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Plan and advance your MBA career with peer-reviewed articles, compressive comparisons of business degree programs and salary data.

Best Mba programs
Best Online MBa Programs

Best Campus & Online MBA Degrees in 2024

  • Starting salaries for new MBA graduates is between $35,850 and $182,272 with an average of $81,226.
  • Tuition for in-person, campus MBA programs ranges from $7,048 to $219,688, and averages $43,845.
  • Online tuition in for MBAs ranges between $7,458 to $160,130, with an average total tuition cost of $37,698.
  • A GMAT score between 265 and 737 with an average of 562 is needed for acceptance into an MBA program.
  • ROI for MBA gradates ranges from 30% to 567% with an average of 146%.
  • Average student enrollment for MBA Programs varies between 3 and 3,933 with an overall average of 284.
  • Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA programs varies between 1:1 and 47:1 with an average of 16:1 students.
  • 876 MBA programs are ranked by the following institutions MBAGuide: 505, US News: 94, Forbes: 75, BW: 82, FT: 51 and Economist: 52.

2024 7th Annual Best MBA Programs

Our rankings and accreditation can offer insight into a program’s quality and reputation. However, these should be just one part of your decision-making process.

Ranking TypeRanking Description
Best OverallBest Ranked MBAs Online | Campus
Graduate SalaryHighest Graduate Salary Online | Campus
Best ROIHighest ROI (Tuition | Graduate Salary) – Online | Campus
Most AffordableMost Affordable Accredited MBAs – Online | Campus
SelectivityMost Sought After – Online | Campus
Student to Faculty RatioBest Student to Faculty Ratio – Online | Campus
Networking | AlumniLargest Alumni Network – Online | Campus

More Articles in this Series

What is the Cost of an MBA Degree?

The average tuition cost for an MBA degree in the U.S. is $43,845.43. The cost of getting an MBA differs wildly depending on the program you chose. Earning an MBA from the lowest-cost campus program in the U.S., The University of Rhode Island, will set you back only $7,048.00 if you live in-state. At this price, earning an advanced degree seems like an exceptional investment in your career. You can check on the ROIs of MBA programs. A degree from country’s most expensive campus MBA program, Cornell University, will cost you $219,688.00. Cost will vary by type, concentration as well as as the state you live in.

In-PersonOnline
The lowest in-state tuition for an online MBA program is $7,048.00.
The highest in-state tuition for an online MBA program is $219,688.00.
The average tuition cost for online MBA programs is $43,845.43.
Find accredited and affordable campus MBA programs.		The lowest in-state tuition for an online MBA program is $7,458.00.
The highest in-state tuition for an online MBA program is $160,130.00.
The average tuition cost for online MBA programs is $37,698.04.
Find accredited and affordable online MBA programs.

5 Least Expensive Online MBA Degrees

  1. Indiana University Southeast - $7,458.00
  2. Indiana University South Bend - $7,458.00
  3. Indiana University Northwest - $7,458.00
  4. McNeese State University - $8,879.00
  5. Columbus State University - $9,087.00

5 Most Expensive Online MBA Degrees

  1. New York University - $160,130.00
  2. University of Southern California - $154,339.00
  3. University of Virginia-Darden - $151,200.00
  4. Carnegie Mellon University - $147,456.00
  5. Johns Hopkins University - $133,000.00

Find the full report for the tuition costs of all MBA programs in the United States.

What is an MBA Worth and the Average Graduate MBA Salary

Evaluating the value of an MBA program involves considering the return on investment (ROI). This takes into account factors such as tuition costs, potential salary increases, and career advancement opportunities.

Weighing these aspects helps prospective students determine if pursuing an MBA aligns with their financial and professional goals, ultimately maximizing the benefits of this significant educational investment.

MBA graduate salaries differs wildly depending on the program you chose, the industry you enter and the experience you have. After earning an MBA from Elizabeth City State University, the average MBA graduate annual salary is $35,850.00. For instance, a degree from Stanford University, will provide an annual salary of $182,272.00.

5 Highest MBA Starting Salaries for Graduates

  1. Stanford University - $182,272.00
  2. Northwestern University - $175,000.00
  3. Harvard University - $175,000.00
  4. University of Illinois at Chicago - $167,977.00
  5. University of Pennsylvania - $166,391.00

5 Lowest MBA Starting Salaries for Graduates

  1. Elizabeth City State University - $35,850.00
  2. Grambling State University - $39,900.00
  3. Eastern Kentucky University - $42,450.00
  4. Francis Marion University - $42,600.00
  5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore - $42,900.00

Find the full report for the graduate salaries for graduate business schools in the United States.

MBA Guides

Chart Your Business Career

At Business Degree Programs, you are teaming up with business managers, professors, MBA students, data modelers, designers, business writers and other professionals to get peer-reviewed, expert information about business careers, degree programs, salaries, resume and interview preparation, and business school resources.

Rankings

2024 rankings by state, online, concentration, and degree type using metrics that matter to MBA graduates.

Concentrations

Dive deep into available MBA degrees and compare salaries, ROI, tuition and ranking.

States

Research business programs available in each state using our extensive database of 6,400 business degrees

Salaries

Review 2024 latest salary data including 10-year salary and employment projections, salary by experience and education.

Resources

Prepare for the rigors of an MBA degree with scholarships lists, admission advice, GMAT preparation, program rankings.

Top MBA Salaries and Jobs

The world is changing and there are hundreds of in-demand careers that will need plenty of employees in the next decade. Prepare yourself and find the career path that will meet you in the future.

Salary Reports

Consider these high-paying, in-demand business careers in 2024

Projected need for these business careers is between 73,000 and 229,600 new employees each year to 2030. The median yearly wage for these careers is between $62,290 and $97,970. Prepare for each of these careers with a four-year degree.

More in-demand careers

Operations Managers

Currently Employed: 2,984,920
Yearly Openings to 2030: 229,600
Percent Change: 9.4%
Graduate MBA Salary: $97,970
Operations Management MBA

Project Managers

Currently Employed: 743,860
Yearly Openings to 2030: 141,900
Percent Change: 5.6%
Graduate MBA Salary: $94,500
Projects Management MBA

Accountant

Currently Employed: 1,318,550
Yearly Openings to 2030: 135,000
Yearly Openings to 2030: 6.9%
Graduate MBA Salary: $82,752
Accounting MBA

Management Analysts

Currently Employed: 768,450
Yearly Openings to 2030: 99,400
Yearly Openings to 2030: 13.7%
Graduate MBA Salary: $93,000
Business Analytics MBA

Marketing Managers

Currently Employed: 727,540
Yearly Openings to 2030: 96,000
Percent Change: 22.1%
Graduate MBA Salary: $82,674
Marketing MBA

Human Resources Managers

Currently Employed: 740,830
Yearly Openings to 2030: 73,400
Percent Change: 10.4%
Graduate MBA Salary: $84,994
Human Resources MBA

Team Up Masters of Business Administrations Experts

At MBA Guide, you are teaming up with C-Suite managers, business school professors, managers, business students,
data modelers, designers and writers to learn about business careers, degree programs and salaries

Rebecca earned her B.A. in Economics from Wellesley College and her MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Rebecca Smith-Allen
Robert works in Healthcare Administration as a Lean Six Sigma Black belt, Certified Mentor, and Coach. 
Robert Kent
Julia, originally from Germany, earned her MBA degree in 2016 at the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands.
Julia Peterle

7th Annual 100 Best Ranked MBA Programs

Rank University College Name Also Ranked By Based In Online
1 Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Evanston, IL No
2 Stanford University Graduate School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Stanford, CA No
3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Cambridge, MA No
4 Columbia University Columbia Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report New York, NY No
5 Duke University The Fuqua School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Durham, NC No
6 New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report New York, NY Yes
7 The University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Ann Arbor, MI No
8 University of Southern California Marshall School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Los Angeles, CA Yes
9 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Chapel Hill, NC Yes
10 Harvard University Harvard Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Boston, MA No
11 University of Pennsylvania The Wharton School Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Philadelphia, PA No
12 Indiana University Bloomington/Indianapolis Kelley School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Bloomington, IN Yes
13 University of Massachusetts Boston College of Management MBAGuide Boston, MA Yes
14 The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Chicago, IL No
15 Brigham Young University Marriott School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Provo, UT No
16 University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Notre Dame, IN No
17 Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Washington, DC Yes
18 Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Hanover, NH No
19 Southern Methodist University Edwin L. Cox School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Dallas, TX No
20 Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Houston, TX No
21 University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Berkeley, CA No
22 The University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Richardson, TX Yes
23 Yale University School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report New Haven, CT No
24 Emory University Goizueta Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Atlanta, GA No
25 University of California, Los Angeles UCLA Anderson School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Los Angeles, CA No
26 Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Nashville, IN No
27 Cornell University College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Ithaca, NY No
28 University of Washington Michael G. Foster School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Seattle, WA No
29 Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report St. Louis, MO No
30 Georgia Institute of Technology Ernest Scheller Jr. College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Atlanta, GA No
31 Michigan State University The Eli Broad College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report East Lansing, MI Yes
32 University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Minneapolis, MN No
33 The George Washington University School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Washington, DC Yes
34 The University of Texas at Austin Red McCombs School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Austin, TX No
35 University of Rochester William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Rochester, NY No
36 University of Virginia-Darden Darden School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Charlottesville, VA Yes
37 University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Columbia, SC Yes
38 University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Davis, CA No
39 Boston College Wallace E. Carroll School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Chestnut Hill, MA No
40 Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Pittsburgh, PA Yes
41 Boston University Questrom School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Boston, MA No
42 Texas A&M University Mays Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report College Station, TX No
43 University of California, San Diego Rady School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report La Jolla, CA No
44 The University of Georgia Terry College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Athens, GA Yes
45 University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Madison, WI No
46 Northeastern University D'Amore-McKim School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Boston, MA Yes
47 University of Utah David Eccles School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Salt Lake City, UT No
48 Fordham University Gabelli School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report New York, NY No
49 The Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report University Park, PA Yes
50 Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Cleveland, OH No
51 Indiana State University Scott College of Business MBAGuide Terre Haute, IN No
52 University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report College Park, MD Yes
53 Lehigh University College of Business and Economics MBAGuide Bethlehem, PA No
54 Babson College Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Babson Park, MA No
55 American University Kogod School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide Washington, DC Yes
56 New Jersey Institute of Technology Martin Tuchman School of Management MBAGuide Newark, NJ Yes
57 University of Illinois at Chicago College of Business Administration MBAGuide Chicago, IL Yes
58 The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Iowa City, IA Yes
59 University of California, Irvine The Paul Merage School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Irvine, CA No
60 Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business MBAGuide Santa Clara, CA Yes
61 Brandeis University International Business School MBAGuide Waltham, MA No
62 University of Florida Warrington College of Business MBAGuide Gainesville, FL Yes
63 University of Hartford Barney School of Business MBAGuide West Hartford, CT Yes
64 The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Columbus, OH No
65 University of St. Thomas-Minnesota Opus College of Business MBAGuide Minneapolis, MN Yes
66 Queens University of Charlotte McColl School of Business MBAGuide Charlotte, NC Yes
67 North Carolina A&T State University Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics MBAGuide Greensboro, NC No
68 Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Fort Worth, TX Yes
69 Arizona State University W.P. Carey School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Tempe, AZ Yes
70 Baruch College-The City University of New York The Zicklin School of Business Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report New York, NY No
71 Stevens Institute of Technology School of Business MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Hoboken, NJ Yes
72 University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Cincinnati, OH Yes
73 University of Pittsburgh The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business/College of Business Administration Bloomberg Businessweek, Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Pittsburgh, PA No
74 University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Amherst, MA Yes
75 Miami University Farmer School of Business MBAGuide Oxford, OH No
76 University of Miami Miami Herbert Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Coral Gables, FL Yes
77 Pepperdine University Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Los Angeles, CA Yes
78 George Mason University School of Business MBAGuide Fairfax, VA No
79 Tulane University A. B. Freeman School of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report New Orleans, LA No
80 University of Colorado at Boulder Leeds School of Business MBAGuide Boulder, CO No
81 University of Dallas Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business MBAGuide Irving, TX Yes
82 The University of Arizona Eller College of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Tucson, AZ Yes
83 University of Denver Daniels College of Business MBAGuide Denver, CO Yes
84 Temple University The Fox School of Business Financial Times, Forbes, MBAGuide, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report Philadelphia, PA Yes
85 Syracuse University The Martin J. Whitman School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, MBAGuide, U.S. News & World Report Syracuse, NY Yes
86 Georgia State University J. Mack Robinson College of Business MBAGuide Atlanta, GA No
87 The University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business MBAGuide Dearborn, MI Yes
88 Villanova University Villanova School of Business MBAGuide Villanova, PA Yes
89 Xavier University Williams College of Business MBAGuide Cincinnati, OH Yes
90 University of San Francisco School of Management MBAGuide San Francisco, CA No
91 University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics MBAGuide Newark, DE Yes
92 The Citadel Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business MBAGuide Charleston, SC Yes
93 University of San Diego School of Business MBAGuide San Diego, CA No
94 Willamette University Atkinson Graduate School of Management Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide Salem, OR No
95 Hofstra University Frank G. Zarb School of Business MBAGuide Hempstead, NY Yes
96 Oregon State University College of Business Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, MBAGuide Corvallis, OR No
97 Saint Mary's College of California Saint Mary's College of California School of Economics and Business Administration MBAGuide Moraga, CA No
98 Clemson University College of Business MBAGuide Clemson, SC No
99 Central Connecticut State University School of Business MBAGuide New Britain, CT No
100 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lee Business School MBAGuide Las Vegas, NV Yes

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