5 Online Business Schools in Arizona

Busy individuals looking to get an MBA can earn their degree online. Explore online MBA programs in Arizona, along with career and salary information for MBA grads.

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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 140,000 business and financial workers and over 167,000 management professionals work in Arizona. These professionals earn high incomes compared to those in many other states, taking home annual mean salaries of $68,190 and $100,680, respectively. Earning an online MBA in Arizona is a great way to launch a business administration career.

Online education is on the rise in Arizona, as well. In 2015, over 80,000 graduate students in the state enrolled in distance classes, compared with just under 40,000 in 2012.

Read on for a list of online MBA programs in Arizona, plus additional information to help you decide if earning an Arizona MBA is right for you. The following sections examine Arizona's economic growth, its major industries and employers, and potential job opportunities for business school grads.

Best Online MBA Programs in Arizona

The list below provides a sampling of distance MBA programs in Arizona. Browse it to learn key details about schools and decide which programs offer the best academic opportunities and resources to suit your interests.

Keep in mind that you should only apply to schools and programs that hold proper accreditation. Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards set by independent accrediting bodies. The list below only details properly accredited MBA programs in Arizona.

  • Grand Canyon University
    Location

    Phoenix, AZ

    Tuition

    $25760

    Pursuing the Arizona online MBA available from Grand Canyon University promotes advancement in leadership development, organizational growth, and operations management. Their 46-credit program consists of core courses, offering no electives or concentration options. However, the comprehensive degree plan reflects and responds to the needs of today's businesses, so students study accounting and finance, forecasting and fundraising, departmental functions and diversity, and sustainability in the global marketplace. The asynchronous format requires no set times for class meetings or lectures; students complete their work on their own schedules. Graduate admission requires a completed undergraduate degree with a minimum 2.8 GPA or a completed graduate degree. In some cases, admission may require GRE or GMAT scores.

    Concentrations

  • University of Arizona
    Location

    Tucson, AZ

    Tuition

    $45000

    The 45-credit University of Arizona online MBA offers six start dates. Their flexible schedule, combined with asynchronous instructional delivery, allows students to complete coursework and work full time. Depending on how many courses you take each term, you can finish in 15 months. Whether you study full time or part time, program costs remain the same and include all required course materials and ebooks. The University of Arizona offers six different MBA concentrations, fulfilled by taking specific elective courses: entrepreneurship, healthcare, finance, management and organizations, management information systems, or marketing. Application requirements include a GMAT score (waived for individuals with specific credentials), brief essay, resume, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all prior institutions.

    Concentrations

  • University of Phoenix
    Location

    Tempe, AZ

    Tuition

    $26640

    The University of Phoenix offers working professionals the opportunity to complete an Arizona online MBA in as few as 18 months. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the University of Phoenix offers a selection of courses in corporate finance, organizational leadership, human capital management, and applied business research and statistics that provide a well-rounded exploration of business topics and fundamental skills. Their MBA program requires only 36 credits for completion. To focus on a certain area of business expertise, you may choose to complete an additional concentration certificate, which requires 12 further credits. Certificate options include project management, accounting, human resource management, and marketing. To apply, you must hold an undergraduate degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and meet work experience requirements. The program offers several start times each academic year, allowing for maximum flexibility.

    Concentrations

Online MBA Programs for You

Grow your career, leadership, and business acumen with an accredited online MBA program.

Careers and Salaries for MBA Graduates in Arizona

Arizona boasts the third-fastest growing economy in the United States. In 2018, the state's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.3%, while the national GDP grew by 3.9%. Much of Arizona's economic growth comes from companies in the finance, business services, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. These sectors tend to resist economic downturns, making Arizona an excellent place for professional advancement.

Experts expect economic growth to continue at this rate through at least 2022. Employment rates should rise at equal rates. Arizona residents can expect jobs statewide to grow by 41.8% over the next 10 years.

Candidates earning online MBAs in Arizona position themselves to expand with the state's economy. Companies that start in or move to Arizona need local, well-trained managers to oversee their teams. These professionals can also expect to make above-average wages. The mean income in Arizona sits at $49,290, but the BLS reports that managers in the state earn a mean annual salary of $104,940. The chart below highlights some of the largest Arizona-based employers.

ARIZONA'S TOP 3 LARGEST EMPLOYERS

CompanyLocationMain IndustryNumber of Employees
University of ArizonaTucsonHigher Education14,466
Raytheon Missile SystemsTucsonMissile and Rocket Manufactures13,000
Arizona State UniversityTempeHigher Education12,218
Source:Career One Stop

An online MBA in Arizona can help candidates find managerial positions in these organizations. Higher education organizations and casinos need qualified professionals to manage their large workforces. Graduates can also find work at some of Arizona's other top employers, which include Raytheon Missile Systems, Mayo Clinic, Southwest Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace, TMC Healthcare, and American Express. These national companies hire MBAs to oversee several areas of business, including marketing, finance, and supply chains.

Careers for MBA Grads in Arizona

Medical and Health Services Manager

Medical and health services managers, sometimes called healthcare administrators or healthcare executives, manage operations in nursing homes, physicians' offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They oversee facilities' schedules, budgets, goals, and personnel. Healthcare administrators typically hold degrees in business administration or similar fields.

The Arizona Commerce Authority lists bioscience and healthcare as two of the state's most important industries. Approximately 8,100 medical and health services managers work in Arizona, earning a mean annual salary of $112,480. Projections Central expects a 40.3% increase in job positions for health services managers in Arizona -- more than eight times the national job growth rate -- through 2026.

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Financial Manager

Financial managers ensure their organizations' financial stability. Their specific daily responsibilities depend on the particular industry in which they work, but financial managers generally oversee investments, financial reporting, and long-term financial planning. Many employers require these professionals to hold MBAs, which cover finance, accounting, and economics principles relevant to financial management.

Many organizations need financial managers to help them manage finances and stay financially healthy. Arizona's financial managers earn a mean annual salary of $112,680. Projections Central expects financial managers in the state to experience a 32.2% increase in job opportunities from 2016-2026.

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Engineering Manager

Engineering managers oversee operations and employees in engineering firms, manufacturing facilities, and similar organizations. They develop new products, determine hiring needs, manage budgets, and direct research and development projects. Engineering managers may find ample job opportunities in Arizona, since the state's major industries include aerospace, defense, technology, and manufacturing.

Many engineering managers pursue advanced degrees, such as MBAs, to learn about general management, human resources, finance, and economics concepts. Projections Central expects job opportunities for architectural and engineering managers in Arizona to grow by 17.1% from 2016-2026. Arizona's approximately 3,410 engineering managers earn a mean annual income of $126,200.

Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer and information systems management may prove an excellent career choice for MBA-holders, since Arizona supports over 132,000 technology industry jobs. Many of these jobs are in the defense, electronics, software, and IT fields. Moreover, computer and information systems managers in Arizona earn $134,940 annually, and should benefit from a nearly 22% increase in job openings from 2016-2026.

Computer and information systems managers, who often need MBA degrees, oversee IT-related activities in a variety of organizations. They work with managers to determine their firm's technology needs. They also oversee the team that installs, maintains, secures, and updates hardware and software.

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Advertising and Promotions Manager

Advertising and promotions managers fill slightly different roles, but they both work to build interest in goods and services. Some advertising managers help produce advertising campaigns for their clients, while others sell advertising space. Promotions managers incentivize customers to buy products through various types of advertisements, discounts, and contests. An MBA can provide essential marketing, sales, and communication knowledge for an advertising or marketing job.

While the BLS does not provide Arizona data for advertising and promotions managers, the national mean annual salary of the position is $133,090. The Central Projections projects a nationwide 5.4% increase in job openings for advertising and promotions managers from 2016-2026.

MBA Concentrations for Arizona Students

Prospective students should strongly consider selecting an Arizona online MBA that allows them to pursue a concentration. Specializations allow learners to tailor their degrees to their personal interests, building specific skills and knowledge relevant to the most important industries. When choosing a concentration, degree candidates should consider which industries and jobs are growing rapidly in their state.

According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, some of the most important industries to Arizona's economy include manufacturing, bioscience and healthcare, aerospace and defense, digital media, and financial services. Consult this specializations hub for more advice on finding the perfect MBA fit for you.

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