At a Glance: BestColleges' Top Accelerated MBA Programs
#1: University of North Carolina Wilmington — This flexible program features highly-affordable tuition.
#2: Salisbury University — You can finish Salisbury's online program in less than a year.
#3: Bentley University — Bentley's MBA is great for students interested in international business.
Most full-time online MBA programs take up to two years to complete. Part-time, asynchronous MBA programs that allow you to work toward your degree around your schedule can take even longer.
If you want to earn your MBA and start advancing your degree faster, online accelerated programs allow you to finish an MBA in as little as a year.
Accelerated programs aren't for everyone. These intensive, fast-paced programs condense 2-3 years of learning into 12-16 months. If you have a good work ethic and want to quickly see the benefits of your degree, an accelerated online MBA might be for you.
Popular Online MBA Programs
Best Accelerated Online MBA Programs
How to Choose the Best Accelerated MBA Program for You
MBAs aren't one size fits all. You'll need to weigh factors like accreditation, affordability, and flexibility when looking for a program.
Consider the Curriculum
You'll need to evaluate whether a program meets your career prospects. Accelerated MBAs, in general, offer less room for specialization than a typical online MBA, but some programs still offer concentrations in fast-growing fields. Check out a program's curriculum to make sure it fits your career goals.
You'll also see the words "synchronous" or "asynchronous" used. Synchronous means classes are at set times and feature real-time lectures, while asynchronous modules usually allow you to work through classwork whenever you want.
Accelerated Online MBA vs. Traditional Online MBA
Accelerated MBAs usually aren't all that different from a traditional online MBA in terms of curriculum or credit requirements. Where they differ is in customizability and intensity.
Accelerated
Intensive, short-term courses of 6-7 weeks
Less time to take electives and specialties
Add "MBA" to your resume quickly
Possibility to work while studying
Traditional
4-6 years
16-week terms
Typically do not require transfer credits
Easier to add electives and concentrations
Here's a commonality between them: Both usually require some level of work experience in order to effectively boost you into leadership positions.
How Much Does an Online MBA Cost?
There are a few general trends to keep in mind with MBA costs. An online MBA is usually cheaper than an in-person MBA. Likewise, a part-time MBA is usually cheaper than a full-time MBA.
We say "usually" because MBA costs, perhaps more than any other degree type, vary significantly by school.
An MBA can cost upwards of six figures at private, elite institutions like the M7 business schools. Major research universities and selective private schools almost always cost more than regional universities. However, some institutions, like the University of Illinois' iMBA, offer disruptively priced online MBA programs for less than $30,000.
It's an unsatisfying answer, we know, but you'll have to check each potential school's tuition and fees in order to get an accurate idea of what you'll be paying. The average cost of an online MBA program is a little over $11,000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Of course, you might not have to pay the full price. Fellowships, scholarships, and company scholarships are all ways to help pay for your MBA.
Find Financial Aid for Your Online MBA
How Long Does It Take to Get an Accelerated Online MBA?
Typical # of Credits
30-40 Credits
Typical Program Length
1-2 Years
Most accelerated programs offer an MBA in between 12 and 16 months. Some, like Benedictine University's accelerated MBA program, take up to 18 months, although those usually include concentrations to offer you a more customizable degree.
Some MBA programs offer additional credits for work experience. Taking a non-degree offering, like a micro-credential or mini-MBA from a school, can also count toward an eventual degree.
Accreditation for Online MBA Programs
Programmatic accreditation is a good way to ensure an MBA program is teaching relevant skills and has qualified faculty.
Accreditors are third-party organizations that evaluate student outcomes, faculty expertise, and curricula to make sure that students are getting good value out of their degrees.
Here are some prominent business-specific accreditation bodies:
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business: The AACSB accredits some of the world's top business schools at an institutional level and offers accounting program accreditation.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs: The ACBSP focuses on teaching and faculty excellence, as well as student outcomes.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education: The international accreditor IACBE examines factors like student success and outcomes with a university's mission in accrediting programs.
Ask an Expert: How Important Is MBA Accreditation?
"Accreditation is important because it suggests that the online MBA program has met a quality academic standard. Many employers will recognize only degrees from accredited programs."
―Angélica S. Gutiérrez, Associate Professor at Loyola Marymount University
What Can You Do With an Online MBA?
An MBA can lead to a more specialized, advanced role or help you advance your career into leadership positions.
MBA graduates work in all fields, although consulting and management tend to be popular options. The management field is booming: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1.1 million job openings each year in management occupations, with a median annual wage of more than $122,000 as of May 2024.
Here's a sampling of some of the jobs MBA holders land after graduation.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $171,200 | Organizes a company's information technology (IT) efforts and ensures systems run smoothly |
| Financial Analyst | $101,910 | Analyzes both the market and individual organizations' finances to make projections and inform strategy |
| Human Resources Manager | $140,030 | Leads human resources efforts, including benefits, hiring, internal issues, and education |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 | Analyzes a company's structure and operations to recommend improvements and boost efficiency |
| Marketing Manager | $159,660 | Oversees marketing efforts, social media, and outreach for a company |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 | Makes high-level strategy decisions for an organization |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 | Oversees an organization's budgeting, reporting, and investments |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 | Manages the business operations of a hospital or other medical facility |
| Operations Research Analyst | $91,290 | Analyzes an organization's finances and operations to help executives improve efficiency |
Is an Accelerated Online MBA Worth It?
An accelerated online MBA, coupled with work experience, can help advance your career and land you leadership roles.
If you want to add business fundamentals to your skillset to advance in your field, an accelerated online program can help you quickly add an MBA to your resume and introduce you to key management concepts. A fast completion will also mean a faster ROI.
Accelerated MBA programs aren't for everyone, and classes will be more intensive than a typical MBA. If you want to slowly chip away at an MBA as you continue working full time, a traditional online MBA might be a better option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Online MBA Programs
Several business schools offer MBA programs that can be completed in just 12 months. A typical accelerated online MBA program features intensive classes to truncate a full-time MBA curriculum into a shorter format.
