Cover image by Chris Boland via Unsplash

A good business school can propel your career forward, no matter what industry you’re working in. But with so many business schools out there—and so many different areas of study to choose from—it can be hard to know where to start. So we did the research and found the top 10 MBA colleges in Australia that should help you get the most bang for your buck (or, rather, Aussie dollar). Here they are, in no particular order.

1. QUT Business School

According to a recent survey by The Economist, QUT Business School is Australia’s No. 1 choice for postgraduate business education (1st among specialist business schools and 2nd overall). The school offers a range of full-time MBA programs and executive education programs, as well as other non-degree postgraduate programs and undergraduate business degrees, such as their 4 years Bachelor of Business. In addition to core subjects like marketing, strategy, accounting, and leadership development, students are able to customize their studies through electives that include legal studies or professional development training for international assignments. In fact, over 90% of graduates find jobs within 6 months after graduation.

2. University of Melbourne Business School

If you’re looking for quality education with flexibility, Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne is your best bet. A full-time degree takes two years and a flexible three years, with opportunities to work or study abroad during any break. Students have access to employers through its internship program and networks of alumni. Visit their world-class campus located on St Kilda Road, next to some of Melbourne’s most scenic landmarks like Port Phillip Bay and Albert Park Lake. Our facilities are fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology so you can enjoy learning as much as possible. Most courses are taught by international lecturers, who come from all over the world but share one thing: knowledge!

3. Australian Graduate School of Management

Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) is a part of the University of New South Wales, located at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. AGSM offers executive Master of Business Administration and Master of Military Arts and Science to students. It also provides an Honours Bachelor’s degree program for civilians and service personnel on Army bases across Australia. The school conducts courses for corporate clients as well as government departments, foreign governments, and NGOs. Faculty members are experts who regularly conduct research with leading international publications such as Economist Intelligence Unit, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Financial Times, etc. while supporting industry leaders within various sectors such as agriculture, retail, and engineering industries.

4. Griffith Business School, Griffith University

While it doesn’t feature as high up on rankings lists as some of its rivals, Griffith has been awarded five stars for graduate starting salaries by QS. It is also highly regarded for its study abroad opportunities, with many students going to Europe or Asia for their exchange. Griffith is located in Brisbane, which regularly tops ‘best cities to live’ lists, and was voted ‘Australia’s Favourite City’ earlier this year. The city offers great dining options and nightlife.

5. University of Queensland Business School

The University of Queensland Business School offers a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Management, and a Master of Business Administration. The UQ Business School is ranked number one in accounting and finance programs by The Good Universities Guide. Students are able to complete professional accreditation from CPA Australia, CAANZ, and Chartered Accountants UK by completing a double degree with either UQ’s law or commerce program. Students can also study for an MBA online as part of UQ Online. The full-time two-year MBM costs $20,720 per year plus student fees (2016). UQ Online has an annual tuition fee based on coursework completed – ranging from $6,630 per course to $9,945 per course (2016).

6. RMIT business school

RMIT Business School offers courses from degrees and diplomas to short courses. Its highly ranked programs cover areas such as human resources, accounting, marketing, finance, and e-business. In addition to its city campus in Melbourne, there are three other metropolitan campuses located at Bundoora, Brunswick and Southbank. The business school collaborates with universities worldwide for student exchange and study abroad opportunities.

7. Centre for Executive Development at Monash University

The Centre for Executive Development (CED) at Monash University provides a range of executive education programs that are specifically designed to address the specific development needs of individuals and organizations. Their programs offer not only a breadth of experience but also depth; each course is crafted by experienced industry professionals and delivered by experts who are actively engaged in their own practice. Their flagship MBA program is for students who want to achieve business leadership positions in top companies worldwide. It offers two ways of study – full-time, which lasts 26 weeks, or flexible part-time study over three years.

8. Australian Graduate School of Management ANU College

The Australian National University has a graduate school of management (ANU College) ranked No. 1 by The Economist magazine’s global MBA ranking report for five consecutive years. It is also among the top 50 business schools in 2010 by QS Global 200 Business Schools Report. The MBA program at ANU lasts for two years, with a summer internship between the first and second years that helps build professional experience. ANU places emphasis on developing communication skills and active learning so as to make students functional right from their first day of study. It is a member of many international networks including AACSB, ASABE, and ICMA; it has campuses in both Canberra and Sydney, meaning international students can also enjoy vibrant city life while studying here.

9. Faculty of Business and Law at Deakin University

Deakin’s faculty of business and law is composed of more than 1,600 students from 22 countries around Asia, Oceania, and Europe. It offers business degrees ranging from bachelor’s to Ph.D. levels, including a range of areas such as economics, management studies, accounting, commerce, and industry. The faculty also offers courses in law-related subjects. Located on Victoria’s surf coast about 50 minutes north of Melbourne by car or train (the Deakin University Geelong campus), Deakin has active student associations for sports and other extra-curricular activities; as well as clubs like Gaming club which supports console gaming.

10. Curtin University Sustainability Policy (Dietrich MBA)

The Curtin University Sustainability Policy was developed following a number of strategic focus sessions involving key stakeholders and designed to provide a framework for integrating sustainability into all facets of our operations, whilst respecting campus diversity. The policy was first adopted by Council on 1 September 2006 and re-adopted on 1 October 2012. It is not necessary to refer to an individual position within your submission. You may simply state that you are familiar with it and how it will be implemented within your proposed project or course changes/innovations. This helps demonstrate that you have done your research that you have an understanding of relevant issues, and what actions could be taken by students who wish to pursue career paths related to sustainability.