Online MBA Degree Guide
Students seeking a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree are typically mature and focused. They’ll need to navigate many business degree options, identify core curriculum and choose specializations that map to their career goals. To streamline the process, the following guide sheds light on the major types of MBA degrees, specializations and career opportunities.
Top Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
STUDYING FOR AN ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE MBA DEGREE
The wide variety of fields that hire MBA graduates is matched by the myriad of business administration programs available in full-time, part-time, executive and online formats. The selection of accredited business schools, colleges and universities offering MBA programs allows students to enroll in a program that accommodates work, family and financial obligations. Below are the main options:
STUDYING FOR AN ONLINE MBA DEGREE
Because of their flexible schedules and 24/7 access, online MBA degree programs have risen in popularity among working professionals and students who cannot travel to a campus program. Distance learning programs typically offer fine-tuned curriculum on business theory and leadership that can be immediately utilized in the workplace. Some of the most popular MBA specializations include health care, marketing, finance, accounting, project management, entrepreneurship and human resources.
Online MBA schools provide students with full-time, part-time and executive study options. Distance learners have round-the-clock access to courses and research libraries. Class lectures may be delivered via streaming multimedia, Skype, conference calls, Adobe Connect or other communication tools. Depending on the program, online students also may use digital chat rooms, threaded emails and instant messaging to work with instructors and peers.
Best Online MBA Programs in 2017
Students who pursue a master’s in business administration already hold a bachelor’s degree and often are working in a professional business setting. The graduate degree affords them more responsibility in their current postion and also sets them up for promotion to the management level. Earning that degree online allows them to continue working full time without having to spend a lot of time commuting to class or missing out on family time. We looked at the data to find the best schools for an MBA in 2017 to help aspiring MBA grads as they look for a good fit for their education.
ONLINE MBA COLLEGES
Lehigh University
- Bethlehem, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,790
- Out-of-state$54,790
- In-State$27,000
- Out-of-state$27,000
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate32%
- Students Enrolled6,953
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment6%
- AccreditationYes
University of Denver
- Denver, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$51,336
- Out-of-state$51,336
- In-State$51,336
- Out-of-state$51,336
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled12,931
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment28%
- AccreditationYes
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,616
- Out-of-state$50,616
- In-State$38,880
- Out-of-state$38,880
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled22,850
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled33,720
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Harvard University
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$47,730
- Out-of-state$47,730
- In-State$48,008
- Out-of-state$48,008
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate5%
- Students Enrolled31,655
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,684
- Out-of-state$50,684
- In-State$33,408
- Out-of-state$33,408
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate16%
- Students Enrolled52,885
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University
- Tempe, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$28,800
- In-State$11,720
- Out-of-state$26,160
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled53,286
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,146
- Out-of-state$52,146
- In-State$35,181
- Out-of-state$35,181
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled24,205
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Pace University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$44,714
- Out-of-state$44,714
- In-State$31,320
- Out-of-state$31,320
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled13,395
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Oklahoma State University
- Stillwater, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,366
- Out-of-state$20,877
- In-State$5,531
- Out-of-state$21,034
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled24,079
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
University of Houston-Victoria
- Victoria, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,896
- Out-of-state$15,024
- In-State$6,338
- Out-of-state$13,934
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate56%
- Students Enrolled4,506
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
Hofstra University
- Hempstead, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$46,450
- Out-of-state$46,450
- In-State$25,164
- Out-of-state$25,164
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled10,804
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Suffolk University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$39,814
- Out-of-state$39,814
- In-State$39,267
- Out-of-state$39,267
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled7,169
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment13%
- AccreditationYes
University of Colorado Denver
- Denver, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,920
- Out-of-state$24,408
- In-State$6,786
- Out-of-state$22,590
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled24,910
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Penn State World Campus
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$13,484
- Out-of-state$13,484
- In-State$21,682
- Out-of-state$21,682
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students EnrolledN/A
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,278
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate23%
- Students Enrolled29,877
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arkansas
- Fayetteville, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,568
- Out-of-state$24,056
- In-State$7,752
- Out-of-state$21,032
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled27,559
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
University of Tennessee at Martin
- Martin, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,214
- Out-of-state$14,254
- In-State$9,096
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled7,280
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
Temple University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,080
- Out-of-state$28,992
- In-State$16,956
- Out-of-state$23,346
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled38,794
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Sam Houston State University
- Huntsville, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,856
- Out-of-state$15,984
- In-State$5,765
- Out-of-state$13,361
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled21,558
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
ONLINE MBA DEGREE
An online master’s of business administration consists of 45 to 60 credits, though some programs allow students to waive certain courses based on prior educational background or work experience.
Designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze business trends and develop effective business strategies, an online MBA degree covers coursework in accounting, economics, ethics, marketing, strategic management, data analysis, financial reporting and leadership. Students can also specialize in a specific area, such as Internet marketing, health administration, financial management, international business or entrepreneurship. Most programs culminate in a capstone or thesis project.
Much of the coursework can be completed online, but some schools may require a certain number of in-person meetings for collaborative projects. Many online MBA programs are offered as a cohort, so students have the benefit of learning alongside the same group of peers from beginning to end. Online students communicate regularly with peers and instructors via Skype, email and live chat, ensuring that the online MBA degree matches the rigorous standards of the traditional on-campus program.
SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
Name: BROOKE P.
Degree: MASTER’S OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Mode: Online
ONLINE MBA DEGREE CURRICULUM
MBA coursework varies by degree program, school and business specialization. Students should evaluate prospective schools with an eye toward their career objectives. Academic and career planning advisers can aid in the search for the appropriate school and degree. Here is a sampling of the kinds of courses offered in each of the online MBA degree specializations:
COURSE NAME | OVERVIEW |
---|---|
Entrepreneurship | Focuses on the factors of launching a successful business, including tax laws, venture capital, business plans, human resources and marketing. |
Supply Chain Management | Explores the inter-connectedness of strategic project planning, business analysis, change management and logistics. |
Accounting for Managers | Reviews the principles of auditing and assessment, projections, taxation and reporting. |
Technology Management | Provides an understanding the information backbone and systems that support enterprise-level transactions, with an emphasis on data security. |
CAREER CERTIFICATIONS AFTER THE ONLINE MBA DEGREE
After completing their MBA, managers seeking career advancement may return to school to prepare for certification exams. Voluntary certifications, particularly in project management, highlight specialized skills in a specific business niche. Requirements vary by each certifying organization, and may include extensive management experience in addition to the completion of a graduate degree. Below are three popular management certifications:
There are other professional certifications for MBA holders to explore, including:
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ONLINE MBA DEGREE?
The Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree has become a preferred college credential among recruiters for management roles. Management and leadership professionals with MBA degrees hold key positions in corporate, non-profit and governmental organizations. Some take mid-management roles within large organizations, directing departments in human resources, finance, information technology, marketing communications, supply chain, change management and planning.
The wide variety of fields that hire MBA graduates is matched by the multiplicity of business administration programs available in full-time, part-time, executive and online formats. The selection of accredited business schools, colleges and universities offering MBA programs allows students to enroll in a program that seamlessly plugs into the hectic realities of working lives, family commitments and checkbooks. Below are some solid career options for those who have earned a degree from an online MBA school: