Indiana, commonly known as the “Hoosier State,” is known for a variety of things. Large farms, agricultural productivity, a welcoming business environment, a vibrant auto sector, and a distinctive culture all contribute to the state’s wealth. Indiana has made a lot of effort to rank among the best states in the nation for conducting business.

Indiana is home to seven Fortune 500 companies: Eli Lilly and Company, Anthem Inc., Simon Property Group, Zimmer Biomet, Cummins Inc., Steel Dynamics, and Berry Global. Indiana is expanding its tech industry and small business environment, which means the state will need more business professionals to aid its growth and expansion.

In response to the state’s anticipated growth, the higher education system in Indiana has several MBA programs online to help address educational disparities and increase overall educational attainment in the state.

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Indiana MBA Salary and Job Outlook

Indiana is home to several well-respected business schools, including the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. As a result, many out-of-state graduate students compete for a spot at Indiana’s top business schools to build and sustain a stable career.

The job outlook for Indiana online MBA programs and graduates is generally positive, with opportunities available across various industries. According to Zip Recruiter, the average annual salary of MBA graduates in Indiana is $129,515.

While these figures are slightly lower than the national average ($137,407), it’s still deemed positive, considering that Indiana’s economy is still bouncing back from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Top earners in Indiana with an MBA degree earn an average of $201,013 annually.

Getting into an executive position with a higher income potential can be much easier with an online MBA. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Chief Executives in Indiana earn an average annual salary of $244,010.

Management occupations have the highest salary in Indiana, with an average salary for all jobs of $111,420.

Colleges and Universities in Indiana

Prospective students searching for both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Indiana have many excellent options, including notable institutions like University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and Butler University. Each boasts a high graduation rate, a wide variety of traditional and online degree programs, and numerous excellent undergraduate and graduate programs. The tuition and student population vary widely between these schools.

Indiana University Bloomington is the largest public university in Indiana. The state university is also noted for its high graduation rate, its large student population of roughly 40,000 students, and an in-state tuition rate just above the national average at $11,000.

Find college admissions consultants in Indiana.

Additionally, students hoping to attend a school with a religious affiliation have nearly 30 options to choose from. Both traditional and online students at these schools can study areas like engineering, business, philosophy, religious studies, and law.

The state of Indiana offers loan forgiveness-based financial aid programs for health care workers who work in areas with labor shortages as well as for lawyers providing public legal aid. Additionally, graduates of Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law pursuing public interest law can apply for a special grant program that will help cover the cost of preparing and sitting for the bar exam.

What are Indiana’s Colleges & Universities?

Indiana’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 Indiana?

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.

young business professional standing outside an office complex

Best Online MBA Programs in Indiana

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

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Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Location: Indiana (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,435
Avg. Expenses*: $14,628
Avg. Starting Salary*: $74,011
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $86,379
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.

While there are a number of excellent online MBA programs in Indiana, students may choose to explore some of the online MBA programs in a neighboring state like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Illinois. An online education can be a great option no matter your state of residence.

Top Industries in Indiana for Graduates of Online MBA Programs

Indiana has a diverse economy and several key industries contributing to its economic strength. Knowing the state’s top industries will help you understand the dominant sectors and influence your decisions in choosing an online MBA concentration with the local job market. This will lead to faster job placement after graduation, accelerating your ROI.

Here are Indiana’s top 5 industries:

Healthcare

The healthcare sector in Indiana is a significant and rapidly evolving industry that plays a vital role in the state’s economy and the well-being of its residents. In 2022, Indiana’s healthcare sector contributed $150 billion to the state’s economy.

Every aspect of the healthcare industry needs qualified healthcare administration leaders due to its complex regulatory, policy, and operational structure.

Obtaining an online MBA that focuses in healthcare field is satisfying in various ways, from career advancement to directly impacting patient’s lives. An online MBA in healthcare can immediately impact your earning potential and possibilities for future promotion.

Logistics and Transportation

Indiana has been strengthening its infrastructure, maintaining its status as the leading US logistics hub, and creating beneficial business environments for businesses across the whole industry for decades to enhance profitability. The state’s slogan, after all, is “Crossroads of America”. The state needs sharp, practical leaders for Indiana to build this industry and keep up with escalating demand.

To tap into high-paying roles in this industry, consider pinning down an online MBA in Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Operations Management, Transportation Management, Global Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Green Logistics, Inventory Management, or any related concentrations.

Manufacturing

Given Indiana’s long history of producing automobiles, it should come as no surprise that manufacturing is essential to the state’s economy. Indiana has the country’s highest concentration of manufacturing jobs, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

As a result, manufacturing occupations comprise a sizable portion of Indiana’s overall employment. In fact, according to the National Association of Manufacturing, manufacturers employed 17.07% of Indiana’s workforce in 2020.

The most known online MBA specialized courses to break into manufacturing roles include Lean Six Sigma, Quality Management, Operations Research and Analytics, Business Analytics, and Product Management.

Public Sector

States work thanks to state workers. Public sector employment in Indiana encompasses a diverse array of job opportunities at various levels of government, including those with local, state, and federal organizations. These governmental organizations support the state’s workforce while offering people vital services. An online MBA in Public Administration, Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Criminal Justice, Government Finance, and Data Analytics are among the top concentrations for this sector.

Technology

Indiana has evolved into a digital powerhouse during the past ten years, inviting both regional entrepreneurs and international software giants like Salesforce. It turns out that Indiana attracts tech firms for many of the same factors, including a low cost of living and favorable economic conditions. The IT sector, one of Indiana’s fastest-growing economic sectors, provides online MBA holders with several job options—some of which may require additional training—including business development/sales, product management, general management, and more.

Top MBA Hiring Companies for Online MBA Graduates in Indiana

Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company is the most prominent pharmaceutical firm in Indiana and among the biggest in the world. Besides its current status as one of the biggest contributors to Indiana’s GDP, this Fortune 500 company is anticipated to add another $1.6 billion in investment.

Along with this billion-dollar investment is the need for new people to fill positions. Over 200 job positions are expected.

Online MBA students in Indiana can look forward to the various internship and employment opportunities Eli Lilly and Company offers.

Cummins Inc.

Cummins is the leading provider of power technology globally. It’s a conglomerate of complementary business units that develop, produce, sell, and support various power solutions and components from internal combustion, electric, and hybrid machines.

Cummins is expected to invest an additional billion in two new projects. With this, the company will likely need more project management experts.

Cummins provides various internship and co-op opportunities to students in different fields and levels, including those pursuing an online MBA. These opportunities serve as the top way to seek employment in the company. According to Glassdoor, the average pay of MBA professionals at Cummins is $153,611.

Anthem Inc.

Anthem, Inc. is one of the largest healthcare companies in the United States. Anthem offers a wide range of healthcare-related products and services.

Anthem is known for hiring business professionals. Over 28% of the company’s employees have majored in business. While the company accepts applicants with a bachelor’s degree, an online MBA will help you stand out from the crowd and land high-paying positions.

Simon Property Group

One of the biggest owners and operators of shopping centers and similar retail properties in the US is Simon Property Group, a real estate investment trust (REIT). MBA experts with strong financial acumen are necessary at Simon for efficient real estate investment management.

Simon offers a Summer Internship and a Mall Management Training Program. Both programs are open for students in various fields, including Finance, Accounting, Marketing, and Human Resources. These programs direct the path to employment in the company.

Zimmer Biomet

Zimmer Biomet, a market leader in medical technology, offers numerous products to increase mobility and enhance health. The company highly values MBAs for company development, commercial growth plan, sales channel optimization, commercial pricing strategy, working capital management, and capital-related analysis and decisions.

You can browse through their webpage for MBA-related careers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA Degrees in Indiana

What is an online MBA?

Online MBA degrees are the most popular advanced degree in American higher education. This versatile degree offers a variety of specializations that can help working professionals build leadership skills, expand their network, and enhance their overall business knowledge.

Online MBA degrees are excellent options for anyone needing business fundamentals covered while having the chance to study more in a selected concentration. An online MBA also covers strategic and international management, developing student’s global marketing expertise.

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

How much does an online MBA in Indiana cost?

The cost of an online MBA is among the highest for master’s degrees. A master’s degree can range from $54,000 to $73,000.

This data reports that the average cost of an online MBA program is $71,880. However, there are other costs to consider when choosing an online MBA program, such as administrative and technological fees.

When choosing where to enroll, tuition discrepancies between public and private schools may play a significant role. State universities are typically less expensive than private universities, but if you don’t live in the state where the public institution is located, you must also consider out-of-state costs.

Do online MBA programs require the GMAT?

Go to Online MBA programs with no GMAT requirements

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.

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. 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.

What are the admission requirements for online MBA programs in Indiana?

Most online MBA programs, except for accelerated 4+1 MBAs, require a bachelor’s degree. Most online MBA programs also seek applicants with a bachelor’s degree in business plus work experience.

Prestigious business schools most likely require a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students not meeting specific GPA criteria may be required to present high GRE or GMAT scores.

Furthermore, students without a bachelor’s degree in business are generally accepted into online MBA programs if they agree to complete prerequisites before starting MBA courses.

Other standard admission requirements include:

Official transcripts
Resume/CV
Letters of recommendation
Essays
Interview

Program-specific admissions will vary from school to school. It’s best to talk with the university’s admissions officer and ask them about the complete list of admission requirements.

How long does it take to get an online MBA?

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 both online and on campus, and many programs require a thesis or professional experience component. Students will study topics like corporate law, organizational behavior, and negotiations.

Most online MBA programs will be asynchronous for maximum flexibility. This means students watch lectures and read when they can, and likely join web forums for class discussions.

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 degree?

Online MBA graduates can advance to leadership roles in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration, and more. Online MBA programs are 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.

Why is accreditation important when choosing an online MBA program?

Accreditation is an important factor in assessing a university’s credibility and competitiveness. Accredited colleges and universities have undergone rigorous assessments of their curriculum, facilities, student support services, faculty qualifications, and educational outcomes. Accredited colleges are frequently seen as more credible and trustworthy by employers.

Regional accreditation is the most prestigious accreditation. However, certain majors, like business, have their own programmatic accreditation. The top three accrediting bodies for business programs are:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

The institution’s mission, values, and goals frequently influence the decision of the accrediting organization. While some colleges and business schools choose to pursue AACSB accreditation to position themselves as research-focused organizations, others choose ACBSP or IACBE accreditation. in order to place an emphasis on teaching excellence and outcomes-based evaluation.

How can I pay for an online MBA?

An online MBA, although rewarding, can be daunting. It can take you a few years to truly realize an ROI. You’re responsible for covering all the costs of an online MBA degree program. However, you have plenty of opportunities to make business school more affordable. The key is to plan and do the research ahead of time.

Here are the things you should do to reduce your out-of-pocket cost for an online MBA program:

Start with financial aid for your online MBA degree
Apply for federal loans
Research private MBA student loans
Explore Federal work-study programs
Apply for scholarships, fellowships, and grants
Look for Employer MBA Sponsorship
School Loan Forgiveness

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 Indiana

Indiana's Best Online MBA Programs

Featured Programs

Indiana MBA Salary and Job Outlook

Colleges and Universities in Indiana

What are Indiana’s Colleges & Universities?

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

Best Online MBA Programs in Indiana

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Indiana University Bloomington

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Purdue University

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Ball State University

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Indiana Wesleyan University

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Indiana State University

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Goshen College

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Southern Indiana

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Anderson College, Indiana

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Top Industries in Indiana for Graduates of Online MBA Programs

Healthcare

Logistics and Transportation

Manufacturing

Public Sector

Technology

Top MBA Hiring Companies for Online MBA Graduates in Indiana

Eli Lilly and Company

Cummins Inc.

Anthem Inc.

Simon Property Group

Zimmer Biomet

Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA Degrees in Indiana

What is an online MBA?

How much does an online MBA in Indiana cost?

Do online MBA programs require the GMAT?

What are the admission requirements for online MBA programs in Indiana?

How long does it take to get an online MBA?

What are the courses in an online MBA program like?

What can you do with an online MBA degree?

Why is accreditation important when choosing an online MBA program?

How can I pay for 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