. 32, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026), tied with Minnesota Carlson |
| Acceptance rate (fall 2025 intake) | 13.3% of 1,076 applicants (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data) |
| Entering class | 43 students (fall 2025); 47 (fall 2024) |
| International students | 45% (2024 entrants) |
| Typical GMAT / GRE | 690 / 317 (2024 entrants) |
| Average GPA | 3.54 |
| Average work experience | 5.4 years |
| Application fee | $70 for international applicants |
| Non-resident tuition and fees, 2026-27 | About $62,538 for autumn and spring |
| STEM | Optional STEM MBA specialization |
| Median base salary (Class of 2026) | $125,000 |
Ohio State Fisher MBA ranking
U.S. News ranked Fisher No. 32 among full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools list, released on 7 April 2026, tied with the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School. Poets&Quants places Fisher at No. 46 in its own 2026 composite ranking. Among public universities, Fisher sits in the same band as Minnesota and just below Indiana Kelley and Georgia Tech Scheller.
Ohio State Fisher MBA acceptance rate and class profile
Fisher does not publish an acceptance rate on its own pages. Poets&Quants, analysing data reported to U.S. News, gives these figures:
| Intake | Applications | Acceptance rate | Yield | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 1,076 | 13.3% | 30.1% | 43 |
| Fall 2024 | 1,313 | 8.6% | 41.6% | 47 |
| Fall 2023 | 1,053 | 12.2% | 38.3% | 49 |
These are some of the lowest admit rates in American business education, lower than many top-15 schools. The reason is size: Fisher keeps its class under 50 and gives most students funding, so it admits few people and expects many of them to come. For you, this means the application has to be complete, polished and in an early round.
The most recent profile on Fisher’s own site is for the class that entered in 2024:
| Fisher full-time MBA, 2024 entrants | Figure |
|---|---|
| Incoming students | 47 |
| Typical GMAT (80% range) | 690 (659 to 710) |
| Typical GRE (80% range) | 317 (307 to 327) |
| Average GPA (80% range) | 3.54 (3.20 to 3.89) |
| Average work experience | 5.4 years |
| Average age | 29 |
| International | 45% |
| Countries represented | 13 |
| Women | 36% |
Fisher had not posted a newer class profile or a GMAT Focus average when I checked. A GMAT around 690 on the older scale is roughly the low-to-mid 600s on the GMAT Focus, so aim for that range or higher.
Ohio State Fisher MBA requirements for international students
- A bachelor’s degree. Ohio State asks for official transcripts and diplomas in the original language with official English translations; translations made by students are not accepted.
- Official documents sent in sealed university envelopes to Graduate and Professional Admissions in Columbus, if your university cannot send them electronically.
- GMAT or GRE scores, valid for five years, unless you are granted a waiver. There is no minimum score.
- A detailed resume or CV, or a LinkedIn profile URL.
- One required essay of a single page, plus an optional essay of up to 500 words.
- Two references (name, email and phone). Fisher does not require written letters.
- The Kira video interview, completed before your file is reviewed.
- An English test, unless you are exempt.
- The $70 international application fee, which is non-refundable.
Test waivers
You can request a GMAT or GRE waiver if you have at least one of these: college-level quantitative courses (accounting, finance, statistics, calculus and similar) with a grade of B or better, a STEM degree, or a quantitative certification such as the CFA or CPA. Waivers are decided only after your application is complete, and you cannot request one if you have already sent scores to Ohio State. Applicants with a GPA under 3.0 or few quantitative courses may still be asked to test. GRE at-home scores count only if taken before 1 October 2024.
English requirements
Ohio State’s graduate admissions office accepts the TOEFL, IELTS Academic and the Duolingo English Test, valid for two years. The university-wide minimums are:
| Test | Ohio State minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 79, or 4.0 on the TOEFL format introduced in January 2026 |
| IELTS Academic or IELTS Online | 6.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
| PTE | Not listed as accepted |
Ohio State warns that many programmes expect more than these minimums, and Fisher’s pages do not state a higher MBA figure, so ask admissions before you book. Exemptions depend on your citizenship or the country where you earned your degree, from a fixed list. An English-medium degree alone does not exempt you, and Ohio State is not granting waivers for countries outside the list this year. Check the list before assuming you are exempt; it is the most common surprise for applicants from English-speaking countries in Africa and Asia.
Ohio State Fisher MBA deadlines 2026-2027
| Round | Deadline | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early round (closed) | 14 September 2026 | 16 October 2026 |
| Round 1 (closed) | 13 October 2026 | 4 December 2026 |
| Round 2 | 18 January 2027 | 1 March 2027 |
| Round 3 | 8 March 2027 | 8 April 2027 |
| Round 4 (last round for international applicants) | 1 April 2027 | 30 April 2027 |
| Final round (domestic) | 3 May 2027 | Rolling |
These 2026-27 dates are listed by Clear Admit. Fisher’s own deadlines page still showed the previous cycle when I checked, so confirm the dates in your application portal. Fisher says merit funding is awarded on a rolling basis, and to be considered in a round you must submit by the deadline and complete your portal checklist at least three weeks before the decision date.
International applicants
Apply by Round 2 (18 January 2027) if you need a scholarship. With a class this small, most funding is committed by the later rounds, and you also need time for transcripts by post, the I-20 and a visa interview.
How to apply, step by step
- Check the English exemption list and book TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo if you are not on it.
- Decide on testing: Take the GMAT or GRE, or prepare a waiver case using quantitative grades or a STEM degree. Do not send scores if you plan to request a waiver.
- Order official transcripts and diplomas with official translations, sent in sealed envelopes if needed.
- Choose two references and tell them Fisher may contact them.
- Write the one-page goals essay and, if useful, the 500-word optional essay.
- Pay the $70 fee and submit by 18 January 2027.
- Complete the Kira video interview within about two weeks of submitting.
- Attend the live interview on Zoom if invited, then wait for the round decision.
Ohio State Fisher MBA essays 2026-2027
| Essay | Prompt (summary) | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Required | Your short-term and long-term career goals and how an MBA will help you achieve them | One single-sided page, 11-point font minimum |
| Optional | Anything that needs context, such as work gaps, past grades, quantitative ability, or how you meet test waiver criteria | 500 words |
How to answer the goals essay
One page is about 450 to 550 words. Use roughly a third on where you are now and the skills gap you see, a third on a specific short-term role (function, industry, type of company, ideally one that recruits in the Midwest), and the rest on why Fisher, with names: the STEM specialization, a course, a club or the small class. Long-term goals can be broader, but they must follow logically from the first job.
For illustration: “I manage a 14-truck distribution route for a beverage company in Accra, and I can tell you which customer will pay late before the invoice is printed. I want to turn that instinct into the supply chain analytics that Columbus employers hire MBAs to do.”
How to use the optional essay
Use it for facts, not a second story: a low GPA in one year, a gap between jobs, a three-year degree, or why your coursework should qualify you for a test waiver. Keep it short and plain.
The Fisher interview: Kira video and live interview
Every applicant completes a Kira video interview: pre-recorded questions with preparation time and a fixed time to answer, taking 20 to 30 minutes in total. You can practise as often as you like, but each real question allows only one attempt, and Fisher cannot review your application until you finish it. The link does not expire, though Fisher recommends finishing within two weeks.
Selected applicants are then invited to a live interview. Fisher recommends Zoom for international applicants and on-campus interviews for domestic ones. Expect to discuss your goals, why Fisher, and examples of leadership.
What the admissions committee looks for
- A focused career plan that fits on one page.
- Quantitative readiness, shown by a test score or strong grades in numerical courses.
- Leadership examples you can explain in an interview.
- Clear spoken English and composure on camera, tested by Kira.
- Real interest in a small, close programme, since yield matters to a class of under 50.
Ohio State Fisher MBA tuition and cost
Ohio State’s registrar lists 2026-27 graduate fees per credit hour, and full-time students pay the 8-credit-hour rate. For a Columbus Full-Time MBA student, that works out as follows for one semester:
| Fee line, per semester (2026-27) | Ohio resident | Non-resident and international |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional fee | $14,876.00 | $14,876.00 |
| Non-resident surcharge | $0 | $15,595.52 |
| General, union, technology, activity, recreation and COTA fees | $797.42 | $797.42 |
| Total per semester | $15,673.42 | $31,268.94 |
| Autumn plus spring | $31,346.84 | $62,537.88 |
Fisher’s own tuition page still showed 2024-25 figures when I checked ($60,124 a year for non-residents), so treat the table above as my calculation from the registrar’s rates and confirm your bill with Fisher. Fisher’s 2024-25 budget added $19,986 for housing, food and other costs over nine months, $1,516 for books, and $3,768 for student health insurance, which international students cannot waive. That puts a realistic first-year budget for an international student near $88,000 before scholarships.
Costs not covered
- Ohio State health insurance, required for international students.
- Summer term fees if you take courses during the summer.
- Courier fees for sending sealed transcripts to Columbus.
- The SEVIS fee, U.S. visa fee and flights.
- Winter clothing, and a car if you live away from campus bus routes.
- Living costs for a spouse or children in your proof of funds.
Ohio State Fisher MBA scholarships for international students
Fisher says that, on average, 75% of full-time MBA students receive merit-based funding. No separate application is needed; your application and interview are used. Fisher’s tuition page does not say any of these awards is closed to international students.
| Award | What it gives |
|---|---|
| Fisher MBA Leadership Fellow | 100% tuition plus a monthly stipend, for 20 hours of work a week; among the most competitive awards |
| Graduate assistantship | 50% tuition plus a monthly stipend during the academic year, for 10 hours of work a week |
| Merit cash awards | From $1,000 up to full tuition, sometimes combined with a 10-hour assistantship |
Federal loans are for U.S. students only. Fisher says other loan sources exist but does not name Prodigy Finance, MPOWER or any lender for international students, so ask admissions which lenders recent international students used. For outside funding, see our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
Fisher’s STEM MBA is an optional specialization within the full-time MBA. You take the same 60 credit hours as everyone else, but at least 30 must be STEM content. Six required core courses already give you 18 STEM hours, so you need at least 12 more from Fisher’s approved STEM electives. You declare it on your application or later through your MBA adviser, and no STEM background is needed. International graduates of the specialization can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving up to three years of work in the U.S. after graduation without an H-1B.
Ohio State Fisher MBA salary and employment
Fisher’s salary and outcome data for its most recent full-time MBA graduates, the Class of 2026:
- 69% had job offers three months after graduation.
- Median starting base salary: $125,000. Mean: $121,192.
- Average signing bonus: $40,973.
| Field | Share of Class of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Finance | 33% |
| Operations and logistics | 29% |
| Marketing and sales | 17% |
| Consulting | 8% |
| General management | 8% |
| Other | 4% |
Fisher does not split outcomes by citizenship or list top employers on that page. The strong share in operations and logistics reflects Columbus’s role as a distribution hub, and it pairs well with the STEM specialization if you need OPT time.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Assuming an English-medium degree exempts you from the English test; at Ohio State it does not.
- Sending GMAT scores and then asking for a waiver, which Fisher will not consider.
- Writing two pages for a one-page essay or using a font below 11 points.
- Leaving the Kira interview for weeks, which stalls the whole review.
- Applying in Round 4 and expecting funding in a class of 43.
- Uploading self-made translations of transcripts.
- Forgetting to declare the STEM MBA specialization and choose its electives.
Who should apply to Ohio State Fisher, and who shouldn’t
Apply if you want a lower-cost, STEM-eligible MBA with a very small class, strong funding odds and careers in finance, operations or supply chain. Fisher suits applicants with about five years of experience and solid quantitative grades.
Think twice if you want a big-city network, a large alumni base on the coasts, or a programme that publishes detailed international outcomes. With acceptance near 13%, also apply to a few schools with higher admit rates.
Ohio State Fisher vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Tuition or cost | International | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State Fisher | No. 32 | 690 typical (2024 entrants) | About $62,538 a year non-resident tuition and fees, 2026-27 | 45% | 18 January 2027 |
| Minnesota Carlson | No. 32 | 664.4 | $64,460 a year non-resident tuition, 2026-27 | About 20% | 1 December 2026 |
| Indiana Kelley | No. 21 | 618 (Class of 2028) | $55,695 a year | 39% | 5 January 2027 |
| Georgia Tech Scheller | No. 27 | 640 (Class of 2028) | $22,478 a semester non-resident tuition, fall 2026 | 31% | 8 January 2027 |
| Rochester Simon | No. 34 | 675; Focus 625 (Class of 2027) | $60,000 a year tuition, 2026-27 | Not published | 5 January 2027 |
For undergraduate study at the same university, see our Ohio State University admission requirements for international students.
FAQ
What is the Ohio State Fisher MBA acceptance rate?
Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports 13.3% of 1,076 applicants admitted for the fall 2025 intake, with 43 students enrolling. Fisher does not publish the rate itself.
Can I get into Fisher MBA without the GMAT?
Yes, if a waiver is approved. You need quantitative coursework with a B or better, a STEM degree, or a certification such as the CFA or CPA, and you must not have sent scores already.
Is the Ohio State Fisher MBA STEM designated?
The optional STEM MBA specialization is. Complete at least 30 STEM credit hours, including 12 from approved electives, and you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
What is the Fisher MBA deadline for international students?
The Deadline is Round 2 on 18 January 2027. International applicants must apply by Round 4 on 1 April 2027 at the latest.
Sources and updates
Requirements, the essay, references, testing and waivers, the Kira and live interviews, the fee and document rules are from Fisher’s Applying and Deadlines page. The class profile is from Fisher’s class profile page (2024 entrants). Scholarships, assistantships and the 2024-25 budget are from Fisher’s tuition and funding page, and 2026-27 fee rates from the Ohio State registrar’s graduate tuition and fees page. English minimums and exemptions are from Ohio State Graduate and Professional Admissions. The STEM specialization is from Fisher’s STEM MBA page. Outcomes are from Fisher’s salary and outcome data page. The 2026-27 round dates are from Clear Admit’s Fisher deadlines page. Acceptance rates and yield are from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 article on acceptance rates at the top 100 U.S. MBA programmes. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (released 7 April 2026), as reported by Poets&Quants. Checked on 29 October 2026.
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.
