It’s no wonder you’ve got Georgia on your mind. From its skyrocketing job numbers to its status as one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S., Georgia is a desirable place for current and new business professionals. An online MBA from a Georgia university offers a flexible and affordable way to expand your business career options and increase your earning potential. Whether you want to supplement an undergraduate accounting degree or move into a leadership position, online MBAs offer the foundational coursework and specialized knowledge you’ll need.
This page spotlights some of Georgia’s top online MBA programs and various specializations, as well as job data and professional resources. Keep reading to learn about the best online MBA programs in Georgia and discover how this degree can bolster your competitiveness in the state’s growing job market.
Top Online MBA Programs in Georgia in 2023
Georgia’s top online MBA programs offer flexible and affordable academic pathways for business professionals to enhance their resumes, hone specialized skills, and expand their professional networks. The quality programs spotlighted below allow students to complete coursework while keeping up with personal and professional obligations. See which MBA programs in Georgia stand out for 2023.
Brenau University offers different MBAs for general business, human resources management, nonprofit management, project management, and mediation and conflict resolution. These programs are designed to create professionals with critical thinking and decision-making skills, real-world experience, specialized training, as well as comprehensive knowledge necessary to progress to a higher level in their organization or take the next step in their career. To be admitted into any of these programs, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a resume, and a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Program Highlights:
MBA
- Credits: 36
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $785/credit
- Mode: Online, On-Campus
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
MBA Management
- Credits: 45
- Length: 2-3 years
- Cost: $785/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 |
The University of West Georgia offers MBA degrees both online and on campus for students’ convenience and support. This program is designed to give students the skills, knowledge, understanding, and attitudes needed to be successful in the global business workforce, whether they’re interested in advancing their career or starting a new one. This program is delivered through a collaborative learning style with other students to give well-rounded perspectives and education. Students can even customize their degree plan by choosing between five different concentrations to better pursue their interests or fit into niche careers in the business industry.
Program Highlights:
MBA
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1.5 years
- Cost: $241/credit (online)
- Mode: Online, On-Campus
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – International
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Albany State University offers an MBA degree online and on-campus, with four concentrations that allow students to specialize their education. This program is designed to help students compare and contrast business issues and solutions, apply team-building and leadership skills, evaluate ethics in business, demonstrate cross-cultural values and beliefs, evaluate strategic knowledge across the business workforce, and examine, test, explain, and integrate problem-solving skills in business situations. Students who graduate have the opportunity to pursue their education through a doctorate or Ph.D., assist faculty in teaching assignments, and publish research papers collaboratively.
Program Highlights:
MBA
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1 year
- Cost: $300/credit
- Mode: Online, On-Campus
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Columbus State University offers an online MBA that will help students see things in new ways, make unexpected connections, and find solutions to real-world problems. The program focuses on global businesses, human behavior, operations, and the impact they have on managerial decision-making. Students will learn to evaluate ethical and social dimensions in business, analyze global economic environments, problem solve through critical thinking, integrate multiple business components, use risk analysis, apply team-building and leadership to groups of employees, evaluate and present business decisions, and analyze and evaluate appropriate solutions to issues in the business industry.
Program Highlights:
MBA
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1 year
- Cost: $817/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Kennesaw State University offers an MBA degree that is fully online and part-time to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Students will gain extensive knowledge of key business functions to prepare them to manage high-level projects, lead business initiatives, and make more impactful business decisions. This degree allows graduates to pursue careers as financial managers, operations managers, marketing specialists, business analysts, human resource managers, project managers, and sales managers. To be admitted into this program, students must have a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of two years experience, all previous college transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Program Highlights:
MBA
- Credits: 30-36
- Length: 2 years
- Cost: $240/credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NA |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
Popular Online MBA Specializations in Georgia
While foundational MBA coursework applies to numerous careers in the business world, supplementing this coursework with an academic specialization can further hone specific skills and enhance competitiveness in the job market. From accounting to healthcare management, Georgia MBA programs offer a variety of specializations to meet your academic and career goals.
MBA with an Emphasis in Accounting
Accounting is an essential part of business, and an accounting concentration help students hone foundational skills that prove useful for both non-accountants and those seeking CPA licensure. Accounting specialization requirements vary, but standard courses include topics like accounting theory, advanced financial statement analysis, corporate taxation, and issues in accounting and taxation research.
Examples of Online MBA Programs in Georgia with this Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Healthcare Management
An MBA concentration in healthcare management is a solid option for students pursuing or advancing careers in healthcare leadership. Graduates in this specialization acquire essential business skills that enhance career options in healthcare settings. Common coursework includes topics like healthcare information management, research methods in healthcare, and legal environment of business and healthcare law.
Examples of Online MBA Programs in Georgia with this Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Marketing
Students pursuing an MBA with a concentration in marketing supplement core business coursework with various marketing-centric classes. A marketing concentration introduces students to specialized skills while focusing on leadership. Common classes include topics like buyer behavior, international marketing, marketing research, and social media and e-marketing.
Examples of Online MBA Programs in Georgia with this Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Finance
Those pursuing an MBA can leverage a finance concentration as a way to expand career options and increase pay. This concentration is an excellent option for individuals in various finance careers, including those as investment brokers, financial analysts, and security analysts. Common finance courses include topics like entrepreneurial finance, managing financial institutions, and investments and portfolio management.
Examples of Online MBA Programs in Georgia with this Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Management
An MBA with a management specialization introduces students to the complex world of managing people and organizational change. Ideal for future leaders who want to hone decision-making and leadership skills, common management classes cover topics like project management, organizational behavior, negotiations, and business and management law.
Examples of Online MBA Programs in Georgia with this Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Human Resources Management
Online MBA students can supplement core business classes with essential human resources coursework that can translate into lucrative HR leadership roles. Standard human resources classes cover topics like employment law, human resources strategy, and talent acquisition and management.
Examples of Online MBA Programs in Georgia with this Specialization
Frequently Asked Questions About Earning your MBA Online in Georgia
What is the average cost of an MBA program in Georgia?
The cost of online MBA programs in Georgia varies dramatically, but public institutions typically offer the lowest tuition rates. On the low end, tuition can be less than $300 per credit while more expensive institutions charge over $700 per credit. Students enrolling online often save on costs (e.g., campus-based fees, travel, etc.) typically associated with in-person learning.
What does an MBA admissions process in Georgia look like?
MBA admission requirements vary among schools, but there are some universal requirements applicants can anticipate. Prospective students need bachelor’s degrees from an accredited college or university, often with a minimum GPA of around 3.0. Alongside an online application, applicants typically must also submit a professional resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining academic and career goals. Additionally, many online MBA programs require at least two years of relevant experience in a professional business environment.
How quickly can I earn an online MBA in Georgia?
The length of MBA programs varies, but most take about two years to complete. Part-time students take longer to graduate than full-time learners, and those pursuing an academic concentration may also take longer. Additionally, students enrolling in accelerated programs or those with transferrable credits can expedite their graduation date.
Is the GMAT required to get into an MBA program in Georgia?
While the GMAT is a common admission requirement for MBA programs, online programs tend to favor academic performance and professional experience when making admission decisions. Additionally, many schools requiring standardized test scores commonly offer test waivers for applicants with extensive business experience or those with college transcripts demonstrating clear readiness for graduate-level coursework.
In Georgia, what is the ROI on an MBA vs a bachelor’s degree in business?
Graduates from schools like Kennesaw State University and Clayton State University see, according to Payscale, a 20-year net return on investment of about 8%. An online MBA offers working professionals cutting-edge skills that often lead to expanded career options and increased pay.
What accreditations should I look for in an online MBA program in Georgia?
When applying for online MBA programs in Georgia, be sure they hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Programmatic accreditation is effectively an MBA program’s seal of approval stating it offers standout academics, student services, and resources for graduates. Georgia schools should hold accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Financial Aid and Scholarships for MBA Students in Georgia
Many online MBA programs come with a significant price tag, but several also offer relatively affordable tuition rates. Earning an online MBA is always a considerable investment of both time and money, and most students need financial aid through options like loans, grants, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance.
When reviewing potential online MBA programs in Georgia, reach out to each institution’s financial aid office. Financial aid professionals can help you find the most effective way to secure funding to offset the cost of tuition, course materials, and other fees.
Scholarships are another popular funding option. They range in size, but any financial award will help ease the financial burden of a graduate program. Some scholarships specifically for graduate students are highlighted below.
The Bikulege Family Foundation Master’s Fellowship
Duke Kramer MBA Graduate Assistantship
Salary Potential for MBA Grads in Georgia
Georgia’s unemployment numbers reached an all-time low, dropping below 3%, according to the Department of Labor. The state’s job numbers also hit a new high of over 4.8 million. Over the past decade, Georgia became one of the top five states with the fastest growing populations. This growth along with the state’s pro-business tax structure makes the Peach State an excellent place for business professionals.
Graduates with an MBA in Georgia gain the skills they need to expand career options and tackle leadership roles in various business environments. Jobs for marketing managers, financial managers, and management analysts, as the table below illustrates, all boast faster-than-average job growth rates. Additionally, these leadership roles come with especially lucrative salaries. The annual mean wage for marketing, human resource, and sales managers all top $120,000 annually.
| Job Growth Rate (2020-2030) | Average Annual Openings (2020-2030) | Annual Mean Wage (2021) | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10% |
31,100 |
$139,650 |
|
|
17% |
64,200 |
$145,580 |
|
|
9% |
14,800 |
$124,520 |
|
|
14% |
99,400 |
$100,820 |
|
|
7% |
37,000 |
$140,680 |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics