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Find the most respected MBA programs in 2025. Compare graduate salaries, tuition, ROI, student faculty ratios and more.
Most Respected MBA Programs for 2025
2025 8th Annual Most Respected AACSB MBA Programs
Our 2025 rankings offer insights into the most affordable, respected, and best return on investment AACSB MBA programs. Find a ranking aspect your are interested from the list below:
| Ranking Type | Ranking Description |
|---|---|
| State-by-State | Best Ranked MBA Programs by State Online | Campus |
| Highest Graduate Salary | Best Graduate Salary Online | Campus |
| Highest ROI | Highest ROI (Graduate Salary / Tuition) – Online | Campus |
| Most Affordable | Most Affordable Accredited MBAs – Online | Campus |
| No GMAT Required | No GMAT AACSB Accredited MBA Programs – Online | Campus |
| Most Sought After | Most Sought After – Online | Campus |
| Best Student to Faculty Ratio | Best Student to Faculty Ratio – Online | Campus |
| Networking | Alumni | Enrollment | Largest Alumni Network – Online | Campus |
Featured for April
Most Affordable, Value-Packed Online MBA Programs in 2025 Awards
The cost of earning an online MBA differs wildly depending on the program you chose. Earning an MBA from the lowest-cost online 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-students.
A degree from the 100th most affordable online AACSB MBA programs in our list is from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and will cost you a mere $18,634. When you take into consideration that the Graduate ROI from this MBA program is 298% with an average starting salary of $74,200, you are getting an exceptional value.
Get the full report on the most affordable online MBA programs.
The 5 least expensive states to earn an online MBA are Kansas ($19,893), New Mexico ($18,520), Arkansas ($17,073), Idaho ($15,079) and South Dakota ($14,503)
The 5 most expensive states to earn an online MBA are New Hampshire ($103,312), District of Columbia ($83,309), Massachusetts ($74,395), Oregon ($61,583), and New York ($61,321).
Average Tuition for MBA Programs State-by-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 Online MBA Programs in Each State
What is the Average Cost of an MBA Degree in 2025?
The average tuition cost for an MBA degree in the U.S. is $42,572.68. 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., Indiana University Northwest, will set you back only $7,458.00 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, University of Pennsylvania, will cost you $179,852.00. Cost will vary by type, concentration as well as as the state you live in.
| In-Person | Online |
|---|---|
| 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 $179,852.00. The average tuition cost for online MBA programs is $42,572.68. 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 $157,546.00. The average tuition cost for online MBA programs is $37,225.13. Find accredited and affordable online MBA programs. |
5 Least Expensive In-Person MBA Degrees
- Indiana University Northwest - $7,458.00
- Indiana University South Bend - $7,458.00
- Grambling State University - $8,460.00
- McNeese State University - $8,879.00
- University of Central Oklahoma - $9,068.00
5 Least Expensive Online MBA Degrees
- Duke University - $157,546.00
- University of Southern California - $154,339.00
- Carnegie Mellon University - $147,456.00
- Rice University - $139,081.00
- The University of Michigan - $137,056.00
Find the full report for the tuition costs of all MBA programs in the United States.
What is the Average Salary for MBA Graduates in 2025?
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 Grambling State University, the average MBA graduate annual salary is $39,900.00. For instance, a degree from Stanford University, will provide an annual salary of $182,272.00.
5 Highest Starting Salaries for In-Person MBA Graduates
- Stanford University - $182,272.00
- Harvard University - $175,000.00
- Northwestern University - $175,000.00
- University of Illinois at Chicago - $167,977.00
- The University of Chicago - $165,887.00
5 Highest Starting Salaries for Online MBA Graduates
- University of Illinois at Chicago - $167,977.00
- The University of Michigan - $153,465.00
- Duke University - $152,297.00
- University of Southern California - $150,314.00
- Carnegie Mellon University - $148,067.00
Find the full report for the graduate salaries for graduate business schools in the United States.
What is the Average ROI for MBA Graduates in 2025?
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 The analysis of MBA programs’ return on investment (ROI) reveals significant insights for prospective students in 2025. State universities consistently deliver the highest ROI, with Texas A&M University-Texarkana leading at an impressive 1,139% ROI. This contrasts sharply with prestigious private institutions like Stanford University, which report much lower ROIs, such as 10%. The national average ROI for MBA programs is 186%, emphasizing the financial advantage of more affordable programs. Geographical location also plays a critical role, with states like New Mexico (505%), Montana (431%), and Idaho (416%) offering the highest returns, while traditionally prestigious regions such as Oregon (35%) and New Hampshire (37%) lag significantly.
Online MBA programs are another noteworthy trend, offering an average ROI of 196%, slightly outperforming campus-based programs by 11%. This indicates that online options can be a financially advantageous choice for students seeking flexibility without compromising career outcomes. The findings underscore that while elite schools may provide prestige and networking opportunities, lesser-known institutions often yield better financial returns when factoring in tuition costs and post-graduation salaries. Prospective students are encouraged to evaluate their career goals, financial circumstances, and program costs carefully to maximize their MBA investment.
Graduate ROI differs wildly depending on the program you chose, the industry you enter and the experience you have. After earning an MBA from : -40.00%, the average graduate ROI is -40.00%. For instance, a degree from : 1,139.00%, will provide a graduate ROI of 1,139.00%.
5 Highest ROI for In-Person MBA Graduates
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana - 1,139.00%
- Tennessee State University - 1,033.00%
- North Carolina A&T State University - 996.00%
- Indiana University Northwest - 906.00%
- Sonoma State University - 809.00%
5 Highest ROI for Online MBA Graduates
- Tennessee State University - 1,033.00%
- North Carolina A&T State University - 996.00%
- Indiana University Northwest - 906.00%
- Indiana University South Bend - 709.00%
- East Texas A&M University - 655.00%
MBA Guides
Chart Your Business Career
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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 2025
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.
Operations Managers
Currently Employed: 2,984,920
Yearly Openings to 2030: 229,600
Percent Change: 9.4%
Graduate MBA Salary: $92,419
Operations Management MBA
Project Managers
Currently Employed: 743,860
Yearly Openings to 2030: 141,900
Percent Change: 5.6%
Graduate MBA Salary: $84,845
Projects Management MBA
Accountant
Currently Employed: 1,318,550
Yearly Openings to 2030: 135,000
Yearly Openings to 2030: 6.9%
Graduate MBA Salary: $82,399
Accounting MBA
Management Analysts
Currently Employed: 768,450
Yearly Openings to 2030: 99,400
Yearly Openings to 2030: 13.7%
Graduate MBA Salary: $104,000
Business Analytics MBA
Marketing Managers
Currently Employed: 727,540
Yearly Openings to 2030: 96,000
Percent Change: 22.1%
Graduate MBA Salary: $82,549
Marketing MBA
Human Resources Managers
Currently Employed: 740,830
Yearly Openings to 2030: 73,400
Percent Change: 10.4%
Graduate MBA Salary: $79,900
Human Resources MBA
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