Top Ten Online MBA Programs

Top Ten Online Distance Education MBA Programs by Denisse Romero

Do you want to pursue an MBA but can't find the time? Maybe you
don't feel like being out of a job for 2 years is worth the
investment? Maybe all the online MBA programs you know seem too
generic? Do you feel that you want a quality MBA without
sacrificing your job, your family, or your earnings? This is a
quick summary of the top ten online MBA programs based on
rankings/reputation, structure, networking opportunities, gained
skills, and tuition investment.

1. Instituto de Empresa (IE)

Location: Madrid, Spain Program: Global MBA Ranking*: #11 by
Financial Times, # 12 by The Wall Street Journal, # 6 by Forbes.
Description: IE offers an 18 months Global MBA program for
English and Spanish speakers. The program allows students to
connect to the virtual classroom from anywhere in the world. In
addition to virtual lectures and videoconferences, students are
required to participate in "blended sessions" in different
cities including Madrid, London, New York, Santiago, Shanghai,
and other cities. Networking Opportunities: Students from 48
countries with background and expertise in a diverse variety of
fields including financial markets, banking, marketing, and
technology. Gained Skills: Strategy, Finance, Marketing,
Operations, Information Systems, Intercultural Skills. Tuition
Investment: € 33,000 (approx. $ 43,000 USD) Website:
http://www.ie.edu/eng/programas/gc_mba/gc_mba_overview.asp

2. Thunderbird School of Global Management

Location: Arizona, USA Program: Global MBA Ranking: #1 in
International Programs by U.S. News & World Report, # 1 in
International Business by Financial Times, # 1 in International
Business by The Wall Street Journal. Description: Thunderbird
offers a global MBA program where students participate through
virtual classrooms and on-site seminars in the USA, China and
Europe. Networking Opportunities: Students have lived and
worked in over 16 different countries with backgrounds in a wide
variety of companies ranging from Coca Cola to Boeing to the
U.S. Department of Defense. Gained Skills: Cross-Cultural
Communications, Global Political Economy, Global Finance, Global
Operations, Global Marketing, Global Negotiations, Global
Leadership, Global Strategy. Tuition Investment: $ 57,000 USD
(includes on-site costs for international study trips except
airfare) Website:
http://www.thunderbird.edu/prospective_students/working_prof_degr
ees/gmbaod/index.htm

3. Duke University

Location: North Carolina, USA Program: Cross-Continental MBA
Ranking: #11 by U.S. News & World Report, # 23 by Financial
Times, # 11 by BusinessWeek. Description: The program lasts 20
months blending Internet-enabled distance learning with 9
one-week residential sessions that take place in North Carolina,
Europe and Asia. Networking Opportunities: Students from 23
countries average 3 to 9 years of experience and are currently
employed full-time in a variety of industries. Gained Skills:
Finance, Accounting, Decision Models, Cross-Cultural
Communications, Marketing, Strategy, Global Financial
Management, Global Economics. Tuition Investment: $ 93,450 USD
Website: http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/mba/executive/cc/

4. Manchester Business School

Location: Manchester, UK Program: Distance Learning MBA Ranking:
#22 by Financial Times, # 15 by MBA Career Guide Survey .
Description: This flexible 2 year program combines self-study
with face-to-face workshops in one of six destinations worldwide
- UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Malaysia and Jamaica.
Networking Opportunities: Students are located in over 90
countries worldwide and possess years of work experience in
industries such as construction, engineering, and finance.
Gained Skills: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Organizational
Behavior, Managerial Economics, Quantitative Methods, Corporate
Strategy. Tuition Investment: £14,400 (approximately $ 28,383
USD) Website: http://www.mbs-worldwide.ac.uk/

5. Indiana University

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana - USA Program: Master of
Business Administration (Kelley Direct) Ranking: #23 by U.S.
News & World Report, # 65 by Financial Times, # 18 by
BusinessWeek. Description: This two-year program focuses on
general administration, but can be tailored to meet the needs of
individual students. The program is offered almost exclusively
over the Web with two in-residence courses that last one week in
Indiana. Networking Opportunities: Students in the program come
from almost every state in the USA as well as over 20 countries
from around the world. Almost all students have several years of
corporate or military experience. Gained Skills: Accounting,
Finance, Economics, Quantitative Analysis, Project Management,
Strategic Marketing, Human Resources, Global Business, Business
Law, Strategic Capabilities. Tuition Investment: $ 42,000 USD
Website: http://kd.iu.edu

6. Pennsylvania State University

Location: University Park, Pennsylvania - USA Program: Penn
State's Online MBA Ranking: #38 by U.S. News & World Report, #
43 by Financial Times, U.S. Second Tier Programs by
BusinessWeek. Description: This 2-year program combines online
courses with 2 residency experiences - the first one at a U.S.
company (anywhere in the USA) and the second one at Penn State's
University Park campus. Networking Opportunities: Penn State
iMBA students represent employers from 37 states and 5
countries. Gained Skills: Finance, Accounting, Organizational
Behavior and Change, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Marketing,
Corporate Strategies, Global Operations, Global Management.
Tuition Investment: $ 49,000 USD Website:
http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/iMBA_Home.shtml

7. University of Florida

Location: Gainesville, Florida - USA Program: Internet MBA
Ranking: #41 by U.S. News & World Report, # 13 by The Wall
Street Journal. Description: The Internet MBA program at the
University of Florida provides students with two options: The
Two Year MBA and the One Year MBA option. The Two Year MBA
program starts in February, offers a 27-month curriculum and
requires 8 weekend campus visits at the end of each term. The
One Year MBA option is provided for students with a business
degree and 2 to 7 years of work experience. It starts in
January, offers a 16-month curriculum and requires 5 weekend
campus visits at the end of each term. Networking Opportunities:
Students in these programs average 6 years of work experience in
a variety of industries such as telecommunications, banking, and
international trade. Gained Skills: Personal Finance, Corporate
Finance, Accounting, Marketing Management, Professional Writing,
Operations Management, Entrepreneurship, E-Commerce, Brand
Equity, Business Policy, Business Law. Tuition Investment:
$34,000 USD - One Year MBA option; $39,000 USD - Two Year MBA
option. Website:
http://www.floridamba.ufl.edu/FutureStudents/internet.asp

8. Babson College

Location: Boston, Massachusetts - USA Program: Fast Track MBA
Ranking: #1 in Entrepreneurship by U.S. News & World Report, # 1
in Entrepreneurship by Financial Times, #49 Overall MBA by U.S.
News & World Report, # 89 Overall MBA by Financial Times.
Description: This 24-month program combines face-to-face
learning, web-based learning, and field-based projects.
Face-to-face instruction is based on two day sessions that are
held at Babson or in Portland, Oregon approximately every six
weeks - all day on Fridays and Saturdays. Networking
Opportunities: Students in this program average 10 years of work
experience and come from almost every state in the US and
approximately 10 countries. Gained Skills: Entrepreneurship,
Innovation, Creativity, Human Behavior, Marketing, Accounting,
Finance, Ethics and Law. Tuition Investment: $48,500 USD.
Website: http://www3.babson.edu/MBA/programs/fasttrack/

9. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Location: Amherst, Massachusetts - USA Program: Online MBA
Ranking: #56 by U.S. News & World Report, #2 (Best Overall
Academic Experience) by Princeton Review . Description: The
entire 12-course program can be completed online and it usually
lasts 2 years. Networking Opportunities: Students in the program
are from the 50 US States and 15 countries and have experience
in a variety of industries. Gained Skills: Accounting, Finance,
Marketing, Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, Business
Data Analysis, Independent Research. Tuition Investment: $24,790
USD. Website:
http://www.isenberg.umass.edu/MBA/PartTime_MBA/Online/

10. The George Washington University

Location: Washington, DC - USA Program: Healthcare MBA Ranking:
#70 by U.S. News & World Report, #67 by Financial Times .
Description: The GWU Healthcare MBA is a new program created for
professionals interested or involved in the healthcare industry.
The core curriculum of the program consists of 12 courses and
two interdisciplinary projects for a total of 48 credits and can
be completed in 24 months. Networking Opportunities: Groups
consist of 15-20 professionals with experience in the healthcare
field. Gained Skills: World Economy, Public Policy and Strategic
Management, Finance, Accounting, Healthcare Policy Analysis,
Human Resource Dynamics, Statistics, Marketing, Operations
Management, Personal Financial Advising. Tuition Investment:
$47,472 USD Website: http://www.mbahc.info/

*Rankings are based on regular MBA rankings.

About the author:
Denisse Romero is the founder of http://www.macquil.com, a study
abroad and travel portal with scholarships, international
universitites, rankings, hostels, and visas directories,
articles and free advice for students from all over the world.