Top 10 Affordable MBA Programs in Washington

Earning a Master of Business Administration can open new doors for career advancement as a business professional. Though you may feel that higher education costs could prevent you from pursuing this advanced degree, consider looking into affordable MBA programs. Washington residents have many options to pursue their graduate business education.

Working individuals can benefit from flexible online MBA programs. Many affordable online colleges in Washington offer these degree programs. Ensure you check out each college's financial aid options and enrollment deadlines.

Top Affordable MBA Programs in Washington

MBA students can receive a high-quality education without overspending by enrolling in affordable Washington MBA programs. The demand for MBA graduates is growing across various industries, such as healthcare management.

Many organizations require individuals with decision-making, data analytics, and leadership skills. A graduate degree can open doors to a higher salary, a promotion within your company, or other career opportunities. Before enrolling in a program, look into financial aid options

and ensure your bachelor's degree is accepted. Some MBA programs require specific bachelor's degrees for enrollment.

1. University of Washington

The University of Washington is a private research university in Seattle. It offers a full-time MBA program through the Foster School of Business. The program offers a tough curriculum with a broad network to provide career support to students. Notable courses include:

• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Foundations of Entrepreneurship
• Project Management
• Competitive & Corporate Strategy

2. Seattle University

Seattle University is a private Jesuit Catholic university in Seattle. The school offers a professional part-time MBA program through the Albers School of Business and Economics.

Students typically complete the program within two to three years. The program is offered on campus and requires students to complete 54 credit hours. Core courses include:

• Corporate Financial Management
• Managerial Accounting for Organizational Leadership
• Data Management in Business
• International Management

3. Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University is a public four-year university in Cheney, WA. It offers an AACSB-accredited online MBA program for working individuals pursuing their career goals.

The program has business online learning courses with several concentrations, such as general business. Students can complete the MBA within 10 months of study. Courses in this MBA degree program include:

• Marketing Management
• International Forensics Accounting
• Quantitative Analysis in Business
• Essentials of Operations Management

4. Washington State University

Washington State University, or WSU, is a public research university in Pullman, WA. It offers online and executive MBA programs through the Carson College of Business.

Qualified candidates for WSU's MBA program don't have to complete the GMAT. The online Master of Business Administration includes a mix of core and elective courses. Some of these include:

• Applying Design Thinking to Career and Life
• Managerial Leadership and Productivity
• Strategic Planning for Personal and Program Success
• Information Systems Management

5. Whitworth University

Whitworth University is a private Christian university in Spokane, WA. It offers part-time and accelerated full-time MBA programs depending on the student's needs.

Students can complete the accelerated MBA in nine months. MBA courses at Whitworth start every six weeks. Courses students can expect to take include:

• Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
• Optimizing Human Resources
• Economics of the Firm
• Business Statistics & Decision Analysis

6. Western Washington University

Western Washington University, or WWU, is a public four-year university in Bellingham, WA. The school offers its MBA program through the College of Business and Economics.

WWU students can enroll in a daytime, evening, or weekend MBA. Each program type has distinct requirements. Students can expect to take courses such as:

• Introduction to Professional Management
• Competing in a Global Environment
• Managing Organizations and People
• Managerial Accounting

7. Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University is a private nonprofit Jesuit university in Spokane, WA. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Gonzaga's part-time MBA is the 53rd-best program out of 269.

The university offers its MBA through the School of Business Administration. The class sizes are small and available online or on campus. Core courses here include:

• Operations Theory and Practice
• Marketing Theory and Practice
• Information Systems Theory and Practice
• Economic Environment of the Firm

8. Saint Martin's University

Saint Martin's University is a private Benedictine university in Lacey, WA. It offers an MBA focused on teaching students soft and hard skills.

The program helps students expand their network and enhance their leadership skills. Students have unique opportunities, such as studying abroad and choosing flexible class times. Some courses in this MBA program include:

• Strategy and Policy Analysis
• Accounting for Managerial Decision Making
• Financial Planning and Control
• Commercial Law

9. Northwest University

Northwest University is a private Christian university in Kirkland, WA. The school offers an MBA program in its innovative HyFlex format. The HyFlex model accommodates working professionals enrolled in Northwest's various graduate programs.

This MBA program has two concentrations, project management and leadership. Classes meet once a week, and the program lasts for about two years. Courses students can expect to take include:

• Organizational Management
• Business Innovation and Research
• Corporate Strategy
• Applied Economics for Managers

10. City University of Seattle

The City University of Seattle is a private nonprofit university in Seattle. It offers online, mixed-mode, weekday in-class, and intensive weekend MBA programs.

The MBA programs focus on teaching students about modern business practices, digital marketing, and ethics. No standardized tests are required to enroll in this school's MBA programs. Courses here include:

• Leadership, Influence, and Currency of Trust
• Law and Governing the Modern Business
• Digital Marketing and Analytics
• Data-Driven Decision Making

FAQs About Affordable MBA Programs

Many students still have questions about finding an MBA program. Here are some frequently asked questions about affordable MBA programs in Washington.

How Can I Make My MBA Affordable?

There are many ways to make an MBA degree program more affordable. Common ways to do this include:

• completing the FAFSA online application
• exploring scholarship and grant options
• participating in a work-study program
• seeking employer tuition reimbursement

After filling out the FAFSA form, you will see what financial aid you qualify for. Submitting the FAFSA early increases your chances of receiving more financial aid because plenty of funding is available. Ensure you don't miss your school's FAFSA application deadline.

What Is the ROI for MBA Programs in Washington?

The return on investment (ROI) for MBA programs in Washington depends on each person. Common ways to calculate ROI include:

• accounting for degree costs
• estimating financial benefits
• determining net profit
• considering non-financial benefits

When determining the financial benefits of earning an MBA, the University of Washington found that the average starting salary of the class of 2023 was over $150,000 yearly. Other benefits include earning higher positions within a company and more networking opportunities.

How Much Can I Make With an MBA Degree in Washington?

The salary an MBA graduate makes in Washington depends on several factors. Some of these factors include:

• professional experience
• school reputation
• specialization

When considering the average salaries of MBA graduates, research by different institutions and organizations suggests different figures. For example, the Graduate Management Admission Council estimated that MBA graduates in 2023 would make an average of $125,000.