The Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2023

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

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

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

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

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