Best Graduate Business Degrees of 2026

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The last decade has seen an increase in graduate business degree programs, including more than just the MBA. According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), specialized master’s degrees in business have gained ground, particularly among younger, less experienced candidates. GMAC’s 2022 Application Trends Survey found that applications to business master’s programs were up 3.2 percent year-on-year in the weighted sample of programs that responded to both 2021 and 2022 surveys. In 2023, 45 percent of business master’s programs experienced application growth, while half reported declines.

GMAC’s more recent Application Trends Surveys for 2024 and 2025 show that application volumes continue to fluctuate across programs and regions, with some business master’s programs reporting growth while others report flat or declining demand.

Recent graduates and young professionals are exploring various graduate business degrees in 2026. Some of these programs can be completed in as little as a year and for a fraction of the tuition of an on-campus MBA program. Yet they still lead to careers with high average salaries and a promising job outlook.

Getting a graduate business degree is one of the most lucrative decisions a person can make. But it also takes careful planning and consideration: which degree is the right one for you? To get the details on the best graduate degrees of 2026, read on.

Methodology

In selecting the best graduate business degrees for 2026, we used a mix of the following criteria:

  • Authoritatively Sourced: The data points below have been pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the General Management Admissions Council (GMAC).
  • Online Pedigree: Practically every university has some experience with online learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the highlighted programs below have a proven track record of innovation and experience in online education.
  • High Salary Potential: The careers associated with the degrees below all have a high median salary of more than $100,000 per year.
  • High Growth Potential: The BLS significantly revised its growth forecasts for the labor market, with the national average rate of growth for all professions now only 3 percent. Still, the degrees listed below lead to careers that outperform the average.

Please note that all median annual salaries (May 2024) and projected growth figures (2024-2034) are from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics—the latest data available as of December 2025.

Master’s of Business Administration (MBA)

The MBA is still considered the king. It is one of the most popular graduate business degree programs. With a generalist degree, those earning their MBA can enter a wide range of business careers.

The core curriculum of an MBA program supplies a critical foundation of business knowledge in areas such as accounting, marketing, human resources, finance, strategy, and management; concentrations allow MBA candidates to add further specialization in their area of interest. MBA graduates often earn high salaries and enter leadership roles within their field.

  • Affiliated careers: General and operations managers, top executives, HR managers, marketing managers, and financial managers
  • Median annual salary (May 2024): $102,950 (general and operations managers)
  • Projected growth nationally (2024-2034): 4 percent (general and operations managers)

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School

The MBA programs at UNC Kenan-Flagler are consistently ranked as some of the best in the world, and its AACSB-accredited online MBA was ranked the 2nd best in the world for 2025 by US News and World Report.

In addition to the core curriculum, candidates can select from over two dozen elective options and add a concentration in data analytics and decision-making; entrepreneurship; finance; management and leadership; marketing; or strategy and consulting. The program consists of 62 credits and includes two in-person Summits. These two in-person Summits are immersive experiences held in cities around the world and on campus in Chapel Hill.

The curriculum includes core courses such as business strategy; leading and managing; financial accounting; business statistics and analytics; microeconomics; customer value strategies; presentation tools for leaders; operations; strategy in high-velocity markets; and responsible leadership, among others. Electives include consulting skills and frameworks; business modeling; corporate financial strategy; corporate strategy; global supply chain management; and introduction to entrepreneurship, among many others.

Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least two years of professional experience. GMAT or GRE scores are required for applicants with fewer than five years of professional experience.

  • Location: Chapel Hill, NC
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
  • Format: Online or Hybrid
  • Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 36 months

Other Programs of Note:

Master’s in Management

Originating in Europe, the master’s in management (MiM) degree is designed to help recent undergraduates jumpstart their careers in business leadership. MiM programs typically last no more than a year; other graduate-level management courses, such as an MS in management (MSM) or quantitative management (MSQM), may adhere to their own timelines.

However, graduate degrees in management generally require less work experience and less tuition than their MBA counterparts, making them an attractive option for young business professionals just beginning their careers.

  • Affiliated careers: Sales managers, HR managers, and administrative services managers
  • Median annual salary (May 2024): $138,060 (sales managers)
  • Projected growth nationally (2024-2034): 5 percent (sales managers)

New York University Stern School of Business

NYU Stern’s online master’s in management (MiM) is open to applicants of any undergraduate major and level of work experience. The degree provides graduates with a forward-thinking blend of business management foundations, leadership, and analytics. The classes are delivered online, asynchronously, with students attending two immersive four-day residencies on campus. The program consists of 33 credits.

The curriculum includes courses such as R programming for data; statistical modeling; probability and statistics; databases for business analytics; decision models and analytics; data science and predictive analytics; corporate strategy; business strategy; marketing; microeconomics; and collaboration, conflict, and negotiation.

  • Location: New York City, NY
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
  • Format: Online with two in-person residential immersions
  • Expected Time to Completion: 20 months

Other Programs of Note:

Master of Science in Marketing

A master of science (MS) in marketing is a specialized degree program for those committed to marketing as a career. Usually lasting only a year, these are high-paced and focused programs that cover branding, consumer behavior, market research, product management, and public relations. Increasingly, MS in marketing programs are including data analytics as a key component of their curricula.

Graduates of these programs go on to marketing leadership positions in a wide range of industries.

  • Affiliated careers: Marketing managers, marketing analysts, and marketing specialists
  • Median annual salary (May 2024): $161,030 (marketing managers)
  • Projected growth nationally (2024-2034): 7 percent (marketing managers)

Florida International University College of Business

The MS in Marketing program from FIU Business offers a curriculum that considers digital, branding, and analytics in every course. Along the way, students will earn certifications in Google Analytics, Fundamental Sales Skills, and Lean Six Sigma. Graduates will be ready to launch careers as marketing managers, digital media specialists, and social media directors. The program consists of 30 credits.

The curriculum includes courses such as marketing management in the global environment; integrated marketing communication; buyer psychology and behavior; marketing research; social media marketing; marketing analytics; brand management; special topics in marketing – omnichannel marketing; and digital marketing strategies.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, along with three years of work experience (or a minimum score of 500 on the GMAT or equivalent score on the GRE).

  • Location: Miami, FL
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
  • Format: Online
  • Expected Time to Completion: 10, 16, or 20 months

Other Programs of Note:

Master of Science in Finance

A graduate degree in finance is for business professionals seeking to advance in finance-centric careers: financial advisors, financial analysts, financial managers, and insurance underwriters. These programs build upon the undergraduate study of finance, going more in-depth than an MBA program would and preparing graduates to earn the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) credential.

According to the GMAC, nearly four out of five candidates consider various types of business master’s programs, with the master of finance being the most preferred program type among all business master’s programs in 2024.

Within this degree, some specialization exists: beyond the MS in finance, there is the MS in quantitative finance (MSQF), the MS in risk management (MSRM), and the MS in financial analysis (MSFA).

  • Affiliated careers: Financial managers, financial analysts, financial advisors, and insurance underwriters
  • Median annual salary (May 2024): $161,700 (financial managers)
  • Projected growth nationally (2024-2034): 15 percent (financial managers)

Boston University Metropolitan College

The online master of science in financial management (MSFM) program at BU’s Metropolitan College gives students specialized education in global finance, including investment analysis and international finance. Students may choose to add a concentration in either international finance, investment analysis, artificial intelligence applications, or sustainability. Applicants to the program must have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university.

Metropolitan College is a participant in the CFA Institute University Affiliate Program, which acknowledges that the MSFM curriculum adequately prepares students for the CFA exam. The program consists of 32 credits.

The curriculum includes courses in financial and managerial accounting; financial regulation and ethics; quantitative methods for finance; corporate finance; financial markets and institutions; mergers and acquisitions; and investment analysis and portfolio management.

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
  • Format: Online
  • Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months

Other Programs of Note:

Master of Science in Technology Management

A graduate degree in technology management, engineering management, or information technology allows graduates to take on leadership roles in tech-oriented business teams.

These degree programs are generally for those with STEM backgrounds who want to add business fundamentals; some programs may reverse the order of operations and cater to business professionals who want to learn more about the nuances of leading a tech organization. Graduate degrees in technology management can lead to lucrative careers at the top of the tech industry, with high salaries to match.

  • Affiliated careers: Computer and information systems managers, engineering managers, and cybersecurity managers
  • Median annual salary (May 2024): $171,200 (computer and information systems managers)
  • Projected growth nationally (2024-2034): 15 percent (computer and information systems managers)

Columbia University School of Professional Studies

Columbia University’s executive master of science in technology management program gives new tech graduates the strategic and tactical skills they need to become leaders in their field. Students in this program can study online from anywhere in the world, along with regular in-person multi-day residencies in New York City.

The program focuses on implementing and leveraging new tech, developing managerial and communication skills, and anticipating and adapting to emerging trends within the industry. The curriculum includes courses such as essentials for technology management and leadership; user-centric design & innovation; digital transformation; emerging technologies; full-stack products and practices; research in technology management; and strategic advocacy, among others. The program consists of 36 credits.

  • Location: New York, NY
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Format: Online and on-campus residencies
  • Expected Time to Completion: 16 to 24 months

Other Programs of Note:

Matt Zbrog
Matt Zbrog
Writer

Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about how new and aspiring business school students can best plan their education and careers. In the Two Views series, he conducts detailed interviews with recent business school alumni, with a particular focus on the choice between in-person, online, and hybrid learning models. His Femme-BA series highlights business schools that not only excel academically but also take unique and robust steps to support a diverse and inclusive learning environment for women.

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