Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Academic Influence Staff

Updated: Jan 22, 2024

Key Takeaways

An online MBA program in Minnesota can open leadership role opportunities in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration.
There are a limited number of schools with an online MBA program in Minnesota, but students can pursue online MBAs from neighboring states.
An online MBA degree in Minnesota is a perfect option for busy working professionals because of the flexibility.

University of Minnesota
Hamline University
University of Minnesota Duluth
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Bemidji State University
St. Catherine University
Bethel University
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Metropolitan State University
Crown College

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 97%
St. Catherine University 93%
Metropolitan State University 82%
University of Minnesota Duluth 81%
Hamline University 81%
Bemidji State University 78%
University of Minnesota 75%
Bethel University 72%
Crown College 67%
Minnesota State University Moorhead 57%

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 17 to 1
Crown College 17 to 1
Minnesota State University Moorhead 17 to 1
University of Minnesota Duluth 16 to 1
University of Minnesota 16 to 1
Bemidji State University 16 to 1
Metropolitan State University 14 to 1
Hamline University 13 to 1
Bethel University 12 to 1
St. Catherine University 10 to 1

St. Catherine University $47,870
Hamline University $46,616
Bethel University $41,270
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota $41,150
Crown College $29,230
University of Minnesota $14,006
University of Minnesota Duluth $12,638
Bemidji State University $10,130
Metropolitan State University $9,684
Minnesota State University Moorhead $8,838

University of Minnesota Duluth $18,468
University of Minnesota $18,468
St. Catherine University $17,550
Bethel University $11,981
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota $11,835
Crown College $10,620
Hamline University $10,321
Minnesota State University Moorhead $10,292
Metropolitan State University $9,828
Bemidji State University $8,909

Crown College
Bethel University
Bemidji State University
University of Minnesota Duluth
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Metropolitan State University
St. Catherine University
Hamline University
Minnesota State University Moorhead
University of Minnesota

Crown College
Metropolitan State University
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Bethel University
St. Catherine University
Bemidji State University
Minnesota State University Moorhead
University of Minnesota Duluth
Hamline University
University of Minnesota

Minnesota State University Moorhead 57%
Crown College 67%
Bethel University 72%
University of Minnesota 75%
Bemidji State University 78%
Hamline University 81%
University of Minnesota Duluth 81%
Metropolitan State University 82%
St. Catherine University 93%
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 97%

St. Catherine University 10 to 1
Bethel University 12 to 1
Hamline University 13 to 1
Metropolitan State University 14 to 1
University of Minnesota Duluth 16 to 1
University of Minnesota 16 to 1
Bemidji State University 16 to 1
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 17 to 1
Crown College 17 to 1
Minnesota State University Moorhead 17 to 1

Minnesota State University Moorhead $8,838
Metropolitan State University $9,684
Bemidji State University $10,130
University of Minnesota Duluth $12,638
University of Minnesota $14,006
Crown College $29,230
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota $41,150
Bethel University $41,270
Hamline University $46,616
St. Catherine University $47,870

Bemidji State University $8,909
Metropolitan State University $9,828
Minnesota State University Moorhead $10,292
Hamline University $10,321
Crown College $10,620
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota $11,835
Bethel University $11,981
St. Catherine University $17,550
University of Minnesota Duluth $18,468
University of Minnesota $18,468

Table of Contents

With its real gross domestic product (GDP) of $350.31 billion in 2022, Minnesota is among the wealthiest states per capita in the United States. Like other competitive states, businesses are the backbone of Minnesota’s workforce, community, and economy. They fuel Minnesota’s creativity, culture, and economy.

To continue the growth of its economy, Minnesota works hard to become the top state for owning a business, investing in everything from broadband and the highway system to child care and job training. Due to the state’s thriving business climate, Minnesota has a lot to offer prospective business graduate students.

Several options are available to students looking for reputable and accredited MBA degree programs in Minnesota. Most MBAs offered in Minnesota have regional and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation. Some of Minnesota’s top business schools offer online MBA programs.

Students seeking to advance or switch careers can benefit significantly from Minnesota’s top online MBA programs.

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Minnesota

One of largest public higher education institutes in the country, the University of Minnesota has main campuses in both of the Twin Cities, Saint Paul and Minneapolis. This school costs about $15,000 in tuition, and provides its students with competitive programs in fields like nursing, education, economics, and psychology. And the options don’t stop there.

There are more than 20 schools in the state with religious affiliations, including larger schools like the University of St. Thomas, which campuses in both Twin Cities, and smaller schools like Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji.

Find college admissions consultants in Minnesota.

For students striving to keep costs low in a smaller school environment, Southwest Minnesota State University offers tuition below the national average and serves about 3,500 students. Additionally, those on track to become a teacher or health care provider may be eligible for one of Minnesota’s loan forgiveness programs after graduation. Minnesota also boasts a large network of private colleges, two of which, Walden University and Capella University, primarily cater to online students.

What are Minnesota’s Colleges & Universities?

Minnesota’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 Minnesota?

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 Minnesota

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Location: Minnesota (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $17,873
Avg. Expenses*: $14,758
Avg. Starting Salary*: $88,540
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $98,033
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.

Online MBA Concentrations in Minnesota

Pursuing an online MBA program is one of your most important decisions. While online learning can be more convenient and affordable than earning a degree in a traditional classroom, it will still consume much of your time, money, and effort.

You shouldn’t decide on an MBA only based on where it will be easiest for you to get in. This will decrease your chances of an ROI.

Instead, consider what you want to do with your MBA degree. If you already have a specific field in mind, consider pursuing an online MBA concentration that directly leads to employment in that field.

However, consider the state’s major industries if you can’t think of any field. Thriving industries in the state will likely have a high demand for skilled professionals. By obtaining an MBA concentration in these industries, you increase your chances of finding job opportunities and securing a well-paying position.

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the most thriving industries are:

Advanced Manufacturing
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Supply Chain Management
  - Operations Management
  - International Business
Leading Life Sciences
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Healthcare Management
Clean Technology and Renewable Energy
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Sustainable Business
Food and Agriculture
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Marketing Management
  - Agricultural Business
Technology and Innovation
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Entrepreneurship
  - Technology Management
World Class Retail
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Retail Management
  - Marketing/Brand Management
Services Supporting our Ecosystem
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Sustainability
  - Project Management
Finance and Insurance Ecosystem
- Best MBA concentrations:
  - Finance
  - Risk Management

Career Outlook for Online MBA Graduates in Minnesota

MBA degrees offer various job opportunities because most sectors need professional advice from business experts capable of complex decision-making, leadership, and management. Because online MBAs are vast and varied, specific annual salaries depend on concentration, experience level, and sector.

The average annual salary of MBA degree holders in Minnesota is $131,049. This is only slightly lower than the national average. The particular career field and applicants’ credentials may affect the job market and average salaries. In some states, compared to Minnesota, some occupations or sectors may be in higher demand and pay better salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA Programs in Minnesota

What is an online MBA?

MBA degrees are the most popular advanced degree in American higher education that offers a variety of specializations designed to help students build leadership skills, expand their network, and enhance their overall business knowledge. MBA degrees are excellent options for anyone needing business fundamentals covered while having the chance to study more in a selected concentration.

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.

How long does it take to get an MBA in Minnesota?

Online MBA degrees typically last 2 years. However, specializations, program requirements, and pacing can affect the length of an MBA degree. Accelerated degree programs can be completed in a year or less. On the other hand, students enrolled part-time and taking one course per semester may take up to four years to graduate.

What are the courses in an MBA program online 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, allowing students to watch lectures and read when they can. 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 in Minnesota?

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.

While there are a number of excellent online MBA programs in Minnesota, students may choose to explore some of the online MBA programs in a neighboring state like Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, or South Dakota. An online education can be a great option no matter your state of residence.

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.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota

Key Takeaways

Minnesota's Best Online MBA Programs

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Minnesota

What are Minnesota’s Colleges & Universities?

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

Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Minnesota

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Hamline University

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at St. Catherine University

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Metropolitan State University

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Minnesota Duluth

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Bemidji State University

Online Master's Degrees

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Bethel University

Career Outlook for MBA degree at Crown College

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

Online MBA Concentrations in Minnesota

Career Outlook for Online MBA Graduates in Minnesota

Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA Programs in Minnesota

What is an online MBA?

Do Online MBA Programs Require the GMAT?

How long does it take to get an MBA in Minnesota?

What are the courses in an MBA program online like?

What can you do with an online MBA in Minnesota?

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