Admissions Overview

Students choose the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM) for a vibe unlike any other business school. Our talented students are more likely to collaborate than compete. 

In the UC Davis Online MBA, you’ll immerse yourself in a close-knit community—and position yourself for a rewarding career that complements your strengths, skills, knowledge, passions and earning potential.

The GSM’s faculty-led admissions committee is looking for the following in MBA@UCDavis applicants:

  • Leadership potential, intellectual capacity and a global perspective.
  • The academic and professional background to thrive in grad school and beyond.
  • The equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Two or more years of professional work experience (recommended, not required).

Program and Admission Highlights

No GRE/GMAT Required

4 Annual Start Dates

24 Months to Complete

Application Deadlines

We accept applications to the Online MBA program on a rolling basis. Cohorts start in January, April, June and September. See upcoming cohort deadlines below.

January 2025 Cohort

Classes StartPre-Priority DeadlinePriority DeadlineFinal Deadline
January 2025
September 4, 2024
October 2, 2024
October 30, 2024

Why apply by the priority deadlines? 

  • Get your $125 application fee waived. 
  • Receive an admissions decision sooner and start preparing.
  • Access earlier registration for first-term classes.
  • Begin networking early with an admitted student online meet-and-greet.
  • Get priority registration for in-person residentials.

Prefer learning in person? See admissions deadlines for the UC Davis on-campus programs.

Scholarships and Tuition Assistance

MBA@UC Davis offers scholarships to help with the cost of tuition. Email our Admissions team or call 844-592-6104 to learn more about scholarship opportunities and eligibility requirements.

Deferred Tuition

UC Davis offers a first-of-its-kind deferred tuition plan that reduces students’ financial burdens while they are earning their degrees. 

Through our partnership with EdAid, eligible students can defer tuition payments during the latter half of their program, up to $52,740, at 0% interest. If you qualify, you will only begin to repay the deferred tuition once you graduate and begin earning a minimum monthly income.

Learn more about deferred tuition.

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Online MBA program, you will need to submit the following:

  • Transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
  • Resume or CV outlining employment history.
  • Personal essay(s).
  • Two professional letters of recommendation.

Review detailed application requirements for U.S.-based and international applicants.

“UC Davis taught me to become a prouder and louder individual. Communication, collaboration and confidence are the backbone of this program from day one. The Graduate School of Management brings powerful individuals together, and I am forever thankful to call so many of these people my life-long friends.”

Matvari Maharaj MBA 21

Online MBA Ambassador

Learn More About Our Top-Ranked Online MBA

Get to know the UC Davis community. Fill out the form below to request information about MBA@UCDavis, ranked a top-20 online MBA by Poets&Quants.1

1 The Best Online MBA Programs of 2023. Poets&Quants. Retrieved in August 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference