As the demand for MBAs has risen in the marketplace, so has their cost. Students can pay upwards $150,000 or more for a traditional campus-based MBA program from an elite school like Columbia or Penn. And this doesn’t even include the hidden costs of earning a traditional MBA, such as loss of earnings and potential career advancement during the 2-3 years spent earning the degree.
FEATURED TOP-RANKED PROGRAMS
1. Northcentral University Online MBA
2. Grand Canyon University Online MBA
3. University of North Carolina Online MBA
2. Grand Canyon University Online MBA
3. University of North Carolina Online MBA
THE ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE MBA PROGRAMS
An increasing number of business students choose to enroll in one year online mba or distance MBA programs every year. The flexibility of one year online mba programs or online MBA programs offers numerous benefits to working students. In addition to maintaining their income and career paths, distance MBA students enjoy being able to spend more time with their families and avoid the stress and cost associated with moving to another location.
THE COSTS OF ONLINE MBA PROGRAMS
But while distance MBA programs may come with lower overall costs than their campus-based counterparts, they can still take a big bite out of a student’s pocketbook and leave them burdened with heavy debt. When all is said and done students can spend $100,000 or more on some online MBA programs. In order to save money on tuition, some students simply look for the cheapest online MBA program they can find. But this decision can come with its own hidden costs if the program lacks the accreditation or reputation to make an impression on the job market or mba careers.
RANKING THE BEST VALUE ONLINE MBA PROGRAMS 2013
In order to help prospective online MBA students navigate this dilemma we decided to do the research and find out which online one year mba programs offer students the best value. The result is Business MBA’s Top 10 Best Value Online MBA ranking. All of the schools on the list are top-rated AACSB or regionally accredited business schools and offer an online MBA program at a relatively affordable cost. There are more prestigious online business schools out there, and cheaper online MBAs, but we’re confident that the combination of high quality and low cost offered by the programs on our list give students looking to get the biggest bang for their MBA buck a great place to start their search.
Note: all tuition costs quoted are for the 2011-2012 academic year as published by each school.
#1. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (W.P. CAREY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS)
Arizona State University’s W.P.Carey School of Business is ranked among the top 20 business schools in the United States by several business publications and enjoys a global reputation for excellence and innovation.
Program: The ASU Online MBA is an AACSB accredited distance MBA program. The program is 48 credit hours long and can be completed in two years. Multiple fields of specialization are offered.
Cost: $53,200 for tuition and fees. Financial aid available.
#2. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS (JINDAL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT)
Located in the business hub of one of the most business friendly states in the Union, the Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas makes most every list of top American business schools.
Program: UT-Dallas offers their AACSB accredited Professional MBA Online one year programs on a part-time basis. The entire program is 54 credit hours and self-paced, with the opportunity for students to craft their own specialization.
Cost: $45,000 for tuition and fees. Financial aid available.
#3. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (HOUGH GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS)
There are four Florida schools on our list, but the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida outshines its statewide (and most of its nationwide) competitors when it comes to reputation and prestige.
Program: The University of Florida offers its AACSB accredited Internet MBA as either a one-year or a two-year program. All students are required to make a trip to campus each term to meet with faculty and other students.
Cost: $46,000 (1 yr.)/$52,500 (2 yr.) for tuition. Financial aid available.
#4. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS (ISENBERG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT)
The Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts rates among the top business schools in the country and is backed by the reputation and resources of one of the premier public university systems in the world.
Program: The Isenberg Online MBA through UMassOnline is an AACSB accredited distance MBA that can be completed in as little as two and a half years. Students may take up to two courses before deciding whether to enroll in the program.
Cost: $27,750 for tuition. Financial aid available.
#5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY (COLLEGE OF BUSINESS)
Auburn University’s College of Business has been rising in national and international reputation, recently moving into the top 25 on U.S. News & World Report’s business school rankings.
Program: Auburn University’s Distance Learning MBA is a 36 credit hour AACSB accredited program normally completed in 2.5 to 3 years. All students are required to complete one 5-day on-campus residency prior to graduation.
Cost: $26,064 for tuition. Financial aid available.
#6. FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY (COLLEGE OF BUSINESS)
Florida State University’s College of Business has established itself as one of the leading public university business schools in the country, ranking especially high in graduate job placement and minority graduation.
Program: The Florida State University Online MBA is a 39 credit hour AACSB accredited program that can be completed in a little over two years. Specializations are offered in Marketing, Management Information Systems, Real Estate, and Risk Management and Insurance. No travel is required.
Cost: $28,350 for tuition. Financial aid available.
#7. OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (SPEARS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS)
Established in 1904, the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University has a long track-record of excellence and innovation in business education, evidenced by its high rankings in multiple publications every year.
Program:The Oklahoma State University Distance Learning MBA is an AACSB accredited online MBA offered in a part-time format. The program requires 36-48 credit hours to complete. No travel is required.
Cost: $14,000 (OK residents)/$37,000 (OK non-residents) for tuition. Financial aid available.
#8. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (COLLEGE OF BUSINESS)
Few business schools can match Washington State University’s College of Business’s combination of national rankings and online business education experience, which goes back over twenty years.
Program: The WSU Online MBA is an AACSB accredited program that can be completed in two years. All students are required to complete a full business plan prior to graduation. No travel is required.
Cost: $29,250 for tuition and fees. Financial aid available.
#9. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (CHAPMAN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS)
Among the highest ranked international business schools in the country, Florida International University’s Chapman Graduate School of Business enjoys an outstanding reputation for entrepreneurship and minority achievement.
Program: Florida International University’s Online Corporate MBA is an AACSB accredited accelerated program that can be completed in as little as 18 months on a part-time basis. No travel is required and students journey together through the program with a cohort of their peers.
Cost: $37,500 for tuition and fees. Financial aid available.
#10. QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY (SCHOOL OF BUSINESS)
An up-and-coming school recognized for significant recent investment and advances in academics and facilities, Quinnipiac University has built an already highly regarded business schools with an even brighter future.
Program: Quinnipiac University’s 46 credit hour online MBA program is AACSB accredited. Students can choose from several different concentrations. No travel is required.
Cost: $39,330 for tuition. Financial aid available.
