A Starter List of the Best Part-Time MBA Programs

Many elite Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs in the United States are only offered for full-time students.

But not everyone can drop everything for two years to get a degree. Fortunately, you can get the same high-quality education you get in a full-time program on a part-time schedule from many fine institutions.

Formats vary. Some offer their programs on-campus only; others offer online programs. Some offer part-time Executive MBA programs designed for mid-career managers with 10 or more years experience. Some even offer all the above options, and more.

We’ve listed some of the best part-time MBA programs below. As you will see, you no longer need to pursue a full-time MBA to earn a prestigious MBA degree. All of the programs listed below are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

Carnegie Mellon is rated in the top 10 for greatest opportunities for minority students. The Tepper School of Business also has some of the best career prospects for students and is one of the top schools in the Northeast. Tie-ins to Carnegie-Mellon’s world-class engineering school make Tepper a great choice for STEM-oriented MBA students.

• Acceptance Rate: 26.7%
• Average GMAT Score: 649

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

The Kelley School of Business is renowned for its online MBA program, ranked number one by US News & World Report. With an enrollment of over 1,000, Kelley is among the largest prestige part-time MBA programs in the United States. With no class size limit (because no classrooms), Kelley can admit a much higher proportion of applicants without diluting student quality (see admitted students’ average GMAT score for proof of that).

• Acceptance Rate: 82%
• Average GMAT Score: 639

New York University, Stern School of Business

NYU is one of the top business schools in the Northeast. The school tends to yield high career prospects for students and offers some of the best classroom experiences. Students attending the part-time program get the same access to professors teaching in the full-time program.

• Acceptance Rate: 15.7%
• Average GMAT Score: 670

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Business

Northwestern is considered one of the toughest schools to get into. The Kellogg School of Business ranks number nine regarding best career prospects for its MBA students.

• Acceptance Rate: 22.9%
• Average GMAT Score: 707

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

UC Berkeley’s MBA program is known to have the best post-graduation career prospects, especially for women, and is considered to yield one of the best classroom experiences for students. UC Berkeley is considered to have some of the best professors in the country.

• Acceptance Rate: 13.9%
• Average GMAT Score: 692

University of California, Los Angeles, Anderson School of Management

UCLA offers some of the best opportunities for women pursuing an MBA. This school was ranked number two for best campus environment and is considered to be one of the top business schools on the West Coast.

• Acceptance Rate: 22.6%
• Average GMAT Score: 674

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

US News & World Report‘s part-time MBA rankings place the Booth School of Business in the number one slot. University of Chicago is renowned for its programs in entrepreneurship, finance, business analytics, and marketing. US News also ranks Booth’s executive MBA program number one in the country.

• Acceptance Rate: 8.8%
• Average GMAT Score: 687

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ross School of Business

The Ross School of Business has one of the highest-ranked part-time MBA programs. Famous alumni include Peter Faricy, vice president and general manager of Amazon Marketplace; Thomas J. Wilson, the CEO of Allstate Insurance; and Brad Keywell the co-founder of Groupon.

• Acceptance Rate: 40.7%
• Average GMAT Score: 652

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

USC’s entrepreneurial program is ranked tenth in the nation and is considered to be one of the best schools in the West. Most students who graduate from the Marshall School of Business tend to land career opportunities in consulting, finance/accounting, and marketing/sales.

• Acceptance Rate: 29.5%
• Average GMAT Score: 618

University of Texas, Austin, McCombs School of Business

UT Austin’s business program is ranked in the top 10 for best professors and best campus environment. Famous alumni include Gerard Arpey, chairman, president, and CEO of American Airlines; Sara Martinez Tucker, president and CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; and William Johnson, chairman, president, and CEO of Heinz. Although a state university, UT-Austin’s MBA is not cheap; part-time students here pay in excess of $110,000 to complete their degrees.

• Acceptance Rate: 28.6%
• Average GMAT Score: 628

Washington University, St. Louis, Olin Business School

Washington University is one of the best business schools in the Midwest. People who enroll in Olin Business School tend to have about five years of work experience and have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.39.

• Acceptance Rate: 34.1%
• Average GMAT Score: 607

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