8th Annual Best Ranked MBA Programs in Arizona by MBAGuide

Best Ranked MBA Programs in Arizona in 7th Annual Rankings

MBAGuide.org ranks MBA programs by state using a comprehensive methodology that combines quantitative data and expert evaluation. Our ranking methodology weighs multiple factors, with 80% of the overall score based on objective criteria and 20% on editorial staff ratings and school reputation. This multi-faceted approach aims to provide a balanced assessment of each program’s quality, affordability, and value.

Rank	University	Graduate ROI	In State Tuition	Avg. Starting Salary	State	Online
1	Arizona State University	106.00%	$60,393	$124,664	AZ	Yes
2	The University of Arizona	96.00%	$54,785	$107,345	AZ	Yes
3	Northern Arizona University	176.00%	$24,640	$68,100	AZ	Yes

GMAT Requirements for Arizona MBA Programs

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in Arizona is 634, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 544 from Northern Arizona University, and the highest GMAT score needed is 684 from Arizona State University.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in Arizona is between 544 from Northern Arizona University to 684 from Arizona State University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within Arizona is 634.

Most Popular MBA Programs in Arizona

The importance of networking, whether it’s by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For Arizona state’s MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 359 and 1,328. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 93.00 and : 807.00.

10 High-Growth Industries for Arizona MBA Graduates

The overall outlook for MBA graduates in Arizona remains positive, with a focus on industries such as consulting, finance, technology, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, and entertainment. While some sectors, like technology, have experienced recent layoffs, the demand for MBA graduates with strong analytical, strategic, and leadership skills remains high across various industries.

Arizona’s very diverse economy includes mega hubs like Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, offers a wide range of opportunities for MBA graduates to build successful careers with competitive salaries and room for growth.

Industry	Representative Companies	Outlook
Consulting	McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company, Deloitte Consulting	Consistently high demand for MBA graduates, with starting salaries around $135,000 to $147,000 and potential for rapid career advancement
Finance	Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, Visa	Popular choice for MBA graduates, with roles like investment banking and corporate finance offering six-figure salaries (median around $139,000) and opportunities for growth
Technology	Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft	Strong opportunities, particularly in Silicon Valley, with median base salaries ranging from $128,000 to $164,000; despite recent layoffs, many tech occupations remain in high demand
Consumer Packaged Goods	Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Unilever, Nestlé	Traditional pipeline for MBA graduates, with average salaries around $119,000 to $141,000; companies value the strategic and analytical skills of MBAs
Healthcare	UnitedHealth Group, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Medtronic	Growing demand for MBA graduates in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotech, with base salaries between $116,000 and $198,000; focus on innovation, affordability, and health equity
Energy	ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP	Competitive salaries for MBA graduates, with average base pay around $120,000 to $130,000; industry undergoing transition towards cleaner energy solutions
Retail	Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco	Evolving landscape with focus on e-commerce and supply chain management; MBA graduates can expect salaries around $115,000 to $130,000
Real Estate	CBRE Group, Jones Lang LaSalle, Cushman & Wakefield	Steady demand for MBA graduates with skills in finance, investment, and property management; average salaries range from $100,000 to $120,000
Media & Entertainment	Disney, Netflix, Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery	Competitive industry with opportunities for MBA graduates in strategy, finance, and operations; salaries typically range from $120,000 to $140,000
Automotive	Tesla, General Motors, Ford, Toyota	Transforming industry with focus on electric and autonomous vehicles; MBA graduates can expect salaries around $110,000 to $130,000 and opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects

The technology industry, while still offering competitive salaries, has seen a decline in interest among MBA graduates in recent years, possibly due to recent layoffs and a shift away from the Bay Area.

Compare Arizona MBA Programs to Online and National Options

How Arizona’s Top MBA Programs Compare to Leading Online and National Offerings

Averages	Arizona MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	U.S. MBA Programs
Average MBA Tuition	$46,606	$37,167	: $42,528.18
Average GMAT Scores	634	561	567
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty	210	72	72
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio	29:1	: 17:1	16:1
Average # of MBA Faculty with Doctorate	75.07%	83.55%	84.32%
Average Full-Time MBA Enrollment	844	287	290
Average Part-Time MBA Enrollment	450	349	322
Average % of MBA Students from U.S.	75%	84%	84%

Find Business Schools Now Accepting Applicates in Arizona

Ranking Methodology and Data Sources

• See Our Ranking Methodology
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Salary Data
• Department of Labor Projected Employment
• Bureau of Economic Analysis Cost of Living Data
• Individual University and MBA Program Pages