The Most Affordable Los Angeles MBA Programs

There are various investments a prospective MBA needs make when deciding to pursue an advanced degree, especially investments of time and money. When it comes to cash, some top-tier business schools ask for more than $60,000 in tuition, which automatically put them out of the question for many prospective MBAs. Luckily, not every degree has to break the bank. Here are the most affordable Los Angeles metro MBA programs.

The Most Affordable Los Angeles MBA Programs

University of California-Irvine

According to College Affordability Guide, University of California-Irvine is the most affordable MBA in the country—with a catch. If you’re a California resident, prospective MBAs admitted to the full-time program are automatically guaranteed to receive at least a $10,000 fellowship.

The Paul Merage School of Business’s full-time program is a cohort-based, 21-month daytime program taking place Monday through Thursdays. One benefit to UC Irvine’s program is the number of study away opportunities: Students can participate in a week-long international study trip or participate in a quarter-long International Exchange Program at partnering schools in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

California State University–Long Beach

According to College Affordability Guide, tuition at California State University – Long Beach costs $6,149 annually. The school’s AACSB-accredited evening MBA program offers specializations in finance, management, human resources management, information systems and marketing. The school also offers a full-time accelerated MBA program that can be completed in just over one year, which is ideal for students with limited work experience.

For students who have at least three years of work experience, the Saturday MBA is a 48-unit program that can be completed in 23 months. A mandatory one-week international trip is part of the both the accelerated and Saturday MBA programs. Long Beach also offers a dual degree MBA/MFA program available.

For students looking for more financial aid, the Charles Hamburger Ph.D. Student Award provides assistance to MBA students with demonstrable financial need.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

According to College Affordability Guide, tuition at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (CPP) will run students $6,738 annually. Classes are held in the evenings and occasionally on Saturdays, making this an affordable and flexible program for working professionals looking to earn their MBA.

CPP’s MBA program is accredited by the AACSB and designed as a two-year cohort. The program requires that students take courses such as business data analytics and modeling, leadership and ethics in organizations, and management strategies. Students also have the option of taking a comprehensive exam, completing a business research project, or writing thesis in order to earn their degree. To lower costs even more, MBA students can apply for the Graduate Presidential Fellowship ($3,000), which supports qualified full-time graduate students.

California State University-Fullerton

Tuition at California State University-Fullerton will also run students also costs a modest $6,738 annually. Cal State Fullerton’s MBA can be completed on a part-time (two and a half years) or full-time (less than two years) basis. The program boasts 13 concentration areas: accounting, business analytics, decision sciences, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, general, information systems, international business, management, marketing, organizational leadership and risk management and insurance. Additionally, the Fully-Employed MBA is a program option for students who are also full-time professionals. The a cohort-based program that can be completed in 36 months.

MBA students at Fullerton can lower their tuition even more by applying to scholarship programs like the Mihaylo Leadership Scholarship ($10,000 disbursed over four consecutive semesters) and the Michael A. Reagan Graduate Scholarship ($8,000 disbursed over two semesters).

California University of Management and Sciences

According to Top Management Degrees‘ list of affordable MBAs, tuition at California University of Management and Sciences (CalUMS) will run students $6,425 per year. Located just 30 miles south of L.A. in Anaheim, CA. CalUMS is a four-year, private, non-profit, public benefit corporation that offers associate, bachelor and master degree programs.

According to CalUMS, the schools MBA program helps students develop an executive level perspective on economic systems and on the relationship between business and society and understand global perspectives on business operations. The coursework provides students with a foundation in concepts and applications of quantitative methods and information technology in the business setting and stimulate the students’ intellectual curiosity, develop their creativity and logic, and encourage an appreciation of demographic diversity and ethical principles.

CalUMS does allow transfer credits from other schools, but requires six of your MBA courses to be completed at the CalUMS University.

regions: Los Angeles

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