15 Best Online eMBA Programs
Looking to climb the corporate ladder or pivot to a new career? The evolving landscape of business education has opened up countless opportunities for professionals seeking to enhance their skills without disrupting their day-to-day responsibilities, especially since many eMBAs are online programs.
Enter the online Executive MBA (eMBA) program – a flexible, convenient, and high-impact way to earn an advanced degree.
What is an eMBA?
An Executive MBA (eMBA) is a graduate-level degree designed for working professionals looking to advance their careers.
Unlike traditional MBA programs, eMBAs are tailored to accommodate the busy schedules of executives and managers.
Most programs offer a blend of online coursework and occasional in-person residencies.
While each school differs in terms of which courses are offered, you might expect to take the following:
- Strategic Management: Learn to formulate and implement strategies that drive organizational success.
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior: Develop the leadership skills necessary to manage teams and change within an organization.
- Financial Accounting for Executives: Gain a comprehensive understanding of financial statements and accounting principles.
- Global Business Strategies: Explore the complexities of conducting business on a global scale.
- Marketing Management: Master the art of market analysis, product development, and brand management.
- Data Analytics and Decision Making: Learn to use data to inform strategic decisions and solve complex business problems.
Regardless of which specific classes you take, they’re all specifically designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle real-world business challenges. The goal here is to provide practical and actionable insights that you can immediately apply to your current job.
Who Should Earn an eMBA?
An eMBA is ideal for mid-to-senior level professionals who want to accelerate their career progression. If you’re a manager, executive, or entrepreneur looking to refine your skills, an eMBA can offer you the tools to succeed.
This program is especially beneficial for those who have been in their roles for several years and are looking to take on more significant responsibilities or transition to a higher position within their organization.
Some potential career paths (and their roles) include:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Lead organizations towards achieving their long-term goals and vision.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Oversee the financial operations and strategy of a company.
- Marketing Director: Drive marketing strategies and campaigns to enhance brand visibility and profitability.
- Operations Manager: Manage day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
- Entrepreneur: Start and grow your own business using the knowledge and skills acquired.
As you can see, it doesn’t matter whether you’re aiming to climb the corporate ladder or pivot into a new industry – an eMBA can open doors to a myriad of opportunities.
Benefits of Attending an eMBA Program
If you’re not already itching to start filling out applications, here are a few more reasons why you might want to consider applying to one of the best online eMBA programs:
Flexible Learning
One of the key benefits of an online eMBA program is its flexibility. You can attend classes from anywhere in the world, making it easier to balance work, family, and education.
This flexibility means you can continue working full-time while earning your degree, allowing you to immediately apply what you learn to your job. Pair that with the increased versatility and flexibility of an online degree, and you really can’t get any more convenient!
Networking Opportunities
An eMBA program offers unparalleled networking opportunities. You’ll be studying alongside experienced professionals from various industries, which can lead to valuable connections and collaborations. These connections can be invaluable for future job opportunities, business ventures, and professional growth.
Immediate Application of Skills
The curriculum is designed to be immediately applicable to your current job. Unlike traditional academic programs, an eMBA focuses on real-world business scenarios. This means you can start applying what you learn from day one, allowing you to see immediate improvements in your performance and decision-making abilities.
Enhanced Leadership Skills
Leadership is a core component of most eMBA programs. You’ll learn how to manage teams, make strategic decisions, and drive organizational change. These skills are crucial for anyone looking to move into senior management.
The program also often includes leadership workshops and coaching sessions, providing you with personalized feedback and development plans.
Increased Earning Potential
On average, eMBA graduates see a significant increase in their earning potential. eMBA graduates typically see a 14.1% increase in salary after completing the program. This financial boost can provide a substantial return on investment, making the eMBA a worthwhile consideration for many professionals.
Global Perspective
Many eMBA programs include international residencies or courses focused on global business strategies. This exposure can be invaluable for understanding different markets and cultures, making you a more versatile leader.
Whether you’re working for a multinational corporation or looking to expand your business internationally, the global perspective gained from an eMBA can be a significant advantage.
15 Best eMBA Programs
Officially sold on the idea of earning an eMBA? Now all that’s left is to figure out which one. Here are some great options:
1. Rochester Institute of Technology
Located in Rochester, New York, Rochester Institute of Technology has an eMBA that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Consisting of 47 credit hours, it’s one of the longer programs on this list, but it’s incredibly comprehensive.
With two potential start dates per year, this program exists in a blended format that pairs on-campus sessions (typically over the weekend) with online courses.
2. University of Nevada – Reno
Often ranked as one of the best online executive MBAs in the country, this program at the University of Nevada – Reno is led by some of the world’s most preeminent industry leaders. The curriculum offers a mixture of practical and theoretical courses oriented around a cohort structure.
You’ll complete 12 classes in just six semesters – and with rolling admissions and a fixed tuition rate of just $30,000, you won’t find a better program for working professionals who want to earn a quality, affordable degree as quickly as possible.
3. Ball State University
Ball State University offers another superior online executive MBA. Through the Miller College of Business, students will complete around 51 credit hours if they do not have a background in business (those who are more seasoned can complete the program in as few as 30 credit hours).
It features multiple concentration courses, including options to specialize in logistics and supply chain management, entrepreneurship, health economics, sales management, and so much more. Most courses are offered synchronously, though some are available in an asynchronous format as well.
4. Pace University
Pace University has a 20-month online executive MBA that’s found in the Lubin School of Business. An accelerated degree, it’s meant to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need as quickly and effectively as possible.
It combines weekend seminars with online courses, and is the ideal choice for working business professionals who already have at least five years of experience.
Because Pace holds its weekend residences in New York City, you’ll benefit from an immersive program in the heart of one of the world’s most booming business environments – none other than the Big Apple itself.
5. Florida State University
At just $750 per credit hour, Florida State University has one of the best values when it comes to online executive MBAs. This degree includes 39 credit hours, though some students choose to extend their studies by adding a specialization.
There are several specializations, in fact, that are exclusively offered to online students. These include risk management, management information systems, and even financial planning.
For students interested in social work or law, Florida State provides the opportunity to earn a joint degree for more coursework (and of course, for additional fees).
6. Hofstra University
Located in Hempstead, New York, Hofstra University has a superior (and affordable) online executive MBA. This degree is offered by Frank G. Zarb School of Business and takes most students less than a year to complete.
With courses held online and over the weekends, the degree even includes a global practicum where you’ll learn how to engage in an international business environment with some of the best C-suite level executives in the world.
7. Kansas State University
Offered by the College of Business Administration, the online executive MBA degree at Kansas State places a heavy emphasis on career preparation. In addition to a rigorous set of courses, students are also expected to connect with career coaches, mentors, and academic advisors to help them begin building their professional networks.
Flexible to its core, this degree has a strong reputation for meeting the needs of the working student.
8. University of Pennsylvania
At just 19 credit hours, the University of Pennsylvania offers one of the most intense (and intensive) programs for aspiring business professionals.
The online executive MBA has two start dates per year, and is offered by the prestigious Wharton School of Business.
9. Emory University
A 51-credit program, the online executive MBA at Emory University has four potential start dates each year, making it easy to start your studies whenever it’s most convenient for you.
The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business along with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
10. University of Hawaii at Manoa
You don’t have to travel to the Aloha state to get an executive MBA (although we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to!). This degree, which boasts affordable tuition and can be completed in under two years, begins with a residential component in Honolulu before transitioning to synchronous online coursework.
It includes tracks in travel industry and healthcare business, with core courses including topics like micro-and macro-economic foundations for managers.
11. Creighton University
Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska, offers another exceptional online eMBA. This program isn’t for everyone – it’s tailored specifically to health care workers. However, if this is where your interests lie, you won’t find a better degree.
It’s offered by the Heider College of Business and can be completed in just a few semesters of study. You will need to have at least five years of management experience in a healthcare setting, but in exchange, you’ll benefit from classes that are taught by some of the best in their field.
12. University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a large, public university that’s located in Grand Forks. It Has one of the most affordable online eMBAs around, and as a bonus, the program can be completed in just a year and a half.
With accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the program offers tracks in business intelligence, organizational leadership, and so much more.
13. Marquette University
Another phenomenal program is offered by Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This degree has online coursework plus in-person courses every other Saturday. This unique format makes it possible for students to advance their future careers without interrupting their current ones.
You’ll graduate in just 17 months of study, and you can even partake in an international practicum over the spring or summer semester.
14. Washington State University
If you’re looking for a program that’s backed by research and teaches future business leaders how to leverage that research in the most effective ways possible, then the online executive MBA at Washington State University is the right choice for you.
A complement to the school’s prestigious MBA offered on-campus in Pullman, Washington, the online degree is geared toward applicants with management experience. Online, students enjoy the greatest degree of flexibility possible, plus the ability to participate in immersive activities like team projects and case studies.
Best yet? It takes just 18 months to complete.
15. Auburn University
Last but not least is Auburn University. This school’s online executive MBA is unique – and particularly worthy of mention here – because it does not require any prerequisites. Instead, all students are expected to complete foundational, self-paced courses at the very beginning of the program.
With rolling admission, the program is one of the most flexible you’ll find. You can begin your studies at any time, taking a total of 13 courses. Most students graduate in just two and a half years.
And if that’s not enough to convince you, know that Auburn University even has three dual MBA programs, including those in finance, industrial and systems engineering, and information systems.
The Takeaway
An online Executive MBA program is a powerful tool for advancing your career, offering the flexibility to learn while you work and the opportunity to immediately apply new skills. If you’re ready to take the next step in your professional development, consider enrolling in an eMBA program today.