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Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings assess the online MBA offerings of 40 business schools worldwide, demonstrating just how easy it is to earn your MBA away from the classroom.
You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.
Imperial College Business School’s online MBA program lasts 24 months. The program scored highly across all ranking indicators, particularly for employability, where it got the second-highest score in the rankings.
Students complete a number of pre-study modules (such as an accounting primer), then attend a five-day, compulsory on-campus induction. You will then have four core module periods followed by an optional global experience week. The course is topped off with a capstone business game.
Fees for the program are £36,500 (approx. US$46,329). In terms of class profile, 84 percent of the cohort are international, 38 percent are female, and they have an average of 11 years’ work experience.
Although Imperial is the highest ranked program lasting 24 months, there are 12 business schools in total on the rankings with 24-month long programs.
=6) La Trobe Business School
Average program length (months): 21
La Trobe University boasts Australia’s shortest program, which is 21 months. The program achieved an above-average score for class experience.
The course aims to teach the following skills: business analysis, accounting, innovation, responsible leadership, and entrepreneurship. It requires prospective students to have a minimum of three years’ work experience to apply, and tuition costs AUD$38,000 (approx. US$26,581) per 120 credit points.
The class profile is close to gender parity, with 48 female students, and an average of 11.7 years’ work experience. Students can enjoy an average post-program salary of US$82,403.
=6) Hough Graduate School of Business, University of Florida
Average program length (months): 21
The University of Florida’s online MBA program scored well in all ranking indicators, particularly employability. Tuition fees are US$59,807.
The majority of the program is delivered online but with options for residencies at one of the university’s campuses or a Global Immersion Experience. It aims to limit disruption to everyday life – students can watch online lectures when convenient and spend around 15 hours per week on individual assignments, group projects and readings.
In terms of class profile, 34 percent of the class is female, with an average of seven years’ work experience. Graduates have an impressive average post-program salary of US$96,288.
=6) MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business
Average program length (months): 21
MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business’ online MBA is also 21 months. It achieved a perfect score for class experience and the second-highest score in the rankings for faculty and teaching.
The program is made up primarily of digital learning, with two compulsory face-to-face weeks and additional optional face-to-face weeks and international study options.
Fees for the program are €32,000 for individuals (approx. US$38,960) and €37,000 for those sponsored by their company (approx. US$41,579). The cohort is around 28 percent international, with 31 percent female students and an average of 11 years’ work experience.
=6) Marshall School of Business
Average program length (months): 21
Another school with a 21-month program is the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California’s online MBA course, which achieved a perfect score for class experience and the third-highest score in the rankings for employability.
Aside from one six-day residential intensive course, the rest of the program is delivered fully online through virtual team meetings and assessments, case studies, interactive games and moderated discussion boards. There are live online class meetings two to three times per week, lasting between one and two hours.
Tuition is US$99,692, with total tuition and costs coming to around US$106,197. In terms of class profile, the cohort is 32 percent female with an average of 11 years’ work experience.
=4) Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business
Average program length (months): 20
In joint fourth place, with its 20-month program is Kennesaw State. The program achieved high scores for class profile and class experience.
Aside from a mandatory two-day on-site orientation in Atlanta, Georgia, Kennesaw State’s program relies primarily on virtual team-based learning. There are 10 modules in the program.
Tuition for the program is US$24,370. The program almost reaches gender parity, with a 49 percent female cohort, with 8.9 years’ work experience. GMAT is required for entry – the average score for Fall 2019 students was 594.
=4) Frank G. Zarb School of Business
Average program length (months): 20
Also lasting 20 months is the online MBA program at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. The school achieved a perfect score for class experience and a high score for faculty and teaching.
Students will undertake a cohort option where all requirements can be completed in less than two years. Typically, the program is delivered through audio and video lectures, discussion boards, online assignments and exams and online case discussions.
Program fees are US$63,875. The cohort is made up of 48 percent female students, with 13 years’ work experience. Participants can network with fellow students and industry leaders through residencies in New York City.
3) Sawyer Business School
Average program length (months): 19
In third place is Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University. The 19-month program achieved a perfect score for class experience and has tuition fees of US$74,766.
The program is delivered 100 percent online but there is an optional immersive travel seminar module. Students can pursue various MBA concentrations, including Business Intelligence, Finance, and Accounting Principles.
In terms of class profile, the cohort is 43 percent female with 2.2 years’ work experience. Students have access to a worldwide network of over 80,000 alumni, with over 90 percent of graduates employed six months after graduation.
=1) EU Business School
Average program length (months): 15
In joint first place is EU Business School, where students can complete their studies in 15 months. The program achieved a perfect score for class experience and one of the highest scores in the rankings for class profile.
Teaching is delivered through live, interactive webinars, group projects and business simulations. Students attend at least one on-campus week held in Barcelona, Geneva, or Munich. Participants can choose to major in one of eight topics including International Business, Communication & PR, and International Marketing.
The cohort has more female than male students (54 percent), with an average nine years’ work experience. Tuition fees for the program are €17,400 (approx. US$19,635).
=1) IE Business School
Average program length (months): 15
Also with a 15-month course is the world’s top ranked online MBA program at IE Business School. The program achieved the highest score in the rankings for both employability and faculty and teaching, plus a perfect score for class experience.
It’s made up of three core online periods, one Global Immersion Week (locations include Shanghai, Los Angeles and Mumbai), plus three face-to-face weeks in Madrid. Teaching is delivered in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning, including interactive small groups where you work on real-world, industry-based case studies.
The class profile is 94 percent international, 33 percent female, with 8.5 years’ work experience. Fees for the 2018-19 academic year are €51,200 (approx. US$57,778).
Julia is a writer for TopMBA.com, publishing articles for business students and graduates across the world. A native Londoner, she holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School and a BA in Classical Studies & English from Newcastle University.
Shortest Top Online MBA Programs 2019
By Julia G
Updated April 27, 2020 Updated April 27, 2020This article is based on our 2019 rankings. Check out the QS Online MBA Rankings 2020 for the latest version of this information.
The online MBA programs at Spain’s IE Business School and EU Business School offer the shortest average program of those featured in the QS Online MBA Rankings 2019, with the average online MBA being completed in 15 months.
Released today, the QS Online MBA Rankings assess the online MBA offerings of 40 business schools worldwide, demonstrating just how easy it is to earn your MBA away from the classroom.
You can find out more about the methodology used to produce the rankings here.
QS Online MBA Rankings 2019: Shortest Programs
Rank
Overall Rank
School
Average Program Length (Months)
=1
1
IE Business School
15
=1
15
EU Business School
15
3
27
Sawyer Business School-USA
19
=4
11
Frank G. Zarb School of Business
20
=4
23
Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business
20
=6
3
Marshall School of Business
21
=6
7
MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business
21
=6
9
Hough Graduate School of Business
21
=6
32
La Trobe Business School
21
10
2
Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London
24
10) Imperial College Business School
Average program length (months): 24
Imperial College Business School’s online MBA program lasts 24 months. The program scored highly across all ranking indicators, particularly for employability, where it got the second-highest score in the rankings.
Students complete a number of pre-study modules (such as an accounting primer), then attend a five-day, compulsory on-campus induction. You will then have four core module periods followed by an optional global experience week. The course is topped off with a capstone business game.
Fees for the program are £36,500 (approx. US$46,329). In terms of class profile, 84 percent of the cohort are international, 38 percent are female, and they have an average of 11 years’ work experience.
Although Imperial is the highest ranked program lasting 24 months, there are 12 business schools in total on the rankings with 24-month long programs.
=6) La Trobe Business School
Average program length (months): 21
La Trobe University boasts Australia’s shortest program, which is 21 months. The program achieved an above-average score for class experience.
The course aims to teach the following skills: business analysis, accounting, innovation, responsible leadership, and entrepreneurship. It requires prospective students to have a minimum of three years’ work experience to apply, and tuition costs AUD$38,000 (approx. US$26,581) per 120 credit points.
The class profile is close to gender parity, with 48 female students, and an average of 11.7 years’ work experience. Students can enjoy an average post-program salary of US$82,403.
=6) Hough Graduate School of Business, University of Florida
Average program length (months): 21
The University of Florida’s online MBA program scored well in all ranking indicators, particularly employability. Tuition fees are US$59,807.
The majority of the program is delivered online but with options for residencies at one of the university’s campuses or a Global Immersion Experience. It aims to limit disruption to everyday life – students can watch online lectures when convenient and spend around 15 hours per week on individual assignments, group projects and readings.
In terms of class profile, 34 percent of the class is female, with an average of seven years’ work experience. Graduates have an impressive average post-program salary of US$96,288.
=6) MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business
Average program length (months): 21
MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business’ online MBA is also 21 months. It achieved a perfect score for class experience and the second-highest score in the rankings for faculty and teaching.
The program is made up primarily of digital learning, with two compulsory face-to-face weeks and additional optional face-to-face weeks and international study options.
Fees for the program are €32,000 for individuals (approx. US$38,960) and €37,000 for those sponsored by their company (approx. US$41,579). The cohort is around 28 percent international, with 31 percent female students and an average of 11 years’ work experience.
=6) Marshall School of Business
Average program length (months): 21
Another school with a 21-month program is the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California’s online MBA course, which achieved a perfect score for class experience and the third-highest score in the rankings for employability.
Aside from one six-day residential intensive course, the rest of the program is delivered fully online through virtual team meetings and assessments, case studies, interactive games and moderated discussion boards. There are live online class meetings two to three times per week, lasting between one and two hours.
Tuition is US$99,692, with total tuition and costs coming to around US$106,197. In terms of class profile, the cohort is 32 percent female with an average of 11 years’ work experience.
=4) Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business
Average program length (months): 20
In joint fourth place, with its 20-month program is Kennesaw State. The program achieved high scores for class profile and class experience.
Aside from a mandatory two-day on-site orientation in Atlanta, Georgia, Kennesaw State’s program relies primarily on virtual team-based learning. There are 10 modules in the program.
Tuition for the program is US$24,370. The program almost reaches gender parity, with a 49 percent female cohort, with 8.9 years’ work experience. GMAT is required for entry – the average score for Fall 2019 students was 594.
=4) Frank G. Zarb School of Business
Average program length (months): 20
Also lasting 20 months is the online MBA program at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. The school achieved a perfect score for class experience and a high score for faculty and teaching.
Students will undertake a cohort option where all requirements can be completed in less than two years. Typically, the program is delivered through audio and video lectures, discussion boards, online assignments and exams and online case discussions.
Program fees are US$63,875. The cohort is made up of 48 percent female students, with 13 years’ work experience. Participants can network with fellow students and industry leaders through residencies in New York City.
3) Sawyer Business School
Average program length (months): 19
In third place is Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University. The 19-month program achieved a perfect score for class experience and has tuition fees of US$74,766.
The program is delivered 100 percent online but there is an optional immersive travel seminar module. Students can pursue various MBA concentrations, including Business Intelligence, Finance, and Accounting Principles.
In terms of class profile, the cohort is 43 percent female with 2.2 years’ work experience. Students have access to a worldwide network of over 80,000 alumni, with over 90 percent of graduates employed six months after graduation.
=1) EU Business School
Average program length (months): 15
In joint first place is EU Business School, where students can complete their studies in 15 months. The program achieved a perfect score for class experience and one of the highest scores in the rankings for class profile.
Teaching is delivered through live, interactive webinars, group projects and business simulations. Students attend at least one on-campus week held in Barcelona, Geneva, or Munich. Participants can choose to major in one of eight topics including International Business, Communication & PR, and International Marketing.
The cohort has more female than male students (54 percent), with an average nine years’ work experience. Tuition fees for the program are €17,400 (approx. US$19,635).
=1) IE Business School
Average program length (months): 15
Also with a 15-month course is the world’s top ranked online MBA program at IE Business School. The program achieved the highest score in the rankings for both employability and faculty and teaching, plus a perfect score for class experience.
It’s made up of three core online periods, one Global Immersion Week (locations include Shanghai, Los Angeles and Mumbai), plus three face-to-face weeks in Madrid. Teaching is delivered in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning, including interactive small groups where you work on real-world, industry-based case studies.
The class profile is 94 percent international, 33 percent female, with 8.5 years’ work experience. Fees for the 2018-19 academic year are €51,200 (approx. US$57,778).
This article was originally published in June 2019 . It was last updated in April 2020
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Julia is a writer for TopMBA.com, publishing articles for business students and graduates across the world. A native Londoner, she holds an MSc in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School and a BA in Classical Studies & English from Newcastle University.
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