The Most Affordable MBA Programs of 2026

San Diego State University is a public institution in San Diego, CA. Its MBA program ranks #4 of the 25 analyzed here with a 94.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. San Diego State University admits 36% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, San Diego State University charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution in San Luis Obispo, CA. Its MBA program ranks #5 of the 25 analyzed here with a 92.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 86% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 31% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

California State University-Long Beach is a public institution in Long Beach, CA. Its MBA program ranks #6 of the 25 analyzed here with a 92.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Long Beach admits 46% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Long Beach charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Based in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #7 of the 25 ranked here, earning an 87.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona admits 75% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

California State University-Fullerton is a public institution in Fullerton, CA. Its MBA program ranks #8 of the 25 analyzed here with an 82.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 70% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Fullerton admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Fullerton charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #9 of the 25 ranked here, earning an 81.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. San Jose State University admits 85% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, San Jose State University charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Based in Chico, CA, California State University-Chico is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #10 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 78.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 2.1 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 63% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Chico admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Chico charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution in Los Angeles, CA. Its MBA program ranks #11 of the 25 analyzed here with a 77.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 3.1 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Los Angeles admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, California State University-Los Angeles charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

California State University-Sacramento is a public institution in Sacramento, CA. Its MBA program ranks #12 of the 25 analyzed here with a 77.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 3.2 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 56% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Sacramento admits 94% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Sacramento charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

Based in Northridge, CA, California State University-Northridge is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #13 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 76.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 3.6 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 57% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Northridge admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Northridge charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Based in Rohnert Park, CA, Sonoma State University is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #14 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 76.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 4.1 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 58% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. Sonoma State University admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, Sonoma State University charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

California State University-Fresno is a public institution in Fresno, CA. Its MBA program ranks #15 of the 25 analyzed here with a 75.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 4.3 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 57% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Fresno admits 95% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Fresno charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

Based in San Bernardino, CA, California State University-San Bernardino is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #16 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 75.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs, 5 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 55% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-San Bernardino admits 94% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, California State University-San Bernardino charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

San Francisco State University is a public institution in San Francisco, CA. Its MBA program ranks #17 of the 25 analyzed here with a 74.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 5.9 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 50% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. San Francisco State University admits 96% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list.

On cost, San Francisco State University charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

Based in Bakersfield, CA, California State University-Bakersfield is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #18 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 73.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 6.6 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 50% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Bakersfield admits 94% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Bakersfield charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

California State University-East Bay is a public institution in Hayward, CA. Its MBA program ranks #19 of the 25 analyzed here with a 72.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs, 7.3 points behind top-ranked Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The program graduates 48% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-East Bay admits 97% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-East Bay charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

California State University-Stanislaus is a public institution in Turlock, CA. Its MBA program ranks #20 of the 25 analyzed here with a 69.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State University-Stanislaus admits 98% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State University-Stanislaus charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public institution in Arcata, CA. Its MBA program ranks #21 of the 25 analyzed here with a 60.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admits 98% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt charges $6,084 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,168 in tuition for residents, against $37,368 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.

Adams State University is a public institution in Alamosa, CO. Its MBA program ranks #22 of the 25 analyzed here with a 63.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 39% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,901 students.

On cost, Adams State University charges $6,120 a year in-state, roughly 3.0x the $18,240 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,240 in tuition for residents, against $36,480 for non-residents. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for CO residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 17x the program's annual in-state tuition. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

Based in Anchorage, AK, University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #23 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 64.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 30% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%. The university enrolls 10,493 students overall.

On cost, University of Alaska Anchorage charges $6,192 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $19,776 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,384 in tuition for residents, against $39,552 for non-residents. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for AK residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 17x the program's annual in-state tuition. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public institution in Pine Bluff, AR. Its MBA program ranks #24 of the 25 analyzed here with a 69.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 40% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff admits 41% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 30% to 86%.

On cost, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff charges $6,330 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $14,910 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $12,660 in tuition for residents, against $29,820 for non-residents. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.

Based in Garden Grove, CA, Haven University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #25 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 52.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76 group average, in the lower third of the 25 ranked programs. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 123 students.

On cost, Haven University charges $6,500 a year in-state. Over two years that totals about $13,000 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $6,500 at Haven University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 16x the program's annual in-state tuition. It earns its place in the top 25 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.