100 Most Affordable MBA Programs from $7,458 to $17,745.
AACSB Accredited Campus Programs
$13,695
Average Tuition – 100 Most Affordable
$65,781
Average Starting Salary – 100 Most Affordable
467
Average GMAT Score – 100 Most Affordable
405%
Average ROI – 100 Most Affordable
The cost of earning an MBA differs wildly depending on the program you chose. Earning an MBA from the lowest-cost program in the U.S., Indiana University Northwest, will set you back only $7,458. At this price, earning an advanced degree is an exceptional investment for your career. And when you take into consideration that the Graduate ROI from this MBA program is 906% with an average starting salary of $75,000, it is the kind of program find that we like to point out to our prospective b-student users.
You might think the most expensive program in our list of the 100 most affordable AACSB MBA program would be considerably higher. However, you may be surprised to know that there is only an $10,287 different between the two. This leave plenty of room to find low cost gems with high high starting graduate salaries and high starting ROI.
A degree from the most expensive AACSB accredited MBA program in our list of the 100 most affordable AACSB MBA programs is from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and will cost you a mere $17,745. And when you take into consideration that the Graduate ROI from this MBA program is 270% with an average starting salary of $65,600, you are getting an exceptional value.
You will find many unknown gems that provide excellent accredited business education with tremendous value.
Starting salaries for the most affordable MBA program ranges between $39,900 from Grambling State University to $115,585 from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Graduate ROI from the most affordable MBA programs ranges from 168% from Francis Marion University to the astounding high of 1,139% from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
More well known and maybe prestigious MBA programs did not make our list of the 100 most affordable MBA programs. For instance, a degree from nation’s most expensive campus MBA program at University of Oklahoma, will set you back $3,330,624.00 with a Graduate ROI of -7% and an average starting salary of 166,391.
Interactive Table – 100 Most Affordable Campus MBA Programs
| Rank | University | In State Tuition | Avg. Starting Salary | Graduate ROI | State | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University South Bend | $7,458 | $60,300 | 709.00% | IN | Yes |
| 1 | Indiana University Northwest | $7,458 | $75,000 | 906.00% | IN | Yes |
| 3 | McNeese State University | $8,879 | $47,550 | 436.00% | LA | Yes |
| 4 | University of Central Oklahoma | $9,068 | $62,400 | 588.00% | OK | Yes |
| 5 | Southern Utah University | $9,212 | $53,800 | 484.00% | UT | Yes |
| 6 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana | $9,326 | $115,585 | 1,139.00% | TX | No |
| 7 | Savannah State University | $9,372 | $75,976 | 711.00% | GA | No |
| 8 | Arkansas Tech University | $9,435 | $44,250 | 369.00% | AR | Yes |
| 9 | Tennessee State University | $9,452 | $107,108 | 1,033.00% | TN | Yes |
| 10 | Sonoma State University | $9,494 | $86,300 | 809.00% | CA | No |
| 11 | North Carolina A&T State University | $9,790 | $107,327 | 996.00% | NC | Yes |
| 12 | Georgia Southern University | $9,824 | $70,200 | 615.00% | GA | Yes |
| 13 | University of North Georgia | $9,846 | $56,500 | 474.00% | GA | Yes |
| 14 | Columbus State University | $9,855 | $74,000 | 651.00% | GA | Yes |
| 15 | New Mexico State University | $10,314 | $73,500 | 613.00% | NM | Yes |
| 16 | Augusta University | $10,590 | $62,800 | 493.00% | GA | Yes |
| 17 | East Texas A&M University | $10,724 | $81,000 | 655.00% | TX | Yes |
| 18 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | $10,800 | $54,300 | 403.00% | LA | Yes |
| 19 | University of Houston-Victoria | $11,030 | $75,500 | 584.00% | TX | Yes |
| 20 | University of Central Arkansas | $11,239 | $53,700 | 378.00% | AR | Yes |
| 21 | Stephen F. Austin State University | $11,630 | $65,950 | 467.00% | TX | Yes |
| 22 | Emporia State University | $11,876 | $59,400 | 400.00% | KS | Yes |
| 23 | Mississippi College | $12,000 | $67,650 | 464.00% | MS | Yes |
| 24 | Angelo State University | $12,251 | $81,000 | 561.00% | TX | Yes |
| 25 | Mississippi State University | $12,294 | $91,600 | 645.00% | MS | Yes |
| 26 | Purdue University Northwest | $12,350 | $87,100 | 605.00% | IN | No |
| 27 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | $12,420 | $60,780 | 389.00% | OK | Yes |
| 28 | University of West Florida | $12,460 | $57,200 | 359.00% | FL | Yes |
| 29 | Louisiana State University Shreveport | $12,474 | $45,300 | 263.00% | LA | Yes |
| 30 | Western Kentucky University | $12,600 | $62,000 | 392.00% | KY | Yes |
| 31 | Central Connecticut State University | $12,848 | $85,000 | 562.00% | CT | No |
| 32 | Missouri Western State University | $12,893 | $51,750 | 301.00% | MO | Yes |
| 33 | University of Southern Indiana | $12,900 | $65,700 | 409.00% | IN | Yes |
| 34 | Henderson State University | $13,040 | $59,500 | 356.00% | AR | Yes |
| 35 | Lamar University | $13,153 | $63,600 | 384.00% | TX | Yes |
| 36 | Southeastern Louisiana University | $13,245 | $47,900 | 262.00% | LA | Yes |
| 37 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | $13,252 | $77,000 | 481.00% | TX | Yes |
| 38 | East Tennessee State University | $13,280 | $52,400 | 295.00% | TN | Yes |
| 39 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | $13,293 | $73,150 | 450.00% | NE | Yes |
| 40 | Longwood University | $13,361 | $64,200 | 381.00% | VA | Yes |
| 41 | Florida Gulf Coast University | $13,428 | $59,700 | 345.00% | FL | Yes |
| 42 | Youngstown State University | $13,500 | $64,400 | 377.00% | OH | Yes |
| 43 | Indiana University Kokomo | $13,563 | $66,900 | 393.00% | IN | Yes |
| 44 | Pittsburg State University | $13,785 | $52,600 | 282.00% | KS | Yes |
| 45 | Governors State University | $13,788 | $73,900 | 436.00% | IL | Yes |
| 45 | Southern Arkansas University | $13,788 | $74,000 | 437.00% | AR | Yes |
| 47 | Southeast Missouri State University | $13,804 | $59,400 | 330.00% | MO | Yes |
| 48 | University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras | $13,926 | $60,000 | 331.00% | PR | Yes |
| 49 | Utah Valley University | $13,956 | $75,700 | 442.00% | UT | No |
| 50 | Western Carolina University | $13,967 | $44,100 | 216.00% | NC | Yes |
| 51 | Black Hills State University | $14,114 | $52,650 | 273.00% | SD | Yes |
| 52 | Midwestern State University | $14,174 | $52,872 | 273.00% | TX | Yes |
| 53 | University of Montana | $14,260 | $89,000 | 524.00% | MT | Yes |
| 54 | California State University, Bakersfield | $14,272 | $78,600 | 451.00% | CA | Yes |
| 55 | University of South Alabama | $14,400 | $49,200 | 242.00% | AL | Yes |
| 56 | Jackson State University | $14,490 | $55,900 | 286.00% | MS | Yes |
| 57 | University of Illinois at Springfield | $14,833 | $68,300 | 360.00% | IL | Yes |
| 58 | University of South Dakota | $14,892 | $47,553 | 219.00% | SD | Yes |
| 59 | University of South Florida | $14,955 | $55,714 | 273.00% | FL | Yes |
| 60 | State University of New York College at Brockport | $15,000 | $55,950 | 273.00% | NY | Yes |
| 60 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo | $15,000 | $60,752 | 305.00% | PR | No |
| 62 | Missouri State University | $15,108 | $62,400 | 313.00% | MO | Yes |
| 63 | University of West Georgia | $15,125 | $59,800 | 295.00% | GA | Yes |
| 64 | State University of New York at New Paltz | $15,230 | $55,400 | 264.00% | NY | Yes |
| 65 | Western Illinois University | $15,231 | $67,800 | 345.00% | IL | Yes |
| 66 | Eastern Kentucky University | $15,264 | $42,450 | 178.00% | KY | Yes |
| 67 | Texas Southern University | $15,316 | $57,900 | 278.00% | TX | Yes |
| 68 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside | $15,327 | $63,450 | 314.00% | WI | Yes |
| 69 | Delaware State University | $15,625 | $46,300 | 196.00% | DE | Yes |
| 70 | California State University, San Marcos | $15,648 | $52,400 | 235.00% | CA | No |
| 71 | Troy University | $15,675 | $61,000 | 289.00% | AL | Yes |
| 72 | Francis Marion University | $15,918 | $42,600 | 168.00% | SC | Yes |
| 73 | Radford University | $15,984 | $91,600 | 473.00% | VA | Yes |
| 74 | Kansas State University | $16,049 | $77,550 | 383.00% | KS | Yes |
| 75 | University of Montevallo | $16,140 | $61,950 | 284.00% | AL | Yes |
| 76 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | $16,200 | $75,000 | 363.00% | AL | Yes |
| 77 | Lander University | $16,350 | $50,700 | 210.00% | SC | Yes |
| 78 | Murray State University | $16,455 | $90,419 | 449.00% | KY | Yes |
| 79 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $16,488 | $72,600 | 340.00% | MO | Yes |
| 80 | Eastern Washington University | $16,500 | $50,300 | 205.00% | WA | Yes |
| 81 | Louisiana Tech University | $16,518 | $46,771 | 183.00% | LA | Yes |
| 82 | Frostburg State University | $16,740 | $83,700 | 400.00% | MD | Yes |
| 83 | Purdue University Fort Wayne | $16,756 | $77,400 | 362.00% | IN | Yes |
| 84 | University of North Alabama | $16,830 | $60,000 | 257.00% | AL | Yes |
| 85 | Arkansas State University | $16,962 | $62,200 | 267.00% | AR | Yes |
| 86 | California State University, Dominguez Hills | $16,986 | $82,400 | 385.00% | CA | Yes |
| 87 | Clayton State University | $17,000 | $57,800 | 240.00% | GA | Yes |
| 88 | University of Southern Mississippi | $17,131 | $62,300 | 264.00% | MS | No |
| 89 | Cleveland State University | $17,209 | $64,319 | 274.00% | OH | Yes |
| 90 | Alabama A&M University | $17,313 | $48,200 | 178.00% | AL | Yes |
| 91 | Southern Connecticut State University | $17,432 | $67,435 | 287.00% | CT | Yes |
| 92 | Appalachian State University | $17,463 | $63,285 | 262.00% | NC | Yes |
| 93 | Binghamton University | $17,469 | $75,142 | 330.00% | NY | No |
| 94 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | $17,493 | $89,200 | 410.00% | NE | Yes |
| 95 | University of Nevada, Reno | $17,556 | $82,677 | 371.00% | NV | No |
| 96 | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | $17,578 | $88,625 | 404.00% | MA | No |
| 97 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $17,745 | $65,600 | 270.00% | TX | Yes |
| 98 | University of North Florida | $17,767 | $62,014 | 249.00% | FL | No |
| 99 | Idaho State University | $17,856 | $69,600 | 420.00% | ID | Yes |
| 100 | The University of Akron | $17,872 | $61,400 | 244.00% | OH | Yes |
If you notice any errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.
Detailed – 10 Most Affordable Campus MBA Programs
State-by-State List of Most Affordable Online MBA Programs
With such a wide range in price, there’s a degree program out there that will fit everyone’s budget. The average in-state tuition cost for an MBA program is $49,072.26. Use that as a starting point as you consider your options.
The table below shows the high, low and average tuition you’ll pay for an MBA degree depending on whether you qualify for in-state tuition at a public university, pay out-of-state tuition, or pay out-of-country tuition. As you navigate the data, keep in mind the following questions. Are you looking for the lowest cost program that meets your needs? Or a program that includes every bell and whistle on offer? Also, keep in mind that price is an important decision-making criteria when choosing where you’d like to study business, but not the only one.
Average MBA Tuition Cost in Each State
- District of Columbia - $90,411
- New Hampshire - $89,978
- Massachusetts - $74,823
- California - $62,786
- New York - $60,867
- Oregon - $58,058
- Pennsylvania - $56,493
- Virginia - $55,118
- Arizona - $54,870
- Maryland - $51,489
- Illinois - $51,473
- New Jersey - $46,967
- Minnesota - $45,364
- Connecticut - $45,159
- Tennessee - $43,733
- Colorado - $43,410
- North Carolina - $42,811
- Ohio - $42,273
- Michigan - $42,254
- Washington - $41,475
- Florida - $39,539
- Texas - $37,297
- Wisconsin - $35,924
- Missouri - $35,258
- Rhode Island - $34,848
- Utah - $34,122
- Georgia - $34,087
- Indiana - $33,345
- Vermont - $31,878
- Delaware - $30,726
- Louisiana - $29,905
- Wyoming - $26,460
- Iowa - $25,891
- Oklahoma - $25,050
- Alaska - $24,962
- Nebraska - $24,241
- South Carolina - $23,102
- Kentucky - $22,392
- West Virginia - $21,940
- Hawaii - $21,288
- Alabama - $20,760
- North Dakota - $20,455
- Nevada - $20,375
- Maine - $19,935
- Mississippi - $19,669
- Montana - $18,521
- Kansas - $18,385
- Arkansas - $18,238
- Idaho - $15,887
- South Dakota - $14,683
- - $14,497
- New Mexico - $13,961
Most Affordable MBA Programs Offered on-Campus
The table below list the ten most expensive U.S. MBA programs by their total tuition cost and the ten least expensive. What’s the difference in the education you’ll receive if you pay $100,000 or more in tuition for an MBA versus the $49,072.26 average or less? The University of Washington at Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business – ranking as the 10th least expensive business program in the U.S., is accredited by the AACSB. The University of Michigan’s Ross School, the 10th most expensive MBA program, is accredited by the same board. In that sense, the programs both pursue excellence and continuous improvement in their degree programs.
Differences are more subtle. U of M totes alumni living in 103 countries across the globe, 244 companies recruiting on campus, 5,168 jobs posted for their students to apply for, and their faculty’s high ranking for research. Consider what most important to you in this degree—low price or some of these benefits that with a more expensive school.
25 Most Affordable MBA Programs Offered on-Campus
- Indiana University Northwest - $7,458.00
- Indiana University South Bend - $7,458.00
- McNeese State University - $8,879.00
- University of Central Oklahoma - $9,068.00
- Southern Utah University - $9,212.00
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana - $9,326.00
- Savannah State University - $9,372.00
- Arkansas Tech University - $9,435.00
- Tennessee State University - $9,452.00
- Sonoma State University - $9,494.00
- Georgia Southwestern State University - $9,503.00
- North Carolina A&T State University - $9,790.00
- Georgia Southern University - $9,824.00
- University of North Georgia - $9,846.00
- Columbus State University - $9,855.00
- New Mexico State University - $10,314.00
- Augusta University - $10,590.00
- East Texas A&M University - $10,724.00
- University of Louisiana at Monroe - $10,800.00
- University of Houston-Victoria - $11,030.00
- University of Central Arkansas - $11,239.00
- Stephen F. Austin State University - $11,630.00
- Emporia State University - $11,876.00
- North Carolina Central University - $11,978.00
- Mississippi College - $12,000.00
25 Least Affordable MBA Programs Offered on-Campus
- University of Oklahoma - $3,330,624.00
- University of Pennsylvania - $179,852.00
- Columbia University - $176,600.00
- The University of Chicago - $167,393.00
- Stanford University - $165,591.00
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - $164,000.00
- Northwestern University - $162,030.00
- New York University - $160,130.00
- Cornell University - $159,820.00
- Duke University - $157,546.00
- Dartmouth College - $155,040.00
- University of Southern California - $154,339.00
- Yale University - $153,540.00
- Emory University - $151,689.00
- University of Virginia-McIntire - $151,200.00
- Harvard University - $149,820.00
- Carnegie Mellon University - $147,456.00
- University of California, Los Angeles - $142,142.00
- University of California, Berkeley - $139,628.00
- Rice University - $139,081.00
- The University of Michigan - $137,056.00
- Miami University - $136,342.00
- Washington University in St. Louis - $134,020.00
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School - $133,000.00
- Vanderbilt University - $131,000.00
Affordable MBA Programs
Considering an Online MBA Option
With more than 392 online MBA degrees offered, you can find a program and concentration that fits your needs and work full time while earning your MBA. Many online MBA programs have reasonable tuition costs. The average online degree costs $34,054, a couple thousand dollars less than the average campus program. If an online program allows you to continue to work full time and pursue your degree, that saves one of the biggest costs you’d otherwise face—lost wages.
An online MBA program may offer an additional advantage—a concentration not available at an in-state MBA program near you. To learn more about tuition for online MBA programs, see our online MBA programs ranked by tuition.
- About the Author
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Jeff Morrow is the Publisher of MBAGuide.org, where he leads content strategy, program evaluation, and data-driven rankings for prospective MBA students. Drawing from over three decades of experience in digital publishing, marketing, and platform development, Jeff helps readers make informed, confident decisions about their graduate business education. His focus on transparency, affordability, and outcomes has positioned MBAGuide.org as a trusted resource for comparing online MBA programs across the U.S. for over 10 years.
Before launching MBAGuide.org, Jeff held senior roles at Microsoft, CareerBuilder, and several venture-backed startups. At Microsoft, he managed the redesign and daily operations of TechNet, the company’s primary support portal for IT professionals. He drove major improvements in user experience, search optimization, and cost efficiency. His career has spanned content strategy, product marketing, and consulting for high-growth digital and SaaS ventures—experience he now channels into helping future business leaders navigate their MBA journey.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UCLA.
