At a Glance: BestColleges' Top Online MBA in Project Management Programs
#1: Wake Forest University — The school's AACSB-accredited MBA program tops our list thanks to strong student success rates and high median earnings for graduates.
Project managers, or project management specialists, coordinate and oversee a project's budget, timeline, and staffing. They manage complex projects from start to finish for companies in a variety of industries, such as tech and manufacturing.
An MBA in project management program can help you develop the skills necessary to become a successful project manager and business leader.
Below, we ranked the best online MBA programs in project management by evaluating key factors like student retention, graduation rate, and cost. Explore our picks below to find the best project management master's program for you.
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Top Online MBA in Project Management Programs 2025
Is an Online MBA in Project Management Right for You?
Pros
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), project management specialists earned a median annual salary of $100,750 in 2024 — that's around double the national median annual salary for workers across all occupations.
A project management MBA can help prepare you for an in-demand career. The BLS projects employment for project management specialists to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, which is almost double the projected national average rate for all occupations.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), class of 2023 MBA graduates earned an average starting salary of just under $96,000 — and 83% were employed full time.
Online programs can provide flexibility without compromising on quality. In BestColleges' 2024 Online Education Trends Report, 94% of online MBA and master's students and graduates surveyed said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment (ROI).
Cons
While online MBA programs tend to cost less than in-person ones, master's programs as a whole can still be expensive. Compare the cost of a master's program to the median annual salary for project managers to determine its potential ROI.
In our 2024 report, only 52% of online MBA and master's students and graduates surveyed said their online classes included opportunities to build their professional networks.
Most employers say previous work experience is essential for potential employees, but just 32% of the online MBA and master's students and graduates we surveyed said they took classes that included internships or co-op programs.
How to Choose the Best Project Management MBA Program for You
Before you commit to a particular MBA in project management program, be sure to look at factors like cost and financial aid, program length, application requirements, and job opportunities.
Cost of MBA in Project Management Program
Cost of a Business, Management, and Marketing Degree
Online
$11,171 Avg. Tuition & Fees
$8,505 Avg. Net Price
In-Person
$23,313 Avg. Tuition & Fees
$16,133 Avg. Net Price
Source: NCES PowerStats; latest available data is from 2019-2020 and is for all MBA concentrations
Business Scholarships: Schools, departments, and local businesses may offer scholarships for students studying business. You could also look for scholarships from local or state governments seeking to support their region's business sector.
Graduate School Scholarships: Reach out to your school's financial aid office to learn more about potential grants and scholarships available to graduate students.
Online Student Scholarships: If you enroll in an entirely online program, you may be eligible for scholarships specifically targeting online students.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Filling out the FAFSA can make you eligible for state, federal, and institutional grants, as well as federal loans.
Student Loans: Consider student loans as a last resort after taking into account your scholarship and grant options. Carefully review the terms of a loan before you agree to it. Note that federal loans typically offer lower interest rates.
Project Management MBA Program Length
Typical # of Credits
30-36 Credits
Typical Program Length
1-2 Years
MBA in Project Management Application Requirements
Bachelor's Degree: Most MBA programs require you to have earned at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university before you can apply.
Transcripts: You'll need to submit all official transcripts from all colleges you previously attended.
Minimum GPA: Graduate schools will look at your undergraduate GPA, with many MBA programs requiring or preferring applicants to have at least a 3.0.
Letters of Recommendation: You may need to submit 1-3 letters of recommendation from previous professors and/or employers.
Test Scores: Depending on the school, you might need to take the GRE or GMAT prior to applying.
Interview: Typically one of the last steps in admissions, a representative from the MBA program or admissions committee will interview you about your experiences and goals.
Accreditation for MBA in Project Management Programs
Programmatic accreditation is the process of evaluating an academic program or department to ensure it meets certain quality benchmarks and educational standards.
When researching project management MBA programs, you should prioritize programs that have been accredited by one or more of the following:
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
International Accreditation Council for Business Education(IACBE)
Jobs With an MBA in Project Management Degree
| Job | Median Annual Salary (April 2025) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Project Manager | $88,980 | Prepares construction bids based on projected costs, reviews blueprints, oversees permit applications, and manages construction projects |
| Project Analyst | $68,230 | Supports project managers by creating data-driven reports and assisting with decision-making on projects |
| Project Management Consultant | $94,470 | Helps clients plan, organize, and manage complex projects, as well as offers advice and recommendations |
| Project Management Director | $130,160 | Works with various teams to ensure a project is being carried out on time without exceeding its budget |
| Project Manager | $81,390 | Coordinates the budget, staffing, and timeline of specialized and complex projects, as well as oversees projects' teams and stakeholders |
Source: Payscale
Education Beyond an MBA in Project Management Degree
Project Management Certifications: The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers three project management certifications, which can help demonstrate your management expertise and skills to employers. One popular certification — project management professional (PMP) — targets industry professionals with 3-5 years of experience.
Other Business Certifications: Earning other types of business certifications, such as supply chain certifications, can help you stand out when applying for jobs. Try to tailor the certifications you earn to the types of project management jobs and industries in which you're most interested.
Doctorate in Business Administration: Many employers look for project managers with a master's degree, but some business professionals choose to pursue a doctor of business administration (DBA) or Ph.D. in business. This advanced degree program can help prepare you to conduct high-level research and take on executive positions, like chief executive officer (CEO).
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA in Project Management Programs
Whether an advanced degree is worth it depends on your career goals and the projected earnings of the job you are trying to get.
The average tuition and fees before financial aid for an MBA in project management ranges from $11,171 for an online program to $23,313 for an on-campus program, according to 2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). According to the BLS, project management specialists earned a median annual salary of $100,750 in 2024.
Comparing the cost of an MBA program to the median salary of a project manager, you will see that an MBA can be worth it for you.
