Does the high cost of going back to school, or continuing your education to get a Master of Business Administration (MBA) keep you from pursuing your dream of getting the degree? What if there was a way for you to get a free MBA? So, what is the catch? That is a fair question. Many schools, businesses, and organizations seem to have finally realized that the high cost of graduate education may keep a highly-motivated person from pursuing the degree.
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The Student Debt Crisis and the Benefit of a Free MBA
One reason that some responsible students may think twice about pursuing an MBA is the fear of mounting student debt, which is a crisis in the United States.
Scholarship America explains that students often have to settle for lower-paying jobs than they expected to have after earning their degree, so that they can start paying back their student loans as soon as possible. Individuals with student loan debt are less likely to own a home or car, and more likely to live with their parents, compared to graduates that do not have overwhelming student loan debt.
Another issue is the effect that student loan debt has on someone that co-signs for their child or grandchild to take out a loan to pay for college. The impact on parents and elderly grandparents is explained by the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. He reveals that, “The Attorney General’s Office has heard from grandparents living on fixed incomes who are hounded by debt collectors because a grandchild cannot find a job after graduation to pay back a student loan, from parents who cosigned a loan…” either for their child or the child’s boyfriend or girlfriend and then the couple goes their separate ways.
The student that is able to secure a free MBA opportiunity can eliminate this stress and worry. There is little to no debt and no need for a co-signer.
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
1 | Quantic School of Business and Technology | Washington, D.C., United States |
2 | Smartly | Washington, DC |
3 | University of the People | Pasadena, California |
4 | University New York of Business and Technology | Brooklyn , New York |
5 | Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, Georgia |
How Do I Find a Free MBA Program?
Finding a free MBA program is as easy as checking out these schools that offer the free degree or opportunities that can reduce the overall cost of earning an MBA. Keep in mind that most programs probably have a limited number of spaces. That means that you have to follow steps to help your application make it to the top of the pile of many applicants.
You do not want your application to get tossed or delayed because you did not follow the instructions. Someone that properly completed the application can possibly get the seat that you could have had the next term.
Submit all of your application materials at once. When you submit a completed application with all requested materials, you possibly rise to the top of the applicants.
Several schools offer full scholarships or grants which provides students with the opportunity to earn their degree without paying tuition. Another source is to check with your employer, who may offer free scholarships to employees. Members of the military, veterans, and their family members may have opportunities to earn a free MBA.
We list the free MBA program opportunities first, followed by schools that offer scholarships or other reduced cost opportunities. We also have an online MBA program page for more information.
Quantic School of Business and Technology
The Quantic School of Business and Technology is a part of the Smartly Network., that offers a free MBA program. The organization dispels any doubts by making the statement, “Yes, it’s really free,” on the home page. Employers pay the Quantic School of Business and Technology when they hire a Quantic student, which is how the school is able to keep their education free. They are selective, evaluating prospective free MBA students on their previous academic background, career accomplishments, early-career professionals that have business leadership potential.
The student experience includes interactive, self-guided software, collaborative case studies, group projects and discussions.
School Overview
Smartly
Smartly was launched in 2015, and is licensed by the Washington DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education Higher Education Licensure Commission. The site is a collection of educational platforms that is offered online, is flexible, and ‘radically affordable.’ Some networks that are a part of Smartly include Quantic School of Business and Technology, Smartly learning, which offers free certificates, test prep, and non-degree learning programs utilizing the Smartly pedagogical model, along with several other learning opportunities.
School Overview
University of the People
The University of the People says that it offered the first free MBA program. It is offered 100 percent online, and can be completed in just over one year. Although the program is free, there are some expenses, including the $60 application fee, and a $200 assessment fee per course. The school does not want to turn anyone away because of finances, so it helps advise prospective students of the many scholarship opportunities that can pay the fees.
School Overview
University New York of Business and Technology
The University New York of Business and Technology indicates that it is a leading online school that offers tuition-free higher education programs. One of those programs is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Students increase their business knowledge, learn leadership skills, gain in-demand skills, and to have a competitive edge in business.
Students have two options to complete the program, including an eight-month accelerated option and the regular two-year program. Both options are offered tuition-free. Students do pay an $980 one-time exam processing fee.
School Overview
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University proves that earning an MBA does not have to cost a fortune. Schools that keep their tuition low, yet offer high-quality degrees and programs prepares students for the same career opportunities provided to students that attend the higher-priced schools. Students still have the opportunity to earn a free MBA at Georgia Southwestern State University when they receive scholarship or grant awards for the online program.
Students gain a broad range of knowledge and skills to work in complex environments that requires expertise in finance, marketing, management, and other areas that require business leadership.
School Overview
University of North Alabama
Earn an MBA degree at the University of North Alabama and choose a program that helps you pursue your career goals and passion. The MBA program at the school consists of just 34 credit hours of study, and features seven concentration options.
One outstanding feature of choosing the school is the availability of several scholarships and other aid that can potentially eliminate or significantly reduce your cost of tuition.
School Overview
Lamar University
The MBA program at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas provides students with the opportunity to choose from more than a dozen concentrations to personalize their degree according to their career goals. The school indicates that the curriculum places emphasis on experiential-based approach to problem-solving, and skills that prepare students to excel in today’s competitive business world.
The school offers scholarships and other financial aid to MBA students that may completely eliminate the cost of tuition or significantly reduce tuition costs.
School Overview
California Polytechnic State University
The California Polytechnic State University offers an MBA program with a curriculum that trains students to become independent leaders, features an intellectually stimulating learning environment and real-world learning experiences while enrolled in the program.
Do you want to complete your degree without cost or with very little cost? The first way that many students likely consider is the fact that the 10-month accelerated online program offers lower tuition, which can save several thousand dollars over the cost of completing the program requirements on campus. The university offers scholarships that the student is considered for upon submitting their application to the school. The student applies for additional scholarships or grants if they desire to lower their tuition or completely eliminate it once they are enrolled in the MBA program.
School Overview
Barry University
The Andreas School of Business at Barry University, located in Miami Shores, Florida, believes that there is more to business than making profits, that it also includes ensuring the well-being of the world for future generations. The school also focuses their online MBA programs on their belief that students should be allowed to study what they truly want to study and offers six concentrations with flexible completion options.
The school recognizes the importance of offering financial assistance, including the ‘fast and easy way’ to apply for scholarships at Barry University. There are a variety of internal and external scholarship opportunities available every year beginning the first week of September.
School Overview
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
The St. Mary’s University of Minnesota programs are offered as a practitioner-led learning model, and taught by industry-leading faculty members. Students have their choice of four specializations, and the opportunity to finance their education with a variety of scholarships and other types of financial aid to potentially earn an MBA with no tuition.
School Overview
Bellevue University
Bellevue University advises prospective MBA students that think that they cannot afford to attend college to ‘think again.’ The school offers outstanding options for financial aid which could potentially reduce your tuition costs to $0 while you complete your degree without the stress of how to pay for your education. The school works with students to explore all possible funding sources, including scholarships, transfer credits, corporate and organizational tuition assistance, or credits for military training experience.
The Bellevue University offers both on-campus and online options to complete an MBA, and offers 19 concentration options. Transform your career when you earn your free MBA or nearly-free MBA at Bellevue University.
School Overview
University of Massachusetts Lowell
The MBA program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell prepares graduates to advance within an organization and to lead in an organization to compete in rapidly changing, diverse local, national and international business environments.
Students that want to start a new job or start their own business have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education at the university without worrying about tuition costs. The school offers several scholarships and other opportunities to secure aid to help reduce tuition costs. Students only need to complete one scholarship application and the school applies whatever aid the student is eligible for in the upcoming year. Other ways to reduce tuition is to apply for assistantships or fellowship opportunities.
School Overview
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati offers a 48-credit hour MBA program that has several options. One way of reducing tuition is that the school waives the 20 hours of foundation courses for students that have two years of relevant work experience. Students have the opportunity to complete the program online of in the classroom, with scholarship or grant opportunities to earn the MBA degree with little to no cost. The school offers several scholarships and a tool to find outside scholarships.
School Overview
University of Virginia
The Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia offers five options for completing an MBA degree. The school produces critical thinkers through a program of purpose-driven education.
Scholarship opportunities allows students to earn an MBA without paying tuition or to pay significant less tuition at the school
School Overview
Northcentral University
Apply to Northcentral University to earn an MBA and choose from 17 specialization options. Follow your dream and advance your career opportunities by applying to the school and applying for the many scholarship and grant opportunities to earn an MBA without paying tuition. One example is the Change Your Life Scholarship program through which the school offers three full tuition scholarships and two 50 percent off the cost of tuition scholarships for new students. There are other opportunities for students to receive free or reduced tuition.
School Overview
University of North Carolina Charlotte
The University of North Carolina Charlotte prepares students to enhance their skills and qualifications and to boost their earnings potential. Earning an MBA, particularly an MBA at no cost, can have a profound impact on the life of a student.
The school offers several scholarships, assistantships and other financial aid opportunities to eliminate or reduce the cost of tuition.
School Overview
University of Notre Dame
Did you think that you could never afford to attend the University of Notre Dame? Consider the fact that more than 80 percent of the two-year MBA students are awarded a fellowship, and that the school offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to help students finance their MBA, no matter which program format or concentration chosen by the student.
Finance your degree and discover the benefit of an education that focuses on training students to have a high impact career in business.
School Overview
Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University believes in preparing MBA students for their future with real-world skills for real-world business success. Advance your knowledge and business leadership skills in your choice of 10 concentrations for free if you apply for your choice of several grant or scholarship opportunities.
There are also tuition discounts available to qualifying students.
School Overview
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers both the traditional on-campus and online MBA program. The Flex MBA is a hybrid program, allowing students to complete some courses online and complete other requirements in person. There are several specializations, which allows students to tailor their degree to their career goals.
More than 80 percent of all students receive financial aid, including full scholarships and grants that do not have to be paid back. The school offers support for students that need help putting their scholarship application together.
School Overview
Rice University
Rice University, located in Houston, offers several ways for students to finance their MBA education. The school offers merit-based scholarships for both its Full-Time MBA program and the Professional MBA program. Once a student is accepted into the MBA program, there is nothing else to do for scholarship consideration. Rice University announces scholarship awards in each student’s admission packet. It details the specific scholarship awarded and the amount of the award. There is a good chance of receiving a scholarship with the dozens of available scholarships available to MBA students.
School Overview
University of Michigan
Take your career to new heights when you earn an MBA at the University of Michigan. Choose your preferred concentration, which can be completed in as little as 21 months.
Finance your education with the many scholarships available to MBA students. One exciting benefit is that students do not have to apply for a scholarship. Students are informed of scholarship awards upon admission. While some scholarships are merit-based, others are need-based, giving the opportunity for all students to earn a free or reduced cost MBA.
School Overview
Harvard University
The Harvard Business School challenges students to think differently and to bring leadership to life. Introspective exercises, tech simulations, case studies and other learning experiences guides students through the rigorous curriculum that fosters growth and learning.
Would you earn your degree from Harvard University if you had the opportunity to complete a free MBA? That is an option that many people likely do not know exists when they consider the best college to attend to earn the degree. Although admission to the university is based on merit, the availability of scholarships and other tuition aid is based on need. An estimated 50 percent of students accepted into the Harvard Business School receives a scholarship, with an average $42,000 award or $84,000 total for the two-year program. Some students also attend the school with an employer-based scholarship.
School Overview
Stanford University
The Stanford University two-year MBA program at Stanford University prepares graduates to gain the skills necessary to develop their vision for their career in business. The school offers exceptional classroom experiences and exceptional opportunities to earn their MBA without cost or at significantly reduced cost.
The school points out that the ability of a student to pay for the cost of earning their MBA does not weigh into admission decisions. Students have the opportunity to receive need-based scholarships, full-tuition fellowships, external scholarships, and employer sponsorships.
School Overview
Methodology
We gathered tuition rates directly from each school’s website, including the schools and programs that offer free MBA tuition. We ranked each school in ascending order to get a score for final ranking.
Remember that tuition rates sometimes change, and that the cost of tuition does not include other expenses related to earning an MBA.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to have your school included in our rankings. If you would like to update the information that we currently have for your school, please let us know so that we can update the information for you.