Online MBA Programs Ranked by Affordability (2023-2024)
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Earning an MBA can be expensive, with many programs costing $100,000 or more for tuition alone, plus fees, room, and board. Add to this the need to stop working to earn the degree and the cost skyrockets.
In addition, student loan debt is becoming a crisis. In the U.S., student loan debt has reached more than $1.75 trillion (FRED, SLOAS 2022). Part of the problem is the rising costs of higher education.
Another issue is that students may not realize how much the debt will cost them in the end with interest, especially on private loans. A study by LendKey Technologies (cited on Yahoo! Finance) found that 49 percent of borrowers didn’t know what their debt obligations would be, including monthly payments when the loans come due.
Without a proper understanding of the future debt strain, students take on more debt than they can repay, given their potential earnings. This can lead to financial stress, delayed home buying, and delays in starting a family. In addition to these repercussions, Huffington Post pointed out that student loan debt leads to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In fact, of those surveyed:
- 10 percent of people say student loan debts are their top worry
- 65 percent of those with student loans lose sleep from the stress
- 67 percent have “physical symptoms of anxiety due to the stress from their student loan debt”
Yet another point to consider is the income potential of earning an MBA. Consider the following Bureau of Labor and Statistics data (May 2022):
- The national mean annual wage for all earners in management occupations was $131,200.
- Managers of companies and enterprises constitute 20.60 percent of the industry’s employment, and the annual mean wage is $173,020. This is an average hourly wage of $83.18.
- Under the industry “Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities,” the annual mean wage was $225,470. This is an average hourly wage of $108.40.
- In the “Monetary Authorities-Central Bank” industry, the annual mean wage was $199,280. This comes out to an average hourly wage of $95.81.
The question remains: what can business professionals do to advance their careers and earning income potential while avoiding the massive debt load and the ensuing stress? The answer: find an affordable, online program that can give them the flexibility to continue working and living at home, while earning an excellent MBA education.
Plus, Covid-19 has ushered in some unusual opportunities. With GMAT requirements being waived at top-notch institutions and low-interest rates, now is an extraordinary time to apply for an online MBA program.
Explore online MBA programs ranked by affordability for the 2023-2024 school year.
These rankings are based on tuition data BSchools.org collected in 2023 from over 500 online MBA programs. Each concentration of an MBA program is considered a program. Tuition information is as current as possible and is taken from the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school years as published by each institution.
Most Affordable Online MBA Programs (2023-2024)
There are several affordable online MBA programs for those seeking an MBA degree. Most of the programs are accredited by reputable organizations (AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE) and are 100 percent online. Let’s look at the 20 most affordable online MBA programs ranked by overall cost. Please note that the average is used when a cost range is indicated.
Rasmussen University, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, offers a very affordable 100 percent online MBA that can be completed in 18 months. Through Competency-Based Education (CBE), students complete modules at their own pace, demonstrating mastery of defined competencies through real-world projects. Embedded within the modules are six transferable skills: critical thinking, communication, information literacy, diversity and teamwork, digital fluency, and ethics and professional responsibility.
Courses run 11 weeks each, with four start dates per year in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. Course delivery includes interactive sessions, virtual labs, online simulations, and other collaborative experiences. The program ends with an applied project. Students may transfer up to 20 percent of the required credits from applicable prior coursework. The Rasmussen online MBA can be earned for under $10,000, the least expensive online MBA in our pool.
Cost per credit: $205/credit |
Number of credits: 48 credits |
Total cost: $9,840 + fees |
Aspen University, located in Denver, Colorado, offers a 100 percent online MBA with specializations in finance, information management, and project management that can be completed in 18 months, with no campus visits. Start dates land every two weeks, and both part-time and full-time completion plans are available. Applicants to the MBA in finance must have two years of applicable work experience in finance or accounting, complete two graduate-level finance courses or hold a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting.
Aspen University is a Project Management Institute (PMI) Charter Registered Education Provider, and the project management specialization prepares graduates for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the PMI. A capstone is included to integrate and synthesize learning and show expertise in change management and leadership. As well, students must pass a final proctored exam to graduate.
Cost per credit: $325/credit |
Number of credits: 36 credits |
Total cost: $11,700 + fees |
The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is located in Evansville, Indiana, and offers a very affordable, AACSB-accredited online MBA to both residents and non-residents of IN. Offering concentrations in accounting, data analytics, engineering management, healthcare administration, human resources, marketing, and project management, the USI online MBA can be completed in just 11 months with accelerated 8-week courses.
Focus areas include effective leadership skills, accounting, strategic management, information systems, current technology, managerial economics, marketing, and international management.
Notably, the project management concentration courses align with the Project Management Institute (PMI) standards and prepare students to earn project management certifications in the industry.
Cost per credit: $430/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $12,900 + fees |
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) offers a 100 percent online MBA with a general business path or concentrations in accounting, data analytics, finance, healthcare administration, and international business. Offering accelerated seven-week courses, students can earn their general MBA in 12 to 20 months, and an MBA with a concentration in 12 to 24 months. Topics covered for all pathways include topics such as financial analytics, team leadership and collaborations, accounting, financial statement analysis, application, and interpretation, conflict management, organizational behavior, technology-based management, marketing, and managerial economics.
Start dates land six times annually in the fall, spring, and summer. Applicants with a non-business bachelor’s degree may need to take up to four foundational courses. The TAMU-CC online MBA is delivered asynchronously through Blackboard and includes discussion boards, videos, and interactive apps and tools. TAMU-CC is located in Corpus Christi, TX, and the online MBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Cost per credit: $435.54/credit |
Number of credits: 30 to 36 credits |
Total cost: $13,066.20 to $15,679.44 + fees |
Fitchburg State University offers an online MBA with concentrations in accounting, business analytics management, finance, healthcare management, human resource management, management, marketing, and supply chain management. The program is fully online with no campus visits required. Start dates are offered six times yearly in the fall, spring, and summer, and the program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
Courses are delivered through Blackboard with asynchronous instruction for maximum flexibility. Core courses cover concepts such as organizational behavior and development, marketing management, corporate finance, managerial accounting, strategic management, and management information systems. Each concentration requires the completion of three courses specific to its field. The Fitchburg State University online MBA is accredited by the international accreditation Council for business education (IACBE).
Cost per credit: $436/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $13,080 + fees |
The University of West Alabama (UWA) offers an affordable online MBA with 14 concentrations through the College of Business and Technology. With accelerated eight-week courses the MBA can be completed in just 12 months. MBA concentrations include
- Accounting
- Computing and data analytics
- Computer information systems
- Cybersecurity, cybercrime, and policy
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Finance
- General business
- Healthcare administration
- Human resource management
- International business management
- Marketing
- Rural business
- Sports management
The accounting concentration includes courses that help students satisfy the 150-hour Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure requirement. Key topics covered for all concentrations include research methods and design, managerial economics, financial management, business law and ethics, strategic management, marketing management, emerging business technologies, and business policy. The online MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and UWA is located in Livingston, Alabama.
Cost per credit: $429/credit |
Number of credits: 33 credits |
Total cost: $14,157 + fees |
Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) offers a 30-credit online MBA with a general track or concentrations in finance, healthcare administration, and marketing. VWU seeks to prepare business leaders focused on sustainable business, socially and environmentally ethical business practices, economic value, and global business.
The university is committed to the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME), developed by the United Nations. It is the first liberal arts institution in the US to sign the UN Global Compact for ethical business practices, human rights, environmental responsibility, and fair labor.
Courses last 7.5 weeks with start dates six times annually in the fall, spring, and summer. The online MBA can be completed in as few as 12 months with full-time study. Core course topics include marketing management, managerial economics, business analysis, planning, and control, managerial finance, organizational behavior, business leadership, and information management systems. The program also focuses on global business, global responsibility, and sustainable business practices throughout the courses through dialogue, debates, research, and partnerships.
Cost per credit: $499/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $14,970 + fees |
Notre Dame College (NDC) offers a cohort-based online MBA that can be completed in 12 to 24 months, focusing on effective leadership and management skills in communication, technology management, finance, accounting, operations management, strategic business, technology, and leadership. Students may begin twice per year and choose either a part-time or full-time plan, moving through with their cohort. The program is delivered in a faith-based environment focusing on ethical decision-making and how one’s morals and values affect leadership style, decisions, and approaches to problems.
Courses run in eight-week cycles, twice per semester, with a full-time program including 12 credits per semester. The program includes a capstone course with a strategic project and internship to complete the program. Those without a business bachelor’s degree must complete statistics, management principles, and macroeconomics courses in addition to the MBA courses. Notre Dame College is located in South Euclid, Ohio.
Cost per credit: $500/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $15,000 + fees |
Eastern Washington University offers a fully online, accelerated, AACSB-accredited MBA with concentrations in general business, finance, accounting, international business, and health services administration. This affordable degree can be completed in as few as ten months with seven start dates and six-week courses. A capstone course completes the core curriculum. Topics covered include essential skills in operations management, marketing management, leadership and ethics, data-driven decision-making, corporate finance, and advanced accounting for managers.
Applicants without a bachelor’s degree also take courses on quantitative analysis in business, finance, and the essentials of accounting. Course delivery runs asynchronously through Canvas. Graduates may pursue careers in multinational marketing, health services administration, banking and finance, human resources, sales, financial analysis, import/export, international trade, policy analysis, and pharmaceuticals.
Cost per credit: $350/credit |
Number of credits: 44 credits |
Total cost: $15,400 + fees |
Point University, located in West Point, Georgia, offers an affordable online MBA that prepares professionals to lead from a Christian worldview. Students who transfer up to ten credits may complete the program in as little as one year, while most students complete the program in two years. Course delivery is asynchronous, not requiring set log-in times for added flexibility. Class sizes are kept small with a typical seven-to-one student-to-faculty ratio, and Point University offers a mentorship program to help students meet their goals.
Courses run every eight weeks and may include change management and organizational culture, business innovation and creativity, and strategic human resource management. The Point University online MBA comes in second, costing less than $16,000 for the program.
Cost per credit: $515/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $15,450 + fees |
The College of Mount Saint Vincent (CMSV) offers an ACBSP-accredited online MBA with four tracks: general, healthcare Management, International business, and nonprofit management. the program can be completed in as few as 12 months and is fully online with no campus visits required. Concepts covered include economics, accounting, data analytics, production management, Global business, and strategic management.
CMSV is a Catholic institution focusing on empathy and human dignity, motivating students to excel personally and in their careers while positively impacting the world. Students without a bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree must take leveling courses before completing the MBA curriculum. The MBA comprises 30 credits without leveling courses.
The online MBA curriculum is very flexible. Students are required to take two management competency courses and two capstone courses. The other 18 credits cover concentration courses. General MBA students can take 18 credits from any of the other tracks.
Cost per credit: $521/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $15,630 + fees |
Spring Hill College offers an online MBA with concentrations in project management, leadership, and logistics and supply chain management that can be completed in as few as ten months. The school offers affordable tuition, an accelerated learning format, and small class sizes.
Topics covered may include cost accounting, international business, organizational behavior, business analytics, managerial economics, and financial analysis, with concepts of business ethics and social responsibility woven throughout the curriculum. Courses begin twice each in the fall, spring, and summer, and applicants must have three years of relevant work experience to apply.
The project management concentration prepares graduates to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam through courses in project management processes and practices such as cost and risk management, communication, social responsibility, quality management, project integration, scope management, and time management. The concentration in leadership creates business leaders who promote ethical decision-making and organizational change. The school also offers a business analytics concentration.
Please note that active-duty, reserve, and guard service members pay only $250 per credit-hour for online graduate and online undergraduate programs. This discounted rate is also available to reservist and guard service members, spouses of active-duty military members, and eligible reserve and civilian Coast Guard personnel. Eligible service members can use DoD tuition assistance, which pays up to $250 per credit-hour for education costs.
Cost per credit: $540/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $16,200 + fees |
William Patterson University (WP) offers a general online MBA or one of the following concentrations: accounting, applied business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare economics and management, human resource management, marketing, and sales strategy. the program is 100% online with no campus visits required and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Start dates land in the fall, spring, and summer, and courses are delivered asynchronously with discussion boards and online chats for faculty/peer interaction.
WP helps students develop a personal strategic plan through a series of activities including goal setting, a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and a personal branding strategy. The WP online MBA also offers students experiential opportunities for hands-on learning.
The university is dedicated to helping financially disadvantaged students become educated for higher-paying jobs. The curriculum for the accounting concentration aligns with the certified public accountant (CPA) standards. The online MBA is AACSB-accredited.
Cost per credit: $583/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $17,490 + fees |
Campbellsville University Offers an online MBA with a general track or choices of accounting, church management, computer science, entrepreneurial leadership, financial planning, healthcare management, human resource management, information technology, international business, marketing, and supply chain and logistics management. Campbellsville University seeks to prepare MBA graduates who become servant leaders, living out Christian values in their business practices, ethics, and decision-making.
The program can be completed in as little as one year; however, most students attend part-time and complete the MBA in two years. Courses last eight weeks each and start dates land twice each in the fall, spring, and summer. Core topics include marketing management, organizational theory, managerial accounting, management information systems, business ethics, human resource management, business strategy, and managerial finance and economics. The Campbellsville online MBA is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Cost per credit: $499/credit |
Number of credits: 36 credits |
Total cost: $17,964 + fees |
Methodist University offers a 12- to 18-month, ACBSP-accredited, entrepreneurial online MBA through the Reeves School of Business with no campus visits. The program prepares graduates for leadership and management positions in various local and global fields. Students are grounded in ethical responsibility through courses in business statistics, business law and ethics, financial management, marketing management, organization and leadership, organizational behavior, and operations management.
Applicants with a non-business bachelor’s degree Will need to complete courses in marketing principles, business statistics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and financial accounting. A capstone experience is included in the program, and students can participate in an experiential learning opportunity during the final project. Program electives may include research methods, global business management, and ethical decision-making. Methodist University offers several student services, including access to a student services coordinator, the Monarch tutoring center, the Writing Center, the Center for Student Success, career counseling, technical support, and faculty office hours.
Cost per credit: $500/credi |
Number of credits: 36 credits |
Total cost: $18,000 + fees |
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside (UW Parkside) seven-track online MBA includes concentrations in data analytics, finance, general management, global management, human resources, marketing, and supply chain management pathways. Affordable tuition, no campus visits, and a time to completion of as few as 12 months make this another great option for aspiring graduate MBA students.
Experienced faculty in corporate management and entrepreneurship teach the seven-week courses. Those without a business background must complete two foundation courses covering statistics, finance, accounting, and economics.
The UW Parkside online MBA promotes key skills such as working individually and in teams, systematic approaches to tasks, ethical, competitive decision-making, and effective information collection. Courses cover topics such as project management, leadership, global marketing management, IT for business decision-making, and operations management. UW Parkside is located in Kenosha, WI, and the online MBA is AACSB-accredited.
Cost per credit: $600/credit |
Number of credits: 30 credits |
Total cost: $18,000 + fees |
The Lindenwood University ACBSP-accredited online MBA is offered through the Robert W. Plaster College of Business and Entrepreneurship and includes a general track or one of ten specializations. Lindenwood is founded on the Judeo-Christian values of excellence, integrity, creativity, community, and dedication. Specializations include
- Accounting
- Management
- Healthcare administration
- Marketing
- Human resource management
- Nonprofit administration
- International business
- Project management
- Leadership
- Supply chain management
Up to 18 foundational credits may be required for applicants without enough business-related coursework in areas such as professional writing for business, financial accounting, economic concepts, microeconomics, business law and ethics, and statistics and quantitative analysis. Time to completion is 15 to 36 months, with start dates twice each in the fall, spring, and summer.
Core courses cover financial policy, business policies and strategies, managerial accounting, management practices, and marketing principles. A quantitative course in linear statistical models, business analytics, or operations management rounds out the core curriculum. Students then choose 15 credits of electives with 12 to 15 credits in one specialization to earn that emphasis area.
Cost per credit: $555/credit |
Number of credits: 33 credits |
Total cost: $18,315 + fees |
>New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) offers an ACBSP-accredited, fully online MBA with a general business track or concentrations in healthcare administration or entrepreneurship. Core topics include managerial finance, accounting, business research, ethics and law, quantitative methods, ethical decision-making, business strategy, and marketing management. Accelerated courses last eight weeks each and the degree can be completed in just one year at two courses per eight-week session.
NMHU includes a multicultural focus throughout the curriculum with a focused problem-solving approach. The asynchronous curriculum includes case studies and simulations covering various decision-making areas in business organizations. Graduates will be able to apply quantitative and qualitative analysis to real-world problem-solving, understand and work from legal regulations and ethical issues that affect businesses and apply that understanding to real-world business situations, and lead with effective teamwork, communication, and presentation skills needed to promote a positive work environment.
Cost per credit: $525/credit |
Number of credits: 36 credits |
Total cost: $18,900 + fees |
St. Thomas University, located in Miami Gardens, Florida, offers a fully online MBA with a general track or one of five concentrations in accounting, cybersecurity management, human resource management, marketing, and sports administration. This accelerated program can be completed in just 12 months with seven-week courses. Courses are delivered asynchronously through Canvas and can be accessed 24/7 for added convenience for working adults.
St. Thomas University strives to prepare ethical business leaders and entrepreneurs with strong problem-solving, research, oral and written communication, ethical decision-making, and critical analysis skills. Core topics may include data analytics, financial management, strategic marketing management, global business, organizational behavior, ethics, and business planning.
Cost per credit: $530/credit |
Number of credits: 36 credits |
Total cost: $19,080 + fees |
Southern Oregon University (SOU) offers a fully online, ACBSP-accredited MBA with concentrations in accounting, business analytics, finance, healthcare administration, information analysis and decision-making, and marketing. The program can be completed in as few as 16 months with seven-week courses. Start dates land in the fall, winter, and spring, plus two summer starts.
Key focus areas include teamwork, ethical leadership, and effective communication. Learned skills include critical thinking and effective problem-solving, conflict resolution, change management, financial decision-making, the use of emerging technologies, and research-based planning.
Core courses cover managerial accounting for decision-making, economic analysis, information systems, strategic operations management, strategic marketing management, legal and ethical business issues, and advanced organizational behavior. A capstone and graduate research project are also included.
Cost per credit: $430/credit |
Number of credits: 45 credits |
Total cost: $19,350 + fees |
Affordable Online MBA Programs Are Available
Several affordable MBA programs offer the convenience and flexibility of online learning and the affordability students seek. In addition, these programs are accredited, guaranteeing their high quality and caliber of education.
Check out our other online MBA programs for more information on the excellent offerings available.