Best Online MBA Programs 2021

From its Tampa campus, USF offers an online MBA program that builds analytical skills and creative abilities. Incoming students work with advisors to design the MBA online curriculum around their interests. For example, the program offers concentrations in cybersecurity, data analytics, healthcare analytics, and compliance.

During asynchronous courses, degree-seekers participate in collaborative sessions and team projects. USF also encourages network building throughout the program. Most USF students work full-time while pursuing the MBA, though the program also offers an accelerated one-year option.

Penn State offers highly customizable online MBA programs. Students can choose from over 20 concentrations to prepare for focused career paths. Concentration options include business sustainability strategy, corporate innovation, homeland security, and public administration.

The degree trains learners to manage high-performance teams and solve complex business challenges. Learners also study business operations, strategic management, and organizational behavior. Each Penn State MBA student must complete a five-day residency, during which they interact with their instructors and peers in person. The residency also includes career management workshops.

USC offers the Marshall online MBA for students seeking a rigorous program with a flexible schedule. Throughout their coursework, learners explore real-world business scenarios to strengthen their practical skills. The degree trains enrollees to become strong communicators, effective decision-makers, and forward-thinking executives.

The MBA uses live class sessions to connect classmates with one another. During the online MBA, each student completes a one-week residency on USC's campus. Applicants need accredited bachelor's degrees and at least two years of work experience. USC also requires GMAT or GRE scores.

This private college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, offers a fully online MBA program. The program provides a flexible schedule that emphasizes experiential learning. Degree-seekers customize their degrees by selecting two-thirds of their courses from Babson's elective options. Electives allow students to complete independent research, pursue study abroad opportunities, or choose an intensity track, like social innovation, tech ventures, or science and technology.

The interdisciplinary curriculum covers organizational management, entrepreneurship, finance, and business analytics. During the Babson consulting experience, each enrollee completes a project-based assignment with a client partner.

FIU is a public institution in Miami that prioritizes flexibility in its online professional MBA program. Students choose from three pacing tracks, five start dates, and eight specializations. Degree-seekers can complete the program in as little as 18 months.

During this MBA program, learners study strategic management, strengthen their collaboration and leadership skills, and solve complex problems. Online enrollees also participate in professional development seminars, a two-day residency, industry nights, and business career management services that help them connect with the FIU community.

The professional online MBA program at NC State offers accelerated and flexible options. Students can complete the program in as little as 21 months or in up to six years, working with virtual teams to complete projects.

Each distance learner must complete two residencies in Raleigh as part of the degree. Applicants must submit a personal statement, resume, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores. NC State also requires an admission interview. The program enrolls new students for fall or spring start dates.

As the flagship institution in its state, U of I offers a fully online MBA program with no travel requirements. Enrollees complete live class sessions with interactive components, strengthening their strategic leadership skills while studying business analytics, value chain management, and entrepreneurship.

U of I reports that over half of its current MBA students received a promotion, job offer, or new position while pursuing their degrees. Spplicants need an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA for the final two years.

Johns Hopkins prioritizes flexibility in its MBA program, which includes online, hybrid, and in-person options. Designed for working professionals, the program offers part-time enrollment options that allow students to complete the degree under three years or in as long as six years. Learners take courses in eight-week terms.

At Johns Hopkins, online MBA students can specialize in financial businesses, healthcare management, leading organizations, or marketing. More than half of Johns Hopkins MBA students receive a raise while in the program, and graduates report an average starting salary of $109,000.

UWF is a public institution in Pensacola, Florida, that offers an online MBA program designed for working professionals seeking a flexible route to career advancement. The program builds management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

UWF students can specialize their degrees to prepare for specific career paths. The program offers concentrations in accounting, business analytics, entrepreneurship, human resources management, information security management, and supply chain logistics management.

University of West Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

At CSUB, distance learners can earn their MBA degrees online. The program's schedule is designed for working professionals seeking career advancement. CSUB prioritizes small class sizes, managerial skills, and one-on-one interactions in its MBA program. Learners also have networking opportunities within Kern and Los Angeles Counties.

MBA students at CSUB complete nine core business courses, covering decision-making, financial management, strategic management, and a culminating project. Enrollees also choose nine elective credits, which can be used to customize the degree.

Rice is a private university in Houston, Texas. It offers the MBA@Rice program for MBA-seekers who prefer a flexible learning environment. In this program, MBA students learn to manage capital, solve problems, and integrate technology in their business strategies. The program blends innovation and practicality to build entrepreneurial leadership skills. Enrollees can earn this 54-credit MBA degree in two years.

Online programs at Rice incorporate live classes, interactive coursework, and in-person networking opportunities to create a blended, hybrid format. Distance learners must attend one residential experience at Rice, plus a global field experience.

Maryland's flagship public university dates back to 1856. Today, learners at UMD can pursue an online MBA. Offered through the Robert H. Smith School of Business, this MBA program trains degree-seekers to make data-driven decisions and take on leadership roles.

MBA students can use concentrations to specialize their degrees. Options include accounting, finance, information systems and business analytics, marketing, and supply chain management. Learners can also choose a general business track. MBA enrollees receive career coaching throughout the program.

CMU is a private research university. It offers a part-time, hybrid MBA program that blends online learning with in-person experiences. The program emphasizes leadership development, strategic decision-making, and analytics to prepare graduates for complex, data-driven business environments.

MBA students at CMU attend weekly live sessions online while meeting classmates and faculty in person for six weekends per year. Prospective applicants must submit a resume, an essay, a professional recommendation, and transcripts, along with scores from the GMAT, GRE, or EA. CMU also grants standardized test waivers for qualifying applicants.

At UW-La Crosse, distance learners can earn a 36-credit MBA degree online. MBA students learn about managerial decision-making, product development, strategic management, and global business environments, training them for leadership roles in diverse workplaces.

During the program, students take core business classes and 10 credits of electives, which can be used to customize the degree. UW-La Crosse offers MBA electives in financial fraud, consumer behavior, managing workplace stress, and work-family issues. Applicants need GMAT scores and an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

This private Baptist college in Clinton, Mississippi, offers an online MBA program designed for working professionals. In this program, learners build advanced skills in areas like organizational behavior, statistics, finance, and marketing. The program also integrates ethical and moral practices into its business training.

At MC, students can specialize their degree through concentrations in finance, accounting, or management information systems. MC requires an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply. Candidates who do not meet the GPA requirement can apply with at least three years of professional experience and GMAT scores.

At CSULB, learners can earn an online MBA degree through a program that emphasizes work-life balance. In this fully online program, degree-seekers can choose between full-time or part-time tracks. Courses operate both synchronously and asynchronously, allowing students to interact with classmates in their cohort while also arranging assignments around their personal schedules.

During the CSULB online MBA, students strengthen their quantitative and qualitative skills and build leadership abilities. Applicants need an accredited bachelor's degree, and the program prefers at least three years of work experience. Incoming students work with program advisors throughout the degree.

Harding is a private Christian university in Searcy, Arkansas, that offers a fully online MBA degree. Created for working professionals, the program incorporates ethics into its business courses while emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving. MBA students can earn this degree in as little as 12 months.

Harding uses eight-week terms and offers personalized academic advising for online students. While students largely complete coursework in an asynchronous format, Harding also hosts some live events and presentations. Harding also offers an accelerated dual BBA-MBA degree.

Louisiana Tech offers five different online MBA options, each designed for different career goals. The online professional MBA program prioritizes flexibility, targeting busy learners. Coursework covers information resource management, organizational behavior, decision-making, and financial management. Learners can customize their degrees by choosing two electives. The program also requires a strategic management capstone.

Louisiana Tech's virtual classrooms are designed to encourage collaboration. Students can complete the 36-credit program in two years. Applicants need a minimum 2.75 GPA and must submit GMAT scores.

Founded in 1889 as a public university in South Carolina, Clemson now enrolls more than 26,000 students annually. At Clemson, degree-seekers can earn online MBA degrees. The program's part-time schedule helps working professionals advance their education while still maintaining a career. During the program, students complete real-world projects to help them apply their skills.

Clemson offers both live class sessions and asynchronous materials, allowing students to choose the format that works best for them. Distance learners can also participate in career planning events or pursue study abroad opportunities. Prospective students must demonstrate at least two years of full-time work experience.

Founded in 1887, FAMU was among the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. Today, the institution offers one of the top-ranked online MBA programs in the country. The program uses a sequential course system that blends lectures with team collaborations designed for working professionals.

FAMU tuition includes textbooks, course materials, and a laptop. Prospective students need an accredited bachelor's degree with at least five years of work experience, plus a minimum 3.0 GPA in upper-division undergraduate courses. MBA students work with placement services to expand their professional networks and identify job opportunities.

UT Dallas offers several flexible MBA programs for students seeking an online delivery method. The online professional MBA lets learners complete advanced business courses through a distance learning format at a part-time pace. UT Dallas also offers one of the best online MBA in global leadership programs.

During the program, MBA students can specialize in areas like business analytics, energy management, entrepreneurship, international management, and systems engineering and management. Learners take classes in eight-week terms. Applicants for the global leadership MBA need three years of professional experience.

AU is a private institution in the nation's capital. It offers an online MBA program through its Kogod School of Business. Designed for mid-career professionals seeking leadership roles, the degree emphasizes strategic management and a global perspective, helping enrollees strengthen their business skills. Students must also complete two in-person immersions at business capitals across the globe.

Learners can complete the degree in 1-2 years. During the MBA online program, graduate students take 48 credits, including 13 core courses and two electives. AU also offers focus areas in business analytics, finance, consulting, cybersecurity, marketing, and legal studies.