In this article, we profile 50 best small colleges for an affordable online MBA.
Small colleges offer an intimate learning environment, instruction solely by professors, and the opportunity for one-on-one contact with faculty. These benefits are true whether you attend on-campus programs or earn your degree online. For the purpose of this list, we evaluated the advantages of earning an online MBA from smaller schools and listed the top 50 small colleges for an affordable online MBA below.
50 Best Small Colleges for an Affordable Online MBA Methodology
We reviewed over 260 colleges and universities listed by the Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) College Navigator and reputable online sources that offered online MBA programs. We narrowed our original pool of schools by applying the following criteria: accreditation (regional and/or national), institution and/or program rankings with at least one major publication like U.S. News and World Report, and affordability (institution with graduate tuition and fees less than $18,500 per year). Also, to further narrow our search, we selected small colleges with an undergraduate student enrollment of less than 2,000. We then listed the online MBA programs according to raw affordability.
Below are the resulting selections for our 50 best small colleges for an affordable online MBA of 2021.
#50 – Caldwell University
Online MBA
Caldwell, New Jersey
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,380
Caldwell University, a small private institution founded in 1939, offers an accredited online MBA program designed for busy and working students. The online MBA offers a rigorous 33-credit curriculum consisting of 11 courses. These courses run seven weeks in length and move at a quick pace. There are several concentrations available for those seeking to tailor their degree toward areas of interest. Concentrations include accounting, global business, and human resource management, to name a few. Caldwell is fully accredited and ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, Caldwell’s recent rankings include #75 in best regional universities in the North and #18 in best value schools.
#49 – Notre Dame De Namur University
Online MBA
Belmont, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,362
Notre Dame De Namur University lands a spot on our list of affordable small colleges for MBA programs. The fully online MBA offers three concentrations in finance, human resources management, and marketing management that are designed to help students tailor their degree to align with career goals. In less than two years students may finish their degree, when enrolled part-time. The small class size and setting of Notre Dame De Namur makes it a top small college to earn an affordable online MBA. Also, the school ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 51st best regional university in the West and 31st best value school.
#48 – Franklin Pierce University
Online MBA
Rindge, New Hampshire
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,200
Franklin Pierce University offers affordable online MBA programs with added options of earning a concentration. In fact, the online MBA degree has five available concentrations in areas like energy and sustainability studies, health administration, human resource management, leadership, and sports management. The concentrations allow graduate students to earn their online MBA while tailoring courses that better fit with career goals and aspirations. Students benefit from small class sizes and an intimate learning environment. Franklin Pierce ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 129th to 170th best regional university in the North. Also, the online MBA programs at Franklin Pierce rank #169 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#47 – Florida Institute of Technology
Online MBA
Melbourne, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,128
Florida Institute of Technology is one of the top small colleges for MBA programs that are available 100% online. The school, a private institution, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the MBA degree, among others. The MBA program also offers a number of specialization options for those wanting to tailor their degree to better align with career goals. Some of the available specializations include accounting, cybersecurity, finance, healthcare management, marketing, and project management. In addition to being accredited, Florida Tech ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 202nd best national university.
#46 – Kansas Wesleyan University
Online MBA
Salina, Kansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,850
The accredited online MBA program at Kansas Wesleyan University is a flexible and affordable program designed for working professionals. Kansas Wesleyan is a small, private institution located in Salina, Kansas. While small in size, the school ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, current rankings include #39 in best regional colleges in the Midwest. The online MBA at Kansas Wesleyan offers a quick return on investment, as students finish in just one year. Online courses cover topics like behavior in the workplace, financial statement analysis, labor relations, and leadership and business ethics.
#45 – Bay Path University
Online MBA
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,670
A convenient, online MBA is offered by one of the top small colleges for business – Bay Path University. Classes start every February, June, and October and students complete a total of 12 courses to satisfy degree requirements. The online MBA at Bay Path offers a concentration in entrepreneurial thinking and innovative practices, which can be completed in 12-24 months. Courses cover topics like entrepreneurial finance, innovative business growth strategies, legal issues in business, methods of business research and analysis, and project management. Bay Path, a small and private institution with an undergraduate enrollment of less than 2,000, ranks with U.S. News and World Report. In fact, rankings include #94 in best regional universities in the North.
#44 – Eastern Mennonite University
Online MBA
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,590
Some of the most affordable online MBA programs on our list are offered by private institutions like Eastern Mennonite University. The 36-credit, two-year MBA is open to students with diverse academic backgrounds. Courses are delivered online and taught by experienced EMU faculty. These courses cover topics like data analytics for decision making, global sustainability, leadership and management for the common good, and sustainable organizations and global citizenship. In addition to being fully accredited, EMU offers a strong reputation as a top institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #31 in best regional universities in the South and #34 in best value schools.
#43 – Cornerstone University
Online MBA
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,470
Cornerstone University, one of the top small colleges for MBA programs, offers two completion pathways for graduate business students. In just 20-22 months, students may complete the blended MBA or fully online MBA program. The MBA program also offers four concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree toward career goals and interests. These concentrations include finance, global business, health care, and project management. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.7 GPA. Work experience is also required for admission. Cornerstone, a top-ranked small college, has received recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. The most recent rankings include #78 in best regional universities in the Midwest and #179 in best online MBA programs.
#42 – Hope International University
Online MBA
Fullerton, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,424
Hope International University is among the small colleges for business degrees available online. The online MBA program at Hope prepares students with advanced leadership skills to work in various management roles. Online MBA students may also choose one of four concentrations, tailoring their degree to align with career goals. These concentrations include general management, marketing management, nonprofit management, and a customized option. Courses are delivered online and taught by Hope professors. Core courses cover topics like financial management, marketing management, and researching business solutions. Hope International ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 87th-113th best regional university in the West.
#41 – John Brown University
Online MBA
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,400
One of the top online MBA programs on our list is offered by John Brown University, a small liberal arts college in Arkansas. The online MBA requires the completion of 36-45 credits and provides the option of taking courses entirely online or through a combination of online and in-person classes. Graduate students may hone their interests by choosing one of six available concentrations. Areas of concentration include cybersecurity, healthcare administration, and international business, to name a few. JBU is a fully accredited small college that has received rankings from U.S. News and World Report. In fact, these rankings include #11 in best regional universities in the South and #245-#321 in best online MBA programs.
#40 – Fontbonne University
Online MBA
Saint Louis, Missouri
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,400
One of the best MBA programs on our list is the online MBA at Fontbonne University. Fontbonne, a small college in Missouri with less than 900 undergraduate students, offers a suburban, midwestern setting. The school holds a strong academic reputation that includes rankings with U.S. News and World Report. In fact, Fontbonne ranks #53 in best regional universities in the Midwest. The online MBA is fully accredited and consists of 36 credits. Eight-week courses allow students to move through the program at a rigorous pace. Also, several available concentrations allow students to tailor their degree to better fit with interests. Concentrations include accounting, administration, management and leadership, project management, and supply chain management.
#39 – St. Bonaventure University
Online MBA
Saint Bonaventure, New York
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,860
St. Bonaventure University offers an accredited online MBA that can be customized based on your educational background, work history, and professional goals. The accredited program can be tailored even further by choosing one of four concentrations in areas like accounting, business analytics, finance, and marketing. St. Bonaventure’s School of Business is among the top five percent of business schools worldwide accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Also, the institution ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 19th best regional university in the North and 3rd best value school in the country.
#38 – Johnson & Wales University
Online MBA
Providence, Rhode Island
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,734
Johnson & Wales University is one of the top small colleges for business on our list. Not only is the school affordable, but offers an MBA that can be completed entirely online. Small class sizes of 16 students on average provide an intimate learning environment. Students are able to connect with both professors and peers while studying online. Courses cover topics like business information and decision-making, corporate social responsibility and law, financial management, and global economic environments. Johnson & Wales ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 80th best regional university in the North, and the online MBA programs rank #185 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#37 – Hardin-Simmons University
Online MBA
Abilene, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,405
Among the top small colleges for MBA programs, Hardin-Simmons University ranks as one of the most affordable. The 45-hour, fully online MBA program adheres to the university’s Christian mission and values. Classes cover various topics designed to prepare students as Christian leaders in business. These courses include financial management, management strategy, managerial accounting, managerial economics, marketing strategy, and quantitative research methods. Thesis and non-thesis completion pathways are also available. In addition to offering affordable graduate programs, Hardin-Simmons also ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 41st best regional university in the West. Also, the online MBA programs rank #245-#321 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#36 – Eastern University
Online MBA
Saint Davids, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,264
One of the most affordable online MBA programs available from small colleges is the online MBA at Eastern University. The small, suburban and private institution is located in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. The school is fully accredited and ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 63rd best regional university in the North. Also, the online MBA programs at Eastern rank among the top 300 programs in the country. In just 12-24 months, students may finish the accelerated online MBA. Convenient online classes and open enrollment every seven weeks makes this one of the most flexible graduate business degree programs on our list.
#35 – Brenau University
Online MBA
Gainesville, Georgia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,254
Brenau University, listed among the top small colleges for business, is a private institution founded in 1878. The small setting provides an intimate learning environment for both on-campus and online students. The online MBA consists of 36 credits and moves at an accelerated pace. Coursework covers various areas of advanced business techniques while focusing specifically on project management and leadership within an organizational context. Admission to the online MBA at Brenau requires both an earning bachelor’s in business, or related discipline, and a minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Brenau ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 38th best regional university in the South and 37th best value school.
#34 – Rosemont College
Online MBA
Rosemont, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,140
Rosemont College ranks #34 on our list of affordable online MBA programs from the nation’s best small colleges. With no GRE or MCAT required, Rosemont’s online MBA program is ideally designed for those who have taken a gap between undergraduate and graduate school pursuits. The program may be completed entirely online by taking fast-paced courses that run seven weeks in length. There are also online business certificates in areas like entrepreneurship, healthcare administration, and strategic leadership that can help tailor your degree. In addition to being fully accredited and affordable, Rosemont ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 129th-170th best regional university in the North.
#33 – Amridge University
Online MBA
Montgomery, Alabama
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,000
Amridge University is recognized among the best small colleges for MBA programs. The online Amridge MBA is designed for students wishing to advance their current business careers or pursue a new position that includes a leadership role. Courses cover a number of career-focused topics in business, including accounting for financial reporting and management, leadership and ethics, legal environment of business, and research and evaluation. Amridge is a small, private institution that ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 96th-122nd best regional university in the South. Also, the online MBA programs at Amridge rank #245-#321 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.
#32 – Warner Pacific University
Online MBA
Portland, Oregon
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,960
Warner Pacific University is listed among the top small colleges for business. Warner’s online MBA offers a number of career-focused courses that run six weeks in length. The quick pace allows students to earn their degree faster than traditional programs do. These online courses cover topics like business ethics, business innovation, leading in a global environment, managerial accounting and financial strategies, strategic marketing, and technology trends in business culture. To graduate, students must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses. WPU ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 12th best regional college in the West.
#31 – Lake Erie College
Online Professional MBA
Painesville, Ohio
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,924
One of the best MBA programs on our list is the professional MBA offered by Lake Erie College. Lake Erie, a private institution located in Painesville, Ohio, provides an intimate setting for online and on-campus study. The school ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 114th best regional university in the Midwest. The online MBA offered by the school can be completed 100 percent online with no face-to-face attendance required. Courses cover topics like corporate responsibility and issues management, financial management, management of information systems, and policy development. There are also concentrations offered that allow students to further tailor their degree to better align with career goals, making this a highly flexible program.
#30 – Cairn University
Online MBA
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,762
Top online MBA programs like those offered at Cairn University offer rigorous academics and flexible studies. The Cairn MBA allows students to customize their advanced business degree by choosing courses in at least eight concentrations. These concentrations include entrepreneurship, human resources, innovation, leadership, organizational development, or strategic planning. The overall program consists of 42 credits and takes approximately 20 months to complete. Applicants must hold an earned bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 from an accredited institution. Cairn University is a small, private college ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, Cairn ranks #126 in best regional universities in the North.
#29 – Walsh University
Online MBA
Troy, Michigan
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,605
Walsh University offers an accredited online MBA program that’s AACSB-accredited and requires no GRE or GMAT for admission. Walsh’s small college atmosphere gives online students access to an intimate learning environment. The MBA program is ideal for business and non-business majors and offers six admission intakes each year. The degree consists of 36 credits and takes approximately one year to complete. There are also four specializations that allow students to tailor their degree to align with career goals and interests. Specializations include data and analytics, healthcare management, management, and marketing. Walsh University ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 46th best regional university in the Midwest.
#28 – Thomas University
Online MBA
Thomasville, Georgia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,490
Thomas University offers accredited online MBA programs open to students with undergraduate majors in any area. In as little as 12 months, students may earn their MBA entirely through an online asynchronous format. Classes run eight weeks in length and cover topics like business law, business strategy and policy, financial management, marketing management, organizational behavior, and research and statistics. Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA; however, no GMAT or GRE is required. Thomas University (a small and private institution set in the rural community of Thomasville, Georgia) ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Rankings include #96-#122 in best regional universities in the South and #103 in top performers on social mobility.
#27 – Concordia University
Online MBA
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,150
One of the top-ranked small colleges for MBA programs on our list is Concordia University in the quaint city of Ann Arbor. Based on Christian principles and ethics, Concordia’s online MBA prepares students to lead professional teams in all areas of business. The program consists of 36 credits and offers one of the most extensive number of specializations and concentrations on our list. MBA students are able to tailor their degree to better align with career goals by choosing one of many concentrations. These areas of specialty include accounting, healthcare administration, management, nonprofit management, public administration, or sport and entertainment management. In addition to offering quality business programs, Concordia has received rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report.
#26 – Averett University
Online MBA
Danville, Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,090
Averett University offers one of the most affordable online MBA programs on our list. The school, a private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of less than 1,000 students, ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, recent rankings include #15 in best regional colleges in the South and #7 in best colleges for veterans. The online MBA is fully accredited and requires no GRE or GMAT for admission. While no test scores are required for admission, preferred applicants are working professionals with undergraduate degrees and minimum GPA of 3.0 or better. Courses cover topics like business research methods, legal and ethical issues in business, managerial economics, and marketing strategies.
#25 – Ottawa University
Online MBA
Ottawa, Kansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,770
Ottawa University, a small college in Kansas, offers one of the best MBA programs. The online MBA program can be personalized to meet a student’s career goals. MBA tracks in eight areas of study help students delve deeper into an area of interest. These specializations include areas like accounting, finance, human resources, leadership development, and strategic innovation. Also, the online MBA courses move at a rigorous pace and allow students to finish their degree in a quicker time than most traditional advanced business programs. Ottawa offers a small college environment with a strong reputation. Rankings from U.S. News and World Report include #49 in best regional colleges in the Midwest.
#24 – Herzing University
Online MBA
Atlanta, Georgia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,680
Herzing University, one of the best small colleges for business on our list, costs under $12,000 per year for graduate students. The small, private institution also ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report among other top regional universities in the Midwest. In addition to institution rankings, the online MBA programs rank #161 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News. So, what makes Herzing’s online MBA unique? Six degree concentrations allow students to tailor their degree toward specialized areas of interest. These concentrations include accounting and finance, data analytics, healthcare management, HR, project management, and technology management.
#23 – Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Online MBA
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,535
Offering affordable online MBA programs, Oklahoma Wesleyan University ranks on our list of best small colleges for an online MBA. The program adheres to the school’s Christian values and prepares students for careers in leadership and business. Several degree concentrations allow students to tailor their MBA to better align with interests and career goals. These areas of emphasis include finance, human resources management, marketing, nursing management, or organizational leadership. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. The school also ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 95th to 124th best regional university in the West.
#22 – Baker University
Online MBA
Baldwin City, Kansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,394
Baker University’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies offers an accredited online MBA that consists of 30 credits and takes 18-20 months to complete. The program is offered fully online and is designed to prepare students for leadership roles within traditional organizations. Four available concentrations allow students to take additional courses (12 credits) in an area of interest. Concentrations include finance, health care administration, human resources, and strategic management. Courses required to complete the degree cover topics like economic aspects of business decisions, executive leadership, and strategic planning for competitive organizations. Baker ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 258th best national university in the country.
#21 – Lakeland University
Online MBA
Plymouth, Wisconsin
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,286
One of the most affordable online MBA programs on our list is the MBA at Lakeland University. Lakeland, a small private school set in the rural community of Plymouth, Wisconsin, has ranked with U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the Midwest and the 9th top performer on social mobility. Rankings and accreditation draw students to this small college, and the strong academic promise keeps them there. Online MBA students take various courses that prepare them for careers in business and leadership. To be admitted to the program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and provide qualifying GMAT scores.
#20 – University of Saint Mary
Online MBA
Leavenworth, Kansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,124
The University of Saint Mary provides one of the best MBA programs from a small college on our list. Consistently ranked, University of Saint Mary provides reputable and accredited online business programs like the online MBA. This program is IACBE-accredited and offers six concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree toward an area of interest. These concentrations include finance, general management, healthcare management, human resource management, leadership and organizational health, and marketing and advertising management. Classes are taught by USM professors and cover topics like global management and managerial finance. The University of Saint Mary also ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 103rd best regional university in the Midwest.
#19 – Lenoir-Rhyne University
Online MBA
Hickory, North Carolina
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,980
Designed for working professionals, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s MBA is one of the most affordable online MBA programs on our list. With online completion options and a wide array of specialization options, the Lenoir-Rhyne MBA is flexible and convenient for busy students. While students may earn a general MBA, specializations in accounting, entrepreneurship, or healthcare administration allow students opportunities to tailor their degree to align with career goals. The school is located in a small North Carolina city and boasts a campus size of 100 acres. However, a small student body provides the school with an intimate learning environment. Also, Lenoir-Rhyne ranks as a top regional university in the South.
#18 – Bluffton University
Online MBA
Bluffton, Ohio
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,650
For those seeking an accredited online MBA that is also affordable and flexible, Bluffton University offers such a program. Students may complete their Bluffton MBA in either 12 or 22 months. The program moves at a rigorous pace and focuses studies on leadership development. In addition to foundation courses, the program allows for specialty studies in two areas of concentration. These concentrations include accounting and financial management and health care management. In addition to offering accredited online programs, Bluffton provides a strong academic reputation. The school ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 28th best regional colleges in the Midwest.
#17 – Blue Mountain College
Online MBA
Blue Mountain, Mississippi
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,530
Blue Mountain College is one of the top small colleges for MBA programs on our list. Blue Mountain is a small, private college located in the rural setting of Blue Mountain, Mississippi. The college ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 14th best regional college in the South and 3rd best value school. A total of 12 courses are required to complete the degree. Courses cover advanced business topics like global business environment, leadership theory and practice, legal environment of business, and strategic management. The purpose of the online MBA at Blue Mountain is to prepare students for leading in higher-level positions or acquiring ownership of a business.
#16 – Anderson University
Online MBA
Anderson, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,108
Anderson University offers affordable online MBA programs through the Falls School of Business. Both general track and a track with an added concentration are available. For students looking to tailor their degree toward areas of interest, concentrations are available. These concentrations include accounting, finance, human relations, international business, new venture development, or project management, to name a few. The general MBA program consists of 37 credits while the concentration MBA requires 41 credits. Anderson is a fully accredited and affordable institution. The school also ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 51st best regional university in the Midwest.
#15 – Trine University
Online MBA
Angola, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,080
Trine University earns a spot on our list of best small colleges for business due to affordability and recognition by major publications. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks Trine as the 60th best regional university in the Midwest and 43rd best value school. Trine is a small college set in rural Indiana that has delivered quality education to students for over 130 years. The 30-credit MBA requires a series of advanced business courses. Students explore topics like corporate finance, executive communication, managerial accounting and finance, and strategic marketing and management. All classes are delivered online and taught by Trine’s experienced faculty.
#14 – Columbia International University
Online MBA
Columbia, South Carolina
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,070
Columbia International University offers some of the best MBA programs on our list. Not only is the online MBA at Columbia International affordable, but in as few as 15 months, students may earn their degree. The program moves at a rigorous pace with online courses that explore many advanced business topics. Foundational courses include business law, business research and data analysis, international business, marketing, and strategic planning and management. There are also two MBA concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree to align with interests. These concentrations include finance and healthcare management. CIU ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 10th best value school and 42nd best regional university in the South.
#13 – Indiana Institute of Technology
Online MBA
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,026
Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) offers affordable online MBA programs with an accounting specialization. This uniquely designed online MBA is for students and professional who desire a rewarding career in business and accounting. The program helps prepare students to take the CPA exam and to assume management positions in business. Classes can be completed entirely online and are taught by the same professors who instruct on the Fort Wayne campus. Indiana Tech ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 112th best regional university in the Midwest and the 146th top performer on social mobility. Also, the online MBA programs rank #245-#321 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.
#12 – Howard Payne University
Online MBA
Brownwood, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,738
One of the top small colleges for MBA programs on our list is Howard Payne University. Ranking as the 21st best regional college in the West and the 19th top performer on social mobility, Howard Payne brings a strong reputation for academics. The school is set in the rural community of Brownwood, Texas and offers an online MBA for working and busy students. This is a non-thesis degree that requires applicants to hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a 3.00 GPA or higher. Once admitted, students take classes that cover topics like business ethics, financial management, marketing management, and promotional strategy.
#11 – Union College
Online MBA
Barbourville, Kentucky
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,650
Union College offers one of the best MBA programs for less than $10,000 per year. The online MBA at Union is designed for business managers and executives seeking advancement in their professional careers. The program may be completed entirely online by taking eight-week classes that move at a rigorous pace. Courses cover topics like business ethics and social responsibility, contemporary economics issues, managerial and leadership analysis, organizational finance, and strategic decisions. Union is fully accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the school ranks #44 in best national liberal arts colleges and 77th in best value schools.
#10 – Bethel University
Online MBA
Mishawaka, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,820
Bethel University’s affordable online MBA programs train individuals to become ethical and discerning leaders and managers in any organization. The program adheres to Bethel’s Christian values, offering studies that benefit the whole person – personally, professionally, and spiritually. Eight program concentrations offered through the MBA program allow students to hone their career and passions in an area of focus. These concentrations include finance, healthcare administration, management, statistics and data science, and supply chain management. Bethel has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. This small college environment gives way to strong academics and an intimate learning environment. U.S. News and World Report ranks Bethel #33 in best regional universities in the Midwest.
#9 – Drury University
Online MBA
Springfield, Missouri
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,586
One of the best MBA programs for affordability on our list is the Drury University online MBA. For less than $9,000 per year, students receive a quality business program designed to prepare them for leadership and management roles in any organization or business. The program consists of 10 courses designed to provide an integrative perspective on designing and engaging in business ventures. These courses cover topics like designing future ventures, engaging in international commerce, global insight venture, and leading ventures and working in teams. Drury ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 26th best regional university in the Midwest.
#8 – Delaware Valley University
Online MBA
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,580
Delaware Valley University, a small regionally accredited institution in Pennsylvania, offers an accredited online MBA that is both affordable and ranked with major publications. DelVal ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 125th best regional university in the North. Also, the school’s online MBA programs rank #218 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs. The online MBA requires just ten course and offers rolling admission with no GMAT for applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.7. The program is ACBSP-accredited and offers classes like financial management, managerial accounting for decision-makers, marketing management, and operations management.
#7 – Spring Arbor University
Online MBA
Spring Arbor, Michigan
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,176
Spring Arbor University offers a small rural campus with affordable online MBA programs. Ranked as one of the top small colleges for an affordable online MBA, Spring Arbor is recognized by U.S. News and World Report. Recent rankings include #51 in best regional universities in the Midwest and #36 in best value schools. In addition to school rankings, the accredited online MBA is also ranked as a quality program. With no GMAT or GRE required for admission, the online MBA is ideal for students who have been away from the classroom. The part-time path also fits into schedules for busy and working professionals. Most students earn their MBA from Spring Arbor in 12-18 months.
#6 – Greenville University
Online MBA
Greenville, Illinois
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,082
Greenville University offers affordable online MBA programs for approximately $8,000 per year. In just 1-2 years, students may earn the MBA from Greenville by completing 40 credits. The online courses run 8 or 16 weeks in duration and are taught by Greenville’s experienced faculty. These courses cover topics like accounting management, legal and ethical environments, organization theory and practice, project management, strategic management, and values-based leadership. To apply, you’ll need an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. In addition to being fully accredited, Greenville ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 91st best regional university in the Midwest.
#5 – Grace College and Theological Seminary
Online MBA
Winona Lake, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,386
Grace College and Theological Seminary is a small private institution that offers an accredited online MBA for qualified students. The 36-credit hour program adheres to Grace’s Christian perspective foundation. Classes are delivered entirely online and taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. These courses cover topics like business ethics, financial management, legal environment of business, managerial economics, and strategic leadership. For admission, you’ll need an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75. In addition to its full accreditation status, Grace College ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 91st best regional university in the Midwest and 18th top performer on social mobility.
#4 – Adams State University
Online MBA
Alamosa, Colorado
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,311
Adams State University offers one of the best MBA programs on our list. This small Colorado institution ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 95th-124th best regional university in the West. Additional rankings include #50-#66 in top public schools and #71 in top performers on social mobility. Adams is fully accredited and offers a quality online MBA designed for busy professionals. With five concentration areas, students may tailor their degree toward areas of interest. Concentrations include finance, health administration, leadership, public administration, and sport leadership. Some of the required courses cover topics like managerial economics, multinational financial management, and technology and innovation.
#3 – Tusculum University
Online MBA
Greeneville, Tennessee
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,200
Tusculum University, a top-ranked small college, offers affordable online MBA programs. The ACBSP-accredited online MBA is designed to prepare leaders for business and civic engagement by offering a career-focused program. Courses, delivered online, cover topics like law and ethics, management and marketing, managerial accounting and decision making, and managerial economics and finance. A total of 30 credit hours is required for the completion of the online MBA. In addition to being fully accredited, Tusculum ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. These rankings include #86 in best regional universities in the South and #245-#321 in best online MBA programs.
#2 – William Woods University
Online MBA
Fulton, Missouri
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,580
One of the most affordable small colleges for business on our list is William Woods University. Ranking #2 on our list, the school offers an online MBA that is ACBSP-accredited. Courses you will take while enrolled in the William Woods MBA include accounting for managers, business strategies, managerial ethics, and statistics and research methods. The program also offers two areas of emphasis in global business and small business. To apply, you’ll need an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with official transcripts (2.5 GPA or higher). You must also have completed three hours of accounting and three hours of economics courses at the undergraduate level.
#1 – Warner University
Online MBA
Lake Wales, Florida
Website
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,678
Warner University ranks #1 for affordable online MBA programs. For less than $6,000 per year, the Warner MBA graduates students with advanced skills and knowledge to lead businesses and organizations. The program may be completed as a general MBA or following two available tracks in accounting or HR management. The standard MBA courses include 36 credits. Online coursework covers topics like applied business solutions using statistics, economics for managers, finance for managers, marketing management, and legal environment of business. Warner ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. These rankings include #63 in best regional colleges in the South.
BCO Staff
September 2020
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