Top Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs

Review this year’s top-ranked online MBA programs, learn what to look for in a quality program, and explore the most popular types of MBA programs available online.

Earning an MBA online can open many doors to you in the business world. Whether it is finance, management, or consulting, you will be better-prepared for a rewarding career that pays well. However, deciding to pursue this path is only the first step; you’ll need to decide which B-school and online MBA program best align with your education and career goals. Most programs offer a number of degree specializations and course formats to support different career paths. With dozens of possibilities available, how do you choose?

The following guide shows you what to look for in a quality online MBA program, starting with a comprehensive list of this year’s top B-schools offering MBA programs online. See which programs stand out in 2023.

Top 50 Online MBA Programs in 2023

About the ranking
1
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

The University of Colorado-Denver offers five different MBA options that students can choose from. The Professional MBA program will give students a solid business foundation in a variety of industries. It offers over 100 elective courses and 15 degree specializations to give students a custom education. The one-year MBA is a full-time program with daytime and some online classes. The Executive MBA is a part-time program that takes 18 months to complete and requires 10+ years of experience to apply. The Health Administration MBA and the Executive MBA in Health Administration are both part-time and take about two years to complete. In the professional, one-year, and executive MBAs students can expect to take courses in law and ethics, data analysis, leadership, accounting, marketing, information systems, economics, operations, financial management, and strategic management. Students also have the option of studying abroad with international courses and international consulting projects to give them hands-on experience.

Program Highlights:

Professional MBA

  • Credits: 45
  • Length: 2-3 years
  • Cost: $780/credit
  • Mode: Online, Hybrid
  • Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Executive MBA

  • Credits: 45
  • Length: 18 months
  • Cost: $1,722/credit
  • Mode: Online, Hybrid
  • Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
2
Owensboro, Kentucky
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

Brescia University offers an MBA specifically designed for experienced, time-conscious students interested in pursuing leadership. The program will equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively and ethically function as organizational leaders. Students have the option to customize their degree with an emphasis in finance or management. Courses will be taught through lectures, peer and team learning, simulations, management development experiences and exercises, software applications, individual and group presentations, and multiple-level writing assignments. Students can expect to take courses in organizational behavior, human resource management, the legal environment of business, international business, legal and ethical business, strategic management, and supply chain management.

Program Highlights:

MBA

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $425/credit
  • Mode: Online, On Campus
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
3
River Forest, Illinois
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

Concordia University – Chicago offers an MBA program dedicated to creating ethical leaders for the global marketplace. This program focuses on ethics and social responsibility, an entrepreneurial mindset, communication and human relations, and global inclusiveness. Students will be able to synthesize concepts from various business disciplines to develop business strategies and develop a leadership framework to evaluate ethical issues in business. Students can choose between specializations in accounting, finance, digital marketing, chief school business official, project management, healthcare management, sports management, and leadership and change management. This program is offered in an accelerated format which can be completed in one year, or a regular format which can be completed in two.

Program Highlights:

MBA

  • Credits: 36
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $1,018/credit
  • Mode: Online, On Campus
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
4
Saint Louis, Missouri
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

Webster University offers an MBA degree that teaches students the business competencies needed to develop and implement value-creating ideas and solutions, while building the personal skills necessary to achieve their professional aspirations. This program blends business competencies with personal effectiveness skills through innovative online delivery or face-to-face discussions. Students will be taught to identify and value opportunities, develop and implement business plans, manage business processes, and provide decision support. This program also offers several emphases to customize the degree, with a dual-degree option available with additional credits.

Program Highlights:

MBA

  • Credits: 33
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $700/credit
  • Mode: Online, On Campus
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
5
Oakland City, Indiana
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$

Oakland City University offers an MBA degree designed to give working professionals a chance to further their education and career while maintaining their work. This degree is designed to guide students in pursuit of enhancing the foundation skills necessary for productive economic behavior and to provide opportunities for them to hone the skills and understanding necessary for cultivating and preserving a labor force. Students can expect to take courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting, human resource management, organizational behavior and leadership, marketing management, financial management, international business management, strategic management and operation planning.

Program Highlights:

MBA

  • Credits: unknown
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $1,072
  • Mode: Online, On Campus
  • Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
6
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
7
Winfield, Kansas
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
8
Collegedale, Tennessee
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
9
Gainesville, Georgia
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
10
Miami Gardens, Florida
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
11
Providence, Rhode Island
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NA
12
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
13
Fort Myers, Florida
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
14
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
15
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
16
Bethany, Oklahoma
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
17
Fresno, California
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation WSCUC
18
Lakewood, Colorado
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
19
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NECHE
20
Dearborn, Michigan
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
21
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
22
Hackettstown, New Jersey
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
23
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
24
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NECHE
25
Rockville Centre, New York
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
26
La Grande, Oregon
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NWCCU
27
Gainesville, Florida
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
28
Harrogate, Tennessee
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
29
Salt Lake City, Utah
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NWCCU
30
Melbourne, Florida
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NA
31
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
32
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
33
West Lafayette, Indiana
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
34
San Diego, California
Type:
Private for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation ACICS
35
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
36
Lawrence, Kansas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
37
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
38
College Park, Maryland
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
39
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
40
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
41
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
42
Silver City, New Mexico
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
43
Laramie, Wyoming
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
44
Greensboro, North Carolina
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
45
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC
46
Houston, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
47
Bakersfield, California
Type:
Private for-profit
Cost:
$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation ACICS
48
Salisbury, North Carolina
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
49
Dudley, Massachusetts
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation NECHE
50
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services & Accreditation

Career Services Yes
Academic Counseling Yes
Accreditation HLC

B-School Spotlights: 3 Popular Online MBA Programs

While college rankings are a great place to start your B-school search, it can be helpful to dive deeper into real-world online MBA programs to get a better sense of what’s out there. We’ve spotlighted three top-tier online MBA programs from AACSB-accredited schools below to give you an idea of what to look for in a quality program.

University of North Carolina – Kenan-Flagler

UNC’s Kenan Flager-School of Business has an online MBA program with five different concentrations. Qualified students can choose from over 25 electives while specializing in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, strategy and consulting, data analytics, and decision-making. The program builds essential business strategy and management skills while introducing learners to economics and organizational leadership principles. The school’s extensive alumni network also helps connect soon-to-be graduates with potential employers, establishing a strong professional network that sets this course of study apart from other online MBA programs.

Specifically designed for working professionals, UNC delivers most coursework components entirely online, offering classes in business modeling, corporate strategy, financial analysis, and a host of other subjects. All students must complete two in-person summits held at the school’s Chapel Hill campus and select cities worldwide. These immersive experiences expose students to new business perspectives and help strengthen the interaction between colleagues and faculty.

University of Southern California

university-of-southern-california-logo

USC offers a cross-disciplinary online MBA that draws on technical knowledge in marketing finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, and management. Students learn how these disciplines intersect and how they can improve business strategies and corporate outcomes. Graduates of the program step into roles as forward-thinking business leaders who can design effective, practical solutions across industries. The fully accredited program entails 51 credits and includes instruction in managerial techniques, business fundamentals, environmental sustainability, and finance.

Students can take classes to choose and access course material using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous online learning tools. USC uses a semester system, which means learners can begin the program in the fall or spring, enrolling in 15-week classes. Within this system, students move through the program with a cohort of peers who provide support and additional interaction opportunities. USC also provides one-on-one career advising services to all its students.

University of Florida

university-of-florida-logo

At the University of Florida, students can earn an MBA online along two different tracks designed to accommodate a wide range of circumstances: a 16-month option and a 24-month option. The 16-month track offers an accelerated path to graduation for students who hold an undergraduate degree in business or a closely related field. The 24-month track casts a wider net and allows for more flexibility in study and timing. Both options result in the same degree and administer the same menu of courses covering financial management, international marketing, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurship.

Housed within USC’s Warrington College of Business, this course of study uses cohorts comprised of ~50 students that offer a small group experience within an interactive online learning environment. The program uses asynchronous tools for maximum convenience – students can access content and complete assignments whenever they choose. USC administers all program requirements virtually, but students must attend an in-person orientation session before beginning a course of study.

Common Qualities of the Best Online MBA Programs

There are a ton of business schools and online MBA programs out there. You can narrow your search by looking for common qualities often shared by the top programs. This helps establish some clear parameters and ensures that you complete a solid, reputable course of study that will pay off in the future. Here are a few key indicators to keep in mind.

  • AACSB Accreditation

    This is one of the most important characteristics to look for. Programmatic accreditation from the AACSB is no substitute for institutional accreditation (every potential school should have that), but it does demonstrate additional clout and quality. The best online MBA programs will hold this credential because it provides additional backing specific to business and management.

  • Professional Specializations

    Many students earn a generalist MBA, but you can advance your career even further if you choose a specialization that deepens expertise and expands your profile. With that in mind, it’s worth considering schools that give you some options. We detail some of those options later in this guide. If you already work in finance or entrepreneurship, for example, pursuing a course of study that supports those interests can go a long way.

  • Resources and Support

    Most schools will have some services in this area, but the best online MBA programs showcase their ability to support students (especially online learners) throughout their studies. In this regard, things to look for include professional development tools, built-in alumni networks, technology resources, robust fieldwork placements, and career services for soon-to-be graduates.

3 Best Reasons to Earn an MBA Online

Obtaining the skills and knowledge you need to advance your business career is easier and more accessible than ever, thanks to new technologies and online learning tools. The best MBA online programs provide quality training from industry experts with built-in options for customization. Also, you will enjoy the following benefits and advantages:

  1. Flexibility

    These programs stand among the most convenient and flexible options out there. Designed with busy learners and working professionals in mind, online MBA programs can accommodate various circumstances. This means you can study without any personal or professional hiccups, graduating quickly so you can put your degree to good use.

  2. Diversity

    Business and corporate enterprise are more globalized than ever. The most successful leaders aren’t just aware of this; they encourage it by hiring, interacting, and working with people from all walks of life. Earning an MBA online prepares you for this reality by transcending national and geographic boundaries. You will study with a diverse group of colleagues that reflects real-world work conditions.

  3. Affordability

    Online MBA programs tend to be quite cheaper than the traditional, brick-and-mortar alternatives. Tuition rates vary by individual program, of course, but this approach could save you money in the long run. For example, many schools extend a flat rate to online learners and sometimes forgo many of the fees often associated with in-person education.

To accommodate different starting places and diverse circumstances, most schools offer several different ways to earn your MBA online. The program types discussed below are usually tailored to fit unique needs. If you’re concerned that your situation might make more school difficult, rest assured – there’s a viable starting place for everyone.

  • Executive Online MBA Programs

    Theoretically, you can become a top business executive with an MBA or MBA specialization. These programs fast-track that path and are designed for working professionals with some corporate experience. They typically offer evening courses (if synchronous) and blend traditional business programming with instruction in executive-level leadership and management.

  • Accelerated/1-Year Online MBA Programs

    These programs attract learners who want to complete their studies quickly and have few outside commitments. Most programs graduate students in 16 months or less and administer an intensive curriculum covering a broad range of topics in less time. Because of their rigorous nature, many accelerated programs call for an undergraduate degree in business.

  • Part-Time Online MBA Programs

    If you are already working in business, want the career advancement opportunities an MBA provides, and are in no rush to graduate, this could be the best option. These part-time MBA programs move at a slower pace to accommodate professional commitments and family responsibilities.

  • No-GMAT MBA Programs

    These online MBA programs fast-track the admissions process by waiving traditional test requirements. Many programs require the GMAT (a standardized management test), but if you’re pressed for time or don’t have a business or management background, this could be the way to go. Some programs might call for additional admission requirements in some cases.

Top Online MBA Program Specializations

One of the great things about earning an MBA is the ability to specialize. The best MBA online programs offer specializations that correlate with in-demand skill sets and broader business management trends. Specializing can set you apart from the competition when you graduate. Check out some of the options below.