The 20 Best Online Innovation MBA Degree Programs

An Online Innovation MBA can be the perfect fit for business professionals wanting more from their careers. While financial stability and professional longevity are important, great ideas that are now commonplace in society started because innovators refused to accept the status quo and instead chose to push the envelope of technology and business practices.

The best and the brightest in business leadership are able to fuse groundbreaking ideas with resources and technology to build and sustain creative and innovative organizations. This will call on cross-functional, interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork to keep an organization viable in corporate innovation.

The crux of innovation management resides within teams that are able to create cost-effective manufacturing, practical function, attractive design, and bottom-line value. These qualities are also some of the business world’s biggest challenges. Ideas thrive when many minds are invested in many disciplines. The key driver for the success of business innovation will always be effective management.

A graduate degree in innovation will consist of a curriculum designed to offer practical training in product development. Students interested in this type of education should seek out a business school with a diverse network of innovators who can provide the integrated skills and perspectives needed to conceive, design, launch, and manage innovation on a cross-functional team. Students interested in product and project management will be especially inspired by an online Innovation MBA. The courses included within this specialization will cover understanding market needs, the development process, commercialization, and how to transform market needs into viable products and services.

Organizations of all types and sizes will benefit greatly by staffing innovation managers to solve problems in modern business. With a format like online education, business leaders can start learning more about this exciting field by researching online MBA degrees offered by some of the nation’s most respected business schools. Here are the best Online Innovation MBA Degrees.

Methodology

Innovators are professionals with a full plate. While juggling all the hats of a new venture, a full-time job, and personal commitments, prospective students might not be able to research all 550 distance MBA degrees available to them. To aid students in their search, almost 550 online and hybrid MBA programs were analyzed and ranked by MBA Central. This ranking list of Online Innovation MBA programs is based on data for Quality of Classes (33%), Affordability (33%), and Distance Learning Support Services (33%). Each school also receives an Affordability Score based upon their total base tuition rate. Affordability Score ranges are:

Very Affordable: under $15,000
Affordable: between $15,000 and $20,000
Average: between $20,000 and $30,000
Above Average: between $30,000 and $50,000
Expensive: between $50,000 and $100,000
Very Expensive: above $100,000

#1 University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management – Richardson, Texas

An online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Innovation & Entrepreneurship is provided by the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas. Other stellar emphases associated with this degree include Systems Engineering & Management, Accounting, Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Energy Management, Finance, Strategic Management, Healthcare Leadership and Management, Information Technology Management, Internal Audit, International Management, Leadership in Organizations, Marketing, and Real Estate. For less than $40,000 in tuition a distance learner can complete this excellent 53-credit hour program. The business school at UT at Dallas has many special accolades including U.S. News & World Report’s awarding it the 24th spot for excellent support services among schools in the nation. The ranking entity also awards this online MBA as the 6th best in the country. The Princeton Review calls this one a #12 distance degree in America and Quacquarelli Symonds gives it its #22 spot among programs in the world.

All 53-credit hours of this degree, which includes 23 elective hours and 30 core credits, can be completed online. No campus visits means being able to save time and money with no travel time factored into the degree. Students interested in gaining exposure to faculty and fellow students are welcomed to attend some courses on the school’s campus in Richardson, Texas, near Dallas. The school opened its doors in 1969 when the campus was signed over to the state of Texas, and the campus became a part of the University of Texas System. UTD upholds the school motto of “Education, the Guardian of Society.” The business school at UT Dallas is accredited by the AACSB-International.

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

#2 North Carolina State University Poole College of Management – Raleigh, North Carolina

The Poole College of Management at North Carolina State University delivers an online Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Innovation Management. BioSciences Management, Financial Management, Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, Marketing Management, and Supply Chain Management are other specializations offered by the business school. The business school’s professional online MBA delivers the best, proven technologies to aid in connecting distance learners with instructors, fellow students, and guest speakers. Most courses are delivered in an asynchronous format while online classes are taught through online, video presentations, and podcasts. Group projects and discussions are a big part of the degree’s curriculum stressing the importance of virtual teams. Program instructors keep office hours through a virtual collaborative space, online chat, phone, and email.

There are two three-day residencies associated with this MBA in Innovation Management held at North Carolina State University’s Raleigh, NC campus. These required campus visits offer distance learners a valuable time of connecting with staff and other students who will surely be a valuable network in the future. Military personnel in active duty can waive this requirement and simply add elective courses to their degree programs. The business school features two times to start this program each year allowing students an important convenience. The timeframe for completing this degree in Innovation Management is between 21 months for those wanting an accelerated experience, and six years for those needing more flexibility in their schedules. This online MBA is one of the most recognized degrees in our listing with a ranking as one of the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Financial Times and Quacquarelli Symonds have also awarded the business school with a spot as offering one of the best online MBAs on the planet.

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

#3 Florida International University Chapman Graduate School of Business – Miami, Florida

Florida International University delivers an Entrepreneurship and Innovation-intensive online Master’s of Business Administration at the Chapman Graduate School of Business. Finance, Strategic Negotiations, International Business, Healthcare, Marketing Channel Strategy, and Business Analytics are other concentrations offered by the business school. The business school’s Professional Online MBA is a fast-paced, rigorous program for working professionals driven to take their careers to new levels. FIU has a solid reputation for excellent leadership in business education and features a top-notch faculty. The online PMBA is a perfect fit for professionals looking to gain credentials to advance and enhance a particular area of leadership expertise. With a 100% online structure, distance learners have the flexibility to study when and where they need to at their own pace. Business school students are eligible for Florida International University scholarship of up to $15,000 in tuition aid.

The AACSB-International accredits FIU’s Chapman Graduate School of Business while Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Quacquarelli Symonds, Financial Times, and U.S. News & World Report all hold the university’s business school in high regards as one of the very best places to pursue an online MBA. The school’s exemplary support services have also been showcased by U.S. News enough to rank the school at #78 among the nation’s best. The university was founded in 1965 in Miami and today provides two-year associates through doctoral programs to the 56,718 students enrolled there.

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

#4 Clarion University College of Business Administration and Information Sciences – Clarion, Pennsylvania

An online MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is featured at Clarion University’s College of Business Administration and Information Sciences. Accounting, Nonprofit Business, Finance, and Healthcare may also be pursued as specializations within this online MBA. Innovation in business is to change, revolutionize, transform, and break through to provide new ideas, products, methods, and create an impact in the global marketplace. This online MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship will offer those who want to learn how to be creative and become more innovative the chance to excel in these areas. Earning this focus will prepare students for careers in new innovations, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and similar fields of business. The importance of grasping the key components of innovation and entrepreneurship is crucial to job creation in our modern economy. The business school had written this curriculum to help students recognize market potential, analyze and evaluate consumer needs, and repurpose those needs into new business ventures. MBA students will understand the unique issues facing new businesses. These problems may look like surviving with limited resources, finding financial capital, scaling after start-up, managing day-to-day operations, and understanding exit strategies. This 30-credit hour distance degree will prepare graduates with the skills needed to launch their new ventures. The program is offered 100% online.

Leadership and Organization, Strategic Management/Business Policy, Quantitative Analysis, Operations Management and Information Systems, Marketing Decision Making, Economics, Finance, and Marketing Decision Making are the core courses included in this affordable 33-credit hour program. The specialized courses specific to Innovation and Entrepreneurship include Entrepreneurial Enterprise Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Special Problems: Entrepreneurial Practicum.

Accreditation: AACSB, MSCHE
Affordability Score: Affordable

#5 University of New Hampshire Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics – Durham, New Hampshire

An online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Growth & Innovation is delivered at Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire. Finance, Hospitality Management, Information Systems & Business Analytics, Marketing, and Global Business are also offered as specializations. The business school understands that distance learners are eager to advance their careers and have their sights set on a powerful and dynamic online MBA. This program is a great investment and will help business leaders develop the crucial knowledge and skills needed to shift career paths, advance in a current organization, or re-enter the workforce after retirement. Working professionals and adults with multiple responsibilities demand flexibility. The online MBA program at UNH’s Paul College is formatted with flexible delivery of coursework. Classes can be taken completely online, during evening classes at UNH’s Durham or Manchester campuses, or as a hybrid experience through a combination of both. The same qualified professors teach through both avenues.

The business school’s Growth and Innovation concentration offers the distance learner skills, knowledge, and an entrepreneurial mindset that will be an asset in smaller, newer organizations and in larger, more-established companies. They will be competent in driving organizational change, growth, and innovation. The AACSB-International accredits the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics just as the New England Commission of Higher Education grants the University of New Hampshire its regional accreditation. UNH is home of the Wildcats and currently serves 15,363 students with degree plans ranging from associate degrees to doctorates.

Accreditation: AACSB, New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Above Average

#6 Regent University School of Business & Leadership – Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University’s School of Business & Leadership offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Innovation Management. Other concentrations provided within the online MBA include Not-For-Profit Management, Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance & Investing, General Management, Healthcare Management, Leadership, Human Resource Management, and Leadership. Students looking for a distance degree that will train them in the development of new products and services may have found the perfect program. The School of Business & Leadership has made a commitment with this degree to guide students through the development of prototyping methods, integrated interactive customer experiences, and consumer behavior. This graduate program in business is taught from a Christian perspective and consists of entrepreneurs coaching grad students in exciting methods of strategic thinking. The curriculum of this 42-credit hour program encourages students to design effective corporate educational environments that enterprise readiness and satisfy customer needs. Students will also be able to formulate service and product processes that include market definition, opportunity identification, illustration of viable alternatives, and emerging technologies analysis.

The core courses found within this highly-accredited degree include Managerial Economics, Business Planning & Launch, Innovation & Technological Success, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Managing People, Managing Organizations, and Accounting. Every credit required of the online MBA in Innovation Management can be completed 100% online with zero campus visits to Regent University throughout the completion of the program. Regent is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and since 1977 has made Christian-based higher education a priority. Nearly 9,500 students call Regent their academic home and the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

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

#7 Ferris State University College of Business – Big Rapids, Michigan

The College of Business at Ferris State University offers a Design & Innovation Management-intensive online Master’s of Business Administration. Emphases in Business Intelligence, Incident Response, Lean Systems and Leadership, Supply Chain Management & Lean Logistics, Performance Metrics, and Project Management are also offered to distance learners by the business school. The business school touts an academically accomplished faculty that is chock full of industry seasoned professionals. The electives for each specialization have been uniquely created to offer attractive problem solving and leadership skills. Ferris State has worked for years to build its reputation as a university which provides the very best in business leadership. A business professional with a degree like this online MBA in Design & Innovation Management listed on her resume is sure to garner interest from a global audience of potential employers.

The 48-credit hour online MBA consists of 30 core credits and a nine-credit emphasis for a total of thirty-nine required credits. Courses at the core level draw from primary pillars in business leadership including Business Management, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Business Law, and Economics. Lean Enterprises Systems and Information Systems Strategy are also included in this body of work. Distance learners with a specific career interest may work with an advisor to choose a combination of available graduate courses or even propose independent research thereby customizing a concentration in a myriad of fields of study. The esteemed ACBSP accredits this degree offered by Ferris State University. Ferris State got its start as Big Rapids Industrial School in 1884 and remains connected to the city of Big Rapids, Michigan.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#8 University of Colorado Colorado Springs College of Business – Colorado Springs, Colorado

The College of Business and Administration at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs provides an online Master’s of Business Administration with an Innovation Management focus. Students looking for other specializations may be interested in the business school’s offerings of General Business, Management, Finance, Health Care Administration, or International Business. This exemplary online MBA got its start in 1996 and holds the title as one of the very first in the nation to be backed by its business school’s business accreditation through the AACSB-International. The return on the investment is promising for MBA degree holders, and organizations see the value in this degree. An MBA holder can expect to stand out among other potential hires as the program proves a candidate’s ability to work hard and persevere through a program’s curriculum. Students lacking a business background are welcomed into the College of Business and Administration at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. There are foundational courses in place that work to bring a student up to speed in the areas of Finance, Accounting, and Economics.

Decision Making, Operations: Competing Through Capabilities, and Strategic Management, Corporate Financial Management, Marketing Strategy, Information Systems, and Leading & Managing in Changing Times are some of the core courses within this degree. Specialized courses designed to give a student competence in Innovation Management include Managing Projects for Competitive Advantage, Transforming Technology Organizations & Employees, Entrepreneurship & New Ventures, and Managing Innovation for Strategic Advantage. Both Quacquarelli Symonds and U.S. News & World Report herald this degree as one of the best in the nation and the world.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#9 Wright State University Raj Soin College of Business – Dayton, Ohio

The Raj Soin College of Business at Wright State University provides an online Master’s of Business Administration in Management, Innovation, and Change. Business Economics, Project Management, Finance, Healthcare Management, International Business, New Venture Creation, Interdisciplinary Business, Investments, and Marketing are other top-notch emphases delivered within this online MBA. The core courses within the business school’s program include Developing and Implementing Competitive Strategies, Supply Chain Management, Marketing Strategy, Strategic Cost Management, Financial Analysis and Decision Making, and International Business Management: Operations and Environments. Over 13-credit hours of foundational courses can be waived by distance learners who already have the proper academic experience in business. For a program of this caliber to be offered at less than $29,000 in tuition makes this average-priced 33-credit degree a real value. A schedule consisting of two courses each term allows the online student the chance to graduate in two years. The Raj Soin College of Business realizes that business professionals often have professional or personal restraints which require a longer completion time. Students may take up to five years to complete all academic requirements for this degree.

The AACSB-International grants the Raj Soin College of Business its exemplary business accreditation, and the Higher Learning Commission regionally accredits Wright State University. Wright State is one of Ohio’s best four-year public universities. The school’s campus is in Dayton, Ohio and the university’s namesake is the famous Wright brothers, pioneers of aircraft design and aviation. Wright State’s mascot is the Raiders, and the sports department competes within the NCAA Division I. A relatively young school, Wright State was founded in 1964 as a venture between Ohio State and Miami University.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#10 Missouri University of Science & Technology College of Arts, Sciences, and Business – Rolla, Missouri

Missouri University of Science & Technology’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Business offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation. The business school also offers certificates in AI, Machine Learning and Automation in Business, Mobile Business and Technology, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Management, Digital Media and Web Design, Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience, Electronic and Social Commerce, Enterprise Resource Planning, Finance, and Financial Technology. This degree in Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation can be pursued for less than $50,000 and is backed by the business school’s stellar business accreditation.

Change and growth in business environments across the country necessitate the training and equipping of entrepreneurs. Many people within the American workforce do not yet recognize the entrepreneurial spirit within them and would do well to be guided by a trusted business school. While a professional may not be certain she has what it takes to drive innovation, recent research indicates that much of the knowledge and many of the skills that successful entrepreneurs possess can be developed and dispersed in the classroom. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Business’ graduate certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation will help spark an entrepreneurial spirit and establish a solid foundation on which to build crucial knowledge and skills. Competencies within this dynamic 36-credit hour program include fostering innovations, recognizing opportunities, design thinking, leveraging resources, mitigating and managing risk, and building and maintaining professional networks

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

#11 Stevens Institute of Technology School of Business – Hoboken, New Jersey

The School of Business at the Stevens Institute of Technology offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a Corporate Innovation emphasis. Other impeccable concentrations offered alongside this degree include Information Systems, Finance, and Project Management. The Stevens MBA has been designed to equip students with the ability to lead conversations about how modern technology can create a strategic advantage in the business realm. Unlike other MBA programs, this one considers how rapidly the data revolution changes the ways leaders recognize potential opportunities and identify current trends. This online MBA in Corporate Innovation is delivered by instructors who understand the traditional business toolkit of finance, marketing, and strategy and finance and how it can be accentuated with the critical skills of analytics and technology to create success.

Courses within this 39-credit hour program will feature applied exercises designed to prepare students to be leaders capable of making fast, data-driven decisions. The coursework stresses collaboration through group presentations and projects and steadily will develop creativity and critical thinking skills among learners. New analytical tools are fused with the latest research insights to create a unique educational experience. Marketing Management, Business Analytics: Data, Models and Decisions, and Applied Analytics, Operations Management, Strategic Management, Leader Development, Discovering & Exploiting Entrepreneurial Opportunities, and Managerial Judgment and Decision Making are some of the core courses found within this program. This excellent degree is just one educational path offered at Stevens Institute of Technology. SIT is in Hoboken, New Jersey and is backed by the MSCHE.

Accreditation: AACSB, MSCHE
Affordability Score: Expensive

#12 Concordia University Wisconsin Batterman School of Business – Mequon, Wisconsin

The Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Sustainability Management and Analytics, Accounting, Management, Communications and Public Relations, Human Resource Management, Finance, Global Health Care Administration, Health Care Administration for Practitioners, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Business, Management Information Systems, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Public Administration, Risk Assessment, Sport and Entertainment Business, and Strategic Marketing can also be considered as specializations o accompany this online MBA. The business school realizes that an exciting part of innovation is the chance to drive positive change in business in a multitude of ways. The MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been constructed to do just that. Distance learners can expect instructors to educate from their real-world experience and place students within a diverse student body that naturally opens up new points of view. Free business coaching is also included in this program along with the opportunity to pitch original ideas through the CU Launch initiative.

Throughout the degree, instructors will engage graduate students in topics like venture capital, long-term planning strategy, and intellectual property rights. The business school wants to make this program convenient for all types of students, so courses are offered at the main campus in Mequon, Wisconsin, all off-site locations and through online learning. No matter a student’s location in the world, this program will help him pursue the ideas he is passionate about. The business school’s 39-credit hour program has been heralded by some of the most trusted ranking organizations in the country as a top degree in business. The school offers excellent support services for online students and has been deemed the 175th best online MBA by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation: IACBE, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#13 Cedarville University School of Business Administration – Cedarville, Ohio

An online Master’s of Business Administration with an Innovation and Entrepreneurship concentration is offered at the School of Business Administration at Cedarville University. If you are more interested in completing this online MBA without an emphasis, you may pursue a general MBA. Concentrations in Operations Management, Healthcare Administration, Business Analytics, and Cybersecurity can also be attached to the program. The School of Business Administration has designed this program for professionals interested in starting or growing a business and willing to use their God-given creativity to lead others well. Innovative and creative solutions are needed now more than ever to keep up with an ever-changing marketplace. The business school banks on the fact that this MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship will help students expand opportunities and take their careers to the next level. The MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship explores the areas of design, sustainable business modeling, innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity, to develop a leadership mindset useful in solving the complex issues present in today’s demanding global marketplace. The business school has formed a partnership with the International Center for Creativity in Columbus, Ohio to offer this degree to distance learners. The International Center for Creativity is a nationally ranked leader in innovation education.

Accounting for Business Executives, Strategic Marketing Planning, Biblical and Theological Foundations for Graduate Study, Organizational Design and Behavior, Executive Financial Management, Managerial Economics, Information Technology for Competitive Advantage, and Legal/Ethics course are some of the stellar classes found within this 36-credit hour program. The seven-week terms that frame each class allow students to move briskly through the online MBA at Cedarville, University. Students possessing a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.75 GPA and who profess a faith in Jesus Christ are encouraged to complete an application in order to get the acceptance process underway.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#14 Post University Malcolm Baldrige School of Business – Waterbury, Connecticut

An online Master’s of Business Administration with a Corporate Innovation focus is offered at the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University. Distance learners can also pursue concentrations in Corporate Finance, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Multidisciplinary, Healthcare Systems Leadership, Marketing, and Project Management. The focus for this excellent concentration in Corporate Innovation is to equip distance learners with strategies to lead their organizations to push the envelope in business. New markets, new products, and new organizational structures all need to be initiated by competent managers able to direct teams and cast vision for successful business ventures. This online program is ideal for those ready to sharpen their skills without interrupting their career paths. Career outcomes for this program vary, but graduates will be qualified to pursue roles as directors, managers, and executive leaders responsible for change, strategy, and innovation. Organizational Creativity, Project Management, Discovery, and Innovation, Business Strategy and Planning, Strategic Integrated Marketing Communications, Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making, Organizational Dynamics and Effectiveness, Financial Tools for Managers, and Business Analytics for Managers are some of the core courses offered at the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business. Concentration courses attached to this degree include Leadership and Change Management, Financial Tools for Managing Innovation, and Unleashing and Sustaining Innovation in Organizations.

The ACBSP accredits this tremendous online MBA in Corporate Innovation while the New England Commission of Higher Education backs Post University with the school’s regional accreditation. Resting on a main campus in scenic Waterbury, Connecticut, Post got its start as Matoon Shorthand School and was committed to teaching its students the skills of office clerical work. Over the years, Post University has grown into the four-year, private for-profit school it is today which oversees 8,540 students seeking two-year associate, four-year bachelor, and master’s degrees.

Accreditation: ACBSP, New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Average

#15 Brenau University School of Business – Gainesville, Georgia

Brenau University delivers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Strategic Thinking and Innovation at the School of Business. Non-Profit Leadership, Managerial Accounting, Public Accounting, Business Analytics, Communications Management, Marketing, Cyber Security Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, Health Care Management, Management, Human Resources Management, Mediation & Conflict Resolution, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, and Project Management are the other excellent emphases offered to online students at Brenau. For less than $30,000 in tuition a distance learner can achieve one of the nation’s best online MBAs in Strategic Thinking and Innovation that is offered as a 42-credit hour degree. U.S. News & World Report rates it as the 153th best in the country and highly-esteems the business school for offering exemplary support services to online students. The crux of this degree’s curriculum focuses on crucial management, marketing, economics, leadership, financial, and accounting principles required within an advanced program of study in business. Graduate students enrolled in core classes can expect a heavy emphasis of theoretical analytics meshed with pragmatic techniques. Students uninterested in a concentration can graduate in just one calendar year while those wanting to add a specialization to their degree can expect to complete all program requirements in just two years.

One hundred percent of this online MBA in Strategic Thinking and Innovation is provided online with no campus visits required throughout the course of the program. This online MBA is accredited by the ACBSP, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges is the accrediting body behind Brenau University. Brenau has a tenured history in Georgia as it was founded as Georgia Baptist Female Seminary in 1878. The university allowed its first male students to enroll for courses in the late 1960’s. Brenau University operates today as a private four-year institution offering degrees that span from two-year associate programs to doctorates. The school’s main campus resides in Gainesville, Georgia.

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

#16 Drexel University Bennett S. LeBow College of Business – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University delivers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a focus in Entrepreneurship/Innovation Management at the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. Distance learners looking for a concentration in Accounting, Supply Chain and Logistics, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship/Innovation Management, Marketing, Finance, or Healthcare Management will also be interested in what the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business has to offer. The business school receives high marks from some of the most trusted ranking entities in the world including U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times, and Quacquarelli Symonds. This online MBA has been placed within the top 50 programs in the nation and/or world by each of these organizations. U.S. News has also recognized the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business for providing excellent support services for students. The tuition for this 49-credit hour degree lies at under $65,000 classifying it as expensive. The business school’s amazing reputation for providing a quality degree carries a high potential for a good return on the investment. Students enrolled in this program can expect courses to be delivered within four quarters that last ten weeks long each.

Managing & Leading the Total Enterprise, Legal Options in Decision Making, Essentials of Financial Reporting, Leading in Dynamic Environments, Managing & Leading the Total Enterprise, Corporate Financial Management, Business Problem Solving, and Managerial Economics are some of the stellar courses offered within this program’s curriculum. The AACSB-International accredits the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business and Drexel University is accredited by the MSCHE. Drexel got its start as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry in 1891 when Philadelphia businessman, Anthony J. Drexel founded the school. Today Drexel provides excellent degree plans in a variety of formats to 24,190 students.

Accreditation: AACSB, MSCHE
Affordability Score: Expensive

#17 Penn State World Campus Smeal College of Business – University Park, Pennsylvania

An online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship can be pursued at Penn State World Campus’ Smeal College of Business. Other stellar emphases offered at Smeal include Accounting Foundations, Advanced Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Finance, General Management, Project Management, Human Resource Management, and Marketing Analytics. This online MBA with a Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship concentration offers remarkable opportunities for distance learners to apply gained knowledge by solving real-world business issues. By the time students complete this degree they will possess a solid foundation of understanding how many types of organizations operate, how to process information across functional a multitude of areas, how to work efficiently in high-performing teams, and how to influence and maintain leadership strategically. U.S. News & World Report places this online degree within the top ten in the nation and deem it as the 82nd best program for excellence in support services for online and nontraditional students.

The Smeal College of Business has a long-seeded history of academic excellence and students within this program have a healthy potential for a strong return on the investment of education. The AACSB-International awards the business school with its business accreditation while Penn State World Campus is regionally accredited by the MSCHE. Over 14,000 students are seeking degrees through the Penn State World Campus which is based in University Park, Pennsylvania. Over 150 distance degrees can be pursued at the school.

Accreditation: AACSB, MSCHE
Affordability Score: Expensive

#18 Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business – Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University delivers an online Master’s of Business Administration with an Innovation Entrepreneurship focus at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Sustainability, Finance, Healthcare Management, Supply Chain Management, High Technology Management, International Management, and Marketing are also excellent concentrations offered by the business school. Ranking entities like Quacquarelli Symonds, Financial Times and U.S. News & World report agree that this 50-credit hour degree is simply one of the best in the nation and on the planet. The AACSB-International backs the D’Amore-McKim School of Business with its business accreditation. Graduate students already holding positions in organizations will not have to consider leaving those jobs as full-time professionals can graduate with this distance degree in just two years. The business school features interactive multimedia tools as part of this online MBA’s materials. One interesting option of this degree is the opportunity for students to take part in a short-term residency on the campus after completing nine credit hours of program content. The week-long residency gives students a chance to meet and network with school officials and will count as three credit hours towards the degree.

While the business school is accredited by the AACSB, Northeastern University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Northeastern is the pride of Boston higher education and has been in existence since 1898. Classes were originally held in a local YMCA, and the school was known as the Evening Institute for Younger Men. Today the university is home of the Huskies who wear black, grey, and red as the official school colors.

Accreditation: AACSB, New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Expensive

#19 Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School – Malibu, California

Pepperdine University features an online Master’s of Business Administration with a Digital Innovation & Information Systems focus at the Graziadio School of Business and Management. Other high-quality concentrations associated with the business school include Finance, General Management, Leadership and Managing Organizational Change, and Marketing. Pepperdine has designed this part-time MBA for working professionals. The degree consists of a flexible, experience-focused curriculum in an intimate, collaborative classroom or virtual online environment. The course of study for this Fully Employed MBA offers a foundation of multiple business disciplines and the chance to focus on a concentration like Digital Innovation and Information Systems within a 52-unit syllabus that can be completed in two years. Personal and professional demands can be satisfied by taking longer than 24 months to complete this degree. Electives offered within the exciting concentration of Digital Innovation and Information Systems include Business Analytics and Intelligence, DIIS Applied Research Project, Digital Innovation and Strategic Transformation, Enterprise Architecture and Infrastructure Management, DIIS Portfolio and Project Management, and Managing DIIS Security, Privacy and Ethics. The tuition rate of this program is over $90,000 rating it as an expensive online degree.

This online MBA in Digital Innovation and Information Systems is bolstered by the business school’s accreditation through the AACSB-International. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission regionally accredits Pepperdine University. The university was founded in 1937 by George Pepperdine. The Christian liberal arts institution was originally planted in Los Angeles before being moved to Malibu, California in 1971. Home of the Waves, Pepperdine is known for its famous architecture on its campus and, of course, the beautiful scenery along the Pacific Ocean coast in Southern California. The university maintains a student body of 7,710.

Accreditation: AACSB, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Expensive

#20 University of Sioux Falls Vucurevich School of Business – Sioux Falls, South Dakota

An online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Business Innovation and Marketing is offered at the Vucurevich School of Business at the University of Sioux Falls. Specializations in Healthcare and Management may also be added to this excellent distance degree. Students can expect to graduate with this exciting degree in just 21 months. Courses are delivered on the Sioux Falls campus and online. The business school has an excellent grasp on the needs of distance learners and provides this online MBA with a Business Innovation and Marketing emphasis to students who have recently completed their undergraduate degree and those who have already had decades of experience in the professional workforce. The writers of this curriculum have made every effort to bestow on the student body a mastery of knowledge and competency in leadership and business. This 36-credit hour online MBA focuses on marketing, innovation, sales management, and business plan development. One-third of this online degree in innovation focuses on specialization courses while the other 24 hours are comprised of core credits. The four courses specific to the Business Innovation and Marketing concentration include Business Plan Development, Sales Management, Marketing Research, and Innovation and Problem Solving.

Besides an excellent curriculum, this degree boasts a very affordable tuition rate of just over $14,000. A top-notch program like this one which is backed by its business school’s accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education is unique. The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredits the University of Sioux Falls. The school’s campus is situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and 1,453 students are attending classes there for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. USF is a Christian private school which was founded in 1883.

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

Why is innovation important?

Innovation is not just a current buzzword or fad; it has been the driving force of society for a long time. People have been reaching across boundaries, finding and creating new things, and driving the course of humanity forward. Physical barriers that started out as mountains to climb and oceans to cross are now moons to reach and stars to find, but innovation does not stop there. Innovation reaches into every part of a venture, mechanical, technological, and societal. Markers of great innovations can be easily found in history because it causes a dynamic reaction in the fabric of our lives. The innovation of electricity was a huge catalyst. The introduction of the telephone created changes in our personal lives and our businesses, and still aids innovation today.

Innovation creates markets and opportunities for growth and revenue in a company and society as a whole. Like the telephone, many significant innovations give birth to others, creating a domino effect. One organization that thrives on innovation is NASA. NASA and the Johnson Space Center has to develop systems, technologies, and products that have never been thought of before in order to do things beyond what has ever been imagined. Through this culture of innovation, they have created products and systems that ripple out beyond space exploration. Their innovations have affected construction materials, firefighting, cardiology, aviation, food preparation, and technology. But NASA is not the only company that thrives on innovation. Some of the most innovative companies today include Salesforce, Tesla, Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, and Monster Beverages. Companies that are able to create a culture of innovation like this are those that will feel the effects far into the future.

Business managers can use the ideology of innovation to generate creativity and new ventures within their organization. By encouraging communication, new ideas, and creative problem solving, a manager can create a culture where innovation is normative and a consistent driver of new things. This can look different ways. Business innovation might be the creation of a new product line or a different organizational system. What is certain, is that a manager that encourages innovation can be an essential asset to any company.

Innovation is also the currency of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs find gaps between societal needs and the products and services available to them. They shoulder risks in order to gain substantial rewards. They are usually flexible, creative problem solvers, and hard workers. They are not afraid of change and push boundaries. Entrepreneurs are great starting new solo ventures as well as important members of large organizations.

What will an Online Innovation MBA degree entail?

Professionals interested in researching more about innovation and business can pursue an exciting Online Innovation MBA degree. This flexible degree is an excellent choice for busy professionals already working on creative business ideas and ventures. Many students pursue this degree on a part-time schedule, which can allow them to graduate in two or more years depending on their needs. Some students can also pursue a full-time or accelerated format which can get them through a degree in 12 to 18 months.

To start, students in an Online Innovation MBA will cover core foundational business topics in economics, finance, business law, marketing, statistics, and accounting. Because innovation can be birthed in any field of study and has the potential to affect every field of study, it is important for innovators to have a basic grasp of these topics. Beyond core classes, students will then get to dive into the specialization, concentration, or certificate classes devoted to innovation on the macro and micro scale. Topics in these classes could include Consumer Behavior, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Leading Organizational Change, Entrepreneurial Enterprise Sustainability, Product and Brand Management, and Innovation and Strategic Design.

Can an Online Innovation MBA degree help entrepreneurs?

One great attribute of an Online Innovation MBA is that it is particularly developed in a way that greatly benefits entrepreneurs. The intrinsic flexible nature of an online MBA gives freedom to busy professionals. It is common for entrepreneurs to work a full-time job while also building their new business venture, which means flexibility and accessibility are key.

It is also common that a new business venture might be birthed out of an entrepreneur’s personal skill or talent. These multi-tasking and multi-talented entrepreneurs usually need to act as the swiss army knife of their business. They will be responsible for their IT, marketing, design, accounting, and more. This means that most entrepreneurs could use the knowledge and skills of the business foundations courses found in an MBA program.

Any business person will tell you that cash flow is the name of the game in business. Entrepreneurs need to be able to understand accounting and finance to be able to manage their cash flow. They also need to be able to create business plans and pitches with sound finances in order to entice possible investors. An Online Innovation MBA can help professionals in each of these areas.

Online MBA programs are also very socially driven within the peer network of each course. Online interaction from individuals all over the world and in every area of business are at the touch of a button. This built-in sounding board can be a great benefit to entrepreneurs flushing out problems and opportunities in their new venture. Many programs even built on a cohort model, giving the students close professional networks by the end of the program. There are a lot of opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and innovators, and an online MBA can help them on their exciting path.