An MBA can help you improve your communication skills, professional network, and career prospects. Fortunately, advances in online education make finding the right program and earning a degree more accessible than ever.
The best online business schools offer the same rigorous education as comparable on-campus programs. Employers will regard your degree as equal to any other, as well.
We evaluate schools based on affordability, program offerings, and reputation to create our online MBA rankings.
Featured Online MBA Programs
Best Online MBA Programs
Why Get an MBA Online?
Some of the best online MBA programs offer asynchronous online education.
Public universities may waive out-of-state tuition for online learners.
With an online MBA, you don't need to relocate to attend one of the top-rated colleges for business.
Online programs let you network with like-minded professionals living all over the world.
The best online MBAs feature many concentrations, letting you custom-tailor your education.
Learning online helps you develop the latest technology skills business professionals need for success.
How Much Does an Online MBA Cost?
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that graduate students attending a public institution in 2020-2021 paid an average of $19,750 in tuition. Graduate students attending a private school paid an average of $26,620 in tuition.
Keep in mind that prices can vary widely between schools. Harvard Business School charged $74,910 in tuition during the 2023-2024 school year, while Southern New Hampshire University's online MBA students paid about $19,000.
Your educational expenses may also include books and fees. You can lower your out-of-pocket costs by applying for government and private grants. Online students can qualify for the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus students.
Types of MBA Programs
The best online MBA programs offer many concentrations for students to specialize in their expertise. A concentration involves taking in-depth coursework on a specific topic after completing your general education requirements.
Entrepreneurship
A concentration in entrepreneurship may require classes in financial buyouts, the legal aspects of entrepreneurship, and advanced negotiation. This concentration prepares you to start a new business or help your employer make positive changes.
Finance
A finance concentration will feature classes in asset management, venture capital, and investment styles and strategies. You can apply what you learn in the virtual classroom with business simulations you perform with peers.
Healthcare Management
A concentration in healthcare management prepares you for challenges like commercializing biotech and managing healthcare in the 21st century. You'll learn about the complexities of patient billing, policy admin, and innovative care.
Human Resources
Managing a company's human resources department requires in-depth knowledge of human capital, operations, talent development, and strategic management. A human resources concentration emphasizes classes in these areas and prepares you to work in one of many roles, including administrative.
International Business
An international business focus lets you explore international finance, marketing, and leadership. Classes may include competitive business strategy, global business systems, and government institutions and business strategy.
Management
In a management concentration, you'll take classes like managerial economics, marketing management, and global economics and business cycles. Your program's capstone class may require completing fieldwork and creating a business proposal.
Marketing
A marketing concentration helps you make better business decisions, create new marketing strategies, and apply the latest marketing communication skills. You take classes in business statistics, strategic marketing, and marketing analysis.
Supply Chain Management
A concentration in supply chain management requires classes in operations management and quantitative analysis. Relevant career opportunities include positions in logistics, inventory, or operations research.
How Much Do MBA Grads Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2022, professionals in management positions earned an average salary of $131,000. However, keep in mind that many factors impact salaries, such as job title, education, experience, and location.
Changing economic circumstances may affect the salary data and growth rate projections below. You can also use resources from your college career center to keep up with the latest trends.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2021) | Job Growth Rate (2021-2031) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 | 7% |
| Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $133,380 | 10% |
| Chief Executives | $179,520 | -7% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $127,530 | 2% |
| Economists | $105,630 | 6% |
| Financial Managers | $131,710 | 17% |
| Human Resources Managers | $126,230 | 7% |
| Management Analysts | $93,000 | 11% |
| Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents | $75,410 | -6% |
| Sales Managers | $127,490 | 5% |
| Top Executives | $98,980 | 6% |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,130 | 7% |
Source: BLS
How to Choose an Online MBA Program: 4 Tips
To choose the right online MBA program, you'll want to consider your goals, budget, and interests.
1. Define Your Goals
Researching the best online MBA programs starts with self-reflection. Consider your long-term career goals to discover if another degree can help you meet them.
Use the advice and expertise of trusted friends, family, coworkers, and managers to help you decide. They can offer you a new perspective.
2. Choose Your Specialty
Now that you've decided on an MBA, you must choose which specialty aligns with your education and career goals.
Some programs feature concentrations like leadership, marketing, or human resources. The one you select may impact your career trajectory and salary potential significantly.
3. Determine Your Budget
Online business schools come at different price points, with some much more expensive than others. Narrow down your list of potential schools by determining your budget. You should strive to avoid student debt as much as possible.
Fortunately, many of the best online MBA programs offer cost savings compared to on-campus degrees. You may even pay a lower tuition rate than your on-campus peers.
4. Compare Online Programs
Determining your goals, specialty, and budget should narrow your college shortlist significantly. Now you must compare online programs for their course offerings, alumni network, format, and graduation rate.
You can also research graduate outcomes. Look up where graduates work and their average salaries. Many schools publish this information on their program website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBAs
How long does it take to get an MBA?
A typical MBA program takes 1-2 years to complete. The time to graduation varies due to academic requirements and how many credits you take each semester. You may need longer to graduate if you learn part-time or pause your education.
Is an MBA degree worth it?
The answer depends on whether you need an MBA to reach your career goals. Your employer may restrict promotions or managerial positions to employees with an MBA or similar graduate degree.
Other reasons to earn an MBA include the personal satisfaction gained by earning a graduate degree. Your degree may also qualify you for new career opportunities and higher salary potential.
Is an online MBA legitimate?
Online MBAs from accredited universities offer the same educational rigor and learning outcomes as comparable on-campus programs.
The best online MBAs increase their legitimacy with programmatic accreditation. Look for specific accreditors recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
How much does a master's degree increase your salary?
A 2021 BLS report found that professionals with a master's degree earn over 10% more per week than workers with a bachelor's degree. A higher salary can help you pay down student debt faster and save for long-term financial goals.
You may not earn the salary reported by the BLS right out of school. These figures account for professionals of different experience levels.
Do employers care if you complete an MBA online?
Employers do not care if you complete an MBA online if you graduated from an accredited school. Many colleges' websites have an accreditation page breaking down this information for potential students.
Online MBA programs cover the same content as in-person programs — you'll graduate just as qualified. The degree you earn will not specify that you completed it online.
Page last reviewed June 6, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the CC Rankings Team.
