Affording the UTulsa Online MBA: Scholarships, Employer Support, and More
| 6 Min Read
Cost is often the biggest question mark for working professionals considering a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Between tuition, fees, and the opportunity cost of stepping back from work, the price tag matters. It’s fair to want a clear number before you commit to a program.
The University of Tulsa online MBA is built for busy professionals. Before you rule anything out on cost alone, it helps to see the full picture. That starts with what MBA tuition actually costs. Then come the factors like employer tuition assistance and reimbursement — that bring your net investment down.
Understanding the cost of an MBA is one of the most important steps in choosing a program. Fortunately, the total investment is often lower than prospective students expect once employer tuition assistance, scholarships, and flexible payment options are considered.
Most applicants weighing an online MBA aren’t comparing themselves to full-time students. Those students quit their jobs for two years to enroll. Instead, they’re comparing a working professional’s real budget against a real price tag. That comparison changes considerably once tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and flexible payment options enter the picture. The sections below walk through each piece of that math in order.
How Much Does an MBA Cost?
According to Education Data Initiative, the average cost of an MBA degree is $60,410. That average sits well below the high end of the range. Sticker prices climb sharply at the priciest full-time programs. That’s part of why the cost of MBA programs gets so much attention.
Working professionals evaluating an online MBA often have financial advantages that traditional full-time students do not, including continued income and access to employer education benefits. Without the added expense of relocating or leaving a job, an online program’s total cost of attendance typically lands well below the priciest full-time price tags. Pairing that lower baseline with employer support or scholarships can shrink your net cost even further. That’s exactly why the rest of this article focuses on those levers, not the headline number. The investment can still pay off in the way that matters most. According to GMAC, 85% of MBA graduates say their degree delivered a positive return. Another 77% say it directly boosted their earning power.
Breaking Down MBA Tuition and Fees
Total MBA tuition usually includes more than the per-credit rate listed in a brochure. Program fees, technology fees, and course materials can add several thousand dollars to that number. It pays to ask for an itemized breakdown before comparing programs side by side. Some programs charge differently for domestic and out-of-state students. Others use one flat per-credit rate regardless of residency, which is worth confirming early.
Accreditation matters here too. According to AACSB, only about 6% of business schools worldwide hold this accreditation. That status signals a program’s curriculum, faculty, and outcomes have passed a rigorous, ongoing peer review. Paying for a program with that level of accreditation means something specific. Your investment goes toward a credential employers actively recognize, not just a diploma. For the current tuition and fee schedule, the program’s tuition page is the most reliable source. Per-credit rates can change from one academic year to the next.
Using Employer Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement
Many working professionals don’t realize that tuition reimbursement is already sitting in their benefits package. Employer tuition assistance programs let a company pay for part or all of an employee’s MBA tuition. Some pay upfront; others reimburse tuition after each term. Many programs extend this benefit to part-time and executive MBA students, not just full-time employees.
Under Section 127 of the federal tax code, employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational assistance, according to the IRS. That limit will start adjusting for inflation in future years. That means the first $5,250 your employer puts toward tuition reimbursement each year typically isn’t taxed as income. It doesn’t matter whether it’s paid upfront or applied after the fact. Anything above that amount is generally treated as taxable wages. It’s worth confirming exactly how your company structures the benefit.
Employer support for graduate education isn’t rare, either. According to SHRM, roughly 9% of organizations now offer employer-paid student loan repayment, up from 7% two years earlier. Tuition assistance itself is even more common. If you haven’t asked HR about employer tuition assistance, have that conversation first. Don’t rule out the online MBA on cost alone. Many employees never ask, simply assuming the benefit doesn’t exist.
Scholarships and Other Ways to Lower Your Investment
Scholarships are another lever for lowering your net MBA tuition. They come from more places than most applicants expect. Merit-based scholarships tied to your application are one source. Employer-sponsored funds and external scholarships from professional associations, industry groups, and nonprofit foundations are others. Each can reduce what you owe out of pocket.
Flexible payment plans can also help smooth out the cost of MBA programs over time. That beats requiring a lump sum per term. Combining even a partial scholarship with employer tuition assistance can meaningfully shrink your total investment. You may not need to take out a loan at all.
The best next step is a direct conversation. Ask your employer about tuition assistance and check with UTulsa’s financial aid office about available scholarships. Then compare your net cost — not the sticker price — across any programs you’re considering.
The cost of an MBA may be lower than you think once employer tuition assistance, scholarships, and financial aid are factored in. Speak with an admissions advisor to explore your options and calculate your potential investment. Learn more about the UTulsa online MBA.
About the University of Tulsa’s Online MBA
The University of Tulsa’s online MBA is an AACSB-accredited program for working professionals. It’s built for people who want to move into leadership roles without pausing their careers. Coursework covers core business disciplines — finance, strategy, marketing, and management. It’s delivered in a fully online format designed around a working schedule. You keep your job, your income, and your momentum while you study. Faculty and coursework meet the same rigorous standard as UTulsa’s on-campus MBA. The format is simply built around working adults, not a traditional semester schedule.
Graduates leave with the credential, network, and practical skills employers want for management and leadership roles. They also gain an understanding of how employer tuition assistance, scholarships, and financial aid can work together to make earning an MBA more affordable. Admissions and financial aid advisors can walk you through cost and timelines. They’ll explain what to expect at every step. Learn more about the University of Tulsa online MBA.