A Forbes suggests that management skills like project management, transformational leadership, and change management are among the top competencies employers want from people who want to be a part of their enterprise or organization. You’ll develop one or all of these skills when you pursue an online Master of Business Administration program.

Undergraduate degree holders, especially those with prior work experience have a high potential for admission into a university’s online MBA program. It is the start of a journey to a rewarding and fulfilling career.

If you have an innate interest in solving problems, are adept at conveying your ideas, love to work in a team environment, and have the desire to lead; you are the perfect material for an online MBA degree. It can be your ticket to a management or leadership career in the business environment. If you are tied to work, family, or other commitments, you may seek an accredited online MBA program to realize your academic aspiration without compromising your work and other aspects of your life.

At a Glance

Earning traditional or online MBA degrees is already a prestige in itself. It provides you with the knowledge, skills, and potential only a few individuals possess. It makes you a cut above the rest in the job market and in the real business world.

There are many online programs in business administration. But did you know that there’s a postgraduate degree called MBA in Business Administration? It is an MBA major that equips you with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and accountability for managing an organization including its resources, day-to-day operations, people, and time.

As a business administration specialist, it is your responsibility to ensure the functionality and profitability of your organization and see to it that its goals and objectives are met. It is an obligation that requires mastery of a range of business disciplines. Thus, as online students in an MBA in business administration program, you will be immersed in studies on the functional areas of business such as human resources, finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.

We found only two business schools in the U.S. that offer an MBA degree in business administration. For this reason and to help you find a program that may still fit your academic and career goals, we bring to you the best alternative there is, the MBA in business administration’s closest relative, the online General MBA program. It is the general MBA that allows you to focus on multiple subject areas in business management and administration.

Pursuing an online master’s degree in business administration is a great big step to take your career to a higher level. That career will continue to grow as you master your job and perfect your skills with years of experience. But it begins with you picking the right school from a list of universities offering the best online MBA programs.

20 Best Online MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) Programs

Baker College

Owosso, MI

Online MBA – Business Administration Major

Tuition per credit: $695.00
Units Required: 36 credit hours
Program Length: 12 – 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Military and VA Funding

The online MBA program in Business Administration at Baker College aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to rise in the hierarchy of your organization. It commits to providing you with academic and experiential learning to make you understand how the business world operates.

The faculty in Baker’s online MBA program in business administration are professional experts. They are dedicated to helping you learn and master critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and other essential business and leadership skills you need to excel in your job.

Core Courses:

Accounting for the Contemporary Manager
Human Behavior Management Organizations
Human Resource Management
Management Information Systems
Research and Statistics for Managers
Strategy in a Global Environment
The Economic Environment
The Financial Environment
The Marketing Environment

Baker’s online MBA program in Business Administration allows you to take three elective courses within the degree track. It allows you to master the subjects that interest you the most. It’s a crucial step that works to help you stand out in your chosen field.

Baker’s accreditation with the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) for its online MBA programs indicates that the school complies with the academic standards of the US Department of Education. As such, we can safely say that Baker College offers one of the best online MBA programs, especially for online MBA students with limited budgets.

Northeastern State University – College of Business and Technology

Broken Arrow, OK

MBA in Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $361.11
Units Required: 36 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Grants
- Loans
- Scholarships
- Student Employment

Northeastern State University tailors its MBA in Business Administration for working professionals with the drive and desire for academic and professional success. It is dedicated to providing graduates with the knowledge and skills that help to make them a cut above the rest in their workplaces.

Core Courses:

Analysis for Decision Making
Information Systems Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Finance
Marketing Strategy
Organizational Behavior
Strategic Management

Northeastern State University’s online MBA program is not limited to providing you with a good understanding of the functional areas of business. It also offers several areas of concentration that make you capable of mastering your specific field of interest in business.

NSU’s MBA program is committed to providing you with the highest possible level of business knowledge and skills to mold you into a top-caliber decision-maker in a modern business organization.

Offered through its College of Business and Technology, NSU’s online MBA program in Business Administration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Its low tuition and fees make NSU a provider of one of the best online MBA programs for students with budget limitations.

Boston University – Questrom School of Business

Boston, MA

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $533.00 or $4,000.00 per Module
Units Required: 45 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Federal Financial Aid
- Private Loans
- Private Scholarships
- Payment Plan Options
- Veteran Benefits

Boston University’s Questrom School of Business designs its online MBA program for busy yet ambitious and self-motivated professionals who aspire to advance their careers through top-rank graduate education. If you want convenience and accessibility while learning advanced business education, this 100% online program is for you.

Core Courses:

Creating Value for Business and Society
Managing Performance with Data
Leading with Integrity
Assessing and Managing Risks
Leveraging Global Opportunities
Fostering an Innovative Mindset

Boston University is an AACSB-accredited university. Its accredited online MBA programs are rigorous yet their quality makes them undoubtedly one of the best online MBA programs in the country. It is delivered to you by the same world-class professors teaching students at the university’s on-campus MBA programs.

The University of Texas at Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management

University of Texas (Dallas) - Naveen Jindal School of Management

Richardson, TX

Professional MBA Online

Tuition per credit: Resident: $577.70; Non-Resident: $1,134.09
Units Required: 53 credit hours
Program Length: 21 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Grants
- Student Loans
- Work-Study
- Exemptions and Waivers
- Veterans Benefits

The University of Texas at Dallas’ Naveen Jindal School of Management offers a Professional MBA Online program. It is an accelerated program that aims to equip you with strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving knowledge and skills to develop business solutions and establish a promising career in the international business environment.

Core Courses:

Business Economics
Financial Accounting
Financial Management
International Business Management or
International Marketing or
International Strategic Management or
Cross-Cultural Communications and Management
Managerial Accounting
Managing IT in the Analytics Age
Marketing Management
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior
Statistics and Data Analysis
Strategic Management

While Naveen Jindal’s online MBA program can be completed entirely online, its online courses may require online MBA students to take their exams at designated proctored examination centers. As a student in Naveen Jindal’s online MBA program, you must be willing and able to attend the testing centers in person to take part in the exams.

The online MBA programs at the University of Texas at Dallas are recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It’s low-cost per credit hour makes the university a source of one of the best online MBA programs in the country.

University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Eau Claire, WI

Online MBA in General Management

Tuition per credit: $833.00
Units Required: 36 credit hours
Program Length: 30 – 36 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Fellowships
- Graduate Assistantships

The Online MBA program in General Management offered at the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium is designed for working professionals who aspire for improvement in their respective careers.

Core Courses:

Competing Strategically in a Global Environment
Defining your Plan for Success: The MBA Mindset
Developing New Products and Services
Leading a Diverse and Dynamic Workforce
Making Informed Managerial Decisions
Navigating Change Amid Uncertainty
Refining your Plan for Success: Program Capstone

The University of Wisconsin’s online General Management MBA program commits to developing and enhancing your leadership, communication, analytical, and critical thinking to prepare you for leadership and management roles in a business setting. It is recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

University of Kansas School of Business

Lawrence, KS

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $865.00
Units Required: 42 credit hours
Program Length: 27 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Loans
- Financial Aid for Veterans

The online MBA program at the University of Kansas School of Business is designed to develop your knowledge and skills in business management and administration. It dedicates a special focus on honing your leadership competencies.

Core Courses:

Accounting
Business Law and Ethics
Finance
Intro to Business Analytics
Managerial Economics
Managing People
Marketing
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Statistics
Strategic Business

KU’s online MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It is manned by a team of professors reputed for their academic and professional success in business. They are committed to preparing online MBA students for the challenges they will possibly encounter in the global marketplace.

The US News & World Report lists Kansas University as the seventh of the best online MBA programs in the country in 2023.

University of Massachusetts Amherst – Isenberg School of Management

Amherst, MA

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $925.00
Units Required: 37 – 39 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Military Benefits
- Partnerships Programs Tuition
- Scholarships, Fellowships, and Assistantships

The Isenberg School of Management of the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers an online MBA program to address the need of working professionals aspiring for academic and career advancement. It is a result of the school’s quality on-campus MBA curriculum combined with the flexibility offered by its online platform.

Core Courses:

Business Law
Corporate Finance
Economic Analysis for Managers
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Foundation of Accounting
Foundation of Finance
Human Resource Management
Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Marketing Strategy
Operations Management
Organizational Strategy
Services Marketing Management
Statistics for Business
Strategic Information Management

UM’s AACSB-accredited online MBA program is one of the most recognized online MBA programs in the US. It provides online MBA students with the same quality and rigor as its on-campus MBA programs. The university’s online MBA program is powered by a team of experienced MBA educators dedicated to sharing their expertise with the school’s on-campus and online MBA students.

Auburn University – Raymond J. Harbert College of Business

Auburn, AL

Online MBA Program

Tuition per credit: $950.00
Units Required: 39 credit hours
Program Length: 31 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Loans
- Grants
- Federal Work-Study
- Scholarships
- Veteran Benefits

Offered through Raymund J. Harbert College of Business, Auburn University‘s Online MBA program is one of the oldest and best online MBA programs in the country. It delivers its courses entirely online, but the university guarantees that they are taught by the same world-renowned educators and have the same exceptional quality as its traditional on-campus MBA programs. AU’s online MBA program provides you with the flexibility you need to earn a top-of-the-line MBA degree at your own pace – without the need to sacrifice work and other commitments.

Core Courses:

Cost Analysis & Systems
Financial Analysis
Information Technology for Competitive Advantage
Integrated Business Project & Case Analysis
Operations Excellence through Supply Chain and Quality
Organizational Leadership & Change
Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions
Strategic Analysis & the Competitive Environment
Strategic Marketing Management

Auburn University’s College of Business fosters peer-to-peer collaboration in its online MBA program. Its CANVAS learning platform allows online MBA students to get easy access to content and faculty. Students enrolled in the university’s online MBA program are given the same privileges as its full-time MBA students.

The academic programs of Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Ball State University – Miller College of Business

Muncie, IN

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $950.00
Units Required: 30 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Merit and Need-Based Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Employment
- Military Benefits

Offered through its Miller College of Business, Ball State University designs its online MBA program to provide working professionals with the access and flexibility they need to earn a quality MBA degree.

Designed to develop your knowledge and skills in leadership and strategy, the online MBA curriculum of the Miller College of Business focuses on strengthening your analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Core Courses:

Accounting and Decision Making
Economic Analysis for Managers
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance
Fundamentals of Economics and Statistics
Fundamentals of Management and Marketing
Global Strategic Management
Managerial Finance
Marketing Management
Statistics and Quantitative Methods

The Miller College of Business guarantees that its online MBA program provides quality coursework delivered by expert instructors with real-world business experience. It is backed by strong technical support and reliable student services. The flexibility and convenience it provides allow you to continue working while pursuing your academic goals. The US News & World Report lists Ball State University as the 19th of the best online MBA programs in the country in 2023.

Ball State’s business and academic programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

University of Florida – Warrington College of Business

Gainesville, FL

Online MBA In General Management

Tuition per credit: $1,245.99
Units Required: 48 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Third-Party-Sponsored Tuition Assistance
- Military Tuition Benefits

The online MBA program in General Management at the University of Florida‘s Warrington College of Business is designed for working professionals who want to study without losing their work-life balance. It provides them with the tools, skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in their personal and professional life.

Core Courses:

Brand Management
Corporate Finance
Economics of Business Decisions
Financial Management
Financial & Managerial Accounting
Global Strategic Management
Introduction to Managerial Statistics
Operations Management
Professional Writing
Upper Core: International Business Course

The courses at the UF College of Business online MBA programs are taught by experienced business educators committed to providing you with the fullest academic experience while getting maximum flexibility. This online MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

University of Arizona – Eller College of Management

Tucson, AZ

Online MBA with a Concentration in Management

Tuition per credit: $1,250.00
Units Required: 45 credit hours
Program Length: 14 – 30 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Federal Financial Aid
- Graduate/Professional Funding Opportunities
- Scholarships

The online MBA program at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management is a combination of flexibility and academic excellence. It focuses on helping you earn a quality MBA degree without sacrificing your work, family, and other commitments.

Core Courses:

Applied Business Statistics
Business Strategy
Communication Management
Economics for Managers
Financial Management
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Introduction to Managerial Accounting
Leadership in Organizations
Managing Ethics in Organizations
Operations Management
Strategic Management and Information Systems

UA’s online MBA program is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of business management and leadership. It is committed to equipping you with a mastery of major business topics including accounting, finance, economics, marketing, information systems, management, and business communications.

The traditional and online MBA programs of the University of Arizona are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

Arizona State University – WP Carey School of Business

Tempe, AZ

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $1,273.00
Units Required: 57 credit hours
Program Length: 15 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Veterans Benefits
- Scholarships
- Federal Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Graduate PLUS Loans
- Private Education Loans

ASU offers its online MBA program through its W.P. Carey School of Business. The program focuses on expanding your knowledge of advanced business strategies and developing your leadership skills to prepare you for management and leadership roles in the competitive business world.

Core Courses:

Ethical Issues for Managers
Finance: The Art of Managing Resources
Financial Performance Reporting
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Marketing Management
Operations and Supply Management
Organizational Theory: Leading People, Teams, and Organization

ASU delivers its online MBA program from the same world-class faculty who teach at the university’s traditional face-to-face MBA programs. ASU guarantees that with its online MBA program, you will be given an MBA education of the same quality plus the flexibility to allow you to learn your lessons at your own pace.

ASU’s AACSB-accredited online MBA program is a perfect fit for working professionals, active members of the US armed forces, and all individuals who want a quality MBA that they can earn off campus.

The University of Utah – David Eccles School of Business

Salt Lake City, UT

Master of Business Administration Online

Tuition per credit: $1,400.00
Units Required: 48 credit hours
Program Length: 24 – 26 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Graduate Scholarships
- Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loan
- Graduate PLUS Loan
- Private Education Loan
- Military Funding
- Employer Support

Offering A Master of Business Administration Online through its David Eccles School of Business, the University of Utah commits to providing you with an opportunity to realize your aspirations for career advancement. With an efficient internet connection, the university will deliver to you an innovative, challenging, and transformational yet flexible online MBA curriculum from a world-class faculty anytime and anywhere.

Core Courses:

Business Communication
Business Ethics
Competitive Strategy
Data Analysis
Financial Accounting
Financial Management
Information Technology
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Managing and Leading
Marketing Management
Operations Management

The University of Utah designs its online MBA program differently from typical distance-learning MBAs. It delivers its MBA coursework through content specially designed by the university’s online digital development team.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recognizes the quality of the online MBA programs of the David Eccles School of Business.

University of Washington – Foster School of Business

Seattle, WA

Hybrid MBA – General Management Curriculum

Tuition per credit: $1,451.61
Units Required: 62 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Military and Veterans Educational Benefits
- Federal Stafford Direct Loans
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

The Hybrid MBA in General Management program of the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business is delivered 95% online. It is designed for working professionals who need flexibility and quality education to help them propel their careers to a higher level.

Core Courses:

Analysis of Global Economic Conditions
Building Effective Teams
Business Strategy
Corporate Finance
Decision Modeling
Ethical Leadership
Financial Reporting and Analysis
Leading Teams & Organizations
Managerial Accounting
Microeconomics for Managers
Operations Management
Probability & Statistics
Strategic Marketing Management

UW’s hybrid MBA in General Management curriculum is manned by top-caliber MBA faculty. It is dedicated to helping busy individuals who need a break in their careers without compromising their work, family, and other life commitments.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business recognizes the traditional and online MBA programs of the University of Washington.

Indiana University – Bloomington Kelley School of Business

Bloomington, IN

Online Business Administration, MBA

Tuition per credit: $1,521.45
Units Required: 54 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Federal Financial Aid
- Employment Tuition Assistance
- Veterans Affairs Benefits
- Corporate Programs Tuition

Indiana University‘s 80 to 99 percent online MBA program is designed for working professionals who are either looking to take their careers to a higher level or switch to a more promising career path. It is powered by a world-class faculty and an innovative curriculum that guarantees the latest online learning methods. The program is also backed by a coaching team committed to offering their best advice to allow you to reach your fullest potential.

Core Courses:

Digital Technology and Innovation
Economics for Managers
Financial Management
Integrative Case Experience
Leading Organization
Law and Ethics in Business
Managing Accounting Information for Decision-Making
Marketing Management
Operations Management
Quantitative Analysis
Strategic Management
Topics in Business Analysis
Topics in Directed Business Interaction (On-Campus)

The courses in Kelley’s online MBA curriculum are taught by the same world-class faculty who teach at the university’s on-campus MBA programs. Its instructors are experts in delivering engaging online and classroom experiences.

Indiana University’s AACSB-accredited online MBA program is number one in US News & World Report’s list of the best online MBA programs of 2023.

University of Maryland – College Park – Robert H. Smith School of Business

College Park, MD

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $1,732.64
Units Required: 54 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Fellowships
- Assistantships
- Private Scholarships
- Grants
- Federal Loans
- Work-Study Program

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business offers an Online MBA program that focuses on honing your leadership, communication, and analytical skills. Dedicated to providing you with expertise in the essentials of running a business, the program immerses you in strategic business topics including accounting, finance, marketing, information systems, and supply chain management.

Core Courses:

Corporate Finance
Data Analysis
Decision Modeling
Entrepreneurship
Financial Accounting
Leadership and Teamwork
Managerial Accounting
Marketing Management
Management Information Systems
Operations Management
Organizational Change
Supply Chain Management
Strategic Management

UM’s online MBA program fosters experiential learning. It is powered by a world-renowned faculty and an innovative curriculum patterned from real-world business operations.

The academic programs of UM’s Robert H. Smith School of Business including its online MBA curriculum are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Its MBA courses foster experiential learning, and they are taught by world-class instructors who are experts in their respective fields.

University of North Carolina – Kenan Flagler Business School

Chapel Hill, NC

Online MBA in Management and Leadership

Tuition per credit: $2,025.00
Units Required: 62 credit hours
Program Length: 18 – 36 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Federal Student Loans
- Scholarships
- Fellowships
- Employer Sponsorship
- Veterans Benefits
- Private Student Loans for Non-US Citizens

The Online MBA program in Management and Leadership at UNC’s Kenan Flagler Business School is a top MBA program in management in 2023, according to the US News and World Report. It prepares you for excellence in various senior management-level roles in different industries. Among other objectives, this specialization aims to strengthen your problem-solving and decision-making skills and make you an effective member or leader of a team.

Core Courses:

Analytical Tools for Decision Making
Business Communication
Business Strategy
Finance
Financial Accounting
Leading and Managing
Marketing: Analysis and Development
Operations
Strategic Economics

UNC’s online MBA program with a concentration in management and leadership aims to provide you with the skills you need to manage teams, negotiate effectively, inspire people, and make strategic decisions.

All the academic programs of the University of North Carolina – Kenan Flagler Business School including its online MBA comply with the educational standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business

Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business

Houston, TX

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $2,100.00
Units Required: 54 credit hours
Program Length: 24 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Federal Student Aid
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans
- Direct Consolidation Loans
- Military Education Benefits

Offered at its Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University delivers its online MBA program via the latest communication and information technology to propel your academic and career goals. Wherever you may be in the world, Rice University can provide you with a top-rank online MBA education without leaving your home or work and family commitments.

Core Courses:

Business Law
Competitive Strategy
Data Analysis
Economic Environment of Business
Finance
Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Managerial Economics
Marketing
Operations Management
Organizational Behavior
Strategic Business Communication

Rice University’s core MBA curriculum provides you with a deep understanding of the functional and other major aspects of business management including marketing strategy, business analytics, finance, and leadership. It also allows you to focus on a specialization to master an area or field of interest.

Rice University’s online MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business

Los Angeles, CA

Online Master of Business Administration

Tuition per credit: $2,197.00
Units Required: 51 credit hours
Program Length: 21 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Federal Loans
- Federal Work-Study
- Grants
- Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships
- Scholarships
- Awards from Agency sponsors

The Online MBA program at USC‘s Marshall School of Business aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to help your organization attain its business goals. Its courses are taught by experienced professors committed to providing online MBA students with a deep understanding of the MBA curriculum through practical exercises and discussions of the most important events in global business.

Core Courses:

Business Environment & Leadership
Fundamentals of Business
Managing Inside the Firm
Managing Outside the Firm
Opportunity Recognition and Implementation
Role of the Manager

Designed for working professionals, the University of Southern California – Marshall’s online MBA is a flexible and uncompromising yet rigorous academic program. It is recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business for its compliance with AACSB’s academic standards.

Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business

Pittsburgh, PA

Part-Time Online MBA (HYbrid)

Tuition per credit: $2,275.00
Units Required: 64 credit hours
Program Length: 24 – 32 months
Financial Assistance Options:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Federal Loan
- Yeknik Student Loan
- Private Loans

Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper College of Business offers a Part-Time Hybrid MBA program that allows you to receive a STEM-designated MBA in an online format.

Core Courses:

Corporate Strategy
Financial and Managerial Accounting
Global Economics
Managerial Economics
Managing People and Teams
Marketing Management
Operations Management

Tepper’s online MBA courses are taught by the same faculty who teach the students of its full-time MBA program. It provides you with an analytics-focused curriculum that prepares you for leadership roles in the business environment.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recognizes the academic quality of the online MBA programs of Tepper College of Business.

Basic Responsibilities in Business Administration

Business administration is a diverse field that involves various occupations. Several employers need the talent and skills of business administration specialists to steer a business to success, especially in the areas of marketing, human resources, finance, supply chain, and operations.

As a process of directing the tasks related to the operation of a business organization or enterprise, the main responsibilities involved in business administration may include managing employees, overseeing day-to-day activities, making decisions, and making sure that all the aspects of the business are geared toward the attainment of the company’s objectives.

To ensure the efficient, productive, and profitable operation of a business enterprise, most employers need individuals with strong leadership skills and the ability to plan, execute and direct operations, solve problems, and motivate people.

Here are some of the most important roles of a business administrator in a company:

Hiring and managing staff including department managers
Establishing goals
Motivating personnel and providing training to the ones who need it
Analyzing the company’s performance through financial statements, sales reports, and key performance indicators
Identifying the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
Ensuring efficient and cost-effective processes
Staying updated with the latest workplace technologies and applying them as needed

Skills Learned from an Online MBA in Business Administration Program

If you pursue a traditional or online MBA in Business Administration degree, you will develop more skills and acquire knowledge beyond the fundamentals of business management. These skills can help you execute operational and administrative tasks efficiently and enable you to overcome the challenges of everyday business activities. These are the competencies you can possibly acquire from quality traditional or online MBA programs.

Leadership Skills

As businesses require effective human management to run, the strong leadership skills of an administrator are a must. It is an element that motivates employees, raises their morale, and encourages them to work for the attainment of the company’s business objectives.

Analytical Skills

It is essential for business managers to possess strong analytical skills because it enables them to understand the market and determined how the company fared in its operations. It also helps managers to project a possible state of the company based on current company data. The results of this analysis enable a manager to formulate strategies to realize a positive projection or prevent a negative forecast from taking place.

Tech Skills

Tech or technology skills refer to a person’s knowledge and ability to interact with computer-based technologies and take on technical tasks. With the proliferation of technological innovation, it is not unusual for individuals with tech skills to stand out in a business organization. It is a perfect combination of the leadership and business management skills you’ll acquire from a quality online MBA program.

Soft Skills

These are non-technical skills, and some of them may not even be a part of an MBA program. They refer to your personal work ethic, management style, and how you interact with others within the organization. These include:

Time management
Ability to work with different types of people
Networking
Problem-solving
Confidence
Analytical thinking
Decision-Making
Research

Having the right blend of soft and hard skills can get you ahead of other candidates in the job market. As an online MBA student, you should strive to develop as many soft skills as possible. It can help to make you more competent as a business leader.

Careers for Graduates of Online MBA Programs in Business Administration

As a graduate of an online MBA program in business administration, you are eligible for several career opportunities in business management including:

Management Analyst. Management analysts or management consultants help a business organization improve its efficiency with their ability to identify revenue and cost generators. By proposing to cut unnecessary costs and drive revenue, management analysts can boost the profitability of a business.
- Average Annual Salary: $93,000.00
- Projected Growth: 11% from 2021 to 2031

Financial Manager. Financial managers are responsible for overseeing and monitoring an organization’s financial health and strength. They develop and monitor financial strategies to help a company achieve its long-term goals.
- Average Annual Salary: $131,710.00
- Projected Growth: 17% from 2021 to 2031
Sales Manager. Sales managers plan, develop, implement, and coordinate a company’s sales strategies. They are responsible for analyzing sales and market data which are among the bases of the goal-oriented strategies they formulate.
- Average Annual Salary: $127,490
- Projected Growth: 5% from 2021 to 2031

Popular MBA Specializations Offered in the United States

Having an MBA will equip you with advanced business management skills. It develops you into a better leader and an effective team manager which is a critical element in the success of a business. It also increases the number and quality of job opportunities that come your way.

But since businesses consist of several functionalities to run smoothly, many business schools find it fitting to design an MBA specialization for each function. It allows students to focus and master coursework in areas that fit their career goals. It also helps companies find management specialists in specific areas of their operations. Here are some of the most popular MBA specializations in the U.S.

Accounting. It’s a specialization that works to hone your accounting skills. It also helps to prepare you for the CPA exams. This specialization can qualify you for positions such as financial analyst, chief finance officer, or accounting manager.
Business Management. It’s an MBA specialization that provides you with a thorough understanding of all the administrative and operational aspects of a business. This specialization equips you with management knowledge and skills to keep an enterprise competitive.
Cybersecurity. The cybersecurity specialization provides you with advanced knowledge and skills for assessing risks, formulating cybersecurity strategies, and preventing cybersecurity attacks.
Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is an MBA specialization focused on providing aspiring business leaders with knowledge and skills for starting a business venture.
Finance. An MBA in Finance or Financial Management prepares you for roles in financial planning, corporate finance, banking, or accounting. It is ideal for individuals aspiring to build a career in the financial sector.
Healthcare Management. The healthcare management MBA specialization prepares you for executive or leadership roles in the healthcare industry.
Human Resource Management. The Human Resource Management MBA specialization is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recruit, hire, and retain people that contribute to the productivity, profitability, and efficiency of the company.
Management Information Systems. Management Information Systems is an MBA specialization that focuses on the application of information and communication technologies to a business process. It is intended to provide solutions to real business problems to give the company information and data processing speed and a competitive advantage.
International Business. The international business MBA specialization is tailored to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage the operations of global or multinational companies. It is specifically designed for professionals who can work comfortably across cultures.
Marketing. Marketing is the MBA specialization you should take if you want to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in sales, consumer trends, marketing strategies, and consumer behavior. This concentration also exposes you to topics that include advertising, market research, branding, and global and online marketing.
Nonprofit Business. As its name implies, an MBA in nonprofit management exposes you to specialized coursework in the management of nonprofit endeavors. This MBA specialization intends to provide you with fundamental knowledge of the functional areas of business including accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
Operations Management. In the operations management MBA specialization, you will be immersed in coursework about managing different business processes and workflows in the production of goods or services.
Project management. Designed to provide you with knowledge and competencies n the management of projects including project planning, project execution, project risk management, project finance, etc. It also aims to harness and develop your decision-making and leadership skills. You need these skills to help a company attain its objectives.
Supply Chain Management. The Supply Chain Management specialization immerses you in lessons focused on the planning and managing of a company’s supply chain including procurement, distribution, storage, and transportation or delivery.
Business Analytics. The Business Analytics program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to analyze business data and make forecasts, recommendations, or decisions based on these.
Sports Management. The sports management MBA specialization is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of and equip you with the skills you need to apply business concepts in the sporting industry. It immerses you in coursework that includes business communication, branding, marketing, and event management.

Best Online MBA in Business Administration - fact

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best Online MBA specialization I can consider?

There are many online MBA programs all over the country at the disposal of students with average undergraduate GPA. All of them are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to help a business organization realize its business goals and earn a rewarding career.

However, online MBAs are not one-size-fits-all programs. Thus, the best MBA specialization for someone may not be the best for you. The best specialization for you depends on your personal interests, abilities, and what you intend to do as a professional.

With that said, the decision to select a particular MBA specialization rests on your shoulders. So, when choosing a specialization, you should give primary consideration to your interests and professional goals.

Are MBA specialization and MBA concentration two different things?

No. In MBA language, specialization and concentration both refer to a specific area of focus. It’s the field or aspect of business that you need to devote more attention and time to than the rest of the topics. The objective is, through MBA online classes, to acquire the knowledge and targeted skills that you need to stand out in a particular career path you want to take.

What’s the advantage of an MBA over an MA or MS degree?

If you aspire for leadership positions in the business environment, the MBA is the ideal degree. Many employers across the world consider the MBA as the gold standard for management and leadership positions because it focuses on providing students with lessons in business management.

While graduates of the master of arts or master of science degrees with a major in business subjects like finance, marketing, or business analytics have the expertise or complete understanding of their majors, their curricula lack focus on developing the online students’ leadership skills. This makes MA or MS graduates a second priority to MBA graduates when the management decides to promote someone to a managerial role within the organization.

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