Top Distance Learning MBA Programs: A Comprehensive Guide

The rise of online education has made it possible for professionals to pursue an MBA without interrupting their careers. Distance learning MBA programs offer flexibility, accessibility, and a rigorous curriculum, making them an attractive option for ambitious individuals seeking to advance their careers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of top distance learning MBA programs, highlighting their strengths, unique features, and key considerations for prospective students.

The Growing Popularity of Online MBA Programs

Worldwide, Online MBA programs are on the rise. And the nature of the Online MBA is indeed global. These Online MBA students tend to be older with more years of work experience than their counterparts on campus. This is reflected in the salary outcomes: while full-time students receive a bigger pay increase, the salary achieved can be far higher among online students.

While the early iterations of online learning have been criticized for lacking interactivity, business schools have invested heavily in improving their online learning platforms in recent years.

Ranking Criteria and Key Considerations

When evaluating online MBA programs, several factors come into play. U.S. News & World Report uses a methodology based on five criteria:

Engagement (30%): How well the program promotes participation in courses and provides opportunities for interaction with instructors and classmates.
Faculty Credentials and Training (15%): The qualifications and expertise of the faculty members.
Student Excellence (15%): The academic rigor of the coursework and the quality of the student cohort.
Services and Technologies (15%): The effectiveness of the program in incorporating diverse online learning technologies that offer flexibility for students.
Expert Opinion (25%): A survey of high-ranking academics and employers on the academic quality of the online program.

Top Distance Learning MBA Programs: A Detailed Look

Here's a look at some of the top distance learning MBA programs, based on rankings and unique program features:

1. Indiana University--Bloomington (Kelley)

Indiana University's Kelley Direct online MBA program has consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #1 in MBA Programs. Ninety-nine percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Indiana University--Bloomington (Kelley), a public school, is June 15. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,758. Enrollment is 1,452.

2. Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)

Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business offers a hybrid online MBA program known for its academic rigor and focus on student excellence. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #2 in MBA Programs. Ninety-four percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper), a private school, is June 9. Per Credit is $2,307. One unique aspect of Tepper’s Online MBA is that students can switch between formats (online and offline, full-time or part-time).

3. University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)

The University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School offers an online MBA program that excels in engagement with peers and professors. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #3 in MBA Programs. Ninety-nine percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $2,025.

4. University of Washington (Foster)

The University of Washington's Foster School of Business offers an online MBA program with a strong emphasis on career and financial support. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #4 in MBA Programs. One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Washington (Foster), a public school, is May 8. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,597.

5. University of Florida (Warrington)

The University of Florida's Warrington College of Business offers an online MBA program known for its flexibility and accessibility. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #5 in MBA Programs. Ninety-nine percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Florida (Warrington), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,208. For these programs, all of the online classes are recorded and archived.

6. University of Arizona (Eller)

The University of Arizona's Eller College of Management offers an online MBA program designed for working professionals, with multiple start dates throughout the year. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #6 in MBA Programs (tie). One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Arizona (Eller), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,250. The University of Arizona's Eller College of Management conveniently offers six starts throughout the year for its Eller Online MBA for working professionals, and students praise the "flexibility" of choosing how many courses to take at a time.

7. University of Southern California (Marshall)

The University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business is ranked highly in some of the most important Online MBA rankings. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #6 in MBA Programs (tie). Ninety-three percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Southern California (Marshall), a private school, is rolling. Per Credit is $2,541. The course was built to develop executives’ cross-cultural and digital collaboration skills, with a foundational education provided in analytics, virtual communication and remote team management. According to Marshall, “We offer 2 one-week experiential trips to Singapore & Malaysia and Los Angeles. The course is designed to provide deep insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by the global supply chain professionals in different countries and cultures. Through the trip, students develop an understanding of the global supply chain business opportunities and challenges. Students also earn their green belt certification and receive networking opportunities through the Randall. R.

8. Arizona State University (Carey)

Arizona State University's Carey School of Business attracts a wide variety of online MBA students thanks to its excellent reputation. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #8 in MBA Programs. Seventy-two percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Arizona State University (Carey), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,385. ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business attracts a wide variety of online MBA students thanks to its excellent reputation, and students accordingly name "the quality of education" along with "flexibility" when asked about the greatest strengths of the program.

9. University of Kansas

The University of Kansas offers an online MBA program with a strong focus on career advancement. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #8 in MBA Programs (tie). Ninety-seven percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Kansas, a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $895.

10. Oklahoma State University (Spears)

Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business offers an online MBA program with a curriculum tailored to the needs of working professionals. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #10 in MBA Programs (tie). One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Oklahoma State University (Spears), a public school, is June 1. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $364.

11. The University of Texas at Dallas (Jindal)

The University of Texas at Dallas' Naveen Jindal School of Management offers students unable to attend a resident MBA program an identical core curriculum in its Professional MBA Online Program (PMBA). U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #10 in MBA Programs (tie). Ninety-seven percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at The University of Texas at Dallas (Jindal), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,627.

12. University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (Ross)

The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business offers an online MBA program with a strong emphasis on leadership development. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #10 in MBA Programs (tie). Ninety-nine percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (Ross), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $2,148.

13. Rochester Institute of Technology (Saunders)

The prestigious Rochester Institute of Technology's Online Executive MBA Program, within its Saunders College of Business, is specifically designed for professionals with at least six years of work experience. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #13 in MBA Programs. One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Rochester Institute of Technology (Saunders), a private school, is rolling. Per Credit is $1,660.

14. Ball State University (Miller)

The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Ball State University (Miller), a public school, is rolling. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs (tie). Seventy percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $721.

15. Hofstra University (Zarb)

The online MBA program at Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business offers a flexible and high-quality education tailored for working professionals looking to advance their careers. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs. One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at Hofstra University (Zarb), a private school, is rolling. Per Credit is $1,800.

16. University of Iowa (Tippie)

The Online MBA program at The University of Iowa, a public school, was started in 2019. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs (tie). Ninety-nine percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the Online MBA program is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $750. Enrollment is 1,603.

17. University of Massachusetts--Amherst (Isenberg)

It’s easy to understand why many students clamor to earn an online MBA from University of Massachusetts. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs (tie). One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Massachusetts--Amherst (Isenberg), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $925. Enrollment is 1,349. According to the FT, the Isenberg School of Management, at the University of Massachusetts in the US, is the word’s third best Online MBA provider. Its alumni have the highest salary increase three years from graduation, 46 percent, for instance. And the school has the highest proportion of female faculty, at 46 percent.

18. University of South Florida (Muma)

The keyword that many students praise about University of South Florida's online MBA program is flexibility. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs (tie). The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of South Florida (Muma), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $750. For these programs, all of the online classes are recorded and archived.

19. University of Utah (Eccles)

At the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business, MBA Online students share the same "phenomenal" and "supportive" professors as their on-campus counterparts, but benefit from the "convenience" and "accessibility" of an entirely online format. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs (tie). One hundred percent of students are already employed when they first enroll. The application deadline for the online MBA programs at University of Utah (Eccles), a public school, is rolling. Per Credit (out-of-state) is $1,500.

20. University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

The Online MBA program at University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium, a public school, was started in 1997. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it #14 in MBA Programs (tie). The application deadline for the Online MBA program is rolling.

Additional Programs to Consider

Beyond the top-ranked programs, several other institutions offer notable distance learning MBA options:

Rochester Institute of Technology (Saunders): Known for its Executive MBA program designed for experienced professionals.
American University (Kogod): Praised for its well-qualified instructors and strong core course offerings.
Marist University: Offers an AACSB-accredited online MBA program focused on real-world applications and leadership development.
Marshall University: Provides a flexible and AACSB-accredited online MBA program tailored to working professionals.
Santa Clara University (Leavey): Has offered a well-respected physical MBA in the San Francisco Bay Area for decades, and according to students, their new online MBA program has come strongly out of the gate.
Syracuse University (Whitman): Regarded as a “nationally-recognized school”.
The University of Michigan-Dearborn: Started its Online MBA program in 2001.
Kennesaw State University: Started its Online MBA program in 2001.
State University of New York-Oswego: Started its Online MBA program in 2011.
Florida Atlantic University: Started its Online MBA program in 2014.
Florida Southern College: Started its Online MBA program in 2015.
Kent State University: Started its Online MBA program in 2017.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Started its Online MBA program in 2019.
University of Delaware: Started its Online MBA program in 2013.
William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business: Designed to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to lead in today’s business environment.
Xavier University: Provides professionals with the opportunity to advance their careers at whatever pace they choose.
University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business: Offers its online MBA through the WebMBA® program-a consortium of University System of Georgia institutions where courses are taught by top faculty from all seven schools.
North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management: Offers a “great education” with “great value”.
The University of South Dakota’s Beacom School of Business: Attracts many students looking to pursue their online MBA degree.
Montclair State University’s Feliciano School of Business: Is a STEM-designated, skills-based program that prepares business leaders for today’s data-driven world.

Programs with a Focus on Veterans

U.S. News & World Report also compiles a list of best programs that reduce costs for veterans. Of the top programs, the school with the most veterans is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where 59% of students are veterans. Another school with a big veteran presence is the University of Massachusetts Global in Aliso Viejo, California, where 46% of students are veterans.

Global Online MBA Programs

While this article primarily focuses on U.S.-based programs, it's worth noting that excellent online MBA programs exist worldwide:

Warwick Business School (UK): Ranked highly by the Financial Times.
Imperial College Business School (London): Focuses on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
UNSW Business School (Sydney): Offers specializations in technology, social impact, and other areas.
University of Illinois Gies College of Business: Offers iMBA, in partnership with Coursera, is a truly global program.

The Least and Most Expensive Programs

The most costly program is at USC Marshall, which is $2,421 per credit, making it one of five schools to charge $2K or more per credit. Notably, all five are private schools. The least expensive school is Sam Houston State, a public school in Huntsville, Texas, at $320 per credit.

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