The 30 Fastest Online MBA Degree Programs

As the global marketplace continues to develop, organizations that want to stay relevant will need a well-trained and highly-qualified workforce. Corporations, government organizations, for-profit and nonprofit organizations alike are constantly looking to bring on MBA graduates whose academic achievements and professional knowledge and experience will raise their stock.

As popular as the MBA is for professionals looking to get the most out of their current situations of employment and put themselves in the best possible position for a promotion or upscaled hire, there are some factors to consider when looking into the MBA.

Simply put, an MBA costs time and money. Some are less attracted to higher education in business when they consider the time and energy they will have to invest in a program. Can they afford the tuition? Will they need to travel to a school campus multiple times a week? When will they find time to study and complete projects?

Thankfully, today’s business leaders have an online MBA to consider. This degree allows students to set a course schedule that jives well with the personal and professional demands of their lives. Business schools that offer an online MBA are sensitive to a student’s needs and make it easy to apply for a program, register for courses, and often offer to mentor and counsel from program start to graduation.

While cost is an important factor for many graduate students, you may be surprised to know that some of the nation’s best online MBAs can be pursued for a very affordable tuition rate of less than $10,000. Cost should never be a factor in and of itself. It is always a good idea to investigate a business school’s credentials of business accreditation and rankings through such entities as U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.

But what about how long a program can take to complete? This is also a very-customizable feature when considering an online MBA. If you want to take courses at a slower pace, be sure to check if the business school allows students to take several years to graduate. If you are like most, you are looking to see how quickly you can move through a program. With that in mind, here is a ranking of the fastest online MBA programs: the most exceptional online MBAs that can be completed in 12 months or less.

Methodology

Professionals choose to pursue an online MBA because of the ease at which to gain this advanced business management degree. But there are some Business Schools are able to combine this flexible delivery at an accelerated pace. To find the fastest online MBA programs offering the most value to students, MBA Central scoured over 500 online US MBA programs to find those that allow students to graduate in 12 months or less. Within this list of fast programs, they were ranked based upon their Affordability (33%), Support Services (33%), and Quality of Classes (33%).

To make the identification of affordability easier, every online MBA has a corresponding Affordability Score. This score is based upon the total base tuition of the of the entire degree based upon data from each program or school website.

Expensive: $50,000  $99,999
Above Average: $30,000 – $49,999
Very Expensive: over $100,000
Average: $20,000 – $29,999
Affordable: $15,000 – $19,999
Very Affordable: under $14,999

#1 Fayetteville State University College of Business and Economics – Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University provides the top fastest online MBA with Finance, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Business, Management, Healthcare Management, Project Management, and Business emphases with graduate certificates in Cybersecurity Management, Project Management, Healthcare Management, and Business at the College of Business and Economics. Core courses like Business and Society, Modern Marketing, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Leading Organizations, Financial Management, Data Analytics, and Business Analytics make up 27-credit hours of core coursework in this thirty-six-credit hour program. Distance learners will be pleasantly surprised at this program’s very affordable total tuition less than $8,000. The awards and recognitions for this chart-topping degree include U.S. News & World Report calling it the second-best in the country among services supporting online and nontraditional students. The ranking organization also believes the College of Business and Economics is where one would find the 101st best online MBA in the United States. Up to fifteen hours of foundational credits can be waived by incoming students who have already taken business courses at the bachelor’s level. These classes include exposure to and training in areas like management, accounting, economics, and finance. The online MBA coursework will dovetail directly onto an undergraduate education and take the business professional onto greater heights in management and leadership.

While Fayetteville State University’s business school enjoys the benefit of being accredited by the illustrious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Fayetteville State is regionally accredited by the SACSCC. FSU got its start in 1867 as Howard School when it was named after historical legend General Oliver O. Howard. Today, over 6,000 students attend classes at FSU. The university’s online MBA students usually register for two classes each semester, allowing them to graduate in two years. The business school offers flexibility for students to set their own schedules. Because of this, a student can graduate in just one year.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#2 West Chester University of Pennsylvania College of Business and Public Management – West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania features an online MBA at the College of Business and Public Management. A perfect balance between convenience and ease is presented with this program as a distance learner can take just one course at a time and still earn an online MBA in less than two years. There is never a need to step foot on West Chester’s campus as the entire process, from being accepted into the program to completing all coursework and then graduating, is done completely online. This allows one to study, attend classes, and complete all program requirements from anywhere in the world. Doubling up on classes gives one the potential to complete all program requirements and graduate in less than one calendar year. An accelerated online MBA program will not only save time, but it will also save money on tuition and extra expenses typically incurred during higher education. This is a top-60 program according to U.S. News & World Report. The trusted ranking group has also recognized the College of Business for its top-twenty support services provided to distance learners. Imagine getting all of this quality for just over $15,000 in tuition. That is the reality of what the College of Business and Public Management offers with this program.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits the business school housed within West Chester University of Pennsylvania. West Chester is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Just over 17,300 students are enrolled there. The university’s online MBA is comprised of some of the best offerings in distance learning including such courses as Components of Effective Leadership, Strategic Cost Management, Business, Society & Environment, Global Operations and Supply Chain Management, Economic Analysis for Business, and Financial Analysis and Valuation.

Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Affordable

#3 Tennessee Technological University College of Business – Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University’s College of Business delivers an online MBA with Finance, HR Management, Accounting, MIS, Marketing, and International Business emphases. The core classes associated with this degree include Financial Management, Analytical Decision Making, Accounting Information for Management Decisions, Organizational Leadership, Business Strategy, Strategic Marketing, and Management of Information Technology. This 30-credit hour degree has been heralded as the 77th best online MBA in the nation and put within the top 20 in the United States for support services by none other than the highly respected U.S. News & World Report. Candidates for this program come from many diverse regions and possess unique gifts which the business school helps to nurture in its training process for tomorrow’s business leaders. The business education presented to distance learners is broad in scope to give a comprehensive managerial understanding and competence that will last a career’s lifetime. Case studies, business simulations, and group projects are valued just as highly as solid business theory and principles in this degree’s curriculum. For just over $20,000 in base tuition, this program serves an incredible value to online MBA students.

The College of Business at Tennessee Technological University is awarded its business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The SACSCC regionally accredits TTU. The university first opened in 1915. The University of Dixie was a school which fizzled out in the 1910’s, and TTU was able to take over the former school’s campus making things easier for the budding school. Today, the university supports a student body of 10,504 distance and on-campus learners.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#4 Frostburg State University College of Business – Frostburg, Maryland

The College of Business at Frostburg State University is known for its high-quality programs. But their online MBA not only delivers quality, but also an accelerated pace. Students in this program can choose concentrations in Business Analytics, Management, and Health Care Management, and Management. A business school which can deliver a convenient class format will typically design shorter terms for students to enjoy an accelerated pace without having to sacrifice content quality or the educational experience. The College of Business at Frostburg has done just that by condensing courses into seven-week-long terms and providing students with six start times each calendar year. Split between twelve courses that give a student a balanced approach to business education, four of the included classes will allow a student to go deeper into a concentration of the distance learner’s choice while the other eight courses offer an online MBA student a solid foundation of business management. The total tuition rate of this excellent degree comes in at just over $15,000 giving students looking for an extreme value much to praise. Six foundational credit hours can be waived by candidates with the proper academic history. Full-time distance learners can complete all course requirements in just one calendar year. Students interested in waiving the GMAT requirement must either already possess a higher degree like a master’s or doctorate or have a bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA and some professional work experience.

U.S. News has much to say about this stellar program as the ranking group places it as the 50th best online degree for support services and the 131st overall in the nation. The online MBA is one of many great programs Frostburg State University offers. It is situated on a campus in Frostburg, Maryland and maintains a student body of 5,396. The university is home of the Bobcats and enjoys regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Affordable

#5 Carson-Newman University Adult and Graduate Studies – Jefferson City, Tennessee

Carson-Newman University offers an online MBA combining excellence with ease. Students can also tailor their studies with a specialization in Leadership, Human Resources, Marketing, Operations Management, Sports Management or as a general MBA without an emphasis in the Adult and Graduate Studies department. The general online MBA consists of 10 courses while students preferring a concentration can add just two classes to the program and go more in-depth in a specific area of study. The learning goals presented by the business school include a graduate’s competency in the functional areas of accounting, fiancé, business law, quantitative methods, information systems, organizational behavior, leadership, managerial economics, marketing, strategic management, and entrepreneurship. Students will also be able to communicate effectively, develop problem-solving and analytical skills, and successfully apply sound business practices to a number of organizations and environments. A candidate’s start date, including semester, and the rate at which she completes courses will determine how long this award-winning online MBA will take to complete. An accelerated course schedule will allow a distance learner to graduate in 11 to 16 months from start to finish. Budget-conscious students will be attracted to this degree’s very affordable tuition rate of less than $15,000.

The Adult and Graduate Studies department has been recognized for excellence in support services provided to online students by the U.S. News & World Report and has been ranked as offering the 153rd best online MBA in the country by the respected organization. The SACSCC regionally accredits Carson-Newman University. Located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, this private, nonprofit university offers a slew of degree types to the 2,514 students enrolled there.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#6 Texas A&M University-Kingsville College of Business Administration – Kingsville, Texas

Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers an online MBA through the College of Business Administration. The AACSB-International is widely known as the top accrediting body in the world, and its endorsement of this program goes a long way in validating this online MBA’s purpose and value to the distance learner. This business school receives high marks from U.S. News & World Report with a #109 ranking among the nation’s best distance MBAs and excellent support services offered to online students. Students on a budget for higher education need to consider this very affordable online MBA which can be attained for just over $5,000. The wealth of relevant certificates that can be included in this degree are also impressive. These specializations allow the online MBA student the chance to go into greater depth in a subject which allows them to be better trained and more attractive to an employer that needs solid leadership in a specific area of business management. The thirty-credit hours housed within this degree are split between nine emphases hours and twenty-one core credits.

Marketing Management and Value Creation, Economics and Managerial Decision Making, Financial Management and Sustainability, and Leading a Sustainable Organization are a few of the important topics covered in this flexible and fast program. In addition to the core courses, students can pursue certificates in Health Informatics, Energy Finance and Logistics, and Business Analytics. The SACSCC regionally accredits TAMU-Kingsville. The public school located in Kingsville, Texas and is home to the Javelinas. Eight thousand six hundred seventy-four students now seek degrees at a number of levels at the university both on campus and through distance learning.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#7 Dakota Wesleyan University Graduate Studies – Mitchell, South Dakota

Dakota Wesleyan University offers a fast and flexible online MBA with certificates in Trust Management and Nonprofit Church Leadership in the Graduate Studies department. What are some of the most important factors to consider when considering an online MBA? A rich curriculum offered within a 100% online format from a highly-accredited business school that features a very affordable tuition rate sounds almost too good to be true. But what if you could have that scenario and be able to graduate in just one year? Welcome to the 36-credit hour online MBA offered by the Graduate Studies at Dakota Wesleyan. This MBA provides all the things mentioned and so much more. The business school requires no school campus visits from start to finish and has conveniently designed the curriculum to be delivered within eight-week terms. Three start times are offered each year. Distance learners most-interested in working at a faster pace through the program would need to double-up on courses each term. This online MBA has a specific goal of training business professionals interested in leading within small and medium-sized organizations. Candidates with a business degree coming into this program may waive the three to five Peregrine self-paced modules required of those students lacking the proper academic experience.

Each of the online MBA program’s concentration offers the distance learner exceptional training in business. The courses associated with this degree include Strategic Business Development, Risk Management, Ethics and Public Policy, Understanding Qualified and Nonqualified Retirement Plans, Principles of Wealth Management, and Foundations of Strategic Leadership. This degree is among many stellar programs delivered at Dakota Wesleyan. The university got its start in 1885 and was known for the first twenty years of its existence as Dakota University. The HLC regionally accredits Dakota Wesleyan University.

Accreditation: IACBE, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#8 Kent State University College of Business Administration – Kent, Ohio

An online MBA with International Business and Supply Chain Management focuses is offered at the College of Business Administration at Kent State University. Students enrolled in this program have the flexibility to set their own course schedule. Some distance learners will need to space their courses out over a larger amount of time which means it will take longer to complete the program. Students wanting to graduate earlier can register for courses as a full-time student and graduate in just one calendar year. The business school at Kent State is no stranger to recognition for an excellent program as U.S. News & World Report claims this online MBA as the 90th best in the land and cites the program for excellent support services provided to distance students. The curriculum for the College of Business Administration’s degree is structured within eight-week terms, and the convenience of this program is seen in several ways. Students lacking a business undergraduate degree are welcome to enroll in the program and may be subject to additional foundational courses before having access to core courses. There is also a bonus feature of no previous work experience needed for business school candidates. All this convenience and flexibility can be taken advantage of for less than $30,000 in total tuition.

The business school at Kent State University is provided by the reputable AACSB-International while the school’s regional accreditation is through the HLC. Kent State provides multiple degree programs for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students on its campus in Kent, Ohio and through distance learning online. Just under 29,000 students currently call themselves Golden Flashes. The school’s athletic department competes as an NCAA Division I program. The school’s excellent online MBA features Accounting, Economics, Computer Systems, Finance, Operations, Human Resource Management, Law, Marketing, and Statistics as course topics within the program.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#9 Maryville University John E. Simon School of Business – Saint Louis, Missouri

An online MBA with Cyber Security, Health Administration, Financial Services, Human Resources Management, Marketing, and Information Technology emphases is provided at Maryville University’s John E. Simon School of Business. This degree can also be delivered as a general MBA. An Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredited distance degree in business with a total tuition rate of less than $30,000 is exceptional. That is exactly what this program offers online MBA students. The business school also has some very convenient attributes during the acceptance process. The GMAT is a standardized test which was designed to help business schools properly vet its candidates and help ensure their success in a program. The GMAT can be daunting for some, and more business schools now offer waivers for the GMAT/GRE tests. In addition to no GMAT test scores needed for acceptance, the business school also offers six start times each year for the program, no business undergrad required, and no application fee. All program requirements for this 100% online distance program can be satisfied in just one year.

Maryville has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as providing excellent support services to online students and has a ranking as one of the top-200 online MBAs in the country. Maryville University offers a four-year private nonprofit education to nearly 7,700 students through online learning and at its campus in Saint Louis, Missouri. The university’s colors are white, red, and black and the HLC grants Maryville’s regional accreditation.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#10 University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business – Cincinnati, Ohio

The University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business has an online MBA with Marketing, Health Care Administration, Individual Taxation, Health Care Finance, Health Care Operations, Corporate Taxation, and Health Care Policy emphases. This program is no stranger to recognitions and accolades. Noted as the 66th best distance degree in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the ranking entity has also cited this above-average online MBA as offering exemplary services supporting online students. Beyond a national ranking, this online MBA has also been listed by Quacquarelli Symonds among the top-50 distance degrees on the planet. The College of Business touts this degree as one which delivers a mixture of academic, research-centered learning coupled with real-life learning opportunities which challenge the distance learner to produce strategies and solutions that will have a real impact. This program is a true opportunity to immerse yourself into business knowledge that will result in comprehension and skills needed to make sound business decisions and lead teams. For less than $35,000 in total tuition, students can take advantage of the business school’s wealth of knowledge and business experience and in just one short year, can be a powerhouse of leadership in the workforce.

The AACSB-International grants the Carl H. Lindner College of Business its business accreditation while the University of Cincinnati holds a regionally accreditation from the HLC. UC is an urban university featuring a campus in downtown Cincinnati. This excellent location gives on-campus students easy access to cultural hotspots like restaurants, museums, coffee shops, and bookstores. The University of Cincinnati dates back to 1819 when it was first founded as Cincinnati College. The university predates all other institutions of higher learning in the area.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#11 University of Texas at Tyler Graduate College of Business and Technology – Tyler, Texas

An online MBA with Quality Management, Oil, Gas, & Energy, Organizational Development, Engineering Management, Marketing, Healthcare Management, and Cyber Security emphases are featured at the University of Texas at Tyler’s Graduate College of Business and Technology. A general MBA is also an option if you are uninterested in a concentration. With a total base tuition rate of just over $30,000, this online MBA is above average. The designers of this program have centered on offering students an opportunity to develop business leadership competency in an increasingly dynamic and complex global marketplace by speaking into their knowledge, perspective, and managerial skills. The integrated and general curriculum provides the distance learner with the unique opportunity of gaining knowledge in the major areas of cross-cultural business operations in an ultra-competitive environment. The degree features relevant coursework in the theoretical foundations of quantitative controls, general business, decision-making, problem-solving, the development of upper-level functional skills, and the ethical and global environment of business leadership. Online MBA students have the option of completing coursework within sixteen-week terms or accelerating their experience with seven-week terms. Accelerated degree plans allow students to graduate in just one calendar year.

This excellent online MBA is one of many programs the University of Texas at Tyler offers to the over 10,000 students enrolled there. UT Tyler is located in east Texas and was founded in 1971 as Tyler State College. The SACSCC regionally accredits the University of Texas at Tyler. Candidates for the university’s online MBA who have several years of professional management experience are not required to submit GMAT/GRE test scores during the application process.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Above Average

#12 California Baptist University Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business – Riverside, California

California Baptist University’s Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business features an MBA in an online format that allows for a quick potential ROI. Within this program, students can choose an emphasis in Accounting or General Management. This online MBA will effectively train working professionals for competency in a gamut of upper-level positions in management and business. Graduates of this exceptional online MBA will be equipped to lead teams, form and implement strategic decisions, lead organizational change, initiate ethical excellence in the workplace, and make wise decisions that will prosper an organization. The averagely-affordable total tuition fee for this 36-hour program is a huge value considering such an exceptional degree can be attained for less than $25,000. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business adding to the business school’s wonderful prestige and reputation for delivering one of the best distance degrees now offered in higher education. Speaking of prestige, U.S. News & World Report finds this online MBA to be within the top-100 degrees in the nation for support services and places the business school at #113 among the best places in America for an online MBA.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission regionally accredits California Baptist University. California Baptist is located in Riverside, California but was originally established in El Monte in 1950. Originally conceived as California Baptist College, the campus had to be moved to Riverside after just a few years as student enrollment was successful and classes began to outgrow the facilities. Today, the university oversees 9,941 students seeking degrees at the four-year private institution. California Baptist provides a wide range of programs, from a two-year associate’s degree all the way to a distinguished doctoral program.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#13 Angelo State University Norris-Vincent College of Business – San Angelo, Texas

An online MBA is provided at the Norris-Vincent College of Business at Angelo State University. A high-quality online MBA that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, yet can be attained for less than $7,000 in total tuition is almost unheard of. That is one thing that makes this degree from ASU so special. It also provides a broad perspective of many facets of business leadership and has been fashioned to enhance and develop the leadership skills of executives, managers, and administrators. One of the highlights of this program is the stress on organizational decision-making, problem-solving, and solid communication. This online MBA is most-appropriate for distance learners considering a career at the executive level in public and private organizations or within the government. Courses like Advanced Management Accounting, Financial Management, Managerial Economics, Management Information Systems, Advanced Data Analytics, Legal and Social Environment of Business, Marketing Management, and Organization Behavior and Leadership are included in this program. The degree’s accolades include U.S. News & World Report ranking the MBA in its entirety among the best online programs in the country, as well as it providing stellar support services to nontraditional and online students.

Angelo State University’s online MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Students interested in the program are encouraged to submit transcripts, a resume, and a 430 score on the GMAT to be accepted into the program. There is a GMAT/GRE waiver available to students with qualifying academic and professional experience. The SACSCC regionally accredits Angelo State University. The school has been in existence since 1928 when it opened its doors as San Angelo College.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#14 University of Southern Indiana Romain College of Business – Evansville, Indiana

An online MBA with a quick timeline is offered through theUniversity of Southern Indiana’s Romain College of Business. Students can choose concentrations in Accounting, Engineering Management, Data Analytics, Healthcare Administration, or Human Resources. U.S News & World Report lists this MBA as the 86th best location for online students to receive excellent support services. The ranking body also claims this online MBA to be the 168th best among all others in the country. Coming in at less than $13,000 in total base tuition, this program is very affordable and is supported by the business school’s incredible business accreditation through the AACSB-International. To begin the acceptance process, candidates are encouraged to submit a current resume, all transcripts, three letters of professional and academic recommendation, and a 2.5 GPA throughout one’s undergraduate work to the admissions office. A GMAT/GRE waiver may be granted to students who have a 2.5 GPA and three years of professional work experience or who have two years of work experience and maintained a 3.0 GPA as undergraduate students. Data-Driven Decision Making, Accounting for Decision Making and Control, Leadership Skills and Innovation, Financial Management and Financial Markets, Strategic and International Management, Managerial Economics, and Marketing Strategies are all offered as core courses within this exemplary online degree.

The mascot at the University of Southern Indiana is the Screaming Eagles, and 11,004 students are currently enrolled there. Southern Indiana provides two-year associate degrees, undergraduate and master’s program, and doctorate fields of study. The school was founded as Indiana State University-Evansville in 1965. Twenty years later the school earned its autonomy and is currently regionally accredited by the HLC.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#15 Southern Utah University Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business – Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University features an online MBA at the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business. The business school’s objectives with this degree are to prepare capable business leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to make the best possible business decisions in both staff and entrepreneurial capacity. Highly qualified staff and small class sizes combine to create an excellent atmosphere for learning. The business school’s faculty possesses professional and academic experience and can ensure that students will obtain a solid foundation of business, technical, and people skills. With a base tuition less than $17,000, this affordable 30-credit hour program is benefited by the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business’ accreditation through the AACSB-International. U.S. News & World Report has positioned this degree as the 90th best online MBA in the country and also gives the business school high marks for excellent support services provided to online students. Accounting for Decision Making, Managing Organizations & People, Managerial Economics, Managerial Finance, Strategic Management, and Marketing Management are just some of the well-planned core courses offered within this degree. Flexibility is the name of the game with this degree as students have the option of taking one course each term if life’s demands warrant it or can take up to five courses each term for an accelerated experience.

All courses for this online MBA can be taken through distance learning with no visits to the school’s campus required. Those living near Cedar City, Utah have the option of taking some courses on campus in addition to online courses. Students can also take courses exclusively at Southern Utah University. Southern Utah currently delivers two-year associate degrees, four-year bachelor’s programs, and master’s degrees including this stellar online MBA. The university is home of the Thunderbirds and maintains a student body of 9,468.

Accreditation: AACSB, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Affordability Score: Affordable

#16 University of North Alabama College of Business – Florence, Alabama

An online MBA with Executive, Accounting, Information Systems, Sales and New Business Development, Global Business, Finance, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, and ERP Systems using SAP is offered at the University of North Alabama’s College of Business. Not many online MBAs offer a strong balance between a very affordable tuition rate and a respected business school and curriculum. This 34-credit hour program delivers in both areas. The College of Business enjoys a prestigious business accreditation through the AACSB-International. This accreditation brings with it a trust that the curriculum offered is of high quality and that students can expect excellent oversight by instructors and administrators. At just under $15,000 in tuition, this distance program allows students the chance to save big. Most students take between two and two and a half years to complete all program requirements. Students wanting to move at a faster pace through the curriculum may do so and graduate in just 12 to 18 months. The ideal candidate for this program will have at least three years of professional work experience or a qualifying GMAT test score. An undergraduate cumulative 2.5 GPA or 3.0 over the final 30 hours of coursework will also be accepted. The business school’s Executive MBA has some slightly higher standards for its applicants including five or more years of entrepreneurial or professional work experience to waive the GMAT requirement.

The SACSCC regionally accredits the University of North Alabama. The school started back in 1830 when it was known as LaGrange College. Over the years the school developed into a comprehensive, regional institution of higher learning. Today, UNA is home of the Lions who wear purple and gold as their official school colors. The school’s campus is situated in Florence, Alabama and just over 7,200 students seek degrees both on campus and an online format.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#17 Ashland University Richard E. & Sandra J. Dauch College of Business & Economics – Ashland, Ohio

An online MBA with Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics, Financial Management, Health Care Management and Leadership, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Management Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, and Sport Management is featured at the Richard E. & Sandra J. Dauch College of Business & Economics at Ashland University. Not only does U.S. News & World Report rank this program as the 101st best online MBA in the country, but the ranking entity also cites the College of Business as offering the 87th best services that support online students. Every bit of the degree’s curriculum can be completed through distance learning and will only take 12 months to complete. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs grants this award-winning degree its business accreditation. With a total base tuition rate of nearly $35,000, this above-average degree can also be pursued as a part-time program and completed in 24 months. The admission department at the Richard E. & Sandra J. Dauch College of Business & Economics makes a GMAT waiver available to applicants who hold the proper academic credentials. Organizational Design & Change Management, Financial Management, Operations Management, Marketing Management, Strategic Planning & Policy Analysis, and Managerial Accounting are just some of the courses one can expect in this top-twenty online degree.

Ashland University sits in Ashland, Ohio and currently maintains a student body of nearly 6,500 students. Students enrolled in two-year associate degrees, four-year bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs all have access to the school’s excellent facilities and resources. The German Baptist Brethren Church founded the school as Ashland College in 1878 after seeing a need for quality education in the region. The HLC regionally accredits Ashland.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#18 University of St. Francis College of Business and Health Administration – Joliet, Illinois

The College of Business and Health Administration at the University of St. Francis offers a flexible online MBA for students looking for exceptional value and a quick timeline. Students can also choose to focus their studies in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Business Analytics, Health Administration, Logistics, Training and Development, Management, or certifications in Business Analytic, Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, E-learning, Logistics, Training Specialist, and Management Training and Development. This program’s wealth of high-quality concentrations and an average tuition cost of less than $30,000 should keep it at the top of any distance learner wanting to ramp up their career. U.S News & World Report hails the university’s College of Business and Health Administration for its excellent support services and deems this online MBA as the #131 in the United States. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs directly accredits this program which adds a distinction and prestige to the degree. The value chain of business, global and competitive challenges, problem-solving, leadership, and analytical thinking are each stressed throughout this degree which can be completed within one year to 18 months. Candidates with prior academic experience at the graduate level may be able to transfer up to nine hours of coursework into the degree.

This high-powered online MBA is just one among many excellent programs available to the student body of the University of St. Francis. The school was founded in 1920 as Assisi Junior College and today stands as the home of the Fighting Saints. With a campus in Joliet, Illinois, St. Francis is accredited by the HLC. The school’s online MBA features Managerial Economics, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Finance, Applied Business Research Models, Ethical, Legal, and Social Environment of the Firm, Strategic Business Management, International Business, Management and Organizational Behavior, Macroeconomics in a Global Economy, and Operations Management as core courses.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#19 University of the Incarnate Word School of Professional Studies – San Antonio, Texas

The University of the Incarnate Word delivers an online MBA with specializations in Asset Management, Human Resource Management, Data Analytics, and general MBA at the School of Professional Studies. The business school’s main goal with this program is to instill in each distance learner a broad knowledge of how the processes and elements of business institutions relate to each another and to the larger environment. This online MBA will shape a student’s confidence and proficiency in each of the functional paradigms of business. Technical skills which are essential to an executive-level business position will be examined. A heavy emphasis on the ethical responsibilities of doing business also plays a major role. An experienced faculty of business leaders with years of expertise is employed to deliver a top-notch curriculum. Full-time students need only ten months to graduate. The whole of the degree’s curriculum is delivered 100% online with no campus visits required. Students less-interested in a specialization can opt for the general online MBA. At just over $28,000 in total tuition, this averagely-affordable degree waives all GMAT requirements for incoming students.

Managerial Finance, Managerial Accounting and Control Systems, Quantitative Methods and Research, Leading Organizations and Human Resources, Managerial Economics and Decision-Making, Strategic Marketing, and Communications are included in this degree offered at the University of the Incarnate Word. The School of Professional Studies has been awarded the 202nd place among the nation’s best distance degrees by U.S. News & World Report. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the college has been providing students with quality education since 1881 when it was founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Eight thousand six hundred three co-educational students now call the university home. The SACSCC regionally accredits the University of the Incarnate Word.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#20 Brenau University School of Business – Gainesville, Georgia

The School of Business at Brenau University has an online MBA that not only offers an online format, but an opportunity to complete the program in less than a year. Project Management, Strategic Management and Policy, Cross-Cultural Business Challenges, Managerial Leadership Integrated Business Operations, Marketing Management, Financial Management, and Budgeting for Managers are some of the required courses featured in this online MBA. A total tuition fee of less than $30,000 places this one year program at an average rate of affordability. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs grants this online MBA its business accreditation while U.S. News & World Report places the program at #123 among the best distance degrees for support services available to online students. Another recognition for this degree includes being listed among the top online MBA in the country by U.S. News. This program is said to focus on the key financial, management, marketing, economics, leadership, and accounting principles required in an advanced business degree. Distance learners taking core coursework can expect a strong balance between theoretical methods and pragmatic techniques.

The SACSCC regionally accredits Brenau University. The school started its online program in 2002 and today oversees 2,932 students pursuing associate’s degrees up through doctorate programs. The university started as Georgia Baptist Female Seminary in the late 1870s. This fast-paced, general online MBA is one option for distance students at Brenau University. Students more interested in adding a specialization to their degree can do so and finish all degree requirements in two years. Concentration are available in Accounting, Insurance Management, Healthcare Management, and Project Management.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#21 University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business – Birmingham, Alabama

A fast online MBA with emphases in Marketing, Finance, Management Information Systems, Health Services, or that can be completed as a general MBA can be found at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business. This 100% online MBA requires no campus visit during the admissions process and throughout the degree plan. This arrangement means the distance learner can save time and money by not spending on travel. All requirements for this program can be satisfied in as little as two years. Qualifying applicants can take advantage of the business school’s GMAT/GRE waiver if they possess the correct professional and academic experience. General MBA students can complete this very affordable program with 36-credit hours achieved, while those desiring a concentration may do so by taking 39-credit hours. The curriculum for this degree includes fifteen credits of functional core courses, twelve credits of tools and perspectives on business courses, three credits of a capstone experience, and six-to-nine credits of electives for the specialization. Functional core courses include Marketing Strategies, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Topics in Corporate Finance, Information Technology and Business Strategy, and Strategic Cost Analysis and Decision Making.

The Collat School of Business is accredited by the AACSB-International while the SACSCC regionally accredits the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB was founded in 1969 when the Birmingham Extension Center and School of Medicine were combined. That same year, the University of Alabama System was created, and UAB was one of three institutions to join the organization. The university grew rapidly during the 1970s; adding sports programs and student organizations. Today, the University of Alabama at Birmingham operates as a public four-year university overseeing over 20,900 students seeking degrees in the classroom and virtually.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Above Average

#22 Concordia University Chicago College of Business – River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University Chicago’s College of Business offers a fast online MBA committed to excellence. Focus topics in this program include Chief School Business Official, Accounting, Digital Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare Management, Not-for-Profit Management, Leadership and Change Management, Sports Management, and School Business Management, with certifications in Digital Marketing, Finance, Not-for-Profit Management, Health Care Management, Sports Management, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership and Change Management at the College of Business. The business school’s educational paradigm encourages close and cooperative relationships between students and instructors. Simultaneously, the College of Business’ unique cohort system assembles students with one another for the complete duration of their educational career. The collaborative environment fostered within this degree accelerates learning and solidifies strong and enduring peer and mentor relationships. These connections have been known to enhance the distance learner’s career trajectory. This online degree is open to students lacking a bachelor’s degree in business, yet those students may be responsible for completing up to 15 credit hours of foundational coursework. With a total tuition fee of around $25,000, students can complete this averagely-affordable 36-credit hour degree in just one year.

Managing Human Capital, Managing and Leading Effective Organizations, Global Marketing in the Digital Era, Ethics, Law and Communication in Decision Making, Organizational Behavior, Global Management, and Economics for Managers are offered within Concordia University Chicago’s online MBA. The HLC regionally accredits this university located in River Forest, Illinois. U.S. News & World Report claims the business school as the 104th best location in the nation for support service to online students and has deemed the online MBA the 202nd best in America. Concordia is a nonprofit university with an enrollment of just over 5,750 students.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#23 Cleveland State University Monte Ahuja College of Business – Cleveland, Ohio

An online Master’s of Business Administration is featured at the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University. This accelerated, one-year degree was one of the very first in the nation to gain business accreditation through the AACSB-International. There are no campus visits required during any time of this program. The base tuition of less than $40,000 includes all online and e-book materials needed throughout the completion of courses. There are two start dates each year, one during the fall and one during the spring semester. Depending on a student’s course selection and elective choices, this degree may consist of 32 or 34-credit hours. Students interested in the program should submit a $30 application fee with an application for admission, official transcripts, and official GRE/GMAT score to the admissions office. International Business, IT for Competitive Advantage, Strategic Entrepreneurship, Managerial Accounting, Team Dynamics, HR Management, Financial Policies, Marketing Strategy, Integrative Business Strategy, and Product Management are just some of the exciting courses available.

Cleveland State University’s business school breaks into the nation’s best 100 online MBA’s according to U.S. News & World Report with a 90th ranking. U.S. News also acknowledges the university as offering exceptional services supporting online and nontraditional students. Cleveland State is home of the Vikings and maintains a campus in Cleveland, Ohio. The university’s campus first belonged to Fenn College but was established in 1964 after Fenn closed its doors. Sixteen thousand three hundred seventy-one students are currently attending CSU. The HLC regionally accredits the public, four-year Cleveland State University.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

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

The Department of Business, Accounting, and Sports Management Business Department at the University of Saint Mary delivers an online MBA with Leadership and Organizational Health, General Management, Finance, Health Care Management, Marketing and Advertising Management, and Human Resource Management specializations. This accelerated program can be completed in just a year. The accolades for this degree include U.S. News & World Report’s calling it the 202nd best online MBA in the country. The reputable ranking organization also gives the business school high marks for being among the best 200 places for online students to receive support services. Program designers stress critical thinking within this degree and steadily encourage distance learners to consider how management decisions affect their organization’s standing in the global marketplace, their fellow colleagues, and the bottom line. With a total tuition rate of just over $22,000, this excellent degree is considered average in affordability. The business school’s admission office stands readily available for any questions potential candidates may have. There are no GRE/GMAT requirements associated with this degree.

The Higher Learning Center regionally accredits Saint Mary College. The college’s business school is accredited by the IACBE. Saint Mary began as an all woman’s school in 1923 and first admitted male students in 1988. One thousand three hundred ten students now attend the college and have access to associate’s programs as well as bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. Organizational Management, Business, Policy, and Ethics, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Global Management, Managerial Economics, Operations Management Managerial Accounting, and Managerial Finance are some of the core courses included in Saint Mary’s Department of Business, Accounting, and Sports Management Business Department’s program.

Accreditation: IACBE, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#25 Lynn University College of Business and Management – Boca Raton, Florida

The College of Business and Management at Lynn University has an online MBA that is both fast and flexible. Students can choose to pursue an emphasis in Entrepreneurial Management, Aviation Management, Financial Valuation and Investment Management, Human Resource Management, Hospitality Management, International Business, Media Management, Sports Management, or Marketing. The strength of this stellar degree lies in the guidance offered by a well-credentialed, business-savvy faculty which provides unparalleled technological and educational support, intimate and interactive class sizes, exemplary career counseling over the course of the program and a vibrant and active alumni network. Program candidates uninterested in taking the GMAT or looking for admission requirements that lack test scores will be happy to know the admission office does not include GMAT or GRE score results while accepting students. This 37-credit hour degree can be pursued with less than $30,000 spent in total tuition. Recognition for the College of Business and Management includes being named #168 in support services and #202 in the nation among online MBAs by U.S. News & World Report. Nine high-quality specializations are included within this 100% online degree.

Lynn University ’s business school receives its business accreditation through the reputable International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education while the university is regionally accredited by the SACSCC. Lynn is located in Boca Raton, Florida and got its start as an all-woman’s two-year college when it opened in 1962 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Today’s Lynn University educates over 3,000 students seeking two-year associate’s degrees through doctoral programs.

Accreditation: IACBE, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#26 Saint Joseph’s University Erivan K. Haub School of Business – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University provides a fast-paced online MBA with General Business, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Accounting, Finance, International Business, Health and Medical Services Administration, International Marketing, Marketing, and Leading at the Erivan K. Haub School of Business. The business school’s priority with this program is to strengthen the leadership abilities and managerial potential of both today’s and tomorrow’s professionals while simultaneously encouraging genuine care for moral, ethical, and cultural aspects of today’s global society. These valued principles will find their accomplishment in the pillars of effective instruction, meaningful coursework, wise counsel, and the business school’s leadership commitment to service and research. Students will satisfy all requirements for this program by completing between eleven and nineteen courses. The overall program length of this degree depends on a candidate’s previous academic performance and experience and specialization choices that are attached to this online MBA. With a total tuition rate of over $55,000, the Erivan K. Haub School of Business’ online program is considered expensive. Flexibility is also the name of the game with this MBA as students can fast-track their studies and graduate in just one year. The option to take courses as a full-time, part-time, on campus, or 100% online students is super convenient.

The 53-credit hours housed within this program is divided between six Gateway Course credits, 20 Foundation Course credits, fifteen Core Course credits, three Cross-functional Capstone credits, and nine Concentration credits. The online MBA offered at Saint Joseph’s University stands among other excellent degrees offered to the 8,085 students enrolled there. The private, four-year institution is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is home of the Hawks.

Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Expensive

#27 Boise State University College of Business and Economics – Boise, Idaho

Boise State University offers an online MBA at the College of Business and Economics. Online MBA candidates looking for the potential to graduate in just 12 months need to look deeper into this excellent degree from Boise State. U.S. News & World Report calls the university one of the West’s top 20 public schools. The organization also deems this distance program the 40th best online MBA in the nation and cites it for excellent support services. The driving principles behind this degree include a graduate’s ability to understand creative project management and process which will transform the global landscape of business, discover the power of group dynamics and management abilities, and gain confidence and competency in legal, accounting, marketing, and finance issues. Students within this program never have to visit the school’s campus in Boise, Idaho and have all the costs of resources included in the base tuition. This 49-unit degree is delivered with an above-average tuition rate of less than $40,000. Each four-unit course is offered within seven-week terms. Courses offered include Business Plan Development, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Legal Issues in Business, Information Technology and Business Alignment, Managing Successful Projects, Global Economics: Policy and Trade, and Design Thinking and Strategic Management.

The university’s College of Business and Economics is accredited by the AACSB-International while Boise State is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Twenty-four thousand one hundred twenty-one students are enrolled at Boise State and are pursuing associate programs up through doctoral programs. The Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching has also recognized the school for its excellent efforts in education. The university was founded in 1932 as Boise Junior College and first centered on offering two-year degrees to the small student body. The university began granting four-year degrees in 1965. Boise State is home of the Broncos.

Accreditation: AACSB, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Affordability Score: Above Average

#28 Auburn University at Montgomery College of Business – Montgomery, Alabama

Auburn University at Montgomery features an online MBA at the College of Business. This online MBA has a lot going for it including a very affordable tuition rate of just over $13,000 and dual rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The trusted ranking organization calls this one out as the 232nd best online degree for support services and #161 among the nation’s best overall online MBAs. All ten courses housed within this program can be completed in just one year. Qualified students may also be able to waive certain foundational courses which can save time and money in the long run. Eight core courses and two electives combine to form this exceptional online program. Strategic Analysis for Competitive Advantage, Managing People, Information Resource Management, Data Analysis for Managers, Marketing Management, Business and Administrative Communication, and Managerial Applications of Accounting Information are just some of the courses offered within this program.

This remarkable online MBA is one of many noteworthy programs offered at Auburn University at Montgomery. AUM operates under the motto of “Our Standard is Excellence,” and it is clear to see that the university strives to give its Warhawks many opportunities to achieve academic success. Four thousand eight hundred ninety-four students are currently enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees at the university. Montgomery, Alabama is the school’s location. Auburn University at Montgomery’s online MBA is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs while the college itself is regionally accredited by the SACSCC.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#29 California University of Pennsylvania School of Graduate Studies and Research – California, Pennsylvania

The School of Graduate Studies and Research at California University of Pennsylvania provides an online MBA with specializations in Entrepreneurship, Nursing Administration, Business Analytics, Healthcare Management, and Leadership. A general MBA can also be pursued by distance learners uninterested in an emphasis. Excellent recognition follows this degree as U.S. News & World Report names it the 168th best online MBA in the country. The ranking organization also places it among the top 200 programs in the United States for support services offered to nontraditional and online students. Full-time students can finish in just one year while part-time students can graduate in 24 months. The concentration options available with this program are as attractive as the affordable total tuition rate of less than $19,000. The business school’s goal with this program is to train tomorrow’s business leaders in successful careers in government, industry, and management at multiple levels. The curriculum for this degree covers a broad range of business disciplines including problem-solving, quantitative skills, mathematics, and information technology.

Applicants lacking a business education are still encouraged to apply for this program as they may be accepted on a conditional basis. Students can also achieve this status if they possess an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 or provide only unofficial transcripts. The coursework for California University of Pennsylvania’s online MBA consists of eight core courses and four electives. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers excellent associate through doctoral degrees to 7,788 students. Courses within California University of Pennsylvania’s program include Marketing Management, Corporate Finance, Applied Economic Analysis, Quantitative Methods, and Managerial Accounting.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Affordable

#30 Colorado State University-Pueblo Malik and Seeme Hasan School of Business – Pueblo, Colorado

The Malik and Seeme Hasan School of Business at Colorado State University-Pueblo features an online MBA. An Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited business school which offers an affordable online program for less than $20,000 is a noteworthy opportunity. In addition to that feature, the U.S. News & World Report classifies this degree as one offering excellent support services and deems the program as the 162nd best online MBA in the country. Students taking an accelerated approach to their business degree can graduate in as little as one year. This schedule would include taking two courses each eight-week term. Candidates wanting a slower pace can take only one class each term and graduate in 24 months. The online MBA offers basic knowledge of the many functions of organizations and businesses and nurtures skills and attitudes that help students to become successful managers. Distance learners will achieve a basic understanding of the various functions needed by administrators and managers and will achieve competency in applying this knowledge to real work environments.

The AACSB-International awards the Malik and Seeme Hasan School of Business with its business accreditation while Colorado State University-Pueblo is regionally accredited by the HLC. CSU-Pueblo is a high-quality four-year public university in Pueblo, Colorado, in the south area of the state. The university is home of the ThunderWolves and features blue and red as official school colors. Six thousand six hundred thirty-nine students are currently enrolled through this campus. Their online MBA covers important topics such as Productions/Operations Management, Management of Organizational Behavior, Economics for Managers, Managing Human Resources, and Business Ethics and Environment.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable

What is the difference between a one-year and two-year online MBA?

With the online MBA’s growing popularity, more students than ever are taking advantage of pursuing a top-notch degree that is designed with convenience and schedule flexibility in mind. A Chicago Tribune report states that nearly half of EdAssist’s clients seeking tuition assistance for an MBA were pursuing a 100% online format for the degree.

It is no secret that students are seeking online MBA programs that will offer the training they need in the shortest amount of time possible. Many business schools which offer both traditional and online programs can provide potential candidates with an expected timeline for how long it may take them to complete all course requirements. The norm for most part-time MBA students is two-to-three years to graduate.

But what about those students who require a more-expedited online MBA experience? What are the advantages and disadvantages of seeking a one-year program rather than a two-year degree? Here are some things to consider when standing at this crossroad.

A one-year online MBA can mean a shorter program

It is common to find that many online MBAs which can be completed in just 12 months will consist of 30-credit hours. Typically, this amount of hours will translate into ten courses which can then be completed with one semester of four courses and two more consisting of three.

A one-year online MBA can save big on the cost of education

Compacting this degree into only one year can give a significant less expense. Think of the savings of a one-year program compared to a two-year program. It would mean a savings of a year’s worth of tuition, fees, travel expenses if taking classes through a hybrid program, and other costs associated with higher education.

A one-year online MBA can keep you focused

Whether you are choosing a one-year degree or taking six years to graduate, an online MBA is demanding. Preparing your schedule and buckling down for just one year of intense time management will pay off big-time when it comes to knowing that in just 12 months you were able to complete a high-quality higher education successfully. You will then be more marketable, and more knowledgeable than you ever have been in your professional career.

Are fast online MBA programs less expensive?

The idea that a distance education leaves much to be desired for the modern graduate student is a thing of the past. Each year, more and more traditional institutions of higher learning design and offer online degrees like the online MBA as they see the popularity of the segment growing in education.

Logically, it makes no sense for a business professional who has acquired years of experience within an organization to quit her job, move to another state, and attend classes in a brick and mortar building for two years only to reenter the job market at ground zero.

An online MBA gives someone interested in growing a career in management the opportunity to stay in his current position, grow his professional network, and implement the principles covered in the virtual classroom in real time on the job. The curriculum of some of the best online MBAs in the nation includes current and relevant case studies which expose students to realities in the global marketplace.

We know that an accessible and accelerated online MBA is of great benefit to a business professional. But is a program like this less expensive than a two-year or greater program?

The short answer is yes.

A 12-month program allows a student to hunker down and experience a heavier course load while saving big on the expense of education. Many one-year programs are structured as a 10-course program. Fewer courses mean less in tuition. Online MBA students within a 100% online, one-year program also benefit from not having to spend anything on travel to a school campus.

Do one-year online MBA programs cover the same topics?

Researching the best fit for an online MBA can be daunting for some. How much does the program cost? Is the business school reputable? What does accreditation count for? Will this program give me the tools I need for a successful career in business management? The list goes on.

Thankfully, there are answers to every question. The key is to look in the right places. A quick glance at a business school’s website will often reveal an obvious tab for a request for more information. Some schools offer a counselor who is one phone call away, while others offer FAQs and a message that will be answered within 24 hours.

One of the biggest questions one may have about an online MBA is whether or not there will be a compromise in quality when pursuing a faster, one-year program. Since many programs feature a list of required courses and specialization courses included in the degree, you will want to make yourself familiar with what is being taught. If these courses are not described with any detail, feel free to contact student services at the business school and request course descriptions.

Making contact with a business school as a potential candidate for an online MBA is a great way to ensure you can expect quality communication with the school once you become a student as well. Twelve-month online MBAs are a great way to receive a quality education at an accelerated pace without compromising the strength of a curriculum.