University of Pennsylvania

• The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania was ranked No. 1 for its executive MBA program in a poll conducted for "The Wall Street Journal" and published Sept. 29, 2010. The program is also available at campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco. For the 2011-2012 school session, there were 6,819 applicants but only 817 students were admitted to the Wharton MBA program. As of 2011, tuition, fees and living expenses for full-time students amount to about $84,000, including books and supplies. Students working toward a career in public and nonprofit sectors are eligible to apply for The John M. Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Fund for Public Service, in which up to $20,000 per year is provided to pay down student loans.
  
  

University of Chicago

• Founded in 1898, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is ranked No. 3 by "U.S. News and World Report" in its 2010 list of top executive MBA programs. There are campuses in Chicago, London and Singapore, giving students around the world an opportunity to earn an MBA through this program. As of 2010, 1,100 students are enrolled in the full-time MBA program. Total fees as of March 2011 are estimated at $142,000, to cover tuition, books, course materials, some meals and hotel accommodations for two residential weeks in Chicago, one week in London and one in Singapore. This is a 21-month program with three to four courses to be completed per semester.
  
  

Northwestern University

• The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management is ranked No. 4 in a poll completed by "Bloomberg Businessweek." Students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university are able to apply for this MBA program. A total of 5,826 students applied for the 2010 session, with only 697 students admitted. As of 2010, tuition for the one-year program is $68,660, while the two-year programs have an adjusted tuition rate. Students will pay $51,495 for the first year, then the standard rate for their second year. Kellogg School of Management offers financial aid, grants and the opportunity for students to finance 100 percent of the educational cost.
  
  

Harvard Business School

• Harvard Business School is ranked No. 1 in the "best administered" category by The Princeton Review. To start the 2011 session, Harvard admitted only 942 new students to its MBA program out of 9,903 applications. When applying for the Harvard MBA program, it is important to mention your ability to lead others, hold intellectual conversations,and work well in group settings. For students accepted to Harvard Business School for the 2011 session, tuition is $51,200. The costs for books, fees and living expenses, including health services, room and board, can push the total much higher, especially for students with a family.