Top Online MBA Programs

There are a few reasons why a master’s in business administration (MBA) is consistently among the most popular graduate degrees in the country. Earning an MBA degree online is an investment that can provide flexibility, speed up your career, and pave the way to a high salary.

Below, explore the best online MBA programs, concentration areas, average tuition costs, career paths, and salary outcomes for MBA graduates.

An MBA is an advanced business degree that develops broad expertise in business. Courses cover topics like business strategy, ethical decision-making, and organizational management. Most MBA programs consist of 36-40 credits and take between 2-4 years to complete.

As an online MBA student, you can take courses in asynchronous and synchronous settings, either through lesson plans or live classes. In addition to taking online courses, many MBA programs require a capstone project and professional development activities to graduate.

Many online MBA programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission, preferably in a business-related major. Some require applicants to hold several years of professional experience. Others are open to all prospective students regardless of undergraduate major or prior career experience.

You should ensure that all online MBA programs on your list hold institutional accreditation. Institutional accreditation is a process through which a third-party organization verifies whether a school meets high standards for faculty qualifications, academic rigor, and student learning outcomes.

Additionally, some business schools may hold programmatic accreditation — an optional process that evaluates how well a particular department or program’s coursework prepares learners for careers in the field.

MBA programmatic accreditors include AACSB International, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Online MBA programs focus on business best practices, including leadership and management skills. Common courses in these degrees include:

Business is a broad topic, so most online MBA programs offer concentrations to help students focus their skills. Below are several common specializations for online MBAs.

An MBA in accounting focuses on financial leadership in corporate settings. This degree can prepare you for work as a certified public accountant (CPA), management accountant, or financial consultant. An accounting concentration may require classes like advanced cost accounting, tax research and jurisprudence, and advanced auditing.

Economists research economic issues and recommend solutions to economic problems. These professionals can influence public policy and global economies. An MBA in economics can prepare you for economic careers by blending courses in business leadership with classes in econometrics, economic theory, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

Entrepreneurs create their own business ventures. In this concentration, you’ll learn about the financial, marketing, human resources, and management aspects of developing business plans. Classes also cover topics like venture capital, the finance of buyouts and acquisitions, and intellectual property strategy for innovation-driven enterprises.

MBA finance concentrations explore the tools used to improve company bottom lines. You learn to make financial decisions and keep organizations profitable. Classes explore ideas like international financial markets, advanced corporate finance, venture capitalism, and behavioral finance.

Human resource management concentrations prepare you for roles like training manager, compensation and benefits manager, or human resource manager. Courses cover human resource staffing, talent management and development, and leading strategic change initiatives. Programs may also examine negotiation and conflict resolution strategies.

In an international business concentration, you study global markets, international trends, and the rules governing multinational corporations. This specialization covers traditional business topics — like human resource management and finance — through an international lens.

Common courses include international business environments, international business law, and global operations for supply chain strategies.

MBA in management programs can offer specializations such as operations management, healthcare administration, or business analytics. You’ll take classes like organizational management, managerial economics, and supply chain management.

With a management focus, you can qualify for roles such as director of operations, procurement manager, or executive director.

Marketing concentrations teach you to lead marketing departments and make high-level decisions about brand strategy. Courses cover marketing analysis and development, global brand strategies, and how to use data analytics in marketing.

With this concentration, you can pursue jobs like brand and product marketing manager, public relations director, marketing data analyst, or marketing director.

Logisticians and supply chain managers help ensure the efficient delivery of goods and services. An MBA in supply chain management may include classes such as global logistics management, quantitative analysis for supply chains, and artificial intelligence for supply chain management.

Because many sectors seek professionals with leadership and business skills, MBA graduates can find jobs across many industries. Common roles for MBA graduates include management, executive-level positions, and consulting.

Many MBA grads in the management field become project managers, leading teams and keeping projects on track and on budget. In finance, they may work as a financial manager, analyzing data, preparing reports, and guiding strategic financial decisions. Many also work as human resources managers, overseeing hiring, employee development, and workplace culture.

Some of the highest-paying MBA careers are in information technology management and finance, each with median salaries over $160,000 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Other well-paying roles include human resources manager, data scientist, and administrative services manager.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported in 2020 that an online master’s in business or management cost $10,994 in annual tuition and fees, on average. For comparison, an in-person master’s in business or management cost an average of $16,120 that same year. Adjusted for 2025 inflation, that’s about $13,699 for an online program compared to $20,087 for an in-person program.

But the cost of an online MBA can vary. Factors such as the school, program duration, and whether it is a public or private institution can change the price. Your access to reliable internet may also impact the cost of an MBA if you don’t have a strong web connection in your home.