10 Affordable Online MBA Programs Accredited by ACBSP

10 Affordable Online MBA Programs Accredited by ACBSP

October 23, 2012

Accreditation is an important factor to consider when selecting a business school, especially when the Master of Business Administration is 100% online.

There are three main players in the business education accreditation field in the United States: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). These are specialized agencies that review the business education structures of colleges and universities. Specialized accreditation requires that schools under review are already accredited by a primary accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The programs highlighted here are accredited by the ACBSP, which was founded in 1988. The Overland, Kansas-based organization, "is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence. The association embraces the virtues of teaching excellence and emphasizes to students that it is essential to learn how to learn. ACBSP acknowledges the importance of scholarly research and inquiry and believes that such activities facilitate improved teaching. Institutions are strongly encouraged to pursue a reasonable mutually beneficial balance between teaching and research. And further, ACBSP encourages faculty involvement within the contemporary business world to enhance the quality of classroom instruction and to contribute to student learning.”

List Order: Base Program Cost (Non-Resident Rate), Low to High

Cameron University
Campus: Lawton, Oklahoma
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $8,250
Per Credit Hour: $250
Minimum Credit Hours: 33
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Online Concentrations: Generalist/Electives
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
OnlineMBA.com School Profile: Cameron University Online MBA Program

Chadron State College
Campus: Chadron, Nebraska
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $9,450
Per Credit Hour: $262.50
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
Online Concentrations:
On Campus Requirements:
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
Online MBA School Profile: Chadron State College Online MBA Program

Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Campus: Kingsville, Texas
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $10,000*
Minimum Credit Hours: 30
GMAT Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Online Concentrations: Generalist/Electives (Global MBA)
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
OnlineMBA.com School Profile: Texas A&M University-Kingsville Online MBA Program
* The school’s website states that the cost is approximately $10,000 for Texas residents and non-residents.

Governors State University
Campus: University Park, Illinois
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $12,060
Per Credit Hour: $335 (includes fees)
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 17 months
Online Concentrations: Supply Chain Management
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
OnlineMBA School Profile: Governors State University Online MBA Program

Columbia College
Campus: Columbia, Missouri
Type: Private
Accreditation: HLC/NCACS
Base Program Cost: $12,240
Per Credit Hour: $340
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Concentrations Available Online: Generalist / Electives
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Columbia College
OnlineMBA School Profile: Columbia College Online MBA Program

University of North Alabama
Campus: Florenca, Alabama
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $12,410
Per Credit Hour: $365
Minimum Credit Hours: 34
GMAT Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Online Concentrations: Finance, Health Care Management, Information Systems, International Business, Project Management, SAP-Enterprise Resource Planning, Professional
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid

Eastern New Mexico University
Campus: Portales, New Mexico
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost (NR): $16,990
Per Credit Hour (NR): $435.65
Base Program Cost (R): $7,771
Per Credit Hour (R): $199.25
Minimum Credit Hours: 39
GMAT Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
Online Concentrations: Generalist/Electives
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
Online MBA School Profile: Eastern New Mexico University Online MBA Program

Tarleton State University
Campus: Stephenville, Texas
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost (NR): $18,180
Per Credit Hour (NR): $504.97
Base Program Cost (R): $6,624
Per Credit Hour (R): $183.97
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: No
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Online Concentrations: Generalist/Electives
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
OnlineMBA.com School Profile: Tarleton State University Online MBA Program

Northwest Missouri State University/Missouri Southern State University
Campus: Maryville, Missouri / Joplin, Missouri
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost: $19,686
Per Credit Hour: 596.54
Minimum Credit Hours: 33
GMAT Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Concentrations Available Online: Generalist / Electives
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Northwest Missouri State University / Missouri Southern State University
OnlineMBA School Profile: Northwest Missouri State University Online MBA Program/Missouri Southern State University

Texas A&M University Central Texas
Campus: Killeen, Texas
Type: Public
Accreditation: ACBSP
Base Program Cost (NR): $21,470
Per Credit Hour (NR): $596.40
Base Program Cost (R): $9,554
Per Credit Hour (R): $265.40
Minimum Credit Hours: 36
GMAT Required: Yes
Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
Online Concentrations: Generalist/Electives
On Campus Requirements: No
School Site:Overview|Tuition|Financial Aid
OnlineMBA.com School Profile: Texas A&M University Central Texas Online MBA Program

Schools: Online MBA Profiles| States: Online MBA Programs Near You| Guide: Getting Started With Your MBA| Database: Search Top Online MBA Programs| Research: MBA Concentrations| Video: One Minute MBA

Notes About the Listings

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Accreditation:

• AACSB: Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This organization accredits the world’s top business schools. Its standards are high and dictate that faculty must be involved in academic research, among other requirements. The group is a specialized accreditor for business schools. Specialized accreditation granted to regionally accredited institutions that have business schools.
• ACBSP: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This organization accredits a broad spectrum of business schools. Its standards are high and its emphasis in on faculty that is experienced in their field of instruction, among other requirements. The group is a specialized accreditor for business programs. Specialized accreditation granted to regionally accredited institutions that have business schools.
• IABCE: International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. IACBE is an outcomes-based programmatic accreditation in business. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation granted to regionally accredited institutions that have business schools.
• MSCHE: The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several locations internationally. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• HLC/NCACS: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. HLC is the accreditation arm of the NCACS. The group grants initial reviews of applications for accreditation and ensures standards continue to be upheld. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• NEASC: New England Association of Schools and Colleges. NEASC provides accreditation services for more than 2000 public and private institutions in the six state region – Pre-K through university. NEASC accreditation uses self-reflection, peer review and best practices as integral components of its assessment process. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• SACS/COC: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. SACS/COC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• WASC: The Western Association of Schools and Colleges. WASC is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. The commission provides assistance to schools located in California, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and East Asia. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• DETC: The Distance Education and Training Council. DETC reviews the quality of programs from distance learning institutes. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It is an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Primarily Asynchronous: Programs that allow students to participate when convenient within parameters determined by the school or faculty member. Some programs may require synchronous participation for certain classes or discussions.

Base Program Cost: Determined by number of credit hours multiplied by the out of state cost per credit hour. When an out of state credit hour cost is not assigned, the credit hour charge for online graduate students is used. Base program costs do not usually include textbooks, the cost of prerequisite courses or additional credit hours needed for certifications, unless noted. Where appropriate, the base program cost will be broken out by in-state (R) and out-of-state (NR) residents. For comparisons or list order, the base program cost for non-residents will be used.

GMAT Required: In certain cases, the GMAT requirement may be waived. This varies by school depending on undergraduate GPA, professional work experience, or previous graduate work. Schools that do require the GMAT may have a minimum score threshold to be considered for enrollment. GMAT requirements are best discussed with admissions counselors at the programs being considered.

Minimum Time Commitment: This is the minimum amount of time a student would need to earn their MBA. This minimum differs by school–based on the student’s full time or part time status, waived prerequisites, or additional factors that are best discussed with an institution’s admissions office.

Concentrations: MBA students can opt to follow a prescribed course sequence such as International Business, Health Care Administration, or other concentrations. Or they will follow a Generalist core curriculum and use Electives to select a concentration of their own design.

Campus Requirements: Some programs elect to have students come to campus for courses, testing, or other reasons best discussed with the admissions offices of the programs under consideration.