In the business world, an MBA can help to show prospective employers that you have what it takes to be a leader at their company. However, getting an MBA can put a major strain on your time and money, especially if you have to take time off work and drive to campus for classes. Affordable online MBA programs offer a flexible option that allows you to advance in your career by completing your degree at home. This guide is a great starting point for finding accredited schools offering budget-friendly online MBAs. It tells you about the 50 most affordable online MBA programs as well as the best ways to fund your degree.
50 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs in 2023
Any online MBA program must offer the right courses, networking opportunities, and resources to help you reach your professional goals. The biggest factor for most students, though, is affordability. In fact, financing often determines if earning your MBA is even possible. To help you find a budget-friendly, high-quality program, we ranked the most affordable MBA programs in the U.S. Data on quality and affordability from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) informed these rankings. Learn more about this data by clicking the “about the ranking” button below.
The Brescia University Master of Business Administration is ideal for experienced professionals with leadership aspirations and outstanding quantitative skills. A master’s degree can be achieved online in as little as one year, though students may have up to five years to complete their studies. Brescia’s program coursework is delivered in several formats, including lectures, peer and team learning, simulations, management development experiences and exercises, software applications, writing assignments, and presentations. To help students focus on their long-term career goals, they are asked to select an emphasis in finance or management within the MBA track. Graduates of the program have developed the tools and competencies to help them become practical and ethical organizational leaders.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration – Finance
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1-5 years
- Cost: $625/credit
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: AASBI
Master of Business Administration – Managment
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1-5 years
- Cost: $625/credit
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: AASBI
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Nichols College’s Master of Business Administration supports students’ career goals with customizable study paths to drive individual growth and success. As students progress through the MBA program, they gain a strong understanding of business principles and build management skills. During their studies, students may choose from leadership specialty tracks in critical thinking, cybersecurity, data analytics, project management, or HR management. Additionally, students can stack credits to earn a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership at the same time as an MBA. The additional four MSOL courses complement the MBA with valuable skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, innovation, and change management. Classes can be completed entirely online, allowing working professionals the flexibility they need.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration
- Credits: 36
- Length: 24 months
- Cost: $775/credit
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: IACBE
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | NECHE |
The University of Texas Permian Basin allows MBA students to earn a degree in as little as one year. Throughout the program, students gain a foundation in professional knowledge, tools, and networking skills in preparation for leadership roles and successful business careers. Graduates are knowledgeable in implementing business functions within organizations and applying financial, accounting, economic, and marketing concepts in various professional settings. Core coursework includes classes in accounting analysis, financial management, organizational behavior, and marketing management, taught by the same PhD business professionals as the on-campus program. This fully online program is designed with working professionals in mind, with 8-week course formats and six start dates per year, so students can set a learning schedule that meets their needs.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration
- Credits: 30-36
- Length: 1-2years
- Cost: $11,729.70-$14,075.64
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: AACSB
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Texas A&M International University’s online MBA in management is ideal for students balancing personal and professional obligations while earning a degree. As a part of TAMIU’s program, students gain valuable marketing, finance, and management skills to propel their future careers. Through core coursework in management concepts and marketing management, students build the confidence and knowledge to help them become leaders capable of contributing to the growth of established companies and entrepreneurial ventures. To accommodate prospective students who have not earned a bachelor’s in business or previously taken business courses, TAIMU offers 2-credit hour pre-modules in the fundamental concepts of financial economics, accounting, information systems, management, and marketing. With six start dates throughout the year and 7-week online course formats, students can build a course of study that works for their lives.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration in Management
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1-2 years
- Cost: $11,000-$30,900
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: AACSB
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Graduate students can earn an MBA degree in just one year at Texas A&M University Kingsville. To provide flexibility to working professionals who are pursuing an advanced degree, courses for this online program are divided into eight-week blocks over three semesters. Students begin with 21 core credits in economics, information systems, accounting, marketing, and management before completing their studies with nine elective credits. In addition to earning an MBA, students can earn transcripted certificates in business analytics, collaboration and team dynamics, health informatics, and taxation. Certificate coursework feeds into the MBA program curriculum, and students can stack certifications which align with their career and educational goals.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration
- Credits: 30
- Length: 1 year
- Cost: $13,000
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: AACSB
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | NECHE |
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 | ACBSP |
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 | ACICS |
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 | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | DEAC |
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 | HLC |
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 | 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 | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | AACSB |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | HLC |
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 | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | MSCHE |
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 | HLC |
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 | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
Career Services | Yes |
Academic Counseling | Yes |
Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Funding Your Online MBA: 5 Ways to Save
In addition to tuition costs, factors such as scholarships or employer tuition reimbursement programs can determine if an MBA program fits within your budget. To make your MBA more affordable, check out these effective ways to fund your online MBA.
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Apply to scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for MBA students.
Scholarships, grants, and fellowships can help offset costs for MBA students. There are even scholarships and fellowships developed specifically for MBA students, such as the Orbis Fellowship program or the Morning Brew Tech & Business News Scholarship. To find more scholarships along with tips and tricks to make your scholarship application stand out, check out OMD’s scholarships and resources guide.
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Work-Study or Assistantships
Some MBA programs offer work-study or assistantships to offset the costs. Assistantships involve helping faculty with research or teaching responsibilities by being a TA or helping a professor out with their research. A work-study position offers tuition reduction in exchange for working a job on campus. Look at specific programs for details on assistantships, and check out this U.S. government page for Federal work-study information.
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Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Many employers reimburse part or all of the tuition for employees who plan to stay with the company. In fact, MBAs are the degrees most likely to be reimbursed by employers. Reimbursement amounts and program requirements differ among employers. Apple and Deloitte, for example, are known for having some of the most comprehensive tuition reimbursement programs for employees getting MBAs.
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Payment Plans
Many universities offer payment plans to suit your budget. A payment plan makes it easier to pay your tuition without emptying your emergency fund or taking out loans. Check with a specific program to see what the payment plan options look like.
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Paid Internships
Whether getting an MBA to transition careers or right after your undergraduate degree, a paid internship cannot only help offset costs but also give real-world experience in your new professional field. Employers like Google and TikTok, for example, offer hands-on and well-compensated MBA internship programs. When considering paid internships, look for ones that directly correlate with your career goals at companies whose values align with your own.
FAQs about Affordable MBA Programs
Q. What impacts the affordability of an online MBA Program?
A variety of factors impact the affordability of an MBA program. Usually, online programs have lower overall costs than in-person ones, and public universities typically cost less than private universities because they receive government funding. However, affordability also depends on scholarships, work-study, paid internships, and assistantship opportunities.
Q. What is the ROI of an online MBA program?
The ROI of an MBA program can differ based on the career track, but the average salary after completing an MBA often makes up for the cost of tuition. For example, an MBA program costs around $40,000 a year while, according to U.S. News, the average salary for MBA graduates was about $95,300 in 2021. Fields like consulting and finance saw starting salaries as high as $120,000 for MBA holders. Those with MBAs also see more promotions and bigger raises, so the ROI continues throughout one’s professional career.
Q. How can I ensure that an affordable MBA program is high-quality?
Most high-quality programs are accredited, offer career development and networking opportunities, and have a large number of students who finish and find jobs in their field after graduating. When judging the quality of a program, find a program that provides the opportunities that are most important to you, as this is the best way to ensure the program will meet your needs.
Q. Is an online MBA more affordable than an in-person MBA?
Online MBAs are almost always more affordable than in-person programs because online programs don’t have the additional costs of finding classroom space and physical resources. Online MBAs also offer budget-friendly perks such as spending less money on transportation and food and flexible learning options that limit the time you might have to take off work.
Q. Can job experience count towards an MBA and help cut costs
Whether or not job experience count towards an MBA depends on the school and program. Some universities offer credits towards your MBA for professional experiences, but others do not. Some programs even have an internship or work requirement as part of their program. The best way to know is to research the schools you are interested in and see if your job experience will count as part of the admissions process.
Q. How can I know if an affordable MBA program is right for me?
Start by considering what you want to get out of your MBA experience. Do you want a program you can finish within a couple of years, one with more networking opportunities, or a fully-online program? Once you have a list of the program qualities that matter most to you, you can better decide which programs match your budget and educational goals.