The Cheapest MBA Programs of 2027

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) offers a Master of Business Administration grounded in its Learn by Doing philosophy. The page describes a program that develops leaders for both technical and people-centered environments, with experiential learning at its core. Core courses cover economics, finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, organizational behavior and operations management. Electives come from topics such as business analytics, entrepreneurship, negotiation, marketing, people analytics and data management. Regular field trips let students experience a range of businesses and business cultures firsthand. The MBA Student Association runs guest speakers, professional development events and trips, and works with the program director on student priorities. The page lists a Fall 2026 start and says candidates are selected with care from varied backgrounds.

Federal data show Cal Poly graduates 86% of its students and admits 31% of applicants, which signals a selective campus. The program earns a Program Score of 92.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits applicants who want an experiential, cohort-based MBA with room to specialize through electives in analytics, entrepreneurship or marketing.

The Master of Business Administration at California State University-Chico (Chico State) requires at least 30 units of coursework, and at least 24 of those units must be at the 600 level. The catalog lists a core covering accounting for managers, business analytics, corporate finance, managing people and teams, leadership and ethics, strategic marketing and operations, with six units of business electives. A capstone course, BADM 693, completes the culminating requirement and is taken in the last nine units. Students can declare an option in Business Analytics or in Project Management. The page says the program is designed for graduates of any undergraduate major and is delivered both as a campus-based program and as a fully online program. Advising is mandatory.

Federal data shows a 63% graduation rate at Chico State and a 93% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 78.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits career changers who hold a degree in an unrelated field, since the page says no particular major is required, and students who want a choice between attending on campus and studying online. Applicants without business coursework should expect to complete the prerequisites for graduate study in business listed in the catalog before moving ahead in the program.

California State University, San Bernardino offers a Master of Business Administration through its Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration. The school reports AACSB accreditation for the MBA. The program states that it prepares students for positions of responsibility and leadership, with learning outcomes in specialized business knowledge, written and oral communication, ethical reasoning in a global context, and problem solving with information technology. Courses are offered in evening, weekend and online options, which suits students who work while they study. The page also lists a merit scholarship, graduate assistantships, professional development funds, study abroad opportunities, a dedicated internship coordinator and a career counselor.

The federal numbers add context. Cal State San Bernardino reports a 55% graduation rate and admits 94% of applicants, so entry is broad rather than tightly selective. The program earns a Program Score of 75.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want an AACSB-accredited MBA on a flexible schedule and who value access to scholarships, assistantships and a dedicated internship coordinator.

The Master of Business Administration at California State University-Stanislaus (Stanislaus State) is built for working professionals. Classes meet in the evening, and the school says students can finish in as little as two years or take up to seven, depending on their schedule. The page states that no GMAT or GRE is required. Alongside a core of business disciplines, students choose three elective courses from one of three concentrations, Accounting, Business Analytics or Finance, or follow a General Business track with electives across disciplines. The Accounting concentration is described as suited to students pursuing CPA licensure. The school reports AACSB accreditation for the college and also offers an Executive MBA and an online MBA as separate programs.

Federal data shows a 53% graduation rate at Stanislaus State and a 98% admit rate, so admission is not the hurdle here. The program earns a Program Score of 69.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format fits people who are already employed, want to keep a job while studying, and prefer face-to-face evening classes over an online route. Students who need a particular specialty should check which of the three concentrations matches their goals before applying.

Adams State University offers its MBA through the School of Business, and the program FAQ describes it as a 100% online degree. The curriculum totals 36 credit hours, which the school lays out as six semesters, or two years. Students are admitted into a cohort, the school signs them up for their MBA classes, and coursework runs through Blackboard. Applicants must submit a GRE or GMAT score before the first semester, with stated minimums of 570 on the GMAT or 153 Verbal and 151 on the GRE's second section. The GRE or GMAT is waived for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher. Transfer credit is possible with the director's approval, and the school asks for official transcripts and course syllabi.

Adams State reports a 39% graduation rate and is an open admission school, so the application centers on the test requirement, transcripts and letters of recommendation rather than a selective cutoff. The program earns a Program Score of 63.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. The format suits working adults who want a fixed two-year path with an online cohort and who can either meet the score minimums or qualify for the GPA waiver. Applicants should also note that the school warns classes fill quickly and may produce a waiting list.

The University of Alaska Anchorage MBA is a management-focused degree. It requires 30 credits in General Management, or 36 credits with an emphasis, plus up to 9 credits of foundation courses that can be waived with equivalent coursework. The core includes Artificial Intelligence with Business Applications and Business Intelligence and Analytics, and students finish with a capstone choice of strategic management seminar, management project or individual research. Emphasis areas are business intelligence, leadership, public sector and nonprofit management, health administration and project management. The school reports AACSB accreditation. An accelerated option lets BBA in Management students apply up to 12 credits toward both degrees.

UAA is an open admission university and reports a 30% graduation rate. The MBA itself asks for a 3.25 undergraduate GPA or a 525 GMAT, with waivers described for applicants holding another master's or terminal degree. Its Program Score is 64.7 out of 100, the basis for this program's ranking. The program fits students who want a general management degree with room to specialize, and current UAA management majors who can use the accelerated route.