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Master of Business Administration (MBA)

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Online MBA Degree

This master's in business administration gives you vital skills that make you stand out from the competition and excel as a leader. Become a great leader with an MBA.

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WGU's College of Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

An online MBA degree that prepares you to be a successful business leader.

You're ready to become a leader and rise to the next level in business. And an online business administration master's degree is the step you need to take to get there. A reputable online MBA degree program can be the difference-maker for your future—driving you forward and helping you become a great business leader. This master's in business administration is focused on equipping you with skills and credentials that give you respect and value in the business world.

WGU’s online MBA degree is designed for business professionals who are ready to advance their career. It is a university program that focuses on management, strategy, and business skills that are vital to your success as a leader. This online Master of Business Administration degree also gives you the flexibility you need to earn your degree on your terms. You can earn while you learn, continuing to work full-time and manage your responsibilities while earning your degree online. You don't have to leave your job to pursue a master's in business administration—something you and your employer will both appreciate. No logging in to class, no due dates—you are in charge of your education at this university. Earn an online MBA that gives you the skills to become the impactful business leader your organization needs.

Graduates can finish within

12 months

WGU lets you set a schedule so you can finish your MBA in just one year. You are in control of the schedule and timing for your online MBA program.
See the one-year MBA

Tuition per 6-month term is

$4,530

See what your online MBA will cost at our university. Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. Finish faster, pay less!
See how time is money

Average salary increase

$16,200

Master of Business Administration graduates report an average salary increase of $16,200 after completing their WGU degree.
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Tuition as of August 1, 2021.

Earn your online MBA and reach all your career aspirations.

Goldman Sachs. Google. MGM. Microsoft. Apple. These giant organizations are changing the world, and WGU MBA graduates are there in the thick of it—making decisions as key leaders in top organizations. An online MBA degree from WGU has prepared these graduates to stand out from the competition, to take charge, and to make change. And a master's in business administration degree could do the same thing for you. Get an MBA online that is focused on helping you excel as a business leader and reach all your career aspirations.

Learn about our grads' careers

Meet MGM Resorts International's Vice President of Client Services and WGU grad, Troy Jenkins.
Maximize performance and create positive change with the skills you learn in this online MBA program.

The WGU Master of Business Administration is an affordable, online MBA program designed for experienced business professionals who seek to advance their careers. As an online WGU MBA student, you will learn the role and functions of a manager, personal leadership styles, approaches to self-awareness and self-assessment, and application of foundational leadership and management skills.

Download Program Guide

To ensure WGU graduates acquire the knowledge and skills sought by today’s employers, our Master of Business Administration—like all of WGU's College of Business programs—was developed with significant input from experts and business leaders who serve on our Business Program Council.
A Respected Degree

Discover why your employers and colleagues will respect your WGU degree:

Top accreditation. The online master's in business administration degree at WGU is ACBSP accredited, a top recognition that shows the value of your education and diploma. Increase your salary and credentials with the help of an accredited and recognized MBA degree.

Impact communities. This Master of Business Administration degree program is focused on giving you the skills you need to make a positive impact. You will learn communication and leadership strategies that ensure you can drive impactful change at a high level.

See all courses
Key Skills

Key skills you will learn in the Master of Business Administration degree program include:

Managing organizations and people

Communication

Operations management

Global economics

Marketing

Accounting for business leaders

Ethical leadership

Financial management

Data-driven decision making

Explore the curriculum
Advantages for MBA Students

Discover why you should get an online MBA degree from WGU:

Finish in one year. WGU's unique competency-based model allows you to move faster through your degree program. Learn about our one year MBA program that allows you to graduate in just 12 months.

Earning potential. After graduation, WGU MBA master's degree graduates report earning $16,200 more per year. Are you ready to make more money?

Entirely online. The Master of Business Administration degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.

See how we do it
A supported, personalized experience.

WGU is different from other online universities—in the best possible ways! Take a look at what we mean:

Faculty Learning Assessment Capstone Alumni Support

Faculty

SUPPORTING YOU:

An entire team of faculty members has one goal in mind: your success. Your Program Mentor is your individually assigned faculty member, providing regular program guidance and instruction from the day you start, to the day you graduate. In addition, Instructors provide regular, subject-matter instruction and support, typically one-on-one, throughout each course you take.

Learning

Establish YOUR ROADMAP: A personalized learning plan.

Your program is made up of a series of courses, each a personalized journey toward subject mastery. A preassessment provides insight into what you already know. You’ll then learn what you still need to learn, using online learning resources—available 24/7—along with one-on-one or cohort-based faculty instruction.

Assessment

Learn it, PROVE IT: Show you know your stuff.

WGU measures learning, not time, so each course in your program culminates in an assessment—a test, paper, project, or presentation that allows you to prove what you know. As soon as you’re ready, you take the assessment. Take proctored exams from the comfort of your own home—via webcam, any time of day!

Capstone

Apply it to the REAL WORLD: You’ll solve a problem.

You’ll complete a final capstone project that allows you to show off everything you’ve learned by working through a simulated business problem. You’ll integrate competencies learned throughout the program, putting your knowledge and skills to the test and preparing you to apply your expertise to your current role or enhance your marketability for advanced roles in your field.

Alumni Support

Once you're a WGU Night Owl, you're ALWAYS a Night Owl.

Continued support after you graduate includes many opportunities for professional development and enrichment, career support, and networking. WGU Night Owls may be independent learners, but they also become highly engaged in our active alumni community through apps, groups, and in-person events.

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The accreditation you need, plus industry respect and recognition.

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

Accredited

In addition to WGU's regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, WGU's College of Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Respected

The Global Business School Network is a nonprofit organization that partners with business schools, industry, foundations and aid agencies to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education for the developing world. With a growing network of over 90 leading business schools on 6 continents, it fosters cross-border networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Recognized

Every student in WGU's HR program is eligible to join our online SHRM virtual student chapter. This organization helps students continue their education and networking with the HR field through events, presentations, and other resources.

Accredited

Respected

Recognized

Our programs check all the boxes. If this degree is your goal, get started toward becoming a student today—programs start the first of each month.

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Truly affordable programs.

$4,530

Tuition per 6-month term

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+$145

Flat fee for e-books and learning resources, saving you hundreds per term

=

=$4,675

TOTAL PER TERM

+$65

One-time application fee

Apply FREE this week

Effective August 1, 2021.
Control the cost of your program: Our tuition links cost to time.

By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.
Flat-rate tuition of $4,675 per term links cost to time.

By charging per 6-month term rather than per credit hour—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or can learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Adjust the time and see your costs change

Your time

2 yrs

Your cost

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There's help if you need it.

Financial aid is available.

WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.

View more about financial aid.

WGU students borrow less than half the national average.*

Our goal: You graduate with little or no debt.

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2019 (among those who borrowed) was less than half the national average. WGU’s three-pronged approach to keeping your debt low and your return on investment quick: One, provide useful information and advice on responsible borrowing before enrollment. Two, keep tuition low while you're enrolled. And three, offer degree programs that lead to better-paying jobs after graduation.

Read about our Responsible Borrowing Initiative.

*WGU data: 2019 Annual Report. National data: The Institute for College Access & Success and Student Loan Hero.

Degree Cost Comparison

For-profit online university

Other nonprofit online university

WGU

Earn your MBA for about half what you'd pay elsewhere.

Low tuition and the ability to accelerate make WGU online MBAs a more affordable option than most other schools. When you compare us with most any other university, WGU’s online MBA program offers rigorous curriculum with competitive post-graduation results for around half the cost—or even less—of similar degree programs.

*WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 57% the national average, compared to national rates reported by IPEDS. WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU B.S. Nursing Prelicensure program. Learn more about WGU's tuition and how it compares.

Transparent fees and no hidden costs.

The cost of attending college often includes much more than tuition and fees. WGU is designed to be different, and that translates to cost savings everywhere from books to babysitting.

Other universities bury you in unexpected costs. Not WGU.

Click to explore the extra costs:

Tuition Books

Parking Gas

Library / resource fees Babysitter every week for
nighttime classes

WGU

Other online college

Traditional
4 year school

This demonstration shows how various costs—including official fees and incidental costs of attending school—can add up in different learning environments. It's meant as an illustration only.

Scholarships make our already low tuition even more affordable.

WGU offers a wide variety of scholarships. Here are a few you may be eligible to apply for:

$2,500

Master Your Future Scholarship

$3,000

Continuing Business Graduate Scholarship

$5,000

Leadership Scholarship

The affordable, flexible programs offered at WGU put high-quality education within your reach. Start working toward your future.

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A career-focused curriculum that ensures you’ve mastered the things employers want you to know.

Program consists of:
11 Courses
Total courses in program

An unofficial estimated 0 courses are fulfilled by your associate degree leaving 11 courses.
I have an associate degree Download Program Guide

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to ensure your degree is proof you really know your stuff.

Every course focuses on a set of clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career is at the heart of WGU’s online MBA program.

That means what you learn is often directly applicable the next day at work—and it means what you’re doing at work frequently informs the work you’re doing in your courses. It’s all about real-world applicability so every moment spent studying is time well spent.

NOTE: You can finish your MBA in just 12 months using our one year MBA program. Learn more about the one year MBA program at WGU.

Courses in this program.

This program is composed of the following courses. You will typically complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and master the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.

One year MBA students can complete all of their coursework in just two WGU terms. You will set a schedule with your Program Mentor to enable you to finish your program quickly. Learn more about the one year MBA program at WGU.

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Management

Managing Organizations and Leading People

This course covers principles of effective management and leadership that maximize organizational performance. The following topics are included: the role and functions of a manager, analysis of personal leadership styles, approaches to self-awareness and self-assessment, and application of foundational leadership and management skills.

Managing Human Capital

This course focuses on strategies and tools that managers use to maximize employee contribution and create organizational excellence. You will learn talent management strategies to motivate and develop employees as well as best practices to manage performance for added value.

Management Communication

This course prepares students for the communication challenges in organizations. Topics examined include theories and strategies of communication, persuasion, conflict management, and ethics that enhance communication to various audiences.

Operations Management

This course focuses on the strategic importance of operations management to overall performance. This course also emphasizes principles of supply chain management relevant to a variety of business operations ranging from manufacturing goods to retail services. You will examine the various planning, control, and decision-making tools and techniques of the operations function.

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Economics

Global Economics for Managers

This course examines how economic tools, techniques, and indicators can be used for solving organizational problems related to competitiveness, productivity, and growth. You will explore the management implications of a variety of economic concepts and effective strategies to make decisions within a global context.

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Marketing and Communication

Marketing

Marketing Fundamentals introduces students to principles of the marketing environment, social media, consumer behavior, marketing research, and market segmentation. Students will also explore marketing strategies that are related to products and services, distribution channels, promotions, sales, and pricing.

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Accounting

Accounting for Decision Makers

This course provides you with the accounting knowledge and skills to assess and manage a business. Topics include the accounting cycle, financial statements, taxes, and budgeting. This course will improve students’ ability to understand reports and use accounting information to plan and make sound business decisions.

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Leadership

Ethical Leadership

This course examines the ethical issues and dilemmas managers face. This course provides a framework for analysis of management-related ethical issues and decision-making action required for satisfactory resolution of these issues.

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Finance

Financial Management

This course covers practical approaches to analysis and decision-making in the administration of corporate funds, including capital budgeting, working capital management, and cost of capital. Topics include financial planning, management of working capital, analysis of investment opportunities, sources of long-term financing, government regulations, and global influences. This course will improve students’ ability to interpret financial statements and manage corporate finances.

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Strategy

Data-Driven Decision Making

This course presents critical problem-solving methodologies, including field research and data collection methods that enhance organizational performance. Topics include quantitative analysis, statistical and quality tools. You will improve your ability to use data to make informed decisions.

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Capstone

MBA Capstone

MBA Capstone is the culminating course in the MBA program that provides an integrative experience with all competencies and assessment topics throughout the program. Students synthesize concepts from previously completed coursework and demonstrate an understanding of responsible practices for growing and running a business. This course promotes a meaningful connection between the academic work and career experience.

Plan to work hard: Program requirements and expectations.

The MBA program is an all-online program that you will complete by studying and working independently with support and instruction from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 8 competency units (WGU's equivalent of the credit hour) each 6-month term. (Each course is typically 3 or 4 units.)

The first person you speak with at WGU will be your Enrollment Counselor, who can explain requirements and expectations in more detail. You can also read more about each course in the Program Guide.

Request info from an Enrollment Counselor.

Download the Program Guide.

More about this program:

Throughout your program, you will focus on acquiring and proving specific competencies. At program’s end, you’ll complete a final capstone project that allows you to show off everything you’ve learned by working through a simulated business problem. You’ll integrate and synthesize competencies learned throughout the program, putting your knowledge and skills to the test and preparing you to quickly apply your expertise to your current role or enhance your marketability for advanced roles in your field.

We offer degrees for in-demand careers that provide the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Give your résumé the boost it needs!

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A results-focused MBA curriculum developed by experts in business leadership.

Program councils—teams of industry and academic experts—drive the creation of our programs, providing input on the competencies a successful graduate needs to have mastered.
Flexible and competency-based. You control where, when, and how fast you learn and graduate.

Schedules are tight and often unpredictable for busy professionals. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No interruptions to your work and family obligations. No rigid class schedules. No barriers to earning your degree on your own terms. Just a solid, career-focused online MBA program that meshes seamlessly with your current lifestyle.

“Because of WGU's competency-based program, I didn't have to get into things that I already knew. Instead I was able to use that for the things that were more challenging for me to learn.” Alvyn Joy Halili,
Master of Business Administration

Designed for working adults.

At WGU, you’re not committed to attend class at a certain time, complete homework on a given schedule, or log “attendance” hours. You’ll earn your degree by proving what you’ve learned—either from your studies or what you already know through your work and life experience. How quickly you progress is largely up to you.

Once you’ve mastered the concepts in your coursework, you’ll prove your competency through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. You’ll build solid professional credentials specifically designed to help you prepare for a career in mid- to upper-level management positions in business, industry, and nonprofit organizations.

Competency-Based Education (CBE)

How it helps you

Efficient

Save time and money by focusing your efforts where they matter the most.

How much do you already know? How fast can you learn? Today’s adult students come from different professional backgrounds with varying levels of knowledge and experience. Competency-based programs empower you to take the most efficient path to complete your studies.

Flexible

Learn on your own terms.

What works best for you? No two students—or their schedules—are the same. Whether you’re at your best in the early morning or more energized when you get home from work, your study schedule can be personalized to accommodate your lifestyle and responsibilities. While you will be required to maintain a base level of consistent progress through your program, WGU is designed to empower you to maximize your personal schedule by allowing you to build a study plan that fits into your life—not one that requires you to rearrange it.

Results

Know you’re learning real-world skills.

Who will recognize your management credentials? Today's employers look for management professionals who have the knowledge, skills and experience to improve organizational performance. WGU’s online Master of Business Administration program consists of balanced areas of study relevant to the needs and demands of a competitive marketplace, competency-based assessments, and a capstone project to showcase your executive-level decision-making prowess.

Finish courses by proving what you know, when you’re ready.

With competency-based education at WGU, success is measured by actual learning, not class time. You advance by demonstrating that you've mastered the course subject matter—whether you learned it through your study at WGU or picked up that knowledge through years of work experience.

Your progress through a course is driven by you.

How quickly you learn

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The time you devote to studying

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How much previous knowledge you bring

Your experience pays at WGU.

Why start from square one when you could already be well on your way to a degree?

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Ready for a corner office? A respected MBA degree can prepare you for a successful management career.

Problem-solving leaders are required in every industry, and strategic thinking is necessary at every successful company. If you're ready to broaden your business knowledge and advance your career, WGU's MBA program online can prepare you to be an effective leader and produce successful results wherever you go. Your business management career starts here!"

Employment of top executives is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
MBAs from WGU are leading teams and businesses in diverse industries.

Our 5,300-plus MBA grads have great jobs and satisfying careers:
Top Jobs

Owner

President and CEO

Vice president

Executive director

Chief strategic officer
Top Industries

Private companies

Healthcare organizations

Nonprofit organizations

Government

Colleges and universities
Top Employers

American Airlines

Yahoo!

Edward Jones

Intermountain Healthcare

Mayo Clinic
Explore an MBA's career opportunities.

Get salary info, job outlook data, work environment description, and more.

More about careers
WGU is a university committed to producing successful grads.

The ultimate test of your degree's value is whether it helps you become an outstanding employee and advance your career. Our happy grads—and their happy employers—confirm that WGU is the path to that kind of degree.
Happy employers

Happy grads

They're Prepared.

Employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.

They Perform.

Employers rated WGU graduates' job performance as very good or excellent.

They Wow.

Employers said their WGU graduates have exceeded their expectations.

They're Confident.

Graduates said the majority of their coursework was related to their jobs.

They're Working.

Graduates are working full-time.

They're Satisfied.

Graduates said their degrees were worth the cost of their education.

Source: 2018 Harris Poll survey of 300 employers; 2018 Harris Poll Online survey of 1,374 new college graduates nationwide compared with survey of 1,147 WGU graduates; Gallup-Purdue Index 2018
“It's never too late to learn and grow. I am so glad that I made the decision, at 44 years old, to get my MBA. It's already paying off in my career and will continue to do so for year and years to come.” Victor Perez
Master of Business Administration

Close the gap between you and your dreams.

Online degree programs start every month.

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Your master's in business administration is attainable—start by applying today.

Next Possible Start

Start dates are the 1st of every month. Meet requirements by the 15th to start next month. Discuss steps and deadlines with your Enrollment Counselor.
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Get your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
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Get your questions answered and take the next step: Talk to an Enrollment Counselor.

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Your Enrollment Counselor is there to help you make an informed decision.
The first step toward change can be the hardest—we get it. Your "welcoming committee" at WGU is made up of Enrollment Counselors, Admissions Specialists, and faculty members. Your initial interactions at WGU will be guided by an Enrollment Counselor who specializes in the programs you're interested in.

Your Enrollment Counselor is ready with as much help as you may need:

Get your cost and admissions criteria questions answered.

Assess WGU's fit with your career goals.

Get started toward enrollment!

Contact an Enrollment Counselor.
Admission requirements unique to this degree.
To be considered for this program, you must:

Submit a transcript verifying receipt of your bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited institution.

Submit a résumé demonstrating at least three years of significant experience in business, industry, or at a nonprofit organization.

NOTE: You do not need to take the GRE or GMAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.

View general admission requirements
Making an informed admission decision.

WGU seeks to admit individuals who have the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program … and graduate. The admission process is designed to help you and the university reach an informed decision about your likelihood of success.

At WGU we want you to graduate, not just enroll. Consequently, not every applicant is admitted because not every individual has the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program.
MBA FAQs
What can you do with a Master in Business Administration?

There are many job opportunities with an MBA degree. They include:

Chief executive officer

Executive director

Chief financial officer

Marketing manager

International business development

Chief marketing officer

Sales manager

Operations manager

Human resources manager
What is the purpose of an MBA degree?

An MBA gives you additional skills and training that can help you progress in your career. You'll learn about strategy, communication, management, and leadership that will help you move into larger roles in an organization. An MBA trains you to become a business leader in many different kinds of industries.

Is a Master's in Business Administration worth it?

Yes! An MBA can help you boost your résumé and help you get higher pay, better job opportunities, and more. In fact, WGU MBA graduates earn an average of $16,200 more per year after graduation.

Is it Masters or Master of Business Administration?

Both terms are commonly used, but the technical correct usage is Master of Business Administration, or a Master's in Business Administration.

What Do You Learn in an MBA Program?

In an MBA program you'll have courses in accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, leadership, management, and more.

Why Should You Pursue an MBA?

An MBA is a great option for those who want to progress into management or leadership roles in an organization. Whether you want to move to a new company or have upward mobility in your current organization, an MBA can help you be prepared to move up.

What is an MBA?

MBA stands for Master’s of Business Administration. An MBA is a graduate-level business management degree that teaches you leadership skills for the modern business world. Those with an MBA often stand out among candidates for upper management positions.

How long does it take to get an MBA degree?

In general, it takes around two years to earn an MBA degree. That said, through a competency-based online MBA program like the one offered at WGU, students may be able to earn their degree more quickly, sometimes in 18 months or less.

What is an MBA good for?

An MBA teaches you leadership skills that can help you excel as an executive in a business setting. Earning an MBA can set you apart when you’re looking to advance into a management role within a corporation. The skills you learn in an MBA program may also help you start and manage your own business.
How many years does it take to get an MBA degree?

The number of years it takes to earn an MBA degree can vary depending on the university.

Traditional university: 2 years

Competency-based MBA program: 1 to 1.5 years

Part-time MBA program: around 3 years
Can you earn an MBA completely online?

Yes. You can earn an MBA completely online. This unique model enables students to keep their current job while working toward their degree. Competency-based education models and on-demand classes, tests, and assignments make earning a degree online a valid option for busy working professionals or those with limited access to a brick and mortar university.

Does online MBA have any value?

Yes. With the growing prevalence and availability of online MBA programs, curriculum and acceptance criteria have become more rigorous. As higher education has moved increasingly to online formats, more employers are respecting online MBAs and finding online MBA grads to possess the skills necessary to add value to their business.

Is an online MBA respected?

Yes. If you earn an MBA from an accredited and reputable university, it will likely be respected by employers. Many online MBA programs have gained enough of a reputation that employers now seek out graduates specifically from certain online programs and universities.
Which online MBA program is best?

The best online MBA programs in terms of ROI include:

Excelsior College; 497% ROI

Western Governors University; 267% ROI

American Public University; 249% ROI

Arizona State University—Skysong; 225% ROI

Capella University; 171% ROI
Is an online MBA easy?

No. An online MBA is not necessarily easy. While an online MBA may offer more flexibility and accessibility than a typical in-person program, online programs are still competitive and rigorous. Many students, however, find that an online MBA is easier in the sense that it fits more seamlessly into their busy lives, as they can access courses, take exams, and complete projects anywhere they have internet access.
“WGU allowed me to continue doing the things I love, spending time with my family, and traveling for my job. Another major plus was that the competency-based system enabled me to focus my time in the areas I needed to learn to further my career.” Shonna Wessels
M.S. Management and Leadership

WGU is school on your terms.

School can fit into your life—start working toward your better future now.

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