Every year US News and World Report ranks the top business schools in the country. The top three slots in 2012 went to perennial powerhouses Harvard, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. None of the top three offer online options for their MBA programs, but there are several other highly-ranked business schools that do offer an online MBA. Here are five schools ranked in the US News and World Report’s top 30 that offer an online MBA. All of the following MBA programs are offered by highly respected brick and mortar universities and all of the programs are accredited by AACSB International, which is the premier business school accreditation agency in the world.
Duke University, Fuqua School of Business (Ranked #12)
A Fuqua MBA is one of the most highly regarded MBAs in the world. A MBA from Duke will gain you entry into a prestigious club and allow you to network with some of the most influential players in the business world. The online Fuqua MBA, known as the “Global Executive MBA” also offers extensive international business exposure through a series of global residencies.
All of these advantages come at a price, however, as the online MBA from Duke is extremely expensive and travel-intensive. The estimated cost of the program is $146,000 plus travel costs. Travel costs will be quite extensive as the program requires two campus residencies and three other residencies in 6 cities around the world.
Carnegie Mellon, Tepper School of Business (Ranked #18)
Like Duke, Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business is one of the higher profile business schools in the country. An online MBA from Carnegie Mellon, known as the “Flex MBA Online”, will provide the skills and experience you need to be successful in the business world and will give you the opportunity to connect with a large network of successful graduates. The online version of the Tepper MBA is relatively new and features a unique curriculum that utilizes the online format in combination with 15 “Access Weekends” on campus.
The Tepper online MBA program is not cheap and it requires a full 32 months of study, but it’s an interesting and comprehensive curriculum from a well respected university. For those reasons, it certainly deserves attention from anyone looking for a top-flight online MBA program.
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill , Kenan-Flagler Business School (Ranked #19)
The University of North Carolina is known for its powerhouse basketball program, but it’s also recognized as one of the top 20 business schools in the country. The online MBA program, MBA@UNC, like the previous two programs is not 100% online as it requires several three day weekend trips. The majority of the academic program, however, is delivered online. One nice feature of the Kenan-Flagler online MBA is that the required weekend trips, which are hosted in Chapel Hill and other cities around the world, are included in cost of the program. MBA@UNC is a 66 credit hour program that can be completed in 18-36 months.
The cost of the program is relatively expensive at $91,225, but as previously mentioned, almost everything including travel costs are included in the program costs. The UNC online program is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a top twenty program available mostly online.
Indiana University, Kelley School of Business (Ranked #23)
The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University is a very well respected business school that’s consistently ranked in the top 25 in the country by all the major publications. One of the most interesting features of the Kelley online MBA is the option to add an additional Master’s degree to your MBA. MS degrees in Strategic Management, Finance or Global Supply Chain Management can be added with only 12 additional credit hours.
The Kelley online MBA is a bargain compared to some of the other programs on this list at an estimated $58,395 in tuition. The program only requires two one-week visits to campus so unlike, several other programs, it doesn’t require a lot of time away from work. Overall, the Indiana MBA online program is an excellent value for a top 25 business school.
Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business (Ranked #30)
The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University has earned consistently high marks for their MBA program and the MBA is available almost completely online with only one campus visit required. The program is an excellent value at $53,900.
Several emphases are available including international business, finance and supply chain management. The 48-hour program can be completed in two years. Life all of the programs listed here, the online MBA from Arizona State University utilizes the same faculty and issues the exact same degree as the full time MBA programs.
Any of these programs would be excellent choices for anyone looking to pursue a MBA online. There are several reasons why students are interested in online MBA programs, but prestige and reputation of the school is always a significant factor. These five programs are proof that a very high quality MBA can be earned online.
