MBA (full time) cost in 2026
MBA (full time) costs $60,000 to $200,000 per full program in 2026, and most people pay about $130,000.
What moves the price
- Top ranked private schools charge much more than public schools.
- State residents can pay less at public schools.
- Living costs in the school's city add a lot to the total.
- One year programs cost less in tuition than two year programs.
- Books, insurance and fees add to the posted tuition.
What is included
The range is per full program, tuition and fees. The tuition number usually covers classes and required school fees. Housing, food, books and health insurance are extra. Many top schools list a full cost of attendance that is far higher than tuition alone.
Posted first year tuition and fees at some schools (2025 to 2026)
| School | Tuition and fees per year |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $91,170 |
| Penn (Wharton) | $92,820 |
| Yale | $88,300 |
| Chicago (Booth) | $87,350 |
| Northwestern (Kellogg) | $86,370 |
| Stanford | $85,760 |
| Harvard | $78,700 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas), resident | $76,790 |
| Michigan (Ross), resident | $76,150 |
| UNC (Kenan-Flagler), resident | $55,420 |
| UT Austin (McCombs), resident | $51,020 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: BestColleges.
Ways to pay less
- Compare public business schools, which often cost less than private ones.
- Apply for scholarships and fellowships, which many schools offer.
- Ask if an employer will help pay for the degree.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- BestColleges: How Much Does an MBA Cost? Full Statistics
- Leland: How Much Does an MBA (Actually) Cost? [2026]
- Bankrate: MBA Cost
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
MBA (full time) costs $60,000 to $200,000 per full program in 2026, and most people pay about $130,000. Most people pay about $130,000 per full program. The low end is $60,000 and the high end is $200,000.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: Top ranked private schools charge much more than public schools; State residents can pay less at public schools; Living costs in the school's city add a lot to the total.
How can I pay less?
Compare public business schools, which often cost less than private ones. Apply for scholarships and fellowships, which many schools offer. Ask if an employer will help pay for the degree.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 3 named price guides: BestColleges, Leland, Bankrate. Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
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