2025 Best MBA Programs in Project Management

MBA Programs in Project Management
Tuition, ROI, Graduate Salary, GMAT Requirements

10 Best Ranked | Interactive Table | Salaries | Tuition | ROI | GMAT | Alumni Networking | How We Rank

Executive Summary for MBA Programs in Project Management MBA Programs

The ranking team at MBAGuide.org, evaluated 27 Project Management MBA programs. Here is a summary of our comprehensive findings. Explore the details about the Project Management MBA, compare schools, find states and cities where the degree is offered.

1. Comprehensive comparisons, data and analysis – MBAGuide conducted an in-depth analysis of 27 AACSB-accredited campus MBA programs in Project Management to find the top programs in the country.
2. Ranking metrics you care about – such as average starting salaries, tuition fees, return on investment (ROI), GMAT scores, alumni networks, student-to-faculty ratios, and more with no paywall.
3. Detailed school profiles of Project Management MBA programs their strengths, faculty expertise, alumni networks to help align your program choice

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Best 10 MBA Programs in Project Management

Interactive Table of the Best Ranked MBA Programs in Project Management

Easily sort the interactive table below to find the best Project Management MBA programs by Rank, School Name, ROI, Tuition, Average Starting Salary, and Campus or Online to find and to compare MBA programs in Project Management. Click on any school for a comprehensive school profile.

Rank	University	ROI	In State Tuition	Avg. Starting Salary	State	Online
1	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	33.00%	$100,218	$133,517	NC	Yes
2	Washington University in St. Louis	-12.00%	$134,020	$117,687	MO	Yes
3	University of California, Davis	14.00%	$95,438	$109,075	CA	Yes
4	University of Cincinnati	263.00%	$23,996	$87,013	OH	Yes
5	George Mason University	192.00%	$37,737	$110,100	VA	Yes
6	Purdue University	110.00%	$44,816	$94,000	IN	Yes
7	San Jose State University	131.00%	$39,270	$90,800	CA	Yes
8	California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	312.00%	$27,462	$113,151	CA	No
9	Wright State University	310.00%	$28,080	$115,000	OH	Yes
10	Minnesota State University Moorhead	224.00%	$26,220	$85,000	MN	Yes
11	California State University, Chico	266.00%	$24,000	$87,750	CA	Yes
12	University of Detroit Mercy	160.00%	$28,050	$72,900	MI	Yes
13	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	200.00%	$29,168	$87,400	WI	Yes
14	Ashland University	151.00%	$30,300	$76,001	OH	Yes
15	Illinois State University	284.00%	$20,050	$76,900	IL	No
16	University of Portland	25.00%	$58,617	$73,500	OR	No
17	University of Toledo	212.00%	$23,506	$73,300	OH	Yes
18	Arkansas State University	267.00%	$16,962	$62,200	AR	Yes
19	William Paterson University	196.00%	$23,820	$70,500	NJ	Yes
20	University of Nebraska at Kearney	450.00%	$13,293	$73,150	NE	Yes
21	Loyola University New Orleans	46.00%	$37,980	$55,290	LA	Yes
22	University of West Florida	359.00%	$12,460	$57,200	FL	Yes
23	Fayetteville State University	79.00%	$30,268	$54,300	NC	Yes
24	Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo	305.00%	$15,000	$60,752	PR	No

An MBA program in Project Management will cost you between $12,460.00 to $134,020.00.

• Number of Programs Offering Project Management MBAs: 27
• Average GMAT Score for Project Management MBA Programs: 559
• Average In-State Tuition for Project Management MBA Programs: $38,363.79
• Average Graduate Salary for Project Management MBA Programs: $84,854
• Average ROI for Project Management MBA Programs: 197%

Compare Project Management MBA Program Averages vs Campus

Averages	MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs
Number of Programs	27	22
Average Starting Salary	$84,854	$85,609
Average MBA Tuition	$38,364	$39,980
Average ROI	197%	185%
Average GMAT Scores	559	568
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty	62	62
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio	17:1	17:1
Faculty with Doctorate	84%	84%
Average Full-Time MBA Enrollment	262	291
Average Part-Time MBA Enrollment	322	349
Average % of MBA Students from U.S.	84%	84%

Read about our ranking methodology.

What is the Average MBA Salary for Project Management Graduates?

Though it’s not the only factor, compensation is an important consideration for individuals considering obtaining an MBA degree. Salaries for graduates with master’s degrees in Project Management can be significantly higher than those of graduates with only a bachelor’s degree. In addition, advance salary projections from the US Department of Labor show that average MBA salaries are expected to increase by 13.5% each year through the year 2028 with an annual need of 99,000 new managers needed each year.

MBA salaries differs wildly depending on the program you chose, the industry you enter and the experience you have. After earning an MBA from Fayetteville State University, the average MBA graduate annual salary is $54,300 . A degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will provide an annual salary of $133,517.

Average MBA starting salary for graduates from accredited programs is $84,854 with the lowest of starting of $54,300 and the highest reported starting salary of $133,517.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person Project Management MBA Programs

• Average Project Management: $84,854
• Lowest Project Management: $54,300
• Highest Project Management: $133,517

Average Salary for Graduate of MBA Programs in Project Management Programs – Interactive Table

Easily sort the interactive table below to find the best Project Management MBA programs by Starting Salary, and Campus or Online to find and to compare MBA programs in Project Management. Click on any school for a comprehensive school profile.

Rank	University	Avg. Starting Salary	In State Tuition	ROI	State	Online
1	Fayetteville State University	$54,300	$30,268	79.00%	NC	Yes
2	Loyola University New Orleans	$55,290	$37,980	46.00%	LA	Yes
3	University of West Florida	$57,200	$12,460	359.00%	FL	Yes
4	Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo	$60,752	$15,000	305.00%	PR	No
5	Arkansas State University	$62,200	$16,962	267.00%	AR	Yes
6	William Paterson University	$70,500	$23,820	196.00%	NJ	Yes
7	University of Detroit Mercy	$72,900	$28,050	160.00%	MI	Yes
8	University of Nebraska at Kearney	$73,150	$13,293	450.00%	NE	Yes
9	University of Toledo	$73,300	$23,506	212.00%	OH	Yes
10	University of Portland	$73,500	$58,617	25.00%	OR	No
11	Ashland University	$76,001	$30,300	151.00%	OH	Yes
12	Illinois State University	$76,900	$20,050	284.00%	IL	No
13	Minnesota State University Moorhead	$85,000	$26,220	224.00%	MN	Yes
14	University of Cincinnati	$87,013	$23,996	263.00%	OH	Yes
15	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	$87,400	$29,168	200.00%	WI	Yes
16	California State University, Chico	$87,750	$24,000	266.00%	CA	Yes
17	San Jose State University	$90,800	$39,270	131.00%	CA	Yes
18	Purdue University	$94,000	$44,816	110.00%	IN	Yes
19	University of California, Davis	$109,075	$95,438	14.00%	CA	Yes
20	George Mason University	$110,100	$37,737	192.00%	VA	Yes
21	California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	$113,151	$27,462	312.00%	CA	No
22	Wright State University	$115,000	$28,080	310.00%	OH	Yes
23	Washington University in St. Louis	$117,687	$134,020	-12.00%	MO	Yes
24	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	$133,517	$100,218	33.00%	NC	Yes

What is the Average In-Person MBA Tuition for Project Management Programs?

If you plan on attending an MBA program, it’s best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

The average in-state tuition for an MBA in Project Management is $38,363.79 compared to an average campus program Project Management is $38,363.79 .

The lowest AACSB tuition rate at $12,460.00 from University of West Florida.

The highest AACSB tuition rate is $134,020.00 from Washington University in St. Louis.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs in Project Management

• Average: $38,363.79
• Lowest: $12,460.00 from University of West Florida
• Highest: $134,020.00 from Washington University in St. Louis

Interactive Table – Tuition for MBA Programs in Project Management Programs

Easily sort the interactive table below to find the best Project Management MBA programs by Tuition to find and to compare MBA programs in Project Management. Click on any school for a comprehensive school profile.

Rank	University	In State Tuition	Avg. Starting Salary	ROI	State	Online
1	University of West Florida	$12,460	$57,200	359.00%	FL	Yes
2	University of Nebraska at Kearney	$13,293	$73,150	450.00%	NE	Yes
3	Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo	$15,000	$60,752	305.00%	PR	No
4	Arkansas State University	$16,962	$62,200	267.00%	AR	Yes
5	Illinois State University	$20,050	$76,900	284.00%	IL	No
6	University of Toledo	$23,506	$73,300	212.00%	OH	Yes
7	William Paterson University	$23,820	$70,500	196.00%	NJ	Yes
8	University of Cincinnati	$23,996	$87,013	263.00%	OH	Yes
9	California State University, Chico	$24,000	$87,750	266.00%	CA	Yes
10	Minnesota State University Moorhead	$26,220	$85,000	224.00%	MN	Yes
11	California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	$27,462	$113,151	312.00%	CA	No
12	University of Detroit Mercy	$28,050	$72,900	160.00%	MI	Yes
13	Wright State University	$28,080	$115,000	310.00%	OH	Yes
14	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	$29,168	$87,400	200.00%	WI	Yes
15	Fayetteville State University	$30,268	$54,300	79.00%	NC	Yes
16	Ashland University	$30,300	$76,001	151.00%	OH	Yes
17	George Mason University	$37,737	$110,100	192.00%	VA	Yes
18	Loyola University New Orleans	$37,980	$55,290	46.00%	LA	Yes
19	San Jose State University	$39,270	$90,800	131.00%	CA	Yes
20	Purdue University	$44,816	$94,000	110.00%	IN	Yes
21	University of Portland	$58,617	$73,500	25.00%	OR	No
22	University of California, Davis	$95,438	$109,075	14.00%	CA	Yes
23	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	$100,218	$133,517	33.00%	NC	Yes
24	Washington University in St. Louis	$134,020	$117,687	-12.00%	MO	Yes

What is the Average ROI for MBA Programs in Project Management?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school’s reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you’re not just making a decision—you’re making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

For MBA programs in across the U.S., the ROI ranges from -12% to 450%.The lowest MBA ROI of -12% is from the program at Washington University in St. Louis.The highest MBA ROI of 450% is offered by University of Nebraska at Kearney.On average, MBA programs across the U.S. have an ROI of 186%.

Interactive Table – ROI for MBA Programs in Project Management Programs

Easily sort the interactive table below to find the best Project Management MBA programs by ROI to find and to compare MBA programs in Project Management. Click on any school for a comprehensive school profile.

Rank	University	ROI	In State Tuition	Avg. Starting Salary	State	Online
1	University of Nebraska at Kearney	450.00%	$13,293	$73,150	NE	Yes
2	University of West Florida	359.00%	$12,460	$57,200	FL	Yes
3	California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	312.00%	$27,462	$113,151	CA	No
4	Wright State University	310.00%	$28,080	$115,000	OH	Yes
5	Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo	305.00%	$15,000	$60,752	PR	No
6	Illinois State University	284.00%	$20,050	$76,900	IL	No
7	Arkansas State University	267.00%	$16,962	$62,200	AR	Yes
8	California State University, Chico	266.00%	$24,000	$87,750	CA	Yes
9	University of Cincinnati	263.00%	$23,996	$87,013	OH	Yes
10	Minnesota State University Moorhead	224.00%	$26,220	$85,000	MN	Yes
11	University of Toledo	212.00%	$23,506	$73,300	OH	Yes
12	University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	200.00%	$29,168	$87,400	WI	Yes
13	William Paterson University	196.00%	$23,820	$70,500	NJ	Yes
14	George Mason University	192.00%	$37,737	$110,100	VA	Yes
15	University of Detroit Mercy	160.00%	$28,050	$72,900	MI	Yes
16	Ashland University	151.00%	$30,300	$76,001	OH	Yes
17	San Jose State University	131.00%	$39,270	$90,800	CA	Yes
18	Purdue University	110.00%	$44,816	$94,000	IN	Yes
19	Fayetteville State University	79.00%	$30,268	$54,300	NC	Yes
20	Loyola University New Orleans	46.00%	$37,980	$55,290	LA	Yes
21	The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	33.00%	$100,218	$133,517	NC	Yes
22	University of Portland	25.00%	$58,617	$73,500	OR	No
23	University of California, Davis	14.00%	$95,438	$109,075	CA	Yes

ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 186%
• Lowest: -12%
• Highest: 450%

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in Project Management?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

Even though some B-Schools may not require a GMAT Scores, there’s a good chance that a highly-competitive MBA program does require the GMAT. With that being said, average GMAT Scores for in-person MBA programs in Project Management is 559 with a highest of 706 and the lowest of 475

The average GMAT score needed for a Project Management MBA program from an institution is between 475 from University of Toledo to 706 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The average GMAT scores for Project Management MBA programs is 559.

It’s important to note that not all MBA programs require a GMAT Score for admissions, but most reputable programs do. With that being said, if you have your eye on a list of competitive programs, it’s best to boost your GMAT Score accordingly. Outside of a solid GMAT Score, B-School admissions departments look at a candidate’s undergraduate GPA, professional experience, letters of recommendation, CV, and personal statement. A strong undergraduate performance may offset a sub-part GMAT Score. The average GMAT Score for on-campus MBA programs in Project Management is a 558.65 compared to an average MBA program score of 558.65. It is recommended that each B-School applicant take a GMAT diagnostic test in order to determine whether or not further study and/or a prep course is needed to boost your score.

Average GMAT Score for MBA Programs in Project Management

• Average: 559
• Lowest: 475
• Highest: 706

No GMAT or GRE: Best MBA Programs in Project Management

More than 233 AACSB accredited MBA programs do not require their applicants to take GMAT exam. Many well-known programs such as the University of Michigan and the University of California, Los Angeles no longer require the exam. If you are unsure where you would like to take your program, then you should take the GMAT sooner rather than later so you don’t lose time meeting the score requirement of a program.

Alumni from Schools Offering an MBA in Project Management

There are pros and cons when considering the size of your MBA in Accounting program. Larger, more diverse student populations, may lend itself to greater networking and job placement opportunities; whereas smaller programs may provide for more meaningful interactions with fellow classmates.

The importance of networking, whether it’s by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated when considering an MBA program. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, your ability to define your career goals and after graduation connections.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Project Management MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 9 and 1,770. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 23.00 and : 733.00.

Average Enrollment for MBA Programs Offering an MBA in Project Management

• Lowest: 9 from University of Nebraska at Kearney
• Highest: 1,770 from Washington University in St. Louis
• Average: 262 from 27 MBA Programs.

Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA Programs in Project Management

For most students, their professors are the first exposure to the business world. They are normally practitioners in the field and have successful risen to the top of their respective careers. B-School Project Management Professors can guide you toward a specific concentration, provide the latest industry trends, and put you on the right track, career-wise. The Student/Faculty ratio is important to those interested in building a lasting relationship with their professor. To use them as a networking opportunity and an advisor.

Top 10 Concentrations Available from Schools Also Offering an Degree in Project Management?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of Project Management businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 47 MBA concentrations including:

• Project Management: 25
• Marketing: 22
• Finance: 22
• Accounting: 19
• General Business: 19
• Information Systems: 17
• Data Analytics: 17
• Corporate Finance: 16
• Management: 16
• Supply Chain: 15

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• David B. O’Maley College of Business: 30
• Nova Southeastern University: 25
• University of Cincinnati: 24
• Suffolk University: 23
• Harvard University: 23
• Temple University: 23
• Drexel University: 23
• University of Baltimore: 22
• University of California, Berkeley: 22
• The Ohio State University: 22

The Importance of MBA Accreditation for MBA Programs

The importance of accreditation can’t be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

MBA Program Options Available for Project Management MBA Programs

Options for earning your Project Management MBA have never been more flexible. Project Management MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

There are 27 Project Management accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 18 public schools offering Project Management MBA programs.

Number of Award Earned for MBA Programs Offering an Project Management Degree

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 27 accredited MBA programs offered in Project Management, 21 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication MBAGuide, PQ, US News, Forbes, BW, FT and Economist garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

• Purdue University: 7
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 7
• Washington University in St. Louis: 7
• University of California, Davis: 5
• University of Cincinnati: 4
• Fayetteville State University: 1
• University of Portland: 1
• University of Detroit Mercy: 1
• Loyola University New Orleans: 1
• University of West Florida: 1
• Illinois State University: 1
• George Mason University: 1
• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh: 1
• California State University, Chico: 1
• University of Nebraska at Kearney: 1
• University of Toledo: 1
• Minnesota State University Moorhead: 1
• William Paterson University: 1
• Wright State University: 1
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for an MBA degree in Project Management :

• MBAGuide: 21
• US News: 5
• Forbes: 4
• BW: 4
• FT: 3
• Economist: 4

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in Project Management

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

What is an MBA in Project Management?

MBA Programs in Project Management equip students with the specific methods, processes, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve project objectives according to the project criteria within agreed parameters. Unlike ordinary management that is an ongoing process, project management has a finite timespan and a final deliverable.

The purpose of project management is to foresee or predict upcoming dangers and problems that may likely occur. It also helps plan, organize, and control activities to ensure that the project is completed successfully, irrespective of the risks involved. 

An MBA program in Project Management introduces real-life situations you will be facing as a Project Manager and what to do to make accurate, strategic and tactical decisions.

As the US economy grows and is becoming linked with the economies of other nations, now is the best time to acquire the skills needed to manage projects efficiently. Getting an MBA in Project Management is a wise investment as there has never been a time when the skill is low. Rather, the demand for project managers is growing rapidly across the US. A project manager with an MBA in Project Management can find employment in construction, healthcare, industrial production, IT, consulting, or other areas. Although the content of an MBA in Project Management is similar across the United States, not all MBA in Project Management is the same.

The financial cost to get the degree differs from institutions. Some institutions might take a longer or shorter time to complete the MBA. The period might be a deal-breaker for you as shorter programs tend to be intense, while longer ones can be flexible yet be considered a waste of valuable time.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, one of the most in-demand graduate degrees available today and offers students the chance to learn an effective, diverse mixture of management theory and applied strategies from communication and supply chain management skills to financial and marketing needs.

With a strong focus on applied sciences and business knowledge, MBA students experience real-world interactions with other students and professors, providing a sense of collaboration between students as they tackle different facets of business theory.

An MBA with a concentration in business Analytics an advanced graduate degree that helps students build the critical tools and framework necessary to lead, manage, and grow businesses. Generally offered as a 2-year program, the majority of MBA programs require candidates to have at least 3 years of work experience before they begin the course work.

Common program requirements include accepting at least one internship during the term, writing a thesis or capstone project reflecting on the student’s growth over the year, and passing an exit exam or comprehensive final examination.

What Typical Classes Will I Take in My Project Management MBA Program?

Business schools typically offer programs that provide a comprehensive, rigorous training in business fundamentals and leadership. Full-time and part-time curricula exist, with part-time programs requiring students to balance school with full-time employment. As a student, you have the option of emphasizing an area of expertise by choosing a major or completing an integrated program. MBAs have flexibility in course selection due to the curriculum’s interdisciplinary nature; however, a typical curriculum has core courses, as well as required and elective courses in various disciplines.

Typically, to get into an MBA program, you must have had a bachelor’s degree or its equivalence. Most business schools desire these qualifications to ensure that you can pursue post-graduate school studies.

When you gain admission into a business school for your MBA program, there are courses you are expected to take. Below are some of the courses you will be offering:

• Human Resources Management — Project managers should be able to effectively manage team members. Human Resources Management is one of the courses offered in business schools for prospective project managers. At the end of the course, you should be able to perform administrative functions in an organization. Since project managers can work in a variety of situations and different industries, they should understand hiring processes, interviewing people, consulting, and strategic planning.
• Strategic Planning — A project manager should ensure that team members are working toward common goals. At the end of this course, the project manager should be able to prioritize tasks, delegate activities, and ensure that the team spirit is focused on achieving the goal of the project. Students taking this course will have the potential to develop a strategic plan in real-life situations.
• Data Analytics — Data is the lifeline of businesses. One way to know whether a team is meeting its objectives is by analyzing the data. Fast-rising project managers should be able to read data and make accurate conclusions. The data analytics course in top institutions will expose a project manager to a variety of data. At the end of the course, the student should be able to model data from real-life instances and present them in a simplified manner to stakeholders.

What is the Starting Salary for Project Management MBAs?

The salary for a project manager depends on the industry and experience. The average starting salary for MBA students from Universities that offer an MBA in Project Management is $79,206, and the lowest starting salary is $55,955. The highest reported starting salary is $112,012.

The average salary of a project manager in some industries are given below:

• Aerospace – $118,000
• Agriculture, Mining, and Natural Resources – $130,000
• Consulting – $125,000
• Engineering – $117,500
• Government – $113,875
• Information Technology – $114,000
• Pharmaceutical – $129,000
• Utility – $117,875

Project Management Earnings by State and Experience

The amount you earn as a project manager also depends on where you are working. For instance, the District of Columbia pays Project Managers the highest salaries, followed by Maryland.

However, there are other factors that influence the amount you are paid as a Project Manager. Some of these factors are discussed below:

• Years of Experience — A project manager with more than three years of experience will earn more than a fresh graduate. The difference in the salary of a fresh graduate in Project Management and an experienced Project Manager can be up to $15,000 or more.
• Industry — The type of industry you work as a Project Manager can also determine how much you will earn. Project managers in consulting firms can earn as high as $132,500.
• Team Size — As a project manager, you will have to manage teams. However, the size of the team you manage can be used to calculate what your salary will be. For example, a project manager that manages a large team will get paid a higher salary compared to a manager that manages a smaller team.
• Location — The state or city you are working in can also affect what your salary will be as a project manager. The District of Columbia and the states around it — Maryland and Virginia — pay a significantly huge amount for project managers.

According to data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, MBA pay and employment for 2022 is listed in the table below.

State	Employment	1 to 4 Years	5 to 9 Years	10 to 19 Years	20+ Years
Alabama	7,270	$52,010	$64,620	$110,010	$134,210
Alaska	2,750	$50,510	$62,900	$102,030	$125,270
Arizona	25,710	$45,560	$58,790	$102,480	$128,620
Arkansas	8,800	$34,040	$43,970	$80,760	$106,020
California	227,470	$41,370	$57,660	$111,730	$145,510
Colorado	53,490	$46,640	$60,410	$110,650	$142,190
Connecticut	9,880	$52,600	$65,200	$108,530	$139,190
Delaware	1,970	$56,150	$66,660	$109,420	$133,350
District of Columbia	40,120	$58,800	$74,660	$127,980	$170,790
Florida	95,330	$33,310	$45,400	$92,580	$121,080
Georgia	56,450	$32,850	$48,440	$97,550	$129,440
Hawaii	5,040	$43,670	$57,000	$94,940	$112,890
Idaho	4,730	$41,530	$53,210	$94,980	$119,950
Illinois	54,350	$44,570	$60,920	$108,300	$132,150
Indiana	13,150	$38,810	$51,020	$90,640	$115,440
Iowa	10,410	$39,390	$52,330	$88,250	$111,650
Kansas	11,260	$43,570	$55,750	$95,560	$117,890
Kentucky	12,630	$39,930	$49,730	$87,390	$111,340
Louisiana	20,870	$28,630	$41,140	$79,850	$105,870
Maine	5,130	$42,510	$51,780	$88,290	$105,570
Maryland	37,030	$51,410	$70,140	$121,040	$157,550
Massachusetts	29,140	$52,490	$65,830	$117,790	$154,980
Michigan	41,450	$42,310	$55,080	$95,530	$124,040
Minnesota	31,070	$42,570	$55,260	$92,990	$120,930
Mississippi	4,700	$35,310	$51,120	$83,220	$102,470
Missouri	22,500	$44,250	$57,080	$99,270	$123,540
Montana	4,470	$35,240	$46,370	$78,890	$99,750
Nebraska	4,400	$41,100	$54,340	$92,980	$112,820
Nevada	11,570	$34,380	$48,780	$84,390	$107,730
New Hampshire	4,340	$49,680	$60,070	$98,940	$123,080
New Jersey	53,000	$49,540	$64,080	$108,620	$137,040
New Mexico	9,630	$38,450	$51,770	$101,970	$168,380
New York	61,250	$48,530	$65,490	$119,760	$160,590
North Carolina	39,420	$42,180	$54,500	$99,600	$129,580
North Dakota	2,690	$44,820	$56,450	$90,580	$116,420
Ohio	48,460	$43,150	$55,540	$97,240	$121,900
Oklahoma	9,270	$43,580	$55,330	$94,280	$118,610
Oregon	21,950	$43,290	$55,800	$97,370	$121,930
Pennsylvania	34,760	$47,150	$62,110	$105,630	$131,750
Rhode Island	4,370	$52,760	$65,140	$108,220	$133,120
South Carolina	4,180	$40,750	$54,680	$93,100	$118,610
South Dakota	1,320	$43,260	$56,180	$86,900	$106,880
Tennessee	26,050	$33,720	$45,150	$81,500	$108,220
Texas	130,870	$45,420	$59,760	$104,720	$135,570
Utah	19,640	$37,830	$52,710	$95,590	$126,330
Vermont	1,800	$43,610	$55,100	$85,980	$106,440
Virginia	43,070	$52,170	$66,470	$119,180	$158,120
Washington	48,730	$47,220	$60,370	$110,260	$143,610
West Virginia	3,830	$33,980	$45,640	$84,960	$109,510
Wisconsin	20,930	$24,250	$46,310	$85,660	$109,220
Wyoming	1,730	$44,690	$56,420	$94,170	$117,840

What Can I Do With an MBA in Project Management?

An MBA in Project Management can get you into a variety of fields. Project managers find employees with the Federal Government, pharmaceutical companies, IT companies, and many other industries. The following are a few jobs you can get when you complete an MBA in Project Management.

• IT Project Manager — Project Managers that are in the field of IT oversee from the planning to execution stage. The manager usually delegates tasks to various members of the team and ensures everyone works together to achieve the goals of the organization. An IT project manager can be paid as high as $120,000.
• Consulting Project Manager — Consulting project managers advise external businesses temporarily. They help these businesses identify areas that need improvements. Consulting project managers can work with consulting companies. You can expect to earn about $133,000 as a consulting project manager.
• Government Project Manager — A government project manager ensures that project activities and resources are used to meet the project objectives. This the manager does by ensuring that everything is well managed and coordinated. Expect to get paid $115,000 as a government project manager.

What Skills Do I Need to be Successful In Project Management?

To become a successful project manager, there are several skills that you need. Some of them can be acquired as part of the business school education. However, if you can develop these skills before applying for an MBA in Project Management, you’d be ahead of other applicants.

• Communication Skills — A project manager should be able to communicate well. When meeting clients, strong communication skills can help present your ideas. Team members also need clarity. A good project manager will share the vision of the organization with team members without ambiguity. Frequently, a project manager will need to make reports and presentations to share with clients and team members.
• Organizational Skills — For projects to run smoothly, the project manager should be able to organize things properly. A good project manager should have the ability to prioritize tasks, keep records of activities, and compartmentalize projects. Many times, there’ll be a need to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Project managers ensure that things do not become disorganized when multiple activities take place.
• Leadership Skills — Perhaps one of the greatest skills a project manager should have. A project manager should be able to coordinate, encourage and set rules for the team members. Leadership can make or mar a project. Most organizations that hire project managers prioritize this skill.

What Are Benefits of Earning an MBA?

• Increased Job Opportunities: What exactly will an MBA do for you? Mid- to upper-level management positions are available to you. Jobs that see fewer applicants, such as chief executive officer, are also open to you. Earning your MBA qualifies you for positions that range from department director to enterprise director and chief operating officer. Employment for MBA candidates is projected to increase by six percent per year over the next seven years. Three-quarters of employers say that they plan to hire MBA graduates in 2016, while ninety-two percent are increasing the number of MBA internships that they offer.
• Increased Earnings: A recent study showed that the average MBA graduate’s pay was 50% higher than their position before earning their degree. Even more impressive, in the five years after earning their MBA, the average pay increased by 80%. These figures clearly show the financial benefits of an MBA but they don’t address the personal satisfaction that comes with greater responsibility.
• Sharpen Your Professional Skills: As a graduate of an MBA program, you’ll develop the skills necessary to succeed in a competitive business environment. You’ll learn to think critically about problems, communicate effectively, work on a team and analyze complex financial data. You’ll also have access to some of the brightest minds and the latest resources in today’s business world.
• Greater Job Security: Today’s job market is more turbulent than ever before, filling many with uncertainty and fears of being left out. Earning an MBA not only increases your earning potential but also offers a foundation for greater career stability and security. With the marketable skills to lead teams, take initiative and make positive changes in companies, you can quickly establish a secure foothold in an otherwise shaky job market.
• Become a Respected Member of Your Business Community: Choosing to earn an MBA enables you to position yourself as a respected member of your business community. An MBA increases your professional vocabulary, enhances your strategic thinking and analytical skills, and gives you a broadened level of cultural knowledge. Whether you pursue a program that offers concentrations or one focused on leadership and global management, an MBA will give you the tools and resources you need to succeed.