The Ketner School of Business is Trine University's business college, and it follows the same general, criteria-based admissions model that makes the rest of Trine accessible to well-prepared international students, GPA and documentation matter more than a competitive, capped-seat review. For international applicants comparing Trine's engineering reputation against its business programs, it's worth understanding one practical difference upfront: business is not a STEM-designated field here, unlike most of Trine's engineering and computer science majors.
This article covers the acceptance picture for Business, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and career outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
Trine does not publish a Business-specific acceptance rate. Trine's overall undergraduate acceptance rate is commonly cited around 86% by US News & World Report (a third-party estimate, not a Trine-published figure), and Trine describes GPA as the most heavily weighted academic factor in admissions decisions generally.
For undergraduate non-engineering majors, including Business, Trine's published guidance points to a GPA of 2.75 and above as the relevant academic benchmark, a notably lower bar than the engineering-track tuition and admissions profile. For graduate business programs (including the MBA), Trine requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Business students pay Trine's standard (non-engineering) tuition rate, which is lower than the engineering-track rate.
| Cost item | Undergraduate (per year) |
|---|---|
| Standard tuition (12-18 credits/semester) | $37,750 |
| Mandatory fees | ~$400-$1,130 depending on program |
| Housing | $7,600-$8,600 |
| Meal plan | $450-$5,700 |
| Estimated total | ~$51,500-$53,200 |
International undergraduates also pay a one-time $1,000 international enrollment fee. Graduate tuition is dramatically lower: Trine's official MBA rate is $575 per credit hour, with no international surcharge, so a typical 30-36 credit MBA costs roughly $17,250-$20,700 in total tuition. For the full university-wide cost and scholarship picture, see the Trine guide.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate
- Completed international application
- Official secondary school transcripts (with certified English translation if needed)
- English proficiency score (or a qualifying SAT/ACT sub-score, see below)
- Passport copy and financial documentation for I-20 issuance
- A GPA of 2.75 and above is the relevant academic benchmark for non-engineering majors like Business
Graduate (MBA)
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- English proficiency score (unless exempt)
- GRE/GMAT are not typically required for Trine's master's programs
How to Get Into Trine's Ketner School of Business
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Meet the 2.75 GPA benchmark comfortably at undergraduate level. Because Trine's review is largely GPA- and document-based, a transcript meaningfully above 2.75 strengthens your application more than any single supporting document.
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Understand that Business doesn't carry STEM designation. Unlike Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering at Trine, standard business degrees don't qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, so factor this into your post-graduation planning if OPT length matters to your decision.
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For the MBA, target the 3.0 GPA bar. Because GRE/GMAT aren't typically required, your undergraduate transcript carries more weight than it would at a school requiring standardized testing.
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Apply early for the International Award, since Trine's merit scholarship is awarded as part of the standard admission review, submitting transcripts and test scores early gives the admissions committee the fullest picture to work from.
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Confirm current test-score thresholds directly with Trine's International Admission office, since Trine periodically updates accepted tests and cutoffs.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Business applicants follow Trine's standard English proficiency minimums; there is no separately published Business-specific override in the sources reviewed.
| Test | Undergraduate | Graduate (MBA) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall | 6.5 overall (6.0 minimum per section) |
| TOEFL iBT | 71 | 79 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | 58 |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 | 95 |
Waiver: Undergraduate applicants are exempt from the English test requirement if they score at least 560 on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or at least 21 on the ACT Reading section. For the full set of waivers and alternative tests, see the Trine guide.
Career Outcomes
Trine reports a university-wide "career outcome" rate above 99% for 13 consecutive years (Class of 2025: 99.2%), covering graduates who are employed, enrolled in further education, or in military service within six months of graduation. This figure is university-wide and not broken out separately for Business, and more than 63% of recent graduating classes stayed in Indiana for work, with over 90% staying in the broader Midwest, reflecting a regional rather than national employer network.
OPT: Standard F-1 graduates are eligible for 12 months of OPT. Business degrees at Trine are generally not STEM-designated, so unlike Trine's Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science graduates, Business graduates typically do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, meaning total US work authorization after graduation is limited to the standard 12-month window unless you separately pursue an H-1B or another visa route.
FAQ
Does Trine publish an acceptance rate for Business specifically? No. Trine's overall undergraduate acceptance rate is commonly cited around 86% by third-party sources; Business follows the university's general 2.75 GPA benchmark for non-engineering majors.
Is the MBA at Trine competitive? Admission requires a 3.0 GPA from a regionally accredited institution; GRE/GMAT are not typically required.
How much does Trine's MBA cost? Roughly $17,250-$20,700 in total tuition for a 30-36 credit program, at Trine's published rate of $575/credit hour with no international surcharge.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need? Undergraduate: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 71. MBA: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 minimum per section) or TOEFL iBT 79.
Does a Trine Business degree qualify for STEM OPT? No, standard business degrees at Trine are not STEM-designated, unlike Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Graduates use the standard 12-month OPT period.