286 online MBAs at AACSB-accredited business schools, ranked on what their
graduates earn and what the degree costs. Every figure comes from AACSB, the U.S.
Department of Education or BLS, and every source is named.
This list of the best online MBA programs covers one kind of program: an MBA that can be
completed fully online at a business school accredited by AACSB. That narrows the field on
purpose. Hundreds of schools sell an online MBA, and the accreditation behind them ranges from
AACSB to nothing beyond the university's institutional accreditor. Starting from
AACSB's own list means every program here
clears one published bar, and it lets the ranking compare programs on what they produce and
what they cost rather than on marketing.
Each school's online MBA offerings, concentrations and tuition come from what the school
reports to AACSB. Graduate earnings come from the U.S. Department of Education's College
Scorecard. Where one school runs several online MBA tracks, the general MBA's price is the
one shown.
How The Ranking Is Built
Two factors, both measured on the graduate program rather than the university around it:
Graduate earnings, 55%.Median earnings of the school's business master's graduates one year after finishing, scored by where each program sits among all ranked programs. It counts graduates who received federal student aid and were working and not enrolled, covers every business master's the school confers in that field (not only the online MBA), and reflects the experience students bring as well as what the program adds. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study data.
Tuition, 45%.The whole-program tuition the school reports to AACSB for its online MBA, scored so the least expensive program scores highest. The out-of-state figure is used, because an online student usually lives somewhere other than the school's state; where a school reports a range, the top of the range is used. Source: AACSB's list of accredited schools.
Each factor is scored by percentile among the ranked programs, so a program at the middle of the field on earnings scores 5 of 10 on that factor. The two factor scores are combined by weight into a score out of 100. The full methodology explains what was
left out and why.
The 25 Best Online MBA Programs Of 2026
On each card, tuition is the whole-program figure the school reports to AACSB, shown at the
out-of-state rate, with the in-state rate beside it where it is lower. Graduate earnings, one
year after the degree, and median debt are College Scorecard's figures for the school's
business master's graduates. The score is out of 100, and the bars show each factor out of 10.
Program summaries come from each school's own online MBA page, with the date it was read.
Rank#1
Score92.7
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Business AdministrationStuart School of Business
Best online MBA programs · Chicago, Illinois · Private · AACSB accredited
Admission is performance-based: students begin with three short courses, and earning at least a B in each brings acceptance into the 36-credit online MBA.
Read more about Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Tech delivers its Master of Business Administration 100 percent online through a partnership with Coursera. The degree requires 36 credits and is delivered over 12 to 24 months. It runs separately from the in-person MBA, and transfer between the two programs is generally not allowed.
Because the program is delivered entirely online through Coursera, it is open to learners from throughout the world.
Key program details
36 credits
12 to 24 months
100 percent online through Coursera
Performance-based admission
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: iit.edu. AACSB
Rank#2
Score84.7
Youngstown State University
Online Master of Business Administration (MBA)The Warren P. Williamson, Jr. College of Business Administration
Best online MBA programs · Youngstown, Ohio · Public · AACSB accredited
A leadership emphasis is built into the curriculum, and students choose the General option or a specialization in Organizational Leadership, Marketing, Healthcare Management or Human Resources.
Read more about Youngstown State University
The General option of this 100 percent online MBA requires 30 credit hours: 24 in core courses and six in electives, with up to nine transfer credits accepted from a previous graduate program. Classes follow an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year, and the program lists a duration of as few as 12 months.
Admission rests on undergraduate GPA and full-time professional work experience. Qualifying routes include a business, economics or STEM bachelor's with a 3.0 GPA, or any accredited bachelor's with a 2.7 GPA plus two years of full-time professional experience.
Built from two-credit, eight-week courses, the program lets students set their pace by taking one or two courses at a time, with synchronous and asynchronous delivery.
Read more about Minnesota State University, Mankato
The online MBA requires 34 credits, and every course carries two credit hours and runs for eight weeks. Students take one eight-week session at a time or two per semester, reaching the degree in approximately two years depending on pace, with courses offered through both synchronous and asynchronous delivery. An executive seminar gives students the chance to learn from business leaders and top executives.
Applicants qualify with an undergraduate GPA of 3.40 or higher, a prior graduate degree, or at least five years of full-time professional experience with growing responsibility within the last eight years. A GMAT score of 500 or higher is required only when none of those criteria is met. Foundational prerequisites in accounting, economics, business statistics and finance (12 or more credits) can be completed before or after admission.
Each course pairs self-directed, asynchronous material with weekly live sessions, and learners complete three group capstones, including a four-week program capstone in the final semester.
Read more about University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The iMBA is fully online with no on-campus commitments and takes 24 to 60 months, at a pace the student sets. Courses run four to eight weeks, students take one to four per 16-week semester, and starts are offered in January, March, May, August and October. All learners complete four Core Specializations, then either two of the six Focus Area Specializations or one focus area plus an elective path.
GMAT and GRE scores are not required for admission. Each course combines pre-recorded videos and readings with weekly live sessions in a virtual classroom, and students generally spend 10 to 15 hours per class each week. The capstone sequence includes two specialization capstones and a program capstone, and the diploma reads Master of Business Administration rather than online MBA.
Credit requirements depend on background: graduates with an undergraduate business degree may finish in as few as 30 credit hours, while others complete all 36.
Read more about The University of Texas Permian Basin
The MBA is delivered in a fully online format built on flexible 8-week courses. Students take 12 credit hours of core courses (business undergraduates may be eligible to waive up to 6), a 21-credit block that ends with MNGT 6366, which must be completed last, and a 3-credit elective.
Admission is rolling. Regular admission calls for a GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 credit hours; applicants with lower GPAs can be admitted conditionally, taking up to 12 credit hours one course at a time and earning a B or better. All admitted students are evaluated for statistical literacy.
Electives are customizable in this Interdisciplinary MBA: graduate courses can come from any College of Business department, other colleges on campus, or transfer from another university.
Read more about The University of Akron
The online MBA totals 30 credit hours, with courses delivered in two 8-week sessions each semester so students focus on one course at a time. Coursework builds expertise in areas such as analytics, finance, marketing, operations and organizational strategy.
Admission follows the general standards of the University of Akron Graduate School, with applications reviewed holistically on academic background and professional readiness. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a statement of purpose or letter of intent, and an undergraduate business degree is not required. Online students learn from the same College of Business faculty who teach on campus.
Classes meet live on Zoom one evening a week, 7 to 10 p.m. Central, and the 33-credit core is organized into four modules.
Read more about The University of North Dakota
The MBA requires 33 credits of core coursework organized into four modules: Executive Management, Business Analytics, Financial and Economic Analysis, and Strategy. Every course is synchronous, held live one evening per week from 7 to 10 p.m. central time, and the degree typically takes two years. An optional 9-credit concentration, such as Business Analytics, Government & Business, International or Aviation Management, raises the total to 42 credits.
No GMAT score is required for admission. The program is built to develop mid- to upper-level managers through collaboration with faculty and peers, and up to one-fourth of the required credits (usually 9) may be transferred from another institution. The International concentration requires study abroad at a foreign university that has a formal course transfer agreement with UND.
Key program details
33 credits (42 with concentration)
Live classes, 7 to 10 p.m. CST
No GMAT required
About two years
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: und.edu. AACSB
Rank#8
Score76.9
Boston University
Online MBAQuestrom School of Business
Best online MBA programs · Boston, Massachusetts · Private · AACSB accredited
There are no separate core or elective courses: the curriculum runs as six integrated 7.5-unit modules taken one at a time, each weaving business concepts together.
Read more about Boston University
The Online MBA requires 45 units, earned through six 7.5-unit, term-long integrated modules plus a noncredit orientation module (Module 0), with students registered for one module per term. It can be completed in as little as two years, students enroll in August or January, and there are no in-person requirements. Live Zoom sessions of about two hours run mid-week at 7am ET and 8pm ET, and each module carries the workload of two courses, at a minimum of 15 hours per week.
The program is built for mid-career professionals: there is no minimum work experience requirement, but admitted students typically have at least six years of full-time professional experience. GMAT and GRE scores are optional, and the review weighs work experience, grades, essays, recommendations, a resume and a Kira Talent Assessment. Teams change from module to module, and capstones can be team or individual projects, beginning with an automotive capstone in Module 1.
Key program details
45 units in six modules
One module per term
No in-person requirements
GMAT or GRE optional
August and January starts
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: bu.edu. AACSB
Rank#9
Score76.5
Bowling Green State University
Master of Business Administration OnlineAllen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business
Best online MBA programs · Bowling Green, Ohio · Public · AACSB business and accounting
The core includes AI and Digital Transformation for Business Leaders, and BGSU also offers online MBA concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Supply Chain Management.
Read more about Bowling Green State University
The online MBA totals 30 credit hours: 21 in core courses and 9 in electives. Courses follow an accelerated schedule with several start dates a year, and the program lists a duration of as few as 12 months. Students without prior business preparation may need up to 12 prerequisite credit hours, and finishing all foundation courses earns a Business Foundations Certificate.
Applicants face no GMAT and no application fee. They need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA, three professional references and a professional resume; work experience is not required, though two years is recommended. Applicants without an undergraduate business degree must take three corequisite foundation courses.
A lock-step cohort takes two courses per term for five consecutive terms, summers included, finishing in about 20 months after a mandatory in-person orientation in Atlanta.
Read more about Kennesaw State University
The WebMBA is a part-time cohort program: admitted students take two courses per semester for five consecutive semesters, summers included, and finish in approximately 20 months. Coursework is online without set class times or locations, but the program opens with an orientation residency hosted in Atlanta that requires in-person attendance. Courses include Human Behavior in Organizations, Global and International Business, and Operations and Supply-Chain Management.
The program is designed for full-time professionals who want to advance while keeping their current jobs. Its team-based cohort structure has students collaborating in virtual teams, courses mirror their on-campus counterparts, and graduates receive the same diploma as Kennesaw State's campus-based MBA students.
Asynchronous 7-week courses make completion possible in as few as 10 months, with concentrations ranging from Healthcare Administration to Information Systems.
Read more about St. Cloud State University
Every online MBA option runs on 7-week courses, with 100% online coursework available around the clock and multiple start dates each year. The Management and Leadership concentration, for example, requires 10 courses (30 credit hours): 21 credit hours of core courses and nine of major requirements. Other concentrations include Healthcare Administration, Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management and Information Systems.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, though those below 2.75 may still be considered through a holistic review that can include an interview with the MBA Program Director. Support includes personalized career, leadership development and work-life balance coaching, and the Coaching Connections Program offers guidance on career alignment.
A C-level strategic capstone uses competitive business simulations that put each student in the role of a senior executive weighing strategy and tradeoffs.
Read more about Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Students complete 10 courses (30 credit hours), eight advanced MBA courses and two electives, delivered 100% online in 7-week courses with several start dates a year. A structured pathway allows completion in as few as 12 months. Concentration options include finance, healthcare administration, business analytics, management, accounting, human resource management and international business.
The GMAT requirement depends on GPA in the last 60 hours: applicants at 3.0 or above need no GMAT, those between 2.75 and 2.99 are admitted conditionally without one and must earn at least a 3.0 GPA in their first three graduate courses, and those between 2.5 and 2.749 must submit GMAT scores. Up to 9 semester hours of graduate credit from another AACSB university may transfer with the director's permission.
Courses run one at a time in 6-week sessions, and admission rests on two years of relevant work experience rather than GMAT or GRE scores.
Read more about California State University, San Bernardino
The program requires ten courses taken one at a time: each semester holds two 6-week sessions with one course per session, and summer has two 5-week sessions. Students can finish on a 21-month track or choose the Flex track for more time, and coursework is delivered asynchronously. An MBA Boot Camp (an introductory module and six topic modules) supports the courses, and the Portfolio course and Comprehensive exam come in the final semester.
No GMAT or GRE is required; instead, applicants must meet the Business Aptitude Requirement with at least two years of relevant work experience. The program is aimed at applicants with early- or mid-career experience, is open to qualified students regardless of undergraduate major, and awards a diploma that reads Master in Business Administration, with no mention of online study.
Key program details
Ten courses
6-week sessions, one course each
21-month track or Flex track
No GMAT or GRE
Two years' work experience required
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: csusb.edu. AACSB
Rank#14
Score74.7
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Online Master of Business Administration, MBAManning School of Business
Best online MBA programs · Lowell, Massachusetts · Public · AACSB accredited
Coursework is self-paced up to each assignment due date, every course offers an optional weekly chat hour, and applications are accepted year-round with no deadlines.
Read more about University of Massachusetts Lowell
Students who completed the foundation courses as undergraduates need 10 courses (30 credits); everyone else takes 16 courses (42 credits), including six foundation courses. Accelerated 8-week courses can make it possible to finish within a year, though students may take up to five years, and courses are offered in Fall sessions 1 and 2, Spring sessions 1 and 2, and Summer. Beyond a general program of electives, students can concentrate in one of nine options, among them Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Healthcare.
GMAT and GRE scores are not required. The six foundation courses can be waived with a B or better in equivalent undergraduate courses taken within the past 10 years. The program is entirely online, with no required campus visits.
Students finish with a 4-credit capstone built around a full business plan and can add an optional international field study along the way.
Read more about Washington State University
The Online MBA totals 36 to 52 credits, depending on the foundation coursework a student needs, and averages 22 months to complete excluding foundation courses; the FAQ gives a range of 22 to 32 months. The curriculum includes nine core courses plus three courses from a concentration or a pool of electives, ending with the capstone. Concentrations include marketing, finance and international business.
There are no required in-person meetings or functions, and students can learn from anywhere at their own pace. The program opens with BA 599, which prepares students to succeed as MBA students and members of virtual teams across time zones, and students may request transfer credit for up to two elective courses from another AACSB-accredited institution. A career consultant is available to help students build a personal brand.
A 42-credit-hour program built on roughly seven-week terms can be finished in as little as 14 months, and students may join Executive MBA trips for credit.
Read more about Baylor University
The program totals 42 credit hours and is delivered 100% online with 24/7 access to courses. Each part of term runs about seven weeks, a degree takes at least seven terms, and the fastest finish is 14 months, with multiple start dates each year. Students choose the general degree program or a concentration such as Healthcare Leadership, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Executive Communication, Global Trade and Supply Chain Management, or Marketing.
Admission does not require the GMAT or GRE, and two years of professional work experience is preferred along with an undergraduate degree; the application fee is waived. Online students learn from the same professors and curriculum as on-campus students and earn the same Baylor MBA, with faculty grading work and holding virtual office hours. Students may also co-enroll in one of two Executive MBA trips to earn credit toward the degree.
An Energy concentration sits alongside three STEM-designated options (Data Analytics, Financial Analytics and Management Information Systems) within a 10-course, 30-credit-hour MBA.
Read more about Oklahoma City University
The accelerated MBA runs 10 courses and 30 credit hours, taught in eight-week classes, and the online version offers five start dates a year. Core MBA modules cover economics, decision-making, financial management, operations, marketing and organizational management before students move into specialty classes. The seven concentrations are Corporate Accounting, Data Analytics, Energy, Financial Analytics, Healthcare Administration, Leadership and Management Information Systems.
Applicants do not need GMAT or GRE scores, and personalized coaching is built into the program. The Energy concentration concludes with an integrative project in which students analyze emerging issues and present recommendations, while the Leadership track includes a capstone on integrating and applying business knowledge. The same 30-credit-hour MBA is also offered in person.
Key program details
30 credit hours, 10 courses
Eight-week classes
Five start dates a year
No GMAT or GRE required
Seven concentrations
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: okcu.edu. AACSB
Rank#18
Score71.0
Auburn University
Online MBARaymond J. Harbert College of Business
Best online MBA programs · Auburn, Alabama · Public · AACSB business and accounting
Courses combine video capture of live full-time classes with studio-produced online delivery, and students set their own pace through 39 credit hours within a six-year window.
Read more about Auburn University
The curriculum has 13 three-hour courses (39 credit hours), made up of nine core business courses and four electives, and must be completed within six years. Most students take one or two courses a semester, and average completion is 31 months. Most courses use one of two formats, video capture of live full-time courses or studio-produced online delivery, and the TRAC (Team Resourced Applied Consulting) course may call for a campus trip depending on the semester, though it can be taken fully online.
No GMAT or GRE scores are required; applicants must be U.S. residents (U.S. military personnel excepted), and two years of work experience is preferred. Admitted students complete academic leveling work before their first semester, and classes begin in fall or spring. Students can add a graduate certificate or a concurrent master's degree in finance, information systems, supply chain management, or industrial and systems engineering.
Three campuses (UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh) share this consortium MBA, whose core classes integrate several business areas instead of focusing on a single subject.
Read more about University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The degree totals 36 graduate credits: 26 credits of specific course requirements plus 10 credits of MBA electives chosen by the student. All courses are offered completely online with no campus visits, and students have seven years from enrollment to finish. Students pick the general management track or an emphasis in Financial Decision Making, Healthcare Management or Leadership.
The program is built with working adults in mind, since many students hold full-time jobs. Students can have MBA 708 and MBA 709 waived by demonstrating mastery of the course competencies, in which case they take two to four more elective credits. A 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management can be finished in one year and serves as a pathway into the full MBA.
Key program details
36 graduate credits
10 elective credits
No campus visits required
Seven years to finish
Four emphases to choose from
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: uwec.edu. AACSB
Rank#20
Score70.8
Mississippi State University
MSU Online MBA
Best online MBA programs · Mississippi State, Mississippi · Public · AACSB business and accounting
The capstone, which also serves as the MBA comprehensive examination, culminates in a strategy consulting project with a participating organization.
Read more about Mississippi State University
Delivered 100% online, the program accepts students into any semester, with application deadlines of August 1 for fall, December 1 for spring and May 15 for summer. Required courses include Supply Chain & Operations Management, Strategic & Entrepreneurial Management and Financial & Accounting Report Analysis, along with six hours of electives. A Project Management concentration, run jointly by the College of Business and the College of Engineering, is offered online as well as on the Starkville campus.
No GMAT or GRE is required; applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and submit a statement of purpose, transcripts, three letters of recommendation and a resume. Students without an undergraduate business degree complete foundation or prerequisite courses after admission, and online survey courses replace many undergraduate prerequisites for non-business graduates. A grade of B or better is required in every prerequisite before moving on to graduate courses.
Eight focus areas, from Sport Management to a Design-Your-Own option, fill 9 of the 36 credits, and classes run in fall, winter, spring and summer terms.
Read more about University of Massachusetts Amherst
The curriculum totals 36 credits, including a 9-credit focus and 6 credits of electives, and online students take the same courses as on-campus students. Most students finish in two to four years, the fastest pace is two years, and classes are offered in fall, winter, spring and summer terms. Focus areas are Business Analytics, Design-Your-Own, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Organizational Management, Sport Management and Supply Chain Management.
GMAT and GRE waivers are available for applicants who qualify. Prospective students may take two classes (6 credits) before applying or while an application is processed, and those classes transfer if taken within three years of acceptance with a grade of B or better. MBA students can also add one of four 12-credit graduate certificates, such as Artificial Intelligence for Business or Foundations of Management.
Admitted students receive a Strengths-Based Leadership Assessment with one-on-one faculty coaching, and can join an optional one-week summer residency in Lincoln.
Read more about University of Nebraska
The 48-credit-hour program combines 10 core classes (30 hours) with six elective classes (18 hours), taught fully online in 8-week sessions. There are no set login times: students complete weekly assignments on their own schedule, some professors add optional live Zoom sessions that are archived, and most students finish in 18 to 36 months. Students can specialize in areas such as Business Analytics, Finance, HR, Marketing and Supply Chain Management.
A GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition or GRE score is optional, and applicants are strongly encouraged to have at least three years of post-graduate professional experience that includes decision-making responsibilities. Students can apply for fall, spring or summer and show statistics competency through a free online course before the advanced quantitative classes. Applicants name three references, all supervisors or professors, rather than sending letters of recommendation.
Students are paired with academic coaches from day one, and the 30-hour degree, delivered asynchronously, can be finished in as few as 12 months.
Read more about University of Southern Indiana
The 30-hour degree includes 21 hours of core coursework (seven courses), a 3-hour Data-Driven Decision Making course, and 6 hours of concentration coursework chosen by the student. Coursework is 100% online and asynchronous with 24/7 access, the program can be completed in as few as 12 months, and the calendar is built for a quick move from application to start. Courses are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and GMAT or GRE scores are optional. Academic coaches assigned from the first day give ongoing guidance, individualized feedback and career-focused support. Beyond the general MBA, USI offers online MBA concentrations in Accounting, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Engineering Management, Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, Marketing, Project Management and Supply Chain Management.
A Hospitality & Casino Management option sits among the concentrations, and the MBA 760: International Experience adds face-to-face lectures and company visits.
Read more about Louisiana State University Shreveport
The 100% online program consists of 30 credit hours, with a listed length of approximately 10 months, and students can enroll full-time or part-time. Everyone completes seven core business classes and can use electives to pursue a concentration or specialization in Accounting, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise, Finance, Hospitality & Casino Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, Marketing or Project Management.
Applicants qualify through one of several paths: a graduate degree; a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA overall or in the last 60 semester hours; a 2.5 overall GPA plus at least three years of professional work experience; or a 2.5 overall GPA with a GMAT score of at least 450 and a formula score of at least 1000. The MBA 760: International Experience course blends cultural excursions, face-to-face lectures with expert instructors, and on-site company visits. The program is aimed at current business professionals and people moving into a new profession.
Key program details
30 credit hours
About 10 months
Seven core business classes
Full-time or part-time study
Program page reviewed September 21, 2026: lsus.edu. AACSB
Rank#25
Score69.6
University of Cincinnati
Online Master of Business AdministrationCarl H. Lindner College of Business
Best online MBA programs · Cincinnati, Ohio · Public · AACSB accredited
Electives worth 12 credit hours can build a specialization such as Applied AI in Finance or Corporate Taxation, and the full degree can be completed in a year.
Read more about University of Cincinnati
The curriculum combines program courses worth 26 semester credit hours with five to six elective courses worth 12 semester credit hours. Students take 11 core courses, a 2-credit-hour global component that any Lindner graduate study abroad course can satisfy, and a capstone project that must be interdisciplinary and integrative. Students log on when their schedule allows, courses run in spring, summer and fall semesters, and in-person courses at UC's Uptown Campus are an option.
No GMAT or GRE is required; applicants should have at least a B average in undergraduate coursework or other evidence of academic promise, one recommendation from a current or former supervisor, and a personal statement of 250 to 500 words. Students without an undergraduate business degree may need business foundations courses, though ten hours of them can be waived with prior undergraduate coursework. The program is pitched at working professionals preparing for management roles, career changers and managers seeking advancement.
The other 261 ranked programs, 26th to 286th nationally, and the 41 AACSB online MBAs without a rank are in
the program directory, grouped by state with each
school's national rank on its row. 17 states hold enough ranked programs for
a ranking of their own, starting with
Texas.
What An Online MBA Costs
Across the 320 AACSB-accredited online MBAs that report a price, whole-program
tuition runs from $9,000 at Valdosta State University to
$149,028 at Carnegie Mellon University. The median ranked program reports
$32,265. Public schools are the cheaper half of the market, with a median of
$27,033 against $42,735 for private schools, and 73 of the
202 ranked public schools charge out-of-state students more.
Tuition is the whole-program figure each school reports to AACSB. Schools update it on their own schedule and some exclude fees, so it can trail the price on the school's own site: Illinois reports $24,984 to AACSB for the iMBA, and its program page lists $27,288 in total tuition and fees. Use it to compare programs, and confirm the current price with the school.
The median ranked program's business master's graduates earned $80,912 a year after
finishing. The highest figures belong to Carnegie Mellon University ($165,798), The University of Michigan ($160,286), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($156,818).
All three report tuition above the $32,265 median, which is why none of them tops a ranking that weighs price.
Earnings are College Scorecard's median for the school's business master's graduates who finished in 2018-19 or 2019-20, measured one year later and expressed in 2022 dollars. They include every business master's the school files in that field, campus and online, and only graduates who received federal aid.
For pay by job rather than by school, MBA salaries by occupation sets out what BLS reports for the management and analyst roles MBA graduates move into.
Common Questions About This Ranking
Are online MBAs taken seriously?
What can be established is the accreditation: every program here is at a business school accredited by AACSB, the same accreditor as the campus programs at those schools, and the degree a school confers online is the same MBA it confers on campus. What cannot be established from any federal source is employer preference. BLS reports pay by occupation and not by degree or delivery mode, and nothing on this site claims that an online MBA hires better or worse than a campus one.
What is the best online MBA program?
On this ranking, Illinois Institute of Technology, whose online MBA reports $15,000 in tuition to AACSB and whose business master's graduates earned a median $124,206 a year after finishing. Youngstown State University and Minnesota State University, Mankato follow. The ranking scores graduate earnings (55%) and tuition (45%), so it favors programs that pair strong graduate earnings with a moderate price; a reader who cares only about earnings would start with Carnegie Mellon University instead.
How are the best online MBA programs ranked here?
On two factors: graduate earnings (55%) and tuition (45%). Graduate earnings are College Scorecard's median for the school's business master's graduates a year after finishing, and tuition is the whole-program figure the school reports to AACSB at the out-of-state rate. Each is scored by percentile among the 286 ranked programs. Accreditation is a condition of entry rather than a scored factor, and graduation and admission rates are left out because the federal figures describe undergraduates.
How much does an online MBA cost?
The median whole-program tuition among ranked online MBAs is $32,265. Public schools report a median of $27,033 and private schools $42,735. 73 programs report less than $20,000 for the degree, the lowest being Valdosta State University at $9,000, and 12 report more than $100,000.
Is an online MBA worth it?
The federal data suggests price and pay are only loosely linked. Among ranked programs, private schools charge a median $15,702 more than public ones, while their graduates' median earnings a year after finishing are $2,508 higher. Those earnings also reflect the experience students bring to the program, not only what it adds. For a sense of the jobs themselves, BLS puts the median for general and operations managers at $105,770.
What is the cheapest AACSB-accredited online MBA?
Valdosta State University ($9,000), Arkansas Tech University ($9,360), Southern Utah University ($9,700) report the lowest whole-program tuition to AACSB. Those are figures the schools report, and some exclude fees, so confirm the current price with the school before applying.
Sources For The Best Online MBA Programs Ranking
Accreditation, online MBA offerings, concentrations and tuition: AACSB's list of accredited schools, retrieved September 21, 2026. Program details on that list are reported to AACSB by each school.
Graduate earnings and debt: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study file (Most-Recent-Cohorts-Field-of-Study_06102026.zip), business master's in CIP 52.01 and 52.02.
Institution identifiers: IPEDS, used to match each AACSB school to its federal records.