Online MBA Cost: Average Fees Explained

The headline figure above comes from GMAC and describes the average for the best-ranked U.S. online MBA programs. It is not an average across every program. Online MBA prices span a very wide range, from the lowest-cost programs in the table below to the most selective schools, so the top-ranked average sits in the upper part of the market. Most students will find programs below that number, and the tables below show where.

The figures come from GMAC and BusinessBecause, last checked on Oct 13, 2026. They are published tuition prices, and aid or employer sponsorship can reduce what a student pays.

BusinessBecause ranks the lowest-cost U.S. online MBA programs by out-of-state tuition. Their prices are far below the top-ranked average.

American College of Education lists $9,109, and Eastern University lists $9,900. Northeastern State University is at $11,540, the University of Texas Permian Basin at $11,729, and Sam Houston State University at $11,990. Florida Gulf Coast University lists $12,322, and Arkansas Tech University lists $12,577. These are tuition figures for out-of-state students, so residents of the state where the school sits may pay less, and fees can add to the total.

Ranked programs cover a wide price range. GMAC lists total program costs for several schools among the best-ranked U.S. online MBA programs.

The Spears School of Business lists a total of $18,315, and the University of Kansas School of Business lists $37,590. The University of Florida's Warrington College is at $59,882. At the University of Texas at Dallas's Jindal School, Texas residents pay $58,198, while out-of-state students pay $95,697. Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School is at the high end with $147,648.

Residency matters at public schools, as the Jindal example shows.

GMAC's $89,927 is the average cost of an online MBA at one of the best schools in the United States. That sample is built from top-ranked programs, which charge more than the typical program, and the cheapest programs in the table above charge a small fraction of it. One shows what a highly ranked school costs, and the other shows what the lowest-priced options cost.

Prices also differ by what a source counts. Some report tuition only. Others add fees, books, or required campus visits. Some programs charge per credit, which lets you control the total by choosing how many credits to take at a time.

Online programs can cost less overall than full-time on-campus programs, since students often do not need to relocate or leave work. Tuition alone is not always lower, though. Top-ranked online programs can charge as much as some campus programs. When you compare, include the cost of lost income, housing, and relocation for the on-campus option, and the cost of technology and any required in-person sessions for the online one.

• School ranking and brand. Higher-ranked programs generally charge more.
• Public or private. Public schools charge residents less, and out-of-state students more.
• Credit hours. Total tuition depends on how many credits the degree requires.
• Pace. Accelerated programs can finish sooner, and part-time pacing spreads the cost over more time.
• Fees. Technology, student services, and residency requirements may add costs.

Check what each school offers before you rank programs by price. Many online students work full time, and some employers cover part of the tuition. Ask your employer about tuition benefits, and ask a licensed tax professional how any benefit is taxed. Schools may offer scholarships, and federal student loans are available for eligible programs through studentaid.gov.

Compare the net price after aid and employer help for each offer. A program with a higher sticker price can end up costing less.

• What is the total tuition for the whole program, and what fees apply?
• Is tuition per credit or a flat rate?
• Does the price differ for in-state and out-of-state students?
• Are there required campus visits, and who pays for travel?
• Is the program accredited, and by which body?
• What financial aid is available to online students?