Key Takeaway:

• A part-time MBA lets you earn a higher qualification without leaving your full-time job, through evening, weekend, hybrid, or online formats.
• Part-time programs generally cost less than full-time MBAs and let you keep earning a salary while you study.
• Compare programs on rankings, curriculum, faculty, and class timing before you decide.
• The top 10 list covers NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Georgetown, UW Foster, Rice, Florida, Villanova, Utah, Emory, and the University of California.

Best Part-Time MBA Programs in the USA

If you have a stagnant professional career, choosing to do an MBA degree is a great way to get out of it. But it is impossible to drop everything to do a full-time MBA degree for a person with a full-time job.

That’s where a part-time MBA comes into the picture. You can choose to do one of the best part-time MBA programs in the USA from renowned universities. U.S. employers project a median starting salary of $120,000 for new MBA hires in 2026, compared with $107,500 for experienced hires recruited directly from industry (GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, 2026).

Why Choose a Part-Time MBA?

Part-Time MBA Flexibility

Most of the renowned universities offer evening MBA programs or weekend MBA programs. You can manage to get a higher qualification while being in a full-time job.

This flexibility is the attraction point for many people who wish to grow exponentially in their professions. 61% of employers now value graduates of online and in-person programs equally, up from 55% two years earlier (GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, 2026).

Part-Time MBA Cost Savings

You can join one of the best part-time MBA programs in the USA while earning a handsome salary. Besides, the fees for a part-time program are also lower.

To conclude, a part-time program costs less and gives you the liberty to earn, while a full-time MBA degree costs more and you cannot earn. That’s why the former seems like a great deal to professionals.

The share of U.S. employers offering educational assistance rose from 39% in 2025 to 51% in 2026 (GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, 2026). Under federal tax law, up to $5,250 a year of educational assistance from an employer’s qualified program can be excluded from an employee’s taxable income (26 U.S.C. § 127).

How to Choose a Part-Time MBA Program

Now, you are aware of why you should go for part-time MBA programs instead of dropping your job for a full-time degree. But in a crowd of hundreds of such programs, how would you choose which one would be the best part-time MBA program in the USA for you?

Part-Time MBA Rankings

As they say, “First impressions last long,” so check out programs with good rankings in authentic lists. This can act like a filter amidst the chaos of various programs.

Part-Time MBA Curriculum

Rankings can be a shallow indicator of how good a study program is. So, once you filter the programs using the first point, do detailed research about the curriculum. See if it aligns with your career goals and aspirations.

Part-Time MBA Faculty

This is a no-brainer criterion when choosing a study program. Research their faculties, their experience, and their way of teaching. Look for a program with the best faculties.

Part-Time MBA Class Timing

For a part-time MBA program, timing is an important aspect. Check when the classes are and if you can afford that much time from your schedule.

For instance, if your work goes on until 8 PM, you can’t go for evening classes even if it is the best part-time MBA program in the USA.

Top 10 Part-Time MBA Programs in the USA

1. New York University (Stern)
2. University of Michigan (Ross)
3. Georgetown University (McDonough)
4. University of Washington (Foster)
5. Rice University (Jones)
6. University of Florida (Warrington)
7. Villanova University
8. University of Utah (Eccles)
9. Emory University (Goizueta)
10. University of California

1. New York University (Stern) Part-Time MBA

With a rank of 7 in the best business schools, they offer you a comprehensive part-time MBA program. They offer various programs, making them flexible for their students.

Being one of the best part-time MBA programs in the USA, their curriculum is great, and the faculty is highly experienced. They have different programs with varied timings, like weeknight programs, Saturday programs, an accelerated two-year program, or even an online option.

Their per-credit tuition fee is $2754. For 2026–2027, Stern lists Part-time MBA tuition at $3,006 per credit for a 60-credit program, and most students finish in just over three years (NYU Stern, 2026). As of 2026, U.S. News ranks the program No. 3 among part-time MBAs (NYU Stern, 2026).

2. University of Michigan (Ross) Part-Time MBA

With a two-year program duration, this university offers several MBA options for students to choose from. Their most popular program is the online MBA. It offers not only time flexibility but also location flexibility.

They also have a weekend MBA program, which has classes twice a month. You can even go on an executive MBA program, which happens once a month.

You can go for their programs as they have built credibility by being ranked 12th in the best business schools. The Weekend MBA is a 57-credit, cohort-based program that meets every other weekend and finishes in 24 months (Michigan Ross). Estimated Online MBA tuition for a fall 2026 start is $124,000 for Michigan residents and $134,000 for nonresidents (Michigan Ross, 2026).

3. Georgetown University (McDonough) Part-Time MBA

Isn’t it a dream come true if you get to study in a part-time MBA program that is designed to help you balance every aspect of your life? The part-time MBA program of this university makes it a reality.

With a $57,450 full-time tuition cost, they offer both online and in-person part-time MBA programs. They have programs designed for two to five years. For 2026–2027, the 54-credit Part-time MBA is billed at $2,686 per credit (Georgetown McDonough, 2026), and the Online MBA can be completed in 24 to 60 months (Georgetown McDonough).

Its well-designed curriculum to balance job, studies, and personal life is what makes it one of the best part-time MBA programs in the USA.

4. University of Washington (Foster) Part-Time MBA

This university offers three types of part-time MBA programs for working professionals. With a $90,000 full-time tuition cost for a two-year program, this university offers a high-quality curriculum along with skilled professors. Foster estimates the Evening MBA’s total cost at about $100,642 for 2026–27 (UW Foster) and lists a proposed program fee of $102,000 for Hybrid MBA students starting in autumn 2026 (UW Foster).

They offer an evening MBA, a hybrid MBA, and a technology management MBA. As the name suggests, the last one is for people who are passionate about technology and innovations. This program focuses on enhancing the management industry with applied technology.

5. Rice University (Jones) Part-Time MBA

In the professional world, networks and connections matter a lot. The part-time MBA program of this university offers you a wide variety of resources and highly qualified professors who help you build a strong network to accelerate your career.

With evening or alternate weekend classes, this program costs you $61,750 for the former and $64,750 for the latter. For the Class of 2028, Rice lists Evening MBA tuition at $67,431 a year ($134,862 total) and Weekend MBA tuition at $70,707 a year ($141,414 total); a hybrid format is also available (Rice Business).

6. University of Florida (Warrington) Part-Time MBA

With a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, this university offers comprehensive and high-quality MBA programs. They have a wide variety of part-time MBA programs, such as hybrid MBA programs and online MBAs in international business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.

Their experienced faculties, well-curated curriculum, and experiential learning methods have made them a popular choice amongst students of Florida. You can choose any program that can boost your professional career. Warrington lists tuition and fees of $49,255 for its one-year Online MBA and $59,882 for its two-year Online MBA, with the same published rate for Florida residents and nonresidents (UF Warrington).

7. Villanova University Part-Time MBA

This university offers one of the best part-time MBA programs in the USA. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, their programs can offer you personalized attention from the professors.

Even in a part-time setting, you get to build genuine connections with your teachers and create a network with alumni and other students. Apart from the knowledge you gain in the program, these connections help you go higher in your professional life. Villanova’s 2026–27 rate for the Professional MBA is $1,400 per credit (Villanova University Bursar, 2026).

8. University of Utah (Eccles) Part-Time MBA

Part-time MBA programs at this university don’t give you superficial knowledge. Rather, it takes you through real-life work experiences.

Its world-class facilities, highly skilled faculties, cutting-edge curriculum, and guidance for career growth have made it a widely praised program among students. With around $55,000 full tuition cost, this has made itself to the list of best part-time MBA programs in the USA. Utah’s Professional MBA now costs $72,000 for the full 24-month program ($1,500 per credit hour) (Eccles School of Business), with classes twice a week: one evening online and one evening in person (Eccles School of Business).

9. Emory University (Goizueta) Part-Time MBA

With a rank of 18 in the list of best business schools, this university offers three types of part-time MBA programs to its students. You can choose to do an online, on-campus, or hybrid MBA program from this university.

With over 20+ subjects to choose from as your elective, they provide you with adequate options to select what you like. Goizueta now lists 50+ elective courses and three paces that take about 24, 28, or 32 months on average (Emory Goizueta). Evening MBA tuition is $1,673 per credit hour for 54 credits, with an estimated total cost of $100,771 (Emory Goizueta).

10. University of California Part-Time MBA

They offer an evening and weekend MBA as a part of their part-time MBA program. You can choose to attend classes two evenings on the weekend or the entire day on Saturday.

They have a wide variety of elective subjects to choose from, helping you build a personalized program structure. At UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Evening & Weekend MBA evening cohorts meet Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., and weekend cohorts meet Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Berkeley Haas).

Top 10 Part-Time MBA Programs at a Glance

Part-Time MBA Programs: Bottom Line

You can’t choose to stay where you are and expect growth in your professional life. Choosing to go for one of the best part-time MBA programs in the USA can boost your career in ways you have never imagined.

Besides, it can help you switch careers as well if you want. Before finalizing the program, do detailed research on your own. Make smarter choices!

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Ravi Ranjan

Ravi is an experienced Digital Marketing Specialist with 8+ years in marketing and IT sectors. He holds an MBA from Dehradun, India. Ravi owns Easy Management Notes (EMN), an educational platform offering MBA resources. Beyond work, he enjoys photography, music, and following cricket, especially MS Dhoni. He's a dedicated family man with a naughty daughter.

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