Best Online MBA Programs in DC

Badge for BEST ONLINE MBA IN DC
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Academic Influence Staff
Published:
Updated:

DC's Best Online MBA Programs

Sort by:
  1. George Washington University
  2. Howard University
  3. Trinity Washington University
  4. American University
  5. Strayer University
  1. George Washington University
  2. Howard University
  3. American University
  4. Trinity Washington University
  5. Strayer University
  1. Trinity Washington University 97%
  2. Howard University 53%
  3. George Washington University 49%
  4. American University 41%
  1. Howard University 14 to 1
  2. George Washington University 12 to 1
  3. Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
  4. American University 11 to 1
  1. George Washington University $62,200
  2. American University $53,889
  3. Howard University $31,050
  4. Trinity Washington University $25,610
  1. American University $38,139
  2. Howard University $35,556
  3. George Washington University $33,930
  4. Trinity Washington University $15,120
  1. Strayer University
  2. American University
  3. Trinity Washington University
  4. Howard University
  5. George Washington University
  1. Strayer University
  2. Trinity Washington University
  3. American University
  4. Howard University
  5. George Washington University
  1. American University 41%
  2. George Washington University 49%
  3. Howard University 53%
  4. Trinity Washington University 97%
  1. American University 11 to 1
  2. George Washington University 12 to 1
  3. Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
  4. Howard University 14 to 1
  1. Trinity Washington University $25,610
  2. Howard University $31,050
  3. American University $53,889
  4. George Washington University $62,200
  1. Trinity Washington University $15,120
  2. George Washington University $33,930
  3. Howard University $35,556
  4. American University $38,139

One of the best places in the United States to earn a business degree is the Capital of the United States of America, Washington, DC. According to the American Institute of Economic Research, Washington, DC, is the third-best city for college students. DC is also one of the most varied and culturally rich cities in America, making it a home to a wealth of resources for online MBA students and career opportunities for MBA grads.

Here are the top online MBA degree programs in Washington, D.C., along with information on their unique features and why students and professionals alike find them so appealing. Each online MBA program in DC offers a wide range of options to help you achieve your professional goals, whether you want to enhance your public, private, or entrepreneurship career.

What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?

DC’s Best Overall

Featured Programs

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

Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.

Best Online MBA Programs in DC

  1. #1

    George Washington University

    Washington , DC
    #23 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in DC 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    30K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1410/32

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at George Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $35,154
    Expenses: $19,325
    Starting Salary: $121,542
    Salary after 4 years: $138,012
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    GWU’s AACSB-accredited GW Business School is widely known for its Global & Experiential Education program that allows MBA students to connect academic theory with practice for an actual client in the United States or overseas in solving current issues.

    Professionals seeking to tap into the business sector of the healthcare industry can pursue GWU’s online MBA in Healthcare. While the program can be completed mostly online, students must meet on campus to complete the program’s Consulting Abroad Project requirement.

    Graduates can pursue leadership roles in various healthcare facilities, such as managers, administrators, and top executive positions.

    Online Master's Degrees

    Healthcare Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Howard University

    Washington , DC
    #1 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in DC 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #3 Best Colleges in DC 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/23

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Howard University

    Cost of Degree: $38,050
    Expenses: $21,286
    Starting Salary: $80,389
    Salary after 4 years: $91,282
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Howard University’s School of Business offers vibrant academic departments, ground-breaking centers of excellence, renowned faculty, award-winning programs, and more than 8,000 alumni worldwide.

    One of the top offerings at Howard is their online AACSB-accredited Master of Business Administration program specifically designed for early to mid-career business professionals. Through the program’s diverse course offerings, students will graduate with proficient skills and knowledge in ethical decision-making, problem-solving, and management.

    Courses in this online MBA program include Data Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, Managerial Accounting, Strategic Management, and more.

    Online Master's Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Trinity Washington University

    Washington , DC
    #4 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #8 Best Colleges in DC 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Trinity Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $15,390
    Expenses: $15,190
    Starting Salary: $63,573
    Salary after 4 years: $72,188
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Students seeking a regionally accredited Master of Business Administration degree through 100% online learning should consider applying to Trinity Washington University. This accelerated online MBA program allows students to learn from business, government, and nonprofit leaders. Graduates can advance their professions and apply for managerial roles in the business industry.

    The program’s curriculum combines business fundamentals with theoretical and practical training. This gives students in-depth knowledge about corporate management processes and develops their business skills to compete in today’s fast-paced business environment.

    Online Master's Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 year
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    American University

    Washington , DC
    #7 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $54K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1360/30

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at American University

    Cost of Degree: $33,239
    Expenses: $19,632
    Starting Salary: $99,859
    Salary after 4 years: $113,391
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The AACSB-accredited Kogod School of Business at American University is one of the world’s top providers of online MBA degrees. The Online Master of Business Administration at Kogod is also one of the fastest degree programs, which provides a 12-month track. The MBA offers a comprehensive education emphasizing diversity and 21st-century business developments.

    Courses are completed online. However, students must complete two in-person immersions that involve solving actual issues in existing business companies.

    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion time: 12-18 months
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  5. #5

    Strayer University

    #13 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #5 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Mississippi #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia 2025 #4 Fastest Online Associate's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2025

    Strayer University offers one of the best MBA programs accredited by the ACBSP. The online MBA program develops student’s knowledge in strategic analysis, people management, and resource management. Strayer offers a high-quality education for students seeking to customize their degree programs.

    Strayer offers the following MBA concentrations:

    • Accounting
    • Acquisition
    • Business Data
    • Digital Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Global Management
    • Health Services Administration
    • Human Resource Management
    • IT Security Management
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Professional Studies
    • Project Management
    • Public Administration
    • Sales
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: District of Columbia (Private Schools)
  • Job Growth: 6.72%
  • Number of Jobs: 12,486,499
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.
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Top Employers of MBA Graduates in DC

Being in the center of the East Coast, Washington, DD, has become a hub for persons interested in government affairs. Government organizations like the US Army and State Department are among the most sought-after places for MBA interns to work in Washington.

In addition to US government agencies, other top employers and opportunity providers for MBA students and grads in DC include:

Deloitte Consulting

One of the “Big Four” accounting firms, Deloitte offers management consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services, among its many other expert services. The consulting division of Deloitte, Deloitte Consulting, is dedicated to assisting businesses in resolving challenging issues and enhancing performance.

Deloitte Consulting offers undergraduate and graduate business students several internship and co-op programs.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton is among the top management and technology consulting companies. They are well-known for their defense, healthcare, technology, and cybersecurity work. They have an extensive track record of offering consultancy services to private businesses and public institutions.

MBA graduates have various job opportunities at Booz Allen Hamilton.

McKinsey & Company

A globally prestigious management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company aids enterprises, governments, and nonprofit organizations with strategy development and organizational improvement through strategic and management consulting services.

McKinsey & Company offers several opportunities for MBA students and graduates. They’re mostly known for their ”Associate Intern″ opportunity, where MBA students work in teams to help the company’s clients find solutions to their most pressing issues.

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

BCG is another well-known management consulting company focusing on business consulting and strategic management. Their knowledge of strategies, operations, technology, and digital transformation is notable.

MBA students can apply for the BCG Unlock program, which can lead to permanent employment.

Capital One

Capital One is a top-performing financial institution offering credit cards, loans, banking, and other financial products and services. It is renowned for its creative application of data analytics and technology to deliver individualized financial solutions.

Capital One provides various opportunities for MBA students in Business Analytics and Product Management specializations.

Washington D.C. is just one of many states offering excellent online MBA programs. To check out our rankings, look into the best online associate’s degrees in Texas, Vermont, Michigan, and more!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA Degrees in Washington DC

What is an online MBA?

Online MBA programs are among American higher education’s most popular advanced degree programs. Some of the top online MBA programs offer various specializations to give working professionals flexibility in aligning their degrees with their personal interests and goals. An online MBA helps business professionals build leadership skills, expand their network, and enhance their business knowledge.

What’s the difference between an MBA in Marketing and an MS in Marketing?

An MBA in Marketing is different from a MS in Marketing because the MBA degree doesn’t assume previous business education, whereas the MS program likely would.

Do online MBA programs require the GMAT?

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

Although there isn’t a set cut-off for the GMAT, MBA schools strongly encourage applicants to aim for a competitive score. Several schools require GMAT scores between 600 and 780, with an average of 720.

While not required by all business schools, taking the GMAT exam is still highly suggested, as this will help with your application. A high GMAT score will help your application significantly if you don’t meet the school’s GPA requirement.

If you’re going to take the test, at minimum you’ll want to study with solid guidance provided by quality resources. People have many different opinions about which GMAT test prep resources are the best, 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 is a growing number of high quality MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT. Furthermore, there are a lot of highly reputable colleges and universities offering online MBA programs that do not require the GMAT. If standardized testing simply 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 MBA in Washington DC?

Typically, online MBA degrees can be earned in about 2 years. However, specializations range from healthcare management to entrepreneurship to international business. Because an online MBA can 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.

What are the courses in an online MBA program like?

MBA courses are available online and on-campus and may require a thesis or professional experience component. Topics can cover corporate law, organizational behavior, and negotiations. Most online MBA programs will be asynchronous or “self-paced” for maximum flexibility. However, 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. An online MBA is popular because of their versatility. With so many choices of concentrations, your online MBA can prepare you for leadership or executive roles in virtually any industry.

Is accreditation important for an online MBA?

Accreditation is important since it is a quality assurance measure of an online MBA degree. While regional accreditation is the most prestigious accreditation an American higher education institution can receive, it would also be beneficial to enroll in online programs accredited by the:

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs
  • International Accreditation Council for Business Education
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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.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

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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