Online MBA programs teach versatile business management and administration skills. Enrollees can pursue generalist and specialized options. Generalist programs focus on business essentials and offer cross-industry relevance and transferability. Specialized programs hone in on concentrated areas, guiding students to advanced expertise in subfields of business and management.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects multiple business careers open to MBA-holders will experience near-term growth. For instance, the BLS projects market research analyst careers will grow 8% from 2023 to 2033. Other business roles with faster-than-average growth projections in this same time period include:
Business Roles Growth Projections
Online MBA programs can benefit business students seeking scheduling flexibility as well as established professionals and career-changers who want to work while they study. This guide explains the structure of MBA programs, the benefits of earning an MBA, and contains a ranked list of top online MBA degrees.
Online MBA Programs for You
Grow your career, leadership, and business acumen with an accredited online MBA program.
Top Online MBA Programs
#1 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Offered through the Kenan-Flagler Business School, the UNC-Chapel Hill online MBA program includes 36 electives and six concentrations. With over 51,000 business school alumni, graduates enter the workforce with a strong professional network.
Online learners complete the program in 18-36 months, with both part-time and full-time options available. Tailor your degree with a concentration in areas such as data analytics, strategy and consulting, and entrepreneurship. Gain hands-on experience through summits at the UNC-Chapel Hill campus or international locations.
The program offers four start dates every year and requires two years of professional experience. The Kenan-Flagler Business School holds AACSB accreditation.
Highlights
- Automatically considers admitted students for online MBA fellowships
- GMAT waiver with five years of professional experience
Considerations
- In-person summits offer immersive experience
- Minimum two years of professional experience for admission
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
The Warrington College of Business offers 16-month and 24-month tracks for MBA students seeking a distance learning format. UF's online MBA blends online coursework with in-person opportunities, including experiential learning opportunities. For example, distance learners can participate in global immersion experiences to deepen their understanding of international business and gain hands-on consulting experience.
Applicants for both tracks need an accredited bachelor's degree, two letters of recommendation, two years of full-time professional experience, and essays. GMAT and GRE scores are optional, and the program may conduct interviews as part of the admission process. Both programs offer three start dates each year and hold accreditation from AACSB.
Highlights
- Professional development opportunities
- Average 3.3 GPA for one-year MBA students
Considerations
- Tuition costs between $50,000-$60,000
- Accelerated program requires a bachelor's in business or a closely related field
- Required in-person orientation
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
With its flexible format, the online MBA at Johns Hopkins appeals to working professionals. Learners complete coursework on a part-time schedule, with access to networking and experiential learning opportunities. The program offers eight specializations that emphasize practical experience and applied leadership skills. In addition to 20 credits of core courses, students choose 34 credits of electives to customize their degree.
Online MBA students can participate in optional in-person accelerated electives, global immersions, or leadership development expeditions. The program also offers online experiential learning through its CityLab and consulting practicums. Carey Business School is accredited by AACSB.
Highlights
- Students reported an average base salary of over $161,000
- Interactive courses with synchronous and asynchronous options
- GMAT or GRE scores optional
Considerations
- Only offers part-time enrollment
- Tuition rate of $1,890 per credit is higher than other programs on this list
Percent Online Enrollment
62%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
USF's online MBA offers many customization options, making it an ideal choice for degree-seekers who may not fit into typical MBA concentrations. MBA students work with advisors to select electives based on their career goals, or they can select from unique concentrations such as blue economy, compliance, personal financial planning, or healthcare analytics.
The curriculum incorporates an MBA core, electives, and a capstone, with foundation courses for those without recent business degrees. Applicants need a regionally accredited bachelor's degree and three reference letters, with at least one from a professional reference. USF also requires GMAT or GRE scores, with an option to apply for a waiver. Muma College of Business holds accreditation from AACSB.
Highlights
- Courses use a fully asynchronous format
- Optional one-week, in-person immersion courses
- Short-term study abroad options
Considerations
- Required in-person residency at the start of the program
- MBA students pay $750 per credit
- Most students have at least 2-3 years of experience
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
The online MBA program at USC, offered through the Marshall School of Business, emphasizes analytics-driven decision-making throughout its curriculum. MBA students develop management and leadership skills through online coursework, which they apply in case studies and simulations.
Designed for working professionals, the program schedules class sessions two evenings per week. Interactive classes and immersive learning experiences develop the collaboration and communication skills needed for top business roles. The program also uses a cohort model to foster connections between classmates. USC Marshall holds accreditation from AACSB.
Highlights
- Live class sessions to interact with faculty and classmates
- Academic advising and career services support
Considerations
- Minimum two years of work experience for admission
- Students pay $2,421 per credit — one of the most expensive on this list
- Required one-week on-campus session at the start of the program
Percent Online Enrollment
34%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#6 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
CSULB's online MBA is one of the most affordable options on our list, even for out-of-state learners. California residents pay $30,400 for their degree, while full-time out-of-state learners pay $49,400. Part-time students pay around $7,000 more to complete the coursework over a longer time period. Online MBA students also qualify for graduate assistantships and financial aid to cover costs.
During the program, students develop quantitative and qualitative skills, with an emphasis on solving complex business problems. Learners collaborate during live class sessions, discussion boards, and projects. The College of Business Accreditation holds AACSB accreditation.
Highlights
- Admits new students in fall and spring on a cohort model
- One-on-one career coaching and mentorship
- Does not require GRE or GMAT scores
Considerations
- Blends evening courses and recorded lectures
- Prefers a minimum of three years of work experience
- Requires two-day in-person orientation at the start of the program
Percent Online Enrollment
55%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#7 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
Texas A&M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Texas residents can earn an MBA at a fraction of the cost with TAMIU's online MBA programs — totaling $11,000 for in-state tuition. Offered through the A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, the MBA programs offer multiple concentrations, including criminal justice, healthcare administration, and management.
MBA students complete courses on a seven-week term, allowing degree-seekers to complete an MBA in as little as 12 months. Incoming students without a business degree can complete prep-module courses to build foundational skills. TAMIU's online MBA programs hold accreditation from AACSB.
Highlights
- Most affordable MBA in our ranking for Texas residents
- Six start dates each year
- Business majors with a 3.0 GPA in upper-division courses do not need to submit GRE or GMAT scores
Considerations
- Out-of-state learners pay $1,030 per credit or $30,900 total
- Two-credit prep modules can add to the total cost of the degree
Percent Online Enrollment
61%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
With its immersive format, NYU's online MBA prepares graduates for career advancement without having to put their careers on hold. Offered through the Stern School of Business, the program blends synchronous online courses with on-campus modules. The format encourages interactive learning and connections between cohort members.
The MBA program starts with Langone LAB, a three-day orientation. Core business courses typically use an online format, with electives that blend online and on-campus formats. Five-week business modules, for example, include four weeks of online courses with one week of in-person classes. Learners schedule courses part time, typically finishing in three years with up to six years to complete the program. NYU Stern holds accreditation from AACSB.
Highlights
- Students can complete the program in up to 6 years
- NYC immersion gives students unique learning opportunities
Considerations
- Only offers part-time enrollment
- MBA students pay $2,838 per credit — the most expensive on this list
Percent Online Enrollment
31%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#9 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
Parker University
- Dallas, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
With its focus on healthcare, Parker University prepares business leaders for roles in healthcare management through its graduate programs in business. Parker's online MBA program develops specialized skills in finance, accounting, marketing, and management, with a focus on healthcare organizations. Graduates manage daily operations at hospitals, direct private practices, and implement long-term strategies.
After completing 24 credits of core MBA courses, students choose from tracks in healthcare management, management, practice management, or information technology. The program culminates in a business capstone course. Faculty bring real-world expertise in business and healthcare to the online classroom.
Highlights
- Fully online program with no in-person requirements
- Tracks for business majors and non-majors
- GMAT/GRE waiver with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Considerations
- MBA students pay $817 per credit
- Minimum GMAT score of 450 or GRE composite score of 1350
- While Parker holds regional accreditation, the MBA program does not hold programmatic accreditation
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 Best MBA Programs Online 2025
University of Michigan
- Ann Arbor, MI
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Designed for full-time working professionals, the online MBA at Michigan prioritizes collaboration. In addition to live, interactive class sessions, MBA students complete short in-person residencies to connect with faculty and classmates. Asynchronous learning modules provide added flexibility to the curriculum.
Grad students benefit from customized career support, recruiting opportunities, and access to a large alumni network. Applicants can complete a free online quantitative readiness course or apply for a test waiver instead of submitting GRE or GMAT scores. Ross School of Business is accredited by AACSB.
Highlights
- Incorporates multidisciplinary action projects to solve real-world problems
- Optional on-campus electives and dual-degree options
- Optional global opportunities, including MBA global exchange
Considerations
- Estimated total tuition of $118,000-$128,000
- Requires 12 months of full-time work experience
Percent Online Enrollment
14%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
How We Choose Programs
At OnlineMBA.com, we rely on reputable sources to rank the best MBA programs. We use trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to find standout programs. We consider four metrics: affordability, reputation, academics, and program availability.
This ranking is from 2025. Visit our rankings methodology page to learn more about how we rank programs.
Why Should You Get an MBA Online?
Many online MBA degrees make use of asynchronous coursework, where students can engage with lectures and discussion boards on less rigid schedules. Some courses may also run synchronously, with live web-conferencing sessions that more closely resemble in-person classroom experiences. Online programs may also require occasional campus visits for residencies, orientations, or immersion events.
Another benefit of online programs is cost-saving possibilities: Online programs do not require students to relocate and incur moving expenses. Additionally, many do not require an in-person presence, which eliminates commuting costs. Some schools offer reduced or in-state tuition for all learners, meaning an online degree can be more affordable than an in-person program.
What MBA Concentration Should You Choose?
While general MBAs offer versatility and transferability, business students often specialize. Concentrated MBAs build advanced expertise in targeted areas, which may lead to specific career opportunities in subfields of the industry. Employers frequently seek specialists when filling niche management roles, and a concentrated MBA can help you stand out in these job searches.
Business schools offer concentrations in dozens of areas. The following list represents some of the most popular and valuable specializations available to online MBA students:
Businesses increasingly rely on "big data" to generate competitive insights, gather intelligence, and identify actionable opportunities. Online MBAs in business analytics develop valuable data-gathering and analysis skills. These programs balance technical prowess with classical management principles, leading to a forward-facing set of business careers positioned for sustainable growth.
Featured Online Master's in Business Analytics Programs
Entrepreneurship is the backbone of innovation. Specialized entrepreneurship MBAs focus on the process of transforming business concepts into profitable enterprises. Students learn to source capital, calculate the value of emerging ventures, and position new businesses within markets. Online MBAs in entrepreneurship may appeal to ambitious learners seeking to build their own companies.
Featured Online Master's in Entrepreneurship Programs
Business finance MBA programs cover concepts including capital management, financial forecasting, risk evaluation, cost control, and market-based investing. These specialized degrees benefit from strong cross-industry demand, as companies in virtually every sector of the economy have financial management needs.
Featured Online Master's in Finance Programs
Many modern businesses have become highly reliant on advanced computing networks and data management systems. IT-oriented MBA programs help prepare enrollees for careers managing technology teams within organizations. These degrees combine the business management aspects of traditional MBAs with a tech-centered focus.
Featured Online Master's in IT Programs
MBAs in marketing concentrate on topics like consumer behavior and demography, market research, and the purchasing decision process. Applying these concepts to promotions and advertising, marketing MBAs equip students with advanced tools for driving the long-term growth of sales and revenue. Some degrees in this subfield offer further specialization opportunities in areas like e-commerce, brand management, and social media marketing.
Featured Online Master's in Marketing Programs
Career Opportunities After Graduating
With an MBA, degree-holders can qualify for top careers with higher-than-average salaries. For instance, the BLS reports chief executives earned a median salary of $206,680 in 2023. MBA graduates can also pursue careers in areas like accounting, healthcare management, information systems, real estate, and consulting. Each field includes a variety of roles, giving MBA graduates a host of career choices across industries.
What to Expect From Online MBA Programs
Online MBA programs typically require 30-52 credits. Students can complete many programs within two years, though requirements and timelines differ by school and in accordance with learners' academic background, as some institutions may require enrollees with a non-business degree to take additional prerequisite courses. Enrollees can also pursue part-time and accelerated MBA programs, which respectively lengthen or shorten overall time to graduation.
Online MBA tuition rates vary widely. Some schools offer reduced rates for distance learners, while others do not differentiate between online and in-person programs. Many top accredited MBA programs cost between $25,000 and $80,000 per year.
While the particulars vary by school, MBA core courses often include strategic management, financial accounting, managerial economics, and marketing. With many concentration options available, prospective students can find schools that align with their career goals.
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Cost
The pursuit of higher education is a sizable financial investment. Degree-seekers may wish to compare program costs against the potential return on investment and look for funding opportunities like scholarships, grants, or support from their employers to help cover tuition.
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Capstone or Thesis
A capstone project or research thesis can be a meaningful resume-building experience for MBA students. Online students should consider what kind of culminating experience they want for their degree and learn about how the online MBA programs on their list structure this requirement.
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Online Courses
Some students thrive in face-to-face environments, while others enjoy the relative flexibility of online programs. When considering an online degree, students should factor learning style into their decision-making process.
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Internships
Students hoping to gain professional experience should consider a degree with internship opportunities. Distance learners should research how online programs structure their internships to ensure they can pursue these experiences.
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Networking
Networking can be a valuable benefit of earning an MBA that helps enhance career prospects. Applicants should ask how online programs handle alumni connections and networking events.
Choosing Between Top Online Business Schools
Choosing the right program depends on each student's goals. Degree-seekers should consider the following factors before committing to a program:
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Accreditation
In the U.S., schools obtain institutional accreditation by submitting to a thorough qualitative review of their programs, faculty, and resources. All accrediting agencies in the U.S. should hold approval from the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Business students may also seek schools with programmatic accreditation from organizations like AACSB International, which verifies that a program adequately prepares graduates for business careers.
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Alumni Network
Networking with other professionals is an important component of the MBA. Schools with strong alumni networks, where graduates work in a variety of industries, can also help students secure future employment.
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Concentration Options
The best MBA programs in the U.S. serve more than one kind of student. These schools offer specializations across multiple subfields, including healthcare administration, accounting, and supply chain management. Choosing a program with a concentration can provide valuable specialized training.
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Robust Curriculum
Top online MBA programs mix practical courses in areas like accounting and managerial finance with classes in leadership and ethics to facilitate professional and personal growth. These schools also typically equip students for the data-driven business world through courses in analytics, quantitative methods, and decision-making.
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Successful Graduates
Prospective students can identify the most successful online MBA programs using two main metrics: graduation rate and job placement rate. High graduation rates indicate that schools provide their students with the resources to complete their degrees. Job placement demonstrates the rate at which recent graduates land full-time jobs, and can speak to the value of a school's alumni network, name recognition, and career resources.
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Student-to-Teacher Ratio
Choosing a school with a lower student-to-teacher ratio ensures that students have ample opportunities to connect directly with faculty members. Individualized attention from professors can help students understand course materials more fully as well as connect to internship and job opportunities.
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University Resources
Online students should investigate which resources a school offers distance learners. Important resources can include tutoring, career centers, library assistance, and disability services.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Online MBA Programs
Yes. Many online MBA programs are purpose-built to accommodate learners balancing schooling with full-time employment. Asynchronous online courses with prerecorded lectures allow degree-seekers to study on their own schedules. Programs with synchronous real-time learning usually schedule classes on evenings and weekends to accommodate students' scheduling needs.
Most employers draw little to no distinction between an online MBA and a traditional campus-based business degree. Online learning has become normalized in the 21st century, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, many business schools no longer specifically identify online degrees as such in diplomas or official transcripts. If you attend an accredited institution, most employers will regard your online MBA as valid.
Compared to traditional in-person programs, online MBAs are every bit as rigorous and challenging. Coursework is functionally identical, as the same professors often teach online and in-person classes for MBA programs. The only real differences relate to pacing, information delivery, and the virtual nature of interactions with peers and faculty. Though scheduling flexibility can make an online program easier to manage for students with full-time jobs, the classes still require dedication and hard work.
Online programs tend to cover 30-52 credits, which represents about two academic years of full-time study. The actual length of time it takes to graduate depends on the intensity of your learning schedule. Students in accelerated programs can graduate in as little as one year. Part-time learners typically complete their degrees in 3-5 years.
Beyond costs, student outcome data, and recruitment opportunities, the most important things to look for in an online MBA are a relevant, challenging curriculum and accreditation. Seek curricula that cover fundamental management topics. Look for schools with institutional accreditation, which verifies that a college or university meets standards for academic excellence.
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