Student Spotlight: Brianna Swafford
Meet Brianna Swafford, a Walton MBA - University of Arkansas student from McKinney, Texas.
01/28/2026 | By Sydney Ford
Ranked #24 among public MBA programs in Best Graduate Business Schools by U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
In a global economy, professionals with broad knowledge across business fields stand out in the job market. Our full-time MBA program trains students who are eager to gain advanced business expertise and develop decision-making skills that span across business units.
Take Your Career to the Next Level with the Walton MBA
You’re looking to grow, to lead, to do more—and the Walton MBA is here to help you
make it happen. This isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s about giving you the
tools, experience, and connections to build the career you want.
With the Walton MBA, you’ll get hands-on learning, real-world projects, and chances
to develop your skills in and out of the classroom. You’ll travel, collaborate, and
work closely with peers and mentors who challenge you to think bigger.
The Walton MBA was created with you in mind—designed to build upon your experience,
education, and professional aspirations.
This is your time. Let’s make the most of it!
How Much? How Long?
Who can enroll?
What makes Northwest
Arkansas special?
What coursework is required for this degree?
Students are increasingly choosing the Walton MBA program to strengthen their professional skillset and advance their careers in one of the fastest growing regions in the United States.
The newly redesigned Walton MBA offers a unique investment in top-tier talent by providing graduate assistantship funding to all admitted students. This ensures you have the resources to focus on building your business skills, achieving your academic goals, and developing your professional excellence.
Learn alongside leaders shaped by the world’s largest retailer, with direct access to real-world strategy, scale, and executive insight.
Expand your leadership perspective through a required international experience that brings global business challenges into sharp focus.
Receive personalized executive-level career coaching designed to help you accelerate advancement during—and beyond—the program.
#11 Return on Investment(Latest ranking from Wall Street Journal)
#24 Public MBA Program (2025)
#8 MBA with a Supply Chain Emphasis (2025)
Top 6% among accredited U.S. MBA Programs(2025-2026 rankings)
August through June
MBA students complete 38 credit hours with their cohort. The curriculum combines a focus on core coursework with electives and professional development programming.
Fall
New cohorts begin each Fall semester for the MBA program. There is no spring or summer admission term.
Do I Qualify to Enroll?
Complete your undergraduate degree and meet additional requirements. View Requirements
The Walton MBA is open to students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong professional and academic credentials.
GMAT or GRE
A GMAT or GRE score is required, but can be waived for applicants with 2+ years of post-bachelor's professional work experience. Please review our master's admissions policies.
February 15
February 15 is the international and priority deadline date. June 1 is the final deadline.
Applications completed after the February 15 priority deadline are subject to cohort
availability.
$29,149.42*
*In-state tuition and fees. Additional tuition and fees for out-of-state and international
students.
View Cost Details
Meet Brianna Swafford, a Walton MBA - University of Arkansas student from McKinney, Texas.
01/28/2026 | By Sydney Ford
Find out how three career coaches from the Sam M. Walton College of Business help MBA students clarify their options and take meaningful steps toward a future that reflects their capabilities and values.
01/20/2026
Meet Claudia Mercado, a first-generation student from Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She earned her degree in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas College of Engineering and is now pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration.
01/14/2026 | By Sydney Ford
Join a supportive and engaging community located in the vibrant business network of Northwest Arkansas, with over 300 Fortune 500 companies with a presence in the region.
Business leaders and Walton College alumni are closely connected to the college and the Executive MBA, not just during your studies, but throughout your career.
Admission to Walton College masters programs is selective. Enrollment in each program is limited.
Wondering who you'll meet in class? Get to know our current students.
Our 38-credit hour program offers a balance of core business fundamentals, professional development, and career support, along with the ability to build skills customized for your specific career path
Your professional development is just as important as your academic development.
Each semester, you'll have opportunities to participate in workshops and customize your own program by choosing courses specific to your interests. You can listen to guest speakers from some of the biggest companies in the world, take workshops to improve your technical skills, and work with our image consultant experts to be your best for that dream job interview.
Topics differ each semester and, although you must participate in a minimum number, you are never limited in how many you can take.
Admission to the Walton Full-Time MBA is highly competitive—especially for international students. With a reduced cohort size and only a few seats available for international applicants, successful candidates must demonstrate exceptional qualifications. Strong GMAT or GRE scores, robust professional experience, outstanding academic achievement, and clearly defined career goals are essential. Due to limited space, applicants without these credentials may not be competitive in the current cycle. We encourage only those with truly distinguished profiles to apply and appreciate your understanding as we work to build a highly selective, high-impact learning environment.
Pursuing the Walton MBA is an investment in your future, and we're committed to helping you explore financing options. These include scholarship opportunities, graduate assistantships, and loans.
The newly redesigned Walton MBA offers a unique investment in top-tier talent by providing graduate assistantship funding to all admitted students. This ensures you have the resources to focus on building your business skills, achieving your academic goals, and developing your professional excellence.
During the period a student holds a graduate assistantship, he/she receives a complete tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. In return, the student works within the College for 20 hours a week throughout their appointment.
This level of funding support is meant to attract competitive applicants from a broad range of backgrounds. Successful candidates will share similar qualities including professional work experience, superior academic backgrounds, strong interview skills, and dedicated career aspirations.
Ecklund Family Scholarship – two $4,000 scholarship available
Karthikeyan Sennimalai Scholarship for International Students – two $1,800 scholarships available
Russell E. Westmeyer Fellowship in Graduate Studies - $9,000 available to award between multiple students
*Note amount and number of scholarships available are subject to change.
Support for financial aid applications is provided through the University Financial Aid office.
Scholarships are available to all students, including international candidates. Applications for scholarships can only be made AFTER you are admitted. Please feel free to send any inquiries you have about these options to us at mba@uark.edu.
