Alabama Manderson MBA 2027 for International Students: Ranking, GMAT, Tuition, Scholarships and Deadlines

The Alabama Manderson MBA is the full-time, two-year MBA at the University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business in Tuscaloosa. U.S. News ranks it No. 53 in its 2026 list, and it is one of the cheapest ranked MBAs in the country for out-of-state and international students: about $35,924 a year in tuition. The 2026 class averaged 605 on the GMAT and 3.74 on undergraduate GPA. Poets&Quants reports a 63.2% acceptance rate for the fall 2025 intake.

Round 1 closed on 15 October 2026, so your Deadline is Round 2 on 15 January 2027. The GMAT or GRE is required for the traditional MBA, and the programme is not STEM-certified for OPT, which matters if you plan to work in the U.S. after graduating. This guide covers the Alabama MBA requirements for international students, the statement of purpose, costs, assistantships and what graduates earn.

Alabama Manderson MBA at a glance

Item	Detail
Programme	Traditional full-time MBA, two years (four semesters), Tuscaloosa, fall start
U.S. News rank	No. 53, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026), tied with Chapman, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tulane and William & Mary
Rank among public schools	No. 27 (U.S. News 2026, per Culverhouse)
Acceptance rate (fall 2025 entry)	63.2% (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data)
Average GMAT / GRE	605 / 318 (2026 class profile)
Average GPA	3.74 (2026 class profile)
Test policy	GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE required for the traditional MBA; waiver possible in narrow cases
Out-of-state tuition	$17,962 a semester; $35,924 a year
STEM for OPT	No
Application fee	$80 for international applicants

Alabama Manderson MBA ranking

U.S. News placed Manderson at No. 53 among full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools ranking, released on 7 April 2026. That was a one-place rise, and the school shares the spot with Chapman, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tulane and William & Mary. Culverhouse says the MBA is No. 27 among public schools, and its real estate concentration ranks No. 33 overall and No. 18 among publics.

Poets&Quants, which builds its own composite ranking, puts Alabama at No. 66 for 2026.

Alabama Manderson MBA acceptance rate and class profile

Manderson does not print an acceptance rate on its MBA pages. Poets&Quants, using the data schools send to U.S. News, reports these figures:

Intake	Acceptance rate	Yield
Fall 2025	63.2%	99.6%
Fall 2024	40.5%	90.5%
Fall 2023	31.5%	85.5%

The near-100% yield looks unusual, and it probably reflects how the class is built. Most Manderson MBA students come through the STEM and CREATE Paths, which take strong University of Alabama undergraduates straight into the MBA. Those students already know the school and rarely turn down an offer.

2026 class profile	Figure
Average GMAT	605
Average GRE	318
Average undergraduate GPA	3.74
Students on the STEM/CREATE Path	122
Students in the traditional MBA	62
U.S. states represented	30
Countries represented	3

An older profile on the admissions page gives a 2023 average GMAT of 655 and a GRE of 311 for traditional-path students. Manderson does not publish an international percentage or average work experience. With only three countries represented in 2026, expect to be one of very few international students, and expect many classmates to be in their early twenties with little full-time work history.

Alabama Manderson MBA requirements for international students

• A bachelor’s degree equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree, completed before MBA classes begin. The UA Graduate School says many three-year degrees are considered equivalent.
• A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Manderson sometimes considers provisional admission for a slightly lower GPA.
• Transcripts from every institution where you completed 15 or more credit hours. Upload unofficial copies first; final official transcripts go to the Graduate School after admission. No credential evaluation service is needed.
• A GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE score less than five years old.
• Three references, academic or professional. Letters are due ten days after your round deadline.
• A resume of one to two pages.
• A statement of purpose of about two to three double-spaced pages.
• English test scores unless you are exempt.
• The $80 international application fee.

There is no formal work experience requirement and no prerequisite course. Manderson recommends an accounting course, Excel skills and a statistics course before you start.

GMAT and GRE

The traditional MBA needs a test score, sent officially from GMAC or ETS and also uploaded as a copy. The published minimums are a GMAT Focus of 485, a classic GMAT of 500 and a GRE of 300. Scores near the class average of 605 (GMAT) or 318 (GRE) put you in a much stronger position, and Manderson gives preference to test-takers for merit scholarships.

You can ask for a waiver only if your bachelor’s degree came from an AACSB-accredited institution and your GPA is 3.0 or higher. Few universities outside the U.S. hold AACSB accreditation, so check the AACSB list before you count on this. Even with a waiver approved, the committee can still ask for a score.

English requirements

Test	Manderson MBA minimum
TOEFL iBT	100
IELTS	7.0
PTE	Accepted; minimum not listed for the MBA

Scores must be less than two years old when you enrol. These MBA minimums are higher than the UA Graduate School’s general minimums (IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120), so aim for the MBA figures. The Graduate School exempts you if you hold a degree from, studied two years in, or are a citizen of a recognised English-speaking country. Its published examples include the UK, Ireland, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Check the full list on the Graduate School page before you skip the test.

Alabama Manderson MBA deadlines 2026-2027

Manderson’s admissions page still shows the rounds for the fall 2026 class. Using the same dates for the class starting in fall 2027:

Round	Deadline	Note
Round 1 (closed)	15 October 2026	Priority admission
Round 2	15 January 2027	Your Deadline
Round 3	1 March 2027	Late for most visa timelines
Round 4	15 May 2027	Domestic applicants in practice

(based on this year’s date; confirm on the official page when the call opens)

Decisions usually come within three weeks of each deadline, or within 30 days if you interview. Admitted students have three weeks to respond and pay a $1,000 non-refundable reservation fee. Earlier applicants get priority for merit scholarships and graduate assistantships.

How to apply, step by step

1. Book the GMAT or GRE by November 2026 so you have time for a retake.
2. Check the English exemption list or book TOEFL (100) or IELTS (7.0).
3. Collect transcripts and a grading key for every university where you earned 15 or more credits, plus word-for-word translations if they are not in English.
4. Line up three referees and warn them that letters are due ten days after your deadline.
5. Write the statement of purpose and a one to two page resume.
6. Apply through the UA Slate portal and pay the $80 fee by 15 January 2027.
7. Interview if you receive an email invitation.
8. After admission: Pay the $1,000 reservation fee within three weeks, send official transcripts and scores, and start the I-20 process.

Alabama Manderson MBA statement of purpose

Manderson does not use short essays. It asks for one statement of purpose, ideally two to three double-spaced pages, that answers five questions:

1. What led you to pursue a Manderson MBA?
2. What makes you a good fit?
3. Which areas of improvement do you want to focus on?
4. Which area of focus (concentration) do you plan to select?
5. What are your potential career aspirations?

How to answer each part

• Why Manderson: Name something specific to Alabama, such as the real estate concentration, the healthcare concentration starting in fall 2026, or the low cost. Avoid praise that would fit any school.
• Fit: Link one or two experiences to the way the programme works. Case teams and small classes reward people who speak up and work in groups.
• Areas of improvement: Pick a real gap, such as finance knowledge or presenting to senior people, and say how the MBA will close it. Admitting a weakness reads as maturity here.
• Concentration: Choose one of the eight concentrations and say why it serves your plan.
• Career aspirations: Give a first job after the MBA and a longer-term goal. Because the degree is not STEM-certified, say honestly whether you plan to work in the U.S. or return home.

For illustration: “I spent three years reconciling supplier accounts for a cement distributor in Lagos and kept asking why our warehouses sat half empty. I want an MBA in supply chain and operations management so that I can answer that question with data.”

Answer the five questions in order and use a short heading for each if it helps the reader. Three pages is the ceiling, and two well-edited pages are enough.

The Alabama Manderson interview

Interviews are by invitation only, and not every applicant gets one. Invited candidates receive an email with a sign-up link. Manderson’s pages do not describe the format, so ask whether international applicants interview online. Prepare to talk through your statement of purpose, your choice of concentration and how you will pay for the degree.

What the admissions committee looks for

• Strong academics: the 2026 class averaged a 3.74 GPA.
• A competitive GMAT or GRE, ideally near 605 or 318.
• Leadership roles, internships or project work, especially if you are a recent graduate.
• A clear concentration choice and realistic career plan.
• Comfortable English, with TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0 if you need a test.

Alabama Manderson MBA tuition and cost

Manderson charges international students the out-of-state rate. Its tuition page gives this two-year estimate; the page does not name an academic year:

Item	Out-of-state / international	In-state
Tuition, per semester	$17,962	$5,959
Tuition, per year	$35,924	$11,918
Tuition, two years	$71,848	$23,836
MBA reservation fee (one time)	$1,000	$1,000
Graduate course fees (19 courses)	$5,852	$5,852
Technology and facilities fees	$684	$684
Total as stated by Manderson	$78,384	$31,372

The out-of-state lines add up to $79,384, not the $78,384 printed on the page, and the page text gives $250 per course while the table uses $308. Budget for the higher figure.

Costs not covered

• Housing and food in Tuscaloosa, which Manderson does not price on its MBA page.
• Books and supplies, about $1,000 a year.
• Parking.
• Health insurance, unless an assistantship covers it.
• Overload fees if you take more than the full-time credit load in a semester.
• Flights, the SEVIS fee and the U.S. visa fee.

Alabama Manderson MBA scholarships and assistantships for international students

All admitted students are considered for academic merit awards automatically. Manderson weighs academic record, GMAT or GRE scores, professional accomplishments and potential, and gives preference to applicants who submit a test score. It does not publish award names or amounts. Later, enrolled students can receive extra funding for activities such as case teams.

Award	What it gives	Commitment
Graduate assistantship	Half of tuition for fall and spring, plus a stipend of about $7,800 over nine months; sometimes health insurance and course fees	About 10 hours a week on a business school research or project assignment
Academic merit award	Amount not published	None stated
Activity-based funding	Support for case teams and career development	Awarded after enrolment

Assistantships usually go to top students, and earlier applicants get priority. The MBA pages do not say how many international students receive one. For loans, Manderson points to the FAFSA, which is for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, and to the Graduate School’s international funding page. It does not name Prodigy Finance, MPOWER or another loan without a U.S. co-signer. For outside funding, see our list of American scholarships for international students.

STEM designation and OPT

Manderson states plainly that its MBA is not STEM-certified for the OPT process. As an F-1 graduate you would get the standard 12 months of OPT, with no 24-month STEM extension. If working in the U.S. for several years after the degree is your main goal, compare this with STEM-designated MBAs before you apply.

Concentrations and dual degrees

Traditional MBA students choose from business analytics, cybersecurity and management information systems, finance, financial risk, real estate, marketing, strategic management, and supply chain and operations management. A healthcare concentration starts in fall 2026. Dual degrees are available with the University of Alabama School of Law (JD), engineering (MS in civil or mechanical engineering) and theatre management (MFA); each needs a separate application and fee.

Alabama Manderson MBA salary and employment

Manderson’s career outcomes page has a Class of 2023 placement heading but shows no salary or placement figures under it. It does list these employers:

• Lockheed Martin, ExxonMobil, EY, Accenture and Ford.
• AT&T, Georgia-Pacific, FedEx and Alabama Power.
• Dell Technologies, Oracle, Regions Bank, PwC and JPMorgan Chase.

The Poets&Quants school profile lists an average base salary of $77,723 and a 90% job-offer rate at three months for 2024, but these are third-party figures that I could not match to a Manderson report. Ask the career office for the latest employment report, including how many international graduates found U.S. jobs.

Common mistakes international applicants make

• Assuming the GMAT is optional because many peer schools are test-optional.
• Booking IELTS with a 6.5 target, the Graduate School minimum, when the MBA wants 7.0.
• Counting on the test waiver without checking whether your university is AACSB-accredited.
• Answering only some of the five statement of purpose questions.
• Applying in March or May and running out of time for the visa.
• Expecting a STEM OPT extension that this MBA does not offer.

Who should apply to Alabama Manderson, and who shouldn’t

Apply if total cost is your main concern, you have a solid GPA and test score, and you are interested in real estate, finance, analytics or supply chain. An assistantship that halves tuition makes Manderson one of the cheapest ranked MBAs you can find.

Think twice if you want a large international class, older classmates with long work histories, or three years of OPT through a STEM degree. A short, U.S.-focused job search is harder without that extension.

Alabama Manderson vs peer MBA programmes

School	U.S. News 2026	Avg GMAT	Tuition or cost	International	Deadline
Alabama Manderson	No. 53 (tie)	605 (2026 class profile)	$35,924 a year out-of-state tuition	Not published (3 countries)	15 January 2027 (Round 2)
Kentucky Gatton	No. 53 (tie)	Not published (median 634, Poets&Quants)	$48,478 for the one-year programme, non-resident, 2026-27	3.4% (Poets&Quants)	15 January 2027 (international)
South Carolina Moore	No. 53 (tie)	Not published	$35,750 One-Year MBA, non-resident (2024-25 rate)	Not published	15 January 2027 (Round 3)
Tennessee Haslam	No. 43 (tie)	Not published	$69,968 estimated programme cost	Not published	15 December 2026 (Round 2)
Arkansas Walton	No. 48	Not published	Tuition waived through the assistantship given to admitted students	Not published	15 February 2027

FAQ

What is the Alabama Manderson MBA acceptance rate?

Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports 63.2% for the fall 2025 intake, up from 40.5% in 2024. Manderson does not publish its own figure.

Is the GMAT required for the Alabama MBA?

Yes for the traditional MBA: you need a GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE score. A waiver is possible only with a 3.0 GPA from an AACSB-accredited university, and test-takers get preference for scholarships.

Is the Alabama Manderson MBA STEM-designated?

No. Manderson says the MBA is not STEM-certified for OPT, so international graduates get 12 months of OPT without the 24-month extension.

What is the Alabama MBA deadline for international students?

The Deadline is Round 2 on 15 January 2027. Manderson sets no separate international date, but the Graduate School advises allowing six months for the visa, so do not wait for later rounds.

Sources and updates

Requirements, the statement of purpose questions, the test waiver, fees and decision timing are from Manderson’s MBA admissions page. Round dates, English minimums, test minimums and the STEM statement are from the Manderson programmes admissions page, which still shows the fall 2026 cycle. Tuition, fees and assistantships are from the tuition and financial aid page. The 2026 class profile and employer list are from the career outcomes page. Graduate School English rules and visa timing are from the UA Graduate School international students page. Concentrations and the public rank are from Culverhouse’s April 2026 ranking news. Acceptance and yield figures are from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 acceptance rate tables; salary figures are from the Poets&Quants school profile. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (full-time MBA), released on 7 April 2026, as tabulated by Poets&Quants. Checked on 29 October 2026.