Since project management jobs exist in every industry, earning an MBA project management online degree is the best way to move forward in this career path. These programs are designed to impart business knowledge in foundational areas from administration to leadership while providing career-specific studies, making graduates more competitive in their field of interest. Many online project management degree programs will prioritize PMP certification preparation, hands-on learning opportunities, and portfolio development.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the annual median wage for project managers at $77,420. This almost mirrors the criteria provided by Payscale, which reports an average salary of $75,568 for these professionals. Consider however that earning an MBA project management online degree can open the door to fields such as computer systems and IT management, which can pull an even greater salary of $151,150 per year. Lucrative, competitive and in high-demand across the board, there doesn’t seem to be a downside to a project management career!
GetEducated has surveyed 98 regionally accredited schools offering 101 MBA project management online degrees for you. This “Best Buy” list reveals the current, most affordable options in the United States. With a difference in tuition of over $60,370 between the most affordable and expensive programs, it is important to be informed of every option before taking the next step in your professional career.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$27,800
Least Expensive: Fayetteville State University ~$9,772.01
Most Expensive: Stevens Institute of Technology ~$70,144
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest MBA project management online programs. The online project management degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable MBA Project Management Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fayetteville State University | (NC) | $9,772.01 $22,876.01 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Amberton University | (TX) | $10,525.00 | All Students |
3 | University of the Cumberlands | (KY) | $12,055.00 | All Students |
4 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $12,132.00 | All Students |
5 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | (LA) | $12,474.00 | All Students |
6 | Lamar University | (TX) | $12,626.00 | All Students |
7 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | (LA) | $12,800.04 | All Students |
8 | University of Southern Indiana | (IN) | $12,900.00 | All Students |
9 | Lindsey Wilson College | (KY) | $14,688.00 | All Students |
10 | Indiana Institute of Technology | (IN) | $15,525.00 | All Students |
11 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $15,625.00 $10,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
12 | South College | (TN) | $16,000.00 | All Students |
13 | Doane University | (NE) | $16,580.00 | All Students |
14 | University of South Carolina-Aiken | (SC) | $16,885.12 | All Students |
15 | Spring Hill College | (AL) | $16,950.00 $8,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
16 | University of the Potomac | (DC) | $17,750.00 | All Students |
17 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $17,787.24 | All Students |
18 | The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $17,804.00 $35,156.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $17,850.00 | All Students |
20 | Lindenwood University | (MO) | $18,440.00 | All Students |
21 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $18,960.00 $14,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $19,125.00 | All Students |
23 | Post University | (CT) | $19,640.00 | All Students |
24 | Southern Wesleyan University Master of Business Administration / Project & Quality Management 14 | (SC) | $20,340.00 $18,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
25 | Waynesburg University | (PA) | $20,550.00 | All Students |
26 | Oklahoma Christian University | (OK) | $21,205.00 | All Students |
27 | University of Mary | (ND) | $21,808.00 | All Students |
28 | Friends University | (KS) | $21,978.00 | All Students |
29 | Metropolitan State University | (MN) | $22,542.72 | All Students |
30 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $22,607.00 | All Students |
31 | Park University | (MO) | $22,895.00 $17,318.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
32 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
33 | King University | (TN) | $23,155.00 | All Students |
34 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | (WI) | $23,472.00 | All Students |
35 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $23,478.00 $17,608.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
36 | Salem University | (WV) | $23,800.00 $18,220.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
37 | Mount Aloysius College | (PA) | $23,820.00 | All Students |
38 | Cambridge College | (MA) | $23,913.00 | All Students |
39 | New England College | (NH) | $23,960.00 | All Students |
40 | Friends University | (KS) | $23,976.00 | All Students |
41 | Wright State University | (OH) | $24,255.00 $39,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
42 | Lakeland University | (WI) | $24,732.00 | All Students |
43 |  Carlow University | (PA) | $24,876.00 | All Students |
44 | Cambridge College | (MA) | $24,928.00 $19,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
45 | Cornerstone University | (MI) | $25,010.00 | All Students |
46 | Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $25,155.00 | All Students |
47 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $25,260.00 | All Students |
48 | Belhaven University | (MS) | $25,760.00 $16,940.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
49 | Anderson University - IN | (IN) | $25,775.00 | All Students |
50 | National American University | (SD) | $25,825.00 $12,525.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
51 | Lasell University | (MA) | $26,292.00 | All Students |
52 | Lebanon Valley College | (PA) | $26,496.00 | All Students |
53 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $26,770.00 $12,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
54 | University of New Mexico | (NM) | $26,805.72 $27,102.42 | In-State Out-of-State |
55 | Ashland University | (OH) | $27,000.00 | All Students |
56 | Central Michigan University | (MI) | $27,050.00 $25,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
57 | Missouri Baptist University | (MO) | $27,150.00 | All Students |
58 | Ferris State University | (MI) | $27,222.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medaille College (School Closed) Master of Business Administration / Project Management IACBE,14 | (NY) | $28,500.00 $27,082.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $28,780.00 $33,968.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Fontbonne University (School Closing) Master of Business Administration / Project Management ACBSP,14 | (MO) | $28,800.00 | All Students | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $29,412.00 | All Students | |
University of Hartford | (CT) | $29,424.00 | All Students | |
Mount Mercy University | (IA) | $29,670.00 | All Students | |
Walden University | (MN) | $30,000.00 $25,402.50 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Old Dominion University | (VA) | $30,413.00 $32,305.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Webster University | (MO) | $30,520.00 $14,920.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Norwich University | (VT) | $30,738.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $31,221.00 | All Students | |
Everglades University | (FL) | $31,345.00 | All Students | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $31,800.00 | All Students | |
Seton Hill University | (PA) | $31,968.00 | All Students | |
 National University | (CA) | $32,180.00 | All Students | |
Florida Institute of Technology | (FL) | $32,256.00 $29,030.40 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $32,625.00 | All Students | |
Chatham University Master of Business Administration / Project Management IACBE,14 | (PA) | $32,760.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $34,486.00 | All Students | |
Montclair State University | (NJ) | $34,775.13 | All Students | |
 Brenau University | (GA) | $35,025.00 | All Students | |
Monroe University | (NY) | $35,048.00 | All Students | |
 Ohio University | (OH) | $36,120.00 $36,785.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Regis University | (CO) | $38,198.00 | All Students | |
Dallas Baptist University | (TX) | $40,244.00 | All Students | |
City University of Seattle | (WA) | $43,200.00 | All Students | |
Albertus Magnus College | (CT) | $43,776.00 | All Students | |
Lehigh University | (PA) | $44,055.00 | All Students | |
Lawrence Technological University | (MI) | $47,118.00 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $49,575.00 $21,900.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
The University of Texas at Dallas | (TX) | $53,000.00 | All Students | |
 Benedictine University | (IL) | $53,905.00 | All Students | |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | (MA) | $57,960.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,328.00 | All Students | |
Stevens Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $70,144.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB AACSB International
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
PMI GAC Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited MBA project management online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an MBA that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best MBA project management online options for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: MBA Project Management Online
Project management is simply the art and science of overseeing a group effort, one that has a clear starting and finishing point. The project being managed can take many different forms. It could be the development of a new software program. It could be the completion of a marketing campaign. It could be the construction of a new bridge. All of these projects are unique, but they can all use the assistance of someone trained in project management.
There are many reasons why you might consider project management as a career. It’s a discipline that can apply to any industry and is useful in virtually all areas of the country, making it a universal discipline that is utilized by all types of organizations. From massive global companies to small nonprofit organizations, project management is a critical part of their work. Whether you are interested in the sports industry, entertainment, philanthropy, arts, cuisine, manufacturing, government, or any other sector, there is an employer who needs a project manager.
An MBA project management online degree will help you develop a broad range of skills, but it helps if you have a few traits before you enter these programs. People working in project management need to have good leadership traits, as well as good communication; at the very least a willingness to communicate. Projects can take all sorts of twists and turns, so good coping skills and an interest in problem solving will be important. These characteristics are not essential, but they will help you in your career.
What to Expect from an MBA in Project Management
If you enroll in an MBA project management online program, you can expect a variety of courses that make you a strong leader in business, leadership, and management. At its foundation, these are MBA degrees, which means you’ll learn a wide assortment of skills related to business and management.
MBA stands for “Master’s of Business Administration,” and it’s one of the most common degree options for people who want careers in management and leadership. These programs give you a solid foundation that you can use to build a better skillset of leadership and management. The programs are usually structured as two parts, the first of which is your basic MBA courses, which are taken by all students regardless of their specialization. Core MBA courses will include accounting, finance, leadership principles, marketing, and business operations.
But you will also have a variety of specialization course, which in this case is your project management classes. These classes will include the basics of project management, allowing you to take a project from a basic concept to a final result. Classes may also include process improvement, using data in projects, and how to increase cost efficiencies.
Throughout an MBA project management online program, you’ll learn how to improve processes, how to assign people to their best roles throughout a project, and how to allocate tasks for the best results.
Potential Careers for Project Management
Marketing Manager
- Salary: $141,490
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Some experience required
A marketing manager plans programs and projects that generate interest in a company, product, or service. They often direct ongoing campaigns that have a clear start and finish point, which is why training in project management can be so crucial to this career. Project managers plan campaigns, negotiate contracts, meet with clients, and direct the hiring of marketing professionals, among many other important duties.
These are some of the best-paid managers in the country. Marketing is so important that companies are willing to pay their marketing managers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. The top 10% in this career earn over $208,000 annually, and the field is expected to grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030.
Construction Manager
- Salary: $97,180
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: None
Construction projects are endlessly complex, so professional managers are needed to oversee projects and help reach a successful conclusion. “Success” in this regard generally means keeping the budget low and finishing the project by the stated end date. To meet this goal, reliable project management is vital.
Construction managers perform many tasks. They complete cost estimates and budgets, and they interpret and explain contracts and technical information to other professionals.
Requirements to Work in These Careers
To work in this career field, you likely won’t need licensing. However, you may want to complete voluntary certification through some of the leading organizations. For example, a construction manager could complete the Certified Construction Manager credential through the Construction Management Association of America.
Regardless of your area (marketing, construction, manufacturing, technology, etc.), if you are going to work in management, you’ll likely need about five years of experience.