Question 1

What is NorthStar?

Accepted Answer

NorthStar is a free MBA matching tool that ranks international graduate business programs based on how well they fit your lifestyle, career goals, financial situation, and immigration priorities — not just published rankings.

Question 2

How does NorthStar match MBA programs?

Accepted Answer

You complete a survey covering your background, lifestyle priorities (safety, climate, LGBTQ+ inclusion, cost of living), career ambitions, budget, and immigration goals. NorthStar scores every program in its database across five dimensions and returns a personalised ranked list with plain-English reasoning.

Question 3

How many MBA programs does NorthStar cover?

Accepted Answer

NorthStar covers 59 programs at 47 schools across 6 regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Programs include full-time, part-time, Executive, and online MBA formats.

Question 4

Is NorthStar free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. NorthStar is completely free. Create an account, complete the survey, and receive your ranked program matches at no cost.

Question 5

Does NorthStar provide visa and immigration advice?

Accepted Answer

NorthStar displays general information about post-study work visas and pathways to permanent residency as context for comparing programs. This is not legal or immigration advice. Users should consult a licensed immigration professional before making immigration decisions.