Best Online MBA Programs for 2024 in the West
When it comes to investing in your education—and yourself—Fortune wants to help you make the right choice. We are breaking out the best online MBA programs that are based in the West to help you navigate the school selection process.
UC Davis Master of Management
The online Master of Management from UC Davis is a graduate business degree designed for recent college graduates, ambitious young professionals and career-changers aspiring to leadership roles.
The 15-month online Master of Management program provides aspiring leaders with a foundation in the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. No minimum professional experience is required.
Learn MoreUC Davis Master of Management
The online Master of Management from UC Davis is a graduate business degree designed for recent college graduates, ambitious young professionals and career-changers aspiring to leadership roles.
The 15-month online Master of Management program provides aspiring leaders with a foundation in the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. No minimum professional experience is required.
Learn More1. University of Washington (Foster)
Seattle, WAUniversity of Washington's hybrid MBA does not require submission of admission exam scores, but applicants are welcome to submit a test score to demonstrate quantitative ability and program readiness. Two guided assessments/recommendations are required to apply. In core classes, the average number of students is 72. International students cannot generally apply for the program unless they have a U.S. employment visa. The final round deadline to apply for fall admission is June 15. Four months post-graduation, alumni earn about $155,000 in median annual salary. Total program cost is $93,000 and 62 credits are needed to graduate.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 47% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 7.7 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.40 |
Credits required to graduate | 62 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 100% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 100% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 83 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | DNP |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 60% |
2. University of Southern California (Marshall)
Los Angeles, CAUSC's Marshall School of Business does not require test scores to apply, but they are accepted. One letter of recommendation is needed, and international students must turn in a TOEFL score. The average number of students in core classes is about 55, and the school has 352 business school faculty. The deadline to apply for fall admission is May 28.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 47% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 8.1 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.19 |
Credits required to graduate | 51 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 91% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 94% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 176 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $2,421 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 63% |
3. Arizona State University (Carey)
Tempe, AZInternational students applying for the online MBA program at Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business must demonstrate English proficiency by taking TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo exams. Standardized tests are optional. The program requires two letters of recommendation, and the average class size is 44 students. The school has 366 faculty members. Students typically have around seven years of work experience and a pre-enrollment salary of $81,000. The application deadline is July 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 77% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 7.0 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.29 |
Credits required to graduate | 49 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 97% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 94% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 110 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,369 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 53% |
UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA
STEM-designated. Tar Heel ROI. No compromises.
UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA is a top choice for experienced professionals with strong undergraduate performance. You can earn your degree at your own pace—in 18 to 36 months—without sacrificing academic quality and rigor. Access lifelong career benefits and join a global community of over 44,000 alumni with an AACSB-accredited online MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. Online MBA Fellowships Available. GMAT waivers available. Learn more today.
Learn More4. Santa Clara University (Leavey)
Santa Clara, CASanta Clara University's online MBA program waives standardized test scores for students who "can demonstrate quantitative aptitude." The program requires two letters of recommendation for all entrants and TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores for international applicants. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 is August 30.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 88% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 9.0 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.15 |
Credits required to graduate | 38 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 66% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 79% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 132 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,328 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 73% |
5. Pepperdine University (Graziadio)
Malibu, CAThe online MBA program at the Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University does not require GMAT or GRE test scores but does require English proficiency exam scores. The school is looking for applicants to submit one letter of recommendation. The deadline to apply for the fall 2024 program is June 25.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 77% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 7.0 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.13 |
Credits required to graduate | 70 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 70% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 88% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 215 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $2,115 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 45% |
6. California State University–Stanislaus
Turlock, CAStanislaus State's 30-credit online MBA program requires international students to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores for proof of English proficiency. The program does not require the GMAT or GRE scores as part of the application requirements but does require two letters of recommendation. On average, each course has 23 students. The deadline to apply for the fall 2024 semester is June 20.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 63% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | DNP |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.20 |
Credits required to graduate | 30 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 75% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 94% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 52 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | DNP |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 91% |
7. Eastern Oregon University
La Grande, ORTo apply for Eastern Oregon University's online MBA program, applicants with a GPA below 3.0 must submit either GRE or GMAT scores and two letters of recommendation. The program requires 45 credits to graduate, and six faculty members teach graduate-level courses among the total of 46 faculty members in the business school. The deadline to apply is September 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | DNP |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | DNP |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | DNP |
Credits required to graduate | 45 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 95% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 77% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 25 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $529 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 86% |
8. Colorado State University
Fort Collins, COColorado State University's online MBA program requires English proficiency exams for international students. The school accepts TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo scores. It also accepts both GRE and GMAT scores but will convert GRE scores to GMAT. The program requires three letters of recommendation. There are 46 students per core course, with an average of 10.6 years of work experience. Median base salaries rose from $78,600 to $100,000 within a year of graduation. The deadline to apply for the fall 2024 semester is July 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 90% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 10.6 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.10 |
Credits required to graduate | 42 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 60% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 92% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 235 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $998 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 77% |
UC Davis Master of Management
The online Master of Management from UC Davis is a graduate business degree designed for recent college graduates, ambitious young professionals and career-changers aspiring to leadership roles.
The 15-month online Master of Management program provides aspiring leaders with a foundation in the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. No minimum professional experience is required.
Learn More9. University of Denver (Daniels)
Denver, COThe University of Denver (Daniels) online MBA is test optional, and international students must show English proficiency via a TOEFL or IELTS exam score. Two letters of recommendation is also needed. The deadline to apply for fall admission is August 15. Four months post-graduation, alumni reported median base salaries of $120,000.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 77% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 6.8 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.18 |
Credits required to graduate | 60 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 47% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 83% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 103 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,383 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 48% |
10. Utah State University
Cache County, UTUtah State University's master of business administration does not required test scores for admission, but three letters of recommendation are needed. According to the program, students can complete the program in as little as three semesters. The deadline for fall admission is July 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 100% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 9.1 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.40 |
Credits required to graduate | 36 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 75% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 92% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 88 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,000 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 47% |