Five More Online MBAs Worth Knowing About

Online education has come a long way in the last decade.

Now more than ever, online MBA programs provide thousands of students worldwide with world-class education accessible from the comfort of their homes.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Online MBAs are also cheaper than in-person MBAs while still maximizing graduate ROI, give students the perfect curriculum for a digital-driven business world, and attract a more diverse student body, increasing gender, cultural and racial representation in postgraduate education.

Our QS Online MBA Rankings 2020 provide a comprehensive guide of 47 online MBA offerings from business schools worldwide, assessing important factors such as quality of teaching, the student experience, employability and gender representation.

Nevertheless, as the demand for online education increases and more schools launch this type of program, some online MBAs are not featured in this year’s rankings.  

Here’s five that we think should be on your radar.

Tepper School of Business 

The part-time online MBA from Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Melon is a 32-month program that focuses on leadership, analytics and collaborative innovation.

Aside from live online classes and simulcast sessions with the same faculty as the on-campus MBA, Tepper students can attend immersive Access Weekends in Silicon Valley, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to network with other students, faculty and staff.

The program also offers one-on-one virtual coaching and collaboration initiatives with students from other programs, such as Engineering, Design, Energy, Life Sciences and Entrepreneurship, from research and teaching to startup incubators.

Tuition is US$140,000.

Michigan Ross School of Business

The online MBA offered by Michigan Ross combines core course, electives, optional on-campus courses and dual degrees. The program was designed to provide students with flexible and engaging learning opportunities without compromising on collaboration.

Classes are taught in real-time on the school’s EdTech platform and include case discussions, group work, role play and presentations. In their own time, students work on short modules, readings and exercises that help them navigate live learning events.

Michigan Ross offers its online MBA students three in-person residencies to choose from depending on their area of interests – Business Leadership, Business Transformation or Business Innovation – and multidisciplinary action projects (MAP), in which they collaborate with real-life businesses and nonprofits.

Tuition is US$126,000.

UC Davis Graduate School of Management

The online MBA at UC Davis offers students a close-knit and collaborative learning experience. The program combines live online classes, self-paced coursework and interactive assignments, as well as in-person networking residentials in Silicon Valley, Davis and Napa Valley.

The curriculum features foundational core courses and electives that students can choose based on their interests and career goals. These include Markets and the Firm, Marketing Analysis, New and Small Business Ventures, and Negotiation in Organizations.

The program takes between 24 and 36 months to complete and offers four start dates per year.

Tuition is US$104,400.

Gies College of Business

The online iMBA from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois focuses on giving students innovative and global high-quality education.

Courses are grouped into six specializations, allowing students to gain the skills and expertise they need for their career development. Aside from core class requirements, students can choose two of three advanced-leadership pathways – innovation, digitalization, and globalization – to further tailor their curriculum.

Throughout the year, students can participate in on-campus networking events, Global Immersion week-long trips abroad and Micro-Immersion across the United States, gaining new connections and invaluable hands-on business experience.

Tuition is US$22,000.

Kenan-Flagler Business School

The online MBA from UNC Kenan Flagler Business School offers a customizable curriculum that allows students to tend to their daily responsibilities.

In addition to core courses, students can choose from five concentrations – Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Strategy and Consulting, and Data Analytics and Decision Making – and 25 electives such as Corporate Strategy, Managing Innovation and New Ventures Discovery.

Participants also complete two in-person immersive summits held in cities around the world and on the school’s campus in Chapel Hill, where they can connect with fellow students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Tuition is US$125,589.06.