5 Online Business Schools in Missouri (MBA)

Earn your master of business administration online. Learn about online MBA programs in Missouri, top industries in Missouri and career opportunities.

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Opportunities abound for graduates of MBA programs in Missouri. Financial managers, marketing managers, purchasing managers, and chief executives all rank among the state's top 30 highest paying professions, with median annual salaries more than double the statewide median household income of $51,500.

MBA graduates in Missouri can also benefit from diverse choices in terms of industry. Consulting companies, financial advisory firms, various types of manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare facilities all number among the state's largest employers.

On this page, prospective students can peruse a detailed list of accredited online MBA programs in Missouri to help them navigate their search for the right school. Readers can also explore career opportunities for MBA graduates in the state, including job descriptions, occupational outlook, salary data, and the connection between MBA specializations and key industries in Missouri.

Best Missouri's Online MBA Programs

The list below offers guidelines for prospective students of MBA programs in Missouri. Because accreditation is an important aspect to consider in the search for an MBA program, lists like this one can provide a solid entry point for further research. The schools below all hold regional, national, and/or programmatic accreditation.

For more information on MBA programs and accreditation, visit this page.

  • Columbia College
    Location

    Columbia, MO

    Tuition

    $14940

    Columbia College, a private school of about 2,000 students, administers one of the best online MBA programs in Missouri. Designed for professionals in the early stages of their careers who want to advance to leadership positions, this program consists of 36 hours of coursework. Students can choose between two concentrations: accounting and human resource management. If students choose the accounting track, they must have a bachelor's degree in accounting, or possess the equivalent undergraduate credits.

    Once enrolled, learners take classes that cover marketing strategies, business communication theory, organization theory, and information systems. Accounting students learn about taxes, and human resource students become experts in compensation and benefits.

    In order to apply, candidates should have a 3.0 GPA at minimum from their undergraduate degree. Although Columbia College does not require students to submit entrance exam scores, the school recommends that applicants finish a few years of work experience before they begin the MBA program.

    Concentrations

  • Culver-Stockton College
    Location

    Canton, MO

    Tuition

    $16500

    Located in Canton, Missouri, Culver-Stockton College began educating students in 1853 as a Christian institution. Over 150 years later, the school now offers a master's in business administration entirely online. This online MBA program has three emphasis areas: finance, management, and accounting. Students may also pursue a dual MSN-MBA in tandem with the college's nursing school.

    Terms last eight weeks, and the program generally requires two years for completion. High-performing undergraduate business students enrolled at Culver-Stockton may begin their MBAs during their senior years as part of the "3+2 MBA" program. The program, accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, provides students with career placement services before they graduate.

    All applicants must possess an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.0 and a 1025 GMAT score at minimum. However, Culver-Stockton may waive the GMAT score for those candidates with substantive work experience.

    Concentrations

  • Fontbonne University
    Location

    Saint Louis, MO

    Tuition

    $26208

    The Catholic-affiliated and Saint Louis-based Fontbonne University offers an online MBA in Missouri. Students may choose between two concentrations, including a leadership and management track and a supply chain management track. The program requires students to complete 36 credits of coursework: 24 core credits and 12 concentration credits. Courses last eight weeks.

    The school designed the program with flexibility for working professionals. Before graduation, learners must complete a seminar in administrative policy and strategic planning. Students implement the skills they learned during their MBA courses through presentations and written assessments of case studies.

    Admissions requirements vary based on the applicant's intended concentration. If prospective students want to focus on leadership and management, they do not need to take entrance exams. If they choose to follow the accounting track, they must have a 475 GMAT score at minimum. Although Fontbonne typically does not set a minimum undergraduate GPA, the school waives the GMAT requirement for students who received a minimum 3.3 GPA.

    Concentrations

  • Lincoln University
    Location

    Jefferson City, MO

    Tuition

    $10476

    Lincoln University operates as a historically black university in Missouri's capital, Jefferson City. Created in 1886 for African-American students after the Civil War, the public land-grant university now enrolls about 3,000 students each year. Lincoln also runs an online MBA program in Missouri.

    The degree offers an emphasis in management. Students take courses in managerial accounting, international business, business strategy, managerial economics, and corporate finance. Students learn to understand markets and analyze data in order to make decisions. Each course equips students with the skills they need to progress their career and obtain leadership positions.

    Lincoln's MBA program holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. If students previously earned their bachelor's degrees in business from Lincoln, they may apply nine credits to their MBA requirements. The school does not set a minimum undergraduate GPA, but applicants must submit GMAT scores.

    Concentrations

  • Lindenwood University
    Location

    St. Charles, MO

    Tuition

    $26520

    Located in the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles, Lindenwood University instructs nearly 9,000 students, both undergraduate and graduate. The schools online MBA in Missouri allows students to choose from several concentrations: accounting, entrepreneurial studies, finance, human resource management, international business, leadership, management, marketing, nonprofit administration, and supply chain management.

    Students complete 39 to 54 credits, depending on past coursework, previous experience, and chosen emphasis area. Students without prior background in business must take nine credits of prerequisite coursework. Working professionals can enroll part time or full time. Lindenwood offers five terms per year, each lasting eight weeks.

    The MBA program at Lindenwood holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Higher Learning Commission. Interested individuals should reach out to the admissions department at Lindenwood to ask about specific admissions requirements based on their previous experience.

    Concentrations

  • Maryville University of Saint Louis
    Location

    Saint Louis, MO

    Tuition

    $27300

    Maryville University provides a fast-track MBA degree. Students who do not choose a concentration can graduate within one year. The St. Louis-based university administers one of the best online MBA programs in Missouri, which is meant to help working professionals advance their careers. Students can begin the program at six different starting points throughout the year.

    Students may choose from nine specializations: accounting, human resource management, cybersecurity, information technology, financial services, marketing, general management, project management, and health administration. Several of these concentrations tailor courses around preparing students for certifications. For instance, the accounting track equips students for their CPA exams, and learners in the project management track prepare for the project management professional certification.

    Maryville's admissions requirements do not include GRE or GMAT scores and the school does not demand a minimum undergraduate GPA. Maryville instead takes another approach, admitting potential students who hold the ability to succeed regardless of their previous experience.

    Concentrations

  • Missouri Baptist University
    Location

    Saint Louis, MO

    Tuition

    $21168

    Founded in 1957 in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, Baptist University educates about 5,000 students each year, both on campus and online.

    At MBU, students can receive their online MBA in Missouri in 12 to 24 months. Students must complete 36 credits in order to graduate. Although the school waives some required credits, everyone enrolled must fulfill three credits of an introductory executive communications and business literacy class. Later in the program, coursework requires students to complete research and study advanced concepts, like markets for international firms and organizational behavior and leadership.

    The curriculum also includes a capstone course where students create a project synthesizing everything they have learned throughout the course of their studies. Additionally, students take an exit exam during their capstone semester.

  • Missouri State University-Springfield
    Location

    Springfield, MO

    Tuition

    $11220

    The Missouri State University online MBA program allows students to complete a graduate certificate in areas like entrepreneurship and forensic accounting, in conjunction with a master's degree. About a quarter of students choose to enroll in the MBA online, rather than on campus.

    The Missouri State online MBA consists of 18 foundational credits and 33 MBA credits. Students with an academic background in business may bypass the foundational courses. Missouri State also offers an executive MBA option, but only allows individuals with at least five years of business experience to apply for this track.

    Missouri State expects prospective students to submit undergraduate transcripts and a GMAT or GRE score. The school may waive the entrance exam requirement if applicants earned a 3.25 GPA or higher in previous business coursework from an accredited school. Bachelor's learners studying business at Missouri State may apply for the accelerated MBA program, which allows them to count undergraduate credits toward their graduate degrees.

    Concentrations

  • Missouri University of Science and Technology
    Location

    Rolla, MO

    Tuition

    $43200

    Formerly known as the University of Missouri at Rolla, this school became Missouri University of Science and Technology, or Missouri S&T, in 2008 due to its reputation as a technological research university. Missouri S&T runs many other academic programs; however, not just science and technology, including one of the best online MBA programs in Missouri.

    MBA students complete 36 credits of coursework, including classes like teambuilding and leadership, and managerial finance. The curriculum also offers courses that take advantage of Missouri S&T's strengths, like artificial intelligence, robotics, and information systems management. If individuals are interested but unsure about an entire master's degree, they can opt to enroll in one of the school's many business administration graduation certificates, like mobile business and technology or enterprise resource planning.

    Applicants must submit their transcripts from previous coursework, three recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, and GRE or GMAT scores.

    Concentrations

  • Northwest Missouri State University
    Location

    Maryville, MO

    Tuition

    $13530

    At Northwest Missouri State University, students can choose to three different MBA directions: a general MBA degree, an MBA with an emphasis in human resource management, or an MBA with a marketing concentration. Regardless of specialization, all programs consist of 33 credits. Learners may complete all three options online, and generally finish the program in 12 to 18 months.

    Nine hours of coursework must fall within the student's concentration area. Human resource students take classes like managing compensation and benefits. Students who pursue general management take quality improvement courses. The marketing concentration encourages students to take courses in global marketing management or advanced marketing communication.

    To apply for this MBA program in Missouri, candidates must submit a transcript with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Northwest Missouri State often requires applicants to submit GRE or GMAT scores as well; however, the school waives entrance exam scores in certain cases. Applicants should contact the school for more information about the waiver.

    Concentrations

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Careers and Salaries for MBA Graduates in Missouri

Missouri's unemployment numbers fell greatly over the past decade, and the state's employment outlook continues to improve. In fact, projections from the state's Department of Economic Development show that employment numbers in Missouri might increase by over 7% from 2016-2026. Certain regions may see more of this economic growth; since 2011, Kansas City, St. Louis, and the Ozarks saw the fastest employment growth rate.

The health and social assistance industry employed nearly 400,000 people in 2016, making it the largest industry in Missouri. Retail trade employed over 310,000 people, and manufacturing ranked as the third most popular industry -- with over 260,000 employees. The fastest growing industries fall under healthcare, professional services, construction, and food services. Missouri's economic development department also includes information technology, transportation and logistics, and energy solutions as additional target industries.

Business students can find potential positions in healthcare administration, which many schools offer as a concentration. Professional and financial services might also include opportunities for financial planners and advisors, for instance. Additionally, supply chain management experts could land jobs in the manufacturing and transportation industries.

CompanyLocationMain IndustryNumber of Employees
Toddzone.comBransonConsulting Services15,000
Viasystems Group IncSt. LouisTelecommunications14,854
Express Scripts Holding Co.St. LouisPharmacies and Drug Stores10,001

Source: Career One Stop

Graduates of an online MBA program in Missouri often go on to serve in key roles within the healthcare industry. Common positions include hospital administrators, healthcare policy analysts, health services managers, pharmaceutical project managers, and chief operating officers. Master's degree-holders may also choose to enter the public sector, leading projects, departments, and agencies that deliver critical healthcare, social, and other services to individuals and families throughout the state.

Careers for MBA Grads in Missouri

Medical and Health Services Manager

Employed by healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, medical and health services managers direct administrative activity on an overall or departmental basis. Responsible for coordinating staff, adhering to regulations, overseeing recordkeeping, and managing budgets, medical and health services managers often hold an MBA. MBA programs offer solid business foundations that sometimes include supervised administrative internships.

Missouri employed 6,840 medical and health services managers as of May 2018, and they earned an annual mean wage of $113,120, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Projections Central expects a healthy uptick in demand for the occupation from 2016-2026, anticipating a rise of 18.3%.

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Financial Manager

Financial managers monitor their organization's overall health, working with budgeting staff and analyzing reports so they can recommend improvements to efficiency. They handle investments, propose growth plans, and ensure that their company obeys the law. By obtaining an MBA, employees can prepare to understand the intricacies of the financial world and make confident recommendations to help secure their company's success.

According to the BLS, Missouri employed 7,630 financial managers as of May 2018, and they earned an annual mean wage of $136,520. Projections Central expects a spike in demand for financial managers in Missouri, projecting 20.2% growth from 2016-2026.

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Farm and Home Management Advisor

Farm and home management advisors work with agricultural companies, including small farms, to help them optimize their business structure. They may provide education on the business side of the industry, or update farmers on new technology. Typically, farm and home management advisors must hold a master's degree. An MBA provides the knowledge they need to advise businesses on best practices in the industry.

Nationally, the BLS projects growth in the demand for farm and home management advisors at a pace matching the national median for all occupations: about 5% from 2018-2028. Across the country, farm and home management advisors earned an annual mean wage of $49,840.

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Personal Financial Advisor

Personal financial advisors work with individual clients rather than businesses. They may make and monitor investments on a client's behalf and help them pursue personal financial goals such as retirement, college savings, and estate planning. Some personal financial advisors work for large firms, while others operate independently. While many financial advisors hold a bachelor's degree, prospective employees may find that an MBA opens additional opportunities through more in-depth study of business and financial operations.

Missouri employed 5,050 personal financial advisors as of May 2018, according to the BLS, and they earned an annual mean wage of $85,830. Projections Central expects an increase in demand for the occupation of 16.9% from 2016-2026.

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Industrial Production Manager

Responsible for the hands-on details involved in manufacturing plant operations, industrial production managers monitor production, work to improve processes and safety guidelines, manage supplies, and provide reports to other departments. With an MBA, prospective employees can prepare to work for larger companies, where they may take responsibility for big plants and a complicated array of tasks.

According to the BLS, Missouri employed 3,410 industrial production managers as of May 2018, and they earned an annual mean wage of $104,010. Projections Central expects little growth in the occupation from 2016-2026, projecting a 1.8% change during that time frame.

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MBA Concentrations for Missouri Students

By choosing the right concentration for their MBA program in Missouri, students can equip themselves for the highest paying MBA jobs available in the state's most prominent industries. In Missouri, key industries include advanced manufacturing, financial and professional services, health sciences and services, and information technology. Respectively, students interested in these fields might choose MBA concentrations in areas such as technology, finance, healthcare management, or information technology. Accelerated MBA programs are a popular choice to earn these degrees at a quicker pace.

For more details about the differences among various MBA concentrations, and how they can relate to opportunities in specific industries, visit our specializations page.

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