10 Affordable MBA Programs in the U.S. 2025
Several colleges and universities in the U.S. offer affordable MBA programs by either keeping the cost of tuition down or by offering financial aid options.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees are some of the most popular business programs in the country. Unfortunately, higher education can be expensive, so many students find it worth it to look for affordable programs.
Many colleges and universities across the U.S. offer affordable in-person and online MBA degrees. Keep reading to discover the top affordable MBA degrees in the U.S. that make it easy to pay for an MBA program.
Cheapest MBA Programs in the U.S.
Several colleges and universities across the U.S. offer affordable MBA programs, either by keeping tuition costs low or providing comprehensive financial aid options. Below, we've listed some of the top affordable MBA programs in the U.S.
1. New York University
New York University is a private research university in New York City. Its Stern School of Business offers a variety of full-time and part-time MBA programs with specializations such as:
- entrepreneurship and innovation
- FinTech
- luxury marketing
- supply chain management and global sourcing
Typically, the average cost of a business degree at Stern is $126,874. However, about 20-25% of admitted, full-time, two-year MBA students receive a Stern merit scholarship, which can cover up to 100% of tuition costs. Some scholarships require an additional application; visit the Stern website for more details.
2. North Carolina A&T State
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a public, historically black, research university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It offers on-campus and online MBA programs with optional concentrations in accounting, human resource management, and supply chain management through its Deese College of Business and Economics.
Tuition costs are already fairly low at North Carolina A&T, with graduate degrees for in-state students costing an average of $4,896 per year and for out-of-state students costing $17,696 per year. The business college also offers scholarships to students.
3. Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Its Kellogg School of Management offers full-time, part-time, and executive MBA degree programs in person with pathways such as:
- AI and data analytics
- entrepreneurship
- private equity and venture capital
- social impact and sustainability
U.S. News and World Report ranks Northwestern as one of the top colleges for MBAs in the country, but that comes with a price tag, as Northwestern is also the most expensive four-year college in the U.S. To help students pay for tuition, Kellogg offers numerous need-based and merit-based scholarships to offset the high tuition rates.
4. Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University is a public research university in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It offers part-time and full-time MBA options through its Spears School of Business with optional certificates in areas like:
- business analytics and data science
- casino and gaming management
- human resource management
- nonprofit business management
The total cost for the two-year full-time program averages $20,042.05 for in-state residents and $43,942.20 for non-residents, although the online programs are significantly less. The School of Business offers various scholarship options as well.
5. University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
The University of Arkansas is a public research university in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Its Walton College of Business offers a full-time and executive MBA degree program with tracks in areas like:
- data analytics
- entrepreneurship and innovation
- healthcare management
- supply chain management
The average tuition cost is $37,847.10 for in-state students and $94,335.72 for out-of-state students. However, the Walton College of Business offers scholarships, and a unique graduate assistantship program, in which the student works as an assistant for 20 hours a week and receives a complete tuition waiver and a stipend.
6. University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles, is a public research university in Los Angeles. It offers several full-time, part-time, and executive MBA options through its Anderson School of Management. There are 15 specialization options available, including:
- brand management
- consulting
- healthcare management
- marketing analytics
Tuition and fees for the full-time MBA program at UCLA average $85,756. To reduce student loans, the school offers several fellowship programs. Additionally, second-year students are eligible to offset their costs by becoming teaching assistants or research assistants.
7. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university in Lawrence, Kansas. Its School of Business offers a full-time MBA in-person and online with electives so students can tailor their coursework to their career goals.
Tuition for graduate programs at the University of Kansas is $452.30 per credit for in-state residents and $1,084.60 for non-residents. The School of Business offers merit-based scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 per year, and 90% of students at the school receive some sort of financial aid.
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. According to U.S. News and World Report, its Kenan-Flagler Business School is not only one of the best business schools in the country but also has some of the best online MBA programs.
It offers several MBA options with concentrations that include:
- entrepreneurship
- healthcare management
- operations management
- technology innovation and product management
At UNC, the full-time MBA costs $53,776 per year for in-state students and $71,956 per year for out-of-state students. However, nearly 50% of students in the Business School receive fellowship assistance, which can cover the full cost of tuition and fees.
9. University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a public research university in Tampa, Florida. Its Muma College of Business offers several MBA options which include concentrations like:
- compliance, risk, and anti-money laundering
- cybersecurity
- data analytics
- healthcare analytics
Tuition costs vary based on the specific MBA program, but the executive MBA costs $47,500 while the online MBA costs $750 per credit hour. USF offers scholarships and fellowships to help MBA students offset their costs.
10. University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. It offers executive, part-time, and full-time MBA programs through its Darden School of Business with concentrations such as:
- asset management and sales and trading
- corporate finance and investment banking
- entrepreneurship and innovation
- supply chain management
Darden charges $78,700 in tuition and fees for in-state residents earning an MBA and $81,700 for non-residents. To help students pay their tuition costs, the school offers numerous merit-based, need-based, and competitive scholarships, some of which will cover the total cost of tuition.
FAQs About Affordable MBA Programs
Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about affordable MBA programs.
What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing an Affordable MBA?
There are several factors to consider when choosing an affordable MBA. These include:
- Accreditation: Look for schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); all programs listed above are AACSB-accredited.
- Admissions requirements: Many business schools have specific application requirements, like a minimum GPA from your bachelor's degree and minimum GRE or GMAT scores.
- Concentrations: Different business schools offer different concentrations and electives for their business education programs, such as international business or project management.
- Financial aid: Even if a school has high tuition costs, if you qualify for financial aid, you may end up paying less than you would at a school with a lower cost of tuition.
- Format: Some programs are strictly in-person, while others offer online courses.
- Public vs. private: Public universities are generally less expensive than private ones, especially for in-state students.
Can You Get a Quality Education From an Inexpensive MBA Program?
It's possible to get a quality education from a low-cost MBA program. If you're concerned about the quality of a program, check its accreditation status, its U.S. News and World Report ranking, and student reviews.
Do MBA Students Qualify for Financial Aid and Scholarships?
Many MBA students qualify for financial aid and scholarships either through the government, the school, or a private corporation. Scholarships may be based on financial need or merit-based.
What Is the ROI of an MBA Degree?
The return on investment, or ROI, that you can get from an MBA depends on several factors, including the business school you attended and the career path you pursue. ROI is usually calculated by looking at debt versus salary.
For example, according to U.S. News and World Report, the salary-to-debt ratio for MBA graduates from North Carolina A&T within three months of graduation was 4-to-1, meaning students were making four times more per year than the amount of debt they had.
Find an Affordable Online MBA Degree Near You
If you are looking for a low-cost online MBA program specific to your area, find your state below.