Drexel University LeBow College of Business
Philadelphia, PA · 18 months · Official Site
$34,000
18 months
Data reflects 2026 admissions cycle
“An 18-month MBA with a built-in co-op placement. Drexel LeBow applies the university's signature experiential model to business education, and a 30-person class means nobody falls through the cracks.”
Program Overview
Drexel built its reputation on co-op education, and the LeBow MBA brings that philosophy to business school. The 18-month accelerated format includes a 3-month summer co-op placement at a partner company. You graduate with an MBA and a professional experience that demonstrates competence to employers in ways that classroom projects alone can't. The 30-person class is small enough that career services knows every student personally.
Downtown Philadelphia provides the geographic advantage. Comcast, Vanguard, SEI Investments, and the city's growing tech and healthcare sectors are within commuting distance. Marketing analytics and technology innovation are the academic strengths, reflecting the business skills that Philly employers are hiring for. The $34K annual tuition is moderate for a private school MBA, especially in an 18-month format that saves a full semester of living expenses compared to two-year programs.
Culture & Community
Drexel LeBow's culture is pragmatic and career-focused. The 30-person class creates intimacy that larger programs can't. Philadelphia is an underappreciated MBA city: affordable by East Coast standards, walkable, close to New York (90-minute Amtrak), and home to a growing tech and startup scene. The co-op experience creates shared professional stories that bond classmates beyond the classroom.
Academics & Curriculum
Marketing analytics and technology innovation management are the academic headlines. The accelerated 18-month format covers MBA fundamentals alongside specialization, with the co-op semester providing applied experience. Project management, accounting, and entrepreneurship are additional concentration areas. Faculty bring industry connections from Philadelphia's business community. The AACSB-accredited curriculum maintains academic rigor in a compressed timeline.
Career Outcomes
Philadelphia-based employers drive placement. Comcast, Vanguard, SEI, and healthcare systems recruit from LeBow. Marketing (20%), finance (22%), tech (18%), and consulting (15%) are the top sectors. Average salary is approximately $95,000. The co-op placement often leads to full-time offers, creating a reliable path from classroom to employment. Philadelphia's proximity to New York extends the recruiting geography for ambitious candidates willing to commute or relocate.
Who Should Apply
Career changers who need professional experience in their target industry before graduating. Professionals who want an accelerated 18-month format. Anyone targeting Philadelphia's business community. Candidates who prefer learning by doing over case-study discussion.
What to Watch Out For
The LeBow MBA brand is local. Outside Philadelphia, the name requires context. The 30-person class means a small alumni network. The 18-month format, while efficient, limits the depth of elective exploration. If you're targeting New York or Boston employers, Drexel's recruiting pipeline may not extend as far as you need. And the 86% employment rate, while solid, trails programs with more established career services operations.
Known For
Best For
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Get GMAT Prep Resources →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Drexel LeBow MBA?
Drexel LeBow admits approximately 45% of MBA applicants for the class of 2026. The accelerated 18-month program enrolls about 30 students.
Does Drexel LeBow MBA include a co-op?
Yes. The LeBow MBA includes a 3-month summer co-op placement at a partner company. Drexel's co-op model is the university's signature experiential learning approach, applied to graduate business education. Co-op placements frequently lead to full-time job offers.
What is the average salary after Drexel LeBow MBA?
Drexel LeBow MBA graduates earn an average starting salary of approximately $95,000. Philadelphia-based employers in marketing, finance, tech, and consulting drive placement outcomes.