MBA Rankings

The Cheapest Online MBA Programs of 2027

An empty glass-walled boardroom with a long conference table and rows of office chairs

Key Points: Best Cheapest Online MBA Programs

  • Arkansas Tech University ranks #1 on a 61.7 Program Score, with a 49% graduation rate.
  • Only the top 14 programs make this list; every one is ranked on the same federal data, not on reputation.
  • Scores weigh graduation rate most, then selectivity, cost and graduate earnings, from IPEDS, College Scorecard and BLS data. No school pays for a place (methodology).
Online options analyzed
39
Median salary (BLS)
$105,770

The cheapest online MBA programs clear two bars at once: a confirmed online option, and a published tuition low enough to change the math. Of the 130 MBA programs we analyzed nationwide, 39 carry a confirmed distance-education option, about 30% of the field. This ranking orders the 14 of those with the lowest in-state tuition that still clear an accreditation and completion floor.

Arkansas Tech University has the lowest in-state tuition of the ranked programs, graduating 49% of its students. Field median pay is $105,770 per BLS, the same benchmark whether the degree was earned online or on campus.

One thing to check before comparing: many online programs bill every student a flat per-credit rate regardless of where they live. That can beat an out-of-state price while losing to a local public's resident rate, so the order below is a starting point rather than your personal price. The cost section works through it.

The Lowest-Cost Online MBA Programs, Compared

In-state tuition for the 10 most affordable programs. Shorter bars cost less; the resident rate is what state schools charge in-state students.

How We Rank Cheapest Online MBA Programs

We analyzed 130 accredited MBA programs reported to IPEDS, then ranked the 14 online options with the lowest in-state tuition among programs that clear an accreditation and completion floor. No school pays for inclusion.

Every program earns a Program Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:

  • Outcomes44%

    Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?

  • Selectivity & academics38%

    Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).

  • Scale & value18%

    Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).

Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.

The 14 Cheapest Online MBA Programs, Ranked for 2027

The 14 cheapest online MBA programs, ranked by in-state tuition.

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR · Public · online option

61.7 Program Score
Grad rate
49%
Admit rate
96%
Tuition
Varies by program

A 100% online MBA with three concentrations of 30 to 33 hours that most students finish in 12 to 18 months.

  • Program Score 61.7
  • 96% admit rate
  • 100% online
  • Three concentrations, 12 to 18 months

Arkansas Tech University delivers its Master of Business Administration fully online. Students choose from three concentrations: General Business at 30 hours, Business Data Analytics at 33 hours, and Digital Marketing at 33 hours. The page says most students finish in 12 to 18 months and can enroll full time or part time. Admission is described as flexible, with GMAT and GRE waivers available, and applicants without an undergraduate business degree are welcome. The school also cites third-party recognition from U.S. News and bschools.org, which are the school's own claims.

Federal data shows a 49% graduation rate at Arkansas Tech and a 96% admit rate, so admission is broadly open. The Program Score of 61.7 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The program fits working professionals who want a short, flexible online MBA with a data analytics or digital marketing focus, and who do not have a business bachelor's degree. Students should weigh the concentration they want, since the credit totals differ by track. The page also lists employers where graduates work, including Walmart and Tyson Foods.

View Arkansas Tech University's MBA Program →

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, CT · Public · online option

70.5 Program Score
Grad rate
50%
Admit rate
91%
Tuition
Varies by program

Southern Connecticut State University offers an Accelerated MBA track that lets students finish in 18 months.

  • 50% graduation rate
  • Program Score 70.5
  • 91% admit rate
  • Accelerated 18-month MBA option

Southern Connecticut State University offers an MBA that the school says prepares graduates for leadership roles in profit and not-for-profit organizations, across finance, accounting, marketing and management. Students can choose a traditional MBA program or the Accelerated MBA, which allows completion in 18 months. The interdisciplinary design lets students tailor their courses to their own interests and ambitions. According to the page, most students are working professionals seeking to advance in their field, and the program aims to build a relationship with each student's employer so that both benefit. Roughly 10 to 20 percent of students enroll directly after finishing a bachelor's degree, hoping to start higher on the corporate ladder or move up faster.

Southern reports a 50% graduation rate and a 91% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 70.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want a general management credential with room to shape electives, as well as recent graduates who prefer to go straight into graduate study. The accelerated option suits students who can commit to a faster pace.

View Southern Connecticut State University's MBA Program →

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK · Public · online option

69.9 Program Score
Grad rate
38%
Admit rate
Open admission
Tuition
Varies by program

A 30-credit MBA with eight concentrations, from Business Analytics and Cybersecurity to a Blue concentration in fisheries and marine science.

  • Program Score 69.9
  • 38% graduation rate
  • 30-credit degree
  • Eight concentrations

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) MBA requires 30 credits. Every student completes a seven-course core: Accounting for Managers, Organizational Theory for Managers, Economics for Managers, Marketing Management, Quantitative Methods for Managers, Financial Markets and Strategy, and the MBA F690 Corporate Strategy capstone. The remaining nine credits come from a concentration. The page lists eight: Blue, Business Analytics, Business Continuity, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Leadership and Management, One Health and STEM. The Blue concentration is aimed at students interested in fisheries and marine science, while the Healthcare option covers administration, health services decision making, law and ethics, and finance. Students may earn more than one concentration, though courses cannot be counted toward two of them. Students with an undergraduate accounting degree or a CPA license may, with advisor approval, substitute another UAF course for MBA 602.

Federal data show a 38% graduation rate for UAF as a whole, and the university is open admission. The program earns a Program Score of 69.9, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits working professionals and career changers who want a short, 30-credit degree that can be pointed at a specific field, whether that is data, security, health care or Alaska's marine economy.

View University of Alaska Fairbanks's MBA Program →

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Public · online option

68.6 Program Score
Grad rate
47%
Admit rate
97%
Tuition
Varies by program

An MBA of 30 or 36 credits with three tracks, 11 specializations and on-campus, online or hybrid delivery, from an AACSB-accredited college.

  • 47% graduation rate
  • Program Score 68.6
  • 30 or 36 credits
  • 11 specializations

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers an MBA in 30-credit or 36-credit formats, delivered on campus, online or in a hybrid mix. The College of Business offers three tracks: a Traditional MBA of 30 credits, a Specialized MBA of 36 credits that includes a graduate certificate, and a Flexible MBA of 30 credits for candidates with a business education. The school lists specializations including Business Analytics, Cybersecurity Management, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Project Management and Space-Cyber Enterprise Management. Students can attend full time or part time and start in fall, spring or summer. The school reports AACSB accreditation and welcomes all undergraduate majors, with or without business coursework.

Federal data shows a 47% graduation rate and a 97% admit rate at UCCS, so admission is broadly accessible. The program earns a Program Score of 68.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits career changers from fields such as psychology or health care who want a general MBA, and working professionals who want evening or online classes with a specialization. Students can also return later to turn Traditional or Specialized MBA credits into a graduate certificate.

View University of Colorado Colorado Springs's MBA Program →

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO · Public · online option

69.5 Program Score
Grad rate
51%
Admit rate
86%
Tuition
Varies by program

The online MBA from Monfort College of Business offers electives in organizational change, talent management, performance management and healthcare.

  • Program Score 69.5
  • 51% graduation rate
  • 86% admit rate
  • Online, with healthcare electives

The University of Northern Colorado offers an online Master of Business Administration through its Monfort College of Business. The page says the program is designed for students pursuing a broad range of corporate management positions in any industry, and that the curriculum was developed with input from employers. Coursework builds competencies in ethical leadership, managerial accounting, economics, international business, data analytics and visualization, supply chain management, strategic management and advanced finance. The curriculum is flexible, with electives in organizational change, talent management and performance management, as well as in healthcare. The school says the program covers leadership traits such as driving for results, financial acumen, communication and entrepreneurship. The page does not state credit hours or a completion time, so students should confirm those details with the school before applying.

UNC admits 86% of applicants, and 51% of students graduate. The MBA earns a Program Score of 69.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want a general management degree they can complete online, with the option to lean toward people management or healthcare through electives.

View University of Northern Colorado's MBA Program →

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN · For-profit · online option

78.7 Program Score
Grad rate
100%
Admit rate
Open admission
Tuition
Varies by program

Walden University's online MBA runs 50 credits, can be finished in as few as 15 months, and ends in a capstone strategy playbook.

  • 100% graduation rate
  • Program Score 78.7
  • Open admission
  • 50 credits, as few as 15 months online

Walden University offers an online Master of Business Administration that the school reports is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The program totals 50 credits and can be finished in as few as 15 months. Students can take a schedule-driven format with weekly deadlines or Tempo Learning, which lets them progress at their own pace with a personal academic coach. Featured courses include Business Essentials and Managerial Finance, and the page highlights soft skills such as emotional intelligence, negotiation, systems thinking and coaching. The capstone has students create a strategy playbook based on a company they choose. A Career Hub for MBA students offers checklists, resume help and live events.

Walden is an open admission school, and its reported graduation rate is 100%. The Program Score is 78.7 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The program fits working professionals who want a general management degree they can apply on the job and who value a flexible, fully online schedule. Students who want a campus cohort or an in-person network may find the format less suited to them.

View Walden University's MBA Program →

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · online option

81.1 Program Score
Grad rate
67%
Admit rate
89%
Tuition
Varies by program

Colorado State offers five MBA paths, from an online MBA the school says it has delivered for 60 years to an Impact MBA built around the triple bottom line.

  • Program Score 81.1
  • 67% graduation rate
  • 89% admit rate
  • Online, evening and Mosaic formats

The College of Business at Colorado State University offers a Master of Business Administration in several formats so students can match the degree to their schedule. The page lists five MBA programs. The Online MBA is described as a program that has served working professionals for 60 years, with students joining from around the globe. The Evening MBA meets two nights a week on the Fort Collins campus, and the Mosaic MBA delivers the same evening classes remotely in real time, with polls, discussion and peer networking tools. The Impact MBA focuses on using enterprise models to drive positive change, connecting purpose and profit through the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental performance. The school describes its online program as top-ranked and the programs as accredited, claims the page makes without naming a ranking body.

Colorado State admits 89% of applicants, and 67% of students graduate. The MBA earns a Program Score of 81.1 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The range of formats suits people who want a choice between fully online study, evening classes on campus, or a live remote option, and the Impact track will appeal to students interested in sustainability-minded management.

View Colorado State University-Fort Collins's MBA Program →

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public · online option

95.1 Program Score
Grad rate
82%
Admit rate
46%
Tuition
Varies by program

Auburn University's Harbert MBA comes in full-time (17 months), online (31-month average), executive (21 months) and physicians executive formats, and the college holds AACSB accreditation.

  • Program Score 95.1
  • 82% graduation rate
  • Full-time, online and executive formats
  • No GMAT for online MBA

Auburn University's Harbert College of Business offers several MBA formats that all lead to the same degree. The Full-Time MBA is an on-campus, cohort-based program of 17 months aimed at career starters, with two years of career experience preferred. The Online MBA is self-paced, averages 31 months to complete within a six-year window, and requires no GMAT. The Executive MBA blends online study with short residencies and travel study over 21 months, and expects eight or more years of experience. A Physicians Executive MBA serves practicing doctors. Students can add dual degrees in finance, information systems, industrial and systems engineering or supply chain management, plus graduate certificates such as business analytics and AI or cybersecurity management. The school reports AACSB accreditation.

The Program Score is 95.1 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. Auburn graduates 82% of its students overall and admits 46% of applicants. The range of formats makes the MBA a fit for several kinds of students: early-career applicants who can study full time, working professionals who need an online schedule, and senior managers or physicians who want a cohort with residencies.

View Auburn University's MBA Program →

Edward Waters University

Jacksonville, FL · Nonprofit · online option

60.2 Program Score
Grad rate
28%
Admit rate
85%
Tuition
Varies by program

A 36-credit online MBA organized into three 12-credit terms, ending in an MBA capstone, from a department with IACBE accreditation.

  • 36-credit online MBA
  • Program Score 60.2
  • 85% admit rate
  • IACBE-accredited department (school reported)

Edward Waters University offers a Master of Business Administration delivered online. The degree map totals 36 credit hours across three terms of 12 credits each, covering financial management, organizational behavior, operations and project management, financial statement analysis, managerial economics, legal and ethical environment of business, strategy and business policy, and a closing MBA capstone. Students without an undergraduate business degree must submit a GMAT or GRE score no older than five years, though they can be admitted provisionally by completing nine credit hours of introductory business, financial accounting and macroeconomics coursework. The university states that its Department of Business Administration holds specialized accreditation through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.

The federal numbers put the program in context. Edward Waters admits about 85% of applicants, and 28% of students graduate, a figure applicants should weigh alongside the program's structure and support. The program earns a Program Score of 60.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The set term structure and online format suit working professionals who want a defined path to the degree, and the provisional admission route is useful for career changers coming from non-business majors who need to build the foundation first.

View Edward Waters University's MBA Program →

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ · For-profit · online option

71.5 Program Score
Grad rate
43%
Admit rate
79%
Tuition
Varies by program

Grand Canyon University's online MBA is 46 credits in 8-week courses and can be finished in as little as 18 months with no GMAT.

  • 71.5 Program Score
  • 46 credits, 8-week courses
  • As few as 18 months
  • Emphasis options and no GMAT required

Grand Canyon University offers an online Master of Business Administration through its Colangelo College of Business, with online and evening class settings. The program is 46 credits, delivered in 8-week courses, and the page says it can be completed in as little as 18 months if a student chooses no emphasis. Students may instead select an emphasis such as finance, healthcare, marketing or cybersecurity. Coursework covers accounting, quantitative research methods, economics and strategic management through case studies, group projects and class discussion, and a Christian worldview is built into the curriculum, with leadership and ethics themes. Up to 12 credits, or one third of the program, can transfer in. Admission asks for a 2.8 GPA, or a 2.5 with a GMAT of 500 or GRE of 300, and the school says no GMAT is required to apply.

Federal data show a 43% graduation rate and a 79% admit rate for the university, a private for-profit school with about 113,000 students. The Program Score is 71.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The program fits working adults who want a fully online MBA with a faith-based approach and a quick path to completion. Applicants should weigh the school's graduation rate and confirm the credit transfer terms for their own record.

View Grand Canyon University's MBA Program →

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL · Nonprofit · online option

66.8 Program Score
Grad rate
37%
Admit rate
73%
Tuition
Varies by program

An online Executive MBA of 10 five-week courses, taken one at a time, that can be finished in one year.

  • Program Score 66.8
  • 37% graduation rate
  • 10 five-week courses
  • Starts every 5 weeks

Faulkner University's online Executive Master of Business Administration consists of 10 courses. Each course runs five weeks and students take them one at a time, with new start dates every 5 weeks. Taken consecutively, the degree can be completed in one year. The school describes a foundation in key business areas, with emphasis on modern managerial practices and decision making, marketing and quantitative reasoning, and strategic thinking. The curriculum uses a corporate learning approach with integrated video segments, and the program is offered in a Christian environment for students headed toward executive roles in for-profit or nonprofit organizations.

Faulkner reports a graduation rate of 37% and an admission rate of 73%, so most applicants are accepted. Its Program Score is 66.8 out of 100, the basis for this program's ranking. The one-course-at-a-time format fits working professionals who want a short, predictable schedule instead of a heavy concurrent load. The page also notes international and entrepreneurial topics in the coursework. Applicants who want a faith-oriented setting and a fast completion path are the clearest match.

View Faulkner University's MBA Program →

Regis University

Denver, CO · Nonprofit · online option

74.1 Program Score
Grad rate
61%
Admit rate
86%
Tuition
Varies by program

Regis University offers its Professional MBA fully online in 8-week terms, with six start dates a year and a 12 to 36 month timeline.

  • 61% graduation rate
  • Program Score 74.1
  • Six start dates a year
  • 100% online, 8-week terms

The Regis University Professional MBA is presented as an MBA for the greater good, built around leadership, communication and business skills that students can apply in their current roles. The program snapshot lists full-time or part-time study, online delivery and 8-week terms, with a time commitment of 12 to 36 months. Starts are offered in January, March, May, June, August and October. The school says classes can be completed 100% online and that faculty bring real-world experience from companies large and small. The curriculum includes an MBA capstone course, and applicants need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Regis also points to its Innovation Challenge for students who want to start a business.

Regis reports a 61% graduation rate and an 86% admit rate. The program earns a Program Score of 74.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The flexible pace, frequent start dates and choice between full-time and part-time study suit working professionals who need to fit coursework around a job. The Jesuit framing of business as a force for good may appeal most to students who want ethics and community impact built into the degree.

View Regis University's MBA Program →

Trinity Washington University

Washington, DC · Nonprofit · online option

62.5 Program Score
Grad rate
49%
Admit rate
100%
Tuition
Varies by program

A 48-credit MBA delivered 100% online that the school says can be finished in 20 months.

  • 49% graduation rate
  • Program Score 62.5
  • 48 credits, 100% online
  • 20-month accelerated format

Trinity Washington University offers a Master of Business Administration of 48 credits that runs entirely online, in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. The school describes it as an accelerated path that working professionals can finish in 20 months. The curriculum covers management functions, managerial competencies and ethical problem solving, and it leans on case studies and real-world application. Trinity says the program is taught and managed by business leaders from the public, private and independent sectors, and it points to a leadership focus that addresses federal agencies and nonprofits alongside corporate management. The page lists careers such as program manager, director of operations, business analyst and consultant. It also notes that applicants on F-1 or B-1 visas are not eligible for fully online graduate programs.

The federal data show a 49% graduation rate at Trinity and an admit rate of 100%, so the school admits every applicant who applies. The program earned a Program Score of 62.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. It suits working adults who want a defined 20-month schedule and an online format, particularly professionals in government, associations or the nonprofit sector who want management training without relocating to Washington, D.C.

View Trinity Washington University's MBA Program →

Colorado Christian University

Lakewood, CO · Nonprofit · online option

76.7 Program Score
Grad rate
64%
Admit rate
Open admission
Tuition
Varies by program

A 100% online MBA of 39 credit hours taught from a Christian worldview, finishable in as little as 18 months with courses taken one at a time.

  • 64% graduation rate
  • Program Score 76.7
  • 100% online, 39 credits
  • Finish in as little as 18 months

Colorado Christian University offers its MBA 100% online through the School of Business and Technology, taught from a Christian worldview with a focus on servant leadership. The program totals 39 credit hours. Courses are taken one at a time in five-week and seven-week blocks, and the school says students can finish in as little as 18 months of consecutive coursework while working. Every student selects an emphasis in Leadership, Advanced Accounting, Cyber Security, Enterprise Agility, Healthcare Administration or Project Management. Foundational courses include Values Aligned Leadership, Economic Analysis and Policy, Human Resources Management and Legal Issues in Management. Students can transfer up to nine graduate credit hours, and the school states it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Federal data shows a 64% graduation rate and open admission at CCU. The program earns a Program Score of 76.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults who want one course at a time, a faith-integrated approach to ethics, and a specialty emphasis such as project management or healthcare administration. Applicants should check the page for prerequisite or transfer credit requirements before enrolling.

View Colorado Christian University's MBA Program →

Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.

Graduation Rates at the Ranked Cheapest Online MBA Programs

The median school on this list graduates 50% of its students. The highest rates belong to Walden University (100%) and Auburn University (82%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.

50% Median graduation rate across 14 schools
100% Highest on the list Walden University
2 Graduate 80% or more of 14 schools
  • 80% and above 2
  • 60% to 79% 3
  • 40% to 59% 6
  • Below 40% 3
  1. #6 Walden University100% graduation rate
  2. #8 Auburn University82% graduation rate
  3. #7 Colorado State University-Fort Collins67% graduation rate

Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.

How Selective Are the Cheapest Online MBA Programs?

On this list, 3 of 14 schools are open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Auburn University at 46%.

86% Median admit rate across 11 schools
46% Most selective Auburn University
3 Open admission admit every qualified applicant
  • 25% to 49% 1
  • 50% to 74% 1
  • 75% and above 9
  • Open admission 3
  1. #8 Auburn University46% admitted
  2. #11 Faulkner University73% admitted
  3. #10 Grand Canyon University79% admitted

Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.

Public and Private Cheapest Online MBA Programs

This list holds 7 public, 5 private nonprofit, and 2 for-profit schools. Their median Program Scores: 69.9 public, 66.8 private nonprofit, and 75.1 for-profit.

7 Public highest ranked: #1 Arkansas Tech University
5 Private nonprofit highest ranked: #9 Edward Waters University
2 For-profit highest ranked: #6 Walden University

Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.

Where the Cheapest Online MBA Programs Are

The 14 ranked schools are spread across 9 states. Colorado (5) and Alabama (2) are the only ones with more than one ranked school.

9 States represented 14 schools
  • Colorado 5
  • Alabama 2
  • Alaska 1
  • Arkansas 1
  • Arizona 1
  • Connecticut 1

Main campus state as reported to IPEDS.

Campus Size Across the Cheapest Online MBA Programs

Enrollment on this list runs from 1,177 at Edward Waters University to 113,257 at Grand Canyon University. Of the 14, 4 enroll 20,000 students or more and 4 enroll fewer than 5,000.

9,123 Median enrollment students, whole institution
113,257 Largest Grand Canyon University
1,177 Smallest Edward Waters University

Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.

What Graduates of the Cheapest Online MBA Programs Earn

Graduates of Auburn earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $154,831; the lowest figure here is $69,630 at Faulkner.

Southern Connecticut State, the highest-ranked of these schools (#2), comes in at $96,254.

College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.

What the Cheapest Online MBA Programs Really Cost

In-state tuition across the ranked online programs runs $5,995 to $27,631 a year. That range is the in-state rate, which is what residents pay at a public school. Online students are often billed differently, on a flat per-credit tuition that applies wherever they live. Where that happens the resident discount disappears, and the cheapest program on this list may not be the cheapest one for you. Add fees and the number of credits required, then compare totals rather than headline rates.

Low Price, Real Accreditation

Price is the sort order on this page, not the entry requirement. Every program ranked is accredited and reports completion data to IPEDS, and anything below a real graduation floor is filtered out before price is considered. That filter earns its keep at the low end of the market, where unaccredited providers compete on tuition alone and leave graduates holding a credential employers and licensing boards do not recognize.

Cheapest Online vs. Best Online

This page sorts on price. To see the strongest online options instead, ranked on graduation rate, selectivity, and outcomes, our best online MBA programs list uses the same pool ordered by Program Score. The most affordable MBA programs ranking drops the online filter and includes campus programs, which is where the very lowest in-state prices tend to sit.

Best MBA Programs by State

Prefer a state-by-state view? We rank MBA Programs in 3 states and the District of Columbia, each grounded in that state's real, accredited programs.

Keep Exploring

Cheapest Online MBA Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest online MBA?

Arkansas Tech University has the lowest in-state tuition among accredited online options, followed by Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Confirm whether the school charges online students that resident rate or a flat per-credit rate.

Are cheap online MBA programs accredited?

The ones ranked here are. Accreditation and a real completion rate are applied as filters before price, so an unaccredited program cannot reach this list by being inexpensive.

Does an online MBA cost less than on campus?

Sometimes. A flat per-credit online rate usually beats out-of-state tuition and often loses to a local public's in-state rate. Online study also removes relocation costs and lets many students keep working, which moves the real cost of the degree more than the tuition line does.

Do online MBA programs charge the in-state rate?

Not always. Some public schools extend the resident rate to every online student; others charge by residency exactly as they do on campus. Confirm it with the school before comparing two programs on this page.

Data Sources