The top 10 MBA programs in the world charge tuition fees ranging from US$76,000 to $150,000, but they also offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid, covering up to 100% of costs.
According to QS World University Rankings compiled by British higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds, the top 10 institutions for MBA education in 2025 include five schools from the United States, two from the United Kingdom, two from Spain, and one from France.
Schools in the U.K. typically charge over $100,000 per year, significantly higher than most other institutions in the top 10. The London Business School tops the list with tuition fees of $153,000. U.S. universities charge between $76,000 and $88,300, led by Columbia Business School. The lowest tuition is at IESE Business School in Spain, at approximately $48,000 per year.
All these schools provide various scholarships or financial aid programs, ranging from 10% to 100% of tuition fees, depending on funding sources and affiliated endowments. Selection criteria often consider academic achievement and professional experience.
| Rank | Schools | Country | Tuition (USD/year) | Financial aid |
| 1 | Stanford Graduate School of Business | U.S. | $82,455 | Average $44,000/year |
| 2 | Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) | U.S. | $84,830 | Up to 100% of tuition |
| 3 | Harvard Business School | U.S. | $76,410 | Average $46,000/year |
| 4 | MIT Sloan School of Management | U.S. | $86,550 | Not disclosed |
| 5 | London Business School | U.K. | $153,760 | 10-100% of tuition |
| 6 | HEC Paris | France | $131,035 | 10-100% of tuition |
| 7 | Cambridge Judge Business School | U.K. | $98,945 | Up to 75% of tuition |
| 8 | Columbia Business School | U.S. | $88,300 | $10,000-$30,000/year |
| 9 | IE Business School | Spain | $110,000 | 10-75% of tuition |
| 10 | IESE Business School | Spain | $47,790 (first year) | 10-80% of tuition |
For instance, at London Business School in the U.K., MBA students can access 48 scholarship programs, covering 10-100% of tuition fees.
IE Business School in Spain offers 20 scholarship programs, managed by the IE Foundation, with tuition reductions ranging from 10% to 40%. The foundation also provides eight scholarships for the Master of Science in Business for Social Impact and Sustainability program at IE New York College, IE University’s campus in New York, the U.S., starting in Feb. 2025. These scholarships cover 50-75% of tuition fees.
MIT Sloan School of Management offers up to 120 financial aid programs for applicants with outstanding academic and career achievements, though specific details are not disclosed.
This year, QS surveyed 340 MBA programs in 58 countries and territories. U.S. universities dominate the rankings, with 11 schools in the top 20.
The rankings are based on five criteria, with employment outcomes accounting for 40% of the weight. The remaining criteria include entrepreneurial and alumni success, return on investment, leadership mindset, and diversity among students and faculty.
