What Is an Online MBA Program?

Both respected and internationally recognized, online MBA programs focus on developing the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in business. MBA students study big-picture thinking, core aspects of business management, and strategic decision making.

Core coursework for an MBA includes accounting, finance, marketing, management, economics, and business law. Specializations may include business analytics, international business, entrepreneurship, management information systems, and real estate. Students typically acquire 2-5 years of work experience before entering an MBA program, with graduates commonly working in areas like consulting, operations, marketing, and finance.

An online MBA Program offers the same rigorous curriculum as its on-campus counterpart; instructors simply tailor coursework to online platforms. Technology permits location-independent study, opening a variety of attractive educational options for prospective students. A distance-based MBA offers an opportunity to attend out-of-state schools without the expense and hassle of relocation, and it permits you to have more control over your pace of study.

Best Online MBA Programs for 2023

1. Franklin University, Columbus, OH

Accredited By: International Accreditation Council for Business Education

Concentrations Available: Human resources; marketing; organizational psychology

Franklin offers an online MBA for working professionals. The 36-credit curriculum encompasses various aspects of business operations. Enrollees specialize in one of three concentrations: marketing, human resources, or organizational psychology.

Students complete the MBA online in 12 months on average. All online students pay a flat affordable tuition rate. One of the nation's best online MBA programs, Franklin admissions requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Prospective students do not need to provide GRE/GMAT scores.

Available Scholarships: Government Finance Officers Association Scholarships

2. Brenau University, Gainesville, GA

Accredited By: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Concentrations Available: Accounting; business analytics; communication management; healthcare management; finance; mediation and conflict resolution; nonprofit leadership; marketing; management; and human resources management

Established as a women's college, Brenau now enrolls both women and men in its online MBA program. The 36-credit degree develops management skills essential for daily business operations. All students take core courses, such as financial management and budgeting for managers.

The program offers traditional concentrations, such as marketing and finance. The unique MBA in mediation and conflict resolution teaches advanced techniques and facilitation skills. Students can transfer up to nine credits into the MBA program. Admission to this online MBA degree requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Available Scholarships: Mary Elizabeth Lockwood Beneventi MBA Scholarship

3. Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, KY

Accredited By: International Accreditation Council for Business Education

Concentrations Available: Accounting; church management; computer science; entrepreneurial leadership; financial planning; healthcare management; human resources management; information technology; international business; marketing

Located in Kentucky, Campbellsville University offers an online MBA that integrates advanced business training and Christian values. The 36-credit curriculum includes 10 concentration options. All MBA students complete a common core, with coursework in marketing and managerial finance. The concentrations include accounting, HR management, and international business. The church management concentration develops church leaders with business acumen. Students finish the degree faster by transferring up to 12 credits toward their degree. Admission to the online MBA requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Available Scholarships: AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship Award

4. Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Accredited By: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Marquette administers an MBA from a renowned business school. The online MBA degree emphasizes workplace readiness and requires no in-person requirements. Students complete 31.5-42 credits, depending on their undergraduate major. In addition to core business skills, such as finance and marketing, students learn how to lead people and create change.

Enrollees use elective credits to master skills, such as FinTech and project management. An elective course develops competencies in the design and management of database systems. Students pay a flat rate tuition regardless of residency status. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with GRE and GMAT waivers available.

Available Scholarships: Marquette Graduate School Tuition Scholarship

5. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Accredited By: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Concentrations Available: Accounting; American legal studies; criminal justice administration; economics; executive coaching; finance; healthcare management; human resources; international business; leadership; marketing; nonprofit leadership and management; project management; public administration; public relations; real estate development; Six Sigma; strategic management; strategic media and digital content; supply chain management and logistics; tourism management

Liberty University developed an online MBA with 20 specializations. The 45-credit curriculum develops advanced leadership and managerial skills. Students build the acumen necessary for successful day-to-day business operations. The specializations provide focused training in domains such as accounting, finance, and human resources.

A notable Six Sigma concentration teaches a methodology to improve business processes and reduce waste. Students pay a flat rate tuition for one of the nation's best online MBA programs. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and undergraduate business prerequisites.

Scholarships Available: Liberty University Online Scholarships

6. University of Northwestern, Saint Paul, MN

Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission

Concentrations Available: Finance; management; data analytics; healthcare management

A Christian college in Minnesota, University of Northwestern embeds a Christian worldview in the online MBA. Enrollees complete 42 credits in 22-26 months. Students can choose a fully online or blended format with some classes taken on campus. UNW offers a general or specialized MBA. All MBA students complete a core that develops a broad base of business competencies.

Students tailor the degree with a concentration in management, finance, data analytics, or healthcare management. Small classes promote personalized learning. The online MBA degree offers one flat competitive tuition rate. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Scholarships Available: Marc Zboch Academic Scholarship

7. Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Accredited By: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Concentrations Available: Accounting; finance; marketing

Seton Hall's online MBA prepares business professionals who can ethically lead. The 40-credit MBA curriculum emphasizes applied learning. Students without a business background complete a prequalification sequence of courses. MBA students complete a generalist track or one of three concentrations: accounting, finance, or marketing.

Students complete consulting projects that demonstrate their proficiencies. Participants benefit from Seton Hall's strong ties with corporations in New York City. Admission to one of the nation's best online MBA programs requires a bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and GMAT, GRE, or LSAT scores.

Scholarships Available: Advancing Stillman Competitions

8. Ashland University, Ashland, OH

Accredited By: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Concentrations Available: Accounting; business analytics; digital marketing; entrepreneurship; financial management; global management; healthcare management and leadership; human resources management; management information systems; project management; support management; supply chain management

The online MBA at Ashland University features a highly customizable curriculum. Students can complete the 30-credit degree in just one year. Enrollees may also choose an 18-month, two-year, or three-year degree completion timeframe. All students complete an MBA core that provides training in various functional business areas.

Students tailor the degree with one of 12 specializations. The options include in-demand specializations such as business analytics and healthcare management and leadership.

Admission to one of the best online MBA programs requires a bachelor's degree and GMAT or GRE scores.

Scholarships Available: Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships

9. Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT

Accredited By: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Concentrations Available: Finance; leadership; marketing; general business

Students can complete an online MBA in 12 months at Southern Utah University. Enrollees learn how to put foundational business knowledge into practice. The 33-credit degree offers a general track that students can customize with electives. SUU also offers concentrations in finance, leadership, and marketing.

Working professionals finish the degree faster with seven-week courses. The online MBA degree offers multiple start dates each year. Students pay an affordable per-course tuition that includes all fees. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and GMAT scores with waivers available.

Scholarships Available: Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholarship

10. Lewis University, Romeoville, IL

Accredited By: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Certificates Available: Finance; business analytics; digital marketing; healthcare informatics; project management; organizational leadership

Lewis University is a Catholic and Lasallian college located in Illinois. The college designed the online MBA for working professionals. Students can complete a customizable 30-39-credit curriculum in just one year. Degree-seekers can choose a fully online or hybrid format with some classes taken on campus in Romeoville.

Students develop advanced skills in operational areas such as managerial finance and business forecasting and visualization. Participants tailor the degree with two of six certificates such as finance and project management. Admission to the online MBA degree requires a bachelor's degree.

Scholarships Available: Niche $50,000 "No Essay" Scholarship

How much does an online MBA Program cost?

The cost of an online MBA can vary from $10,000 to upwards of $100,000. Since many online MBAs are designed to be completed while working, students don’t have to forgo a salary while pursuing their education

Will an online MBA Program increase my salary?

At $115,000, the median salary of new MBA grads is 77% higher than that of people with a bachelor’s degree alone, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2021 corporate recruiters survey. At $145,000, the median salary of MBAs in the consulting industry is twice that of bachelor’s degree holders.

What is the benefit of online MBA?

One of the most important advantages of an online MBA is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to offline MBA programs, online MBA programs have fewer fees. This is mainly because of their low operating costs. You can choose a longer online MBA course by paying your monthly payments that make it more affordable

Can I earn my MBA online?

Students can complete most online MBA programs in two years. Some programs offer expedited options, which allow students to graduate in one year of full-time enrollment