Shortest Top Online MBA Programmes 2021

Naveen Jindal School of Management’s Global Leadership MBA – ranked 16^th in the overall ranking – scored high for class experience.

The programme, which lasts on average 21 months, has a small cohort of 75. The class profile is diverse compared to other US-based online MBA courses: 43 percent of students are women, while 17 percent are international, but with a smaller cohort, it’s easy to see why.

Fees are US$53,000.

Next is the online MBA from Clarkson University, which has the highest number of female students in its 2021 cohort – 65 percent – among the shortest programmes and the overall online MBA ranking this year. The course also received a high score for class experience.

Clarkson’s online MBA consists of 14 three-credit courses, of which four are electives for students to choose from depending on their interests.

Tuition is US$49,308.

The last programme with an average duration of 21 months is Colorado State University College of Business’ online MBA, which scored high for class experience and class profile.

The 21-month programme has five start dates: August, October, January, March and May. This year’s cohort is the largest on the list with 960 enrolled, with an average 10 years’ work experience. 43 percent of students identify as female, but only one percent are international.

The course costs US$42,615.

Next, with an average length of 20 months, is the 19^th best in the world: the online MBA from Macquarie Business School, the only Australian and Asia-Pacific school on the list. The course is also one of the cheapest in the world, with total tuition amounting to US$25,387.

Macquarie’s online MBA received a perfect score of 100 for class experience. This year’s cohort of 206 is diverse, with 41 percent of students identifying as female and 76 percent international candidates.

In joint fifth position for shortest programme is the online MBA from Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University.

The class profile is made up of 38 percent women and four percent international students, with 11 years’ average work experience.

The course is one of the most affordable worldwide with a tuition of US$24,470.

In fourth position is the top online MBA programme in the world, the Global Online MBA from IE Business School.

Known for its diverse cohorts, the class profile for IE’s 18-month course is made up of 95 percent international students (up from last year’s 86 percent), 40 percent women (up from last year’s 34 percent), and an average 10 years’ work experience. The programme received a perfect score for employability and high scores across all other indicators.

Tuition is €51,200 (approx. US$60,094).

In third place is EU Business School, which received one of the highest scores for the class experience indicator. The EU online MBA programme takes 15 months to complete.

Teaching is delivered through live, interactive webinars, group projects and business simulations. Participants can choose to major in one of eight topics including International Business, Communication & PR, and International Marketing.

This year’s cohort of 130 students is one of the most diverse on the list, with 100 percent international students, 43 percent female students and 61 nationalities represented. Fees are €13,800 (approx. US$16,416).

In second place is OBS Business School, whose online Global MBA has a standard duration of 12 months. OBS was founded in 2006 as the first 100 percent online business school in Spanish.

The programme has a highly diverse class profile, with 40 percent female students, 96 percent international students and 14 years’ work experience on average.

Fees are €13,900 (approx. US$16,550).

GBSB Global Business School takes the lead as the school offering the shortest online MBA programme in the world, which can be completed in 10 months.

Alongside IE Business School, GBSB has a fully international cohort with 27 nationalities represented. Women make up 45 percent of this year’s class, with six years’ average work experience.

The programme has three annual intakes in September, January and April, and a flexible approach to learning, with classes pre-recorded and available to students at all times. Tuition is €15,050 (approx. US$17,919).