Online MBA Programs Ranked by Affordability (2024-2025)

Earning an MBA can be expensive, with many programs costing $100,000 or more for tuition alone, plus fees. Add to this the need to stop working to earn the degree and the cost skyrockets.

Many students who graduate from expensive academic programs face the challenge of student loan debt. In the U.S., student loan debt has become a crisis with the total of such debt exceeding $1.75 trillion (FRED, SLOAS 2022). The rising costs of higher education are a major driver of the student loan debt crisis.

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”

The question remains: what can business professionals do to advance their careers and earning 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 pursuing 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 2024-2025 school year.

These rankings are based on tuition data BSchools.org collected in 2024 from over 500 online MBA programs. Tuition information is as current as possible and is taken from the 2024-2025 school year, as published by each institution.

Most Affordable Online MBA Programs (2024-2025)

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.

Additional Affordable Online MBA Programs Are Available

Beyond this list, you can browse a large selection of accredited and affordable online MBA programs by type, by concentration or by name. Simply navigate to a school’s full-page profile for full program details, including admissions requirements and tuition.

Bernd Geels
Bernd Geels
Writer

Bernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].

Sara Navratil
Sara Navratil
Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about entrepreneurial and general business topics, and providing detailed information on online MBA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.

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