Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

Tuition for the online MBA program from UC Davis is charged per unit and is cohort based. Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year is estimated to be $1,524 per unit. MBA@UCDavis is a 72-unit program, for a total tuition of $109,728. Course fees are set at the time of enrollment and remain fixed for your MBA studies. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to increase at the start of each academic year. View the tuition for the current academic calendar for all MBA programs.

To learn more about financing options, including our new student-first Deferred Tuition Plan, please see the Financing Options section at the bottom of this page.

Number of Courses per TermTotal Unit HoursTuition
1 Course
4
$6,096
1 Course + Residential*
4 + 2
$9,144 for tuition + $385 residential fee
2 Courses
8
$12,192
2 Courses + Residential
8 + 2
$15,240 tuition + $385 residential fee
Additional FeesCost
Books & Supplies Including TextPaks
$957 – $2,000
Student Health Insurance Plan**
$2,932 per quarter
Residential Travel and Accommodation Costs
(Varies)

*Attending a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 residentials is required for satisfying degree requirements.
**Students must prove comparable coverage under another insurance plan to waive this fee.

Tuition includes student fees, technology platform licensing and all support services. Students will also be responsible for travel and accommodation costs related to in-person residentials.

Financial Aid

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal student aid programs, which include student loans. We encourage you to apply for financial aid while applying for admission.

The application process starts by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and, for residents of California, the California Dream Act Application. The federal school code for UC Davis is 001313.

For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for financial assistance, download our Financial Aid Checklist (PDF, 202 KB).

Graduate Financial Aid Is Changing in 2026: What You Need to Know

Starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS Loans will no longer be offered for new borrowers and borrowing limits will be introduced for new loans, meaning federal loans may no longer cover the full cost of attendance for many graduate students. If you’re planning to begin a graduate degree program in fall 2026 or later, start planning now (ideally before you apply) to find alternative funding options. This change will affect people seeking federal financial aid for the online MBA program at UC Davis; primarily, those who enroll on or after July 1, 2026.

Most graduate students will be limited to borrowing up to $20,500 per year for graduate degrees, including this program. The incoming changes will also limit lifetime loans for graduate degrees to $100,000. If you do not plan to study full time, your loan limit may be lower. Learn more details here.

Early planning is the most important thing you can do. The financial aid office can help you build a plan:

Visit Our Website

Speak with a financial aid advisor

Already enrolled? If your federal loans were disbursed before July 1, 2026, you may be able to continue borrowing under prior rules, including Grad PLUS, with limitations. Taking a leave of absence, withdrawing, transferring, or changing programs/institutions after June 30, 2026 could affect your eligibility. Contact the financial aid office before making any enrollment changes.

Scholarships

We are pleased to inform you that qualified applicants to an upcoming cohort are eligible for scholarships. Once you begin the application process, your enrollment specialist will provide you with further information.

Contact Information

For financial aid questions please email gradmail@ad3.ucdavis.edu.

Office hours also available, contact your enrollment specialist for more information.

Financing Options

We encourage you to explore all avenues for financing your MBA program. You may be eligible for the following funding options to assist with tuition payment:

Corporate sponsorship: Some companies provide full or partial tuition support for employees. Research your company’s policies or contact your company’s human resources representative to learn about options and procedures.

Federal student loans: U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the credit-based Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. There are changes coming to Federal Graduate Loans. For personalized assistance, you can connect with a Graduate School of Management Financial Aid Advisor.

Private loans and scholarships: To help students identify private lending options, the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) conducts a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to evaluate private education lenders in accordance with UC’s Policy on Education Loan Practices. Based on this review, UCOP maintains a list of preferred lenders for each UC campus. UC Davis students, including graduate and professional students, may review the current list of preferred lenders and available loan products for their academic program. You are not required to select a private education loan from this list.

Military education benefits: Eligible students can explore the use of education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans may also take advantage of benefits offered through the UC Davis Veterans Success Center. Please note that students in the online MBA program are NOT eligible for CalVet benefits.

Deferred Tuition Plan: A payment plan available for all admitted students. This benefit allows students to defer tuition payments during the second half of the program (up to $52,740) at 0% interest. Please note applications for the Deferred Tuition Plan must be submitted prior to the start of your first academic term in the MBA@UCDavis program. Applications will not be accepted after you begin your program. Learn more on our Deferred Tuition Plan page

UC Davis Scholarships: All candidates are considered for merit-based scholarships based on their admissions application. Applicants also have the opportunity to apply for donor and fellowship scholarships. Visit our scholarships page and speak to your enrollment specialist for more information. 

Request Information

To learn more about financial aid, watch our UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s Financial Aid Orientation video.