Since it was first offered at Dartmouth College over 120 years ago, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree has become the most popular master’s degree! Students enrolled in MBA programs seek to enhance their business administration skills that, in turn, can result in excellent career advancement opportunities. Indeed, higher positions, pay and prestige are the oft-cited reasons among students interested in earning an online MBA in Management degree.

Why an online MBA in Management degree, in particular? If you’re in an online MBA program with a management concentration, you will gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in business management principles and practices including human resources management, operations management, and financial management. With such a wide range of knowledge and skills, your career advancement opportunities are diverse and distinguished including C-suite positions.

But be sure to choose the right online MBA program so that you can actually meet the degree requirements and earn the coveted degree!

At a Glance

Business schools offering online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs usually ensure that their on-campus and online programs offer the same quality education. In fact, their diplomas don’t differentiate between on-campus and online education! This isn’t surprising as their comprehensive curriculum, which features core courses in business administration and concentration and elective courses, are the same.

The main difference between an on-campus MBA program and an online MBA program lies in the latter’s convenience, flexibility and accessibility which make them suitable for working professionals. Online MBA students can study at their own pace provided that they meet assignments, exams, and other academic deadlines. Both on-campus and online students enjoy excellent networking opportunities, student support and career development services, and return on investment, all hallmarks of quality education.

Best Online MBA in Management Programs

The online MBA programs featured here are offered by regionally accredited and universities. Furthermore, their business schools have regional accreditation from one of the three concerned accreditation organizations, namely:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

Most of the online MBA programs are AACSB-accredited because it’s considered the gold standard in business and accountancy program accreditation. But when you’re choosing your MBA program, you must look beyond programmatic accreditation – be sure to consider your career goals, geographical location, and financial capacity (i.e., cost of attendance, traveling expenses for in-person residencies, and incidental expenses).

University of Illinois Chicago

Liautaud Graduate School

Online MBA in Management Program

Total Tuition: $36,018
Units Required: 42 credits
Program Length: As few as 14 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, internal and external funding, and assistantships

Students in the AACSB-accredited MBA in Management online program prepare to become business leaders whose positive impact truly makes a difference. The online MBA program features among the most comprehensive curriculums where students learn critical areas of business administration and management including operations, financial and strategic management.

Courses:

Organizational Behavior
Enterprise Strategy
Special Topics in Management
Strategic Management
Negotiations

Graduates of the MBA with a concentration in Management program develop C-suite leadership skills, as well as demonstrate top-level skills in business analytics, supply chain management, and corporate finance. Their career advancement opportunities are in diverse industries, too, from the public to the private sectors as well as for-profit corporations and nonprofit organizations.

University of Arizona

Eller College of Management

Online MBA in Management and Organizations Program

Tuition per Credit: $1,250
Units Required: 45 credits
Program Length: 14-48 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, grants and loans

Offered by the University of Arizona, a public school considered among the Best Global Universities by the US News & World Report, the AACSB-accredited MBA in Management and Organizations online program turns raw leadership talent into polished leadership skills! The Eller online MBA is an excellent choice for working professionals because of its schedule flexibility – finish at your own pace – and affordability while guaranteeing academic excellence.

Courses:

Operations Management
Strategic Management of Information Systems
Business Law
Teamwork and Group Process
Advanced Negotiation

The online MBA program also features analytically-oriented courses in business administration designed for hard and soft skills development among students. Online students also have the option of participating in a Global Business Experience trip where they will experience hands-on learning in international settings.

Admission into the selective MBA program requires an academic background, professional experience, and personal qualities that demonstrate exceptional abilities and potential.

Louisiana State University Shreveport

College of Business

Online MBA in General Business Program

Total Tuition: $416
Units Required: 30 credits
Program Length: As few as 10 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, grants and loans

LSU Shreveport, a public school known for its academic excellence, affordable tuition, and efficient student support services, offers its AACSB-accredited MBA in General Business online program to ambitious working professionals. Students in the MBA program build their leadership abilities, develop their business administration knowledge and skills, and learn best practices for profitability, accountability and social responsibility. Their skill sets span both qualitative and quantitative skills that make them effective business leaders in the present and future.

Courses:

Economic Analysis for Management
Financial Management
Organizational Behavior
Data-Driven Decision Making
Project Management

Students enrolled in the online MBA program with little to no educational and professional background in business administration are well-advised to take foundation courses.

Pennsylvania State University World Campus

Smeal College of Business

Online MBA in General Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $1,236
Units Required: 48 credits
Program Length: 1-2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, grants and loans, and tuition repayment plans

Penn State, a well-known public school, takes pride in its AACSB-accredited MBA in General Management program with an ICE framework-centered curriculum. The learning experiences of online students are based on the principles and practices of Integration, Collaboration, and Engagement that results in a well-rounded business education. Students engage in group projects that build personal connections and leadership, critical thinking, and project management skills, among other vital skills for success in the business world.

The online MBA program also allows students to earn graduate certificates while simultaneously working on their MBA degree. The graduate certificates available include Business Management Foundations, Business Sustainability Strategy, and Financial Engineering.

Courses:

Financial Accounting
Data Analysis for Decision Making
Financial Management
Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets
Managing and Leading People in Organizations

Online students in the MBA in Management program must also participate in on-campus and online residencies.

University of Alabama Birmingham

Collat School of Business

Online MBA General Track Program

Tuition per Credit: $1,088
Units Required: 36 credits
Program Length: 1-2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, grants and loans

Offered by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a public school, the AACSB-accredited MBA General Track program fosters fast career advancement among its students. By growing their professional network and building their knowledge and skills across a wide range of business disciplines, students become prepared for the challenges that come with being executive-level professionals. The MBA program places great emphasis on organizational change and its management, too.

Courses:

Accounting and Finance for Managers
Management and Organizations
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Economics for Managers
Quantitative Analysis for Business Managers

Students in the online MBA program must complete a capstone course that demonstrates their mastery of business administration concepts, such as management, marketing, and accounting and finance.

Texas A&M International University

A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $367 (In-state)
Units Required: 30 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, grants and assistantships

TAMIU’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program produces competent and confident business professionals with knowledge and skills that can be applied in C-suite positions and entrepreneurial ventures. Students learn business administration and management principles and practices with an international emphasis, too. These include business research methods – students are encouraged to apply their learnings immediately in their current workplaces in this regard – and leadership and ethics, among others.

Students without a business administration bachelor’s degree are well-advised to take prep-module courses in readiness for the rigor of the online MBA program. Applicants choose from six start dates, while students benefit from the convenience of seven-week courses.

Courses:

Strategic Management
Financial Statement Analysis
Human Resource Development
Leadership and Decision Making
Entrepreneurship

The online classes in the MBA in Management program are complemented by seminars in marketing management and management concepts.

Barry University

Inez Andreas School of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $635
Units Required: 36 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, and alternative loans

Barry University, a private school, offers an affordable AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program where students gain a comprehensive understanding of international business principles and practices. Students develop problem-solving and decision-making skills that make them effective business leaders and professionals. There’s also an emphasis on applying business principles into practice and adopting ethical business practices.

Courses:

Leadership and Advanced Management Concepts
Strategy Formulation, Implementation, and Entrepreneurship
Human Resource Management
Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Cross Cultural Management

Students of the online MBA program learn under the guidance of professors with PhD degrees and extensive professional experience.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

College of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Total Tuition: $1,306.61
Units Required: 36 credits hours
Program Length: 12-24 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, grants and scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement

TAMUCC’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program prepares students for executive-level positions in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Students not only develop their business acumen and the skill sets that come with it but also determine their unique leadership style, as well as build a strong foundation for their future as top-notch business professionals.

Courses:

Human Resource Management
Leadership
Multinational Management
Entrepreneurship
Business, Government and Society

Due to the rigorous coursework in the online MBA program, students develop their problem-solving and decision-making skills suitable for large-scale corporations and small-scale businesses. Graduates become human resources managers, management consultants, and financial managers, among other leadership positions.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

School of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $526.13
Units Required: 36 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, grants and scholarships, alternative loans, and military and veteran benefits

Students in SIUE’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program come from diverse backgrounds, from small business entrepreneurs to supervisors in large corporations. Regardless of their background, students strengthen their leadership skills and management know-how, thanks to the extensive curriculum. Students learn through a combination of didactic coursework and seminars for hands-on learning experiences, as well as learn ethical decision-making practices.

Courses:

Negotiation and Interpersonal Skills for Managers
Managing Organizational Change and Innovation
Leadership, Influence and Managerial Effectiveness
Seminar in Management-Topic: Competing in Emerging Markets
Operations Management and Process Analysis

The MBA in Management degree opens career advancement opportunities that an undergraduate degree and work experience combined cannot. Graduates have reported being chief executive officers, human resources managers, and management consultants, among other positions.

Boise State University

College of Business and Economics

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $750
Units Required: 49 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, and tuition discounts

Boise State’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program has among the best student satisfaction, student retention and graduation rates in the state, if not the country. Working professionals and pre-career students are attracted to the MBA program, too, thanks to its small class sizes, exceptional academic quality, and emphasis on practical applications.

Courses:

Managerial Communication
Information Technology and Business Alignment
Managing Successful Projects
Managerial Accounting
Operations and Supply Chain Management

The MBA program features a 100% online curriculum with seven-week classes. Students choose from six start dates.

University of North Dakota

Nistler College of Business and Public Administration

Online MBA General Concentration Program

Tuition per Credit: $510.73
Units Required: 36 credits
Program Length: 2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, grants and scholarships, and alternative loans

Professionals looking for the broadest business education will find UND’s AACSB-accredited MBA General Concentration program an excellent choice! Students enrolled in the MBA program choose from a wide range of business-related courses in healthcare administration, international business, and aviation management.

The online MBA program provides students with academic advising, free online tutoring, and academic coaching services, even the personalized services of their own career coach.

Courses:

Organization Leadership and Ethics
Business Intelligence
Quantitative Analysis for Management Decisions
Financial Reporting and Decision Making
Advanced Strategic Management

The MBA in Management degree program also provides students with 60+ free workshops that strengthen their business acumen.

La Salle University

School of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $940
Units Required: 33-42 credits
Program Length: As few as 14-16 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, alternative loans, and tuition exchange

La Salle University, a private school, means business with its AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program with its guarantee of quality business education. Students, most of whom are working professionals, build a strong foundation of business skills through didactic coursework and real-world applications in human resources management, strategic management, and operations management.

Courses:

Health Systems Management
Organizational Development and the Consulting Process
Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace
Human Resource Management
Leadership Theory and Practice

The MBA program also emphasizes leadership skills in business and non-business settings and, thus, students are required to complete an integrative capstone course.

Lamar University

College of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $438
Units Required: 30 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, and loans

Lamar University’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program adopts FranklinCovey’s leadership principles as its underlying philosophy for its curriculum. Students become effective leaders who inspire trust by being competent and credible, creating a unified vision, and implementing efficient strategies for achieving goals.

Courses:

Concepts and Applications for New Ventures
Human Resources Management
Employment Law
Team Leadership
Personal Leadership

Graduates of the highly-ranked MBA program become C-suite executives and other business leaders known for their ability to increase productivity and profitability in their organizations.

Southeast Missouri State University

Harrison College of Business and Computing

Online MBA in General Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $364.70
Units Required: 33 credit hours
Program Length: 2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, institutional and external scholarships

Ranked as among the best MBA programs in Missouri, thanks partly to its 96% graduate outcome rate, SEMO’s AACSB-accredited MBA in General Management program attracts the best and brightest in the state. Students learn the advanced knowledge and skills vital in addressing business opportunities and challenges through the best tools and technologies.

Courses:

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Organizational Behavior in Practice
Strategic Cost Analysis and Financial Applications
Integrated Decision Information Systems
Strategic Marketing

Students learn from on-campus professors, too, and thrive in their studies with the top-notch student support and career development services.

Henderson State University

School of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $350
Units Required: 33 credits
Program Length: As few as 14 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, and private loans

Learn from the best professors at HSU’s AACSB-accredited MBA in Management program and gain the knowledge and skills you will need to become competitive! The 100% online coursework with seven-week courses enables working professionals to maintain a work-life balance while earning their graduate-level management degree. Aside from the core courses, there are elective courses to tailor your learning experiences, too.

Courses:

MBA Foundations
Economic Analysis for Managerial Decisions
Strategic Information Systems
Evidence-Based Management and Analytics
Marketing Management

Online MBA students develop sophisticated skills in communication, ethical decision-making and reasoning, strategic decision-making, and leadership.

Northwest Missouri State University

Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $428
Units Required: 30 credits
Program Length: As few as 12-16 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal and state financial aid, veteran benefits, scholarships and loans

The outstanding abilities for communication, problem-solving and decision-making are at the heart of NWMissouri’s ACBSP-accredited MBA in Management program. Students develop their business acumen in organizational behavior, finance and accounting, and strategic management, among other aspects, too.

Courses:

Advanced Human Resource Management
Business Decision Support Modeling
Organizational Training and Development
Business Analytics and Decision Making
Data Mining for Business Applications

Online MBA students choose from a wide range of elective courses, such as compensation and benefits, which complement the core and concentration courses.

Rivier University

Department of Business and Security Studies

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $648
Units Required: 36 credits
Program Length: 1-2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, loans, and veteran benefits

Rivier University offers its ACBSP-accredited MBA in Management program to ambitious business professionals in search of excellent career advancement opportunities. Students gain broad business education in business management with many of the courses featuring an interdisciplinary approach (e.g., business and psychology).

Courses:

Project Management
Risk Management and Decision Making
Business Research and Communications
Organizational Dynamics
Operations and Quality Management

Online MBA students also become advocates of ethical and sustainable business practices.

Amberton University

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition: $900 per 3-credit hour course
Units Required: 36 credits excluding prerequisites
Program Length: 1-2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, deferred payment, employer tuition assistance, and veteran benefits

Many of the best business leaders in the Lone Star State received their business education from Amberton University’s ACBSP-accredited MBA in Management program! With its emphasis on business competencies in an ever-changing globalized society, the MBA program attracts ambitious professionals who want to step up their knowledge and skills and become more competitive and effective.

Courses:

Theory and Application of Research Methods
Ethics for Decision Making
Finance
Strategic Management
Marketing

Professionals with an MBA in Management degree possess research skills, too, which complement their skills in business analytics, project management, and strategic management.

Utica University

School of Business and Justice Studies

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $700
Units Required: 30 credits
Program Length: 2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and loans, and Stride Funding

Students choose from a wide range of elective courses in the ACBSP-accredited MBA in Management program. In the process, their learning experiences fit their unique career goals and, thus, enable them to pursue career advancement on their own terms. This is a part-time MBA program, meaning students can pursue full-time employment and maintain a work-life balance.

Courses:

Principles and Practices of Leadership
Data-Driven Decision-Making
The Global Consumer, Markets and Logistics
Strategy
Human Resources Management

Graduates possess the key business-related knowledge and skills that employers look for and entrepreneurs need for success. These include a strategic understanding of business functions and an effective awareness of the challenges of globalization.

Fitchburg State University

School of Business and Technology

Online MBA in Management Program

Tuition per Credit: $436
Units Required: 30 credit hours
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships, grants and loans

Students in the IACBE-accredited MBA in Management at Fitchburg State strengthen their foundational knowledge of business functions including human resources management, project management, and finance and accounting. Participatory learning is emphasized and made possible through group projects and assignments.

Courses:

Organizational Behavior and Development
Strategic Management
Leadership and Culture
Management Theory and Process
Selected Topics in Management

Through the course of their studies, online MBA students demonstrate exceptional critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that contribute to their competence as leaders.

Admission to Graduation: Important Things You Must Know About the Best Online MBA in Management Programs

Every online MBA program has its unique features, from the admission requirements to the graduation requisites. Prospective MBA students must carefully consider every feature, compare the features of different programs, and determine whether these features fit their unique needs, too.

Admission Requirements

While the admissions process in online MBA programs differs, there are several similarities including the minimum admission requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA
Official transcripts
Resume or curriculum vitae
Letters of professional recommendations
Personal statement or statement of purpose
GRE/GMAT scores
Application fee, if any

International students are usually required to submit proof of English proficiency. All applicants are well-advised to be aware of the application deadline.

Curriculum and Courses

The best online MBA programs feature comprehensive curriculums with core courses in modern business administration functions, such as strategic management, marketing management, and operations management. Most students choose a concentration or specialization, such as management, which is where the concentration and elective courses come in.

The business management-related concentration courses differ in their descriptions and learning outcomes among online programs. The most popular concentration courses, however, include the following: (Note that core and concentration courses may be similar but the scope of understanding may be more expansive with concentration courses)

Organizational Behavior, an exploration of the behavior of groups and individuals as well as team dynamics, leadership, and organizational culture.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, an examination of the fundamentals of innovation management, venture financing, and entrepreneurial leadership as well as business plan development.
International Business, an exploration of the opportunities and challenges that comes with doing business on a global scale.
Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, an examination of the ethics of doing business with topics on stakeholder management and sustainability.

Every online MBA student must assume the ultimate responsibility of keeping up with the rigorous coursework including attendance and participation in live classes and submission of assignments on time.

Capstone and/or Thesis Requirements

Students in online MBA programs usually complete either of the following culminating requirements:

A capstone course with an integrated capstone project where students demonstrate practical applications of business management concepts; or
A master’s thesis that explores a specific issue in business management via a formal research paper.

Both requirements are completed with the guidance of academic advisors and demand significant research, whether theoretical or applied research.

Typical Time-to-degree

Full-time students with transfer credits can earn an MBA degree in less than two years while part-time students can expect between three and four years time-to-degree. Accelerated programs usually have a 12-month time-to-degree but the fast pace and intensive coursework can be challenging, to say the least.

Online Learning Experiences

Online MBA programs use a learning management system (LMS) in which professors and administrators can create, administer and deliver learning content for their students to access. The University of Illinois and Penn State use Canvas while LSU Shreveport uses Moodle, for example. The common features of LMS used in online MBA programs include:

Virtual classrooms are where students access their individual assignments, group projects, and recorded lectures; participate in live lectures, discussion boards, and forums; and interact with their peers and professors in an interactive environment.
Multimedia content including interactive simulations, live and recorded lectures, podcasts, and case studies.
Access to student support and career development services that contribute to positive learning experiences, and these include online research databases and libraries, online communities, and alumni networks.

Online MBA students have the benefit of being able to study at their own pace, known as self-paced learning, but must comply with deadlines and academic standards.

Residency Requirements

These are compulsory in-person requirements, usually on-campus activities, where students must be present in designated locations. You must be aware of residency requirements and plan your academic career accordingly, particularly if you live far from the campus or there’s an international study-abroad opportunity.

The typical residency requirements are for the following purposes:

Orientation and/or onboarding sessions
Intensive seminars, workshops and/or immersions
Residency weeks
International residencies

Development of Hard and Soft Skills

The formal business education that comes with earning an MBA in Management degree comes with technical and transferable skills including:

Business acumen in the functional areas of business administration
Analytical skills
Financial acumen
Strategic thinking
Leadership skills
Communication skills
Collaboration skills
Problem-solving and decision-making skills based on evidence
Resilience and adaptability

Of course, many MBA students come into these online programs with professional work experience and many of the abovementioned skills. But their formal MBA education strengthens their existing skills and makes them ready for high-level leadership positions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

MBA students pay $19,749 (2020-2021), on average, for their tuition and fees. The cost of attendance varies depending on several factors, however, such as public schools typically being more affordable than private schools.

There can be significant reductions in the cost of attendance through federal and state financial aid for graduate students, as well as institutional and external scholarships and grants, and private loans.

Popular Career Paths

Graduates of MBA programs possess competitive knowledge and skills that make them qualified for the wide range of business and financial occupations in the public and private sectors. Among their excellent career advancement opportunities are in:

General management, such as general managers involved in the overall operations of their organizations
Management consultancy, which involves working with managers in organizations in identifying challenges and opportunities for increased productivity, profitability and sustainability
Entrepreneurship, a path for ambitious individuals with a high-risk tolerance and with a passion for innovative ideas
Business development, which demands its professionals to possess exceptional strategic thinking abilities in launching new ventures and expanding existing organizations
Nonprofit management, a career path for individuals with social advocacies

Other possible career paths are in marketing management, operations management, and project management. Indeed, the management concentration is the most versatile specialization in MBA programs!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you switch industries or careers with an MBA in Management degree?

Yes, thanks to its versatile applications by virtue of the broad understanding of functional business administration and management practices.

What are the main differences between an MBA in Management and a Master’s in Management (MiM) degree?

For one thing, an MBA in Management program provides a comprehensive business education while an MiM program provides more specialized education. For another thing, MBA in Management programs require professional work experience while MiM programs welcome recent graduates and pre-career individuals.

Which is the better choice: MBA in Management or MiM degree?

There’s no right or wrong answer! You have to determine your career goals and professional work experience in determining which graduate degree is the best fit.

Before you go, see the following: