Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia

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Key Takeaways

  • An online MBA program in Virginia can open leadership role opportunities in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration.
  • An online MBA from an accredited college or university is respected by employers.
  • A number of the online MBA degree programs in Virginia can be completed on a part-time basis, making the programs a viable option for busy working professionals.

Virginia's Best Online MBA Programs

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  1. Virginia Tech
  2. Virginia Commonwealth University
  3. Old Dominion University
  4. Liberty University
  5. Regent University
  6. Radford University
  7. University of Mary Washington
  8. Longwood University
  9. Virginia Wesleyan University
  10. Mary Baldwin University
  1. Virginia Tech
  2. Virginia Commonwealth University
  3. Old Dominion University
  4. Liberty University
  5. Radford University
  6. Regent University
  7. University of Mary Washington
  8. Longwood University
  9. Mary Baldwin University
  10. Virginia Wesleyan University
  1. Liberty University 99%
  2. Old Dominion University 95%
  3. Radford University 93%
  4. Virginia Commonwealth University 91%
  5. Longwood University 88%
  6. University of Mary Washington 86%
  7. Virginia Wesleyan University 81%
  8. Virginia Tech 57%
  9. Regent University 32%
  1. Regent University 21 to 1
  2. Liberty University 18 to 1
  3. Virginia Tech 17 to 1
  4. Old Dominion University 16 to 1
  5. Virginia Commonwealth University 16 to 1
  6. Virginia Wesleyan University 13 to 1
  7. Longwood University 13 to 1
  8. Radford University 12 to 1
  9. University of Mary Washington 12 to 1
  10. Mary Baldwin University 12 to 1
  1. Virginia Wesleyan University $36,910
  2. Mary Baldwin University $32,036
  3. Liberty University $22,511
  4. Regent University $19,680
  5. Virginia Commonwealth University $12,472
  6. Virginia Tech $12,104
  7. University of Mary Washington $8,938
  8. Longwood University $8,420
  9. Radford University $8,156
  10. Old Dominion University $7,239
  1. Regent University $16,028
  2. Virginia Tech $14,521
  3. Mary Baldwin University $13,000
  4. Virginia Commonwealth University $12,618
  5. Old Dominion University $10,519
  6. Radford University $9,182
  7. Virginia Wesleyan University $8,982
  8. University of Mary Washington $8,928
  9. Liberty University $7,893
  10. Longwood University $6,678
  1. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
  2. Mary Baldwin University
  3. Virginia Wesleyan University
  4. Longwood University
  5. University of Mary Washington
  6. Radford University
  7. Regent University
  8. Liberty University
  9. Old Dominion University
  10. Virginia Commonwealth University
  1. Jefferson College of Health Sciences
  2. Virginia Wesleyan University
  3. Mary Baldwin University
  4. Longwood University
  5. University of Mary Washington
  6. Regent University
  7. Radford University
  8. Liberty University
  9. Old Dominion University
  10. Virginia Commonwealth University
  1. Regent University 32%
  2. Virginia Tech 57%
  3. Virginia Wesleyan University 81%
  4. University of Mary Washington 86%
  5. Longwood University 88%
  6. Virginia Commonwealth University 91%
  7. Radford University 93%
  8. Old Dominion University 95%
  9. Liberty University 99%
  1. Radford University 12 to 1
  2. University of Mary Washington 12 to 1
  3. Mary Baldwin University 12 to 1
  4. Virginia Wesleyan University 13 to 1
  5. Longwood University 13 to 1
  6. Old Dominion University 16 to 1
  7. Virginia Commonwealth University 16 to 1
  8. Virginia Tech 17 to 1
  9. Liberty University 18 to 1
  10. Regent University 21 to 1
  1. Old Dominion University $7,239
  2. Radford University $8,156
  3. Longwood University $8,420
  4. University of Mary Washington $8,938
  5. Virginia Tech $12,104
  6. Virginia Commonwealth University $12,472
  7. Regent University $19,680
  8. Liberty University $22,511
  9. Mary Baldwin University $32,036
  10. Virginia Wesleyan University $36,910
  1. Longwood University $6,678
  2. Liberty University $7,893
  3. University of Mary Washington $8,928
  4. Virginia Wesleyan University $8,982
  5. Radford University $9,182
  6. Old Dominion University $10,519
  7. Virginia Commonwealth University $12,618
  8. Mary Baldwin University $13,000
  9. Virginia Tech $14,521
  10. Regent University $16,028

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Virginia

Liberty University, a private Christian school in Lynchburg, is the largest school in Virginia, serving over 60,000 students. The largest public university, Virginia Tech, has a student population of about half that but offers many in-person degree programs as well as eight master’s programs and 19 certificate programs online. Students who attend Virginia Tech can pursue fields like engineering, criminal justice, education, and business.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

The majority of Virginia’s universities and colleges could be considered small schools, serving populations of less than 5,000 students. Included on this list are public schools, like Christopher Newport University in Newport News, and private schools, like Hampton University, a historically black university in Hampton. Though most of its higher education institutes charge tuition fees above the national average, Virginia offers several loan forgiveness programs for qualifying attorneys and medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical professionals.

Virginia is perhaps most famous for its rich history - but the state is also home to many unique museums and famous landmarks. For example, those who love the classics can visit the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond. Those who harbor romantic dreams of espionage and intrigue might visit the CIA Museum in McLean. And, if you like your attractions random, you could check out Virginia’s 300-yard-long natural tunnel or its 29-ton spinning granite ball. While you’re here, you might consider attending one of the 78 colleges located in the state.

Learn more about Virginia’s higher education opportunities by checking out the state’s many colleges and universities.


What are Virginia’s Colleges & Universities?

Virginia’s Best Overall

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

Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.

Have you considered what you will do with your online MBA degree after graduation? One of the 20 best degrees for working from home may be a solid career option.

An online MBA degree from one of the best programs in Virginia may also help you to beat the rise of automation and the replacement of humans in some industries. Find out what the 20 jobs of the future will be.

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Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia

  1. #1

    Virginia Tech

    Blacksburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1335/29

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Virginia Tech

    Cost of Degree: $17,083
    Expenses: $17,688
    Starting Salary: $105,212
    Salary after 4 years: $129,604
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)

    Concentrations

    • Cybersecurity
    • Healthcare Data and Leadership
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Global Immersion
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/26

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Virginia Commonwealth University

    Cost of Degree: $15,754
    Expenses: $19,239
    Starting Salary: $77,929
    Salary after 4 years: $95,996
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/24

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Old Dominion University

    Cost of Degree: $13,704
    Expenses: $17,780
    Starting Salary: $76,361
    Salary after 4 years: $94,065
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 40-45
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  4. #4

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $8,405
    Expenses: $19,987
    Starting Salary: $56,488
    Salary after 4 years: $69,181
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master's Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    Regent University

    Virginia Beach , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    32%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/22

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Regent University

    Cost of Degree: $17,628
    Expenses: $11,182
    Starting Salary: $62,219
    Salary after 4 years: $76,199
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master's Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  6. #7

    University of Mary Washington

    Fredericksburg , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1255/27

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at University of Mary Washington

    Cost of Degree: $11,778
    Expenses: $16,850
    Starting Salary: $88,121
    Salary after 4 years: $108,551
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  7. #8

    Longwood University

    Farmville , VA

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/23

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Longwood University

    Cost of Degree: $7,776
    Expenses: $18,156
    Starting Salary: $71,030
    Salary after 4 years: $87,498
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion time: 10 months
    • Format: Online
  8. #9

    Virginia Wesleyan University

    Virginia Beach , VA

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1277/28

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Virginia Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $8,982
    Expenses: $15,670
    Starting Salary: $60,172
    Salary after 4 years: $73,693
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  9. #10

    Mary Baldwin University

    Staunton , VA

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for MBA degree at Mary Baldwin University

    Cost of Degree: $13,170
    Expenses: $13,350
    Starting Salary: $53,896
    Salary after 4 years: $66,006
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  10. Online Master’s Degrees

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with MBA Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Business Administration And Management

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: Virginia (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $16,928
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,512
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $99,722
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 4 years
  • Job Growth: 4.86%
  • Number of Jobs: 11,888,900
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Chief Executives-8.21%$235,060
Computer and Information Systems Managers15.41%$172,760
Sales Managers4.06%$165,160
Compensation and Benefits Managers1.71%$155,670
Purchasing Managers4.39%$148,820

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$61,316$104,589$163,349

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Virginia5% higher than average$104,589
#2 New York5% higher than average$116,372
#3 Virginia5% higher than average$104,589
#4 Michigan15% higher than average$90,047
#5 Georgia13% higher than average$90,306
#6 Illinois7% higher than average$96,596

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Chief Executives$235,060
Computer and Information Systems Managers$172,760
Sales Managers$165,160

While there are a number of excellent online MBA programs in Virginia, students may choose to explore some of the online MBA programs in a neighboring state like Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia or even Washington, DC. An online education can be a great option no matter your state of residence.

If you’re still on the fence about the value of an online MBA degree, find out more about the pros and cons of going to graduate school.

Frequently Asked Questions About MBA Degrees

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. MBA degrees are excellent options for anyone needing business fundamentals covered while having the chance to study more in a selected concentration. An MBA in Marketing is different than a MS in Marketing because the MBA degree doesn’t assume previous business education, whereas the MS program likely would.

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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.

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Typically, online MBA degrees can be earned in about 2 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.

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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.

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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.

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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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