Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Clara Gutman Argemí Image Written By: Clara Gutman Argemí | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: June 16, 2026

MBA Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • 85% of all Masters of Business Administration (MBA) graduates find employment within three months of graduation.
  • The projected median salary for MBA graduates in 2025 is $125,000.
  • Accelerated, part-time, and online programs can provide an accessible, affordable option for MBA students with other commitments.

Scholarship availability, eligibility, and awards are not guaranteed and are subject to each school’s terms and selection criteria.

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a one-year or two-year postgraduate degree allowing students to expand their knowledge of finance, marketing, business operation, and more. The degree often serves as a gateway to advancement in the private sector, allowing students to pivot to new industries and broaden their pool of contacts.

85% of all MBA graduates find employment within three months of graduation, according to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The projected median salary for MBA graduates in 2025 is $125,000, which is over $50,000 more than bachelor’s degree holders, according to Forbes.

Program costs vary significantly depending on the type of program and the school’s ranking. Determining which is best for you will depend on your circumstances, including your funding package and whether you can secure scholarships for your graduate studies in business.

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What are MBA scholarships?

Business school can be expensive. Costs vary depending on your degree level (Master’s of Business Administration, Executive Master’s of Business Administration, or Global/International MBA), degree type (online or in-person, full-time or part time) and school rankings (partly determined by the school’s level of accreditation). The average MBA cost $31,000 in 2020, with top-ranked programs costing well over $100,000 for full-time students, according to Forbes.

Students can fund their MBAs through a combination of school-based awards, external fellowships, employer tuition benefits, and loans.

Many business schools have rolling admissions. This flexibility can be an advantage for working students: it gives them various opportunities to apply throughout the year, without having to follow the timeline of a traditional academic year. 

However, you should apply early, as most scholarships offered by business schools tend to go to students who apply in the first round.

The 25 Best MBA Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

Frequently asked questions about MBA scholarships

How can I get a full-tuition MBA scholarship?

Business schools may offer a combination of need-based and merit-based scholarships for MBA students, based on a combination of academic, demographic, and need-based criteria, as well as demonstrated professional achievements. 

Most top-ranked schools have a small number of full-tuition scholarships available on a competitive basis. These are likely to be based on academic criteria (such as GPA and GMAT or GRE scores), relevant professional or work experience, and alignment with the school’s profile, including a candidate’s leadership potential. 

Full-tuition offers might be more common from Top 15-25 schools seeking to attract candidates who might otherwise attend Top 10 schools. Students should apply in early application rounds to make sure they remain eligible before funds are given out.

However, full-tuition scholarships may not cover the full cost of attendance, which will include living expenses and other costs. 

A small number of highly competitive, external fellowships can cover the full cost of attendance, with an additional stipend and a research and conference fund. These may have deadlines that are earlier than the deadlines to apply for business schools.

For example, the Consortium Fellowship covers up to the full cost of attendance at the top-ranked 15 business schools in the U.S. Funding decisions are merit-based and made by individual schools. 

The Forté Fellowships offer scholarships for women who demonstrate excellence and exceptional potential in business leadership, covering the full cost of attendance.

Do MBA scholarships have academic major or work experience requirements?

While business schools may not require you to have majored in business, economics, or finance to apply, the most competitive applicants will have some relevant knowledge of business or finance.

Similarly, experience in a specific industry may not be a condition to apply for an MBA, which can serve as a means of pivoting to a new industry, but past experience is a good way of demonstrating your potential to succeed in business leadership to a selection committee.

Some scholarships may be geared towards candidates with backgrounds in business, particularly competitive ones.

As an undergraduate considering an MBA, you might want to take courses in Consulting and Finance, Financial Accounting, Management of Industrial and Nonprofit Organizations, and Investments, and apply for scholarships for business majors.

How can I get employer tuition benefits for an MBA?

MBAs are a common way for adult students and mid-career professionals to expand their opportunities for advancement within their industry, and also to transition into a different industry.

Students with other commitments can consider scholarships for adult students, which they may be able to stack onto other MBA scholarships.

In addition, many employers might offer tuition benefits which fund or partly waive the cost of tuition for an MBA. These programs typically require students to return to their employer post-MBA, and may offer higher salaries upon doing so. 

These programs can be a good opportunity for students seeking career advancement within the same organization, as they will be able to gain and then apply knowledge that can improve their business.

Are there scholarships for online, part-time, evening, or weekend MBAs?

Many business schools offer online and part-time options, including evening and weekend courses.

This is becoming common even at top-ranked business schools known for their traditional, full-time programs, such as Kellogg, Chicago Booth, NYU Stern, or Stanford. Many business schools are offering more flexible MBA options, recognizing that the current workforce has evolving needs. 

You should contact your school’s financial aid office to find out about funding options for part-time or online MBA programs.

Are there MBA scholarships for international business schools?

Besides scholarships, another option to cut costs can be to earn an MBA at an international (non-US) business school. Tuition may be less in programs abroad, which are typically also shorter, lasting only one year instead of two. 

The accelerated timeline may come with challenges, but the opportunity to study abroad can provide a pivot into regional industries and the chance to develop your professional contacts in a region which may interest you. 

Many international business schools offer English-language programs and scholarships, in addition to being accredited by major accreditation agencies. For example, the IE Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs, and the European Quality Improvement System, which means that it is highly regarded both in the United States and in Europe.