Anderson School of Management - UCLA
UCLA Anderson School of Management is UCLA’s business school. The program was founded in 1935 as the College of Business Administration. It was UCLA’s first professional school, offering undergraduate degrees in business. Four years later, the first MBA degrees were offered.
In 1970, the UCLA Business School shifted its focus and became only a graduate program. It is one of the only business schools that doesn’t offer undergraduate degrees in business administration.
The school’s name changed several times before finally becoming the Anderson School of Management. The school was named in honor of entrepreneur, businessman, and UCLA alumnus John Anderson. In 1987, Anderson provided the financial backing for the school to build a world-class facility. At his request, it was built at the corner of Sunset and Westwood.
Program Basic Info
UCLA Anderson School of Management offers a traditional two-year MBA program. Upon arrival, students are divided into sections. Students complete the majority of their first year core curriculum with the students in their section.
Beginning in the winter of their first year, they’re able to add some electives to their schedule. In the second year of study, students are able to choose from various electives to tailor their classes to their individual aspirations.
UCLA Anderson School Of Management Overview
In this section, we’ll cover an overview of the UCLA Anderson School of Management including ranking, course information, and tuition cost.
| School Rank according to US News: | 17th |
| Course Duration: | 2 years, full-time |
| Average GMAT: | 714 |
| GMAT Range: | 670 to 750 |
| Approx. Class Size: | 360 |
| Avg. Work Experience: | 5 years |
| Tuition Cost (per year): | $67,737 |
| Average Salary: | $132,460 |
| Average Salary (Consulting): | $152,316 |
| % Employed after 3 months: | 78.3% |
| Location: | Los Angeles, California |
Degrees Offered
- Accounting
- Consulting
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- General Management
- Health Care Administration
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Leadership
- Manufacturing and Technology Management
- Real Estate
- Marketing
- Production/Operations Management
- Organization Behavior
- Portfolio Management
- Supply Chain Management/Logistics
- Technology
Specialty Degrees:
- Executive MBA
- MS Financial Engineering
- MS Business Analytics
- PhD Programs
- Executive Education
Program Details
Are you divided into cohorts? Yes
Each incoming class at UCLA Anderson is typically 360 students. These students are divided into five sections labeled A through E. Students go through the majority of courses with their section mates during the first year. Sections are further divided into learning teams of five students who complete homework and projects together.
The program consists of lectures, case studies, and project-based learning. After a week of orientation in August, students are required to take a weeklong course called “Leadership Foundations.” Students then complete Financial Accounting and Organizational Behavior courses. The remainder of the first year consists of Finance, Marketing, Statistics, Economics, Operations, Strategy, Communications, and four elective courses.
In the summer, students are encouraged to complete a summer internship. Second year students are able to choose from 15 specializations to create a curriculum that supports their goals. Second year students are also required to complete the Capstone Project. This project requires students to choose between an Applied Management Research Program (AMR) and a Business Creation Option. Second years also have the option of studying abroad.
UCLA Anderson offers eight dual or joint degree options. Applicants are required to apply separately to each program. Students must be admitted by both departments to complete a concurrent degree.
Can you do a joint degree while at the school? Ex: MBA/MD between HBS and Harvard Medical School: Yes
What Makes UCLA Business School Unique?
UCLA Anderson School of Management students can choose from almost fifty student-run clubs. These clubs span professions, cultures, and interests. One of the professional clubs is the Management Consulting Association (MCA). This club works to provide education and networking opportunities for students wanting to break into consulting.
The Alliance for Latinx Management at Anderson (ALMA) is a cultural club designed to provide a diverse, collaborative space that celebrates Latinx culture. A Comedy Club (ACC) provides improv workshops, stand-up comedy lessons, and discounted show tickets to its members. Athletic clubs include soccer, tennis, outdoor adventure, and many others.
UCLA Anderson hosts several events and conferences throughout the year. The UCLA Anderson Sports Business Association hosts the PULSE Entertainment, Sports & Technology Conference. The Greater China Business Association hosts an annual Greater China Business Conference. Competitions include the UCLA Anderson High Tech Case Competition and the Knapp Venture Competition among others.
Anderson School of Management professors were given a rating of 4.57 out of 5 according to The Economist.
What is the UCLA Anderson School Of Management Campus Like?
The Anderson School of Management is located on the northern end of UCLA’s campus in Los Angeles. Six buildings surround the Marion Anderson Courtyard. The area consists of classrooms and meeting rooms, a café, a large library, an auditorium, and an executive dining room. On-campus housing is available, but limited. The majority of students live off campus in surrounding neighborhoods.
Los Angeles is known for its mix of cultures, business, and activities. The city draws people from all over the world. Southern California has mountains, waterfalls, and pristine beaches that allow people to do everything from surf to snowboard. The Los Angeles area is home to Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Disneyland as well as countless restaurants and museums.
Notable Alumni
Notable Alumni of UCLA Anderson:
- Susan Wojcicki, CEO, YouTube
- Larry Fink, Chairman, and CEO, BlackRock Inc.
- Dan Beckerman, President, and CEO, AEG
- Jim Moffatt, Vice Chairman, Deloitte Consulting
- Rosie O’Neill, Co-Founder, and Co-CEO, Sugarfina
- Martine Rothblatt, Founder, SiriusXM, CEO, United Therapeutics
- Andrew Campion, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Nike Inc.
- Christine McCarthy, Senior EVP, and CFO, The Walt Disney Company
- Stewart Bainum Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Manor Care of America, Inc.
- Sue Baumgarten, Corporate Vice President at Raytheon Company, and president of Raytheon International
- Brian Biro, Author and one of the world's foremost speakers and teachers of leadership
- Lisa Brummel served as Head of HR, Microsoft
- Kimberly Cayce, Founder & CEO, KALYX Technologies, Inc.
Anderson Employment Report
According to the 2020 Anderson Employment Report, 83% of graduates were offered a job within three months of graduation. Of note, this is on the lower end of employment rates for top MBA programs. The report cited the effect of the pandemic on overall employment in Los Angeles as a reason for the lower-than-normal number.
The average base salary for Anderson MBA graduates was $132,460, with that number ticking up almost $20,000 to $152,316 for management consultants.
To find out what the prospects are for you to break into consulting from UCLA Business School, see our breakdown of the Anderson employment report here.