Top 20 Best Value MBA Online Programs 2018

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What makes a best value mba degree online? What is the best online MBA for the money?

Methodology

When we were considering which schools to include on our list of Top 20 Value Online MBA Programs, we looked at more than affordable tuition rates. The schools we included are accredited and offer a solid curriculum without charging an arm and a leg to people who want to obtain a top mba degree online. Among them are also a number of AACSB online MBA programs. Additionally, you may want to consider whether your current employer might cover the cost of one of these accredited online MBA programs.

Featured MBA Programs

Featured Top Colleges

Ranking the Best Value MBA Online Programs

Consider these options for best online MBA programs if you are looking for an alternative to paying up to six figures for an education.


#1 American Intercontinental University

Executive Summary

AIU offers flexible scheduling for students and a curriculum developed in consultation with an employer advisory council. Known as "the Serious U," this school offers a meaty curriculum for motivated learners.

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Tuition

Students enrolled in this high value online MBA program pay $582 per credit hour, bringing the online MBA cost to $27,936.

Unique Features

AIU's online MBA program can be completed on an accelerated basis, which allows adult learners to move on with their careers quickly. Interactive multimedia and Flash technology are used to deliver learning materials to students in a sophisticated format.

Concentrations

International Business
Healthcare Management
Finance
Accounting
Management
Operations Management
Marketing
Human Resource Management
Project Management


#2 California State University Dominguez Hills

Executive Summary
Forbes has ranked Cal State's online MBA degree as one of the best buys in the country. A person who is enrolled in this program doesn't sacrifice a quality learning experience for affordable tuition.

Online MBA Tuition

All MBA students (whether they reside in or out of state) pay $440 per unit. Three-unit courses (core courses and electives) cost $1,320 each.

Unique Features

Students enrolled in this program interact with their professors and classmates on a regular basis. Each course includes video lectures, text materials and case studies. Learners also participate in online discussions and online meetings as part of the process.

Concentrations

International Business
Management
Finance
Marketing Management
Information Technology Management
Human Resource Management


#3 Western Governors University

Executive Summary

Western Governors University is accredited at the national and regional levels. This non-profit institution is a past recipient of the 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning from USDLA (United States Distance Learning Association).

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Tuition

WGU charges a flat rate for tuition of $3,250 per six-month term. Students are charged for the time they spend enrolled in a program as opposed to number of credit hours. The total MBA online cost is $13,000.

Unique Features

This program is designed for experienced managers and business professionals who are looking to advance in their career. Students complete 33 Competency Units to satisfy the requirements for a degree.

Concentrations

General MBA
Information Technology Management
Healthcare Management

For more information: Western Governors University


#4 Texas A&M University

Executive Summary

Texas A&M is a well-respected school which has been ranked as one of the best in the nation. Known for conservative values, the school also has developed a reputation for openness, diversity and quality research projects.

Tuition

Lone Star state residents pay $885 per credit and non-resident students will be charged $1,822 per credit.

Unique Features

Students at Texas A&M don't need to have an undergraduate degree in business to be considered for the MBA program. All learners take eight core courses and two electives to complete the requirements for their degree.


#5 Oklahoma State University

Executive Summary

Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business has been offering an MBA program through distance education since 1992. Students enrolled in an online program have the option of taking some courses on campus, and they are welcome to participate in the school's commencement ceremony.

Tuition

The cost of online MBA at Oklahoma State is $341 per credit hour for residents and $840 per credit hour for non-residents.


#6 Post University

Executive Summary

This school has been offering online degree programs since 1996 and is Connecticut's largest provider of fully online degree programs. Post University's online MBA program was awarded the 2009 Silver Level Innovation Prize by the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership.

Tuition

Students enrolled at Post pay $730 per credit hour.

Unique Features

This program can be completed in 14-20 months (length pertains to graduating in normal time). Up to nine credits can be transferred from another accredited educational institution.

Concentrations

Corporate Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Leadership
Marketing
Multidisciplinary
Project Management


#7 Southeast Missouri University

Executive Summary

Southeast has been named as one of the best Midwest Universities by The Princeton Review. It is dedicated to providing a quality education at affordable prices.

Tuition

Missouri residents pay $272 per credit hour, and non-residents are charged $480.40 for each credit hour.

Unique Features

Although this degree can be completed completely online, students are required to follow a specific schedule, since core courses are only offered at set rotation times. Courses are taught by the same professors who teach on campus.


#8 University of South Dakota

Executive Summary

USD's Beacom School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (ASCSB) and has held this designation since 1949. Fewer than 10 percent of schools in the country have been recognized in this manner.

Tuition

Tuition costs for graduate students is $368 per credit hour, which brings the cost of obtaining a degree to $18,768.

Unique Features

Students enrolled in this program take 18 hours of foundation courses followed by 33 hours of advanced studies. Advanced courses required for this degree include Operations Management, Leadership Development, Accounting, Economics and Marketing.

For more information: University of South Dakota


#9 Marylhurst University

Executive Summary

This MBA degree online program was developed for working adults looking for a flexible program which will work well with their lifestyle. The curriculum includes courses focusing on communication, team building, economics, ethics, management and leadership.

Tuition

Total tuition costs for this online MBA degree is $36,760.

Unique Features

Students work on one course at a time and on their own schedule. Assignments will have specific due dates, but learners are not required to be online at a specific time.

Concentrations

General Management
Health Care Management
Nonprofit Management
Real Estate Studies
Marketing
Finance
Sustainable Business

#10 Baker College

Executive Summary

Baker College has been offering a career-focused education to students since 1911. This school's MBA program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Tuition

With its tuition rate for graduate studies set at $375 per credit hour, Baker offers one of the most affordable online programs in the country.

Unique Features

The MBA program at Baker offers a combination of standard academic training and field-based learning. Graduates from this program will be able to transfer theory into practice, conduct research and evaluate the results, and use their skills to contribute to the growth of an organization.

Concentrations

Accounting
Business Intelligence
Finance
General Business
Health Care Management
Human Resource Management
Information Management
Leadership Studies
Marketing

For more information: Baker College


#11 Chadron State College

Executive Summary

Chadron State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This school's MBA program is geared toward supervisors and mid-level managers.

Tuition

The cost of this program is $3,000 per semester.

Unique Features

Applicants must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 or higher to be considered. Two, eight-week sessions are offered per semester.

#12 Wayne State University

Executive Summary

Wayne State is a public research university which has been recognized for best IT practices and innovation by Campus Technology magazine.

Tuition

State residents pay $555.80 per credit hour, and out-of-state residents pay $1,134.50 per credit hour.

Unique Features

Students who choose to enroll in the MBA program at Wayne State have the option of completing the program completely online, or taking a combination of on-site and online courses.


#13 Keiser University

Executive Summary

Students at Keiser work on one course at a time. This approach allows them to focus their attention on each section before moving on to the next requirement for their degree.

Tuition

The average cost of obtaining an MBA from Keiser is $23,226.

Unique Features

To complete this degree, students take 12 credit hours in a particular concentration, as well as 10 general courses. This school does not offer any electives to MBA students.

Concentrations

Management (Leadership for Managers)
International Business
Marketing


#14 Ball State University

Executive Summary

Ball State University's Miller College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Tuition

The cost per academic year is $7,278 for Indiana residents and $18,186 for out-of-state learners.

Unique Features

Students enrolled in this program can choose whether they want to complete the requirements for their degree in one or two years. The core curriculum includes an international business component in most courses.

Concentrations

Entrepreneurship
Finance
Sales Management
Operations

For more information: Ball State University


#15 Prairie View A&M University

Executive Summary

Prairie View is a member of the Texas A&M University System. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).

Tuition

Tuition rates for this school are a very affordable $2,200 per year for Texas residents. Non-residents will pay $5,600 per year.

Unique Features

Learners have the flexibility to complete their studies in as little as two years, and they can take up to five years to work through the required coursework. A minimum GPA of 2.45 is required to be considered for this program.


#16 Frostburg State University

Executive Summary

Frostburg is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Schools with this accreditation are required to review and update their course curricula regularly.

Tuition

Maryland residents pay $5,706 for a nine-month academic year. Tuition for out-of-state learners is set at $6,948.

Unique Features

The curriculum for this program focuses on a number of core courses which provide a general foundation for learning with an emphasis on change and human behavior. Applicants must have scored a minimum of 400 on the GMAT.

#17 Amberton University

Executive Summary

Amberton is a private school which has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It offers a good quality education at an affordable price.

Tuition

A flat fee of $705 is charged for each three-credit course. All students, no matter where they live or which program they are enrolled in, pay the same rate.

Unique Features

Students may be given credit for life learning which will be counted toward the requirements for completing a degree. The school may accept the results of outside examinations, prior work experience, military training, travel experiences, American Council on Education (ACE) approved courses or special interests for this purpose.

Concentrations

General Business
Management
Project Management
Strategic Leadership


#18 Columbia College

Executive Summary

Founded in 1851, Columbia College has been offering online programs since 2000. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Tuition

The cost of this program is $335 per credit hour.

Unique Features

Classes are conducted in five, eight-week sessions per year. The sessions start in January, March, June, August and October. Students complete coursework and participate in online discussions with their instructors and fellow learners. Assignments, research papers and the online discussion postings are considered when determining a student's final grade.


#19 Mississippi State University

Executive Summary

MSU has been offering online programs for a decade. Prospective students who want to obtain a graduate degree from an accredited, recognizable university will want to consider what the University of Mississippi has to offer.

Tuition

All students enrolled in the online MBA program pay $521 per credit hour. The cost of a 30-credit degree is $15,630.

Unique Features

Students who choose this program have flexibility to choose the course load which works best for their schedule and lifestyle. The requirements for an MBA can be completed in as little as two years, but learners can take up to eight years to complete their degree. Courses are offered in eight-week terms and are available two or three times per year.


#20 Plymouth State University

Executive Summary

PSU is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Academic credits obtained from the school can be transferred to any other accredited college or university in the country.

Tuition

In-state students pay $512-$595 per credit. Out of state students are charged $559-$651 per credit.

Unique Features

This school offers rolling admission, which allows students to start working on their degree in any term. The program can be completed as a 12 month MBA online.

Concentrations

Health Care Administration
International Business
Investment and Finance
Organizational Communication
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Strategic Marketing Management
The Human Side of Enterprise

Thank you for considering our ranking of top value online MBA programs 2015. Among them you will find a number of AACSB accredited online MBA programs and accelerated online MBA programs that can be completed in as little as 12 month.

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