Online MBA management degrees give professionals the full range of knowledge to lead in any industry. Whether your affinity is working with people, projects, numbers, or marketing, the positions available to managers are vast and competitive. As new organizations form and existing businesses expand, so does the need for qualified leaders able to make decisions, solve problems, and drive progress. Earning an accredited online business administration degree is the first step to become successful in a highly competitive marketplace.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports annual median earnings for management occupations at $109,760, well above the national average. Plus, online MBA management programs are a popular choice for those working in the field, as they provide flexible scheduling, networking opportunities, and career-centric studies. But with such a great education opportunity comes an overwhelming number of schools offering degrees of various qualities and prices. Here’s where GetEducated comes in.
GetEducated has surveyed 136 schools offering 146 regionally accredited online management and leadership MBA programs to create this “Best Buy” list. Our rankings reveal the most affordable options in the United States, with tuition differences of up to $58,855. Review and compare economically valuable options before making a final decision on this academic and professional pathway.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$26,000
Least Expensive: Fayetteville State University ~$9,026.24
Most Expensive: Villanova University ~$67,882
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 online MBA management programs. The online MBA degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online MBA Management
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fayetteville State University | (NC) | $9,026.24 $21,122.24 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Amberton University | (TX) | $10,525.00 | All Students |
3 | Texas A & M International University | (TX) | $10,991.00 $30,900.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | University of the Cumberlands | (KY) | $12,055.00 | All Students |
5 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $12,132.00 | All Students |
6 | Northwest Missouri State University | (MO) | $12,300.00 | All Students |
7 | Florida Gulf Coast University | (FL) | $12,321.54 | All Students |
8 | Fitchburg State University | (MA) | $12,510.00 | All Students |
9 | Rogers State University | (OK) | $12,588.00 $22,776.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Lamar University | (TX) | $12,626.00 | All Students |
11 | Northeastern State University | (OK) | $12,670.20 $12,706.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $12,754.50 | All Students |
13 | Lincoln University | (MO) | $13,091.08 $22,721.08 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Mississippi Valley State University | (MS) | $13,143.10 | All Students |
15 | West Liberty University | (WV) | $13,800.00 | All Students |
16 | University of Houston-Victoria | (TX) | $14,084.16 $26,324.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | North Carolina A & T State University | (NC) | $14,180.24 $36,068.24 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $14,472.00 | All Students |
19 | Texas A & M University-Central Texas | (TX) | $14,504.04 $29,192.04 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $14,744.00 $26,984.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | Western Illinois University | (IL) | $14,787.30 | All Students |
22 | University of Sioux Falls | (SD) | $15,045.00 | All Students |
23 | Tennessee Wesleyan University | (TN) | $15,300.00 | All Students |
24 | Indiana Institute of Technology | (IN) | $15,525.00 | All Students |
25 | Eastern Illinois University | (IL) | $16,319.85 $31,124.31 | In-State Out-of-State |
26 | Frostburg State University | (MD) | $16,632.00 $21,240.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
27 | Culver-Stockton College | (MO) | $16,650.00 | All Students |
28 | Dakota State University | (SD) | $16,936.20 | All Students |
29 | Trine University | (IN) | $17,250.00 | All Students |
30 | University of North Texas | (TX) | $17,327.20 $19,026.76 | In-State Out-of-State |
31 | University of the Potomac | (DC) | $17,750.00 | All Students |
32 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $17,787.24 | All Students |
33 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | (OH) | $17,928.00 | All Students |
34 | Wheeling University | (WV) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
35 | Governors State University | (IL) | $18,396.00 | All Students |
36 | Lindenwood University | (MO) | $18,440.00 | All Students |
37 | University of Central Missouri | (MO) | $18,540.00 | All Students |
38 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | (AK) | $18,600.00 | All Students |
39 | Lincoln Memorial University | (TN) | $19,320.00 | All Students |
40 | Charleston Southern University | (SC) | $19,615.00 | All Students |
41 | Barry University | (FL) | $19,800.00 | All Students |
42 | University of Saint Mary | (KS) | $19,935.00 | All Students |
43 | Gwynedd Mercy University | (PA) | $19,975.00 | All Students |
44 | West Texas A & M University | (TX) | $20,122.45 $35,887.78 | In-State Out-of-State |
45 | Huntington University | (IN) | $20,360.00 | All Students |
46 | University of Charleston | (WV) | $20,470.00 | All Students |
47 | Baker University | (KS) | $20,635.00 | All Students |
48 | Johnson University | (TN) | $20,745.00 | All Students |
49 | Claflin University | (SC) | $21,048.00 | All Students |
50 | Husson University | (ME) | $21,127.00 | All Students |
51 | Plymouth State University | (NH) | $21,612.00 $27,732.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
52 | University of Bridgeport | (CT) | $21,700.00 | All Students |
53 | Bryan College | (TN) | $21,930.00 | All Students |
54 | East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $21,960.00 $27,540.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
55 | Houston Christian University | (TX) | $22,060.00 | All Students |
56 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | (IL) | $22,104.00 | All Students |
57 | University of the Southwest | (NM) | $22,500.00 | All Students |
58 | Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $22,521.60 $24,429.60 $18,309.60 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
59 | Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $22,570.00 $9,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
60 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $22,607.00 | All Students |
61 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
62 | University of Northwestern St. Paul | (MN) | $23,100.00 | All Students |
63 |  Rivier University | (NH) | $23,119.00 | All Students |
64 |  King University | (TN) | $23,155.00 | All Students |
65 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | (WI) | $23,472.00 | All Students |
66 | Limestone University | (SC) | $23,550.00 | All Students |
67 | Southern Adventist University | (TN) | $23,760.00 | All Students |
68 | Salem University | (WV) | $23,800.00 $18,220.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
69 | Carroll University | (WI) | $23,860.00 | All Students |
70 | Empire State University | (NY) | $23,995.00 $28,495.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
71 | Wright State University | (OH) | $24,255.00 $39,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
72 | Hope International University | (CA) | $24,300.00 | All Students |
73 | Eastern University | (PA) | $24,355.00 | All Students |
74 | Westcliff University | (CA) | $24,400.00 | All Students |
75 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | (NC) | $24,840.00 | All Students |
76 |  Carlow University | (PA) | $24,876.00 | All Students |
77 | Cambridge College | (MA) | $24,928.00 $19,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
78 | Florida National University | (FL) | $25,040.00 $9,740.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
79 | California Baptist University | (CA) | $25,542.00 | All Students |
80 | Bushnell University | (OR) | $25,560.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Messiah University | (PA) | $26,100.00 | All Students | |
 Liberty University | (VA) | $26,770.00 $12,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Elmhurst University | (IL) | $27,150.00 | All Students | |
ECPI University | (VA) | $27,200.00 | All Students | |
Walsh University | (OH) | $27,255.00 | All Students | |
Bethel University - MN | (MN) | $27,300.00 | All Students | |
La Salle University | (PA) | $27,310.00 | All Students | |
Baldwin Wallace University | (OH) | $27,456.00 | All Students | |
Spring Arbor University | (MI) | $27,652.00 | All Students | |
Assumption University | (MA) | $27,712.00 | All Students | |
Lynn University | (FL) | $27,750.00 | All Students | |
Point Park University | (PA) | $28,080.00 | All Students | |
University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $28,170.00 $32,895.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $28,373.00 | All Students | |
Champlain College | (VT) | $28,770.00 $14,478.00 | 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 / Management & Leadership ACBSP,14 | (MO) | $28,800.00 | All Students | |
University of St Francis | (IL) | $29,348.00 | All Students | |
University of Hartford | (CT) | $29,424.00 | All Students | |
Misericordia University | (PA) | $30,240.00 | All Students | |
Campbell University | (NC) | $30,430.00 | All Students | |
University of La Verne | (CA) | $30,520.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $31,221.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $31,600.00 $13,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
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 | |
University of La Verne | (CA) | $33,280.00 | All Students | |
University of Baltimore | (MD) | $34,480.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $34,486.00 | All Students | |
 Brenau University | (GA) | $35,025.00 | All Students | |
Our Lady of the Lake University | (TX) | $35,156.00 $31,826.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mercy College | (NY) | $35,656.00 | All Students | |
Berkeley College | (NJ) | $35,740.00 | All Students | |
The University of Texas at Dallas | (TX) | $35,918.00 $64,939.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
 Ohio University | (OH) | $36,120.00 $36,785.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Moravian University | (PA) | $36,288.00 | All Students | |
Davenport University | (MI) | $36,674.00 | All Students | |
Boise State University | (ID) | $36,775.00 | All Students | |
Roosevelt University | (IL) | $37,404.00 | All Students | |
Centenary University | (NJ) | $38,221.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $38,952.00 | All Students | |
Loyola University Maryland | (MD) | $40,170.00 | All Students | |
Dallas Baptist University | (TX) | $40,244.00 | All Students | |
St. Thomas Aquinas College | (NY) | $42,240.00 | All Students | |
The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $42,264.00 | All Students | |
Albertus Magnus College | (CT) | $43,776.00 | All Students | |
Molloy University | (NY) | $43,835.00 | All Students | |
St. John's University | (NY) | $50,660.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $52,315.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,328.00 | All Students | |
University of Connecticut | (CT) | $59,850.00 | All Students | |
Temple University | (PA) | $62,561.00 | All Students | |
Villanova University | (PA) | $67,882.00 | 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
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online MBA management 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 online MBA management programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online MBA Management
If you are interested in a career that involves leadership and management, but aren’t quite certain on an industry or area where you’d like to work, an MBA with a focus on management could be the perfect choice.
An MBA, which stands for “master’s of business administration” is an all-encompassing degree that helps you become a strong professional in a business setting. Earning your MBA will benefit you in numerous ways, not only by increasing your earning potential, but also by enhancing job options and creating access to interesting and fulfilling positions.
MBAs can be focused on a wide variety of industries or topics. Potential concentrations include human resources, marketing, international business, healthcare, accounting, and even sports management.
But what if you aren’t set on a specific industry or concentration? What if you want to leave your options open for almost any area? Then an MBA in management is a great choice.
An MBA with a concentration in management is a broad, all-encompassing choice, one that can lead to many different careers in numerous industries. Other MBA concentrations, while effective, may be limiting to where and how you can work. An MBA in human resources, for example, is largely for people who want to work in human resources; if you change your mind and want a different career, you may need a new education entirely.
What to Expect from an MBA with a Focus on Management
An MBA, which stands for “master’s of business administration” is one of the most useful degrees available to graduate students. They are usually formatted into two sections: a core section and a concentration or specialization section.
The core section, which applies to all MBAs, generally consists of a variety of important business topics, including accounting, marketing, and leadership principles. Depending on your chosen online MBA management program, your core classes could include strategic management, project design, global economics, and important laws that impact businesses.
The management section of your degree will dive deeper into the fundamentals of business leadership and organization. Classes may include managing teams, managerial and motivational theories, and even public or non-profit management.
Possible Careers After Completing an Online MBA Management Degree
After you complete an online MBA management degree, you’ll be prepared for a wide variety of leadership careers in virtually any sector. No matter what industry you find most interesting, no matter where you want to live, you can likely find a high-paying, rewarding, and engaging careers.
Here are two examples of the many opportunities that are available to graduates of these programs…
Training Manager
- Salary: $115,640
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over five years
A strong, thriving staff is essential to any business; large companies count on training and development managers to create high-quality team members. Training managers serve many different functions within a company, but they usually oversee courses and orientation, evaluate training progress, and recommend changes to future training efforts.
The need for these professionals is high, so training and development managers are well paid. The median income in May of 2020 was $115,640, but high-level experts can earn even more. The top 10% in this career earn over $200,000 annually. With an online MBA management degree, it seems reasonable that you could, with hard work and dedication, reach this level.
Compensation Manager
- Salary: $125,130
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Over five years
What is a fair and competitive wage for a company’s staff? What are the best benefits for bringing in the nation’s top talent? How can businesses provide incentives that keep employees on the team for years to come? These are a few of the topics that are addressed by compensation managers.
These professionals are also well paid. The top 10% in this profession earn over $208,000 a year, making them some of the top-paid experts in the entire job market.
Requirements for Working in Management Careers
To work in management, you likely won’t need licensing. However, you could complete certification, which will increase your chances of earning a high salary and landing some of the top jobs. Not only that, certification will make you a stronger, more knowledgable expert in your chosen profession.
There are many certifications you could complete. A training and development manager, for example, could complete certification through the Association for Talent Development or the the International Society for Performance Improvement. Compensation managers, on the other hand, could complete training through the Society for Human Resource Management or the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.