Online MBA Programs in Michigan

Interested in an advanced business career in Michigan? Learn more about the top online MBAs in Michigan, and explore salary and career opportunities for graduates.

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Online education is on the rise in Michigan, making the state an excellent place to earn an online MBA. In 2015, close to 23% of Michigan's undergraduate and graduate students participated in distance courses, compared with around 18% in 2012. Michigan boasts a booming economy, as well, with Projections Central expecting a 7% increase in job openings in the state from 2016-2026. This exceeds the national average growth rate for all occupations.

Close to 200,000 management professionals work in Michigan. They earn a mean annual income of $115,490 -- more than managers in many other states. Students who want to pursue advanced degrees in business should strongly consider earning an online MBA in Michigan.

This page features a sampling of distance MBA programs in Michigan. It also explores the state's major employers, its key industries, and potential job opportunities for MBA holders.

Careers and Salaries for MBA Graduates in Michgan

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation identifies Michigan as the epicenter for transportation mobility. Advanced manufacturing leads Michigan's industries due to its high number of engineers and industrial designers, plus its levels of research and development spending and amiable manufacturing tax laws.

Michigan is home to over 600 aerospace-related organizations, and the state continues to thrive thanks to its growing skilled workforce. Over 51,600 farms occupy 10 million acres of land in Michigan due to its weather, soil conditions, GDP growth, and convenient proximity to Canadian markets. Michigan also harbors over 2,200 licensed food processors. Therefore, MBA graduates specializing in this field can also find employment throughout the state.

Michigan's economic landscape reflects its growth. For instance, job growth in manufacturing has increased, and transportation equipment employment has risen by 65.3%. The State of Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives indicates that some top jobs through 2026 may include market research analysts, software developers, marketing specialists, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and marketing managers.

Earning an online MBA in Michigan allows students to take advantage of this growth as they continue gaining professional experience and advancing their education.

CompanyLocationMain IndustryNumber of Employees
Dow Chemical Co.MidlandAgriculture88,000
University of MichiganAnn ArborHigher Education23,316
Child and Adolescent PsychiatryAnn ArborPhysicians23,000

Source: Career One Stop

The careers listed in the table above reflect Michigan's largest employers. These organizations need professionals who understand pertinent business theories and principles. They also require leaders who can guide teams of incumbents in carrying out organizational initiatives.

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Careers for MBA Grads in Michigan

Technical Project Manager

Technical project managers oversee various technical projects by creating schedules, assigning tasks, and allocating resources. They plan out projects from start to finish, establish deadlines, and resolve problems along the way. Technical project managers often need degrees in management information systems or business degrees with a technology concentration. They also need a strong understanding of technology and skills in organization, communication, and management.

According to PayScale data, project managers working in Michigan earn a median annual salary of $70,000. The typical technical project manager in Detroit takes home approximately $77,000 per year.

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Operations Manager

Operations managers enjoy different responsibilities depending on their organization, industry, and department. They may manage daily activities, create organizational policies, supervise employees, or oversee manufacturing or warehousing. Operations managers often need a broad set of managerial skills, since their duties may fall outside of any specific department. They should complete coursework in business, finance, marketing, and management, so they often benefit from MBA programs.

Michigan's operations managers enjoy an annual mean salary of $122,160. Projections Central expects an 8.8% increase in positions for operations managers in Michigan from 2016-2026.

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Professional Services Manager

Professional services managers typically work for firms dealing in technical products such as enterprise software. They manage technical projects, build relationships with clients, and discuss projects with managers of other departments in their company. Professional services managers also work closely with their organization's research and development arm. They usually need a degree in computer science or information technology, benefiting from MBA coursework in communication and project management.

Computer and information systems managers in Michigan earn a mean annual income of $131,100. Projections Central expects them to see a 12.3% bump in job openings from 2016-2026.

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Supply Chain Consultant

Supply chain consultants advise companies on strategies to improve supply chain efficiency. They identify problem areas and develop solutions to reduce expenses and increase profits. They may establish new logistics policies, analyze company finances, and communicate with suppliers. These professionals need strong communication, leadership, and analysis skills, which they may acquire through a Michigan online MBA program.

Many major industries in Michigan, including the automotive industry, need professionals with supply chain expertise. Supply chain consultants in Ann Arbor, Michigan, enjoy a median salary of $85,000 per year.

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Senior Budget Analyst

Budget analysts help various types of organizations monitor their finances, track spending, and ensure overall financial success. They review budget proposals, forecast future financial needs, and create an organization's overall budget with input from managers. They also advise top executives on the availability of funds and prepare annual reports. An MBA can provide the accounting, finance, economics, and statistics knowledge that budget analysts need to do their jobs effectively.

Budget analysts may work for businesses, government agencies, or higher education institutions. Projections Central expects a 6.5% growth in job opportunities for Michigan's budget analysts, who enjoy a mean annual salary of $76,980.

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MBA Concentrations for Michigan Students

Many Michigan MBA programs let students earn a general degree or choose a concentration. Specializations allow learners to take basic business administration courses and tailor the rest of the curriculum to fit their personal interests. Students should also consider Michigan's major industries and growing job fields when choosing a concentration. The right focus area may help graduates demonstrate specialized skills to potential employers and find jobs more quickly after graduation.

Michigan's largest employers include companies dealing in healthcare, chemical production, and automotive manufacturing. Visit this specializations hub to explore some possible MBA concentrations in greater detail.

Michigan's Online MBA Programs

Read on to learn about some of Michigan's many excellent online MBA programs. The list below compares programs to help prospective students decide which degrees best fit their interests and learning preferences. Keep in mind that all the schools below hold proper accreditation; prospective learners should apply only to accredited MBA programs. Attending an accredited program ensures that future employers, scholarship programs, and other universities will respect your course credits and credentials.

  • Andrews University
    Location

    Berrien Springs, MI

    Tuition

    $17259

    Located in Berrien Springs, Andrews University tailors an interactive online MBA program to busy working professionals. The school also reduces tuition for online students by half, and this Michigan online MBA boasts accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. Full-time students can finish the 33-credit program in one year if they do not need to complete any prerequisites. Students who need to complete the prerequisites typically add on 13 credit hours of coursework. Usually, applicants with their bachelor's in business administration or a similar degree meet all prerequisite requirements.

    Students can apply five different times per year, and prospective students may begin their classes in the fall, spring, or summer. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from an adviser or employer, a resume, a statement of purpose, and GMAT scores.

  • Baker College
    Location

    Flint, MI

    Tuition

    $26410

    Flint is home to Baker College, which offers a Michigan online MBA degree. Baker's online MBA curriculum includes nine credit hours of elective courses and 27 credit hours of business core classes. Students can choose their own elective coursework, and mandatory business courses lay the foundation for a business administration career. Students take courses in human resource management, the financial environment, and management information systems to expand their business knowledge and strategy skills.

    Accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Baker College's MBA requires students to complete a capstone course in which they act out common business scenarios. For example, one capstone exercise requires students to act as business consultants, assisting a company with developing strategic plans. Students also work together on a series of projects, including an assignment on effective leadership.

    Concentrations

  • Central Michigan University
    Location

    Mount Pleasant, MI

    Tuition

    $21600

    Central Michigan University's online MBA program offers three admission dates for applicants. Students apply in the summer, fall, or spring semesters. Central Michigan delivers its Michigan online MBA entirely online, with courses taught in eight-week, 12-week, and 16-week terms. Applicants must create an admission portfolio featuring their GMAT scores, a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher, a resume, and a personal statement. The school waives GMAT requirements for applicants who possess a master's degree, doctoral degree, or an exceptionally high undergraduate GPA. Degree candidates take 27 credit hours of core requirements.

    In this curriculum, students learn about data analysis for managers, the global economic environment, and marketing-based management. They also take nine hours of value-driven organization electives in classes such as process improvement and the voice of the customer.

    Concentrations

  • Cleary University
    Location

    Howell, MI

    Tuition

    $30360

    Cleary University administers three different MBA programs: analytics, technology, and innovation; global leadership; and healthcare leadership. Students in each of these Michigan online MBA programs progress through classes in cohort groups and take part in a hands-on curriculum. The analytics, technology, and innovation MBA program molds students into leaders for tech and big data companies. Even without a technology background, these students learn the skills they need to manage a tech-focused organization. Comprising 11 courses, students can finish this concentration in 22 months.

    General program delivery follows a year-round structure in which students may take either one, seven-week course or two, 15-week courses at any given time. Similarly, the global and healthcare leadership concentrations require 33 hours of coursework. In each MBA concentration, learners take discipline-specific courses such as health quality management and the management of information technology. Cleary integrates its concentration courses into the general curriculum, eliminating the need for an elective requirement.

    Concentrations

  • Concordia University-Ann Arbor
    Location

    Ann Arbor, MI

    Tuition

    $27261

    Students interested in the Concordia University MBA program do not need to submit GMAT or GRE scores. Instead, this Michigan online MBA requires an application fee, an essay, an official undergraduate transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. Admitted students take 13 courses to complete the 39-credit hour curriculum. They take one course per eight-week term, and most learners graduate in 26 months. The curriculum features five concentrations options: accounting, communications and public relations, finance, healthcare administration, and human resource management.

    Concordia also coordinates study-abroad experiences for its degree candidates. These students travel to Costa Rica, Austria, or China to participate in a week-long immersive learning experience; students can also study at one of the school's partner institutions abroad. Concordia offers learners a study-abroad grant. Learners can also enroll in a dual-degree program at one of these partner universities.

    Concentrations

  • Cornerstone University
    Location

    Grand Rapids, MI

    Tuition

    $21850

    Full-time students can obtain their MBA degree from Cornerstone University in 20-22 months. The school delivers its Michigan online MBA program in two formats: online and blended. Moreover, Cornerstone offers a third, advanced-standing track for qualified students. The advanced standing program enables enrollees to graduate with their MBA degrees in 12 months. To enroll, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from CU's undergraduate business division with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants who meet these qualifications are exempt from taking certain required courses in the core MBA curriculum.

    The core curriculum consists of 26 foundational credits and 12 credits of concentration courses. The school waives up to five courses for qualified applicants. Both advanced-standing students and traditional MBA students can select a concentration in finance, global business, project management, or healthcare. Learners in the global business concentration take a 5-10 day international trip during their last semester.

    Concentrations

  • Davenport University
    Location

    Grand Rapids, MI

    Tuition

    $22950

    Davenport University prides itself on offering one of the premier Michigan online MBA programs in the state. The program boasts small class sizes, with approximately 15 students per class. Classes last for seven weeks in the MBA program's 30-credit curriculum. Courses begin at six start dates throughout the year, making it easy for busy students to enroll at any time. Students graduate within five semesters. The 12-month MBA accelerated program also requires 30 credits, but students take two courses per seven-week term.

    In this program, students work in cohort groups. The 39-credit MBA format requires students to select a concentration. Students may choose from 11 specialization options in fields like forensic accounting or marketing. To fulfill the concentration requirement, students take nine additional credits of coursework. For program admission, students submit a statement of purpose, professional letters of recommendation, and a resume.

    Concentrations

  • Ferris State University
    Location

    Big Rapids, MI

    Tuition

    $27072

    Offering a Michigan online MBA program, Ferris State University tries to set itself apart from other state schools. The university allows graduate students to create their own curriculum by working with advisers to select the courses that match their career interests and conduct independent research. Tenured staff instruct Ferris State's online MBA courses, and students take all of their classes remotely. Online students pay a special fee for access to their digital classes.

    The FSU MBA program requires 30 hours of core work and nine hours of elective work in an MBA concentration. Students take 11 foundational courses, plus three elective courses. The program features unique specializations, like design and innovation management and lean systems and leadership. Admission requirements include three letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, and GMAT or GRE test scores.

    Concentrations

  • Kettering University
    Location

    Flint, MI

    Tuition

    $42720

    When students in Kettering University's Michigan online MBA program choose a degree concentration, they receive a certificate from the university. Graduates of Kettering often go on to become CFOs and business owners. The school boasts an impressive alumni network, with graduates working for and leading top corporations. Students enrolled in the program may receive their certification in healthcare management, global leadership, or another discipline.

    Kettering created its MBA program to be completed in 18 months, but the university allows students to set their own pace and develop their own course schedule. MBA degree candidates complete 40 total credits across 10 courses. Seven of those courses fulfill core program requirements, and students complete three courses for certification. The program does not require on-campus meetings, and students complete their coursework entirely online. Kettering uses interactive components and new technology to deliver courses. The university's MBA program holds full accreditation from the Accredited Council for Business Schools and Programs.

    Concentrations

  • Lawrence Technological University
    Location

    Southfield, MI

    Tuition

    $34560

    Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, LTU offers five concentrations in its Michigan online MBA. These specializations require nine credit hours of coursework across three classes. For example, students with a finance specialization take courses in investment management, financial markets and institutions, and international finance. To satisfy the core requirements, students take 27 credits, including a global strategic management capstone. In the capstone course, students use knowledge from their other classes to create and implement strategic plans for an organization.

    Students complete the 36-credit program fully online in two years. Lawrence accepts applications on a rolling basis through the year, allowing students to apply for the MBA program in the spring, fall, or summer. To apply, students must submit a resume, an application, and official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree. The admissions office waives GMAT scores for applicants with a master's or bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

    Concentrations

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