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10 Best Online MBA Programs of 2026
This list is for working professionals comparing online MBA programs they can finish without quitting their job. We compared ten online and hybrid MBAs from U.S. business schools and one online-only school, using each program's own pages for credits, length, live class time, in-person requirements, test policy and published tuition. Scores weigh features (curriculum, electives, school reputation, in-person and live components) at 40 percent, and ease (schedule flexibility, admissions requirements, travel) and value (tuition against what you get) at 30 percent each. We compared documented features and published prices; tuition is set each academic year, so confirm the figure for your start term before you apply.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 11, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 11, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
Kelley Direct is our top pick: it has a long track record, two live evening sessions a week, seven majors and a tuition rate locked for three years at $94,944.42. The Gies iMBA from the University of Illinois is the best value at $27,288, and BU Questrom's $25,000 Online MBA is the best low-cost private-school option for experienced professionals. UF Warrington suits business graduates who want to finish in 16 months, and ASU W. P. Carey suits anyone who needs fully asynchronous classes. Quantic is the cheapest and fastest at $24,750 over 15 months but is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission rather than through a university business school. UNC Kenan-Flagler, Carnegie Mellon Tepper and USC Marshall offer the most in-person and live time, at the highest prices.
Top picks
Best overall
Indiana University Kelley Direct Online MBA
8.8 / 10
working professionals who want a top-ranked school name with a flexible, mostly online schedule
Read the review →Runner-up
University of Illinois Gies iMBA
8.7 / 10
budget-conscious professionals who want a big public university MBA for under $30,000
Read the review →Also great
Boston University Questrom Online MBA
8.6 / 10
experienced professionals who want a private-university MBA at a fixed $25,000 tuition
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | working professionals who want a top-ranked school name with a flexible, mostly online schedule | $94,944.42 total tuition for 54 credits (fall 2026 and spring 2027 starts), plus a $2,000 in-person experience fee | 8.8 | |
| 2 | budget-conscious professionals who want a big public university MBA for under $30,000 | $27,288 total cost, paid per course at $379 per credit | 8.7 | |
| 3 | experienced professionals who want a private-university MBA at a fixed $25,000 tuition | $25,000 total tuition, billed $4,167 per module, one module per semester | 8.6 | |
| 4 | professionals with a business degree who want to finish an MBA in 16 months | $49,255 in tuition and fees for the 16-month Accelerated Online MBA; $59,882 for the two-year format | 8.5 | |
| 5 | professionals who need fully asynchronous classes and frequent start dates | Estimated $74,000 in tuition and fees for residents, nonresidents and international students | 8.4 | |
| 6 | early-career professionals who want a short, low-cost MBA and do not need a traditional university brand | $24,750 tuition for the 15-month MBA, often reduced by scholarships and employer tuition benefits | 8.3 | |
| 7 | managers who want live classes, a strong alumni network and in-person Summits, and can afford premium tuition | $125,589.06 total tuition for the 62-credit program (2025 to 2026 academic year) | 8.3 | |
| 8 | professionals who want a narrow specialization, from supply chain to taxation, inside an MBA | $1,286 per credit for 48 credits | 8.2 | |
| 9 | analytically minded professionals who want the full Tepper MBA and can travel to Access Weekends | $769 per unit plus $490 in fees, over 8 semesters (6 for the accelerated track) | 8.0 | |
| 10 | professionals who want a tight cohort experience and a Financial Times top-ranked program, regardless of price | $137,091 total tuition (2026 to 2027 rate) plus $5,843 in program and course materials fees | 8.0 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking

Rank 1 · Best overall
Indiana University Kelley Direct Online MBA
A 54-credit online MBA from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business with live evening classes, seven majors and required in-person sessions.
kelley.iu.edu8.8
out of 10
Best for: working professionals who want a top-ranked school name with a flexible, mostly online schedule
The Kelley Direct Online MBA from Indiana University is a widely recognized online MBA, and its program page describes it as #1 ranked, pointing to its return to No. 1 in the Poets&Quants online MBA ranking. The 54-credit degree splits evenly between a core curriculum and electives, offers seven majors and runs about two live, 75-minute evening sessions per week, so it suits people with a day job. Two required in-person courses, Kelley on Campus and Kelley on Location, are covered by a $2,000 fee that includes hotel stays. Kelley publishes $94,944.42 in total tuition for students starting in fall 2026 or spring 2027 and locks the rate for three years. The school's class profile lists a 678 median GMAT, an average age of 32 and nine years of experience, although applicants can skip the test. The trade-off is price: Gies, BU and Quantic charge well under a third of that.
Standout feature
Seven majors, 50% electives and a three-year tuition lock for $94,944.42.
Use cases
Mid-career managers
Earn an MBA without leaving a full-time job
Outcome: A Kelley MBA with a major in their field in about three years or less
Professionals switching functions
Use electives to build skills in a new area such as finance or marketing
Outcome: A degree in which half of the credits target the new role
Key features
- 54 credits, 50% core curriculum and 50% electives
- Seven majors to choose from
- Average of two live, 75-minute evening class sessions per week
- GMAT and GRE are test optional
- Dual degree option to earn an MBA and a specialized MS in about three years
Pros
- Tuition rate is locked for 3 years from the term you first enroll
- Kelley reports a 678 median GMAT and an average of 9 years of work experience in its class
- Half of the credits are electives, so you can build depth in one field
Cons
- Total tuition of about $95,000 is roughly three times the cheapest options on this list
- Required in-person courses add travel time and a $2,000 fee
- Live evening sessions need a fixed weekly slot

Rank 2 · Runner-up
University of Illinois Gies iMBA
A fully online, AACSB-accredited MBA from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delivered on Coursera.
giesbusiness.illinois.edu8.7
out of 10
Best for: budget-conscious professionals who want a big public university MBA for under $30,000
The iMBA from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business is the low-cost option from a large public research university. The Coursera program page lists a total cost of $27,288, billed only when you take a course at $379 per credit, which makes it easy to spread payments over the 24 to 36 months it takes to finish. The degree has 18 courses and 72 credit hours, with four core specializations and two more chosen from areas and electives, and it is accredited by AACSB. Classes mix self-paced material with live sessions, and the program estimates 10 to 15 hours of work per week. Admission needs a bachelor's degree and at least three years of work experience, with no GMAT or GRE. The main limits are the lack of required on-campus time, which Kelley, UNC and Tepper use to build cohort ties, and a delivery model that runs through Coursera.
Standout feature
An AACSB-accredited University of Illinois MBA for a $27,288 total cost.
Use cases
Professionals paying their own tuition
Earn an accredited MBA without large loans
Outcome: A University of Illinois MBA for $27,288, paid course by course
Engineers moving into management
Add business skills while working
Outcome: Specializations in areas such as finance or strategy over 24 to 36 months
Key features
- 18 courses and 72 credit hours
- 24 to 36 months at 10 to 15 hours per week
- Pay tuition per course at $379 per credit
- Four core specializations plus two additional specializations
- Mix of self-paced content and live classroom sessions
Pros
- $27,288 total cost is among the lowest on this list for a research university MBA
- No GMAT or GRE required
- Pay as you go, one course at a time
Cons
- Requires a bachelor's degree and 3 years of work experience
- No required in-person residencies, so networking takes more effort
- Delivered through Coursera rather than a school-run platform

Rank 3 · Also great
Boston University Questrom Online MBA
A 100% online MBA from Boston University's Questrom School of Business, built from six modules with weekly live Zoom sessions.
bu.edu8.6
out of 10
Best for: experienced professionals who want a private-university MBA at a fixed $25,000 tuition
Boston University's Questrom Online MBA is the most affordable private-university option here. BU publishes tuition of $4,167 per module, $25,000 in total, with one module per semester, and says tuition holds at that rate. The program is 100% online, can be completed in as little as two years and is taught by the faculty who teach Questrom's on-campus MBA programs. Each week of the semester includes a live Zoom session of about two hours, offered at 7am ET and 8pm ET and recorded for anyone who misses it. Module 1 comes first, then Modules 2 and 3 in either order, then Modules 4 to 6. GMAT and GRE scores are optional, and BU says admitted students typically have at least six years of full-time experience, with current students averaging 12 years. Budget an extra $350 to $450 a semester for books, and expect fewer electives than Kelley or UNC.
Standout feature
A private-university online MBA with $25,000 total tuition and two live session times each week.
Use cases
Senior individual contributors
Formalize business training after a decade of work
Outcome: A Boston University MBA for $25,000 in tuition
Professionals in other time zones
Attend live classes without late nights
Outcome: Choice of 7am ET or 8pm ET live sessions
Key features
- Six modules, completed in as little as two years
- Weekly live sessions of about 2 hours, offered at 7am ET and 8pm ET
- Taught by the same faculty as Questrom's on-campus MBA programs
- GMAT/GRE scores are optional
- Graduates can attend the Boston University commencement in Boston
Pros
- $25,000 total tuition with a stated per-module rate
- Two live session times make it workable across time zones
- Live sessions are recorded
Cons
- BU recommends budgeting $350 to $450 a semester for books and materials on top of tuition
- Admitted students typically have at least six years of experience
- Module 1 must come first, so the sequence is partly fixed

Rank 4
University of Florida Warrington Online MBA
An online MBA from UF's Warrington College of Business in a 16-month accelerated format or a 24-month format.
warrington.ufl.edu8.5
out of 10
Best for: professionals with a business degree who want to finish an MBA in 16 months
The University of Florida's Warrington College of Business calls itself an early adopter of online business education and offers its online MBA in two lengths. The one-year format takes 16 months and 32 credits and is meant for applicants whose previous business education covers the basics; the two-year format takes 24 months and 48 credits. UF publishes $49,255 in tuition and fees for the accelerated version and $59,882 for the two-year version, and its program page cites a No. 10 national ranking for career outcomes from Poets&Quants in 2025. No GMAT or GRE scores are required. Learning is primarily asynchronous, with a bank of recorded lectures you can watch any time, plus optional extras such as a Global Immersion Experience and campus events. That flexibility suits people who travel or work irregular hours, but students who want frequent live discussion may prefer the weekly sessions at Kelley, BU or Tepper.
Standout feature
A 16-month, 32-credit online MBA for $49,255 in tuition and fees.
Use cases
Business undergraduates
Add an MBA quickly
Outcome: A UF MBA in 16 months and 32 credits
Frequent travelers
Study around an irregular schedule
Outcome: Asynchronous lectures watched whenever time allows
Key features
- One-year format: 16 months and 32 credits
- Two-year format: 24 months and 48 credits
- No GMAT/GRE test scores required
- Primarily asynchronous lectures available at any time
- Optional Global Immersion Experience
Pros
- Published all-in tuition and fees for both formats
- 16-month option for students with prior business education
- Fall, spring and summer start dates
Cons
- The 16-month format requires previous business education
- Mostly asynchronous, so there is less live class time than Kelley or Tepper
- Two-year format costs $59,882

Rank 5
Arizona State University W. P. Carey Online MBA
An asynchronous online MBA from ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business with five start dates a year and no on-campus requirements.
wpcarey.asu.edu8.4
out of 10
Best for: professionals who need fully asynchronous classes and frequent start dates
Arizona State's W. P. Carey School was one of the first AACSB-accredited schools to offer a fully online MBA, and the program is built for people whose calendars do not allow live classes. Coursework is asynchronous, there are no on-campus requirements and students can start in August, September, January, February or May, finishing in 24 to 36 months. ASU says the online MBA uses the same course content and faculty as its Full-time and Evening MBA, and its page lists a No. 8 spot among online MBA programs and more than 10 years in the top 10. No GMAT or GRE is needed. The estimated tuition and fees are $74,000, the same for residents, nonresidents and international students, with scholarships starting at $10,000. The trade-off is cost relative to Gies or BU and less structured networking, since nothing brings the class together in person.
Standout feature
Asynchronous classes, five start dates a year and no campus visits, for an estimated $74,000.
Use cases
Shift workers and parents
Study without fixed class times
Outcome: An MBA earned entirely through asynchronous courses
Military and relocating professionals
Start soon and keep studying after a move
Outcome: Five start dates and no on-campus requirements
Key features
- Starts in August, September, January, February and May
- 24 to 36 months
- Asynchronous classes with no on-campus requirements
- No GMAT/GRE scores required
- Same course content and faculty as the Full-time and Evening MBA
Pros
- Five start dates a year
- Same $74,000 estimate for in-state, out-of-state and international students
- Scholarships start at $10,000 for qualified applicants
Cons
- Estimated $74,000 is about three times the Gies and BU prices
- No in-person requirement means less built-in networking
- Final cost depends on start date and credits taken, per ASU's estimator

Rank 6
Quantic MBA
A 15-month online MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
quantic.edu8.3
out of 10
Best for: early-career professionals who want a short, low-cost MBA and do not need a traditional university brand
Quantic is a newer, online-only school, and its MBA is the cheapest and shortest program on this list. Quantic's tuition page lists the MBA at 15 months and $24,750, with merit and need scholarships and a model in which employers help fund tuition. The school is licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission in Washington, DC and accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which the U.S. Department of Education recognizes. Quantic describes its admissions as selective and its MBA as built for early-career professionals. The trade-off is brand and accreditation type: the university programs on this list come with established business school accreditation and large alumni networks, which matters to some employers and for some doctoral or teaching paths. If you want the lowest list price and fastest finish and your employer is comfortable with DEAC accreditation, Quantic is worth a look; otherwise BU and Gies cost about the same.
Standout feature
The lowest list price on this list: $24,750 for a 15-month MBA.
Use cases
Early-career analysts
Gain management training without a two-year commitment
Outcome: An accredited MBA in 15 months
Employees with tuition benefits
Stretch a corporate education budget
Outcome: A $24,750 program that employer funding can lower
Key features
- 15-month program
- Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- Licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission in Washington, DC
- Merit and need-based scholarships
- Employer funding model and corporate tuition benefits
Pros
- $24,750 tuition is the lowest list price here
- 15 months is the shortest program on this list
- Merit and need scholarships can lower the price further
Cons
- DEAC accreditation rather than a university business school accreditation, which some employers weigh differently
- Aimed at early-career professionals rather than experienced managers
- No affiliation with a traditional university campus or alumni base of that size

Rank 7
UNC Kenan-Flagler Online MBA
A 62-credit, STEM-designated online MBA from the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School with live classes and in-person Summits.
onlinemba.unc.edu8.3
out of 10
Best for: managers who want live classes, a strong alumni network and in-person Summits, and can afford premium tuition
UNC Kenan-Flagler's Online MBA, offered since 2011, is the premium choice for people who want the feel of a residential program. The 62-credit, STEM-designated degree usually takes 24 months, with a range of 18 to 36, and gives access to six concentrations and more than 40 electives starting after three quarters. Students attend an in-person orientation and at least one Summit in their first year, an immersive three-day event held in cities around the world or on the Chapel Hill campus, and can add a Leadership Academy Certificate. Applicants with five or more years of full-time experience do not need a GMAT or GRE score. UNC cites an October 2024 exit survey with an average ending salary of $179,041 and 79% of students getting a raise or a new job during the program. The price is the obstacle: UNC lists $125,589.06 in total tuition for the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
Standout feature
A STEM-designated online MBA with 40+ electives and three-day global Summits.
Use cases
Managers aiming for senior leadership
Build a network while studying online
Outcome: Summits and an in-person orientation with classmates
International professionals in the U.S.
Earn a STEM-designated business degree
Outcome: A 62-credit MBA with data and analytics concentrations
Key features
- 62 credits, typically 24 months (18 to 36 months possible)
- Six concentrations and more than 40 electives
- STEM-designated degree
- In-person orientation and at least one three-day Summit in the first year
- Optional Leadership Academy Certificate alongside the MBA
Pros
- Large elective menu, available after three quarters
- GMAT or GRE waived with five or more years of full-time experience
- Online MBA running since 2011
Cons
- $125,589.06 total tuition is among the highest here
- Summit travel adds cost and time
- Tuition figure on the page is for the 2025 to 2026 academic year

Rank 8
Penn State World Campus Online MBA
A 48-credit online MBA from Penn State's Smeal College of Business, delivered through Penn State World Campus, with more than 30 concentrations.
worldcampus.psu.edu8.2
out of 10
Best for: professionals who want a narrow specialization, from supply chain to taxation, inside an MBA
Penn State's Online MBA is run by the Smeal College of Business and delivered through Penn State World Campus. Its main draw is choice: the program lists more than 30 concentrations, from supply chain risk management to taxation, and the 48-credit degree combines 39 core credits with 9 concentration credits. Applicants do not need GRE or GMAT scores, and the program is 100% online. World Campus lists tuition at $1,286 per credit, which comes to about $61,700 for 48 credits before fees, placing it between the low-cost options (Gies, BU, Quantic) and the premium schools (Kelley, UNC, USC, Tepper). Some concentrations carry prerequisites from the core courses, and a few have their own entry rules, such as at least three years of full-time work in health care. Students who want live weekly classes or a short program should compare BU or UF.
Standout feature
More than 30 concentrations in a 48-credit MBA at $1,286 per credit.
Use cases
Supply chain and operations staff
Specialize without a separate master's
Outcome: An MBA with a supply chain concentration
Accountants and tax professionals
Add management skills alongside tax depth
Outcome: A Smeal MBA with a taxation concentration
Key features
- 48 credits: 39 core credits and 9 concentration credits
- More than 30 concentrations
- No GRE/GMAT scores required
- 100% online
- Led by the Smeal College of Business
Pros
- Widest choice of concentrations on this list
- No GRE or GMAT
- Per-credit pricing lets you pay as you go
Cons
- $1,286 per credit works out to about $61,700 for 48 credits
- Many concentrations require specific core courses first
- Some concentrations have extra entry rules, such as health care work experience

Rank 9
Carnegie Mellon Tepper Online Hybrid MBA
Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School MBA delivered through live online classes two evenings a week plus in-person Access Weekends.
cmu.edu8.0
out of 10
Best for: analytically minded professionals who want the full Tepper MBA and can travel to Access Weekends
Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School frames its Online Hybrid MBA as the same degree as its Full-Time MBA in a different format, and the page lists a #2 online MBA ranking. Students join live, interactive online classes two evenings a week and do the rest of the work on their own time. Access Weekends bring the cohort together in person: Academic Access Weekends in Pittsburgh are tied to core courses, and attendance at the first four, including BaseCamp, is expected. Carnegie Mellon's Student Financial Services lists tuition of $769 per unit and fees of $490, over eight semesters for the standard track or six for the accelerated one. Tepper reports an average scholarship of $45,923 for Online Hybrid MBA students who receive one. The format suits people near an airport with predictable evenings; those who need full flexibility should choose ASU or UF.
Standout feature
The full Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA through live classes two evenings a week and in-person Access Weekends.
Use cases
Engineers and analysts
Move into product or general management
Outcome: A Carnegie Mellon MBA without leaving their job
Professionals near Pittsburgh or a hub airport
Get regular face-to-face time with faculty
Outcome: Access Weekends tied to core courses
Key features
- Live, interactive online classes two evenings a week
- Access Weekends, including Academic Access Weekends in Pittsburgh
- Same degree as the Tepper School Full-Time MBA
- 8-semester standard track or 6-semester accelerated track
- Average Tepper scholarship of $45,923 for Online Hybrid MBA recipients
Pros
- Same MBA as the full-time program, in a part-time format
- Strong in-person component through Access Weekends
- Scholarships, employer sponsorship and Yellow Ribbon support for veterans
Cons
- Attendance at the first four Academic Access Weekends is expected
- Two fixed evenings a week
- Tepper publishes a per-unit rate rather than a total price, so totals take some math

Rank 10
USC Marshall Online MBA
A two-year, cohort-based online MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business with a Los Angeles residential week and an international trip.
marshall.usc.edu8.0
out of 10
Best for: professionals who want a tight cohort experience and a Financial Times top-ranked program, regardless of price
USC Marshall's Online MBA is a two-year, cohort-based program that blends self-paced video coursework from Marshall's studio with live class sessions twice a week. Students move through the program in a set cohort and take a week-long international trip to visit companies abroad, along with a Residential Intensive week on the USC campus in Los Angeles, where the program fee covers the hotel and most meals. USC's page cites a No. 1 U.S. ranking in the 2026 Financial Times online MBA ranking and No. 6 from U.S. News for 2026. It is also the most expensive program here. USC estimates $137,091 in tuition at the 2026 to 2027 rate, split over five semesters, plus $5,843 in program and materials fees and about $1,297 for textbooks, for an estimated $144,231 before health insurance and travel. For that money you get a structured cohort; if price matters, Kelley offers a similar reputation for about $42,000 less in tuition.
Standout feature
A cohort-based online MBA with a week-long international trip and an LA residential week.
Use cases
Professionals in Southern California
Build a West Coast network
Outcome: A USC MBA with a Residential Intensive week in Los Angeles
Managers who learn best in groups
Study with the same peers for two years
Outcome: A cohort that moves through every course together
Key features
- Two-year program split across five semesters
- Students grouped into cohorts
- Self-paced coursework plus live class sessions twice a week
- Week-long international trip
- Residential Intensive week at the USC campus in Los Angeles
Pros
- Cohort model builds close working ties
- Hotel and most meals for the Residential Intensive are covered by the program fee
- Ranked #1 U.S. online MBA by the Financial Times in 2026, per USC
Cons
- $137,091 tuition is the highest on this list
- Estimated total of $144,231 before travel and health insurance
- Fixed cohort pace and twice-weekly live sessions
Frequently asked questions
+Which online MBA is the best?
Indiana University's Kelley Direct Online MBA is the best online MBA for most working professionals in 2026. It offers seven majors, 50% electives and about two live 75-minute evening sessions a week, with $94,944.42 in total tuition locked for three years, per Kelley's tuition page.
+Which online MBA is best in the USA?
Kelley Direct is our top U.S. pick, with UNC Kenan-Flagler, Carnegie Mellon Tepper and USC Marshall as the premium alternatives. USC reports a No. 1 U.S. spot in the 2026 Financial Times online MBA ranking, and Kelley cites a return to No. 1 in Poets&Quants' online MBA ranking.
+What is the best online MBA degree for the money?
The University of Illinois Gies iMBA is the best value, at a $27,288 total cost for an AACSB-accredited degree. BU Questrom's Online MBA is close behind at $25,000 in total tuition, and Quantic is the cheapest at $24,750 but is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, not through a university business school.
+Which online MBA program is the best if I can't attend live classes?
Arizona State's W. P. Carey Online MBA is the best fit, because its classes are asynchronous and it has no on-campus requirements. It offers five start dates a year and lists estimated tuition and fees of $74,000.
+How much does an online MBA cost?
Online MBA tuition on this list ranges from $24,750 at Quantic to $137,091 at USC Marshall. Among university programs, BU Questrom ($25,000) and Gies ($27,288) are the cheapest, Kelley sits at $94,944.42, and per-credit programs such as Penn State ($1,286 per credit for 48 credits) land in between, per each school's published figures.
+Do online MBA programs require the GMAT?
Many do not. UF Warrington, Gies, ASU W. P. Carey and Penn State World Campus require no GMAT or GRE, Kelley and BU make tests optional, and UNC waives them for applicants with five or more years of full-time experience.
+How long does an online MBA take?
Most online MBAs take about two years. Quantic lists 15 months and UF's accelerated format 16 months, while Gies and ASU allow up to 36 months.
About this list
Updated November 11, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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