Accelerated MBA programs are popular for those looking to fast-track their education and careers. These programs, including one-year online MBA formats, allow you to earn an MBA in less time and potentially climb the career ladder faster.
Business schools typically design accelerated MBA programs to build on your business fundamentals while providing new skills and knowledge. However, many programs expect students to hit the ground running because they cover a lot of material quickly.
This guide provides a list of top accelerated online MBA programs to help you find the right one. It also explores the pros and cons, available concentrations, earning potential, and more.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Accelerated MBA Degrees
#1 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Southern Utah University
- Cedar City, UT
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
SUU's online MBA program offers 11 concentrations in a flexible 100% online format. Each 33-credit concentration track combines management-focused core coursework with specialized content, building targeted proficiencies that can elevate career potential.
Concentration options cover traditional areas such as finance and marketing, along with innovative alternatives like arts or aviation administration. Additional specialization paths include business analytics, healthcare administration, leadership, cybersecurity, human resource management, project management, and a generalist track for students seeking broad versatility.
SUU supports quick starts with multiple launch dates throughout the year, while a pay-by-the-course tuition model further improves the low-cost program's financial accessibility.
Highlights
- Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- $16,269 total tuition
- Graduate in as little as 12 months
Considerations
- Extra coursework required for students without an AACSB-accredited bachelor’s in business
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 required for admission
- Additional exams required for certified associate in project management or project management professional certification
Percent Online Enrollment
58%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh, PA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Offered through the acclaimed Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon's accelerated online hybrid MBA program uses an innovative structure. The program subdivides each semester into 2-3 smaller units, creating an immersive experience that heavily emphasizes electives in the second year. This configuration grounds students in the fundamentals before they complete a specialization pathway.
MBA students need 192 units to graduate at a rate of six units per course. The hybrid program's design accounts for 144 units, leading to graduation in six semesters instead of the usual eight. However, incoming students require 48 units of eligible transfer courses.
Highlights
- Comprehensive curriculum with built-in networking opportunities
- Accredited by AACSB
- Undergraduate courses qualify for transfer credit
Considerations
- Mandatory campus-based components throughout the first year
- Optional in-person experiential elements
- Highly competitive admissions process
Percent Online Enrollment
20%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Alcorn State University
- Alcorn State, MS
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Alcorn's online MBA program offers two unique tracks: a traditional MBA and a STEM-designated path. The traditional program has a generalist focus, emphasizing leadership, professional management practice, and global perspectives. Traditional MBA students can also pursue an optional tourism and hospitality management concentration.
The STEM option blends business and technology coursework. Key focus areas include data analytics, artificial intelligence, healthcare management, and other highly relevant topics.
Both paths cover 30 credits and use a 100% online delivery model. Eight-week terms and six program start dates throughout the year support efficient academic progress, and learners who study full time can graduate in as little as one year.
Highlights
- Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- $14,000 total tuition
- Small class sizes facilitate strong student-faculty relationships
Considerations
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 required for admission
- International students require academic evaluations by a member agency
Percent Online Enrollment
78%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Bentley University
- Waltham, MA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Bentley's MBA program has a practical focus and emphasizes hands-on learning. MBA students can choose from five formats including accelerated, full-time, part-time, professional, and STEM-designated paths. Most require no professional experience.
Depending on their chosen format, students can complete their program in as little as 16 months or take up to 60 months. This flexibility can appeal to a wide variety of learners.
Bentley also offers dual-degree pathways to MBA students. This option shares four courses between MBA and master of science programs, creating advanced and accelerated specialization opportunities.
Highlights
- Strong, employment-focused corporate partnerships
- Generous financial aid programs with average awards of $12,000-$19,000 per year
- Lifelong access to Bentley's career services programs
Considerations
- Professional MBA track uses a hybrid model and requires five years of experience
- Concentration availabilities vary among each of the five formats
- $5,865 per course
Percent Online Enrollment
24%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#5 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
- San Antonio, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
TAMU-San Antonio's online MBA prepares students for business careers in various industries with a responsive curriculum that emphasizes fundamentals. The 31-credit program features 25 credits of core courses, covering accounting, computer technology, economics, finance, management, marketing, strategy, and statistical analysis.
The program builds to an immersive capstone lab and an advanced course in strategic management where students apply their integrated learning and decision-making skills. TAMU has also waived its GMAT or GRE requirements, making program entry more accessible.
Highlights
- Choose from 16, 20, or 24-month formats
- Transfer in up to six eligible graduate credits
Considerations
- Synchronous live courses require evening virtual attendance
- Mandatory prep coursework must be completed prior to first fall semester
- Required minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 across final 60 credits
Percent Online Enrollment
51%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Southern Connecticut State University
- New Haven, CT
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
SCSU's online MBA programs offer various specialization pathways, which emphasize traditional management proficiencies and global viewpoints. In addition to a generalist curriculum, students can pursue concentrations in accounting, finance, healthcare administration, international business, management, or marketing. All options are available in both accelerated and regularly paced formats.
Each concentration builds off a six-course core that covers economics, managerial finance, statistical analysis, marketing, accounting, and organizational behavior. Notably, SCSU waives these requirements for learners with academic or professional backgrounds that indicate proficiency in these areas, creating a faster path to graduation.
Highlights
- Accredited by AACSB
- Online tuition of $8,313 per term
- 100% online delivery model
Considerations
- Accelerated tracks use cohort structures and require full-time enrollment
- International students do not qualify for accelerated tracks
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA required to graduate
Percent Online Enrollment
54%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#7 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Augusta University
- Augusta, GA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Delivered through the Hull College of Business, Augusta's WebMBA program supports busy professionals seeking an advanced degree. Students take two classes at a time, making it easier to balance school and work while completing their degree in just 18 months. Augusta offers both a generalist track and a healthcare management concentration.
The generalist program overviews business management and operational fundamentals. Meanwhile, the concentration track substitutes generalist coursework for healthcare administration and health institutional management courses. This differs from many other specialized MBA programs, which usually blend a common core with a limited number of concentration courses. The program is AACSB-accredited.
Highlights
- Engages a consortium of business schools in the Georgia WebMBA network
- Emphasizes communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills
- Total tuition of $22,710
Considerations
- In-person, Atlanta-based WebMBA orientation required
- At least two years of professional business experience needed
- January or August start dates only
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
- Mount Vernon, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
MVNU's online MBA program features nine concentration options, including ministry leadership and human and social services administration. Additional tracks emphasize traditional and high-demand specializations, including accounting, business analytics, finance, human resources, logistics, marketing, and organizational management.
MVNU’S 100% online program emphasizes ethical leadership and delivers content in compressed six-week terms. Established healthcare professionals seeking to transition into management roles can also opt for an MBA in healthcare administration, which MVNU offers as a separate program.
Highlights
- Take 1-2 courses at a time
- Total tuition of $17,928
- Tuition rates locked in for students who maintain satisfactory academic progress
Considerations
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8 required
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 needed to qualify for graduation
- Voluntary withdrawal from ACBSP accreditation in 2023-24
Percent Online Enrollment
58%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#9 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
University of Sioux Falls
- Sioux Falls, SD
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
USF's online MBA program offers four career-focused concentrations: business innovation and marketing, general management, healthcare management, and organizational leadership. All four paths feature 12-month, full-time or 21-month, part-time completion options, plus customizable self-pacing formats for students.
USF’s program is accessible to learners who did not major in business as undergraduates. These students complete a low-cost sequence of preparatory courses through USF's partner, Peregrine Academic Services.
USF's recommended undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is also flexible. Applicants who do not meet this standard can seek an exemption by submitting a written appeal to the program director.
Highlights
- Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
- Total program tuition of $15,450
- Rolling admissions with classes launching every eight weeks
Considerations
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 required for graduation
- Competitive admissions
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#10 Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs 2025
Rogers State University
- Claremore, OK
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
RSU's MBA program delivers a rigorous, accelerated curriculum in both online and face-to-face formats. Compact, eight-week terms and self-pacing options allow learners to complete requirements on their own time.
Degree-seekers can choose from concentrations in accounting, business analytics, general management, healthcare management, or sports management. This program is accredited by the ACBSP.
Comparatively affordable tuition rates help students graduate with minimal debt, and five program start dates throughout the year lead to graduation in as little as 12 months.
Highlights
- Only program in ranking to offer sports management specialization.
- Total program cost of $9,879 makes this the most affordable program in this ranking
- Open to students from non-business academic backgrounds
Considerations
- Non-business majors must complete foundational business administration courses
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 required, regardless of major
Percent Online Enrollment
74%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
How We Choose Programs
At OnlineMBA.com, we rely on reputable sources to rank the best MBA programs. We use trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to find standout programs. We consider four metrics: affordability, reputation, academics, and program availability.
This ranking is from 2025. Visit our rankings methodology page to learn more about how we rank programs.
Why Pursue a One-Year Online MBA Program?
An accelerated online MBA program is one of the quickest ways to earn a master's degree. If students can commit to full-time study and a more intensive workload, they can finish an MBA in 12-21 months, rather than the traditional 2-3 years.
Business schools often design accelerated MBA programs for those who have already earned relevant degrees or have prior work experience. Accelerated programs move through material quickly, so a strong base of existing knowledge can set students up for success.
Accelerated MBA programs can also be less expensive, and lead to the same career opportunities and pay as traditional MBA programs. According to Payscale, MBA degree-holders earned an average of $99,000 per year as of December 2024.
Pros and Cons of Accelerated MBA Programs
Accredited MBA programs come with pros and cons. The following are among the most important to consider.
Benefits of One-Year MBAs
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Save Time
You can enter the workforce, begin earning money, and start making progress toward your career goals more quickly.
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Save Money
You can sometimes save money on your degree by spending less time in a program. You may pay less tuition and start earning a professional MBA salary sooner.
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Easier Transition
Shortening the time spent in education and entering the professional business world helps to reduce the stresses related to searching for employment.
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Same Outcomes
Accelerated MBA students typically receive the same career opportunities and earn similar salaries as those who complete traditional MBA programs.
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Professional Classmates
Students enrolling in accelerated MBA programs tend to be older and further along in their professional careers than those in traditional MBA programs.
Trade-Offs With One-Year MBAs
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Less Time to Build Relationships
MBA programs foster deep friendships and help to promote extensive networking opportunities. A one-year MBA reduces the time available to develop these beneficial connections.
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Can't Work Simultaneously
A one-year MBA requires a major time commitment in the short term, so you probably won't be able to work while in school.
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Too Intense
An accelerated MBA program may offer too much information in a short period for those who need additional time to process what they learn.
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No Internship
You likely won't complete a summer internship. Experiential learning opportunities, like traditional MBA summer internships, often lead to professional connections and jobs after graduation.
Accelerated Online MBA Concentrations
Like most MBA programs, accelerated MBA programs allow you the opportunity to choose a concentration.
MBA concentrations allow you to specialize in a specific area of business, potentially giving you a competitive advantage in the job market. Common MBA concentrations include finance, marketing, operations management, and entrepreneurship.
Such specializations provide in-depth knowledge and expertise in a particular industry, function, or skill set. You can tailor your MBA experience to align with your career goals and interests.
Business Analytics
In the big data age, businesses have become increasingly reliant on analyzing data to extract strategic and competitive insights. Business schools have responded by creating specialized MBA programs that concentrate on data analytics. These programs combine management-focused business education with advanced data analysis training.
Entrepreneurship
Accelerated MBA programs in entrepreneurship concentrate on the unique skills self-starters need to launch businesses. Coursework typically covers business concept development, product and service design, and finance and marketing for startups. Students emerge with the knowledge and leadership skills required to guide entrepreneurial ventures to success.
Finance
This popular, traditional MBA concentration covers the technicalities of business finance. Students learn about budgeting, capital markets, financing sources and considerations, and enterprise financial management. Coursework also covers investing and accounting from business perspectives, along with finance-focused aspects of compliance.
Healthcare Management
MBA programs in healthcare management learn about business administration for the healthcare industry. In addition to a standard set of business topics, students engage with specialized learning in areas including health informatics and healthcare ethics and law. Students also focus on optimizing patient outcomes and maximizing quality of care.
Human Resources
Concentrated MBA programs in human resources cover business administration from a personnel perspective. Students build advanced insights into organizational psychology, workplace culture, and how people function within corporate structures. Coursework also focuses on optimizing employee productivity and job satisfaction, workplace ethics, and the legal and ethical aspects of HR administration.
International Business
In the age of globalization, the corporate world is international. Accelerated MBA programs in international business concentrate on the unique management needs of cross-jurisdictional and cross-cultural organizations. Learners also study international supply chain management and issues like trade, finance, investment, and compliance from global perspectives.
Marketing
MBA programs in marketing build advanced and specialized market research, consumer analysis, and sales skills. They also focus heavily on specific strategies businesses use to price and sell their products and services, and to build long-term relationships with customers. Some business schools offer further marketing concentrations in areas such as e-commerce, social media marketing, and international marketing.
Supply Chain Management
Most manufacturers rely on supply chains to source their raw materials and get their finished products to consumer markets. MBA programs in supply chain management focus on the logistics of supply chains. Coursework covers demand planning, sourcing strategies for raw materials, supply chain analysis, and supplier relationship management, among other specialized topics.
Common Questions About Top Accelerated Online MBA Programs
Accelerated MBA programs can be a more time- and cost-efficient option than traditional MBA programs. They can also lead to the same career opportunities and pay. However, many accelerated MBA programs expect students to be full time, so taking a year off from work may be necessary.
Accelerated MBAs cover the same business and management concepts as standard MBA degree programs at a faster pace. Thus, they are best suited for learners with bachelor's degrees in business and/or multiple years of relevant professional experience.
The most fast-tracked MBA programs last about one academic year and require intensive full-time study. At minimum, you should expect to spend 12 months working toward your accelerated degree.
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