B-School Search
Mississippi is a state that has been fraught with struggles. It was at the heart of segregation protests in the 60s and 70s and consistently finds itself near the bottom of the US News and World Report overall state rankings coming in at number 48 this past year. Forbes ranks Mississippi 43rd for doing business, citing low growth prospects and labor supply as chief contributors to the low score.
Despite low national rankings, Mississippi is actively working on creating a business climate to attract new business. Incentives including job creation rebates, investment tax credits, and income tax exemptions have been implemented to foster a more robust economy. Agribusiness is the largest industry in the state employing over 29 percent of the population. Sixty-five percent of the state is covered in forest and forestry-related jobs employ another 20 percent of the population.
Mississippi boasts a number of outstanding online MBA programs for professionals who want to improve their advancement opportunities without quitting their jobs. Students are able to apply the skills they are learning in their distance learning programs immediately to their professional contexts. Many of these programs have extensive internship and networking opportunities that enable students to make advantageous professional connections. Online education provides the same quality as campus-based programs without having to travel to campus.
Keep reading to learn about these exceptional programs and how they compare on a national scale. Included are details such as tuition costs, accreditation, and expected completion times. Additionally, check out three profiles of outstanding faculty at these schools.
Featured Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
Ole Miss, as the University of Mississippi is called, offers an outstanding complete online MBA program for busy professionals. US News and World Report has this program tied at ninth for best online MBA programs. It is also ranked as one of the best values.
The faculty who teach in-person courses at Ole Miss are the same ones that facilitate online learning. Most students complete the 36-credit-hour program in two years by taking two courses a semester, but the school does allow students to take up to six years to finish their studies.
Students are admitted for summer, fall, or spring semesters. To apply, students need to submit a resume, a statement of purpose, and two recommendations, in addition to undergraduate transcripts and GMAT or GRE scores. Scores are required for all students regardless of GPA or work history. Two prerequisite courses in business finance and accounting also are required prior to beginning one’s MBA studies.
| Location: University, MS |
| Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
| Estimated Tuition: $810 per credit-hour |
Quality and affordability are the hallmarks of Mississippi State University’s 30-credit-hour online MBA program. The program is ranked 26th best online MBA program by US News and World Report and is also recognized as a top program for veterans.
In 2019, MSU added new curriculum in business decision analysis, strategic management in a competitive environment, and supply chain and operations management. Students are able to choose these courses as part of their electives or can even choose electives from other graduate departments including media, forestry, and economic development.
Students may apply to begin their studies in any semester. Students need to submit official transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Admission to this school is considered competitive.
| Location: Mississippi State, MS |
| Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
| Estimated Tuition: $366.75 per credit-hour |
The integrated MBA at Delta state emphasizes managerial, interpersonal, and leadership skills to allow students to capitalize on advancement opportunities. The flexible online format is specifically designed for working professionals.
The curriculum requires students to complete two nine-credit modules that provide financial and operational foundations. Students can then choose to complete their strategic 12-credit emphasis module in either human resource management, healthcare administration, information systems management, entertainment industry studies, or general business.
GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission unless the student has above a 3.25 GPA or four years of work experience. Prerequisite courses in management, statistics, accounting, and economics will be required for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in business.
| Location: Cleveland, MS |
| Accreditation: Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: One year |
| Estimated Tuition: $4,326.50 to $4,518.50 per semester |
Students who do not want to sacrifice family or work commitments may find the online MBA program at Jackson State University to be a good option. The program emphasizes teaching business research methodologies with a focus on economics while preparing students for professional management positions.
Overall, students are required to complete two courses for each of five terms, for a total of 30 credit-hours. During the year of study, students develop a strong foundation in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and business statistics.
Application requirements include undergraduate transcripts, GMAT scores, and three letters of recommendation. GMAT score requirements vary based on the students undergraduate GPA. Students who have not completed an undergraduate business degree are required to complete prerequisite courses prior to beginning the program.
| Location: Jackson, MS |
| Accreditation: Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: One year |
| Estimated Tuition: $462 per credit-hour |
Completing the online MBA program at the University of Southern Mississippi gives students advanced business knowledge, making them competitive in today’s workforce—all without having to sacrifice work or family in the process.
Ranked as one of the best 200 part-time online MBA programs by US News and World Report, this program can help anyone become the business leader or entrepreneur they aspire to be. Students complete 27 credits in core courses such as leadership, accounting, and global business systems. Additionally, students need nine elective credits. The program also features a unique sports security management emphasis.
To apply students will need to submit transcripts, a personal essay, a resume, and three letters of recommendation. GMAT or GRE scores are required but may be waived for students who have more than five years of managerial work experience. Prerequisite courses in accounting, finance, and statistics are required prior to applying for admission.
| Location: Hattiesburg, MS |
| Accreditation: Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years |
| Estimated Tuition: $479.12 per credit-hour |
The online MBA program at Belhaven University combines academics, technology, and Christian faith to create ethical and skilled professionals. Once graduating from this degree program students are poised to assume leadership roles in finance, hospitality, accounting, and many other fields.
The program’s 36 credits are offered in short eight-week terms with team-based projects designed to promote collaborative learning. Courses are 100 percent online, taught year round, and delivered from a Christian worldview. Students can choose one of the six concentrations in finance, health administration, human resources, leadership, and public or sports administration.
Admission requirements are fairly simple. Students must have at least a 2.8 undergraduate GPA and submit all of their transcripts.
| Location: Jackson, MS |
| Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
| Estimated Tuition: $565 per credit-hour |
Open to all students, the Mississippi University for Women online MBA program prepares professionals with key leadership skills to move into management roles in a variety of industries. Critical thinking skills are at the core of the courses taught here.
Special courses are taught in electronic retailing, cybersecurity, and supply chain management, allowing students to tailor their education to their career path. Students complete 24 credit-hours in core courses and another 12 in electives.
A unique part of this school is a flat $10,000 cost for the program. The fee does not include books or supplies, but otherwise that is all a student would be expected to pay to complete the degree. Students may still complete the MBA at their leisure with many who attend full time finishing in ten months.
Students are required to submit three essays to be considered for admission. The first is a statement of purpose; the second showcases the students’ creativity and entrepreneurship by describing a business they might like to open; and the third details an ethical dilemma the student has faced to demonstrate critical thinking. Students are required to submit GMAT or GRE scores along with their resume and transcripts. Five undergraduate business courses are prerequisite to admission as well.
| Location: Columbus, MS |
| Accreditation: Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Ten months to two years |
| Estimated Tuition: $10,000 flat fee |
