Best Online MBA Programs in Connecticut

Badge for BEST ONLINE MBA IN CONNECTICUT

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Academic Influence Staff

Updated: Dec 12, 2023

Key Takeaways

There are 10 colleges in Connecticut that offer MBA programs that can be completed online, on campus, or a hybrid mixture of the two.
There are a number of fully online MBA programs for busy professionals that can open career opportunities with the top employers in Connecticut.
An online MBA from one of the best colleges in Connecticut can lead to a career in one of the state’s top industries like Advanced Manufacturing or Bioscience & Healthcare

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Hartford
Fairfield University
University of Bridgeport
Quinnipiac University
University of New Haven
Central Connecticut State University
Sacred Heart University
Southern Connecticut State University
Albertus Magnus College

University of New Haven 91%
Quinnipiac University 84%
Southern Connecticut State University 83%
University of Hartford 83%
University of Bridgeport 82%
Albertus Magnus College 80%
Central Connecticut State University 77%
Sacred Heart University 66%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 65%
Fairfield University 52%

University of New Haven 19 to 1
Sacred Heart University 16 to 1
Albertus Magnus College 15 to 1
University of Bridgeport 14 to 1
Central Connecticut State University 14 to 1
Fairfield University 12 to 1
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 12 to 1
Quinnipiac University 11 to 1
Southern Connecticut State University 11 to 1
University of Hartford 8 to 1

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $60,074
Fairfield University $54,455
Quinnipiac University $51,790
Sacred Heart University $46,580
University of Hartford $46,148
University of New Haven $44,184
Albertus Magnus College $37,682
University of Bridgeport $35,760
Central Connecticut State University $6,470
Southern Connecticut State University $6,470

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $58,600
Sacred Heart University $34,852
Albertus Magnus College $22,176
Fairfield University $20,034
Quinnipiac University $19,710
University of Bridgeport $19,096
University of New Haven $18,360
University of Hartford $14,652
Southern Connecticut State University $8,299
Central Connecticut State University $8,058

Central Connecticut State University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Fairfield University
Southern Connecticut State University
Sacred Heart University
University of Hartford
Albertus Magnus College
University of New Haven
Quinnipiac University
University of Bridgeport

Albertus Magnus College
Southern Connecticut State University
Sacred Heart University
Central Connecticut State University
University of New Haven
Quinnipiac University
University of Bridgeport
Fairfield University
University of Hartford
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Fairfield University 52%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 65%
Sacred Heart University 66%
Central Connecticut State University 77%
Albertus Magnus College 80%
University of Bridgeport 82%
University of Hartford 83%
Southern Connecticut State University 83%
Quinnipiac University 84%
University of New Haven 91%

University of Hartford 8 to 1
Quinnipiac University 11 to 1
Southern Connecticut State University 11 to 1
Fairfield University 12 to 1
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 12 to 1
University of Bridgeport 14 to 1
Central Connecticut State University 14 to 1
Albertus Magnus College 15 to 1
Sacred Heart University 16 to 1
University of New Haven 19 to 1

Central Connecticut State University $6,470
Southern Connecticut State University $6,470
University of Bridgeport $35,760
Albertus Magnus College $37,682
University of New Haven $44,184
University of Hartford $46,148
Sacred Heart University $46,580
Quinnipiac University $51,790
Fairfield University $54,455
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $60,074

Central Connecticut State University $8,058
Southern Connecticut State University $8,299
University of Hartford $14,652
University of New Haven $18,360
University of Bridgeport $19,096
Quinnipiac University $19,710
Fairfield University $20,034
Albertus Magnus College $22,176
Sacred Heart University $34,852
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute $58,600

Table of Contents

Connecticut is home to a variety of top brick-and-mortar schools as well as a wide variety of fully accredited online colleges. Each college and university in Connecticut provides students with diverse learning opportunities, including flexible and accessible online master of business administration programs.

The majority of online MBA programs in Connecticut are offered by prestigious business schools with an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. This level of reputation and prestige ensures that MBA graduates in Connecticut will be highly valued elsewhere in the world.

If you’re looking for an online MBA program in Connecticut, look no further. This list only includes reputable colleges and universities that provide online students with top-notch MBA programs that adhere to strict industry demands.

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Connecticut

Students who want to pursue an online MBA degree from a public university can consider Southern Connecticut State University, which is also surprisingly affordable. On the other hand, prospective students seeking an intimate learning environment can consider Sacred Heart University, a preeminent Roman Catholic university.

Both traditional and online students in Connecticut can choose from a variety of higher education experiences fitting a full spectrum of budgets and career goals. Learn more and begin earning your degree from one of the top brick-and-mortar or online colleges in Connecticut.

What are Connecticut’s Colleges & Universities?

Connecticut’s Best Overall

What’s the Difference between an Online MBA and Traditional MBA?

Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.

How do we determine the best online MBA programs in Connecticut?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online MBA Programs in Connecticut

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Location: Connecticut (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $20,235
Avg. Expenses*: $19,666
Avg. Starting Salary*: $101,017
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $125,192
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 4 years
Job Growth: 6.72%
Number of Jobs: 12,486,499
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Student Submitted Questions about Online MBA Programs in Connecticut

Do online MBA programs in Connecticut require the GMAT?

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer-responsive test designed to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and English reading skills used by graduate management programs, such as MBA programs, to assist with admissions selections.

The GMAT is still required by many graduate schools of all shapes and sizes — elite research universities, public universities, liberal arts colleges, online colleges, etc. There’s no real common denominator for which types of schools require the GMAT or don’t.

Of the 10 online MBA programs in Connecticut, five of the programs do not require the GMAT, including:

University of Bridgeport
Quinnipiac University
University of New Haven
Sacred Heart University
Albertus Magnus College

Note that several of the other programs will waive the GMAT requirement if graduate program applicants meet certain criteria.

If you are considering a graduate business school that requires the GMAT, then you certainly want to do well on the exam. Even if schools you’re considering don’t require it, you may want to take the test because a high score could still help your application and because there may be another college that suddenly interests you, and it might require successful completion of the GMAT.

If you’re going to take the test, at minimum, you’ll want to study with solid guidance provided by quality resources. Therefore, we recommend that you start looking at and comparing the best-selling GMAT test guides.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you are aspiring to be admitted into an elite university’s program, you may want to work with a graduate or business school admissions expert. An admissions consultant can give you the most customized information about your prospects, and many will work with you on whatever specific need you might have — test prep, applications, personal essays, and even help with finding meaningful internships.

There are a growing number of high-quality MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT. If standardized testing isn’t a strength of yours, you may want to move your search to focus specifically on online MBA programs with no GMAT requirements.

How long does it take to get an an online MBA in Connecticut?

Typically, online MBA degrees can be earned in about two years. However, specializations range from healthcare management to entrepreneurship to international business. Because MBAs offer so many educational paths, program requirements can vary greatly, from 30 to 60 credits, which means this degree may take anywhere between two and four years to complete.

Some accelerated degree programs can be completed in as little as 12 months.

What are the courses in an online MBA program like?

Whether conducted online or on-campus, MBA courses often require a thesis or professional experience component. Courses usually include topics such as corporate law, organizational behavior, and negotiations.

Some online MBA programs have asynchronous coursework and self-paced formats to give students maximum flexibility. While online MBA courses can be “self-paced,” there usually are still mid-term and end-of-term deadlines. Typical online MBA courses will have multiple deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments.

What can you do with an online MBA?

MBA graduates can advance to leadership roles in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration, and more. MBAs are popular because of their versatility. With so many choices of concentrations, your MBA can prepare you for leadership or executive roles in virtually any industry.

What are the best careers in Connecticut for graduates with an online MBA?

Connecticut has a wide range of growing industries that are perfect for graduates of online MBA programs. Numerous leading corporations call Connecticut home, including companies like Pfizer, Aetna, Stanley Black & Decker, and the Gartner Group, among numerous others. The top industries in Connecticut include:

Advanced Manufacturing
Aerospace and Defense
Bioscience & Healthcare
Film, Television & Digital Media
Financial Services
Green Energy
Insurance
Technology Innovation

An online MBA at one of the best colleges in Connecticut offers opportunities for specialization through many of the concentration options available in these degree programs.

For example, the University of Hartford offers a concentration in Healthcare Management that could boost a graduate’s career opportunities in the Bioscience & Healthcare industry. Quinnipiac University offers a concentration in Finance that could translate to a career in the Financial Services or the Insurance industries.

Likewise, an online MBA with a concentration in Global Supply Chain Management, like the one offered at the University of New Haven, could lead to a promising career in the Advanced Manufacturing industry. If technology interests you, a concentration in Analytics Intelligence from the University of Bridgeport could lead to a job in the Technology Innovation industry in Connecticut.

Key Takeaway: Pursuing an online MBA with a concentration that is strategically focused on gaining employment in one of the top industries in Connecticut can lead to increased career options with some of the largest corporations in the United States.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Online MBA Programs in Connecticut

Key Takeaways

Connecticut's Best Online MBA Programs

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Connecticut

What are Connecticut’s Colleges & Universities?

What’s the Difference between an Online MBA and Traditional MBA?

Best Online MBA Programs in Connecticut

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Bridgeport

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Quinnipiac University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of New Haven

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Albertus Magnus College

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Hartford

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Sacred Heart University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Southern Connecticut State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Fairfield University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Central Connecticut State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Student Submitted Questions about Online MBA Programs in Connecticut

Do online MBA programs in Connecticut require the GMAT?

How long does it take to get an an online MBA in Connecticut?

What are the courses in an online MBA program like?

What can you do with an online MBA?

What are the best careers in Connecticut for graduates with an online MBA?

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Prospective Grad Students