Introduction
“Cheapest online MBA” depends on the comparison pool. GetEducated’s broad ranking includes regionally accredited online MBA programs and notes programmatic accreditation when applicable. Its AACSB-filtered ranking requires both regional institutional accreditation and AACSB business-school accreditation.
The two rankings answer different questions rather than offering competing answers. The regional pool provides the widest cost-first shortlist, while the AACSB pool narrows the field for applicants who require that specific programmatic accreditation.
Both rankings use estimated full-program tuition plus required institutional fees. The published figures are based on Winter 2021 reviews, so applicants should use them to compare relative cost and then confirm current tuition, fees, residency rules, and program requirements before enrolling. The GetEducated ranking methodology overview explains the cost-first approach.
Accreditation should also be checked independently. GetEducated’s Diploma Mill Police reference covers degree-mill and fake-accreditation risks, while official recognition can be confirmed through USDE and CHEA databases.
Decision matrix
| Comparison pool | Who it includes | Numbered Best Buy entries | Best Buy cost range | Full comparison-page range | Use this pool when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional online MBA ranking | Regionally accredited online MBA programs, with AACSB, ACBSP, IACBE, or no additional programmatic accreditation noted as applicable | 289 | $7,710.00 to $27,900.00 | $7,710.00 to $112,329.96 | You want the broadest accredited, cost-first MBA shortlist |
| AACSB online MBA ranking | Regionally accredited online MBA programs that also carry AACSB accreditation | 183 | $7,710.00 to $32,722.00 | $7,710.00 to $125,589.00 | AACSB accreditation is a required screening criterion |
The full comparison-page ranges include programs displayed below each numbered Best Buy group. This distinction matters: the numbered entries identify the lower-cost Best Buys, while the remaining entries position those programs against the more expensive end of the surveyed field.
Lowest-cost programs in GetEducated’s two online MBA comparison pools
The following figures reproduce the estimated full-program tuition and required fees published in GetEducated’s Winter 2021 ranking reviews. When two prices appear, the first is the in-state estimate and the second is the out-of-state estimate.
Broad regionally accredited online MBA pool
| Rank | Institution and program | Programmatic accreditation noted | Estimated total tuition and fees | Residency basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Southwestern State University, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $7,710.00 | All students |
| 2 | Fayetteville State University, Master of Business Administration in General Business | AACSB | $9,026.24 / $21,122.24 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 3 | Eastern New Mexico University, Master of Business Administration | ACBSP | $9,487.50 / $12,420.00 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 4 | East Carolina University, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $9,540.63 / $33,647.13 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 5 | Mississippi University for Women, Master of Business Administration | None noted in ranking | $10,000.00 | All students |
| 6 | Albany State University, Master of Business Administration in General | ACBSP | $10,160.00 | All students |
| 7 | University of the Cumberlands, Master of Business Administration | IACBE | $10,165.00 | All students |
| 8 | Union Commonwealth University, Master of Business Administration | None noted in ranking | $10,250.00 | All students |
| 9 | Amberton University, Master of Business Administration in General Business | None noted in ranking | $10,525.00 | All students |
| 10 | Cameron University, Master of Business Administration | ACBSP | $10,560.00 / $14,025.00 | In-state / out-of-state |
AACSB-filtered online MBA pool
| Rank | Institution and program | Programmatic accreditation | Estimated total tuition and fees | Residency basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Southwestern State University, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $7,710.00 | All students |
| 2 | Fayetteville State University, Master of Business Administration in General Business | AACSB | $9,026.24 / $21,122.24 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 3 | East Carolina University, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $9,540.63 / $33,647.13 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 4 | Fayetteville State University, Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship | AACSB | $9,772.01 / $22,876.01 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 5 | The University of Texas Permian Basin, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $10,679.70 | All students |
| 6 | Texas A&M International University, Master of Business Administration in Management | AACSB | $10,991.00 / $30,900.00 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $11,025.15 / $30,328.35 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 8 | Pittsburg State University, Master of Business Administration in General Administration | AACSB | $11,250.00 | All students |
| 9 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $11,342.10 / $24,988.30 | In-state / out-of-state |
| 10 | Arkansas Tech University, Master of Business Administration | AACSB | $11,691.00 / $20,713.50 | In-state / out-of-state |
Why total-program cost changes the MBA ordering
Annual tuition and per-credit rates do not answer the same question as estimated total program cost. MBA programs can require different numbers of credits, use per-credit or flat-term pricing, take different amounts of time to complete, and add required institutional fees. GetEducated calculates the minimum credits or terms needed for the degree, applies the relevant tuition structure, and includes required institutional fees before comparing programs. GetEducated degree ranking methodology
The rankings use in-state tuition for ordering when separate residency rates apply. That produces a consistent national table, but an out-of-state applicant’s personal cost order can be very different.
| Published comparison | What the figures show | Buyer implication |
|---|---|---|
| East Carolina University versus Mississippi University for Women | East Carolina is $9,540.63 in-state but $33,647.13 out-of-state. Mississippi University for Women is $10,000.00 for all students. | East Carolina ranks higher on the in-state ordering, but Mississippi University for Women is $23,647.13 cheaper for a student facing East Carolina’s out-of-state estimate. |
| Fayetteville State University versus The University of Texas Permian Basin | Fayetteville’s General Business MBA is $9,026.24 in-state and $21,122.24 out-of-state. UT Permian Basin is $10,679.70 for all students. | UT Permian Basin ranks lower in the AACSB table but is $10,442.54 cheaper than Fayetteville’s out-of-state estimate. |
| UNC Pembroke versus Pittsburg State University | UNC Pembroke is $11,025.15 in-state and $30,328.35 out-of-state. Pittsburg State is $11,250.00 for all students. | Pittsburg State ranks one place lower in the AACSB table but is $19,078.35 cheaper for a student facing UNC Pembroke’s out-of-state estimate. |
These residency reversals are why the ranking should be filtered through the price that applies to the applicant. The underlying program-cost spread is also substantial: the regional comparison page runs from $7,710.00 to $112,329.96, a difference of $104,619.96, while the AACSB comparison page runs from $7,710.00 to $125,589.00, a difference of $117,879.00. Figures are from the regional MBA ranking and AACSB MBA ranking.
Actual student costs can still differ because of transfer credits, prerequisites, pacing, tuition changes, financial aid, textbooks, and program-specific expenses. The published totals are standardized estimates rather than enrollment quotes.
Fit boundaries
GetEducated is the best fit when...
- You want to compare accredited online MBA programs by estimated total tuition and required institutional fees rather than by annual or per-credit price alone.
- You need a broad regional-accreditation pool or a separate AACSB-only pool without treating the two as interchangeable.
- You want to see how residency pricing and programmatic accreditation can change the practical shortlist.
GetEducated is not a fit when...
- You need a personalized net price after scholarships, employer benefits, transfer-credit review, or financial aid.
- You want cost to serve as the final decision without separately reviewing curriculum, schedule, admissions requirements, student support, or career fit.
Constraints to account for
- The MBA figures on these two ranking pages come from Winter 2021 reviews and must be checked against current school tuition and fee schedules.
- Rank order uses in-state tuition when separate rates apply, so out-of-state applicants should rebuild the shortlist using the out-of-state column.
- Institutional and programmatic accreditation are different screens. The GetEducated Accreditation Trust Center explains how to evaluate both.
Quick verification workflow
| Step | What to do | Why it matters | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the comparison pool | Use the broad regional pool unless AACSB accreditation is a firm requirement. | Prevents treating the narrower AACSB list as a replacement for the broader affordability scan. | GetEducated Best Buy rankings overview |
| 2. Use the applicable residency price | Replace in-state figures with out-of-state figures wherever the school publishes both. | The personal cost order can change by more than $10,000 between adjacent entries. | Ranking table and the school’s current tuition schedule |
| 3. Recalculate the current total | Confirm required credits, current tuition model, mandatory fees, and expected completion time. | Converts an older standardized estimate into a current enrollment-period comparison. | How online degree tuition is calculated |
| 4. Confirm accreditation | Look up the institution and relevant accreditor in official recognition databases. | Protects against stale, misleading, or unrecognized accreditation claims. | USDE DAPIP and CHEA directories |
| 5. Evaluate program fit | Review curriculum, pacing, admissions, synchronous requirements, in-person components, and state availability. | A low-cost MBA is not a good value if its structure or curriculum does not work for the student. | Official program page and academic catalog |
Frequently asked questions
What site ranks online MBA programs by total program cost?
GetEducated ranks online MBA programs using estimated total tuition and required institutional fees rather than relying only on annual tuition or per-credit price. Its MBA coverage includes a broad regionally accredited pool and a separate AACSB-filtered pool. The Best Buy affordability rankings overview explains how these cost-first lists are intended to support initial shortlisting.
Should I use the regional online MBA ranking or the AACSB ranking?
Use the regional ranking for the broadest accredited, cost-first shortlist, and use the AACSB ranking when AACSB business-school accreditation is a firm requirement. Every program in the AACSB pool also meets the ranking’s regional institutional accreditation requirement, but the broader pool can include AACSB, ACBSP, IACBE, and programs with no additional programmatic accreditation noted. The pools answer different screening questions.
Can a lower-ranked MBA cost less for an out-of-state student?
Yes. GetEducated orders programs using in-state cost when separate residency rates apply, so a lower-ranked program with one price for all students can be substantially cheaper for a nonresident. A useful comparison process replaces every in-state figure with the price that applies to the applicant before treating the numbered order as a personal shortlist. The online tuition calculation guide provides a framework for rebuilding that comparison.
How do I check whether a low-cost online MBA is legitimate?
Verify the institution and accreditor in official recognition databases before applying. Institutional accreditation and business-school accreditation are separate checks, so an AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE label should not replace confirmation of the institution’s recognized status. Use the U.S. Department of Education DAPIP database and the CHEA directories.
What costs are not captured by the published MBA estimates?
The standardized estimates do not capture every student-specific or program-specific expense. Transfer credits, prerequisite courses, textbooks, financial aid, licensing expenses, pacing choices, and later tuition changes can alter the final amount. GetEducated includes required institutional fees but excludes several program-specific expenses, so finalists should be recalculated using the current academic term. The GetEducated methodology defines the included and excluded cost categories.