Best Online MBA Programs in the West

The University of Utah’s online MBA program requires test scores, but substitutions are available at the discretion of the admissions committee. Two letters of recommendation are required and incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.4 and a GMAT score of 607. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 75% last year, and the program had a graduation rate of 81% within three years. Students must complete 48 credits to graduate.

Santa Clara University (Leavey) requires either GMAT or GRE scores to apply for its online MBA program, but waivers are available for select candidates. Two letters of recommendation are required. Incoming students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.16 undergraduate GPA, and a 565 GMAT score. In 2021, 92% of applicants were accepted to the online program, and 283 students are currently enrolled. Applications to Santa Clara University (Leavey)’s online MBA program are due August 1. In 2021, the school reported a 86% one-year retention rate.

Pepperdine University’s Pepperdine Graziadio Business School does not require GMAT or GRE scores to apply to its online MBA program, though it does accept them. Incoming students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.01, and for those students who do submit GMAT scores, the average is 555. The school, which currently enrolls 495 online MBA students, had a 85.65% acceptance rate in 2021. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation to be considered for admission. Graduation requires students to complete 52 credits. Graziadio’s one-year retention rate in 2021 was 93%.

Colorado State University, Pueblo requires applicants to submit GMAT or GRE test scores, though waivers are available. No letters of recommendation are required and incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.6. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 58% last year, and the program had a graduation rate of 76% within three years. Students must complete 36 credits to graduate.

University of California, Davis requires scores from either the GRE or the GMAT as part of your application. GMAT waivers are available for qualified applicants. Two letters of recommendation are required and incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.16 and an average of 9.4 years of work experience. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 66.7% last year, and the program had a retention rate of 93%. Students must complete 72 credits to graduate.

University of Colorado–Colorado Springs requires a GMAT score to be submitted with an application to its online MBA program, but prospective students may receive a waiver based on academic performance, advanced degrees or management experience. International students must submit a TOEFL score of at least 85 to be considered for admission. The incoming students on average have a 3.34 undergraduate GPA and a 537 GMAT score. University of Colorado–Colorado Springs’ online MBA program has a one-year retention rate of 80%. Online MBA students must complete 45 credits in order to graduate.

At Colorado State University in Fort Collins, GRE scores are converted to GMAT equivalency and the test must have been taken within the past five years, but test scores are not required. If you take the GMAT or GRE more than once, only the top score is taken into consideration. Three letters of recommendation are required and incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.1 and an average of nine years of work experience. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 79% last year and students must complete 34 credits to graduate.

Applicants to University of La Verne’s online MBA program who have low GPAs may be required to submit GMAT or GRE scores. Two letters of recommendation are required and incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.25. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 67% last year, and the program had a retention rate of 93%. Students must complete 33 credits to graduate.

Prospective students may complete a waiver to fulfill testing requirements for the Southern Utah University’s online MBA program. No letters of recommendation are required and incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.3. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 89.5% last year, and students must complete 33 credits to graduate.

California Baptist University does not require a GMAT or GRE score for admission to its online MBA program. Incoming students had an average undergraduate GPA of 2.9. The acceptance rate into the private university’s online program was 61.8% last year. California Baptist University admits students on a rolling basis and has a start date every eight weeks. The program currently enrolls 184 online MBA students. Students need 36 credits in order to graduate.

Eastern Oregon University requires online MBA applicants to submit a GMAT or GRE score if a student’s undergraduate GPA was less than a 3.0. Two letters of recommendation are required with the application. Applications to Eastern Oregon’s online MBA program are due September 1, and the program currently enrolls 64 online MBA students. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score or an alternative verification of English proficiency. The program has a one-year retention rate of 90%. Online MBA students at Eastern Oregon University must complete 45 credits to graduate.

At Northwest University, no test is required unless the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 and no letters of recommendation are required unless the applicant’s GPA is below 3.0. Incoming online MBA students had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.0. The acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 98% last year, and the program had a retention rate of 89%. Students must complete 39 credits to graduate.