How to Choose an Online MBA Program

More than half of prospective graduate management students say that a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is their top choice for a business degree, according to the Prospective Students Survey — 2025 Report from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). However, not all MBA programs offer the same benefits.

When choosing an online MBA program, students should carefully consider how a school’s offerings align with their current needs and future goals.

What Is an MBA Program?

MBA graduate programs are designed for students interested in developing new skills and increasing their knowledge about various business areas, often with a focus on a specific concentration.

MBA students are typically mid-career business professionals who are ready to advance. They may be pivoting to a new field, preparing for senior roles, or reskilling to be more effective in their current positions.

MBA Program Key Subject Areas

MBA programs include two key components: core business and concentration courses. Core business coursework helps students become well-rounded business professionals by providing a foundation in the many elements of the field. Typical courses include:

Managerial Accounting
Economic Analysis
Financial Policies
Production and Systems Management
Marketing Strategy

Students typically choose a concentration track that lets them focus their studies in a particular area. Concentration paths that MBA programs offer include:

Commercial Real Estate
Cybersecurity
Hospitality Management
Information Systems Management
Wealth Management

How to Choose an Online MBA Program

While MBA programs once required commuting to campus, today’s programs are often more flexible, with some universities offering fully online courses. However, not all online MBA programs work the same way or offer the same benefits. When choosing an online MBA program, it’s important to consider both educational and professional needs.

Concentration Paths

Different business schools offer different concentrations, so students must identify the programs that align with their interests.

Even if a school offers a concentration path that corresponds to a student’s professional goals, concentration tracks can vary in effectiveness. Researching a concentration’s accreditations and awards can help prospective students form an impression of how the program is regarded in the professional world.

For example, students interested in hospitality management careers should look for programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).

Accreditation

Aside from specific accreditation for different concentrations, business schools as a whole can also be accredited by different bodies. Accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is highly respected, with only about 6% of the world’s schools offering business degrees that have earned this distinction.

According to 2024 AACSB research, 73% of Fortune 100 CEOs had a business degree from an AACSB-accredited school, and 72% of alumni of these schools said their graduate school education helped them advance more quickly in their careers.

Flexibility Needs

As many MBA students are working professionals, it’s important to consider current professional needs as well as future goals when choosing an online MBA program. Students who are working full time or part time may find that they require programs with asynchronous classes that allow them to study on their own schedule.

Some schools also offer multiple start times. For working professionals, the typical schedule of classes that begin in the fall and spring may not be an ideal fit. Year-round start times mean that students don’t have to wait to begin their education.

Admission Requirements

Business schools may have particular requirements for MBA applicants, such as a minimum undergraduate GPA. Some schools offer flexibility in their enrollment requirements and have individualized processes in which prospective students can demonstrate their business experience and interest in different ways, such as through personal statements and letters of recommendation.

Benefits of Earning an MBA

With online options, earning an MBA is becoming more accessible. It’s a way for business professionals to demonstrate that they’ve invested in their education to become knowledgeable leaders in business. Holding an MBA benefits careers in multiple ways.

Demonstration of Business Expertise

In the GMAC survey, 99% of employers expressed confidence in the ability of graduate management education (GME), such as the MBA, to prepare students to succeed in their organizations. Employers say GME students have strong communication skills; have a more versatile skill set; and tend to be innovative, strategic thinkers.

Potential for Salary Increases

The GMAC survey also found that the median annual salary for MBA graduates is projected to be the highest compared with that of graduates with other business degrees. With a median salary of about $125,000, it’s also $50,000 higher than the projected median annual salary for business professionals with only a bachelor’s degree.

More Career Opportunities

An MBA is highly beneficial for those looking to advance in their careers and reach senior positions. The following are some careers for MBA graduates based on 2024 salary and job outlook data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Marketing manager: Oversees marketing staff, resources, and strategy
- Median annual salary: $161,030
- Projected growth (2024-2034): 7%
IT manager: Strategizes, implements, and oversees computer-related operations
- Median annual salary: $171,200
- Projected job growth (2024-2034): 15%
Financial manager: Oversees the financial health, including preparing financial forecasts and reports, managing finance staff, and monitoring market trends
- Median annual salary: $161,700
- Projected job growth (2024-2034): 15%

Advance Your Business Career With NCCU Online

When choosing an online MBA program, students have a lot of options, but not every choice is the right fit. Students should consider both what they need to succeed today and their goals for tomorrow.

NCCU Online’s MBA is among the 6% of business schools accredited by AACSB. Its concentration tracks hold additional accolades and accreditations, including the only hospitality management concentration in North Carolina to be accredited by ACPHA and a cybersecurity concentration designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).

With five start dates each year and asynchronous core classes, NCCU Online’s program provides students with the flexibility they need to learn at their own pace.

Develop your business expertise and take charge of your career with NCCU Online.

Recommended Readings

How Long Is an MBA Program?

What Is a BBA Degree?

14 Growing Trends in Business Education

Sources:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, “The Business School Job Market in 2025”

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Value of AACSB Accreditation

Graduate Management Admission Council, Corporate Recruiters Survey — 2025 Report

Graduate Management Admission Council, Prospective Students Survey — 2025 Report

Indeed, 20 MBA Degree Jobs That Pay Well

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers