The possibilities surrounding an MBA have surely exceeded expectations since its humble beginnings. In 1908, Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration launched the world’s first MBA program with 15 faculty members including the dean, 33 regular students, and 47 special students.
Fast forward to 1987; technological advances and change in the air saw the launch of the first 100 percent online MBA program courtesy of Aspen University, Denver. The early pioneer in online education has since taught over 4,000 students via the internet.
Although some online MBA programs span three decades, there are some relatively new online MBA’s we at QS think potential applicants should keep on their radar. Here’s a look at the nine youngest MBA programs to be included in this year’s QS Distance Online MBA Rankings.
| Rank | Institution | Location | Years online MBA has been established |
| 3 | Imperial College Business School | United Kingdom | 4 |
| 20 | Politecnico di Milano School of Management | Italy | 4 |
| 27 | American University (Kogod) | United States | 3 |
| 34 | University of Otago Business School | New Zealand | 3 |
| 43 | Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics | United States | 5 |
| 46 | La Trobe University | Australia | 4 |
| 47 | University of Cincinnati | United States | 4 |
| 48 | University of Utah (Eccles) | United States | 4 |
| 50 | Florida Atlantic University, College of Business | United States | 4 |
Imperial College Business School
Although Imperial College Business School’s bricks and mortar is in England’s capital city, London, its Imperial Global Online MBA can be studied anywhere in the world. The two-year, part-time program offers the best of both worlds. Students learn via The Hub, designed by its award-winning Edtech Lab to provide a dynamic, flexible online experience. Through The Hub, students have access to many different interactive learning activities including video content, live sessions, discussions, polls and case studies.
Students belong to time-zone-based virtual syndicates and will undertake some group work and ‘live presentations’ and interactions with academics to provide some MBA classroom experience.
Core modules include:
- Corporate Finance
- Financial and Management Accounting
- Managerial Economics
- Marketing Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Personal Leadership Journey
By undertaking the Imperial Global Online MBA, students will look to complete an online MBA from a top-ranked, world-class STEM institution with global recognition.
The two-year course (which starts in either January or September) requires an average GMAT of 650 and will cost potential students US$40,000-50,000. But with an average salary (post three months) of US$138,582, we can see why completing the Imperial Global Online MBA is appealing. Graduates will also receive AACSB|AMBA|EQUIS accreditations.
Politecnico di Milano School of Management

The Flex EMBA is the innovative Executive MBA format of Politecnico di Milano School of Management, which allows students to acquire the same competencies, build the network of relationships and achieve the same degree of traditional formats. Students can choose how to acquire content, when to attend courses, and can build a customized learning experience.
For the first time in Italy, the learning experience of an Executive course fits the lifestyle of its students. This is possible through a digital learning platform developed by MIP thanks to MICROSOFT technology.
The 21-month course (which begins in April or October) costs US$30,000-40,000, and the cohort has an average work experience length of 14 years. Students acquire AACSB I EQUIS accreditations and earn an average salary (post three months) of US$109,318.










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