The Cheapest Online MBA Programs of 2026

Based in Magnolia, AR, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #4 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 70.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.8 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 50% average across the ranked schools. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits 75% of applicants, more selective than the 83% average for the group. That is more open than the 46% rate at Auburn University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%.

On cost, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus charges $7,380 a year in-state, versus $13,110 for out-of-state students. Over two years that is about $14,760 in tuition for residents, against $26,220 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

Based in Conway, AR, University of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #5 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 70.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.8 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 54% of its students, above the 50% average across the ranked schools. University of Central Arkansas admits 89% of applicants, less selective than the 83% average for the group. That is more open than the 46% rate at Auburn University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%.

On cost, University of Central Arkansas charges $7,500 a year in-state, roughly 2.0x the $15,000 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $15,000 in tuition for residents, against $30,000 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

University of Arkansas is a public institution in Fayetteville, AR. Its MBA program ranks #6 of the 25 analyzed here with an 86.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 70.8 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 50% average across the ranked schools. University of Arkansas admits 74% of applicants, more selective than the 83% average for the group. That is more open than the 46% rate at Auburn University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%.

On cost, University of Arkansas charges $7,896 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $27,758 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $15,792 in tuition for residents, against $55,516 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.

University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution in Fairbanks, AK. Its MBA program ranks #7 of the 25 analyzed here with a 69.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 70.8 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 38% of its students, below the 50% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%. The university enrolls 6,893 students overall.

On cost, University of Alaska Fairbanks charges $8,072 a year in-state, roughly 3.0x the $23,881 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $16,144 in tuition for residents, against $47,762 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for AK residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 13x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Based in Montgomery, AL, Alabama State University is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #8 of the 25 ranked here, earning a 55.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.8 group average, in the top third of the 25 ranked programs, 5.8 points behind top-ranked Arkansas Tech University. The program graduates 30% of its students, below the 50% average across the ranked schools. Alabama State University admits 98% of applicants, less selective than the 83% average for the group. That is more open than the 46% rate at Auburn University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%.

On cost, Alabama State University charges $8,328 a year in-state, roughly 2.0x the $16,656 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $16,656 in tuition for residents, against $33,312 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.

Colorado Mesa University is a public institution in Grand Junction, CO. Its MBA program ranks #9 of the 25 analyzed here with a 65.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 70.8 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 41% of its students, below the 50% average across the ranked schools. Colorado Mesa University admits 82% of applicants, more selective than the 83% average for the group. That is more open than the 46% rate at Auburn University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%.

On cost, Colorado Mesa University charges $8,807 a year in-state, roughly 2.7x the $24,004 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $17,614 in tuition for residents, against $48,008 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public institution in Colorado Springs, CO. Its MBA program ranks #10 of the 25 analyzed here with a 68.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 70.8 group average, in the middle third of the 25 ranked programs. The program graduates 47% of its students, below the 50% average across the ranked schools. University of Colorado Colorado Springs admits 97% of applicants, less selective than the 83% average for the group. That is more open than the 46% rate at Auburn University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 82%.

On cost, University of Colorado Colorado Springs charges $9,022 a year in-state, roughly 2.6x the $23,155 out-of-state rate. Over two years that is about $18,044 in tuition for residents, against $46,310 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,995 at Arkansas Tech University to $27,631 at Colorado Christian University. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.