Top 10 Affordable MBA Programs in Arizona

For many, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the key to furthering their business careers. MBAs are offered by many colleges and universities, but these can sometimes be extremely expensive.

Luckily, several Arizona colleges and universities offer affordable MBA programs, with quality education through in-person and online MBA programs. Keep reading to discover the top affordable MBA programs in Arizona.

Top Affordable MBA Programs in Arizona

Arizona doesn't have a lot of four-year colleges and universities; however, there are affordable online colleges in Arizona, including affordable MBA programs. We've highlighted several of these programs below.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. Its W.P. Carey School of Business is the top-ranked business school in Arizona based on U.S. News and World rankings.

It offers a full-time, on-campus MBA, a STEM-designated evening MBA, an online MBA, and an executive MBA. Concentrations include:

• artificial intelligence
• business analytics
• entrepreneurship
• supply chain management

Costs vary depending on which program you choose. For example, estimated tuition and fees for the full-time program are $61,784 total for in-state residents and $106,090 for out-of-state residents, while tuition and fees for the online MBA program are $68,591 total regardless of your state of residence. ASU offers several scholarships and graduate assistantships to help MBA students cover their tuition costs.

2. Benedictine University at Mesa

Benedictine University at Mesa is a remote campus of Benedictine University, a private Catholic nonprofit university in Lisle, Illinois. It offers online and accelerated MBA degree programs with concentrations like:

• change management
• digital marketing
• project management
• talent management

Tuition for the MBA program is $800 per credit. The average student needs 30 credits to complete the program, for a total of $24,000. Students can take advantage of several scholarships to help them reduce tuition costs.

3. DeVry University

DeVry University is a private, for-profit university based in Lisle, Illinois. It primarily offers online degrees but has several on-campus locations across the U.S., including one in Phoenix, Arizona.

The university's Keller Graduate School of Management offers online, hybrid, and accelerated MBA degree programs with specializations such as:

• global supply chain management
• human resources
• information systems management
• project management

This program costs $776 per credit for a total of $23,280 for a 30-credit degree. DeVry offers several scholarship opportunities, including scholarships for those earning a business degree.

4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private nonprofit university based in Daytona Beach, Florida with an additional campus in Prescott, Arizona. It offers an online Master of Business Administration in aviation.

Tuition for this 36-credit program is $836 per credit hour or $30,096 total. Students can use government and private financial aid to help cover their degree costs.

5. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University is a public research university based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Its W. A. Franke College of Business offers an in-person and online MBA program with the opportunity to create a customer concentration through electives.

In-state students pay an average of $20,000 for the total program, while out-of-state students pay an average of $36,100. The university offers financial aid to MBA students in the form of graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, and fellowship awards.

6. Ottawa University, Surprise

Ottawa University is a private, nonprofit Baptist university based in Ottawa, Kansas, with a secondary campus in Surprise, Arizona. It offers online and on-campus MBA programs with concentrations like:

• data analytics
• human resources
• healthcare management
• strategic innovation

Tuition for this program is $649 per credit. At 36 credits, that comes to a total of $23,364. Students can also take advantage of several scholarship opportunities through the university.

7. Park University

Park University is a private nonprofit university in Parkville, Missouri with an additional campus in Gilbert, Arizona. It offers online and hybrid MBA programs through its College of Management with concentrations such as:

• business analytics
• disaster and emergency management
• management information systems
• project management

For this 36-credit program, tuition is $695 per credit, for a total of $25,020. The university offers over 100 scholarship opportunities to help students pay for their education.

8. Prescott College

Prescott College is a private nonprofit college in Prescott, Arizona. It offers an online MBA in sustainable food systems and another online MBA in sustainability leadership.

Both programs cost $799 per credit. The sustainable food systems degree requires 45 credits, for a total of $35,955, and the sustainability leadership degree requires 30 credits, for a total of $23,970. Students may qualify for one of the university's scholarship or grant programs.

9. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona. Its Eller College of Management offers various MBA programs with concentrations in areas like:

• entrepreneurship
• healthcare management
• management information systems
• privacy and security

Costs vary depending on which MBA format you choose, but the full-time MBA costs $25,516 per year for in-state students and $45,458 per year for out-of-state students. The university offers numerous scholarships to help students pay for their business education.

10. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is a private for-profit university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers an online MBA degree program.

Tuition for this program is $698 per credit, or $23,034 total for the 33-credit program, making it one of the most affordable online colleges in Arizona. Students may qualify for a variety of scholarships from the university.

FAQs About Affordable MBA Programs

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable MBA programs in Arizona.

How Can I Make My MBA Affordable?

The best way to make any degree affordable is to fill out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. This determines your eligibility for things like federal and state grants.

Additionally, look for programs that offer scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships. If you're still in your bachelor's program, do your best to keep your GPA up to increase your chance of qualifying for these awards. Scoring well on your GRE or GMAT can help as well.

What Is the ROI for MBA Programs in Arizona?

The return on investment for MBA programs in Arizona varies depending on several factors, including the school you attended and the career path you pursue.

ROI for college programs is typically shown as your annual salary within three months of graduating versus how much debt you graduated with. For example, the University of Arizona's MBA graduates have an average salary-to-debt ratio of $119,527:$47,406, or 2.5:1.

How Much Can I Make with an MBA Degree in Arizona?

Again, the amount you can make with an MBA degree in Arizona varies depending on several factors. However, the University of Arizona shows a starting salary for MBA graduates at an average of $119,527, while the University of Arizona shows a starting salary for their MBA grads at an average of $126,618.

Is an MBA Worth It Financially?

For many graduates, an MBA is financially worth it. The coursework and real-world experience that these programs offer can help students reach their career goals in the business world.

An MBA can help you get promoted into leadership roles. These programs also often let you tailor your program so you can focus on a certain field, like operations management or financial management.