The 10 Best Online IT MBA Degree Programs

Understanding of technology plays a crucial role in almost all business roles. Increasingly, however, large quantities of business are built around managing information technology so as to provide an IT product or service. For the many fields in which this is often the case, an MBA with an emphasis in information technology or information systems is a great educational path. If you’re looking to gain that competitive advantage, these degrees will get you there and they do so efficiently and for the best bang for your buck. These business degrees equip you with the knowledge you need to stand out, and make a whole lot of economic sense. In today’s cut throat market, you can’t afford anything short of a win win. Here’s our top 10 winners for best MBA’s in Information Systems and Technology.
Methodology:

• Affordability (1/3): Tuition per credit hour (out of state where applicable)>
• Flexibility (1/3): flexibility-enhancing features of programs (accelerated courses, specializations, lenient transfer policies, many start dates, etc).
• Academic Quality (1/3): the relative academic quality of a program, as surveyed through number of professors with terminal degrees, class sizes, and support services.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private non-profit university with more than 60,000 online students and is one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits SNHU to offer hundreds of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and certificates. G.I. Jobs regularly recognizes its military friendly status and the U.S. News ranks SNHU as the 101st best university in the region. i> Fast Company named Southern New Hampshire University the 12th most innovative organization in the world. Online degrees range from accounting to business to nursing. In fact, Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 50 specialized MBAs.

Southern New Hampshire University offers an MBA in IT Expertise. The program addresses the need to combine business education with major technical components in the field. Students learn to integrate the latest technology systems as well as design and implement those for specific IT projects. You will be equipped to manage business as it pertains to local and global economies. We selected this program because of its affordability and flexibility. You can complete the entire program in a little as 15 months at the pace of two courses per 10-week term. This is a rigorous pace and will require nearly full-time work. Their online program’s added flexibility enhancements come through their 24/7 access to your education where you can move at your own pace- meaning this program is viable for part-time participants as well. You will not need to submit a GMAT or GRE for entrance to this program- broadening its accessibility. This highly ranked program costs $627 per credit hour.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $627

2. Grantham University

Grantham is a fully-online university based in Lenexa, Kansas. The Distance Educating Accrediting Commission accredits Grantham to offer over 40 online degrees in fields like business, computer science, and nursing. According to the school, their core values lie in accessibility and affordability, diversity, and education for service members. Grantham University ranks 6th as a “Best For Vets” school according to Military Times . There are four academic colleges; the school of business, the college of engineering and computer science, the college of arts and sciences, and the college of nursing and allied health providing a variety of degrees in field like human resource management, information systems, and nursing. Classes run frequently and are 8-weeks long.

Grantham University offers an online MBA in information management. This program emphasizes business strategies with a focus on emergent technological trends. We love this program for many reasons and one of the top reason is price. Tuition is just $325 per credit hour and lower if you’re a member of the military or a veteran. Their flexibility is another reason this program made the top of our list with weekly starting dates, and ample transfer allowances. Most students will finish in 24 months though potentially longer or shorter depending on credit transfer and pace. This program is IACBE accredited and offers high-quality programming where the outcomes for graduate include the ability to analyze knowledge, techniques, and skills for future business models, apply that knowledge, use communication systems, build successful teams, and evaluate information processing and computer networking strategies. The total credit hours required for this masters degree is 37.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $325

3. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit school based in Salt Lake City, Utah where are the programs are emitted online. This innovative approach to education means less time and money (tuition is nearly half of other online universities) an extremely flexibly schedule, as well as personal individual faculty support. Fast Company magazine lauds WGU for its foci on learning and relevant skill sets. The average time to complete a bachelor’s degree is said to be less than 3 years. Additionally, students receive on-to-one support for faculty. This program serves over 76,000 students across the United States and overseas military. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits programming their.

Western Governor’s MBA in IT offers a unique course of completion: competency-based education. This innovative approach makes course material align with your skills meaning you spend little to no time on skills you already have and more on developing those you lack. What that looks like is accelerated and in some cases decelerated course material tailored to your skill set. Most students can complete the course material in two years though for some it will take as little as one year and as many as three years. The cost per credit hour is $406 and this degree requires about 35 credit hours for completion. You will learn about managing organization and leadership, IT project management, global economics, financial management, ethics in leadership, and complete your degree wit ha capstone experience.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $406

4. Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University is a christian liberal arts university that enrolls over 5,000 students. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission n Colleges accredits Dallas Baptist University to offer comprehensive education. Programming is appropriate both for traditional age learners as well as adults and graduate students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is low at just 13:1. More than 80% of the faculty hold terminal degrees and the average class size is small at just 13! The U.S. News ranking is 214th for best schools in the nation. Some of the most popular degree programs range from business administration and management, psychology, and general and religious education. Online course completion rate is extremely high at 92%.

Dallas Baptist University offers an M.B.A. with a concentration in Management Information Systems that equips its learners to effectively compete in today’s global economy. This fully online program made it to our top 10 for its specialized quality program and flexible scheduling opportunity- students may complete this program in as few as 12 months or up to 15 months. Either way, this program is suitable for those looking for an accelerated path to degree completion. To complete this degree students take 36 credit hours; 24 of which are the M.B.A. core curriculum in accounting, corporate finance, quantitative analysis, business ethics, etc… and the other 12 focus on information systems- systems analysis and design, database management, networks and telecommunications and IT security.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $856

5. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private institution that enrolls over 15,500 students. Classroom size is small where nearly 80% of all classes contain fewer that 20 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. There are multiple locations in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey as well as online. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits comprehensive programming ranging from an associate to doctoral degree program. Online degrees offered range from an associate in liberal studies to a bachelor’s in early childhood education to a doctor of education in higher education leadership and innovation. Students entering enjoy the following flexibility perks to programming: a transfer allowance of up to 75 credits, flexible course options both in terms of location and schedule as well as affordable tuition- increased access equals increased options.

Wilmington University offers an MBA with a total of 8 specialized concentrations including an MBA with a concentration in business technology management. The curriculum includes ethics in leadership, quantitative business analysis, supply chain management, web and data security and other targeted courses. Wilmington University made it to our top 10 because of the flexibility afforded to professionals. This program awards graduate-level credit for certain professional certifications such as a CPA, certified financial planner, etc… The cost is $455 per credit hour and requires 33 credits for completion and all core MBA material are compatible with the 8 other concentrations.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $455

6. Patten University

Patten University is a for-profit institution based in Oakland California. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits associate through to master’s programs. All programs are online. Students benefit from one-to-one support at the onset of programming formulate a clear path of study. Course material is emitted through ebooks, videos, and other resources. Patten University also provides online academic assistance. Tuition may be paid in one sum or in 4 monthly installments which helps to make programming more readily available to all. The mission statement stated by Patten University is that of providing relevant coursework to non-traditional learners. Relevant coursework is coursework tailored to the job market.

The Master of Business Administration at Patten University does just that with this relevant degree that is tailored to today’s global market. We think this program is great for its value- as it is our least expensive pick at just $249 per credit hour with a total requirement of 36 credit hours. This equates to a master’s degree for less than $9,000! The curriculum focuses on the global economy, system analysis and design, database management, marketing, and others. The online platform at Patten focuses on the convenience of its learners- you decide when and where to study, make your schedule, and ultimately when you’re ready to take your final exam. We like that Patten addresses the value of convenience for non-traditional learners.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $249

7. Herzing University

Herzing University is a non-profit university with eleven campuses in the U.S. and Canada. There are over 6,000 students enrolled where the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1 The Higher Learning Commission accredits programs from an associate to master’s level. There are over 50 undergraduate degrees, and two master’s programs in the following fields: nursing, business, healthcare, technology, legal studies, and public safety. G.I. Jobs consistently ranks Herzig University as a “military institution.” Online programs promise flexible convenience where students have the option to log on to their virtual classroom whenever convenient. Non-traditional students both receive personal attention from the same faculty as those on-campus. If you’re not sure you want to complete all of your course material online, Herzig offers “Edflex” a form of hybrid education available at any one of their campus locations.

Herzig University certainly follows through with their mission to “support and offer personalized degree programs that advance your career” with this MBA in Technology Management. We included their program because it offers accelerated programming, is fully accredited by the IACBE- a guarantee for quality control, and creates a curriculum based in the real-world. One reason for returning to higher education is to become equipped for the expectations glimpsed when on-the-job in the real world. The curriculum reflect this with its dual concentration option as well as its targeted course material. Course-work is sequences so that you begin with the foundations of leadership and organizational behavior and from there learn about accounting, marketing your business, handling technology, integrating your business plan and strategy and finishing with a capstone project that you design! The price is great too at just $345 per credit hour.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $345

8. Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) is a private research university located in Melbourne, Florida. Some of its accolades include a top national ranking and ranking for veterans from U.S. News , best college in the Southeast according to The Princeton Review , and one of the “Best Value” universities in the nation according to Forbes . The academic focus at Florida Tech is on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, aviation and others. Though they do offer comprehensive degrees in a huge variety of fields outside of those tech fields, and are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Online programming has a slightly different leaning with programs focusing on accounting, business, healthcare, liberal arts and psychology. These online programs are designed to mirror those on-campus. Expect, top-notch faculty, and a rigorous course load.

We chose Florida Tech because it’s one of our highest ranking schools with the most noteworthy accolades. Their online MBA ranks at the nation’s top according to Superscholar.org , and the Smart Choice ranking gave their MBA program 7th out of the top 25 best online MBA’s. Though our most expensive pick, the extremely high quality makes up for the price. Don’t expect anything but the exact same education you would find at their on-campus location with all of the rigor that comes with it. This MBA is designed for the organized driven individual who is ready for high-level technical and business knowledge and skills. The focus, according to their site, is on identifying e-business strategies for a global marketplace from a program fully accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education and prepares you for high demand IT professions. Classes are 8 weeks long, there are 12 of them, and take roughly 2 years to complete. The price is $896 per credit hour with 36 credit hour required for completion. What that breaks down to is a little more than $15,000 per year. Considering that a private school is more than twice the price, this is still a great value.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $896

9. Concordia University Wisconsin

Concordia University Wisconsin is a private institution that enrolls over 8,200 people and is ranked as the #56th best “Regional Universities [in the] Midwest” according to U.S. News . The majority of classrooms have 20 or fewer students and the student-to-faculty ratio is extremely low at just 12:1. The student body represents 45 states, and 34 countries. Concordia offers comprehensive programming accredited through The Higher Learning Commission. Their students engage in associate to doctorate degrees focused on the Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Health, Nursing and Pharmacy. The most popular degrees are health and business though all undergraduate degrees are shaped by a liberal arts education.

When it comes to this MBA we love Concordia University. Not only for its small classroom size and academic rigor, but because of the flexibility- this MBA is actually offered in 15 concentrated areas of study! The MBA with an emphases in IT is intended for who are looking to be leaders in IT. You will learn about database modeling its design and implementation and more to prepare you for a career as an information technology manager, information technology director, IT project manager, business analyst in IT and more! This 39 credit hour MBA is accredited by IACBE and costs $682 per credit hour for a total cost of $26,598. This is one of the best values available for a private university with such high academic rankings.

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• Tuition Per Credit Hour: $682

10. Ashford University

Ashford University is a for-profit online university based in San Diego. There are four academic colleges supported by Ashford: the Forbes School of Business & Technology™, the College of Education, the College of Health, Human Services and Science, and the College of Liberal Arts. Ashford University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The stated institutional values are “empowerment, ingenuity, guidance, and quality.” The majority of programs are online-based and include degrees in accounting, business, and healthcare fields. Students are empowered with 24/7 technical support, and a career services department to help with resumes, networking, and professional development.

The M.B.A. with an Information Systems specialization at the Forbes School of Business and Technology is presented by professors who have experience in the profession. Each master’s level course is 6 weeks long and the approach to completion is “one course at a time.” The core program focuses on managerial economics, accounting, marketing, legality, and organizational behavior, while the three Information Systems specialization courses focus on management of information systems, systems analysis, and the capstone seminar.

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• Please visit the school’s tuition page for up-to-date tuition costs.