The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

Accelerated online MBA programs help professionals take the next step in their careers. Explore top programs in our ranked list.

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Each of the online MBA programs in this ranking have completion timelines of 18-21 months or less. We have refreshed the ranking for 2023. Explore it as part of your initial program research.

To learn more about our ranking methodology, follow this link:

Top 5 Accelerated Online MBA Programs: At a Glance
Rank School Admissions Insights Outcomes by the Numbers

1.

University of Florida | Gainesville, FL

  • Minimum Undergrad GPA: 3.3 (Average undergraduate GPA)
  • Admission Rate: 26%
  • Average Student Age: 28
  • Online Enrollment: 92%
  • Tuition: $48,000/total
  • Average GMAT Score: N/A (GMAT not required)
  • Average Starting Salary: $110,000 (median), $106,900 (mean)

2.

Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT

  • Average Student Age: 35
  • Tuition: $4,530/6-month term
  • Average GMAT Score: N/A (GMAT not required)

3.

Babson College | Wellesley, MA

  • Admission Rate: 22% 
  • Average Student Age: 32
  • Tuition: $1,990/credit
  • Average GMAT Score: N/A (GMAT not required)
  • Average Starting Salary: $163,000 (3 years after graduation)

4.

Texas A&M International University | Laredo, TX

  • Minimum Undergrad GPA: 3.25 (for automatic admission)
  • Admission Rate: 53% 
  • Average Student Age: 32 
  • Tuition: $11,010/total (in-state), $30,900/total (out-of-state)

5.

Northcentral University | La Jolla, CA

  • Minimum Undergrad GPA: 3.0 
  • Tuition: $960/credit
  • Average GMAT Score: N/A (GMAT not required)
  • Average Starting Salary: $142,000 

#1 The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

University of Florida

  • Gainesville, FL
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Nationally recognized as one of the top public colleges, the University of Florida is especially known for its business education. UF's Warrington College of Business holds accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

UF MBA Online

The University of Florida's online MBA program features an accelerated 16-month option. It is open to students who have earned an undergraduate business degree in the past seven years.

Structured across five terms, the curriculum covers essential business concepts including operations, brand management, and financing. Students can take electives in marketing or technology, finance, and international business.

The program also includes a mandatory experiential learning component. Depending on the term, experiential learning options may include stints at the Washington Campus, a Global Immersion Experience, or an online project.  

UF's Specializations

General Business

UF's Affordability

UF's MBA Online program carries a total cost of less than $50,000. Students can take advantage of flexible payment schedules and options. UF has two financial aid officers to assist MBA students.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Public
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
  • Tuition: $48,000
  • Required Credits: 32
  • Program Length: 16 months
  • Delivery Format: 100% online coursework with in-person experiential learning options 
  • Admissions
    • Process: UF has a rolling admissions process and reviews applications as candidates submit them. 
    • GPA: 3.3 (average student GPA)
    • Standardized Tests: GMAT or GRE are optional 
    • Cost: $30
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,477
Out-of-state
$25,694
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$10,770
Out-of-state
$27,335
Retention Rate
97%
Admission Rate
31%
Students Enrolled
53,372
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
92% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#2 The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

Western Governors University

  • Salt Lake City, UT
  • 4 years
  • Online

WGU offers a unique take on education innovation by offering self-paced programs. It was founded during the mid-1990s. Nineteen U.S. governors convened to found WGU as a private nonprofit institution.

MBA Degree

Western Governors University's mba degree program holds special accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The program's curriculum supplements its strong focus on business management with courses in accounting, economics, finance, leadership, marketing, and strategy. 

The program culminates in an intensive capstone project, which guides students to synthesize and apply their gained knowledge.

Designed for optimal flexibility, the program features an asynchronous structure that allows students to learn at their own pace. WGU also uses a unique competency model enabling students to move quickly through material on which they have a strong grasp. Degree-seekers can take course-concluding competency assessments as soon as they feel ready.

WGU's Specializations

General Business | Healthcare Management | Information Technology Management

WGU's Affordability

WGU charges tuition per term, not per credit. As such, learners on accelerated schedules pay less to complete their studies.

MBA students who finish in one academic year pay less than $9,500 for their degree. Such an affordable cost profile is very rare for an AACSB-accredited program.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Private
  • Accreditation: NWCCU, AACSB
  • Tuition: $4,530 per term
  • Required Credits: 34
  • Program Length: 12 months
  • Delivery Format: 100% online (asynchronous)
  • Admissions
    • Process: Applicants must submit academic transcripts indicating the completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution.
    • Standardized Tests: GMAT or GRE scores are optional 
    • Cost: $65
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,380
Out-of-state
$6,380
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,500
Out-of-state
$7,500
Retention Rate
75%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
147,866
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

#3 The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

Babson College

  • Wellesley, MA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Babson College focuses on entrepreneurship. It's ranked as one of the country's leading schools for business students and emerging entrepreneurs.

Full-Time MBA

Babson's AACSB-accredited full-time MBA programs feature one-year and two-year options. Learners pursuing accelerated education typically choose the intensive one-year program.

Babson's tagline is "business as usual has no business here." That sentiment captures the school's innovative approach to business education. Students engage in intensive workshop-style courses led by successful entrepreneurs and business professionals with advanced real-world insights.

At Babson, online MBA students follow part-time schedules that can lead to graduation in as little as 18 months. Alumni have gone on to successful careers with high-profile organizations including Accenture, Deloitte, PwC, and many other major corporations.

Babson's Specializations

Business Analytics | Business Analytics and Machine Learning | Entrepreneurship | Global Management | Finance | Quantitative Finance | Marketing

Babson's Affordability

Babson offers merit scholarships to both full-time and part-time students. The institution also offers in-house loan and financing programs. Babson alumni also qualify for an automatic 20% discount.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Private
  • Accreditation: NECHE, AACSB
  • Tuition: $1,990 per course credit
  • Required Credits: 45
  • Program Length: 18-48 months
  • Delivery Format: 100% online (synchronous)
  • Admissions
    • Process: Applicants must submit a resume, one letter of recommendation, transcripts, and answers to short questions supplied by the school. Interview requests may apply for some candidates.
    • Standardized Tests: GMAT or GRE scores are optional 
    • Cost: $100
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$54,144
Out-of-state
$54,144
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$89,550
Out-of-state
$89,550
Retention Rate
92%
Admission Rate
27%
Students Enrolled
3,340
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
79% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#4 The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

Texas A & M International University

  • Laredo, TX
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Situated at the U.S.-Mexico border, TAMIU doubles as an educational and cultural institution. This multicultural, multilingual school traces its operational history to 1970 and hosts more than 100 degree programs.

Master of Business Administration Online

TAMIU's A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business holds AACSB accreditation and offers seven specialized online MBA programs, including a unique criminal justice option. Each of the programs applies a core focus on foundational business topics to concentrated areas of enterprise management.

Coursework blends theory and practice, covering various management philosophies alongside leadership, ethics, organizational behavior, and HR management essentials. Learners from non-business backgrounds are welcome to apply. Students with undergraduate degrees in other areas can complete preparatory course sequences designed to bridge knowledge gaps.

TAMIU makes the program more accessible by offering six start dates throughout the calendar year. Courses run on compact seven-week terms, with scheduling options that make it easy to balance studies with work and other commitments.

TAMIU's Specializations

Criminal Justice | Healthcare Administration | Information Science | International Banking and Finance | International Business | International Trade and Logistics | Management 

TAMIU's Affordability

TAMIU has affordable flat rates for all online MBA programs. Learners qualifying for in-state status pay just over $11,000 for their degree. Out-of-state learners still pay under $31,000. Students can pay per course.

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Public
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
  • Tuition: $11,010 for the entire MBA program (in-state), $30,900 for the entire MBA program (out-of-state) 
  • Required Credits: 30-33
  • Program Length: 21 months
  • Delivery Format: 100% online
  • Admissions
    • Process: TAMIU offers automatic admission to high-achieving students with a bachelor's degree in business and relevant experience. Other applicants must submit test scores, a personal statement, and multiple letters of recommendation.
    • GPA: 3.25 (for automatic admission)
    • Standardized Tests: GMAT or GRE scores required for applicants not meeting automatic admission eligibility guidelines. 
    • Cost: $35
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$3,818
Out-of-state
$13,634
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$3,350
Out-of-state
$10,712
Retention Rate
74%
Admission Rate
59%
Students Enrolled
8,525
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
59% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#5 The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

Northcentral University

  • La Jolla, CA
  • 4 years
  • Online

Founded in 1996, Southern California-based Northcentral University hosts a dynamic student body of approximately 10,000 learners. The 100% online institution has plans to merge with San Diego's acclaimed National University.

Master of Business Administration

Northcentral University's master of business administration program is endorsed by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students can study general business management or choose from 12 specializations, including criminal justice, virtual organization management, and homeland security.

All specializations focus on devising organization-specific business solutions. Degree-seekers learn proven methods for evaluating a company's financial status, improving management, and guiding change. Students also focus on moving businesses forward through innovation and navigating international trends and challenges.

Learners complete coursework in an individualized format. New sessions begin every Monday, enabling degree-seekers to start immediately.

NCU's Specializations

Criminal Justice | Entrepreneurship | Financial Management | General Business | Health Services | Homeland Security | Human Resources Management | Project Management | Global Business Management | Information Technology | Management of Virtual Organizations | Strategic Marketing | Inclusive Leadership

NCU's Affordability

NCU's base per-credit rate is under $1,000, placing the total cost at about $30,000. The school offers tuition assistance and financing programs. Multiple tuition scholarships are available to graduate students. 

Program at a Glance

  • School Type: Private
  • Accreditation: WSCUC, ACBSP
  • Tuition: $960 per credit
  • Required Credits: 30
  • Program Length: 16 months
  • Delivery Format: 100% online
  • Admissions
    • Process: NCU's process varies, depending on whether a candidate qualifies for direct entry.
    • GPA: 3.0
    • Standardized Tests: Not required
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$11,064
Out-of-state
$11,064
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$16,983
Out-of-state
$16,983
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
12,471
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Common Questions About The Most Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

Are accelerated MBAs hard?

Accelerated online MBA programs cover the same academic content as regular-paced programs. Many accelerated programs run on intensive compact schedules. Students often need to balance their time carefully to meet default graduation timelines.

Are accelerated MBAs worth it?

According to Harvard Business Review, the starting salaries of MBA graduates are about $20,000 higher than business professionals with undergraduate degrees. Accelerated online MBA programs help students pursue higher-paying positions on faster timelines.

Is an accelerated MBA the same as a regular MBA?

Accelerated MBA programs cover the same content as regular MBA programs. Scheduling is the main difference between accelerated vs. regular MBAs. 

What does an accelerated MBA mean?

Accelerated programs offer shorter completion timelines than regular full-time MBAs, which takes 2-3 years. Students can complete accelerated programs in as little as 12 months.

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