Meagen SetterThe 5 Best MBA Programs in Vancouver
Furthering your education is risky, but it may also open more opportunities for you and in leveling up your career. This is especially true if you’re a business major who wants to have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree .
To help you decide where to study, we made a list of universities with the best MBA programs in Vancouver!
How Much Does an MBA Cost in Vancouver
Tuition and other fees for an MBA degree differs if you’re a Canadian citizen or an international student. The latter often costs more because of additional fees.
Excluding the cost of living and other fees, here’s a range of the MBA tuition fee costs:
The Best MBA Programs in Vancouver
We value education just as much as you do. So, allow us to walk you through the criteria we came up with in making this list:
1. University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business (Vancouver Campus)
| Criteria | Ratings |
| MBA program | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Diversity of programs | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Program length | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Campus experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Accessibility of campus | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Campus life | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Tuition and other fees | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Scholarship and financial support | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
The University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business (UBC Suder) offers progressive programs, both in undergraduate and graduate studies.
UBC Sauder is one of the best choices for those who want to expand their career opportunities globally. It’s known for its international take on business, which we think will give students a good global perspective.
We deem it worthy to take note that for their MBA programs, they integrated experiential curricula, built-in professional development, and international perspective. And because of this, students can experience both a life-changing study and travel opportunity.
As an example, part of their Full-time MBA program is the mandatory Global Immersion Experience which allows students to gain international consulting experience.
The Professional MBA also integrates Global Network Week Business Exchange which gives students an opportunity to study abroad by assigning them with one of UBC’s global exchange partners for a duration of 1 to 6 weeks.
While the MBA programs in UBC are competitive, the application process is just as rigorous. In addition to their basic requirements, they provide additional higher requirements that might give you a competitive edge upon the assessment of your application.
For example, the minimum requirements for GMAT/GRE are as follows:
- 550 GMAT with at least 50% in quantitative and verbal sections
- 155 GRE score on the verbal and quantitative section
But to give your application a competitive edge, you’ll need at least 650 GMAT score or at least 320 GRE score on the combined verbal and quantitative sections.
So, if your resume or GMAT/GRE scores are not that strong yet, then maybe think twice first before sending your application here.
If you want to study in a trusted institution that has high rankings locally and globally, UBC is the university you’re looking for. It has been ranked as the 37th university in the world and the #1 business program in Canada.
Pros
- Global experience and travel opportunities
- Innovative and experiential curriculum
- Variety of scholarships and financial aids
Cons
- Office closed on weekends
- Competitive application process
2. University Canada West
| Criteria | Ratings |
| MBA program | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ⮕Diversity of programs | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ⮕Program length | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Campus experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Accessibility of campus | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Campus life | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Tuition and other fees | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Scholarship and financial support | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Firstly, we like that the University Canada West (UCW) offers MBA programs that challenge students in areas that are important in the operation and administration of a business.
Their MBA degrees are curated to help students take on different business roles because they develop the student’s competency in critical thinking, as well as business leadership, communication, and ethics.
Another factor we like about their MBA programs is that they prepare students for global success, especially in relation to digital components.
To ensure that their students are up-to-date with upcoming technological trends, UCW frequently collaborates with different digital leaders, some of which include Riipen, Tableau, and IBM.
Furthermore, their MBA students are also prepared to take certifications like Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) among others.
These certifications can also open more doors for their graduates in advancing their careers in different business industries.
We also love that they offer an online MBA program, which is a good option for those who are looking for flexible hours of study, especially if they have other personal or professional commitments.
However, the online MBA they offer is only composed of video lectures and course materials. It might be a challenge when you want to immediately ask questions and get in touch with the instructor or professor.
Pros
- Online MBA program is available
- Variety of scholarships and financial aids
Cons
- Office closed on weekends
- Asynchronous online MBA program
3. Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business (Vancouver Campus)
| Criteria | Ratings |
| MBA program | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ⮕Diversity of programs | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Program length | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Campus experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Accessibility of campus | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Campus life | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Tuition and other fees | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Scholarship and financial support | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
The Beedie School of Business in Simon Fraser University (SFU) offers distinguished graduate programs, especially MBA degrees which prepare students in solving local issues in business and even global challenges.
You should consider attending SFU Beedie School of Business if you want to study in a university that takes initiative in development because it’s a pioneer in many MBA programs in Canada.
SFU is home to the first Executive MBA in Canada, the first and only Indigenous Business Leadership Executive MBA in North America, and the first Management of Technology MBA in Canada.
What we like the most about SFU’s MBA programs is their average class size is 45 people. Having a relatively small class size allows more participation from the students, creates an intimate teaching approach, and makes professors accessible.
Furthermore, SFU Beedie School of Business has 300 mentors in business pairings per year. This is considered the largest in the Western Canada, so their MBA students are guaranteed to learn a lot from experienced professionals.
Also, we like that their Full-time MBA program lasts for 16 months only, which is composed of 12-month academics and 4-month work term. This approach will allow students to be immersed not just in study but in practice as well.
However, some of the MBA programs they offer are not open for international students, like the Indegenous Business Leadership Executive MBA and Executive MBA. They encourage international students to explore the Full-time MBA instead.
Pros
- Small class sizes
- Many mentors in business pairings per year
- Offers part-time MBA
Cons
- Office closed on weekends
- Limited options for international students
4. New York Institute of Technology (Vancouver Campus)
| Criteria | Ratings |
| MBA program | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ⮕Diversity of programs | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ⮕Program length | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Campus experience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Accessibility of campus | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Campus life | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Tuition and other fees | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Scholarship and financial support | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
What initially got our attention about the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) is that it’s located in the downtown city center. This makes them a great choice for those who want to take their MBA while working in corporate offices or banking institutions.
NYIT also has small classes, which means their students could get more opportunities for internship or mentoring in leading commercial and financial institutions, especially those near the campus.
Another thing that we like about NYIT is their on-campus community which offers several extracurricular activities on top of academic study. Students can immerse in different special-interest clubs, student advisory boards and plenty of recreational activities.
However, there are only two options for the MBA degrees in NYIT, namely MBA and MBA with concentration in Finance.
The general MBA program develops team building, leadership, decision making, and analytical skills of the students. Plus, it helps students thrive with a global mindset in business operations and socio-economic problems.
But if you’re seeking to advance your career in corporate finance or investment management, their MBA with finance concentration is a right fit for you. This program gives students the tools they need in analyzing and evaluating financial data and strategies.
Pros
- Great campus location
- Great on-campus activities
Cons
- Limited MBA degree options
- Office closed on weekends
5. Trinity Western University (Langley Campus)
| Criteria | Ratings |
| MBA program | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Diversity of campus | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ⮕Program length | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Campus experience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| ⮕Accessibility of location | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| ⮕Campus life | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Tuition and other fees | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Scholarship and financial support | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Perhaps you might also be interested in studying in a university near Vancouver, so we also included Trinity Western University (TWU) in this list.
Although it may take at least a 30-minute drive from Vancouver to reach the Langley campus, TWU has competitive MBA programs that also match those available in Vancouver.
TWU’s MBA’s teachers have a reputation for challenging and stretching the analytic abilities of their students. We like that they also teach ethical perspectives in realistic business issues through their MBA programs.
They are considered as the only Christian and values-MBA program in the country. We like that TWU’s MBA degrees also prepare their students to gain high positions in their respective industries.
Moreover, if you’d like to diversify your knowledge in different areas in the business industry, TWU is an option worth considering. They can offer insights on opening a simple business, supervising non-profit organizations, and heading multinational institutions or corporations.
TWU has one of the smaller average class sizes of 20 people, which we honestly prefer. This is ideal if you want to be able to focus well on your lessons during class and have more hands-on participation.
We also like the MBA options they offer in their Langley campus. These programs are unique and top-notch in their concentrations.
For example, their MBA in Non-profit & Charitable Organizations assists non-profit managers and members of board of directors in leading their organizations. This can help them move towards achievements despite the obstacles they face such as limited resources.
TWU also has relatively lower tuition fee rates as compared to the other universities, but there are also fewer financial aids offered for the MBA programs here.
Pros
- Affordable tuition fees
- Smaller class size
Cons
- Located outside Vancouver
- Fewer scholarships and financial aids
FAQs about MBA programs in Vancouver
Are you thinking about the next step in your education and career? Do you want to effectively lead one of the best digital marketing agencies in Vancouver? This is the sign you’re looking for to pursue the best MBA program in Vancouver now!
