What are the Best Online MBA Programs for the Military (Active Members & Veterans)?

To serve in the military is to gain a first-hand education in teamwork, dedication, and leadership. While those are essential qualities for military service, they’re also ideal traits for business school students and working professionals. On balance, active members and veterans of the military make for alluring MBA candidates, but not every school is set up to handle the unique needs of a military background.

Below, we’ve gathered the best online MBA programs for both active military members and veterans. These programs have what all the best online MBA programs do: a strong core curriculum dedicated to business fundamentals; a suite of specialized concentration options; distinguished faculty members; and access to a network of alumni, peers, and business partners. Additionally, they boast a strong culture of support for active military and veteran students.

One of the most basic levels of assistance an MBA program can offer its military and veteran students is tuition reduction. Working in conjunction with benefits from the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and other forms of tuition assistance, it’s possible for military and veteran students to reduce their MBA program costs to nothing. Given the high salaries for MBA graduates, that can make for an incredible return on investment.

But the actual cost of attendance can vary significantly based on an individual’s context, and choosing an MBA shouldn’t be determined by just the desire to save a few bucks. In selecting the best online MBA programs for active military and veteran students, it’s just as important to factor in an MBA program’s network of support that understands those students’ needs.

Regardless of your MBA program, it’s likely to be a worthwhile investment. But if you’re looking for a program that values and serves its military and veteran students, and prioritizes their contributions, check out our list below.

Arizona State University – W.P. Carey School of Business

Already considered one of the top online MBAs in the nation by US News & World Report, ASU’s online MBA is also a top choice for military and veteran students. The university provides personalized support for military and veteran students and works to find instances of training and field experience that can be commuted into transfer credits. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked ASU’s online MBA program at #4 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center offers scholarships, resources, and guidance. And the university’s participation in tuition assistance programs means up to 100 percent of tuition expenses could be waived for qualified military and veteran students. Over 6,000 military and veteran service members are currently studying in one of ASU’s online programs. More will be joining them soon.

Students in this 49-credit online MBA can focus their studies on one of the four available emphasis areas: international business, finance, supply chain management, or marketing. The curriculum includes courses such as organizational theory: leading people, teams, and organization; statistics for managers; financial performance reporting; operations and supply management; decisions, market structure and games: managerial economics; and ethical issues for managers, among others.

Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s or master’s degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0, a completed graduate admission application, official transcripts, a current resume, a program-specific admission essay, two letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English.

Graduates can take up roles such as business consultants, finance managers, financial advisors, information technology managers, investment bankers, and marketing managers.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,523.33 per credit

Washington State University – Carson College of Business

WSU’s Carson College of Business has long committed to active military and veteran students. Veterans with five years of leadership experience can skip the GMAT requirement in the application process, and the application fees are waived. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked WSU’s online MBA program at #17 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

In addition to GI Bill benefits, Carson reduces its tuition for military and veteran students in its online MBA program by $105 per credit. The Veteran Services office is dedicated to processing VA benefits promptly and transparently. In 2018, WSU launched its Backpacks to Boardroom program to help its students transition from military service, to school, to career. Available to online MBA students, the program is focused on a five-year plan that provides entrepreneurial coaching, extracurricular programming, and transition coaching.

Washington State University’s online MBA has a general MBA option and four concentrations to choose from: finance; international business; hospitality business management; and marketing. The 36-credit curriculum of the program includes courses such as strategic planning for personal and program success; strategy formulation and organizational design; managerial leadership and productivity; administrative control; financial management; information systems analysis; and marketing management. Each concentration is also offered as a nine-credit graduate certificate.

• Location: Pullman, WA
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 22 months
• Estimated Tuition: Civilian MBA candidates ($876 per credit); active military and veterans ($769 per credit)

University of North Carolina – Kenan-Flagler Business School

The online MBA program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School makes it possible to earn a top-ranked MBA no matter where in the world a student is in their service journey. A significant portion of online MBA students at UNC are veterans, and the school is enticing more by waiving application fees for both active duty and veteran service members.

Depending on an active or veteran military student’s eligibility percentage and length of entitlement, the GI Bill may cover all of their tuition and fees. For those who need a hand filling out those forms and getting them in on time, it helps that UNC has been approved by the VA as a training facility for students receiving military education benefits. Already a top choice for most civilian MBA candidates, Kenan-Flagler is even more desirable for veterans.

In addition to the general MBA option, students can choose from the six available concentrations: data analytics and decision-making; entrepreneurship; finance; management and leadership; marketing; and strategy and consulting. The 62-credit curriculum of the program includes core courses such as analytical tools for decision-making; business communication; business strategy; leading and managing; strategic economics; and financial accounting, among others.

• Location: Chapel Hill, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 36 months
• Estimated Tuition: $133,691.58 total tuition

George Washington University

Nationally recognized as a top university for active duty and veteran students, GWU’s online MBA program has a fleet of support services to cater to the needs of its military students. The university’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Services assists students in maximizing their educational benefits and preparing for post-military careers. That’s reinforced by Operation GW VALOR, a collaborative program led by Retired Vice Admiral Melvin Williams, Jr. to unite key university offices and ensure the school provides the highest caliber services to military members and veterans. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked GWU’s online MBA program at #23 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

And, as a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, qualified veterans may be able to have 100 percent of their tuition paid for by the school, the VA, and the GI Bill. An experienced counselor will act as a one-stop liaison for all veterans and active-duty students who plan to attend George Washington University, alma mater of Retired General Colin Powell.

Made up of 46.5 credits, the program includes courses such as business essentials for dynamic markets; financial accounting; accounting for internal decision making; operations management; decision making and data analysis; organizations and human capital; and strategic management, among others.

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $2,215 per credit

University of Arizona – Eller College of Management

The University of Arizona offers scholarships, transition assistance, and extra benefits for military and veteran students in all of its MBA programs. The university covers up to 200 graduate applicants through the Yellow Ribbon Program, meaning all of a military student’s expenses could be covered. Applications are automatically submitted in the Veteran Certification through UAccess based on one’s residency and Post-9/11 GI Bill status. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked the University of Arizona’s online MBA program at #7 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

Furthermore, the university’s Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) is there to help students transition from service, to school, to career. It’s easy to apply, too: military and veteran applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher do not need to submit a GMAT score or pay an application fee.

The program offers concentration options in entrepreneurship; health care management; finance; management and organizations; marketing; and privacy and security. With six concentration options and six starting date options per year, the program can be completed in as few as 14 months. The program’s 45-credit curriculum includes courses such as communication management; economics for managers; business strategy; financial management; leadership in organizations; managing ethics in organizations; applied business statistics; and operations management.

• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 14 to 48 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,250 per credit

Indiana University – Kelley School of Business

IU’s Kelley School of Business is consistently ranked as one of the best online MBA programs in the nation, and it’s also a top pick for military students, with over 11 percent of Kelley Direct students being either active duty military or veteran students. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked Indiana University, Bloomington’s (Kelley) online MBA program at #6 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

As one of the pioneers of online education, the school has the experience necessary to cater to students in military service, no matter where they are. But the school’s offerings for military and veteran students go even further: Kelley helps them understand their benefits, apply for numerous scholarships, process military withdrawals and leaves of absence, connect to community resources, and even access free tutoring services. Military students aren’t an aberration at Kelley—they’re part of the culture.

Comprising 54 credits, the program includes courses such as law and ethics in business; economics for managers; leading organizations; operations management; marketing management; financial management; strategic management; and digital technology and innovation.

• Location: Bloomington, IN
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $88,320.17 total tuition

Penn State World Campus

The online MBA program at Penn State World Campus can be customized with more than 25 different concentrations, and that flexibility extends to the services it offers the 3,000+ military and veteran students it counts across all its educational offerings. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked Pennsylvania State University–World Campus’ online MBA program at #15 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

The university handles military applications separately and retains a team of GI Bill certifying officials who help applicants get the most out of their benefits. Active duty service members and veterans using tuition assistance or VA benefits are automatically given priority registration when their benefits are processed. For those who are just getting started, Penn State World Campus hosts a military student experience webinar with a live Q&A to help prospective students understand how to leverage their background and access the most benefits possible.

The program consists of 48 credits and includes core courses such as team performance; financial accounting; leadership communications and change management; data analysis for decision-making; marketing in a global environment; financial management; economics for business strategy; global strategic management; and managing in the digital economy. Some of the concentration areas include additive manufacturing and design; business analytics; cybersecurity intelligence leadership; financial engineering; supply chain management; marketing analytics; and homeland security, among others.

• Location: University Park, PA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 36 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,248 per credit

Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business

A proud member of Military MBA, CMU’s Tepper School of Business has a top-ranked, STEM-designated, hybrid MBA program that focuses on a veteran’s wheelhouse: leadership, analytics, and strategic decision-making. Each MBA class has veterans from multiple nations and service branches. In 2023, Poets & Quants ranked Carnegie Mellon University’s online MBA program at #2 among the “Best Online MBA Programs” in the nation.

The Tepper Veterans Association supports military MBA candidates every step of the way: from admissions to schooling to career services to alumni connections. Tepper is also a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, assisting up to 30 veteran students with matching scholarships up to $15,000. And if an applicant or candidate has any questions about which benefits they qualify for, or how to pursue additional tuition assistance, they can contact one of Tepper’s representatives or consult the school’s veteran-focused FAQ section.

Tepper’s part-time online hybrid MBA program enables students to earn this STEM-designated MBA in eight semesters. The program’s analytics-focused curriculum includes courses such as probability and statistics; managing people and teams; managerial economics; financial and managerial accounting; statistical decision-making; optimization; managing networks and organizations; ethics and leadership; and operations management, among others.

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: Eight semesters
• Estimated Tuition: $758 per unit

Auburn University – Raymond J. Harbert College of Business

Auburn’s fully online MBA program is often ranked among the nation’s best. The distance education program dates back to the 1990s when lectures were mailed to students on VHS tape. Today, the MBA program uses a cutting-edge online platform called CANVAS, streaming lectures live and encouraging real-time collaboration between students. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked Auburn University’s online MBA program at #14 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

Active-duty members have enrolled in the program even while being deployed abroad, thanks to the flexibility of the course schedule. The college is actively seeking veterans to join its online MBA program, and is highly experienced in dealing with veteran financial assistance: its executive MBA program drops the total tuition cost from $62,790 to $53,820 with standard veteran benefits.

This 39-credit program includes courses such as financial analysis; quantitative analysis; strategic analysis & the competitive environment; organizational leadership & change; operations excellence; strategic marketing management; and information systems for competitive advantage.

• Location: Auburn, AL
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 31 months
• Estimated Tuition: $950 per credit

North Carolina State University – Jenkins School of Business

NCSU’s professional online MBA is a rigorous but affordable program from the school’s physical location in Research Triangle Park (RTP). While the program typically requires two three-day residencies at NCSU’s Raleigh campus, this requirement is waived for active-duty military members, who may replace it with elective coursework. The US News & World Report (2023) ranked North Carolina State University’s (Poole) online MBA program at #46 among the “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans” in the nation.

NCSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, wherein qualifying students can receive more than $11,000 per academic year, which may be matched by another $11,000 from the VA. In addition to GI Bill benefits, active duty service members may be eligible for over $4,000 yearly from the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance.

And, understanding the delays which can occur when dealing with veteran benefits, the school offers all veterans a payment deferment plan. NCSU also houses a Military and Veteran Resource Center on campus, but extends its services to online students as well, functioning as a one-stop shop for military and veteran students curious about financial support, housing, and healthcare.

The program’s 40-credit curriculum includes courses such as financial accounting; managerial accounting; essential economics for managers; data-driven managerial decisions; critical thinking for managers; ethical thinking for managers; financial management of corporations; principles of operations & supply chain management; and marketing management and strategy.

• Location: Raleigh, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 months
• Estimated Tuition: Residents of North Carolina ($57,298 total); non-residents of North Carolina ($101,685 total)