Looking for top part time MBAs in 2025? We understand why—at around $70,000, these programs cost significantly less than full-time options, which average $104,000 for two years.
While cost savings are impressive, the flexibility to continue working is perhaps the most compelling advantage. According to U.S. News & World Report rankings, prestigious institutions like Northwestern University (Kellogg), UC Berkeley (Haas), and University of Chicago (Booth) lead the part time MBA rankings this year. In fact, from a competitive field of 269 eligible schools, these programs stand out for their exceptional quality and career advancement opportunities.
Throughout this article, we’ll examine what makes the best part time MBA programs worth your investment in 2025, analyze part time MBA program rankings in detail, and help you determine if this educational path aligns with your career goals.
What Makes a Part-Time MBA Worth It in 2025
The value proposition of top part time MBA programs has never been stronger. Part-time MBA students maintain their full-time employment throughout their studies, earning full salaries rather than sacrificing income for education. This represents considerable financial advantage beyond the direct tuition savings compared to full-time programs.
Flexibility stands as the cornerstone benefit of these programs. Evening and weekend classes cater specifically to working professionals, with many institutions now offering hybrid or fully online options. For instance, Johns Hopkins’ Flexible MBA program allows students to choose between asynchronous and synchronous courses to match individual learning preferences. Similarly, Pepperdine’s part-time MBA offers the ability to transition seamlessly between online and in-person formats.
Moreover, the timeline flexibility proves invaluable for professionals juggling multiple responsibilities. Although most students complete their studies in approximately 2.5-3 years, many programs allow up to 5-6 years for completion. Chicago Booth, for example, permits students up to 5 years to finish, despite most graduating in 2.5 years.
The immediate application of classroom learning creates a powerful synergy between education and career. Unlike full-time programs, part-time MBA students apply new concepts directly to workplace challenges the very next day, reinforcing learning through practical implementation.
Career advancement during studies represents another compelling benefit. Johns Hopkins reports 76% of their Flexible MBA Class of 2024 received salary increases during the program, with 55% earning promotions. Likewise, at Wake Forest, approximately 63% of students receive promotions while still enrolled.
Financially, the investment delivers substantial returns. University of Michigan (Ross) part-time MBA graduates earn median annual salaries of $162,500 four months post-graduation. Additionally, many employers offer tuition assistance, further enhancing the value proposition of best part time MBA programs in 2025.
Finally, despite reduced immersion compared to full-time programs, part time MBA rankings leaders maintain robust networking opportunities through alumni connections, experiential learning, and professional events – creating lasting relationships that continue paying dividends throughout graduates’ careers.
Top Part-Time MBA Programs and Rankings
U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Part-Time MBA Rankings revealed a historic three-way tie for first place between Northwestern University (Kellogg), University of Chicago (Booth), and UC Berkeley (Haas). This marks the first time Kellogg has claimed the top spot, joining perennial leaders Booth and Haas.
The remaining top five positions remained consistent with previous years: NYU Stern’s Langone program at #4 and UCLA Anderson at #5. Rounding out the top ten are University of Texas-Austin (McCombs), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ross), Ohio State University (Fisher), and USC Marshall.
U.S. News evaluates programs using six weighted criteria:
- Peer assessment (50%) – Surveys of business school deans rating programs on a 1-5 scale
- Part-time enrollment percentage (12.5%)
- Total part-time enrollment (12.5%)
- GMAT/GRE scores (10%)
- Undergraduate GPA (10%)
- Work experience (5%)
Chicago Booth earned its top ranking with an impressive 4.6 peer assessment score and 691 average GMAT. Berkeley Haas reported 990 part-time students with an average GMAT of 686. Kellogg’s program features 772 part-time students and a strong 4.5 peer assessment score.
Each top program offers unique advantages. Chicago Booth provides evening and weekend options with classes costing $8,124 per credit. Berkeley Haas offers evening, weekend, and flex options. Kellogg’s program can be completed in approximately 2.5 years.
Nevertheless, program rankings show significant volatility. In 2025’s rankings, 22 schools experienced double-digit changes. This volatility raises questions about ranking methodology reliability, especially for smaller programs where minor data fluctuations can dramatically impact standing.
Only 241 schools qualified for the 2025 rankings, a decrease from previous years. To qualify, programs must be AACSB-accredited and report at least 10 part-time MBA students enrolled for fall 2024. Rankings evaluated in-person, hybrid, and flexible learning programs, but excluded primarily online options.
Evaluating the ROI of a Part-Time MBA
When calculating the return on investment for top part time MBA programs, the numbers tell a compelling story. Beyond tuition costs, the total investment includes books, fees, and opportunity costs—though markedly lower than full-time programs since you maintain your salary.
Financial returns begin during the program itself. At William & Mary, 72% of part-time MBA students received salary increases before graduation, with 49% earning promotions prior to completing their degree. Meanwhile, Chicago Booth reported that 76% of those seeking career changes successfully made one.
Interestingly, contrary to conventional wisdom, part time MBA rankings reveal state universities often deliver superior ROI compared to prestigious private institutions. The national average ROI sits at 186%, yet some state programs achieve returns between 645% to 1,139%, while elite private schools typically range from -40% to 10%.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana exemplifies this phenomenon with an astounding 1,139% ROI (USD 9,326 tuition yielding a USD 115,585 graduate salary), whereas Stanford University graduates see just 10% ROI despite their USD 182,272 average salary.
Geography substantially impacts returns as well, with New Mexico (505%), Montana (431%), and Idaho (416%) leading state-by-state ROI. Online programs average 196% ROI versus 186% for campus-based options.
Employer sponsorship can eliminate costs entirely. Many Fortune 500 companies offer tuition assistance ranging from USD 3,500 to USD 50,000 annually. Microsoft provides up to USD 10,000 yearly, while Bank of America offers USD 7,500 annually.
The long-term benefit is undeniable—MBA graduates from top schools earn approximately USD 5.7 million over 35 years, potentially USD 2.3 million more than those with only bachelor’s degrees. GMAC reports that within 10 years, MBA graduate salaries grow between 9% and 35%.
Indeed, for professionals seeking advancement without employment interruption, the best part time MBA programs deliver substantial, measurable returns on investment.
Conclusion
Part-time MBA programs undoubtedly offer compelling value in 2025. Throughout this article, we’ve seen how these programs deliver exceptional ROI while allowing professionals to maintain career momentum. First and foremost, the financial advantages stand out—costing approximately $34,000 less than full-time alternatives while enabling students to earn full salaries during their studies.
Additionally, the flexibility of evening and weekend classes, hybrid options, and extended completion timeframes makes these programs particularly suited for busy professionals with multiple responsibilities. The ability to apply classroom concepts directly to workplace challenges the very next day creates a powerful learning reinforcement cycle that full-time programs simply cannot match.
Perhaps most significantly, career advancement often begins before graduation. Schools like Johns Hopkins report 76% of Flexible MBA students receiving salary increases during their programs, while William & Mary notes 72% of part-time students earning raises before completion. Contrary to common assumptions, state universities frequently deliver superior ROI compared to prestigious private institutions—with some achieving returns between 645% to 1,139%.
The verdict appears clear—for working professionals seeking advancement without career interruption, top part-time MBA programs represent a strategic investment with substantial, measurable returns. Considering the lifetime earning potential of approximately $5.7 million (potentially $2.3 million more than bachelor’s degree holders), these programs certainly deserve serious consideration from ambitious professionals planning their next career move.
FAQs
Q1. How do part-time MBA programs compare to full-time programs in terms of cost? Part-time MBA programs typically cost around $70,000, which is significantly less than full-time options that average $104,000 for two years. This cost difference, combined with the ability to maintain full-time employment, makes part-time programs financially attractive for many professionals.
Q2. What are the top-ranked part-time MBA programs in 2025? According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings, there’s a historic three-way tie for first place between Northwestern University (Kellogg), University of Chicago (Booth), and UC Berkeley (Haas). Other top programs include NYU Stern’s Langone program and UCLA Anderson.
Q3. How long does it typically take to complete a part-time MBA program? Most students complete their part-time MBA studies in approximately 2.5-3 years. However, many programs offer flexibility, allowing students up to 5-6 years for completion to accommodate various work and life commitments.
Q4. What are the career benefits of pursuing a part-time MBA? Part-time MBA programs often lead to immediate career benefits. For instance, 76% of Johns Hopkins’ Flexible MBA Class of 2024 received salary increases during the program, with 55% earning promotions. At Wake Forest, approximately 63% of students receive promotions while still enrolled.
Q5. How does the ROI of part-time MBA programs compare to full-time programs? Part-time MBA programs often offer superior ROI compared to full-time programs. While the national average ROI for MBA programs is 186%, some part-time programs at state universities achieve returns between 645% to 1,139%. Additionally, part-time students can maintain their salaries while studying, further enhancing the financial benefits.