The 15 Best Kansas Online MBA Degree Programs

Kansas is known for many things. How many people in the world today are not aware that the fictional Dorothy Gale, who began her fateful journey in Kansas before she was off to see the wizard? Less jovially, Kansas is also known for its preponderance of tornadoes, which have earned it the nickname of Tornado Alley. Kansas’ namesake, the Kansa Native American tribe, means people of the south wind. This nearly 82,000 square mile state is so much more than that. Smith County Kansas is in the center geographically of the forty-eight contiguous states. Kansas is also a part of the breadbasket. Every year Kansas produces enough wheat to supply every person on earth with six loaves of bread. Interesting facts aside, Kansas is also home to exceptional academic opportunities, as highlighted in this list of the best Kansas Online MBA programs. 

Are MBA degrees worth all the effort? There are some encouraging findings on that topic that are worth considering. Median salaries for those with MBA degrees recently reached their highest point ever. A highly treasured quality of those with an MBA degree is an ability to manage and to do so on a broad scale potentially. Some areas of specialization that are particularly valuable right now are health care and technology. One of the crucial things to question when considering the pursuit of an advanced degree is if it will help one to achieve future goals and will it speed those goals along.

Online MBA programs are a great alternative to the traditional classroom setting. Ever since their inception, they have offered valuable freedom to working professionals and those with other obligations. However, their value is even more significant during challenging times. Most, if not all, campuses are shut down due to fears of the COVID-19 virus. The only viable available alternative to continuing education during times like this is online study. Although challenges are overcome with time, the strengths of these relatively new options are made apparent. 

Methodology

It is the goal of MBA Central to create a meaningful ranking system and partner with potential students during a carefully considered decision of continuing one’s education and potentially returning to school after a long hiatus. Many factors should be considered. These factors will include the financial ramifications such as the cost of the program, missed work, and perhaps child care. As well as choosing the programs to apply to, which specializations to consider, and then how to leverage the online MBA program to meet their future goals. The purpose of this top Kansas Online MBA ranking is to help make this choice more informed. The list is achieved by using several criteria to establish a ranking. These top Kansas programs are chosen for their Affordability (33%), Support Services (33%), and Quality of Classes (33%). Data was collected from sources including U.S. News & World Report, Quacquarelli Symonds, The Princeton Review, Financial Times, and The National Center for Education Statistics.

All of the programs in this ranking list have an Affordability Score. It ranges from Very Affordable to Very Expensive and is dependent on the program’s base tuition rate. Ranges are:

Very Affordable: below $15,000
Affordable: $15,000 – $19,999
Average: $20,000 – $29,999
Above Average: $30,000 – $49,000
Expensive: $50,000 – $99,999
Very Expensive: $100,000+

#1 Friends University Division of Business and Information Technology – Wichita, Kansas

Friends University has a student body of approximately 1,591 students, and this relatively small private university offers an appealing 11:1 student to faculty ratio. Eight graduate-level programs available to prospective students of this Higher Learning Commission accredited university include, in addition to the online MBA, master’s degrees in Christian Spiritual Formation & Leadership, Health Care Leadership, and Family Therapy. The online MBA at Friends University has the goal of equipping its students with the skills they need to be business leaders with a focus on the fundamental areas of profit and non-profit organizations. The program of study consists of 15 hours of core classes, followed by six hours of program-specific and nine hours of elective content. Students who desire to further enhance and focus their studies to better fit a chosen career path have several areas of concentration from which to choose. These specializations include Accounting, Healthcare Leadership, Change Management, and Supply Chain Management, along with several others. While the general online MBA is completed in 30 hours, this commitment will vary up to 42 hours for students who choose a more intensive concentration and for those who require foundational knowledge.

The average cost, along with a Support ranking of #69 and a Quality rating of #229 by U.S. News & World Report, gives this online MBA the top spot in MBA Central’s Best Online MBAs in Kansas. Entrance into Friends’ online MBA program does not require a GMAT or GRE score. Networking opportunities abound through the duration of the program. Friend’s University is further distinguished as having the first chapter of the National Association of Women MBAs for private universities in Kansas. This fully online MBA allows professionals to maintain their careers while seeking to further their credentials.

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Average

#2 Kansas State University College of Business Administration – Manhattan, Kansas

Those students choosing to tackle the online MBA at K-State may complete the program in as few as 30 hours. However, in the absence of appropriate foundational coursework, it may require up to 36 hours. Those students who complete the program will gain a much needed competitive advantage in the cause of advancing their careers. The online MBA differs somewhat from its on-campus counterpart. While it is taught by the same professional instructors, there are no concentrations available. Also, online MBA students are required to participate in an international experience where they are exposed to different business practices and cultures. Students are required to be present for a two-day orientation where they will have an opportunity to network and be a part of other group activities. GMAT waivers are available for qualified students.

K-State is distinguished as the first operational land-grant university in the nation. The school began its current path in the year 1863 and strived, through research and service, to improve the lives of others. Everyone at K-State is part of a family, and The Higher Learning Commission accredits the University. The Business school was seeded in 1866 with the addition of a course titled Farm Bookkeeping. Growing over the years from these humble origins, it was formally established in 1962. The College of Business administration was the 2nd largest college at K-State by 1970, and the MBA program earned accreditation by the AACSB in 1980. Today, nearly one-third of the graduate students at the University earn their degrees through distance education. Accolades abound for the this program. U.S. News and World Report lists KSU as having the Number 25 Best Online MBA Program. In addition to that, they also rank them as the Number 19 Best Online MBA Program for Veterans. These factors, combined with a Services and Technology Rank of number 131, make K-State an extremely viable option among online MBA programs and might justify an expense beyond that of its average price. 

Acred.: AACSB, HLC
A.S.: Average

#3 Fort Hays State University W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship – Hays, Kansas

This top Kansas online MBA requires 34 credits for those who already have the appropriate business foundation. However, the MBA is open to non-business majors too. Students who don’t have the background needed can get up to speed through as many as twelve hours of foundation courses. They will provide the basic required knowledge in Economics, Management, Accounting, and Financial Quantitative methods. The Robbins College of Business online MBA teaches the professional to function as a manager and attain goals in today’s global environment. While students may choose to complete a general online MBA, many areas of concentration are available. These specializations include courses of study such as Accounting, Finance, Healthcare Management, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Students will be required to submit GMAT or GRE scores. However, there is an exception. Those applicants with undergraduate business degrees and an overall GPA of 3.0 may receive a waiver. The core of the online MBA may be completed entirely online, although some concentrations may require on-campus learning.

The first students, of what would one day become Fort Hays State University, met in an abandoned Fort Hays infirmary in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Not long after, the school moved closer to the town of Hays, where the sprawling campus displaced a prairie dog town and began about a century of growth. Certified by the Higher Learning Commission, FHSU isn’t as inexpensive as it once was. Students in 1902 paid just five dollars for the first summer courses. While the tuition has increased somewhat, it continues to provide a very affordable option for an online MBA. As of 2018, approximately 88% of FSHUs graduate students were enrolled only in online education. This MBA is earned through the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship. It is ranked number 154 for its Services and Technology and number 146 for Best Online MBA Program by U.S. News and World Report. FHSU places a firm number three in the best online MBAs in Kansas for MBA Central. 

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Very Affordable

#4 Wichita State University W. Frank Barton School of Business – Wichita, Kansas

The working professional will fit comfortably into the online MBA program at WSU and will learn how to distinguish himself as a leader while gaining an in-depth understanding of an organization as an integrated system. This program is available to those of all backgrounds, and it incorporates up to 15 hours of foundational courses to place every student on a comparable footing. The 36-hour program is most often completed in less than two-and-a-half years. Concentrations available to the online MBA student include Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Health Care Administration. GMAT or GRE scores play a significant role in entry into the program. However, some students may be able to have this requirement waived. Work experience, prior degrees, and GPA will factor into this decision. WSUs selectivity stands out through its #81 U.S. News and World Report ranking in Student Excellence, which is determined by how selective a school is in admitting qualified applicants.

Students began to arrive at the relatively new city of Wichita on horseback in 1895 to settle into a small Christian college eager and begin a new chapter of their lives. More than a century after, students can attend the W. Frank Barton School of Business. This school offers a choice of business degrees that surpass the variety available at any other school in Kansas. The Business School, boasting of the first entrepreneurship program in the state, is certified by the AACSB. Graduate-level degrees offered through the business school include Accountancy, Applied Economics, and Management Science and Supply Chain Management. Nearly 70% of the 2,772 graduate students at the Higher Learning Commission-accredited WSU participate in online education. The online MBA at the Barton School of Business sits at number four in the MBA Central ranking. In addition to its affordable tuition, other factors give it a boost and allow it to rise above many other alternatives. U.S. News and World Report rates the online MBA as #161 in Best Online MBA Programs. This ranking is rounded out with a Services and Technologies rank of #240. 

Acred.: AACSB, HLC
A.S.: Affordable

#5 University of Kansas School of Business – Lawrence, Kansas

Several MBA programs are available through the School of Business at the University of Kansas. There is a traditional Full-Time MBA, an MBA for Working Professionals consisting of evening courses in the Kansas City metro area, and an Online MBA that can be completed from anywhere in the world with no residency requirement. With a Student Excellence rank of #54, admittance to KU requires students of a high caliber. GMAT waivers are available for those potential students with terminal degrees, professional experience, or other factors. Global Leadership is a recurring theme throughout this 42 credit online MBA. Comprised of 13 courses, usually taken over 27 months, students pursue core classes in areas that include accounting, finance, and business law. Students choose electives in three sought after areas: finance, marketing, and management and leadership. The program is topped off with a six-credit capstone course. This course aids students in achieving what the Greeks called phronesis, which is an amalgamation of judgment, intellect, and experience, culminating in practical wisdom.

KU held its first classes in the mid-nineteenth century when fifty-five inaugural students began their studies in an unfinished building. The Higher Learning Commission-accredited University now has more than 28,000 students. Not only did they finish that first building, but there are now five campuses comprising the University of Kansas system. The School of Business at KU has accreditation by the AACSB. Founded in 1924, it offers several advanced degrees in addition to its MBA programs. Its impressive credentials justify the above-average cost of KU’s online MBA. A ranking as the #31 Best Online MBA Program in the country by U.S. News & World Report is only the beginning. The MBA further distinguishes itself through its #24 Veteran friendly ranking, its Engagement rank of #33, and its Student Excellence rank of #54.

Acred.: AACSB, HLC
A.S.: Above Average

#6 Southwestern College Professional Studies – Winfield, Kansas

The online MBA at Southwestern College differs from its on-campus counterpart only in its method of delivery. This program aims to furnish students with the skills and insights needed to manage the various aspects of sustainable business models. Two prerequisites classes are available for those without the necessary business background. Twelve classes make up the core requirements for this online MBA. These include Business Law and Ethics, Global Operations, and a Graduate Project, where students will ultimately submit a professional portfolio that illustrates all they have learned. U.S. News & World Report places the online MBA at SC #223 in the country and #211 for Services and Technology. These ratings, combined with the average cost of the online MBA at Southwestern College, give it an upper-echelon ranking of #6 in MBA Central’s Best of Kansas list. Requirements for entry into this top Kansas online MBA program include a one-page essay, two letters of recommendation, and a resume.

Southwestern College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is ahead of the curve when gazing into the horizon and speculating on the future of education. It was one of the first colleges in the country to offer laptops to all of its students, and today, the majority of students who attend SC do so online. Eighty-five percent of its graduate students are registered only in distance education, like their top-ranking online MBA. Outreach to students in all stages of their careers is a hallmark of SC. The embodiment of this forward-thinking focus is the establishment of the Professional Studies Center in 1994, which marked the College’s efforts to reach students all over the world. The relatively small, private Southwestern College offers several advanced degrees in addition to its online MBA. These degrees allow professionals to continue to uphold their current professional and personal responsibilities while also propelling their careers further.

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Average

#7 Benedictine College School of Business – Atchison, Kansas

The general focus of the 33-hour online MBA at the Benedictine College School of Business is comprised of four parts: Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Global, and Management. Students may take classes from anywhere. Live, interactive video conferencing will enable them to participate as though they were there in person. The freedom also exists for any online student to travel to campus in person and participate first-hand should he desire. Typically completed within two to three years, the online MBA may be wrapped up in as little as 11 months for those who enroll full-time. U.S. News states that the online MBA at Benedictine is #161 in the U.S, and also ranks their support services as #198. A GMAT is required for entry into the online MBA program in some instances. However, for those with an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher, or those who have at least three years of appropriate work experience, this requirement will be waived. Other criteria may also allow one to qualify for a waiver.

This small, private college is steeped in more than a millennia of Benedictine tradition and influence, and its mission is to nurture a community of both faith and academics to educate its students. The monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey and the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery support the community of Benedictine College. Benedictine College’s School of Business offers students the opportunity to be at the forefront of the business community through competence, character, and commitment to serving the common good. They will do all of this while maintaining respect for the dignity of every person. While the cost of the online MBA is above average, the small size of its graduate student body allows Benedictine College to give its students a greater intimacy with both their classmates and professors. Professors will even play a role in helping students to network or advance in their current positions. 

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Above Average

#8 Emporia State University School of Business – Emporia, Kansas

The online MBA program at Emporia State University requires 33 hours of credit to complete. Students, in addition to a general MBA, may choose to further their efforts by focussing in on three potential areas of concentration. These include Accounting, Information Systems, and Marketing. Required credits remain the same regardless of which, if any, concentration one chooses. Distinguished by intense seven-week courses, it is feasible for students to earn their online MBA as quickly as one year. Also, the Business School’s online MBA may be completed 100% online. Core courses make up 21 credit hours. Classes will include Managerial Economics, Advanced Financial Management, Business Policy & Strategic Management, and Marketing Management. Also required is an accounting course and nine hours of electives, which will vary based upon concentration. Applicants wishing to pursue this program at ESU will not be required to submit a GMAT score under certain conditions. One may qualify for a waiver with three or more years of significant and appropriate experience, an undergraduate business degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, or possession of a master’s degree. Six hours of foundation courses may potentially be required for those lacking the appropriate background. The acceptance rate for students into this program is very much attainable at 87 percent.

Emporia State University is an adaptive university and is more community-focused rather than oligarchic, where the few hold power over the broader society. Students will have a solid foundation in their programs of study that is tempered with an eye toward the common good. Emporia State University holds accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission. Its AACSB accredited Business school offers a Master of Science in Information Technology, a Master of Accountancy, and both a traditional and online MBA. Nearly half of the student body at ESU is composed of students in its graduate programs. The broad majority of these graduate students are enrolled only in online education. Included in the list of U.S. News & World Report’s top online MBA programs in the country, this very affordable ESU online MBA holds solid middle ground in MBA Central’s ranking for Kansas.  

Acred.: AACSB, HLC
A.S.: Very Affordable

#9 Pittsburg State University Kelce College of Business – Pittsburg, Kansas

The online MBA at Kelce College of Business stands out against many other Kansas institutions due to its financial requirements. The very affordable tuition is offered at a flat rate regardless of where a student resides. Three options are available for course delivery. Students may choose to take the traditional route of in-class study, they may decide to take all classes online, or the option exists to pursue a hybrid mixture of both. The online MBA, which students are able to complete 100% online, may be customized through several specialization tracks. In addition to the option of a well-rounded general MBA, a student wishing a more focused path will choose from Accounting, Human Resources, or International Business. The same courses exist in both the physical classrooms and their online counterparts. Each semester these core classes will reverse, meaning half will be offered as traditional classroom courses, and the other half of the core will be provided online. The following semester the classes will switch from in-class to online and vice-versa.

Pittsburg State University began as a Normal school more than a century ago in 1903. This Higher Learning Commission accredited university offers students the opportunity to better themselves through more than 100 academic programs. Accredited by AACSB, the Kelce College of Business at PSU is highly focused on its program offerings. Students will pursue either an MBA or a Master of Professional Accountancy. The College takes students from diverse backgrounds and provides them with what is needed to attain success on a global scale. The online MBA at PSU requires 30 hours of study, regardless of specialization choice, for those students who do not require any foundational instruction. In as little as one year, they will be able to tackle their new professional pursuits. With an emphasis on the broad tools needed for the professional, this online MBA provides practical knowledge through case study and simulations. Prospective students will have at least three years of significant managerial experience, but there is no requirement for GMAT scores. Further admission requirements include a 2.7 or higher undergraduate GPA and a resume.

Acred.: AACSB, HLC
A.S.: Very Affordable

#10 University of Saint Mary Department of Business, Accounting, and Sports Management – Leavenworth, Kansas

This top Kansas online MBA is made up of nine core courses and three elective courses. It is possible to complete this 36-hour program in one year for those whose schedules will allow it. All classes are taught in eight-week sessions. Thirty-five percent of the student body identifies as Catholic, and these traditions and beliefs are reflected in the focus and curriculum. Woven throughout the online MBA is a focus on ethics and corporate responsibility. Students are encouraged to consider the effect of their decisions on colleagues and the global marketplace. However, the bottom line is also essential, and students are taught to keep this in mind while maintaining awareness of the aforementioned factors. Keeping the schedule of the working professional in mind, the online MBA at the University of Saint Mary allows courses to be completed from anywhere and according to whatever schedule fits into their lives. Students need never step foot on campus, although they are certainly welcome to participate in graduate ceremonies on the campus in Leavenworth. Neither GMAT or GRE scores are required for admission. Students must have an undergraduate bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 2.75.

The University of Saint Mary began as a junior college and graduated to college status in 1930. It officially took on the mantle of university status in 2003 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Department of Business, Accounting, and Sports Management houses the online MBA program which accompanies the Master of Science in Nursing program, also offered online through the University. U.S. News & World Report lists the University of Saint Mary’s online MBA among its top #321 online MBAs in the country. Combined with the comfortably average cost of the University’s IACBE-accredited online MBA degree, this program is among MBA Central’s top ten Kansas online MBA programs. This small, private university is able to offer an eleven to one faculty to student ratio, allowing for a more personalized experience. Specializations available for the Masters in Business Administration degree include Leadership and Organizational Health, Health Care Management, Finance, General Management, and Human Resource Management.

Acred.: IACBE, HLC
A.S.: Average

#11 Ottawa University Angell Snyder School of Business – Ottawa, Kansas

The Ottawa University online MBA degree is accredited by ACBSP and has been since 2016. Students are able to choose from eight available areas of concentration. Included among these are Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership Development, and Strategic Innovation. All classes for this online MBA are laid out in three modules. The first module consists of behavioral courses, which include both Behavioral Theory and Value Systems and Professional Ethics. Module Two consists of Core courses such as Marketing, Economics, and Accounting. The third module is the Capstone. Elective courses, which vary based upon the choice of concentration, will be taken within each module. A total of 12 classes will be required for this online MBA degree. All of these classes are available entirely online. Students have 24/7 access to coursework and lectures, and they have absolute control over their schedules. Along with transcripts and an essay, students will provide a resume with at least two years demonstrating relevant job or volunteer experience. Non-provisional students will have a junior/senior GPA of 3.00. No GMAT or GRE scores are required.

The Origins of the HLC-accredited Ottawa University trace back to when Baptist Missionaries worked with the Ottawa tribe along the banks of the Marais des Cygnes where the future town of Ottawa would later be established. A Historical agreement between Kevin Eichner and Chief John Ballard allows eligible tribe members to attend the University free of charge. Named for Dr. Wayne Angell and Dr. Sherwin Snyder, The Angell Snyder School of Business at Ottawa University offers several graduate degree options, including the online MBA, Master’s in Accountancy, Master’s in Human Resources, and Master’s in Leadership. The rich heritage of the University, along with its Christ-centered community, provides for an open and inclusive environment within their programs. A comfortable student to faculty ratio is also a key component. This factor, in combination with the average cost of the online MBA, makes the Angell Snyder School of Business’s online MBA a competitive option among the other Kansas offerings. The online MBA is recognized among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online MBA Programs.

Acred.: ACBSP, HLC
A.S.: Average

#12 Baker University School of Professional and Graduate Studies – Baldwin City, Kansas

The School of Professional Studies’ asynchronous and fully online MBA consists of 33 hours. Students will focus on a general MBA which emphasizes collaborative leadership and applying learned knowledge in the current business environment. Courses among the curriculum for the online MBA include Executive Leadership, Accounting, Marketing, and Business in today’s global environment. In addition to a general course of study, students may pursue a more specialized route of study through concentrations in Finance, Health Care Administration, Human Resources, and Leadership & Organizational Change. Each of these specializations consists of four courses. Students have the option of tackling three of them alongside their core classes. They may also choose to add them to the end. While it is possible for students to double up on classes and complete the program in 12 months, most will complete their studies in 18 to 20 months. However, well aware of professional and family obligations that may arise, Baker University allows students up to six years to complete their degree. A GMAT is not needed for entry into this online MBA.

Baker University has close ties to the Methodist Church, which has existed since 1939. The University has a listed student to faculty ratio of nine to one and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The School of Professional & Graduate Studies at Baker offers several graduate-level programs. These include the online MBA, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, and a Master of Science in Sports Management. Seventy-two percent of the graduate students at Baker University are involved either wholly or partially in online education. The online MBA program in the School of Professional and Graduate Studies not only ranks MBA Central’s Best of Kansas list, but it also makes the list of U.S. News & World Reports Best Online MBA Programs. The affordable tuition is not the most cost-conscious in the state, but it requires less of a financial commitment than the majority of other Kansas institutions.  

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Affordable

#13 Tabor College School of Graduate Studies – Hillsboro, Kansas

The Online MBA in Leadership at Tabor College is completed entirely online. Its primary focal points funnel down into two areas. The first area of focus is on leadership and ethics. The second focus is on making sure that programs are Christ-centered. The program is led by Christian faculty who are also real-world executives. Courses within the online MBA in Leadership will include a variety of topics. Classes in Leadership will include Foundations, Ethics, Strategies, and Operations. Rounding out the program will be classes such as Accounting & Finance, Economics, Management, and Human Resources. Advisors will work with each incoming student to ensure that prior educational experience is taken fully into account toward the online MBA program, potentially streamlining degree completion requirements. The School of Graduate Studies’ online MBA in Leadership is composed of 36 credit hours. The majority of students will complete the program in less than two years. Students are not required to submit any GMAT or GRE scores to gain admittance.

Tabor College maintains a strong affiliation with the Mennonite Brethren Church and is regionally accredited by the HLC. Tabor promises students that they will be encouraged to put Christ at the center of everything that they do, and students will gain an awareness of the place they hold in God’s Kingdom. Through its graduate studies, program students may pursue MBAs in Leadership and also in Athletic Administration Leadership. Additional avenues of graduate study include Ministry Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a Master of Science in Nursing Executive Leadership. The online MBA in Leadership ranks among MBA Central’s Best online MBAs in part due to its price tag, which has an average cost. Also, the program is ranked among the Best Online MBAs by U.S. News. Tabor is not a large institution compared to most of the other schools in Kansas. Smaller class sizes allow students to be regarded with more in-depth attention from faculty. Almost all of the students participating in graduate studies at Tabor College attend classes exclusively online. According to College Navigator, the number of graduate students solely enrolled in distance education is 98 percent. 

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Average

#14 Newman University School of Business – Wichita, Kansas

Newman University seeks to empower its students through its online MBA, making them transformative members of society. This goal is realized by offering a curriculum that utilizes a proven theory that is guided by the real-world application of business practices. Core curriculum may differ to some extent, depending on the specialization path students choose to follow. The core curriculum will likely include classes such as Accounting, Managerial Economics, Marketing Management, and Financial Management. Students are not limited to one path when earning their online MBA at Newman’s School of Business. Four additional concentration paths are available so that students may better customize their education. They have the choice of gearing their experience toward Leadership, Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, and Administration. Completed completely away from campus, the online MBA at Newman’s School of Business requires 36 hours to complete. Ambitious students are able to earn their degree in as little as twelve months. Although not officially required in most cases, students are well served with a rich background in Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Statistics, and College Algebra. There is no requirement for an entry test like the GMAT or GRE. There is also no work experience needed for entry into this top Kansas online MBA program.

The Catholic identity of the University is located in the seeds of its founding by an order of teaching Catholic women called the Adorers of the Blood of Christ whose origins are found with Maria De Mattias in 1834 Italy. Primary tenets of the HLC-accredited Newman University include its Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, Culture and Service, and Global Perspective. The Newman University School of Business strives to educate students through an equal mix of academic theory and practical business solutions. According to College Navigator, nearly half of the graduate students at Newman take at least some of their courses online. Online MBA students at Newman attend a program that U.S. News & World Report lists among the Best Online MBAs. This degree is far from the most expensive and comes in at an average cost.  

Acred.: HLC
A.S.: Average

#15 Grantham University Mark Skousen School of Business – Lenexa, Kansas

Although identical as far as content, two paths toward a Grantham online MBA offer students their first opportunity to customize their education. Students will choose from a traditional twenty-four-month course of study or an accelerated course of study that is completed within 12 months. Each of these options consists of 36 hours, and both allow for the further customization of the online MBA. Concentrations are available in Information Management and Project Management. Each of these options has attained accreditation through the IACBE. Regardless of the path that students of Grantham’s Mark Skousen School of Business choose to pursue, they will do so entirely online. An additional differentiation between the accelerated and regular online MBAs is a student’s background. While both are designed with the adult learner in mind, the accelerated course of study has a formal experience requirement. Students will need to have at least three years of experience in a business role and have a bachelor’s degree in or related to business. Neither of these programs requires any standardized testing for admittance, meaning that students will have no need for GMAT or GRE scores.

Grantham University is a student-focused university. The chief concern of Grantham is to get rid of potential hurdles and make the most of every student’s learning outcomes. Grantham University began to focus on online degrees near the end of the 20th century. It holds accreditation by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Offering more than 50 completely online degrees through its various colleges, Grantham is committed to reaching students regardless of their physical location. One of these colleges, the Mark Skousen School of Business, is set apart by its mission to develop entrepreneurs with a “high-quality, relevant, and sustainable business foundation.” This goal is further realized through the Business School’s online MBA program. A vital element of this program is its very affordable price tag. Grantham’s online MBA is among the most competitive in the State of Kansas in terms of cost. Further capitalizing on this aspect, rates may be reduced to an even greater extent for first responders, military, veterans, and families.

Acred.: IACBE, DEAC
A.S.: Very Affordable

Living in Kansas

When one thinks of Kansas, his first thought might be of cows grazing on the open prairie or a shootout in Dodge City. The reality of Kansas today is a little different. The population of Kansas surpassed 2.9 million people. Many factors work in conjunction to make this an enticing place to live. The cost of living in Kansas is the sixth lowest in the United States. It is 8.4% below the national average. Homeownership paints an even better picture. The Median home value is 27% below the national average.

Many people dread the morning commute. Getting around and going back and forth to work in Kansas might just spare some of that heartache. With an average transit time of about 18 minutes, it is ranked at number four in the country. This impressive travel time likely has a lot to do with the state’s great highways. More than 90% of adults in the state have at least a high school diploma, while almost half of those over 25 have a college degree. This large pool of potential online MBA students surely has some bearing on the availability of online Kansas MBA programs.

Kansas Online MBA

Many choices exist in Kansas for someone wanting to pursue the next level of business education. Online MBA degrees can be a turning point in a career. Whether it’s a desire to land the perfect job, to be a more successful business owner, or to get a boost to advancement in a current career, an online MBA is a great tool to have available. Thirteen out of the fifteen Best Kansas Online MBA programs have a cost of average or better, and nearly all of them are ranked by U.S. News & World Report. All of these Kansas online MBA programs have some form of accreditation, whether it’s a single broad school accreditation or specific to a business school or program or a combination of these. MBA Central’s Kansas list consists of both private and public schools. Many of these schools are a result of Christian organizations, ranging from Quakers and Baptists to Catholics. Most of these programs are completed entirely online with no on-campus requirements. Many of these Kansas online MBA programs have no standardized testing requirements for admittance.

Business in Kansas

According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, many industries are showing strong performances in the state. One of these is advanced manufacturing, which consists of industries such as Aviation, Auto, Composites, and Plastics. General Motors has an assembly and stamping plant in Kansas City, Kansas, that employs over two thousand people. U.S. News & World Report lists an MBA with a focus in Production or Operations Management as well-suited to a role in this environment. Aviation makes up greater than five billion dollars of the Kansas economy. Renewable energy consisting of Wind, Bioenergy, and Solar is a natural fit for Kansas based upon its centralized location and natural resources. Kansas is within the Animal Health Corridor. This corridor makes up the most concentrated area of health interests in the world. More than 16,000 people are employed in this area, which accounts for 56% of global animal health, diagnostics, and pet food sales. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently chose Manhattan, Kansas for the NBAF, The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, which will protect against the threat and impact of diseases concerning agriculture, citizens, and animals. The Geographic prominence and infrastructure of Kansas make it a natural choice for the logistics and distribution industry.

Many recognizable companies such as Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart take advantage of Kansas for investment. An MBA, specifically one with a specialization in something akin to supply chain management, would be an asset to any of these company’s logistics. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Koch Industries is the second-largest private company in America and among the top employers in Kansas, and it is worth about $139 billion. Other top employers in Kansas include Tyson Fresh Meats, UPS, Sprint Corp., and Spirit Aerosystems. Surprisingly to some, Kansas has almost 200 tech startups. NPR reports that investors see Kansas as an attractive place to take root. A combination of factors allows Kansas to stand out. The central location, cheap housing, and lower operating costs are key factors. Kansas Online MBA graduates with a tech background would surely find opportunity among an area that lacks computer programmers and the tech-savvy.