Online Executive MBA - Best 2024 Executive MBA Programs

Why Should You Get an Online Executive MBA

Executive salaries vary considerably at all levels. Getting an executive MBA can not only grant you access to opportunities in higher levels of the corporate world, but you'll find it can also mean a higher salary. On average, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can increase wages by 5-15%. Companies may also view applicants with an executive MBA as leaders who are more experienced than others in their cohort.

That said, here’s a look at the median salaries by experience level and education:

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Top 25 Best Executive MBA Programs

Columbia University

Score: 88.83

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,576
- Out-of-State: $53,576
Net Price: $22,058
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Retention Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 95%
Total Enrollment: 34,782
Undergrad Students: 8,902
Graduate Students: 25,880
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

Brown University

Score: 88.25

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,656
- Out-of-State: $65,656
Net Price: $26,723
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Retention Rate: 99%

Graduation Rate: 95%
Total Enrollment: 11,189
Undergrad Students: 7,639
Graduate Students: 3,550
Grads Salary: $93,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

Washington University in St. Louis

Score: 84.22

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $61,750
- Out-of-State: $61,750
Net Price: $23,432
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 94%
Total Enrollment: 17,012
Undergrad Students: 8,132
Graduate Students: 8,880
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

University of Virginia

Score: 83.56

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,118
- Out-of-State: $32,022
Net Price: $19,469
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 95%
Total Enrollment: 26,082
Undergrad Students: 17,444
Graduate Students: 8,638
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of California-Irvine

Score: 83.08

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State: $27,366
Net Price: $14,033
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 35,937
Undergrad Students: 28,662
Graduate Students: 7,275
Grads Salary: $88,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Emory University

Score: 81.99

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,800
- Out-of-State: $46,800
Net Price: $26,680
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 90%
Total Enrollment: 14,841
Undergrad Students: 7,101
Graduate Students: 7,740
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Georgetown University

Score: 81.63

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,848
- Out-of-State: $58,848
Net Price: $35,566
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 96%
Total Enrollment: 20,984
Undergrad Students: 7,900
Graduate Students: 13,084
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Purdue University

Score: 79.92

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State: $28,520
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Score: 77.24

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,090
- Out-of-State: $20,520
Net Price: $4,991
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 19,854
Undergrad Students: 15,896
Graduate Students: 3,958
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Rutgers University-Newark

Score: 72.3

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,824
- Out-of-State: $33,720
Net Price: $16,578
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 66%
Total Enrollment: 11,017
Undergrad Students: 7,511
Graduate Students: 3,506
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

George Mason University

Score: 71.67

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,726
- Out-of-State: $35,677
Net Price: $18,479
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 39,049
Undergrad Students: 27,014
Graduate Students: 12,035
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Saint Mary's College of California

Score: 71.53

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,900
- Out-of-State: $33,900
Net Price: $32,129
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 72%
Total Enrollment: 2,765
Undergrad Students: 2,003
Graduate Students: 762
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Bradley University

Score: 71.47

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,702
- Out-of-State: $18,702
Net Price: $24,053
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 5,552
Undergrad Students: 4,143
Graduate Students: 1,409
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Hult International Business School

Score: 70.93

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,367
- Out-of-State: $51,367
Net Price: $55,251
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 2,176
Undergrad Students: 682
Graduate Students: 1,494
Grads Salary: $105,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

University of La Verne

Score: 70.17

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,610
- Out-of-State: $15,610
Net Price: $25,103
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 5,662
Undergrad Students: 3,365
Graduate Students: 2,297
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

University of Colorado Boulder

Score: 69.63

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,849
- Out-of-State: $36,407
Net Price: $21,836
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 39,585
Undergrad Students: 31,034
Graduate Students: 8,551
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Seattle University

Score: 69.4

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,012
- Out-of-State: $15,012
Net Price: $35,412
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 7,121
Undergrad Students: 4,046
Graduate Students: 3,075
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Washington State University

Score: 69.35

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,675
- Out-of-State: $27,842
Net Price: $17,911
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 27,539
Undergrad Students: 22,612
Graduate Students: 4,927
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 69.28

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,000
- Out-of-State: $30,000
Net Price: $19,889
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 31,304
Undergrad Students: 23,745
Graduate Students: 7,559
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 68.95

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,159
- Out-of-State: $27,361
Net Price: $16,926
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 33,403
Undergrad Students: 25,777
Graduate Students: 7,626
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Rochester Institute of Technology

Score: 68.8

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,884
- Out-of-State: $56,884
Net Price: $39,600
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 72%
Total Enrollment: 16,615
Undergrad Students: 13,940
Graduate Students: 2,675
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Score: 68.18

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,600
- Out-of-State: $33,648
Net Price: $13,639
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 19,074
Undergrad Students: 14,198
Graduate Students: 4,876
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

University of Mary

Score: 67.74

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,620
- Out-of-State: $10,620
Net Price: $18,369
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 3,652
Undergrad Students: 2,506
Graduate Students: 1,146
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

University of Arkansas

Score: 67.58

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,500
- Out-of-State: $28,560
Net Price: $16,208
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 30,936
Undergrad Students: 26,269
Graduate Students: 4,667
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

Lincoln Memorial University

Score: 67.54

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,451
- Out-of-State: $22,451
Net Price: $19,162
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 5,418
Undergrad Students: 1,560
Graduate Students: 3,858
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

What Can You Do With an Executive MBA?

Once you earn your executive MBA (eMBA), you need to know what it will do in your current and future work roles.

Chief executive officer
Salary: Earns about $878,000 in total compensation

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are often the highest-ranking individuals within a company or organization. They are responsible for identifying and developing policies, as well as providing overall direction to employees. CEOs frequently design, oversee, and manage the operational activities of the facility or facilities by effectively delegating and utilizing the skills of other executives and department administrators. While they are the primary decision-makers, CEOs are responsible for adhering to guidelines established by a board of directors.
Chief financial officer
Salary: $125,080

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for maintaining the company or organization’s financials by establishing long-term financial goals, developing strategies to meet those goals, directing investment activities, and providing essential financial reports. These professionals often report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer regarding budgeting matters. CFOs are also in charge of creating and reviewing financial reports to help determine ways to reduce the overall cost of operation.

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Chief operating officer
Salary: $231,080

Chief Operating Officers (COOs) serve as an integral member of a company or organization’s senior management team and assists in the oversight of general business operations. These professionals are responsible for helping to develop policies, orchestrating the utilization of resources, managing employees, and overseeing overall operations on a daily basis. In most cases, the COO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is considered to be second-in-command.
Chief marketing officer
Salary: $129,380

Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) ensure that the company or organization’s primary message is properly distributed to potential customers by planning, directing, and coordinating appropriate marketing policies and programs. These professionals are usually responsible for identifying possible clients and assessing possible demand for new products and/or services. CMOs frequently work with art directors and advertising sales agents to plan marketing campaigns, promotions, events, and giveaways. They also coordinate with financial staff members to developing appropriate pricing strategies.
Chief information officer
Salary: $139,220

Chief Information Officers (CIOs), often referred to as Information Technology Directors, are senior executive team members responsible for company or organization IT and computer systems. These professionals are usually in charge of overseeing the IT department, setting technology objectives, and establishing strategies for success. They are also in charge of selecting, installing, and providing support for the network and other tech intended to simplify and optimize overall productivity.
Chief human resources officer
Salary: $110,120

Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) develop and execute human resource strategies that align with a company or organization’s strategic plan and direction. These professionals are directly responsible for overseeing the planning, recruitment, interview, selection of applicants, and hiring processes, as well as bridging the gap between senior management and all other employees. CHROs are also in charge of overseeing staff benefit programs each year, performing a search for the best benefits, providing advice on human resources issues, mediating employee disputes, and enforcing disciplinary procedures.
General counsel
Salary: $119,250

General Counsel is responsible for overseeing a company or organization’s risk management practices, as well as ensuring all compliance requirements are met. These professionals provide effective legal advice regarding goals, strategies, and methods to those in senior management positions. Chief Counsel also actively takes part in complex business transactions, especially when negotiation is necessary, and creates and reviews critical documents and contracts.

Types of Executive MBA Degrees

Managerial Accounting Executive MBA.
Average Salary: $125,080, as of 2018.
Length: 2 years

This executive measures the financial performance of their firm, then reports on its financial health in comparison to the market. They also specialize in the concepts of cost and managerial accounting. They direct and report analytics on investment activity and develop and direct strategies for the long-term financial plans and goals of their company.
Information Technology Executive MBA
Average Salary: $139,220, as of 2018
Length: 2 years

This executive plans, develops, and coordinates computer-related activities in their company. By staying on top of IT developments, they are able to set the path of the company’s IT goals, plus they are tasked with implementing new computer systems to meet established goals.
Marketing Management Executive MBA
Average Salary: $129,380
Length: 3 years

This executive works in an exciting and growing field. They are responsible for guiding their organization through the competitive and crowded marketing field as they work to position their company at or close to the top. They are responsible for tracking consumer behavior, and product and brand management. This executive works and directs advertising promotions. They also plan promotional programs that help to connect with the market and generate interest and excitement about the company’s main services and products. They have graphic designers, art directors, sales agents, and financial staff on their team who aid them toward these goals.

Sample Curriculum & Courses for Executive Programs

As you prepare to register for classes in your online executive MBA program, you should know what courses you’ll be taking, most of which will be focused on business administration.

One executive MBA program requires the following core courses:

Analytical Tools
This course gives you the foundation you need for business analytics, decision analysis, and statistics. From the simulation modeling process, you learn how to apply the basic techniques of data analysis in making managerial decisions and integrating innovation. It is intended for someone who is already at the managerial level.
Business Strategy
Here, you’ll hone your existing skills in closely analyzing the strategies that corporations use at every level, domestic and international. Again, business schools generally aim these courses at current managers.

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Business Communication
This course is completely about writing in the business environment. You’ll learn best practices for both speaking and writing. This course is intended for men and women in middle management and higher.
Developing Management and Leadership Skills
You’ll make your leadership and management skills sharper, so that when you are facing complex issues or difficult options, you’ll be able to gather your team around and motivate them to complete difficult tasks. This course is designed for management employees.
Financial Accounting
You’ll learn about how important this job role is in business. Its importance to the development, growth, and maintenance of a business is also covered. This course is intended for managers who have not yet moved up to middle management.
Economics
You’ll work on the basic economic principles that are most important to the MBA business core. This course is designed for middle management.

Who Should Consider Getting This Degree?

Educational background
This major is highly advanced, so it’s not right for everyone. You need the right educational background. At the least, you need a bachelor’s degree in some field related to business. If you already have a master’s degree in engineering, law, computer science, or medicine, this makes you an excellent candidate.

Current position and organizational support
This is a highly demanding educational program. You’ll spend several hours weekly preparing for your online classes. You should already be in a position where you can apply the skills and knowledge you’ll learn in the virtual classroom. It’s likely that you’ll have to obtain the sponsorship and support of your employer. One of the top managers in your company will be critical in this role, especially if one is an alumni of your educational institution.

Professional experience
An executive MBA student should have be experienced professionals so they will understand class materials. Prospective students who are working professionals will have their work history will be documented before your acceptance into the program. If you already have a record of significant achievement, this will be a good predictor that you will succeed in the academics of an online executive MBA program.

Motivation and temperament
Your personality should be the type that gives you the drive and energy to stay with the program and succeed. With the right degree of ambition, you’ll be able to distinguish yourself from fellow students. In short, if you possess the “type A” personality, you’re ideally suited for this educational program. However, “type B” thinkers and creators are also often successful.

Career goals
Know how you want to use this degree when you graduate. You need to be able to elaborate on these plans throughout the program. If you have your eye on a specific position within your company, an executive MBA may help you qualify for it even more. If you’re currently working for an employer, but you plan to strike out on your own, explain this to program instructors. They need to know you’re ready to commit to the hard work required of an executive MBA student.

How to Choose the Right Program

Convenience
Your online executive MBA program should offer convenience, allowing you to continue working as you study in your off hours. Ideally, you should expect to attend with your classmates virtually or on campus every few weeks or on the weekend, even for a full-time MBA program, without putting your existing career to the side.
Advancement
The right executive MBA program enables you to position yourself for advancement sooner than if you had not chosen to go back to school.

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Expertise
Expanding your expertise in a given niche of business means you’re going to be even more valuable to your employer. From competitive positioning to accurately forecasting business conditions, you’ll be able to put your employer in a position to advance itself.
Leadership
The right executive MBA program allows you to develop your innate leadership skills. Look for a program that stresses leadership.
Flexibility
You need a program flexible enough for you to stay at work. Your online courses should be scheduled at a time that works for you—or they should allow you to check in when it’s convenient for you.
Advanced curriculum
Taught by top faculty, your classes should challenge you and your current way of thinking. You'll also learn from fellow students and people in your industry, thus enriching your experience.
Global perspective
Most countries in the world rely on other countries. Your executive MBA program should expose you to executive MBA students in cities around the world, allowing you to develop your leadership skills.

Potential Scholarships to Consider

Getting a scholarship to help finance your in-person or online Executive MBA education is a great way to supplement the tuition cost. You may also be able to obtain financial aid or even have your tuition paid in full by your employer.

eMBA Class of 2009 Scholarship
Exclusively for executive MBA students with an overall GPA of 3.0. Required to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with five years of professional work experience. Students who are already self-funding their executive MBA degrees will receive preference.
Gary Garesche eMBA Memorial Scholarship Fund
Must be enrolled as a graduate student in executive MBA programs in the UCF College of Business Executive MBA program. Passion and desire for learning are major qualifiers. Financial need is considered.
NAFOA Scholarships
Aimed at Native American and Alaska Native students pursuing a Master’s degree at an accredited university. Student must be working toward their degree within a financially related business discipline including, but not limited to accounting, business, economics, finance and marketing. Must provide proof of tribal enrollment, a transcript, proof of university enrollment, a personal statement, one letter of recommendation, a list of honors and awards received, a list of community involvement, volunteer activities and a photograph. Students are chosen based on interest in business and finance, academic merit and proof of a demonstrated commitment to their Native community.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) offers benefits to veterans who served on active duty for the U.S. since 9/11. Based on length of service, the veteran receives a housing allowance and book allowance, as well as a percentage of resident tuition and fees. If the veteran qualifies for 100 percent of the benefit, then, the entire cost for the MBA for Executives program will be covered by the VA.
VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program
VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program, for veteran executive MBA students. This is a matching fund option for U.S. military veterans who served a minimum of 36 months and also qualify for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefit.
Hazlewood Exemption provides qualified veterans
Hazlewood Exemption provides qualified veterans, their spouses and children an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition and fees. This defrays just a portion of an in-person or online executive MBA program's cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it to get an executive MBA?

If you are looking at working at the highest levels of management, an in-person or online executive MBA might be the extra boost to your resume that you need to get you there. This is especially true for those who attend well-known programs that are known to create efficient and effective leaders. Whether this is because they have the best teachers, curriculum, or just because they are picky about who they let in, they usually have their reputations for a reason. So, if you are looking to get into the C-suites or you think you need an extra boost to get your career on track, you might want to consider earning an executive MBA.

Are there any cons to an EMBA?

One issue you might run into is that there are fewer in-person or online executive MBA programs than there are regular MBA programs. It might be difficult to find one located near you, or you might not be able to find one with the concentration you want. Another issue is that recruiters might not have as positive a view of an executive MBA as they would of a regular MBA. While this may not seem reasonable – after all, the executive MBA is meant for those who already have jobs in their field and are continuing to work full-time in those careers while they gain more education – still recruiters might prefer those who complete what they consider to be the more difficult of the two types of MBA.

Best Online Executive MBA Programs for 2024

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