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Babson vs Kelley School’s of Business Choosing the a right college is if you’re aiming for a career in business management, specially with an entrepreneurial focus. A business management degree equips you with essential skills like critical thinking, leadership and strategic decision-making. which are key for aspiring entrepreneurs. Babson College, ranked #75 and the Kelley School of Business, ranked #38 in the QS Global Rankings, are both top-tier institutions known for their outstanding business management programs.
Location
Babson College is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, just 14 miles west of Boston. With popular spots like the Reynolds Campus Center, Horn Library, Carling-Sorenson Theater, Webster Athletics Center, Glavin Family Chapel and the Babson Executive Conference Center. it offers a perfect entrepreneurial global community.
Kelley has campuses in Bloomington, Indiana and Indianapolis, Indiana. For nature lovers, there’s the Hoosier National Forest, Charles C. Deam Wilderness, and Monroe Lake. Downtown Bloomington features attractions such as Kirkwood Avenue and The Square, along with cultural highlights like the Lilly Library, the Eskenazi Museum of Art, the Miller Park Zoo, WonderLab Science Museum, and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
Babson School of Business
Founded in 1919, Babson College is a private institution in Massachusetts, USA, with a rich history in entrepreneurship education. Originally an all-male school, it has since become co-educational, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The college is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and is affiliated with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and EQUIS. For 26 consecutive years, Babson has held the top spot for Entrepreneurship (MBA) according to U.S. News & World Report.
Babson College’s main campus is located in Babson Park, Wellesley and spans 370 acres, providing all the facilities and resources students need for a well-rounded educational experience. The campus features dining halls, athletic fields, theaters and residence halls. Students can choose from over 100 clubs and the college offers 22 varsity sports programs at the NCAA Division III level, along with various club sports for full-time undergraduates.
Babson College is home to a diverse student body, with 3,350 students from over 80 countries. This includes 2,350 undergraduates and more than 1,000 postgraduates. The college employs over 300 full-time faculty members who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their fields. Babson also offers an International Student Exchange Program, partnering with institutions in countries like Australia, Austria, Chile and China. The Babson Connector, a unique program, helps students find jobs, internships and career opportunities and offers networking connections.
The Babson alumni network is vast, with over 41,000 graduates worldwide. The college has produced numerous notable alumni, including Edward Bronfman, a Canadian businessman and philanthropist; William R. Chapin, President of the Automotive Hall of Fame; former race car driver Will Langhorne; Andronico Luksic, Chairman of Quiñenco and Hamilton Brothers Petroleum Corporation; Craig Benson, Chairman and CEO of Cabletron; Marie Cavallier, Princess Marie of Denmark and Patricia E. McQuistion, a Lieutenant General in the US Army. Babson’s graduates are leaders in their fields, contributing significantly to their industries and communities.
Kelley School of Business
The Kelley School of Business, founded in 1920 as the School of Commerce and Finance, is Indiana University’s renowned business school, with campuses in Bloomington and Indianapolis. International students looking to apply need a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (equivalent to 83-86%). The application process requires several supporting documents, including standardized test scores, a resume, personal essay, financial and immigration documents, letters of recommendation and proof of English proficiency.
The annual tuition fees for international students range from USD 30,700 to USD 40,480 (approximately 25.28 lakhs to 33.21 lakhs INR). Application fees are USD 65 (about 5,333 INR) for undergraduate programs and USD 75 (around 6,153 INR) for graduate programs. The estimated cost of attendance for undergraduate students is USD 57,000 (49 lakhs INR), while graduate programs cost approximately USD 53,000 (44 lakhs INR).
Kelley School of Business graduates see a strong return on their investment, with an average annual salary of USD 117,000 (95 lakhs INR). This highlights the value of a degree from Kelley in shaping successful careers.
Admission process
Many universities in the U.S. participate in the Common Application, a platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges worldwide through a single portal. As part of the process, applicants typically submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, details of extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants are required to write essays based on specific prompts to highlight their individuality and passion for learning. Admissions officers review these materials holistically to determine whether a student would be a valuable addition to their institution.
Students who gain admission to Babson College usually have a GPA around 3.86, with grades ranging from A- to B+. Their SAT scores typically fall between 1350 and 1510, or they have ACT scores between 30 and 33. Similarly, the Kelley School of Business expects applicants to have a cumulative GPA of 3.80, with a minimum SAT score of 1370 or an ACT score of 30.
Scholarships
Babson College offers various financial aid options for international students, including a range of merit-based scholarships. Notable scholarships include the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholarship, the Weissman Scholarship and the Women’s Leadership Scholarship, among others, recognizing exceptional talent and leadership potential.
Similarly, the Kelley School of Business provides numerous scholarship opportunities for its students. These scholarships cater to direct admit first-year students, undergraduates, transfer students, current students and pre-business students. Key scholarships at Kelley include the Dean’s Council Scholarship, Kelley Scholars Program, Arrowsmith Undergraduate Scholarship, and Benecki Undergraduate Scholarship. These awards are designed to support and reward students for academic excellence, leadership and commitment to their business studies.
Business Management Course
Babson College offers a wide range of business-focused courses designed to hone critical thinking skills alongside hands-on experiential learning. The college’s rigorous and dynamic curriculum includes core courses like Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship, which prepare students for success in competitive business environments. Beyond teaching the fundamentals of starting and sustaining a business, Babson also integrates studies on socio-ecological systems. This approach encourages innovation and creativity as students address the growing global demand for sustainability.
As part of the Business Management degree requirements, students engage in a mix of business, economics and liberal arts courses, ensuring a well-rounded and relevant business education. This major is ideal for those interested in managing organizations across various sectors, including businesses, governments, hospitals and universities. The curriculum covers essential topics such as organizational design and change, negotiation strategies, human resource development, personnel planning and team motivation. Students also learn how to develop and utilize employee skills effectively, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to lead and manage diverse organizations successfully.
Extracurricular Activities
At Babson College, clubs and organizations offer more than just leadership development and teamwork—they’re also a lot of fun. With over 100 clubs and organizations, including those focused on sports, social justice, the arts, academics and religion, there’s something for everyone. The annual Student Organization Fair is the perfect opportunity to explore your options. Students can join more than 60 organizations related to business, finance, Greek life, culture, mental health and sports. If you have a passion that isn’t represented, you even have the opportunity to start your own club.
Similarly, at the Kelley School of Business, getting involved in student organizations is a fantastic way to merge your personal interests with the business world. Whether you’re passionate about finance, entrepreneurship, or social impact, there’s likely a club that aligns with your goals and offers valuable professional experience. Some notable organizations include Toastmasters, The Trockman Microfinance Initiative, Blockchain@IU and Delta Sigma Pi.
As students consider Babson versus Kelley, several factors influence the decision: the vibrancy of city life, cultural fit, weather, campus atmosphere, class sizes, alumni networks, research opportunities and the ability to connect with a community of successful entrepreneurs. These elements play a critical role in determining the overall “college fit,” a crucial factor in making the right choice.