Top 6 Evening MBA Programs in Silicon Valley
- Silicon Valley evening MBA programs let working professionals earn a degree without leaving their jobs.
- Total costs range from roughly $42,000 (SJSU) to $167,000 (UC Berkeley Haas).
- AACSB accreditation and a strong alumni network are the top quality markers to check.
- Most programs require 15–20 hours per week including class time and study.
- GMAT/GRE requirements vary — some programs offer waivers or make tests optional.
Silicon Valley isn’t just a location, it’s a credential. Working professionals who earn an MBA here build connections with companies like Apple, Nvidia, and countless startups still in stealth mode. The challenge, of course, is that most of those same professionals already have demanding jobs and real lives. That’s precisely why evening MBA programs in Silicon Valley exist: they let you keep your career momentum and your paycheck while earning a degree that can meaningfully shift your trajectory. According to GMAC’s research on graduate management education value, MBA graduates consistently report higher lifetime earnings and faster promotions than non-MBA peers.
Here’s how the region’s top programs compare. Students who find themselves tackling technical coursework alongside their MBA — from data structures to programming — can find support through a C++ tutor to stay on top of quantitative modules.
What Separates a Good Evening MBA From a Great One
AACSB accreditation, a dense Silicon Valley alumni network, scheduling flexibility, total cost of attendance, and career support services are what separate a credential from a real investment. Solid help with data structures and algorithms and business analysis coursework grounded in tech-industry contexts also matters — you want frameworks you can apply on Monday morning, not just for the case exam.
Top 6 Evening MBA Programs in Silicon Valley
1. UC Berkeley Haas Evening and Weekend MBA – Best Brand Prestige
The Haas Evening & Weekend MBA carries the full weight of the UC Berkeley name and graduates the identical degree as the school’s full-time program. Students choose evening cohorts (Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu, 6–9:30 pm) or Saturday-only cohorts, and complete 42 units over 2.5 to 3 years. Tuition is $3,972 per unit for 2025–26, with an estimated total around $166,824 — a premium that reflects elite faculty, an extraordinarily active Bay Area alumni network, and a recruiting brand that opens doors in finance, tech, and consulting.
Haas provides evening shuttles from the Peninsula and South Bay, and weekend cohorts include classes at a Silicon Valley location, making it accessible for South Bay commuters.
Quick stats: 2.5–3 years | ~$166,824 total | Evening or Saturday cohorts | Same degree as full-time
2. SJSU Lucas Graduate School of Business – Best Value
If budget matters — and for most professionals juggling mortgages and family expenses, it does — the MBA for Professionals at San Jose State University is the most practical choice in the region. At $1,011 per unit across 42 units, the total program cost is roughly $42,462, a fraction of most alternatives. Classes meet evenings and weekends (with some online flexibility), and the curriculum includes a signature Silicon Valley Experience course that puts students in direct conversations with C-suite executives at major tech companies.
The Lucas School holds AACSB accreditation, sits in downtown San Jose, and accepts applications on a rolling basis.
Quick stats: 2.5–3 years | ~$42,462 total | Evening/Weekend/Online | Rolling admissions | AACSB-accredited
3. UC Davis Bay Area Part-Time MBA – Best for Data-Driven Professionals
UC Davis brings its nationally ranked program closer to Silicon Valley through its Bay Area Part-Time MBA, held at the Bishop Ranch campus in San Ramon. The format concentrates commitment into biweekly Saturday intensives plus virtual evening sessions — a realistic structure for professionals who can’t commute twice a week. The STEM-designated curriculum emphasizes quantitative decision-making and includes a capstone consulting project for real Bay Area companies.
The 72-unit program costs approximately $120,960 for Bay Area students, and 90% of enrolled students receive some form of scholarship or fellowship. Strong macroeconomics and data modules align well with engineers moving into product or strategy roles. Professionals looking to deepen their analytical edge may also benefit from working with an online machine learning tutor alongside their MBA coursework.
Quick stats: 2–3 years | ~$120,960 total | Saturday + virtual evenings | STEM-designated | San Ramon location
4. University of San Francisco Masagung School of Management – Best for Entrepreneurs
USF’s Part-Time MBA runs approximately $86,400 total (48 units at $1,800/unit) and stands out for its client-facing project model: students complete three real-world business studies projects with Bay Area companies throughout the program. Ranked the #1 MBA program in the city of San Francisco by U.S. News, USF draws an international student body (43% international), bringing diverse industry perspectives into cohort discussions.
Concentrations include Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Two annual start dates (August and January) offer flexibility that most cohort-based programs don’t. For those whose MBA path involves data-heavy concentrations, brushing up with SQL tutoring can strengthen readiness for analytics coursework.
Quick stats: Up to 3 years | ~$86,400 total | Evening/weekend classes | Two start dates | AACSB-accredited
5. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Part-Time MBA – Best Flexible Schedule
Pepperdine’s Part-Time MBA is built for professionals who can’t predict their schedules more than a week out. Offered via evenings and weekends at California campuses or fully online, it includes a 20-month Fast Track option and can stretch up to seven years — making it unusually forgiving compared to fixed-cohort programs. The 52-unit program costs approximately $2,105 per unit ($109,460 total).
AACSB-accredited and ranked No. 52 nationally for part-time MBA programs by U.S. News, Graziadio offers nine concentrations including Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, plus access to a 50,000+ alumni network that includes graduates at Oracle, Amazon, and Google.
Quick stats: 15 months to 7 years | ~$109,460 total | Evening/Weekend/Online | 9 concentrations | Ranked #52 by U.S. News
6. Stanford Graduate School of Business MSx Program – Best for Senior Professionals
The Stanford Graduate School of Business MSx Program (Master of Science in Management for Experienced Leaders) is designed for mid-career professionals who want advanced business leadership training in the heart of Silicon Valley. Unlike traditional MBA programs, MSx is a one-year full-time program tailored for professionals with 8+ years of work experience, focusing on leadership, strategy, and innovation.
Students take core courses alongside Stanford MBA students and can choose electives across Stanford’s broader ecosystem, including engineering and technology-related subjects. With its powerful global alumni network and strong ties to the startup and venture capital ecosystem, the program is particularly attractive for professionals aiming for executive roles, entrepreneurship, or leadership positions in technology companies.
Quick stats: 1 year | ~$152,000 tuition | Full-time program | Designed for experienced professionals | Stanford GSB network
For a broader view of how international business programs compare, see this guide to global MBA programs that prepare you for international business careers.
FAQs About Evening MBA Programs in Silicon Valley
Is an evening MBA worth the ROI for Silicon Valley professionals?
For most working professionals in the Bay Area, the numbers work. BLS occupational data shows management roles in the San Francisco–San Jose metro consistently earn median wages well above the national average. A program in the $50,000–$170,000 range can deliver positive ROI within 3–5 years when you maintain your income throughout — especially if your employer offers tuition reimbursement.
How much time does an evening MBA actually require each week?
Most evening MBA programs require 15–20 hours per week including class time, case reading, and group projects. Programs with twice-weekly classes (SCU Leavey) mean two evenings plus weekend study. Programs like UC Davis Bay Area concentrate commitment onto alternate Saturdays, which some professionals find easier to absorb.
Do I need a GMAT or GRE to apply to an evening MBA program?
Requirements vary by program. SJSU makes GMAT/GRE optional for most applicants. UC Davis allows test waivers. Berkeley Haas requires a standardized test. Check each program’s current admissions page, as policies update regularly.
When should I start applying to an evening MBA program?
For evening MBA programs with fixed cohort starts (SCU, Berkeley, UC Davis), apply at least 3–6 months ahead of your target term. SJSU’s rolling admissions gives you more flexibility. Earlier applications generally get stronger scholarship consideration.
Your Next Step
The right program comes down to three honest questions: What’s your budget? How much does brand name matter for your target roles? And what does your weekly schedule realistically allow?
Returning to academics after years in industry can be an adjustment, especially in finance, strategy, and quantitative coursework. If you need to sharpen your foundations before or during the program, My Engineering Buddy’s expert tutors offer on-demand support across Abaqus and engineering simulation, business studies, and economics — available 24/7 starting at just $1 for a trial session.
Professionals navigating data-heavy MBA modules may also find value in this overview of online support resources for excelling in data science. Those looking to strengthen quantitative reasoning can explore this student’s guide to mastering linear programming. And for those preparing for technical electives, this post on common mistakes in Cambridge A-Level Computer Science exams offers useful perspective on rigorous technical study habits.
Start by requesting information from the two or three programs that match your profile best. Most hold open information sessions where you can speak directly with current students — easily the most useful 90 minutes you can spend before committing to a two-year program.
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