The Best MBA Programs in Philadelphia for 2026
The best MBA programs in Philadelphia are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 21 accredited MBA programs in Philadelphia and the surrounding metro and ranked 18 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $7,716 to $66,838 a year, a $59,122 spread for the same credential.
University of Pennsylvania leads with a 97.7 Hakia Score on a 97% graduation rate, at $60,920 a year. Across all 18 ranked MBA programs in Philadelphia the average graduation rate is 68%, ranging from 49% to 97%. 3 of the 18 are public and 15 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below. National median pay for the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the benchmark every school on this list feeds into regardless of what it charges.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the MBA programs in Philadelphia: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers the Pennsylvania side of the Philadelphia area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best MBA Programs in Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania ranks first among MBA programs in Philadelphia with a 97.7 Hakia Score and a 97% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked MBA programs in Philadelphia spans $7,716 to $66,838 a year, a $59,122 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked MBA programs in Philadelphia graduate 68% of students on average, from 49% to 97%.
- 3 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what Pennsylvania residents actually pay.
- 8 of the 18 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
- National median pay in the field is $105,770 (BLS), the same benchmark whichever Philadelphia school a student picks.
Hakia analyzed 21 accredited MBA programs in Philadelphia and the surrounding metro reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 18 Best MBA Programs in Philadelphia, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $60,920 | 97% | 5% | 97.7 |
| 2 | Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA | Nonprofit | $66,838 | 92% | 27% | 94.7 |
| 3 | Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Public | $21,989 | 75% | 80% | 87.6 |
| 4 | West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA · online option | Public | $7,716 | 71% | 78% | 86.6 |
| 5 | Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $60,042 | 78% | 79% | 85.8 |
| 6 | Widener UniversityChester, PA | Nonprofit | $54,660 | 68% | 71% | 80.7 |
| 7 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $53,060 | 79% | 89% | 79.2 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great ValleyMalvern, PA | Public | NR | NR | NR | 79.0 |
| 9 | Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $46,175 | 69% | 81% | 79.0 |
| 10 | American College of Financial ServicesKing of Prussia, PA · online option | Nonprofit | NR | NR | NR | 77.9 |
| 11 | Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $34,080 | 61% | 71% | 74.5 |
| 12 | Rosemont CollegeRosemont, PA | Nonprofit | $22,569 | 57% | 76% | 72.4 |
| 13 | La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | Nonprofit | $36,000 | 57% | 97% | 72.1 |
| 14 | Eastern UniversitySaint Davids, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $37,680 | 54% | 91% | 69.0 |
| 15 | Cairn University-LanghorneLanghorne, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $33,234 | 60% | 88% | 68.8 |
| 16 | Delaware Valley UniversityDoylestown, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $42,140 | 56% | 93% | 68.2 |
| 17 | University of Valley ForgePhoenixville, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $23,800 | 49% | 61% | 68.0 |
| 18 | Gwynedd Mercy UniversityGwynedd Valley, PA · online option | Nonprofit | $39,528 | 57% | 90% | 67.0 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top MBA Programs in Philadelphia at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top MBA Programs in Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 97%
- Admit rate
- 5%
- In-state
- $60,920
- Out-of-state
- $60,920
Penn graduates 97% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on a 97.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 97.7, #1 of 18
- 97% graduation rate
- $60,920 tuition
- Most selective program here
Penn is a private, nonprofit institution in Philadelphia, PA. Its MBA program ranks #1 of the 18 analyzed here with a 97.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 78.2 group average. The program graduates 97% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Penn admits 5% of applicants, more selective than the 74% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 29,109 students.
On cost, Penn charges $60,920 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 92%
- Admit rate
- 27%
- In-state
- $66,838
- Out-of-state
- $66,838
Villanova graduates 92% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on a 94.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 94.7, #2 of 18
- 92% graduation rate
- $66,838 tuition
- Admits just 27% of applicants
Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #2 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 94.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 3 points behind top-ranked Penn. The program graduates 92% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Villanova admits 27% of applicants, more selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 10,041 students overall.
On cost, Villanova charges $66,838 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
- Grad rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $21,989
- Out-of-state
- $37,789
At $21,989 a year in-state, Temple is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 87.6 Hakia Score on a 75% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 87.6, #3 of 18
- 75% graduation rate
- $21,989 in-state vs $37,789 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
Temple is a public institution in Philadelphia, PA. Its MBA program ranks #3 of the 18 analyzed here with an 87.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 75% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Temple admits 80% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 29,640 students.
On cost, Temple charges $21,989 a year in-state, versus $37,789 for out-of-state students. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. The spread makes the program a clearer value for PA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $7,716
- Out-of-state
- $19,290
At $7,716 a year in-state, West Chester is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 86.6 Hakia Score on a 71% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 86.6, #4 of 18
- 71% graduation rate
- $7,716 in-state vs $19,290 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
West Chester is a public institution in West Chester, PA. Its MBA program ranks #4 of the 18 analyzed here with an 86.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. West Chester admits 78% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 17,171 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, West Chester charges $7,716 a year in-state, roughly 2.5x the $19,290 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. The spread makes the program a clearer value for PA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 78%
- Admit rate
- 79%
- In-state
- $60,042
- Out-of-state
- $60,042
Drexel graduates 78% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on an 85.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 85.8, #5 of 18
- 78% graduation rate
- $60,042 tuition
- Admits just 79% of applicants
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #5 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 85.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 78% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Drexel admits 79% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 21,153 students.
On cost, Drexel charges $60,042 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Widener University
Chester, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $54,660
- Out-of-state
- $54,660
Widener graduates 68% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on an 80.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 80.7, #6 of 18
- 68% graduation rate
- $54,660 tuition
- Admits just 71% of applicants
Based in Chester, PA, Widener is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #6 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 80.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Widener admits 71% of applicants, more selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 5,713 students overall.
On cost, Widener charges $54,660 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 89%
- In-state
- $53,060
- Out-of-state
- $53,060
Saint Joseph's graduates 79% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on a 79.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 79.2, #7 of 18
- 79% graduation rate
- $53,060 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Joseph's is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #7 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 79.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 79% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Saint Joseph's admits 89% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 7,159 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Saint Joseph's charges $53,060 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great Valley
Malvern, PA · Public
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- NR
- Out-of-state
- NR
Penn State Great Valley ranks #8 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 79.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 79.0, #8 of 18
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Based in Malvern, PA, Penn State Great Valley is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #8 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 79.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 212 students.
It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $46,175
- Out-of-state
- $46,175
Thomas Jefferson graduates 69% of its students, above the 68% average across this ranking, on a 79.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 79.0, #9 of 18
- 69% graduation rate
- $46,175 tuition
- Admits just 81% of applicants
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #9 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 79.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 78.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 68% average across the ranked schools. Thomas Jefferson admits 81% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 8,238 students overall.
On cost, Thomas Jefferson charges $46,175 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
American College of Financial Services
King of Prussia, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- NR
- Out-of-state
- NR
American College of Financial Services ranks #10 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 77.9 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 77.9, #10 of 18
- Online option available
American College of Financial Services is a private, nonprofit institution in King of Prussia, PA. Its MBA program ranks #10 of the 18 analyzed here with a 77.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The university enrolls 5,514 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 61%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $34,080
- Out-of-state
- $34,080
At $34,080 a year in-state, Holy Family is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 74.5 Hakia Score on a 61% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 74.5, #11 of 18
- 61% graduation rate
- $34,080 tuition
- Admits just 71% of applicants
Based in Philadelphia, PA, Holy Family is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #11 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 74.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 61% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Holy Family admits 71% of applicants, more selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,225 students.
On cost, Holy Family charges $34,080 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.
Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 76%
- In-state
- $22,569
- Out-of-state
- $22,569
At $22,569 a year in-state, Rosemont College is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 72.4 Hakia Score on a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 72.4, #12 of 18
- 57% graduation rate
- $22,569 tuition
- Admits just 76% of applicants
Based in Rosemont, PA, Rosemont College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #12 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 72.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Rosemont College admits 76% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 781 students.
On cost, Rosemont College charges $22,569 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 97%
- In-state
- $36,000
- Out-of-state
- $36,000
La Salle ranks #13 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 72.1 Hakia Score and a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 72.1, #13 of 18
- 57% graduation rate
- $36,000 tuition
- Admits just 97% of applicants
Based in Philadelphia, PA, La Salle is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #13 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 72.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. La Salle admits 97% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,153 students.
On cost, La Salle charges $36,000 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 54%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $37,680
- Out-of-state
- $37,680
Eastern ranks #14 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 69.0 Hakia Score and a 54% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 69.0, #14 of 18
- 54% graduation rate
- $37,680 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Saint Davids, PA, Eastern is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #14 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 69.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 54% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Eastern admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. The university enrolls 8,727 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Eastern charges $37,680 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Cairn University-Langhorne
Langhorne, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- In-state
- $33,234
- Out-of-state
- $33,234
At $33,234 a year in-state, Cairn-Langhorne is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 68.8 Hakia Score on a 60% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 68.8, #15 of 18
- 60% graduation rate
- $33,234 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Langhorne, PA, Cairn-Langhorne is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #15 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 68.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 60% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Cairn-Langhorne admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,097 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Cairn-Langhorne charges $33,234 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
Delaware Valley University
Doylestown, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 56%
- Admit rate
- 93%
- In-state
- $42,140
- Out-of-state
- $42,140
Delaware Valley ranks #16 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 68.2 Hakia Score and a 56% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 68.2, #16 of 18
- 56% graduation rate
- $42,140 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Doylestown, PA, Delaware Valley is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #16 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 68.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 56% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Delaware Valley admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,199 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Delaware Valley charges $42,140 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
University of Valley Forge
Phoenixville, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 61%
- In-state
- $23,800
- Out-of-state
- $23,800
At $23,800 a year in-state, Valley Forge is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 68.0 Hakia Score on a 49% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 68.0, #17 of 18
- 49% graduation rate
- $23,800 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Phoenixville, PA, Valley Forge is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #17 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 68.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Valley Forge admits 61% of applicants, more selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 589 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Valley Forge charges $23,800 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- In-state
- $39,528
- Out-of-state
- $39,528
Gwynedd Mercy ranks #18 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 67.0 Hakia Score and a 57% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 67.0, #18 of 18
- 57% graduation rate
- $39,528 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Gwynedd Valley, PA, Gwynedd Mercy is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #18 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 67.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 78.2 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, below the 68% average across the ranked schools. Gwynedd Mercy admits 90% of applicants, less selective than the 74% average for the group. That is more open than the 5% rate at Penn, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 97%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,017 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Gwynedd Mercy charges $39,528 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $7,716 at West Chester to $66,838 at Villanova. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
What MBA Programs in Philadelphia Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $7,716 to $66,838 a year. West Chester University of Pennsylvania anchors the low end at $7,716 a year, while Villanova University sits at the top at $66,838. The cheapest public option among the MBA programs in Philadelphia is West Chester University of Pennsylvania at $7,716; the cheapest private is Rosemont College at $22,569.
Over the two years the credential takes, that is roughly $15,432 in tuition at West Chester University of Pennsylvania against about $133,676 at Villanova University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Philadelphia from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
How Selective MBA Programs in Philadelphia Are
Admission odds across the MBA programs in Philadelphia are nowhere near uniform. University of Pennsylvania admits 5% of applicants, the tightest on this list, while La Salle University admits 97%. A candidate with an uneven undergraduate record has real options here without leaving Philadelphia.
That is a 92-point spread, wide enough that the MBA programs in Philadelphia do not form a single tier. A file that is competitive at La Salle University will not necessarily clear University of Pennsylvania, so applying across the range rather than within one band is the sensible strategy here. Completion does not follow the same order: University of Pennsylvania finishes 97% of its students, the strongest on this list on a 5% admit rate, which is why selectivity is one input to the Hakia Score rather than the score itself.
Accreditation Across Philadelphia Business Schools
The MBA programs in Philadelphia lean private: 15 of the 18 ranked schools are private against 3 public, which is most of why the tuition column above spans what it does. Accreditation is what makes those prices comparable at all. For an MBA the signal employers read is business-school accreditation from AACSB sitting on top of the university's institutional accreditation, and a private school charging $66,838 is not thereby carrying it. Confirm it on the school's own page: Rosemont College at $22,569 and the priciest name on this list are held to the same standard.
Why Study for an MBA in Philadelphia
The 18 ranked schools are spread across 12 towns, which makes "Philadelphia" a looser description than the heading suggests. University of Pennsylvania tops the list, with Villanova University and Temple University behind it, and the table names the town of each. For a part-time cohort meeting on weeknights that spread is the deciding constraint: a campus across the metro is a different degree from one on the way home, whatever the ranking says.
8 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option, which keeps the credential but gives up most of the local access that justifies studying in Philadelphia in the first place.
Careers and Pay After a Philadelphia MBA
Every one of the MBA programs in Philadelphia points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay for the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that describes the profession rather than any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $7,716 at West Chester University of Pennsylvania or $66,838 at Villanova University. That is the tradeoff this ranking exists to expose: in the federal wage data, a higher price does not buy a higher salary.
Set against a single national benchmark, the 9-fold tuition spread on this page is the reason to look hard at the cheap end before the famous end. West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University feed graduates into the same wage distribution, and nothing in the federal data attaches a higher salary to the higher price. Pay in a metro the size of Philadelphia generally runs above the national median, and so does the cost of living that absorbs it. Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and metro wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS.
MBA Programs in Philadelphia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best MBA program in Philadelphia?
By Hakia Score, University of Pennsylvania ranks first among the 18 ranked MBA programs in Philadelphia, with a 97.7 score and a 97% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Do MBA programs in Philadelphia require the GMAT?
Fewer of them every year, and the 18 ranked here are not uniform about it. University of Pennsylvania is the tightest on this list at 5% and La Salle University the most open at 97%, so the answer depends on which of them a candidate is applying to. Many programs now waive the GMAT or GRE for applicants with several years of relevant work, and the terms differ program by program, so check them on each school's admissions page before registering for a test. A waiver saves the fee and the study time, and it does not loosen the rest of the file.
How much does an MBA cost in Philadelphia?
Tuition among the ranked Philadelphia schools runs from $7,716 to $66,838 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Philadelphia living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many MBA programs in Philadelphia does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 21 accredited MBA programs across Philadelphia and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Pennsylvania side of the Philadelphia area, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth doing an MBA in Philadelphia instead of online?
8 of the 18 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Philadelphia this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $7,716 in-state, West Chester University of Pennsylvania is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. It is a national benchmark rather than a Philadelphia figure or a promise from any school on this page. Its use is scale: the same median sits behind West Chester University of Pennsylvania at $7,716 a year and Villanova University at $66,838, and that is the comparison worth making before committing to the second.
How the MBA Programs in Philadelphia Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.