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10+ Best Online Executive MBA Programs 2024

April 17, 2021 8:47 pm0 commentsViews: 12010

An Executive MBA program is a specialized business administration program designed to meet the needs of working executives and professionals looking to advance their career through education. The graduate level program is similar to a traditional MBA program. The Executive MBA programs are often flexible. They offer evening and weekend classes Many universities offer fully online programs as well.

See our 50 Awesome Online MBA Programs with GMAT Waiver narrowed down by MBA specialization.

Professionals from many different walks of life pursue an Executive MBA program to learn management, business administration, accounting and financial planning skills. The job profile and role of an individual with an Executive MBA will vary, depending on your work experience and previous academic qualification. Your responsibilities may include:

  • Understanding the current and future needs of your employer
  • Developing products and services to meet the growing market needs
  • Planning the procedures and protocols for the project, and establishing a deadline
  • Recruiting human and material resources required for the completion of the project
  • Overseeing the successful implementation of the operations
  • Negotiating with the vendors
  • Determining a budget for the program
  • Analyzing and reviewing customer feedback and sales information

Your employer may modify the responsibilities to suit the needs of the organization.

How to Get an Executive MBA?

Many colleges and universities across the United States offer an Executive MBA program. The program is a great option for working professionals looking for leadership roles within their organization. You should, however, consider several factors before signing up for a program, such as:

  • Scope of the program
  • Accreditation of the program. Make sure its quality and usability have been approved by a standard agency
  • Total cost of the program
  • Duration of the program
  • The enrollment and graduation criteria.

You may find both online and traditional, campus-based evening and weekend Executive MBA programs. You may also debate about the benefits and drawbacks of an Executive MBA program versus the traditional, full-time MBA program. Your choice should depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle.

The online and weekend/evening programs are quite similar. They are great for working professionals who wish to pursue a higher academic degree without altering their work schedule. The programs are highly flexible and can be completed at your own pace. The traditional, full-time programs are ideal for students looking to build a professional network with peers and faculty members. The highly structured programs can be completed on time. Recent surveys have indicated that employers value both traditional and Executive MBA programs equally.

The enrollment criteria for an Executive MBA will depend on the university. Common prerequisites include:

  • A Bachelor’s degree
  • GMAT scores
  • Letters of recommendation from former employers of faculty members
  • A statement of intent indicating your interest and passion for the program
  • Work experience.

Some colleges are flexible about their enrollment process while others are highly rigid. You should contact the university’s Admissions Office to learn more about the process. Top ranking business and management schools receive thousands of applications each year. They are highly competitive and have strict enrollment and graduation criteria. However, professional degrees from reputed colleges may have a greater value.

Most Executive MBA programs take less than two years to complete. Common topics within the coursework may include:

  • Global economic environment
  • Managerial economics
  • Leadership and organizational change
  • Managerial statistics
  • Decision models
  • Financial planning and analysis
  • Strategic management
  • Corporate finance
  • Capital markets and investments
  • Economics of healthcare
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Advertising and branding

You may be required to complete a project at the end of the program for graduation.

Executive EMBA Online

Earning your online MBA is always a smart career move, because you can earn a higher salary and position while still working full time. Even better, though, is the new breed of online executive MBA, or EMBA, programs that allow those with years of business experience to earn their graduate degree.

Some of the best EMBA programs that are online with no GMAT requirement are as follows. The order of the following programs is NOT ranked with the best first, rather it’s a list of 10 EMBA programs available.

Schools indicated with a (*) are featured partners.

American University Kogod School of Business

The executive MBA program at American University is offered by the Kogod School of Business that has been an integral part of the business community of the Washington DC region for 60 years. The Kogod School of Business takes an unusual, unique approach to business education. That is, it recognized that 21st century business development hinges upon partnerships between government, corporations and nonprofit organizations.

This eMBA program is known for its ability to engage students across industries and fields, from accounting to business to analytics to marketing. This is done to make eMBA graduates at American ready for a dynamic, managerial career path.

This online executive MBA is currently ranked as a top-50 MBA program by Bloomberg Businessweek. Earning an eMBA from this accredited program has been proven over the years to be a wise investment for professionals who want to enjoy the maximum return on investment for their educational dollar.

The American University eMBA is a strongly student-centered program. Kogod faculty lead classes that explore the vital matters of collaborative learning and interpersonal relationships. Students are able to benefit from the personal and business relationships that they develop online and in the three in person immersion experiences.

More information:

  • Campus: Washington DC; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Tuition: $1642 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA
  • *Request Information: American University

University of Dayton

The online MBA program at the University of Dayton is a good choice for experienced executives who want to enhance their promotion and salary potential. This is a 30-credit hour MBA program for students who have an undergraduate degree in business.

You will be joining a strong business management community of experienced professionals who are passionate about enhancing their business management abilities.

Students who have a degree in a non-business major, there are additional foundation courses that are required:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Statistical Analysis for Business Decisions
  • Principles of Operations Management
  • Principles of Finance
  • Principles of Marketing

Core MBA courses include:

  • Operational Effectiveness
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Corporate Finance
  • Marketing Management
  • Managerial Economics
  • Modeling and Analysis for Business Decisions

More information:

  • Campus: Dayton, Ohio; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: $970 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: Yes; waiver available for professionals with more than seven years of business experience
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: MBA
  • *Request Information: University of Dayton

Syracuse University

This AACSB-accredited online MBA has been a key part of past graduates’ business management growth for decades. Choose to enhanced your career by improving your management and leadership skills so that you can attain upper level management roles in virtually any business. This online MBA is routinely ranked high by leading industry surveys, including US News and World Report and the Princeton Review.

Specialties in this two-year program include business analytics, entrepreneurship, marketing management and supply chain management.

More information:

  • Campus: Syracuse, New York; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: AACSB
  • Tuition: $1,343 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: Yes; waiver available for students with at least five years of professional work experience.
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA
  • *Request Information: Syracuse University

University of Maryland of College Park

The one year MBA program for experienced executives will prepare you for higher ranking management and executive level positions, by developing your core managerial competencies, including critical thinking, team building, systems thinking, decision making and ethical leadership. This is a 42 credit program that you can complete in as little as one year. The GMAT can be waived for students with many years of business experience.

This program is specially designed for experienced business professionals who want to develop advanced managerial skills so that they can move into a C suite position if they desire.

More information:

  • Campus: College Park MD
  • Format: 100% Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Middle State Commission on Higher Education
  • Tuition: Inquire
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA
  • *Request Information Direct: University of Maryland at College Park

Grand Canyon University

If you want to lead your company or team at a higher level, you should consider Grand Canyon University. You will examine accounting and finance topics, and also will cover economic forecasting and fundraising in capital markets.

This program is highly innovative and has been designed to focus on values-based leadership with the challenge and rigor of a high level graduate business education. The focus in this accredited, no GMAT program is always on leadership. It also uses an unusual, cross cultural approach that centers on the frequently conflicting interests of many groups, such as shareholders, employees, customers and communities.

You will attain a higher level of understanding of business, administration and strong leadership. The coursework will provide you with the critical thinking skills so that you can hone your knowledge for transformational leadership in your business environment.

More information:

  • Campus: Phoenix AZ
  • Format: 100% Online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: $560 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA
  • *Request Information: Grand Canyon University

Washington State University

WSU’s online Executive MBA program is developed by leaders, for leaders. You can accelerate your success in as little as 18 months, but experience the WSU difference for a lifetime. WSU is ranked Top 10 Best Online Graduate Business Programs 2014 by U.S. News & World Report.

This program is designed to improve your aptitude for making big picture decisions in business. It will engage you each day through a rigorous, convenient, online format that is ideal for the busy working professional. At least 75% of this program’s student body has in excess of 10 years of business experience. So you will have huge opportunities to build your business network.

This two year program will provide you with a deep, long term exploration of the advanced business practices that guide the most successful businesspeople.

More information:

  • Campus: Pullman WA; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: $587 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA
  • *Request Information: Washington State University

Rutgers University

This is an exclusive EMBA program, and you need to have at least 10 years of business experience. You should already be an experienced mid level or upper level business executive when you enter this highly competitive program. You will be in a group of no more than 60 students, and you will receive a great deal of individual attention from your instructors. The GMAT can be waived for certain professionals with a high amount of experience.

This is a state of the art MBA program is designed to provide you with the tools and practical insights and the hands on skills that are needed to be competitive in the global business environment.

More information:

  • Campus: Brunswick NJ online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States
  • Tuition: $23,247 per semester
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
  • On Campus Requirements: Yes
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA
  • *Request Information: Rutgers University

New York University Stern

This is a top ranked executive master’s of business administration program that will provide you with a truly transformative business education. This program will provide you with a strong general management curriculum, and very rigorous courses that are taught by some of the best business professors in the world. You will not need to take the GMAT for admission, and you will be able to complete your online degree in about 3 years.

This program is known as one of the best executive MBA programs that you can earn online. It will provide you with the rigorous academic preparation that you will need to enhance your business management career prospects. You will develop the intellectual breadth that you can use to make decisive management decisions in any organization in the business world.

More information:

  • Campus: New York NY online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Educatin
  • Tuition: $184,000 total
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

University of Dallas

The Experienced Professionals MBA consists of 30 credit hours, and you can complete it in as few as 15 months. This program is self paced, so you may be able to finish it in as few as five terms. You will need to take classes in leadership, managerial finance, accounting for managers, value-based marketing, business informatics and, management of operations.

Approximately 85% of this program’s students are full time working professionals, so the program’s convenient online access has been designed for busy businesspeople in mind. You also can take some classes in person if you like in Irving TX. Concentrations can be added in finance, accounting, healthcare, supply chain management and others.

More information:

  • Campus: Dallas TX; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: $1257 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

St. Joseph’s College

The executive MBA program will hone your managerial skills across all facets of business. This no GMAT program will allow you to fully apply theoretical and quantitative knowledge that you learn in the classroom to your regular daily job. You can earn your degree in about 24 months, and you will be fully prepared for a good-paying executive position.

All of the MBA classes in this program stress the development of abilities that are essential for advanced managerial performance, as well as the application of theoretical and quantitative knowledge to common business experiences.

More information:

  • Campus: Brooklyn NY; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: New England Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: $475 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

University of Florida

This is a mostly online executive MBA program that requires you to meet once per month on the Gainesville, FL campus. This is a 20 month accredited graduate program that is divided into five terms that are four months in length. Experienced executives from many industries participate in this program, including many Fortune 500 companies. The GMAT can be waived in some circumstances, based upon your years of experience in your field.

This program is mostly online, but you will be required to attend on campus classes for one weekend per month. You also will need to attend orientation on the campus at the beginning of the EMBA program.

More information:

  • Campus: Gainesville FL; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), CCNE
  • Tuition: $48,000 total
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

Rollins College

This is a very intense online EMBA program with no GMAT requirement. It can greatly accelerate your career into executive management in about 16 months. In this accredited MBA program, you will work with real companies and deal with real business problems.

You will talk about programs in the classes and will be able to use the knowledge the next day at work. There is a major focus on operations management, marketing strategy, and global supply chain management.

This program starts one time per year, and some on campus meetings are required each year of the program.

More information:

  • Campus: Winter Park FL; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Tuition: $61,992 total
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

Cal State Monterey Bay

This online MBA Executive Track is designed for the experienced business executive. It has a curriculum that is based upon technology, corporate leadership, global business and entrepreneurship. You can be considered for this no GMAT program if you have at least seven years of business experience with three in a managerial role.

This program will help to prepare you for the future of global business, and is defined by innovation, ingenuity, and true thought leadership. This program will provide you with the tools to give you the flexibility and business knowledge to take your managerial career to another level.

More information:

  • Campus: Monterey Bay CA; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Tuition: $5200 per term
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 22 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

Pace University

This is online Executive MBA for the highly experienced manager who cannot come to weekly classes in the regular MBA program. The regular online MBA program for executives will require you to attend a weekend residency every nine weeks. You can earn your degree in 19 months and you will not need to take any evening classes. You do not need to take the GMAT for this program.

This is a fully cohort-based EMBA program with as much flexibility as possible so that you can complete your degree while still working full time. You will be able to take most of your classes online, but do need to attend weekend residencies every two months in New York City.

More information:

  • Campus: New York NY; online
  • Type: Non-Profit
  • Accreditation: Middle State Commission on Higher Education
  • Tuition: $1195 per credit hour
  • GRE/GMAT Required: No
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 19 months
  • On Campus Requirements: No
  • Programs Offered: Executive MBA

Popular Careers and Future Outlook

An Executive MBA program can open new avenues of work for you within your own field. You will gain the knowledge and expertise to take up leadership positions. With the right technical experience and knowledge, you can work in a variety of fields including finance, banking, technology, healthcare, education,  and public service.

You can supervise the implementation of programs within your organization. Most individuals with an Executive MBA may see a salary hike and improved job profile. You may receive a promotion or develop the confidence to apply for a leadership position at another company.

Professionals with an Executive MBA may earn a median annual salary of about $107,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A strong undergraduate degree can lead to higher salaries.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for Top Executives represents national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed May 2021.