25 Educational MBA Statistics [2026]: Average Age, Cost, And Salary For MBA Graduates

Research Summary: A Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains the most sought-after online degree globally. Individuals in the US and beyond pursue this postgraduate path for various reasons, including interests in fields such as marketing, management, finance, and entrepreneurship.

To provide insights into the current landscape of MBA programs, we’ve compiled the latest statistics for 2026. Here’s what you need to know:

• The average annual salary of an MBA graduate in the US is $120,000.

• The average cost of an MBA is $63,000.

• The average age of incoming MBA students is 29 years old.

• Stanford University continues to have the lowest MBA acceptance rate at 6.0%.

For further analysis, we broke down the data in the following ways:
Salary | Cost | Age | Admissions

MBA Salary Statistics

Many students pursue an MBA with the expectation of a substantial salary increase. This is generally the case, as MBAs are versatile degrees that can facilitate entry into high-paying careers. Here are the updated facts:

• The average starting salary for an MBA graduate is over $110,000.

  This average includes bonuses, with the base salary of new graduates starting at around $98,000.

• The Consulting industry offers the highest MBA starting salary at $150,000.

  Conversely, the Government sector has the lowest average starting salary at $90,000.

  Average MBA Starting Salary By Industry

  Industry	Average starting salary
  Consulting	$150,000
  Financial Services	$140,000
  Technology	$130,000
  Health Care	$115,000
  Retail	$112,000
  Media/Entertainment	$110,000
  Energy	$105,000
  Consumer Packaged Goods	$103,000
  Real Estate	$100,000
  Manufacturing	$99,000
  Transportation	$95,000
  Nonprofit	$92,000
  Government	$90,000

• Consulting also has the highest salary increase from earning an MBA, at +$45,000.

  Those previously employed in consulting can expect a significant salary boost of $45,000. Other industries with substantial salary increases include:

  Top 5 Industries By Average MBA Salary Increase

  Industry	Average salary increase
  Consulting	+$45,000
  Food, Beverage, and Tobacco	+$40,000
  Investment Management	+$39,000
  Private Equity	+$38,000
  Technology, Internet, and Ecommerce	+$37,000

• The Law industry has the lowest increase in salary from earning an MBA, at only +$9,000.

  While this is certainly an improvement, the average MBA cost of $63,000 makes this a less appealing investment. Other industries with low salary increases include:

  Bottom 5 Industries By Average MBA Salary Increase

  Industry	Average salary increase
  Accounting and Audit	+$22,000
  Restaurants, Hotels, Tourism, and Hospitality	+$15,000
  Education	+$15,000
  Government, Military, and Politics	+$13,000
  Law	+$9,000

• New York University (Stern) has the highest MBA starting salary at $185,000.

  The choice of school significantly impacts starting salary potential. The top five schools that yield the highest MBA starting salaries include:

  Top 5 Schools By Average MBA Starting Salary

  School	Average starting salary
  New York University (Stern)	$185,000
  University of Chicago (Booth)	$182,000
  University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)	$180,000
  Stanford University	$178,000
  University of Virginia (Darden)	$177,000

• Male MBA graduates earn an average of 18% more than female graduates.

  Men with an MBA degree earn an average of $185,000 annually, while women earn an average of $157,000. Despite overall averages varying by experience, the gender pay gap persists.

  Male Vs. Female MBA Salaries Over Time

  Years of Experience	Men	Women
  0-2	$148,000	$135,000
  3-5	$176,000	$153,000
  6-8	$198,000	$178,000
  9+	$246,000	$182,000

MBA Cost Statistics

Cost considerations often play a pivotal role in the decision to pursue an MBA. Here are some key cost statistics for 2026:

• The average cost of an MBA stands at $63,000.

  This amount can vary significantly based on factors such as the institution and the level of financial aid received. An MBA can range from $30,000 to over $250,000.

• Private school MBAs can cost up to 10 times more than public school MBAs.

  Public and online MBA programs can be found for as low as $10,000-$25,000, while private institutions, especially Ivy League schools, may charge between $100,000 and $250,000.

• MIT Sloan offers the most expensive MBA program in the US at approximately $250,000.

  This is among the highest tuition costs in the nation, but other institutions with high tuition include:

  Top 5 Most Expensive Schools For MBA Programs

  School	Average MBA Program Cost
  MIT (Sloan)	$250,000
  New York University (Stern)	$249,000
  Stanford University	$245,000
  University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)	$237,000
  Dartmouth College (Tuck)	$232,000

• Cameron University has the most affordable online MBA program, costing only $5,000.

  Online MBA programs, particularly from public institutions, are often the most economical options available. Other affordable options include:

  Top 5 Cheapest Schools For Online MBA Programs

  School	Average MBA Program Cost
  Cameron University	$5,000
  Georgia Southwestern State University	$5,200
  Southeastern Oklahoma State University	$5,500
  Eastern New Mexico University	$5,700
  Fayetteville State University	$6,000

• The average MBA graduate carries $80,000 in debt.

  Similar to the costs associated with an MBA, the level of debt can vary significantly, ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 for graduates in the US.

• The average MBA textbooks cost between $1,200-$4,500.

  This amount is significantly higher than the average for postgraduate students, which ranges from $700 to $1,500.

• Online MBA programs cost an average of 25% less than on-campus programs.

  The average cost of an online MBA program is $4,800, making it a cost-effective alternative.

• 70% of MBAs are sponsored by a company.

  Many organizations recognize the value of investing in their employees’ education to enhance workplace effectiveness.

MBA Age Statistics

Students of various ages pursue MBA programs, but understanding the age demographics is essential. Here are some relevant statistics:

• The average age of MBA students is 29 years old.

  This suggests that many students take time off between degrees, as the average age of an undergraduate student is typically between 18-22.

• The middle 80% age range of MBA students is 26-32.

  While some may feel apprehensive about pursuing an MBA in their mid-30s, many students at this age still benefit from the degree.

• The average work experience of those attending MBA programs is between 50-80 months.

  The highest average among schools is at the University of Washington (Foster), where students boast 75 months of work experience on average, compared to 54 months at Stanford.

  Average Age and Work Experience At MBA Programs By School

  School	Average Age	Average Work Experience (in months)
  Stanford University	28	54
  University of Chicago (Booth)	29	60
  Harvard Business School	28	56
  University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)	29	60
  Northwestern University (Kellogg)	29	62
  MIT (Sloan)	28	60
  Columbia Business School	29	61
  University of California Berkeley (Haas)	29	65
  Dartmouth College (Tuck)	29	63
  Yale School of Management	29	58
  University of Virginia (Darden)	28	62
  University of Michigan (Ross)	28	65
  Cornell University (Johnson)	29	60
  Duke University (Fuqua)	29	67
  UCLA (Anderson)	29	61
  New York University (Stern)	29	63
  Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)	29	68
  University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)	29	66
  University of Southern California (Marshall)	29	62
  University of Washington (Foster)	30	75

• Only 15% of students in MBA programs enter at age 25.

  Moreover, about 13% of students enter MBA programs at 30 years or older, indicating that older students are more prevalent than commonly perceived.

MBA Admissions Statistics

Gaining admission to an MBA program is competitive, particularly at top institutions. Here are some statistics reflecting the MBA admission landscape in 2026:

MBA Acceptance Rates of Top 20 US Schools

• Stanford remains the most selective MBA program with an acceptance rate of 6.0%.

  Stanford and other elite institutions have extremely low acceptance rates, with others among the top five including: MIT (12.5%), Harvard (12.0%), Columbia (15.0%), and Northwestern (25.0%).

• The average MBA program acceptance rate is currently 18.1%.

  This figure highlights the competitive nature of MBA applications, with top-tier schools often skewing the average lower.

• The MBA acceptance rate has increased by 30% since 2016.

  Trends indicate that acceptance rates have gradually risen, although they peaked in 2020.

MBA FAQ

1. How old is the average MBA student?

   The average MBA student is 29 years old. The middle 80% age range typically falls between 26-32 years old, consistent across many major US colleges.

   However, it’s important to note that there are students outside this range; 15% of MBA students enter at age 25, and around 13% are 30 or older.

2. How much does an MBA cost?

   The average MBA costs $63,000. However, this varies greatly, with programs ranging from $30,000 to over $250,000.

   In addition to tuition, other costs, such as housing and textbooks, should be factored in. Textbooks can cost between $1,200-$4,500.

3. How much does an MBA increase your salary?

   Having an MBA degree increases your salary by an average of $36,000. This increase varies widely by industry, with the largest gains seen in:

   1. Consulting: +$45,000
   2. Food, Beverage, and Tobacco: +$40,000
   3. Investment Management: +$39,000
   4. Private Equity: +$38,000
   5. Technology, Internet, and Ecommerce: +$37,000

   These varying increases underscore the importance of researching career paths, as some may not yield sufficient returns to justify the cost of the degree.

4. How much do MBAs make in a lifetime?

   The average MBA graduate earns $4,200,000 over their lifetime. The top 10% of MBAs average $8,500,000, while the upper half earns around $6,000,000, significantly surpassing the average lifetime earnings of Bachelor’s degree holders, who make approximately $3,500,000.

5. What is the acceptance rate for an MBA program?

   The average acceptance rate for all MBA programs is 18.1%. This rate can vary based on the institution’s prestige, whether it is public or private, and whether the program is online or in-person.

   For instance, Stanford has an acceptance rate of just 6.0%, while online MBA programs can reach acceptance rates of 90% or more.

6. What is a good GPA to get into an MBA program?

   A competitive GPA for MBA admissions typically ranges from 3.0 to 3.5. A GPA in this range can secure admission to many institutions, including those with acceptance rates as low as 20%-30%. However, a GPA of 3.5 or higher may be necessary for elite schools like Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton.

Conclusion

Pursuing an MBA can be a rewarding pathway to enhancing your career and increasing your salary potential. However, it is crucial to understand all the facts and figures before applying.

On average, an MBA can elevate your annual earnings by over $36,000, with graduates typically earning upwards of $110,000 shortly after graduation. Nevertheless, these impressive figures come with the reality of student debt, which averages around $80,000.

While this debt can be alleviated through online or public programs, prestigious private institutions like Stanford continue to be highly regarded.

Ultimately, if you’re considering an MBA, it’s essential to evaluate your career objectives, financial situation, and tailor your application to schools with lower acceptance rates.

References

1. Forbes – What Does An MBA Cost, And Is It Worth It?

2. U.S. News – 10 Business Schools With Lowest Acceptance Rates

3. U.S. News – Find MBAs That Lead to Employment, High Salaries

4. Transparent Career – How Much Does an MBA Increase Your Salary?

5. BusinessBecause – What Can Business Schools Do To Reduce The MBA Gender Pay Gap?

6. BusinessBecause – MIT Sloan Is World’s Most Expensive MBA Program In 2021

7. EDsmart – Most Affordable Online MBA Programs 2023

8. Bankrate – How much does an MBA cost?

9. Affordable Colleges – Cost of Online MBAs

10. MBA Watch – Average Age & Work Experience At Top MBA Programs

11. Accepted – GMAT, GPA, and MBA Acceptance Rates: The Selectivity Index

12. MBA Watch – ‘The Window’ Closes: Acceptance Rates At The Top 50 U.S. MBA Programs

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.