Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University

The Kellogg School of Management’s MBA program is headquartered at Northwestern University’s 240-acre main campus in Evanston, Illinois, 12 miles north of downtown Chicago. Kellogg offers four full-time MBA options in addition to part-time and Executive MBA programs. Hallmarks of the Kellogg MBA program include an emphasis on teamwork in and out of the classroom, a general management focus throughout the curriculum and a high level of student involvement, as evidenced by the school’s 104 student-run clubs.

FAQ

What is the tuition for Kellogg’s MBA program?

The tuition for Kellogg’s Two-year MBA program is $76,638 per year. The total cost of the Kellogg MBA program is $111,658 per year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

How hard is it to get into Kellogg’s MBA program?

The acceptance rate for Kellogg is 20%. It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted. For example the average GMAT score is 727.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to Kellogg’s MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Kellogg is 727. The GMAT range is 630 to 780.

Does the Kellogg MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Kellogg MBA program absolutely does accept GRE scores from applicants. Kellogg has no preference between a GMAT or GRE score from applicants. Either is perfectly fine.
They do not convert GRE scores to GMAT scores. The school says that they look at performance on each section of the test, and just like the GMAT, they are looking for balanced performance – typically in the 80-90th percentiles or above.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Kellogg’s MBA program?

Kellogg does not report the average GRE scores of the latest MBA class. However, they have reported that the median GRE scores for the Kellogg MBA Class of 2023 were 162 Verbal and 165 Quant.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Kellogg’s MBA program?

Kellogg’s prefers at least 2 years minimum number of years of work experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Kellogg’s MBA program?

The average number of years of work experience among students in Kellogg’s MBA program is 5.

What is the median starting salary for graduates of the Kellogg MBA program?

The median starting salary for Kellogg MBA graduates is $144,000. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is Kellogg’s full-time MBA program?

Kellogg offers a traditional 2 year MBA program, which begins in August, and ends in May, approximately 22 months later. This includes a summer period when students pursue internships. Kellogg also offers a 1 year MBA for those with a business background. This begins in June and ends in June the following year.
Kellogg also offers two full-time dual degree programs: an MMM (MBA from Kellogg and an M.S. in Design Innovation) with Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering, and a JD-MBA with Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law. MMM students begin in June and graduate in the Spring after 2 years of study. The JD-MBA program is three years long, beginning in the Fall.

What are the application deadlines for Kellogg’s MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is September 15, 2021. The Round 2 application deadline is January 5, 2022. The Round 3 deadline is April 6, 2022.

What percent of Kellogg MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Kellogg that are women is 49%.

What type of interview does Kellogg use for MBA admissions?

Kellogg has an open interview policy, where candidates can select their interview option when they submit their application. Because the interviewer will not have read the application prior to the interview, it is a resume-based interview.

ADMISSIONS

The Kellogg Class Profile

The Two-Year MBA Class of 2023 at Kellogg is comprised of 508 students. Among the first-year entrants in 2021, the average GMAT score was 727. Those who took the GRE earned median scores of 162 Verbal and 165 Quant. The average undergraduate GPA was 3.7, which is based on U.S. schools that graded on a 4.0 scale. Forty-nine percent had studied business/economics during their undergraduate years. Thirty-five percent had pursued STEM majors and 21% majored in humanities.

Students in the incoming class have an average of five years of work experience. Twenty-nine percent came from financial services and another 28% had worked in consulting. Twelve percent had gained pre-MBA work experience in tech and others spread out across healthcare, the military, media & entertainment and more.

Thirty-six percent of the class comprised international students at the time of acceptance. Finally, women make up 49% of the first-year class at Kellogg, and 23% of students identify as members of a U.S. minority group.

Application Procedures

Applicants can elect to apply to Kellogg during one of three admissions rounds that usually occur in September, January and early April. The application solicits data on an applicant’s personal background, academic honors, and work history. It also calls for applicants to submit Kellogg’s essays, a résumé, GRE/GMAT and TOEFL scores, transcripts from all collegiate and post-collegiate institutions attended, and two letters of recommendation from supervisors. Finally, the program requires applicants to submit an application fee of $250. In the application, applicants may either request an on-campus or off-campus interview. The Kellogg Admissions Committee notifies applicants of their interview assignment via email.

Application Checklist

• Data Form
• Interview request on/off-campus
• Résumé
• Application Fee
• Recommendations
• Scanned transcripts
• Test score updates
• Essays

The Kellogg Part-Time MBA: Program Overview & Guide

When discussing top business school programs, Northwestern’s Kellogg is often on the list. The Kellogg School of Management offers both a full-time MBA program and a part-time MBA program for those who cannot leave their work full time to pursue their degree. 

The Kellogg part-time option, i.e. the “Evening & Weekend MBA Program”, is designed for those who will continue working while obtaining their degree, and subsequently need a class schedule that takes the industry workweek into consideration. This resource page lays out the basics on the Northwestern Kellogg part-time MBA program, and covers all you need to know about whether the program is right for you.

Kellogg Part-Time MBA Class Profile

Age/Experience	Age: 29 Average Work Experience (years): 6
Diversity	Women: 34% U.S. Minority: 29% International: 8%
Undergraduate Degrees	Business/Economics: 54% Stem: 29% Humanities: 17%
Geography	65% (student commute out of state)
Jobs by Industry	Financial Services: 23% Health/BioTech: 15% Consulting: 12% Tech/Communications: 12% Manufacturing: 8% Consumer Products: 5% Energy: 3% Marketing & Media: 2% Government/Education/NonProfit: 2% Other: 17%

The data above is the profile of the Evening & Weekend MBA class 2020 entrants.*
See the full report: Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program

The Kellogg Part-Time MBA

If you’re looking into part-time programs, you may also be wondering how the coursework is structured, and how you can realistically balance working full-time with completing MBA coursework and other program requirements. We hear this question over and over again from applicants who are applying to part-time or executive programs, so no, you’re not alone! We’re going to break down the format of Kellogg’s part-time program so that you get a sense of what to expect.

Kellogg Part-Time MBA Class Format

The Kellogg part-time MBA is a truly adaptable program. You can start during any one of their four quarters and take on a workload that fits your schedule and works around the other aspects of your life. Evening classes are available Monday through Friday from 6-9pm and weekend classes are held on Saturdays from 9am-12pm and from 1:30-4:30pm at Kellogg’s downtown Chicago location. Pending availability, part-time students can even take weekday, daytime courses which they will share with full-time students at Kellogg’s Evanston location. 

Other Logistics

Kellogg’s part-time MBA offers two different tracks for the pace and intensity of its part-time students. There is an option for a traditional pace which takes anywhere from five quarters to five years and has an average time of two and a half years. There is also an accelerated pace which requires having passed some courses prior to the program. It takes between one and four years with an average time of two years. This level of customizability makes one of the top MBA programs accessible to candidates that might otherwise not have been able to balance work and graduate school. 

Kellogg Part-Time MBA Curriculum

The curriculum for Kellogg’s part-time MBA program is centered around two cornerstone courses: “Leadership in Organizations” and “Business Strategy.” Beyond these, there are eight core curriculum courses which will complete your MBA. Additionally, students can take elective courses to help fill out a major (concentration that represents your MBA focus) or select a pathway (series of courses that are tailored for specific jobs and industries). That said, a major is not a requirement for part-time MBA students, but it can help you tailor the direction of the elective courses you will take. 

Part-time business school students also have the option of participating in Kellogg’s experiential learning curriculum, which happens to be one of its most lauded features for full-time MBA applicants. These courses allow you to engage in team-based practicums that focus on applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations. 

Should the opportunity arise, part-time MBAs at Kellogg will also have the opportunity to take advantage of its 70+ annual global opportunities, including an evening and weekend exchange program allowing students to live abroad. This is a great opportunity to add a global component to your part-time MBA.

Kellogg Part-Time MBA Application

Make sure to consult the application requirements for Kellogg’s Evening & Weekend MBA Program, taking note of any deadlines. Below, we discuss the latest essays that are required as part of the application, and the part-time program interview process.Improve your application with Menlo Coaching

Kellogg Part-Time MBA Essays

As part of the application process to Kellogg’s part-time program, you will have to complete two essays. These essays are intended for the AdCom to get to know you better. Here are the prompts for Kellogg’s 2021-2022 application:

• Essay 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value.  Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (approximately 450 words)
• Essay 2: Values are what guide you in life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you?  (approximately 450 words)
• Additional Information: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances in your application (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.).

Kellogg Part-Time MBA Interview

All Northwestern MBA students, both part-time and full-time, must pass an interview for admission into the program. Kellogg MBA admissions interviews are conducted by alumni, admissions officers, and, occasionally, students. Kellogg offers an open interview policy, meaning that every applicant is eligible to be interviewed without waiting for a selective invitation. Interviews are currently conducted virtually and students can get in touch with the admissions office to schedule.

Why Kellogg?

Don’t attend Kellogg unless you REALLY enjoy working in teams. All MBA programs involve teamwork, of course, but Northwestern Kellogg students report that the program is so centered around teamwork that you can “get tired of working in teams.” It’s good preparation for a corporate career where you’ll be doing everything in teams, but is not for the lone wolf students who prefer to work independently.

In addition to the teamwork aspect of Kellogg’s MBA programs, the flexibility of the part-time program is also unique. The option to pursue your part-time MBA either through Kellogg’s traditional or accelerated pace also offers you a chance to tailor your education to something that is both versatile and manageable without leaving a job or putting other elements of your life on hold. 

Lastly, Kellogg is a great business school that leads in diversity. Recently, not only did they welcome their third consecutive female Dean, Francesca Cornelli, the school also admitted its highest number of women (46%) to its full-time MBA class of 2020.