Taft University Grant Drops Online MBA Cost

January 23, 2012

Not looking for the Rolls Royce of online MBA programs? Happy to settle for a Kia? The William Howard Taft University online MBA program is currently offering a grant, cutting the price of tuition by over 50% for students willing to put the “pedal to the metal.”

Regular tuition for the program is $225 per trimester (16 weeks) unit. For students that agree to an accelerated schedule (finishing within two years), the cost is dropped to $110 per unit. Here’s how Taft breaks down tuition charges under the grant structure: students are charged $199 per unit for the first 12 units, $90 per unit for the second 12 units and $40 per unit for the final 2 units, for a total program cost of $4,500. Books are not included in tuition.

These are the requirements for receiving the discounted tuition rate:

Students must be citizens of the United State or Canada
Applications must be received on or before March 31, 2012 with studies commencing on or before April 15, 2012
Students must meet regular admission criteria (an undergraduate bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

Students must adhere to the accelerated schedule, which requires that each trimester is finished within six months – all coursework must be completed within two years of matriculation.

For students that fail to complete all graduation requirements within the accelerated timeframe, there’s a hefty $950 “late graduation fee” accessed and the regular rate of $225 per unit charge will be applied to the remaining units.

Kind of a steep penalty, but for those that are motivated to move through a MBA program to simply tackle the basics of higher business education and continue with their career, Taft might be a reasonable option.

Taft’s classes are fully online with no residency requirements, and along with a general MBA, the school offers specializations in professional private practice, entrepreneurship and health care administration.

Taft is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

There’s no denying – this isn’t a Harvard MBA program. However, for those looking to learn about business practices for career advancement, opening a small business or simply becoming a better manager and understanding business strategy, Taft’s accelerated, low-cost program might be an option.

Low cost MBA programs

Before racing to enroll in time for the Taft deadline, there are other low cost options to consider.

Western Governors University is also accredited by the DETC and allows students to learn at their own pace. There are no “semesters” or timetables. The program’s base cost is $13,000. The WGU is also fully online.

Southeast Missouri State University is an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited business school with a fully-online MBA that costs approximately $12,000.

AACSB is a renowned accrediting organization and it’s the top-of-the-line when it comes to recognizing business schools.

Also, look within your own state. Many schools (i.e. North Carolina) have lower tuition costs for in-state students.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is harder to come by at the graduate level, but there are still options. Tuition reimbursement, scholarships, military financial aid options like the post 9-11 G.I. bill or the yellow ribbon scholarship are widely accepted by business schools. Just like aid at the undergrad level, paperwork like the FASFA needs to be submitted, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

– Alanna Stage, @alannatweets