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 The College of New Jersey, will set you back $5,389,552.00 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 | University of Toledo | $1,012 | $73,300 | 212.00% | OH | Yes |
| 2 | Loyola Marymount University | $1,802 | $89,900 | 1.00% | CA | No |
| 3 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | $4,884 | $60,000 | 233.00% | TX | Yes |
| 4 | Augusta University | $5,642 | $62,800 | 493.00% | GA | Yes |
| 5 | Idaho State University | $5,820 | $52,872 | 908.00% | ID | Yes |
| 6 | North Carolina A&T State University | $5,888 | $101,000 | 1,715.00% | NC | Yes |
| 7 | Savannah State University | $6,030 | $51,068 | 840.00% | GA | No |
| 8 | Georgia Southern University | $6,802 | $88,000 | 1,290.00% | GA | Yes |
| 9 | Southern Arkansas University | $6,894 | $73,500 | 1,060.00% | AR | Yes |
| 10 | Angelo State University | $7,247 | $81,000 | 1,110.00% | TX | Yes |
| 11 | Indiana University Northwest | $7,458 | $75,000 | 906.00% | IN | Yes |
| 12 | East Carolina University | $7,737 | $61,600 | 241.00% | NC | No |
| 13 | Valdosta State University | $7,800 | $50,000 | 640.00% | GA | Yes |
| 14 | Columbus State University | $7,950 | $74,000 | 930.00% | GA | Yes |
| 15 | Fayetteville State University | $8,064 | $54,300 | 79.00% | NC | Yes |
| 16 | Appalachian State University | $8,100 | $67,833 | 837.00% | NC | Yes |
| 16 | Indiana University Southeast | $8,100 | $64,650 | 261.00% | IN | Yes |
| 18 | University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras | $8,610 | $60,000 | 331.00% | PR | Yes |
| 19 | California State University, Dominguez Hills | $9,090 | $86,608 | 952.00% | CA | Yes |
| 20 | University of Central Arkansas | $9,240 | $53,700 | 581.00% | AR | Yes |
| 21 | Arkansas Tech University | $9,435 | $44,250 | 369.00% | AR | Yes |
| 22 | Tennessee State University | $9,452 | $107,108 | 1,033.00% | TN | Yes |
| 23 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana | $9,496 | $115,585 | 1,139.00% | TX | No |
| 24 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | $9,603 | $60,296 | 627.00% | NE | Yes |
| 25 | University of Houston-Clear Lake | $9,902 | $68,900 | 230.00% | TX | Yes |
| 26 | Black Hills State University | $9,990 | $52,650 | 273.00% | SD | Yes |
| 27 | California State University, Bakersfield | $10,260 | $78,600 | 451.00% | CA | Yes |
| 28 | Weber State University | $10,332 | $121,000 | 1,170.00% | UT | Yes |
| 29 | Stephen F. Austin State University | $10,600 | $65,950 | 467.00% | TX | Yes |
| 30 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | $10,800 | $77,000 | 710.00% | TX | Yes |
| 31 | McNeese State University | $10,879 | $45,000 | 413.00% | LA | Yes |
| 32 | Clayton State University | $11,055 | $40,000 | 361.00% | GA | Yes |
| 33 | California State University, Sacramento | $11,124 | $69,000 | 620.00% | CA | Yes |
| 34 | University of North Georgia | $11,355 | $62,014 | 546.00% | GA | Yes |
| 35 | Sam Houston State University | $11,520 | $69,200 | 600.00% | TX | Yes |
| 36 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | $11,584 | $63,300 | 250.00% | AR | Yes |
| 37 | Texas Woman's University | $11,628 | $79,925 | 300.00% | TX | Yes |
| 38 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | $11,670 | $60,200 | 515.00% | AL | Yes |
| 38 | Mississippi State University | $11,670 | $91,600 | 645.00% | MS | Yes |
| 40 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | $11,730 | $72,972 | 622.00% | OK | Yes |
| 41 | The University of Texas at Arlington | $11,950 | $78,000 | 652.00% | TX | Yes |
| 42 | Pittsburg State University | $11,970 | $45,600 | 380.00% | KS | Yes |
| 43 | Texas Southern University | $11,988 | $68,784 | 573.00% | TX | Yes |
| 44 | Mississippi College | $12,000 | $64,757 | 539.00% | MS | Yes |
| 45 | Indiana University South Bend | $12,180 | $60,300 | 495.00% | IN | Yes |
| 46 | California State University, Fullerton | $12,255 | $84,536 | 689.00% | CA | Yes |
| 47 | Jacksonville State University | $12,300 | $95,570 | 370.00% | AL | Yes |
| 48 | Florida Gulf Coast University | $12,322 | $59,700 | 345.00% | FL | Yes |
| 49 | Indiana University Kokomo | $12,414 | $66,900 | 530.00% | IN | Yes |
| 50 | Emporia State University | $12,600 | $59,400 | 400.00% | KS | Yes |
| 51 | Alabama A&M University | $12,660 | $62,000 | 489.00% | AL | Yes |
| 52 | Henderson State University | $12,837 | $59,500 | 356.00% | AR | Yes |
| 53 | The University of Texas at Tyler | $13,068 | $72,600 | 550.00% | TX | Yes |
| 54 | Southeastern Louisiana University | $13,245 | $47,900 | 262.00% | LA | Yes |
| 55 | Southeast Missouri State University | $13,530 | $59,400 | 330.00% | MO | Yes |
| 56 | University of Montevallo | $13,590 | $61,950 | 284.00% | AL | Yes |
| 57 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | $13,893 | $89,200 | 410.00% | NE | Yes |
| 58 | Ball State University | $13,920 | $44,394 | 318.00% | IN | Yes |
| 59 | University of Southern Indiana | $13,950 | $58,700 | 420.00% | IN | Yes |
| 59 | Longwood University | $13,950 | $64,200 | 381.00% | VA | Yes |
| 61 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | $14,184 | $68,800 | 485.00% | AL | Yes |
| 62 | Youngstown State University | $14,190 | $37,590 | 264.00% | OH | Yes |
| 63 | University of Montana | $14,260 | $57,000 | 400.00% | MT | Yes |
| 64 | Auburn University at Montgomery | $14,490 | $62,700 | 119.00% | AL | Yes |
| 65 | Louisiana State University Shreveport | $14,520 | $101,000 | 695.00% | LA | Yes |
| 66 | Troy University | $14,725 | $83,360 | 566.00% | AL | Yes |
| 67 | The University of Mississippi | $14,850 | $75,537 | 508.00% | MS | Yes |
| 67 | University of South Dakota | $14,850 | $68,000 | 457.00% | SD | Yes |
| 68 | Missouri Western State University | $14,850 | $51,750 | 348.00% | MO | Yes |
| 70 | New Mexico State University | $14,940 | $73,500 | 491.00% | NM | Yes |
| 70 | Nicholls State University | $14,940 | $73,500 | 491.00% | LA | Yes |
| 72 | Universidad Ana G. Méndez Gurabo | $15,000 | $60,752 | 305.00% | PR | No |
| 72 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $15,000 | $83,018 | 553.00% | CO | Yes |
| 74 | University of South Alabama | $15,150 | $49,200 | 242.00% | AL | Yes |
| 75 | West Texas A&M University | $15,190 | $88,000 | 579.00% | TX | Yes |
| 76 | East Texas A&M University | $15,210 | $65,300 | 429.00% | TX | Yes |
| 77 | California State Polytechnic University Pomona | $15,216 | $89,440 | 200.00% | CA | No |
| 78 | The University of Georgia | $15,334 | $149,000 | 971.00% | GA | Yes |
| 79 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside | $15,425 | $63,450 | 410.00% | WI | Yes |
| 80 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | $15,480 | $45,699 | 295.00% | PA | Yes |
| 81 | University of Central Oklahoma | $15,500 | $62,400 | 402.00% | OK | Yes |
| 82 | University of Illinois at Springfield | $15,720 | $85,000 | 540.00% | IL | Yes |
| 83 | Jackson State University | $15,750 | $55,900 | 286.00% | MS | Yes |
| 84 | Francis Marion University | $15,900 | $42,600 | 168.00% | SC | Yes |
| 85 | Lamar University | $16,000 | $63,600 | 384.00% | TX | Yes |
| 86 | Slippery Rock University | $16,020 | $61,100 | 380.00% | PA | Yes |
| 87 | Salem State University | $16,236 | $60,150 | 187.00% | MA | Yes |
| 88 | Lander University | $16,350 | $50,700 | 210.00% | SC | Yes |
| 89 | Delaware State University | $16,500 | $46,300 | 196.00% | DE | Yes |
| 90 | Southern Utah University | $16,632 | $76,721 | 461.00% | UT | Yes |
| 91 | Frostburg State University | $16,740 | $56,600 | 338.00% | MD | Yes |
| 92 | Salisbury University | $16,860 | $59,700 | 354.00% | MD | Yes |
| 93 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $16,992 | $65,600 | 270.00% | TX | Yes |
| 94 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | $17,031 | $105,000 | 616.00% | NV | Yes |
| 95 | University of Massachusetts Lowell | $17,036 | $61,467 | 360.00% | MA | Yes |
| 96 | Louisiana Tech University | $17,100 | $75,383 | 440.00% | LA | Yes |
| 97 | Missouri State University | $17,250 | $62,400 | 313.00% | MO | Yes |
| 98 | Arkansas State University | $17,292 | $71,917 | 415.00% | AR | Yes |
| 99 | University of Houston-Downtown | $17,374 | $49,120 | 282.00% | TX | Yes |
| 100 | Tennessee Technological University | $17,643 | $63,997 | 362.00% | TN | Yes |
If you notice any errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.
Detailed – 10 Most Affordable Campus MBA Programs
Indiana University Northwest
School of Business and Economics
Location:
- Gary
,
- IN
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- Master
- ·
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Evenings
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Online
- ·
- Part-Time
- ·
- Weekends
- Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Economics
- Finance
- General Business
- Leadership
- Management
- Marketing
Indiana University South Bend
Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics
Location:
- South Bend
,
- IN
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Evenings
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Online
- ·
- Part-Time
- ·
- Weekends
- Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Economics
- Finance
- General Business
- Healthcare Administration
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Management
- Marketing
- Other
Grambling State University
College of Business
Location:
- Grambling
,
- LA
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- Accounting
- Economics
- General Business
- Hospitality Management
- Information Systems
- Management
- Marketing
McNeese State University
College of Business
Location:
- Lake Charles
,
- LA
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Evenings
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Online
- ·
- Part-Time
- ·
- Weekends
- Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Finance
- General Business
- Management
- Marketing
University of Central Oklahoma
College of Business
Location:
- Edmond
,
- OK
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Degree Level(s):
- Master
- ·
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Online
- Accounting
- Economics
- Finance
- General Business
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Leadership
- Management
- Marketing
- Nonprofit
- Operations Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Quantitative Methods
- Real Estate
- Statistics
- Supply Chain
Southern Utah University
School of Business
Location:
- Cedar City
,
- UT
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- Master
- ·
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Distance Education
- ·
- Evenings
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Off Campus
- ·
- Online
- ·
- Part-Time
- ·
- Weekends
- Accounting
- Arts
- Corporate Finance
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Finance
- General Business
- Healthcare Administration
- Leadership
- Management
- Marketing
- Other
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
College of Business
Location:
- Texarkana
,
- TX
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Degree Level(s):
- Master
- ·
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Full-Time
- Energy
- Information Systems
- Management
- Supply Chain
Savannah State University
College of Business Administration
Location:
- Savannah
,
- GA
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- Master
- ·
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Part-Time
- General Business
- Management
- Science and Technology
Arkansas Tech University
College of Business
Location:
- Russellville
,
- AR
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Distance Education
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Online
- ·
- Part-Time
- Data Analytics
- General Business
- Management
- Marketing
Tennessee State University
College of Business
Location:
- Nashville
,
- TN
Control: Public
Academic Year: Semester
Accredited: AACSB
Accreditation: Business
Facebook, Linkedin and TwitterDegree Level(s):
- E-MBA
- ·
- MBA
- ·
- Undergraduate
Offered As:
- Campus
- ·
- Full-Time
- ·
- Online
- ·
- Part-Time
- Accounting
- Economics
- General Business
- Information Systems
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 $85,144.54. 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 $85,144.54 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
- University of Toledo - $1,012.00
- Loyola Marymount University - $1,802.00
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi - $4,884.00
- Augusta University - $5,642.00
- Idaho State University - $5,820.00
- North Carolina A&T State University - $5,888.00
- Savannah State University - $6,030.00
- Georgia Southern University - $6,802.00
- Southern Arkansas University - $6,894.00
- Angelo State University - $7,247.00
- Tarleton State University - $7,260.00
- Indiana University Northwest - $7,458.00
- East Carolina University - $7,737.00
- Valdosta State University - $7,800.00
- Columbus State University - $7,950.00
- Fayetteville State University - $8,064.00
- Indiana University Southeast - $8,100.00
- Appalachian State University - $8,100.00
- University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras - $8,610.00
- California State University, Dominguez Hills - $9,090.00
- University of Central Arkansas - $9,240.00
- Arkansas Tech University - $9,435.00
- Tennessee State University - $9,452.00
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana - $9,496.00
- Georgia Southwestern State University - $9,503.00
25 Least Affordable MBA Programs Offered on-Campus
- The College of New Jersey - $5,389,552.00
- The University of New Mexico - $3,496,158.00
- University of Oklahoma - $3,330,624.00
- University of Arkansas - $2,914,942.00
- Montclair State University - $2,682,042.00
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - $1,992,096.00
- Illinois State University - $1,521,252.00
- University of Central Florida - $1,441,635.00
- Western Carolina University - $1,187,352.00
- Stony Brook University - $907,101.00
- Clark University - $198,000.00
- Cornell University - $173,192.00
- Northeastern Illinois University - $157,542.00
- Emory University - $153,800.00
- Marquette University - $144,000.00
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School - $144,000.00
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - $138,348.00
- Texas Christian University - $136,140.00
- Western Illinois University - $129,987.00
- University of West Florida - $124,608.00
- University of Miami - $121,980.00
- Syracuse University - $105,030.00
- Chapman University - $103,750.00
- Claremont Graduate University - $96,960.00
- Santa Clara University - $96,670.00
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
- Latest Posts
As the publisher of mbaguide.org for over 10 years, Jeff leads the platform’s data-driven ranking methodology, content strategy, and program evaluation. His three decades of experience in digital publishing, marketing, and SaaS give him a deep understanding of how to use data to create transparent, outcome-focused resources. Jeff’s leadership ensures that every ranking and comparison is built on the rigorous, evidence-based process that helps future business leaders make informed decisions.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UCLA.
