The 15 Best Kentucky Online MBA Degree Programs

This ranking highlights the best Kentucky online MBA degrees. Many things about Kentucky are well-known throughout the world, and yet, there are some that may catch one by surprise. Kentucky is well known for being the Bluegrass state. However, it turns out that bluegrass is really blue at all. It’s green and purple, and the blue color is simply an illusion. Half of the state consists of commercial forest land that covers about 12.7 million acres. Home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby, fans have been sipping mint juleps and watching horses since 1875. UPS and Ford Motor are two of the state’s largest employers. Most of the world’s bourbon comes out of Kentucky along with the well-known gold reserve Fort Knox.

Online MBA degrees in Kentucky offer a somewhat unique opportunity in their focus areas. In addition to the more traditional MBA concentrations, such as healthcare, marketing, and accounting, students have the chance to go outside the lines in many Kentucky programs. Drawing from the state’s rich equine and bourbon heritage, Kentucky MBA degrees offer opportunities to focus in these exciting and specialized areas. They are a staple of online MBA degrees in the region.

Daniel Boone cut a trail known as The Wilderness Road into Kentucky sometime in the late 18th century. Since those storied days, Kentucky remains a source of innovation. It’s online MBA programs form a staple of the opportunities available to students. In addition to the aforementioned unique areas of study, students can be a part of online programs at the graduate level where the majority of students blaze trails in the online learning frontier and, in some cases, never step foot on campus. Marked by their overall costs and ease of access, online education in Kentucky provides students to explore new frontiers through many very well established institutions that are grounded in tradition.

Methodology

It is the goal of MBA Central to create a meaningful ranking system that helps potential students to understand that making a decision about continuing one’s education and potentially returning after a long hiatus is something to consider carefully. Many factors are taken into account, and include financial ramifications, such as the cost of the program, missed work, and perhaps child care. Regardless of what constitutes sources of strain, it is fair to conclude that some will exist. The goal is to help make this choice more informed through the creation of this ranking of the top 15 Kentucky online MBA programs.

The ranking is derived by using several criteria to establish a ranking. They are chosen for their Affordability (33%), Support Services (33%), and Quality of Classes (33%). All of the programs in this Online MBA ranking are assigned an Affordability Score. This score is dependent on the program’s base tuition rate. It ranges from Very Affordable to Very Expensive.
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+

Data was collected from sources including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Quacquarelli Symonds, Financial Times, and The National Center for Education Statistics.

#1 Western Kentucky University Gordon Ford College of Business – Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Ford College of Business’s online MBA requires 30 hours of credit to complete. Students who choose to pursue this online option at WKU have the greater flexibility that comes with pursuing a degree from anywhere in the world, and they have more options to customize their education. Depending on one’s unique obligations, students may complete the program in as little time as one year. The other side of the spectrum, for those with less free time, allows for as long as five years. While the more traditional versions of the MBA lock-in course selections, the online MBA allows for some choices in electives, allowing students to mold the program to their needs better. Certificates are available for the online MBA student, which enables further development in the areas of Business Sustainability and Business Core Competencies. Although a GMAT is required for admission to the fully-online MBA program, students who meet specific criteria may receive a waiver of this requirement under particular circumstances.

The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky. With Louisville to the north and Nashville to the South, WKU sits somewhat in the middle. The University of Western Kentucky is accredited through the SACSCC. In addition to its online MBA, WKU offers more than 50 other degrees, which range from associates to master’s, and it has nearly 2,000 web-based classes. Approximately half of the more than 2,400 graduate students at WKU choose to earn their graduate degrees entirely online. Several MBA programs are available through the Gordon Ford College of Business. Students have the option to choose to complete a traditional full-time MBA or a Professional MBA degree through this AACSB accredited business school. In addition, students have the freedom to earn an online MBA from Kentucky’s number one online MBA program in the state. This distinguished ranking takes into account multiple factors. These factors consist of two critical rankings by U.S. News and World Report in combination with a cost that is comfortably average. The two weighted ratings include a #74 Best Online MBA program and a #40 in Support Services.

Acred.: AACSB, SACSCC
A.S.: Average

#2 Northern Kentucky University Haile/US Bank College of Business – Highland Heights, Kentucky

Some universities get their start in a grandiose fashion with fancy buildings and impressive endowments, but Northern Kentucky University is not one of those institutions. Born from small groups of students studying together at a bus station, NKU has grown into the SACSCC accredited university that the region knows today. It defines itself through a commitment to Excellence, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Collegiality. Students of the online MBA program at the Haile/US Bank College of Business will join the ranks of the nearly 3,000 graduate students at NKU. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report for its Prestige and Support Services, NKU’s AACSB accredited Business School houses the second-slated online MBA program in Kentucky. Students choosing to become a part of this affordable online MBA program need never step foot onto the campus because they are able to complete all classes 100% online. In addition, this online MBA has eight starting points every year. The ability of students to hit the ground running throughout the year, combined with classes that are five weeks long, allows students the opportunity to earn an online MBA degree in one year.

This degree of flexibility and intensity is further exemplified through NKU’s online MBA coursework. The 33-hour program consists of 16 hours of essential study, 12 hours of stacks, and a five-hour capstone. The 12 hours of stacks are areas of emphasis that include Finance, Leadership, Data Analytics, and Innovation through competitive intelligence. Most stacks are six hours, so students will have the opportunity to choose two different areas in which to focus. The Innovations through competitive intelligence stack consists of six hours. Students choosing this path will take three two-hour courses that concentrate on Ideation to Innovation; Competitive Intelligence; and Ideation Value. Students with evidence of quantitative classes are not required to provide GMAT or GRE scores. Those students not possessing this background knowledge are still eligible for the online MBA but will need to provide these scores. Applicants will typically be able to show a minimum GMAT score of 520.

Acred.: AACSB, SACSCC
A.S.: Affordable

#3 Campbellsville University School of Business, Economics, and Technology – Campbellsville, Kentucky

The online MBA at Campbellsville’s School of Business is molded from 27 hours of required coursework and nine elective hours. The core contains courses such as Managerial Accounting, Organizational Theory, Business Ethics, and Managerial Economics. The elective requirement holds many options for the online MBA student. These will vary depending on the path that students choose to follow. In addition to the general track, students have the ability to select from seven online MBA concentrations. These concentrations include Accounting, Church Management, International Business, and HR Management. This 36-hour online MBA program is meant to be completed over the course of two years. Applicants will need to submit an official college transcript and demonstrate a GPA of at least 2.5. Other required materials will include reference letters, a resume, and an essay. Students are also required to submit GRE and GMAT scores. Those students who do not have the necessary prerequisites will need to take a web-based course and score at least 70 percent.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the SACSCC. This Christian University offers a gamut of learning opportunities that range from non-credit technical programs to graduate degrees. This moderate-sized university consists of less than 12,000 students. However, it is noteworthy to point out that approximately 65% of those students are graduate students. Nearly all of these graduate students are enrolled in at least some distance education, according to College Navigator. The Campbellsville School of Business offers an IACBE accredited online MBA program. This affordable master’s degree is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in two key areas. The first is its top 200 rating among the Best Online MBA programs. This is followed by a ranking among those programs with the best support services for distance learners. The overall focus of Campbellsville’s online MBA is to integrate Christian values into business practices and to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the role that technology plays in making decisions. These staples are incorporated to help students garner success in their careers and have opportunities to advance.

Acred.: IACBE, SACSCC
A.S.: Affordable

#4 Morehead State University School of Business Administration – Morehead, Kentucky

The online MBA at MSU’s SBA hits every facet of the ranking methodology. Combined with an affordable cost, its Support Services ranking, and its prestigious #149 Best Online MBA ranking by U.S. News & World Report, place this program solidly at number four in Kentucky. In addition, Morehead State University is accredited by the SACSCC. The School of Business Administration is honored with a prestigious AACSB accreditation. The primary focus of the online MBA is composed of five goals that Morehead believes are integral to the success of its students. These goals include an emphasis on communication, ethics, and leadership. Regular admission will require students to submit GMAT or GRE scores. However, students who have successfully earned a high enough undergraduate business degree GPA will be able to waive this requirement.

Morehead State University’s campus is found in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Founded with church support in the latter part of the nineteenth century, MSU was meant to be “a light in the mountains.” The School of Business Administration at this public university offers several educational opportunities to students. In addition to the online MBA, students have the option to study accounting, finance, management, entrepreneurship, and several other programs. Classes are relatively small, with an average student to faculty ratio of nineteen to one. Professors make it a point to have one-on-one interaction with each of their students, know their names, and actively help each one to achieve his goals. More than three-quarters of the graduate students at Morehead attend classes though the distance education programs. Students choosing to pursue the online MBA program at the School of Business Administration have two options in their paths of study. The first option is the general path, that requires 30 hours to complete in most cases. The second path allows students to pursue an online MBA in Health Systems Management. The core of this alternative path is composed of the same classes, but students will take more elective coursework with a focus on HSM. This concentration will typically require 36 hours.

Acred.: AACSB, SACSCC
A.S.: Affordable

#5 University of the Cumberlands Robert W. Plaster Graduate School of Business – Williamsburg, Kentucky

The SACSCC accredited University of the Cumberlands was founded in the late 19th century by a group of Baptist ministers. This history formed its foundation, which is realized through a balance of quality, affordability, and a demonstration of Christian principles through service. The online MBA at Cumberlands’ Robert W. Plaster Graduate School of Business is part of a student body that is primarily devoted to graduate study. According to College Navigator, approximately 75% of the student body at the University of the Cumberlands consists of graduate students, and 100% of these students are at least partially enrolled in distance education. This student population provides an ideal springboard for the online MBA at Robert W. Plaster Graduate School of Business. The program’s very affordable price in conjunction with a top ranking by U.S. News & World Report places it in the top five Kentucky online MBA programs. In addition to this, the MBA programs are accredited by the IACBE. Through several concentrations, including Accounting, Project Management, Strategic Management, and Healthcare Administration, students will be awash in the program’s focus. This focus will instill within the online MBA student methods for the application of ethical reasoning. They will be taught problem-solving, effective communication, and the role that technology plays in all of it.

Students will maintain their professional and personal lives as they earn their degree without leaving home. A framework of up to four years to complete the online MBA allows for considerable freedom throughout the program. It will let even the busiest of executives a more comfortable experience. A general online MBA requires 31 hours, consisting of nine elective hours. Each of the available concentrations will encompass fifteen hours of electives, composed of 37 hours. Regardless of which, if any concentration one chooses, the core classes will remain the same. It is not required to have an undergraduate degree in business. However, those students without such a degree might have to take some business foundation classes. Admittance to this Robert W. Plaster Graduate School of Business program requires an application, official transcripts from an accredited college or university, and a grade point average of at least 2.5.

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

#6 University of Pikeville Coleman College of Business – Pikeville, Kentucky

Nestled among the Appalachian mountains of Eastern Kentucky, the University of Pikeville ranks as the number six online MBA program in Kentucky. Since its 1889 founding by Presbyterians, UPIKE continues to offer a broad education grounded in Christian principles. The Coleman College of Business is headed by professors who have a deep appreciation for their students who are served by a fourteen to one faculty to student ratio, according to College Navigator. UPIKE’s MBA program has been equipping students for nearly a decade. The Coleman College of Business’ online MBA program stands high among its Kentucky peers through a combination of its affordable tuition and recognition by U.S. News & World Report. The program, offered through this relatively small, private, SACSCC recognized institution, provides a competitive option for prospective students. Its curriculum consists of 36 hours. It is created to work in conjunction with the schedules of its professional students who are able to complete the program 100% online, never having to step foot on the scenic campus. Completion of this online MBA requires students to complete 24 hours of core requirements, ranging from accounting to leadership. They will then decide which one of three specialization paths to follow. Each consisting of 12 hours, the specializations include Professional, Entrepreneurship, and Healthcare.

The online MBA at the University of Pikeville’s Coleman College of Business offers hands-on modeling of real-world challenges faced by managers. Students will work as part of a team as they work within a virtual environment, learning to confront issues and roadblocks. Students who choose to be a part of UPIKE’s online MBA are not required to submit GMAT or GRE scores. However, they should have an undergraduate degree GPA of 3.00. Also, students will need to have at least three years of work experience, obtained since earning their undergraduate degrees. Along with these requirements, two letters of recommendation are required. Ranked the sixth-best online MBA program in Kentucky, the University of Pikeville experience offers a competitive choice to those aspiring to expand their horizons.

Acred.: SACSCC
A.S.: Affordable

#7 Murray State University Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business – Murray, Kentucky

Founded in 1922, Murray State University is a public university. Its core focuses are diversity, global awareness, and intellectual curiosity. This online MBA is offered through the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, where the ultimate outcome is student success. Three primary areas reflected through the College of Business are teaching, research and scholarship, and service. The Bauernfeind College of Business’s online MBA has an affordable price tag, which is key to garnering its spot in the top half of Kentucky online MBA programs. The University’s accreditation by the SACSCC combined with the prestigious AACSB accreditation of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, offers a trusted learning environment. The business school accreditation by the AACSB dates back to 1981. The MBA program at Murray State University boasts of having one of the longest accredited programs in the world. In addition to its impressive credentials, students are able to earn their Murray State University online MBA without ever stepping foot on campus. This highly customizable online MBA offers a plethora of concentrations, which allow students who do not desire the more generalized option an opportunity to focus on distinct learning experiences. Included among these eight separate focus areas are Economic Development, Finance, Global Communication, and Healthcare Administration. With the exception of an Accounting concentration, which is not available online, the remainder of these choices has no on-campus requirement.

Students will complete their online MBA at Murray State University through 30 hours of study, except for the Healthcare Administration concentration, which requires an extra elective and a total of 33 hours. Core courses include 21 hours of credits. Among these required classes are Accounting, Corporate Finance, Seminar in Organizational Behavior, and Seminar in Strategic Management. Online MBA students applying to the online MBA program at Murray State are required to submit GMAT or GRE scores. However, waivers are available to those with qualifying undergraduate GPAs and professional experience. All students are required to take two free online preparatory courses. The teachers in Murray’s online MBA program have PhDs and are the same teachers as the on-campus alternative.

Acred.: AACSB, SACSCC
A.S.: Affordable

#8 Asbury University Howard and Beverly Dayton School of Business – Wilmore, Kentucky

Two paths are available to the online MBA student at Asbury. The traditional option exists for a more generalized experience, and the Nonprofit management track is available for those who seek to specialize. While it is correct to state that the majority of the 36 required credit hours of the Dayton School of Business’s online MBA may be completed from anywhere, students are required to visit the campus physically. At the program’s completion, students will get together on campus with their cohorts. They will give presentations, have opportunities for professional development, and attend graduation. Prospective students are not required to submit GMAT or GRE scores. It is desired that students have professional experience before they apply to the program, but this is not a requirement.

A critical foundational tenet of Asbury University was a desire to seek those who might not have a chance to go to college. Although a small private school of fewer than 2,000 students, Asbury is composed of students from 41 states and 35 foreign countries. The multi-denominational Asbury University’s Howard and Beverly Dayton School of Business has a crucial difference when compared to most others. It is not uncommon for business schools to strive to be the best in the world. While this is a legitimate goal, the Dayton school makes a small change to this, which has profound implications. It desires to be the best for the world. This seemingly minor but significant change defines the online MBA program at Asbury University. Informed by its Christian standards, the online MBA maintains the lofty goal of getting rid of economic, social, and spiritual poverty that permeates this world. This number eight Kentucky online MBA program has an average cost as well as a top online MBA ranking by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, this SACSCC accredited university take advantage of its small size by maintaining a twelve to one student to teacher ratio. The vast majority of graduate students at Asbury University take all of their classes online, according to College Navigator. 

Acred.: SACSCC
A.S.: Average

#9 Union College Division of Graduate & Online Studies – Barbourville, Kentucky

Union College is a small, private institution with less than 1,500 students, according to College Navigator. However, Union College and its rich Methodist heritage have been a part of Kentucky’s higher education for nearly 150 years. A crucial component in the determination to place Union College at the number nine spot for Kentucky online MBA programs is its very affordable tuition. It is the second most affordable institution within MBA Central’s ranking. Accredited by the SACSCC, Union College has a graduate student population of approximately 214 students. With an enviable student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, the college’s online MBA offers a competitive alternative to other Kentucky colleges and universities. The fully online MBA requires students to complete 30 hours of study, consisting of ten classes that are eight weeks long. Tailored to the established professional, the online MBA at Union College is meant to aid in career advancement. It does this by imparting critical skills to students. These skills include knowledge, communication, leadership, and analysis.

Students who have not earned an undergraduate business degree are able to excel in this online MBA. They will take foundational classes that allow them to gain the understanding needed to hit the ground running. Courses included in Union College’s online MBA program include Managerial and Leadership Analysis, Contemporary Economic Issues, Legal Environment of Business, and Strategic Decisions. This online degree does not require GMAT or GRE scores. Entry requirements include transcripts, letters of recommendation, a signed curriculum contract, and a statement of goals and objectives. Students are able to pursue several other online courses of study at Union College in addition to the online MBA. These alternative options include a Master of Administration, a Master of Athletic Administration, a Master of Healthcare Administration, and a Master of Information Systems Management. These degrees may also be earned in combination with each other. Most have three to four classes in common, which allows as many as 12 hours to count toward both. Students are required to fully meet the admission requirements for each program individually.

Acred.: SACSCC
A.S.: Very Affordable

#10 University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics – Lexington, Kentucky

Two online MBA paths exist for students. There is a traditional path and a healthcare alternative. In addition, students will earn their degree in either a two-year or three-year format. Regardless of which professional online MBA students choose to pursue, the requirement is 36 hours. The traditional online MBA will include classes in Accounting, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Global Business Management. A variety of electives are available that encompass nine hours of the program. A concentration is available in both online MBA programs for Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation. Students are able to obtain a waiver for GMAT or GRE scores. They are considered for Professional experience, leadership experience in the Military, and for prior higher-level degrees. The Real-Time, online MBA at Gatton combines the flexibility of distance learning with the structure of the traditional classroom, a structure designed to aid students throughout their experience.

Located in the “Heart of the Bluegrass,” the University of Kentucky has a clear and straightforward mission. This mission is to educate, innovate, heal, and serve. The Gatton College of Business and Economics is fully accredited by the AACSB International; an honor first attained in 1925 when Gatton was known as the College of Commerce. In the mid 20th century, sparked by the return of veterans on the GI bill, the MBA program began to gain steam. The College was renamed for the class of 1954 alum, Carol Martin Gatton, in 1995. While the online MBA at the SACSCC accredited University of Kentucky comes at an above-average cost, it has a lot to offer. The University boasts more than 29,000 students, of which nearly one-quarter are graduate students. The online MBA program provides students the freedom to attend classes from anywhere while simultaneously embedding them in the program as if they were an on-campus student. The online MBA student will attend the same classes with the same professors at the same time and places as traditional students. Classes are opportunely held in the evenings at a set time where the online MBA student will participate in a live environment.

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

#11 Lindsey Wilson College School of Business and Communication – Columbia, Kentucky

This online MBA offered through the School of Business and Communication at LWC is one of the least expensive in Kentucky’s top fifteen list of online MBA programs. This degree’s very affordable cost makes it a solid choice at the number eleven spot in MBA Central’s ranking. Students are able to complete this degree in both a fully online format and a blended format, and they typically are able to complete the program in 18 months. The online MBA consists of 30 hours of coursework. The core classes cover topics such as Managerial Accounting, Marketing Management, Legal and Ethical Environment of Business, and Organizational Behavior. The nine hours of electives round out the general business emphasis. LWC’s online MBA seeks to mold effective leaders with a strong sense of ethics. These future leaders will positively impact the world from a micro to a macro level through both economics and social climate. 

Beginning as a training school named for the nephew of its primary benefactor, Lindsey Wilson College, accredited by the SACSCC, has grown to a four-year baccalaureate degree-granted school. Just over half of the graduate students take at least some of their courses online. Thirty-one percent are wholly enrolled in distance education. Students of the School of Business and Communication online MBA are required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. However, there are several scenarios where a waiver may be granted. One of these exceptions is for having at least four years of post bachelor’s work experience. Testing is required to demonstrate the competency of those students without an undergraduate business background. While no professional experience is necessary to gain entrance into this online MBA program, students are encouraged to point out any leadership or internship experiences. Students completing this online MBA are required to take the ETS MBA Major Field Test before they are able to graduate. This test evaluates a student’s overall knowledge in areas such as marketing, management, finance, and managerial accounting.

Acred.: SACSCC
A.S.: Very Affordable

#12 Thomas More University College of Business – Crestview Hills, Kentucky

A goal of the University is to propel its students forward. Students will take what they’ve learned in the course of their online MBA experience and use that knowledge to advance their careers. Students should be able to open up more financially lucrative opportunities and advance into management and executive roles. All this will come about through a very practical, hands-on, and non-theoretical educational experience. Students are not alone while completing their online MBA at Thomas More University. Success Coaches are available as a personal resource. They will offer both professional and academic advice, and they are available for technical and financial questions. Prospective students wishing to gain admittance to the online MBA at Thomas More are not obligated to submit GMAT scores if their GPAs are 2.5 or higher. Based on data obtained concerning the MBA class of 2016 students at Thomas More University, 100% of graduates had either obtained employment or advanced in their careers within six months of earning their MBA.

Thomas More University began with the Benedictine Sisters in 1921. It is accredited through the SACSCC. Although grounded in Catholic ideals, the University is open to students of all backgrounds and cultures. The online MBA, available through the College of Business, is not the cheapest, but it also not the most expensive. Its average price, along with the MBA program’s accreditation through ACBSP, places the University’s online MBA among the best of Kentucky. This private university has approximately 2,250 students. Graduate students account for nearly 10% of these. Over half of the graduate students at Thomas More University are solely enrolled in online education. The MBA program at Thomas More began in 1996, and it always took into account the balance of work and family life. Online MBA students at the College of Business will focus on one path of study. Comprising 39 credits, the online MBA is built upon a foundation of courses that include Corporate Social Responsibility, Leadership and Negotiation, Transnational Management, and Managerial Economics. The degree may be completed in 18 months.

Acred.: ACBSP, SACSCC
A.S.: Average

#13 Midway University School of Business, Equine and Sport Studies – Midway, Kentucky

The 30-credit online MBA maintains a common foundation of coursework regardless of concentration. Students will study management, marketing, finance, business law, and global business. Students who choose a concentration in Tourism and Event Management will have the unique opportunity for exposure to the Bourbon Tourism Industry. Where in the world could one better study Equine Management than the state known for the Kentucky Derby? The overall program will allow students to be effective leaders in a global world that is continually changing due to technological advances. Small class sizes within a student population of 1,668 allow for face to face interaction between students and professors. Prospective students will not be required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Requirements for entry into this online MBA program consist of having an undergraduate baccalaureate degree, submission of a resume, and two letters of recommendation. According to College Navigator, 100% of the graduate students at Midway University attend classes entirely online.

Located on a scenic 200 acres in the midst of some of the best-thoroughbred farms in the world, Midway University embodies the core beliefs of its Disciples of Christ founding. Valuing the dignity of all people, integrity and responsibility, self as part of the community, and service to others are some of the bedrock principles that mark an education at this SACSCC accredited university. The School of Business, Equine & Sports Studies, which is host to the online MBA program touts instructors with substantial business experience and small class sizes. A relationship with surrounding horse farms, the NCAA, professional sports programs, and multinational corporations allows for a variety of networking opportunities. Affordable cost marks Midway University’s online MBA among the top in the state of Kentucky. Students who are accepted into Midway’s online MBA program will have an opportunity to complete their degree much more quickly than in many other programs. It can be finished in as little as 12 months. Four areas of concentration are available. They include Equine Management, Health Care Administration, Sport Management, and Tourism and Event Management.

Acred.: SACSCC
A.S.: Affordable

#14 University of Louisville College of Business – Louisville, Kentucky

Having earned accreditation by the SACSCC, the University of Louisville defines itself as an institution through its CARDINAL principles. This acronym highlights key core components that include Care, Accountability, Respect, Diversity, Integrity, Noble Purpose, Agility, and Leadership. The College of Business further brands itself through its acronym, LEAP, which stands for Louisville, Entrepreneurial, Accelerating, and Principled. The College of Business’s online MBA consists of 45 credits. Core classes such as Applied Microeconomics, Managerial Finance, Global Business, and Leadership and Organizational Behavior constitute the bulk of this program. Students will also choose nine hours of electives to round out their studies. Classes are asynchronous, and each course lasts five weeks. Further specialization is available through optional online certificates where studies are expanded to include Franchise Management and Distilled Spirits Business. Franchise Management is an online certificate that offers students the core skills needed to either start a franchise of their own or to expand an existing franchise. Based in a region well known for its distilled spirits industry, this online certificate includes world-renowned teachers from companies like Jack Daniels. While the cost of this AACSB accredited institution is above average, students will have the opportunity to gain much from this online MBA program.

All MBA students, including those online, have the option of attending a ten-day international study trip that boasts many networking and learning opportunities among fellow students, faculty, and the College of Business’s other MBA programs. Students may choose not to participate in this trip and are able to substitute a non-travel course section. A GMAT is required for entry into this online MBA program. However, waivers are available to those who meet certain conditions. These conditions include prior degrees earned, history of quantitative coursework, and military service. Online MBA students are limited on when they may enter into this College of Business program. New students are only allowed to begin in August of each year. All of these factors combine to place the University of Louisville in MBA Central’s list of Top Fifteen online MBA programs in the State of Kentucky.

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

#15 Sullivan University Graduate School – Louisville, Kentucky

The online MBA program focuses on the overall ideas of Leadership, Communication, Management, and Problem Solving. Ultimately, it is the goal of Sullivan’s online MBA to allow students to manage both numbers and people. Online MBA students at Sullivan are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores to gain entry into the program. Additional requirements include verbal, written, and reasoning skills, which are evaluated based upon transcripts. However, students may also speak with an advisor and obtain entrance through a discussion of their unique circumstances. Classes are offered year-round at Sullivan, and students have the option of beginning at any of the four available start dates. Sullivan isn’t a University that gets bogged down in academics. The University isn’t attempting to create graduates who are solely great researchers. It is the goal of Sullivan University to focus on a student’s career and to do whatever it can to help each student to further his career.

Founded in 1962 as a one-year business college, Sullivan University is a logical option for the pursuit of an online MBA degree. Sullivan University is accredited through the SACSCC, an honor that it first earned in 1979. The Graduate School at Sullivan University began offering an MBA degree in the year 1997. College Navigator lists approximately one-quarter of the University’s 3,318 students as graduate students. Forty-three percent of these students attend classes solely online, and more than half of the graduate students enroll at least partially in online coursework. The online MBA at Sullivan University’s Graduate School is comfortably in the middle price range, with an average cost of attendance. It consists of 48 total credit hours. These hours are attained through nine four-hour core classes and three four-hour electives. Students will study core subjects that include Managerial Economics, Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness, Marketing Strategy and Implementation, and Data-Driven Decision Making. Students may pursue their electives in one of seven areas of concentration for their online MBA. These include Accounting, Conflict Management, Public Management, and Strategic Management. All of these concentration electives constitute three four-hour courses.

Acred.: SACSCC
A.S.: Average

Living in Kentucky

Based on U.S. Census data, Kentucky has an estimated population of almost 4.5 million people. Greater than three-quarters of the population are younger than 65. However, less than a quarter of adults 25 years and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Opportunities in Kentucky abound, according to U.S. News #20 Opportunity ranking. This ranking is determined through a combination of factors that include affordability, economic opportunity, and equality. Especially noteworthy are the number three equality ranking and number thirteen affordability score. Its 91.7 Cost of Living Index rating, places the state below the national average.

Known for its scenic landscapes, ranging from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the gently rolling hills that constitute horse country, Kentucky is a truly lush and beautiful place. The state is given a number two ranking among all of the other states for its air and water quality. It has an overall Natural Environment ranking of #12 in the U.S. While the national average for roads in poor condition for the United States is about 23.5%, Kentucky’s roads are much easier to get around on. Only 6.2% of Kentucky roads are considered to be in poor shape. 

Kentucky Online MBA programs

Online MBA programs make up a key component in Kentucky’s institutions of higher learning. MBA Central accounts for 15 noteworthy programs within the state. These institutions range from relatively small private colleges with populations just over 1,000 students to large public Universities with nearly 30,000. Six public schools and nine private schools comprise this list of top Kentucky online MBA programs.

Most of these MBA programs may be completed from the beginning to the end from anywhere in the world. In addition to every single school on this top fifteen list being accredited through the SACSCC, more than half hold prestigious accreditation for either their entire business schools or programs within them. All of these online MBA programs have competitive costs associated with them. They range from the very affordable to above average. Ten of the fifteen programs boast a below-average price. Their time commitments typically range from one to two years, although most offer an extended duration for those with busy schedules. The curriculums range from 30 to 48 hours. 

Business in Kentucky

Based upon stats obtained from the Kentucky Center for Statistics, management occupations account for one of the largest groups, in terms of estimated employment, in the state of Kentucky. The mean annual salary for these occupations is $96,096, and those who are classified as experienced will earn more than $165,000. An online MBA in Kentucky may be fertile ground for opportunity.

Ford has an essential presence in Kentucky with its Louisville assembly plant. It currently employs about 4,100 people and opened in 1955. Its Kentucky Truck Plant opened in 1969 and currently employs approximately 8,920 people. In 2018 Ford spent almost $6 billion in R&D alone and purchased over $42 billion in goods and services from across the US. FedEx’s business has doubled in the last ten years. It maintains operations in Paducah and London. Plus, it has significant activities in Lexington and East Louisville. UPS, employing over 12,000 across its state-wide facilities, Amazon, which employs more than 12,000 throughout many Kentucky facilities, and DHL are significant players in the Kentucky Air Transportation market.

Manufacturing exports from Kentucky in 2019 amounted to more than $30 billion. Included among these manufactures are Toyota, Tyson Foods, Inc, and Chevron Corporation. The Chemical Industry consists of more than 210 companies within Kentucky and employs more than 15,000. Recognizable companies among this group include Dow Chemical, 3M, and Sherwin Williams. The rubber and plastic industry, also integral to the economy, employs more than 28,000 and accounts for almost one billion dollars in investments into the state economy since 2014. Health Care Workers in the state make up nearly 30,000 individuals. Among these is Humana, Inc, which alone employs more than 10,000 in Kentucky.

An online MBA from any of the 15 Best Kentucky programs is a potentially excellent stepping stone toward a career in any of these fields. Many specializations are available within these programs that would cause a graduate to stand out even further. These specializations include healthcare administration, business sustainability, leadership, finance, and many more potentially useful areas of focus.