However, public colleges—schools funded by government, both federal and state—can offer a less expensive route to gaining an MBA. While fees at public colleges are generally comparatively more affordable for all students, often public colleges also offer cheaper tuition for in-state students, making them a good option for those already based in the US who are wishing to study close to home.
So, what are the top public colleges in the US for an MBA? Here are the top 10, as ranked by US News & World Report.
Top 10 public colleges in the US for an MBA
10. UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
US News business school rank: 28
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 36.9%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $54,121
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $72,298
UNC Kenan-Flagler makes it into the top 10 public colleges for an MBA, according to US News. The school offers departments and concentrations in areas such as accounting, business analytics, and finance.
First-year students can expect to cover the fundamentals of business through core courses which are followed by elective modules, while second-year students focus on their career direction by studying more electives and delving into academic concentrations. Largely due to the program’s focus on applying skills and knowledge to real-world projects, almost 70% of full-time MBA students are employed by the time of graduation.
9. The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business
US News business school rank: 24 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 8.61%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $31,285
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $60,124
Fisher offers the most affordable tuition fees for in-state applicants among the top public colleges included in this list, at just $31,285. Though, tuition costs almost double for out-of-state students seeking MBAs at the school.
Fisher provides an array of MBA specializations for those with a specific interest or career path in mind, including accounting, human resources, analytics, and finance. However, the acceptance rate is the lowest of all the top-ranked public schools, with less than 9% of applicants accepted into the MBA program.
READ: How To Get Into Business School In 2026—8 Tips
8. Indiana University Kelley School of Business
US News business school rank: 22 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 29%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $31,978
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $58,100
Kelley is another of the more affordable options for in-state candidates, with tuition costing just under $32,000. Tuition for out-of-state applicants is more than $15,000 more expensive, at over $58,000.
The global program offers opportunities to study abroad, with Kelley boasting over 20 partner schools across the world. The full-time MBA also offers flexibility, allowing second-year students to study elective modules online to accommodate career opportunities and personal commitments.
7. University of Washington Foster School of Business
US News business school rank: 22 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 38.5%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $42,264
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $58,935
UW Foster has the highest acceptance rate of all the schools listed among the top 10 public colleges in the US for an MBA, accepting almost 39% of applicants in the academic year beginning 2024.
The MBA program offers opportunities for certificates in entrepreneurship and global business, and for students to specialize in ESG, marketing analytics, or product marketing. A STEM-designated management science degree option is also available for candidates.
Career prospects for those studying at UW Foster are high, with almost three-quarters (74.7%) of graduates from the full-time MBA employed by graduation.
6. Georgia Institute of Technology Scheller College of Business
US News business school rank: 21
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 18.2%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $31,792
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $44,336
Scheller is the most affordable MBA on this list for those looking to move out of state to pursue their business education—though tuition for out-of-state applicants still costs over $10,000 more than for those studying in-state, at just over $44,000.
The MBA program offers departments and concentrations in many areas, including e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and international business. Over 70% of full-time MBA graduates at Scheller are employed by graduation.
READ: Which MBA Application Round Should You Apply In?
5. UCLA Anderson School of Management
US News business school rank: 18 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 30.72%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $85,756
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $85,756
UCLA Anderson, based in Los Angeles, is the only program on the list to offer the same price of tuition for both in-state and out-of-state candidates. However, the tuition fees are also the most expensive among the public schools listed here, priced similarly to top-ranked private business schools at over $85,000.
For this price, students can expect a vast and rigorous business education, with departments and concentrations in areas such as general management, leadership, and manufacturing and technology management.
4. University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business
US News business school rank: 16
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 37.9%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $55,028
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $60,894
Texas McCombs provides a self-driven curriculum based on the personal interests and career intentions of candidates.
More than 70% of coursework is self-selected by students, with over 100 elective modules on offer, as well as the option to pursue one of over 20 MBA concentrations including STEM-certified tracks.
Almost 40% of applicants to the MBA at Texas McCombs are successful, and over 70% of the program’s students are employed by graduation.
3. Michigan Ross
US News business school rank: 13 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 28.9%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $73,362
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $78,362
Michigan Ross provides a range of core modules in business and management fundamentals for first-year students, covering topics such as statistics, microeconomics, strategy, and finance.
During their second year, students can take elective modules of their choosing, either at the business school or across the university. Career prospects for graduates are strong, with over three-quarters (76.3%) of students from the full-time MBA employed by graduation.
2. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley
US News business school rank: 11 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 25.3%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $73,160
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $85,406
Berkeley Haas, located on the Berkley campus in the San Francisco Bay Area, provides a broad curriculum covering all areas of general management.
The program is one of the more expensive options for out-of-state students when compared with other top US public colleges for an MBA, costing over $85,000 in tuition fees. However, the program is more than $10,000 cheaper for in-state students.
The full-time program offers concurrent degree options, for students to looking combine their MBA with a Master’s degree in Engineering, Law, Public Health, or Climate Solutions. Students can also pursue certificates in business analytics and sustainable business.
1. UVA Darden School of Business
US News business school rank: 11 (tie)
Acceptance rate (2024 new entrants): 33.9%
In-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $79,382
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-2025): $81,700
Darden ranks top of the best public colleges in the US for an MBA. The program is also reasonably similar in price for both in-state and out-of-state applicants, costing just over $2000 more in tuition fees for out-of-state students.
Departments and concentrations in the Darden MBA cover a wide array of topics, from accounting and consulting to sports business and not-for-profit management. Darden School of Business also ranks the highest on the list in terms of career placement, with 83.4% of full-time MBA graduates employed by graduation.
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