Are There 100% Online MBA Programs?
B-School Search
With median starting salaries of $105,000 annually and higher, MBA degrees deliver. Though these numbers vary depending on factors such as location, industry, and role, MBA holders across the board earn an average of 36 percent more than they did prior to completing their degree, according to the Graduate Management Admissions Council’s Corporate Recruiters Survey (2018). The study also revealed that 85 percent of participating companies planned to hire MBAs in 2018. The demand for MBA graduates was found to be the strongest in the technology, healthcare, and energy sectors.
To address the growing demand, online MBA programs have made the degree accessible to more aspiring business leaders. Distance-learning provides the flexibility needed for busy professionals to maintain work and family responsibilities while studying. Online programs are also ideal for students who live in remote areas or who face other challenges to participation in campus-based programs.
Admission requirements for online MBA programs vary; however, most programs have the following requirements in common: official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate program; GPA of 3.0 or higher; resume.
In addition, some schools ask for letters of recommendation, a personal letter or essay, current employment, and business-related work experience. Programs such as the executive master’s of business administration (EMBA) may require five or more years of relevant industry experience. Applicants with less professional work experienced may still apply, sometimes with the submission of GMAT or GRE scores and professional certifications that may strengthen their candidacy for admission.
International applicants are also required to submit TOEFL scores, but are encouraged to inquire about accepted formats (paper-based or iBT) and minimum scores. Application fees are non-refundable regardless of the enrollment outcome.
Features of online MBA programs include online classes, optional domestic or international residency courses or immersions, and internships. Coursework varies across specialization, but typically involves study of the business foundations of accounting, management (supply chain, people/organizations, global enterprise, information resources, ethics), marketing (customer, global), analysis (financial and strategic decision making, information analysis), entrepreneurship (growth and innovation), and a variety of electives. Courses generally are taught by accomplished academics who also have professional experience in the field.
Opportunities to network and make industry connections may also be integrated into online MBA programs through optional participation in conferences, symposia, seminars, and other virtual or in-person events.
This list includes 15 online MBA programs that offer a variety of concentrations in high demand within the business world today.
Fully Online MBA Programs
| Online MBA Program | Concentrations | Accreditation | Credits & Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedictine University – Daniel L Goodwin College of Business | Traditional MBA and accelerated MBA programs in accounting, entrepreneurship and managing innovation, financial management, healthcare administration, internet marketing, international business, marketing management, dual-degree programs (MBA-MSN, MBA-MPH) | Higher Learning Commission, CCNE (MBA-MSN program) | 64-98 credits, 12-48 months | $600 per credit, $650 for MBA-MSN, MBA-MPH |
| Maryville University – John E Simon School of Business | Traditional MBA and concentrations in accounting, cybersecurity, financial services, health administration, human resources management, management, marketing, project management, and information technology | ACBSP, HLC | 36-39 credits, 12-16 months | $714 per credit |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology – Tuchman School of Management | Traditional MBA and concentrations in management information systems, marketing, and finance; graduate certificates in management essentials and the management of technology | ACBSP |
MBA: 48 credits, just over 30 months Certificates: 12 credits, two semesters |
$1,248 per credit |
| Northeastern University – D’Amore-McKim School of Business | Traditional MBA and concentrations in finance, healthcare management, high technology management, innovation entrepreneurship, international management, marketing, supply chain management, sustainability, dual-degree program (MBA/MS in finance) | ACBSP | 50-72 credits, 24-30 months | $1,560 per credit |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Graduate School of Business and Technology | Accelerated MBA programs in data analytics, social media management and marketing, sustainability and environmental management | IACBE | 30 credits; 18 months or less | $650 per credit |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Traditional MBA and concentrations in accounting, athletic administration, business intelligence, community economic development, criminal justice, economics, engineering management, entrepreneurship, finance, forensic accounting, healthcare informatics, healthcare management, human resources, information technology management, international business, international finance, international supply chain management, internet marketing, leadership, marketing, music business, operations and supply chain management, project management, public administration, quantitative analytics, Six Sigma, social media, sport management, sustainability and environmental compliance | ACBSP | 36 credits; 15 months or less | $627 per credit |
| The George Washington University – School of Business | Healthcare MBA | ACBSP | 55.5 credits, 24-30 months | $1,825 per credit |
| The University of Scranton – Kania School of Management | Traditional MBA and concentrations in accounting, enterprise resource planning, healthcare management, human resources, international business, finance, operations management | ACBSP | 36 credits, 24 months | $965 per credit |
| University of Alabama Birmingham – Collat School of Business | Traditional MBA and concentrations in finance, health services, management information systems, marketing | ACBSP | 36-39 credits, 24 months | $1,088 per credit |
| University of Delaware – Alfred Learner College of Business and Economics | Traditional MBA | ACBSP | 44 credits, 16 months | $900 per credit |
| University of Saint Mary | Traditional MBA and concentrations in finance, general management, healthcare management, human resources management, leadership and organizational health, marketing and advertising | IACBE | 36 credits, 1 year | $630 per credit |
| Utica College – Department of Business and Economics | Traditional MBA and concentrations in cyber policy, cybersecurity, data analytics, entrepreneurship, finance and accounting, healthcare management, insurance and risk management, economic crime and fraud management | ACBSP | 30 credits, 24 months | $650 per credit, except $855 for the economic crime and fraud management (forensic accounting) degree |
| Washington State University – Carson College of Business | Traditional MBA and concentrations in marketing, finance, international business, hospitality business management, EMBA | ACBSP | 36-44 credits, 18-29 months | $775 for MBA, $1,175 for EMBA |
| Widener University – School of Business Administration | Traditional MBA and concentrations in business process management, healthcare management, dual-degree program (MBA/MJ, master of jurisprudence in corporate and business law) | ACBSP | 33-48 credits, 18-30 months | $1,004 per credit for MBA, $1,578 for MBA-MJ |
| Winthrop University – College of Business Administration | Traditional MBA and concentrations in strategic leadership, marketing, sports marketing and revenue generation | ACBSP | 36 credits, 24 months | $980 per credit |
| Jacksonville University – Davis College of Business | Traditional MBA and a concentration in management, dual degree program (MBA/MS in applied business analytics) | ACBSP | 36-57 credits, 12-just over 36 months | $855 per credit |