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The New Jersey Business and Industry Association ranked Delaware (DE) as the most competitive business climate in the northeast region, surpassing economic powerhouses such as Massachusetts and New York. Delaware does not currently impose a sales tax and homeowners enjoy a low property tax rate of only 0.56 percent of the value of their home, making it an affordable place for businesses to operate and for employees to live.
Delaware is also home to over one million businesses, as over 50 percent of publicly traded companies in the United States and almost 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware. In fact, Delaware’s laws have made the state a friendly place to conduct business since 1792 when the state established the Delaware Court of Chancery. This court exclusively works with business cases and has over 200 years of case law to draw from—a rarity in a country as young as the United States. Instead of relying on a jury in a civil court setting that could take anywhere from two to three years to determine a case, companies work with a judge to resolve issues.
Furthermore, Delaware also has the “Delaware loophole,” where businesses are not taxed on intangible assets, such as royalties. This makes it easy for corporations to do business in Delaware and maximize their revenue. The state budget benefits as well, returning this bounty to the residents. As a result, the state estimated over $992 million in revenue from incorporation fees and franchise taxes in fiscal year 2018.
In addition to importing incorporated businesses, Delaware also exports and produces agricultural products, such as broilers, soybeans, corn, and milk, in addition to a robust fishing economy that includes crabs and clams. Another major industry and employer is manufacturing, which is the second-largest publicly traded sector in the state. In 2018, Delaware manufacturing companies exported roughly $4.5 billion in manufactured goods that included chemical, rubber and plastics, paper products, primary metals, and food products.
For those looking to maximize their earning potential and advance to the next part of their career, an MBA is a wise investment in such a dynamic business environment. Furthermore, those with an MBA possess essential organizational and leadership skills that provide the expertise and network needed to build or manage a business.
Those looking to specialize in an area of business can choose from dozens of concentrations and additional certifications to build a unique MBA program that meets their career goals. This includes concentrations in fields such as environmental sustainability, nonprofit management, homeland security, and healthcare management. Many programs also offer dual degrees in finance or accounting so students may take advantage of simultaneously completing graduate programs, making the greatest use of their time and investment.
For those looking to kick start their next business or learn new skills to support their already successful organization, look no further than the online MBA programs available below.
Featured Online MBA Programs in Delaware
Ranked in the top thirty of online MBA programs by U.S. News and World Report in both 2018 and 2019, the MBA at the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware delivers a highly flexible and streamlined program that is designed to maximize students’ return on their investment.
The MBA offers five concentrations in high-demand areas. Students can choose to specialize in one or more concentrations to build a unique MBA curriculum that meets their individual career goals. Concentrations include:
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Healthcare Management
- Strategic Leadership
- International Business
This 44-credit program includes coursework in financial reporting and analysis; managing people, teams and organizations; ethical issues in domestic and global business environments; and more. Each course is fully online and seven weeks long, so students can learn where and when it’s best for them. Accelerated options are available and coursework can be completed in 16 months.
Those applying to this program should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8. They should also have at least two years of work experience and have taken the GRE or GMAT. However, exam waivers are available based on work, GPA, and math history.
| Location: Newark, Delaware |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 16 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $900 per credit |
The online MBA offered by the College of Business at Wilmington University is a 36-credit program designed to be completed in as little as one year. This affordable program offers 13 concentrations, allowing students to take a highly specialized and unique approach to their learning. Concentrations include:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Business Communication
- Business Technology Management
- Environmental Sustainability
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Homeland Security
- Human Resource Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing Management
- Nonprofit Management
- Organizational Leadership
Each concentration, with the exception of accounting, consists of seven common core classes and five courses relevant to a concentration. Those looking to pursue a general MBA may take elective courses in lieu of selecting a concentration. Core coursework includes organizational behavior and ethical leadership, managerial accounting, introduction to data analytics, the economic and financial environment of business, financial management, global marketing management, and business strategy.
Notably, Wilmington University has an open admissions policy and is designed for working students who want to skip the GMAT or GRE and dive directly into an MBA program. Accordingly, students must complete at least four courses with a 3.0 GPA or better to be considered a full MBA candidate. They must also successfully complete MBA 6000, schedule and attend a program planning conference, and submit an undergraduate transcript.
While demonstration of prerequisite coursework is not required prior to applying, please note that the following coursework must be completed to be considered a full MBA candidate (grade “C” or better, three undergraduate credits each): mathematics, accounting, economics, and finance.
While there is a nominal amount of undergraduate prerequisite coursework required, students are not required to take these courses prior to applying and are able to take them online through Wilmington University.
| Location: New Castle, Delaware |
| Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: One year |
| Estimated Tuition: $1,464 per course |
Hybrid MBA Programs in Delaware
A hybrid program combines the flexibility of an online classroom environment with in-person, on-campus engagement to build a learning experience that sets working professionals up for success. Those who wish to take the next step in their career but whose personal or professional schedules prevent them from attending a full-time graduate program in-person may want to consider a hybrid MBA.
Note that some hybrid MBA programs may have a residency requirement, meaning applicants have to live near a designated college campus or within a certain distance. Those applying to a hybrid MBA program should check if a program has this requirement prior to submitting their application.
If you’re looking to maximize your career potential and network in Delaware, check out the hybrid programs below:
- University of Delaware – Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics
- Wilmington University – College of Business
