Choose the Right MBA
Your MBA degree will yield significant returns, and earning it requires a significant investment of energy, time, and money — yours or a sponsor's.
All Eller MBA programs give participants the same amount of "face time" with faculty; all present a demanding curriculum; all push you to become a more skilled leader and professional. The programs also differ in important ways: structure, admission requirements, culture, and scheduling. The chart below summarizes the programs to help you identify which Eller MBA program best meets your needs.
| Executive MBA | Evening MBA | Full-Time MBA* | Accelerated MBA | |
| Program Length | 14 months: August to early November | 18 months: January to July | 21 months: August to May | 12 months: June to May |
| Class Schedule | Classes meet Fri. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every other week + a full-week session and a 10-day international trip | Classes meet one night per week from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., plus 2 residential sessions and a 10-day international trip | Classes meet weekly in the spring and fall, Mon. to Thurs.; times vary between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.; summer internship between years 1 and 2 | Ten-week summer intensive; second-year coursework in spring and fall with classes meeting weekly Mon. to Fri.; times vary between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. |
| Curriculum | 47 units: 12 modules integrating multiple topic areas + experiential learning | 47 units: sessions vary in length from 1-12 weeks | 56 units: 18+ sequenced courses, electives, program options, and a field project | 30+ units: summer session, electives, advanced field projects and other program options |
| Faculty | Eller regular faculty + working executives and guest speakers | Eller regular faculty | Eller regular faculty + guest speakers | Eller regular faculty + guest speakers |
| Preferred Professional Experience | 7+ years post-bachelor's degree; history of significant achievement | 3+ years post-bachelor's degree | 3+ years post-bachelor's degree | 3+ years post-bachelor's degree in a professional setting; undergraduate business degree from an AACSB-accredited institution also required |
| Career Motivations | Advancement to senior management in an established career; building formal skills/education for entrepreneurs and public sector professionals | Gaining additional skills to enhance a career or begin a new career track | Gaining additional skills to enhance a career or begin a new career track | Gain additional skills and greater depth to enhance a career |
| Lifestyle Factors | Wish to continue career uninterrupted; able to balance significant course load and out-of-class work with career and home life; small, close-knit, self-contained learning community | Wish to continue career uninterrupted; able to balance significant course load and out-of-class work with career and home life; small, close-knit, self-contained learning community | Wish to focus on college experience, replacing work with education; close-knit learning community immersed in the culture of a large university | Wish to focus on college experience and earn MBA in a condensed timeframe; close-knit learning community immersed in the culture of a large university |
| Location | Scottsdale, Arizona | Scottsdale, Arizona and Tucson, Arizona |
Tucson, Arizona | Tucson, Arizona |
| Residency | Residential | Residential during leadership and innovation sessions, non-residential during other sessions | Non-residential | Non-residential |
| Curriculum Customization | Students prepare a business plan to support a challenge or initiative for a capstone Executive Project | Required courses; students may elect to focus on various industries through projects and assignments | Required and elective courses in concentrations and focus areas | Elective courses in concentrations and focus areas |
| Special Curriculum Features | Innovation Project; international trip | Introductory pre-term residential session; international trip; integrative innovation project | Team field project; joint- and dual-degree programs; optional semester abroad; required international trip | Optional international trip, access to entrepreneurship program, experiential learning options |
| GMAT | Not required | Required | Required | Required |
| Program Cost | $54,000 total program cost — includes books and materials, lodging, and most catered meals; does not include international trip expenses or admission and enrollment fees | $38,500 — includes books and course materials, weekly dinner and meals, and hotel accommodations for residential portions of program; does not include international trip expenses or admission and enrollment fees | Resident tuition for 2009-10: $16,379.12; non-resident tuition for 2009-10: $31,591.12 per year; does not include cost of required international trip, books, associated expenses, or admission and enrollment fees | Resident tuition for 2010-2011 (including summer session): $27,127.74; non-resident tuition for 2010-2011: $41,840.74 (including summer session); does not include books, associated expenses, or admission and enrollment fees |
* Includes Dual-Degree MBA.
For additional information, please contact us.

