Online MBA programs have gained a lot of traction in recent years. These days, an ever-increasing number of professionals turn to these flexible formats to help reach their highest goals. Overall, online MBA programs continue to deliver an ever more competitive educational experience. Plus, at the best programs, the instruction rivals that of students learning on campus, with classes taught by the same top-notch faculty.
Earlier this week, the business school news website Poets & Quants shared its second annual ranking of the best online MBA programs with Forbes readers. To determine the results, P&Q sent out detailed surveys to both schools and program alumni over the past two years. According to editor-in-chief John A Byrne, more than 1,200 graduates responded.
In a nutshell, Byrnes explains, “Our methodology is based on three equally weighted parts that take into account who gets in, what happens to them while they are in the program, and what outcomes occur as a result of the education.”
Top Ten Online MBA Programs
- USC Marshall School of Business
- Auburn University Harbert School of Business
- IU Kelley School of Business
- CMU Tepper School of Business
- Lehigh University College of Business and Economics
- UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- University of Florida Warrington College of Business
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business
- Hofstra University Zarb School of Business
- University of Dallas Jindal School of Management
“Marshall School of Business topped our 2019 ranking, thanks largely to overwhelmingly positive alumni satisfaction rates,” Byrne notes. USC Marshall, which launched its online MBA program in Fall 2015, also has other successful online programs, including a Master of Business Taxation and a Master of Global Supply Chain Management.
Certainly, the school invested considerable infrastructure to develop online learning programs, training and supporting faculty and developing a dedicated instructional team and studio to build out the online MBA program curriculum.
Where Each Online MBA Program Shines
Programs with the highest admissions standards: USC Marshall, Indiana Kelley, Texas Jindal, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Carnegie Mellon.
Best online academic and extracurricular experience, per alumni: Hofstra Zarb, the Jack Welch Management Institute, USC Marshall, Auburn, Carnegie Mellon, and Indiana Kelley.
Top programs for salary boost, promotions, post-MBA career outcomes: USC, Hofstra, Texas Jindal, Auburn, Lehigh, and Kenan-Flagler.
Best for connecting with fellow classmates: Hofstra (9.79), USC (9.52), Carnegie Mellon (9.43), and Kenan-Flagler (9.19).
Next Up: What to Look For in an Online MBA Program
For starters, you’ll need to consider many factors, such as cost, reputation, your preferred learning style, and career goals to determine whether an online or traditional MBA program is right for you.
Then, if you decide to pursue the online MBA experience, there are a couple of things you should look for in a program. First and foremost, choose one accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB also accredits all of the top brick-and-mortar b-schools, and ensures that the program meets educational standards.
In addition, look into pursuing online degrees with short-term in person residencies. Face-to-face exchanges will undoubtedly remain an important business skill no matter how much of our work takes place online.
Ultimately, whichever program you choose in your MBA journey, a great fit with your goals and lifestyle will ensure the best results, from application to graduation.
Curious to learn more about these rankings? Visit Poets & Quants for the complete picture of today’s online MBA landscape.
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