Liz Simmons has been writing for various online publications about career development, higher education and college affordability for nearly a decade. Her articles demystify the college application process and help prospective students figure out how to choose a major or career path.
Jessica Crosby is a freelance writer and former teacher with expertise in high school and college admissions. She creates content for education and personal finance companies and believes that all learning should be approachable.
Liz Simmons,
Liz Simmons has been writing for various online publications about career development, higher education and college affordability for nearly a decade. Her articles demystify the college application process and help prospective students figure out how to choose a major or career path.
Jessica Crosby, M. Ed.
Jessica Crosby is a freelance writer and former teacher with expertise in high school and college admissions. She creates content for education and personal finance companies and believes that all learning should be approachable.
Brenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accolades in California and North Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding careers.
Reviewed
Brenna Swanston
Brenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accolades in California and North Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding careers.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
As your business career grows, you may want to widen your skill set or learn how to stand out in a crowded field. Earning a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) could be your next step. Whether offered on campus or online, M.B.A. programs explore management, marketing, accounting, finance and leadership for business professionals.
Every online M.B.A. program offers a unique experience, and the best ones can deliver a major career boost. Depending on your chosen school and focus area, a degree from a top online M.B.A. program can prepare you for professional success in management, finance, human resources or other business disciplines.
Dive into our list of the best online M.B.A. programs in the U.S. to discover what makes each program distinctive, explore degree costs and timelines, and find a school that fits your career goals and budget.
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Best Business & Marketing Degree Programs
Best Online M.B.A. Degree Programs
What Is an Online M.B.A.?
An M.B.A. is a graduate degree focused on the skills professionals need to advance their business careers. This versatile credential serves workers in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.
Whether delivered online, on-site or in a hybrid format, an M.B.A. broadens and deepens students’ business knowledge base and develops their leadership skills while providing valuable opportunities to explore specialized topics and network with classmates. While a traditional, on-campus program features live lectures and class discussions, an online M.B.A. replicates those experiences through interactive digital content.
Curriculum
Online M.B.A. programs typically include about 30 to 50 credits, often consisting of a shared, general business core, plus elective courses and concentrations that allow learners to customize their degree plans.
Core business classes vary by program, but usually cover some or all of these topics:
- Strategic management and leadership
- Business ethics
- Accounting
- Corporate finance
- Marketing
- Business analytics
- Business communication
- Organizational behavior
- Operations management
- Economics and statistics for business
Admissions
Requirements to enter an online M.B.A. program begin with a four-year undergraduate degree. Many M.B.A. candidates hold bachelor’s degrees in business, finance and other related disciplines, but business schools accept applicants from a variety of majors. Students from arts, humanities, social science and STEM backgrounds contribute to a cohort diversity that many M.B.A. programs seek and value.
When applying, expect to provide official transcripts from your bachelor’s and any prior graduate study. Some schools set a minimum GPA threshold or require a certain amount of work experience. Other common application materials include a professional résumé, letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
You may also need to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. However, some business schools are test-optional, and many offer GMAT/GRE waivers for applicants with sufficient work experience or prior related degrees.
Networking
It’s often said that one of the most powerful benefits of earning an M.B.A. is the opportunity it provides to expand your professional network. If you’re considering pursuing an M.B.A. online, you might wonder how you can reap this benefit if you rarely—or never—meet your cohort in person.
The good news is that the best online M.B.A. schools create venues for remote learners to network, such as virtual or local events, career fairs, student associations and on-campus orientations. Discussion forums, live online classes and group projects also help you connect with your peers, and many programs have active student groups on social media platforms such as LinkedIn.
Still, online M.B.A. programs may lack the abundant organic networking opportunities of on-campus programs. Without the ability to strike up a casual conversation with the classmate in the next seat, online learners often need to put a little more creative effort into making professional connections.
Should You Enroll in an Online MBA?
Online college is growing in popularity, including among M.B.A. students. In fact, as of 2022, 38.7% of graduate students were enrolled exclusively in distance education courses, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
That said, online learning may not be a great fit for everyone. Consider your unique learning preferences and life circumstances as you search for the on-campus, hybrid or online M.B.A. program that’s best for you.
Budget
Everyday costs associated with school can add up fast: housing, transportation, parking, gas and time. Distance learning allows you to complete coursework from home, often reducing or eliminating housing and transportation expenses. Plus, with an online M.B.A. degree program, you can find a program that fits around your work schedule so you can continue earning an income while in school.
Schedule
If you’re juggling a full-time job as you pursue an M.B.A., an online program may provide the flexibility you need. Asynchronous courses offer the highest level of flexibility because they do not require you to attend classes at specific times.
Learning Style
Even if an online M.B.A. program best suits your schedule, it might not suit your learning style.
Consider online learning if you’re self-motivated and organized. You’ll need to practice strong time management as well, especially if you take asynchronous courses. Many people draw motivation from in-person classrooms; these learners might prefer hybrid or on-campus degree programs.
Accreditation for Online M.B.A. Programs
Colleges and universities earn institutional accreditation, which applies to the entire school. The Council for Higher Education (CHEA) and the Department of Education (ED) oversee the organizations that determine institutional accreditation.
Institutional accrediting bodies look at success metrics like student outcomes, academic programs, faculty and support services to determine accreditation status. You must attend an institutionally accredited college or university to be eligible for federal student aid. Institutional accreditation also makes it easier to transfer credits and qualify for more advanced degrees and professional credentials.
Separately, programmatic accreditors conduct industry-specific evaluations of individual degree programs and departments. The availability and importance of programmatic accreditation can vary among degree types and industries.
M.B.A. programs can earn programmatic accreditation from business-specific accreditors, including:
- The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- AACSB International
- The International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Many of the best accredited online M.B.A. programs hold approval from one of these bodies, but not all do. Please note that CHEA and ED do not recognize AACSB International, but this accreditor is prominent in the business field.
You can research institutional and programmatic accreditation statuses using CHEA’s directories.
How To Find the Right Online M.B.A. for You
Ready for the next step in your business career? Here’s how to narrow down your online M.B.A. options.
Consider Your Future Goals
You can use your M.B.A. to help further your career in management, human resources, consulting, strategic leadership, finance or another business-related field. The best online M.B.A. program for you should align with your goals, whether you’re just starting in your field or you have significant work experience.
Consider how your degree program will fit into your professional and personal life. If you’re just starting out, you may choose a program that’s geared toward entry-level applicants and includes an internship. And if you want to tailor your studies around your family life, a part-time M.B.A. program might be your best bet.
An M.B.A. can provide a leg up when you’re applying for jobs. The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) reports M.B.A. graduates are in high demand among global employers, seeing the most hiring success in 2022 compared to other degree types. GMAC’s report also projected strong salary increases for M.B.A. grads.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Tuition for the M.B.A. programs in our guide ranges from $425 to $1,800 per credit, with programs requiring between 30 and 54 credits. This brings the total cost of an online M.B.A. to between $12,750 and $97,200.
According to NCES data, tuition and fees for graduate programs at public colleges cost $12,596 on average as of 2022, or around $25,000 for a two-year master’s degree. At private universities, graduate tuition and fees average $28,017 per year, or more than $56,000 for a two-year master’s degree.
Note that M.B.A.s tend to cost more than other degree types. A 2023 report from BusinessBecause found that the average cost of an M.B.A. from a top university averages $202,200.
To help ease the financial burden of college, you can apply for student aid using the FAFSA®, which determines your eligibility for federal aid including loans, grants and work-study programs. Other aid providers, such as higher learning institutions, may also use FAFSA data to determine awards.
Beyond federal aid, you can finance your online M.B.A. program through:
- Third-party scholarships
- Employer assistance
- Graduate research and teaching assistantships
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online M.B.A. Programs
Is an online M.B.A. taken seriously?
Yes. Good online M.B.A. programs employ the same faculty and provide the same academic rigor as their on-site counterparts, and employers will recognize your online M.B.A. as long as it comes from an accredited institution. Plus, your diploma will not specify whether you completed the degree program online or on campus.
How many hours a day is an online M.B.A.?
The time commitment for an online M.B.A. varies. Many programs are flexible. Part-time programs require the least amount of time per day but may take longer to complete overall.
Can you do an online M.B.A. while working full time?
Yes, some programs offer M.B.A.s for working professionals. Others recommend not working or working only part time due to heavier course loads. Check with your prospective program to see its recommendations.
How long does it take to get an M.B.A. online?
The completion time for an M.B.A. varies, but the degree generally takes about two years. Degree timelines differ based on whether you are enrolled in a part-time, full-time or accelerated program.
How do you choose an online M.B.A. program?
First, consider your budget, each school’s and program’s accreditation status, and how a prospective program would fit into your schedule. You can narrow down your options further by prioritizing degrees that align with your ideal career path.
Does it matter where you get your M.B.A. online?
Yes. You should choose an accredited school and a program that fits into your life and budget. You might also consider a university’s reputation, student resources and alumni network.
How much does an online M.B.A. program cost?
The online M.B.A. programs in our guide range in per-credit tuition prices from $425 to $1,800, requiring 30 to 54 credits total. This brings the cost range of a top online M.B.A. program to between $12,750 and $97,200. Some M.B.A.s cost more than $200,000 in total.
