Our 2023 list of the Top 10 Online MBA Programs offered by colleges affiliated with the Catholic church. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara University | California |
| 2 | Villanova University | Pennsylvania |
| 3 | Creighton University | Nebraska |
| 4 | Marquette University | Wisconsin |
| 5 | Xavier University | Ohio |
| 6 | Loyola University New Orleans | Louisiana |
| 7 | University of Dayton | Ohio |
| 8 | University of Dallas | Texas |
| 9 | University of St. Thomas, Minnesota | Minnesota |
| 10 | Ohio Dominican University | Ohio |
Santa Clara University (SCU) is home to the Leavey School of Business (LSB or Leavey). Established in 1923, LSB achieved AACSB accreditation, becoming one of the first professional schools of business to be awarded this recognition. The LSB MBA program was recognized with accreditation in 1959, the Executive MBA was accredited in 1999, and in the same year it launched (2007), the Accelerated MBA received accreditation.
Among the MBA Programs at SCU is the Leavey MBA with a mobile app for 24/7 access from anywhere in the world. With the exception of two residency weekends, the program can be completed entirely online. Students have access to five concentrations including Data Science and Business Analytics; Marketing; Leading Innovative Organizations; Finance; and Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation.
Designed by Silicon Valley veterans, the curriculum for the SCU Leavey Online MBA is designed to help students become a Silicon Valley Professional (SVP). Course examples include Doing Business in Silicon Valley; Challenges in Leading and Managing Strategic Change; Marketing is Everything; Leading People and Organizations; Analytical Decision Making; Ethics for Managers; Analysis, Design, and Management of Enterprise Platforms; Business Analytics; Operations Management; and Business Communications.
Just a few online elective options include Tech Marketing: Winning Strategies for Effective Messaging; Data Science with Python; Alternative Investments: Partnerships and Venture Capital; Global Business Perspectives; Strategic Talent Management; New Product Innovation; Designing and Managing Dynamic Marketing Channels; Achieving Brand Leadership; and Mobile Marketing.
The Leavey Online MBA at Santa Clara University has four quarterly start dates (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer), and the program may be completed in as few as two years.
Graduates of the Online MBA program at Santa Clara University are prepared to pursue leadership positions in all industries. Program alumni have been hired at companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Tesla, IBM, Cisco, LinkedIn, GoPro, Mozilla, Adobe, eBay, Comerica Bank, and Dolby.
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University is a Jesuit institution situated in the heart of Silicon Valley. With 985 full- and part-time faculty members, SCU serves approximately 9,180 students enrolled in more than 50 majors, minors, and programs across six colleges and schools. Santa Clara University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Villanova University is home to Villanova School of Business (VSB), which houses five academic departments led by more than 120 faculty members. This AACSB accredited school provides seven majors, three co-majors, 10 minors, seven master’s degree programs, a post-MBA certificate, and a joint JD/MBA with Charles Widger School of Law (CWSL). VSB has also Executive and Professional MBA options. The Professional MBA can be completed on campus, online, or in hybrid or cohort format.
Students in all MBA programs may enroll in the General MBA Track or up to two (of seven) in-demand Specializations. Focus areas consist of 7.5 elective credits and students will earn a Digital Credential Badge upon successful completion of the required courses. Options include Sustainability, Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML), Business Analytics, Finance, International Business, Strategic Management, and Marketing.
Other VSB Online MBA features include the MBA Mentoring Program, which pairs students with a corporate partner or senior executive; 24/7 access to online research tools and resources; and one-on-one coaching; and speakers and presentations. Optional Global Travel experiences are also part of the program, with more than 60% of MBA students participating.
To graduate, VSB Online MBA students must complete three Capstones including Global Strategic Management, Social Enterprise Consulting Practicum, and the Global Practicum.
Villanova University hosts recruiters from 375 companies and more than 30 career and professional development programs specifically tailored to graduate business students. Across programs, Villanova graduates have been recruited by companies such as Goldman Sachs, Ernst & Young (EY), Johnson & Johnson, NBCUniversal, Ralph Lauren, Barclays, American Express, Deloitte, PwC, Deutsche Bank, Comcast, Morgan Stanley, CITI, McKinsey & Company, and 3M.
Villanova University was founded by the Order of St. Augustine in 1842. The school serves 9,800 students enrolled in more than 100 programs across six colleges and schools. Villanova University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Creighton University is home to Heider College of Business. Housed within the college is a fully online, AACSB-accredited MBA program with six concentrations. Students in this 33 credit hour program may also design their own concentration by taking multiple courses in one area, or they may add a graduate certificate or a second degree. Concentration areas include Financial Psychology and Behavioral Finance; Leadership; Personal Financial Planning; Accounting; Business Intelligence and Analytics; and Finance.
Graduate Certificates at Creighton University are 12-18 credit hours and include options such as Enterprise Risk Management, Business Analytics, Financial Psychology and Behavioral Science, Organizational Leadership, and Financial Planning.
Dual degree options include the MBA/MS Business Intelligence and Analytics, MBA/MS Organizational Leadership, MBA/MS Finance, and MBA/Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis (MIMFA). Students in all dual degree programs can complete two degrees in a shorter amount of time, and for less tuition. Dual degree programs can be completed in a hybrid format (combination of online and on-campus).
The Online MBA Program at Creighton University can be completed in less than 2.5 years—with or without a concentration or certificate. Graduates have gone on to become CEOs, Finance Managers, Project Managers, Marketing Managers, Operations Managers, and company Presidents and Vice Presidents. Program alumni have been recruited by companies such as Charles Schwab, Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific, TD Ameritrade, and ConAgra Foods.
Creighton University opened in 1878 with five Jesuits, two teachers, and 120 students. Today, this private Jesuit, Catholic university serves more than 8,700 students enrolled in 140+ programs leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies degrees. The degree programs at Creighton are housed across nine colleges and schools. Creighton University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Marquette University (Marquette or MU) is home to the AACSB-accredited Graduate School of Management, which has an Online MBA with zero on-campus or in-person requirements. Courses for the program are taught by the same faculty as MU’s on-campus program and GMAT/GRE waivers are available.
Program features include 12 credit hour specializations in Health Systems Management or Finance; collaborative projects; elective courses in five business concentrations (total 15 credit hours); and dedicated Student Success Coordinators. Students can select electives in Information Systems, Leadership and Management, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, or Human Resources. Elective examples include FinTech: Foundation & Applications, Human Capital Strategy, Corporate Advocacy, Global Marketing Strategy, and Character-Driven Leadership.
Students in the Online MBA Program at Marquette University will interact with peers, view lectures, and complete assignments on MU’s learning management system, D2L. Courses for the program are seven or eight weeks and include titles such as Concepts for Ethical Business Practice, Leading Innovation and Creativity, Corporate Social Responsibility, Leading People and Change, Enterprise Risk Management, and Leadership Coaching and Development.
With three start dates annually, the Online MBA program at Marquette University can be completed in as few as two years. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in areas such as Business Intelligence, Purchasing, Higher Education, Health and Medical Services, Consulting, Business Operations, Fashion Entertainment, Food and Beverage, Finance, Sports Management, and Marketing.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Uline, Northwestern Mutual, Aldi, Baird, and Direct Supply.
Named after Reverend Jacques Marquette, S.J., Marquette University opened on August 28, 1881 as a small liberal arts college for men. Today, this Catholic Jesuit university welcomes all genders. Serving approximately 10,750 students, MU provides more than 250 programs are provided across is 12 colleges and schools. Marquette University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Xavier University is home to Williams College of Business (WCB). This AACSB-accredited business school provides eight undergraduate majors, seven minors, and four master’s degree programs. Among the school’s graduate programs is an Online MBA that can be completed with as few as 1.5 years or up to three.
Depending on the student’s education background, the program will consist of 39-45 credit hours. Core classes for the program total 27 credits across a variety of business disciplines from Marketing Strategy to Information Systems. Students in the program have the opportunity to concentrate their studies through nine required elective credits. Examples include Innovation, Change and Entrepreneurship, Pricing, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Values Based Leadership. An optional Global Immersion Trip worth three credits is also part of the program.
While the WCB Online MBA at Xavier University can be completed online, many require participation at set times. Each three-credit course requires an eight-week commitment with summer sessions condensed to six weeks. Two courses may be completed in a 16-week time period, allowing students to focus on one course at a time. Online courses for the program utilize a portal that integrates discussion boards, prerecorded audio and video files, email exchanges, and video conferencing.
Graduates of the business programs at Xavier University enjoy a 98% employment, graduate school or volunteering rate within six months of graduation. Top employers include Deloitte, Fifth Third Bank, Grant Thornton, Macy’s, Fidelity, US Bank, Cintas, TQL, Gallagher, Paycor, Nielsen, and Kroger.
Founded in 1831 as a men’s college, Xavier University is the sixth-oldest Catholic and fourth-oldest Jesuit university in the United States. This private institution serves approximately 5,760 students enrolled in more than 90 undergraduate majors, 60+ minors, and over 40 graduate programs. The academic programs at Xavier are housed across the Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Nursing; Professional Sciences; and Williams College of Business. Xavier University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Loyola University New Orleans (Loyno) is home to the College of Business, which has several online options for professionals seeking a graduate business degree. Options include the MBA; MBA/Master of Pastoral Studies; MBA/Master of Criminology & Justice; and MBA/JD.
Students in all programs must complete the MBA Program Curriculum, which consists of 36-39 credit hours. This includes three to six credits of foundational coursework, 18 credits of functional core coursework, nine elective credits that can be applied toward an optional certificate, and six credit hours for the Dynamic Capstone. Certificates are awarded to students who complete a minimum of nine credits in areas such as Operations, Healthcare Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, or Finance.
The Dynamic Capstone is a combination of an experiential learning practicum and final capstone project, where students have the opportunity to work with a corporation, startup, or nonprofit. Throughout the capstone, students will collaborate with peers on the project and case analysis. Experiential consulting practicum options may include the Global Practicum (global immersion project), IdeaCorps MBA Consulting Challenge (entrepreneurial-focused competition where students help advance startups through various stages of development), or Non-Profit Consulting Practicum (live consulting experience with a non-profit organization).
Graduates of the Online MBA and Dual Degree programs at Loyola University New Orleans are prepared for advancement opportunities with their current employer or to pursue leadership positions such as Operations Manager or Director, Faith-Based Healthcare Leader, Public Policy Advocate, Business Consultant, Nonprofit Director, VP for Mission Integration, Investment Fund Manager, Health Services Manager, Account Executive, Marketing Manager or Director, Agency Director, Non-Profit Executive, Financial Manager, and Entrepreneur.
Established in 1904 as Loyola College, Loyola University New Orleans is a private, Jesuit university that serves approximately 4,550 students enrolled in close to 150 programs across five colleges and Loyola Online. Situated on 24 acres across from Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo, Loyola University New Orleans is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Loyno is also a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities (AJCU).
The School of Business Administration at University of Dayton (UD) provides several flexible paths to earn an MBA. The On-Campus MBA has convenient evening classes for working professionals. The Online MBA (MBA@Dayton) provides the most flexibility, with options for every experience level. A One-Year Online MBA is designed for students who have earned a Business Bachelor’s within the last seven years. This option consists of 30-31.5 credits and it can be completed in 12 months.
An Accelerated Online MBA is designed for students who have earned a Business Bachelor’s more than seven years ago or those with at least eight years of related work experience. This option consists of 31.5-39 credits and it takes 15-18 months to complete. Finally, an Online Foundational MBA is available and designed for students with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-business field. Consisting of 36-45 credits, this program takes 18-24 months to complete.
All options are AACSB accredited and include networking opportunities through required Immersions (students must attend at least two); group workshops; in-person collaborative learning experiences; two concentrations (Marketing and Business Analytics); and interactions with business leaders. Coursework is interactive and accessible 24/7, and includes case studies and video lectures. Live weekly classes allow students to develop relationships with professors and peers.
Course examples across options include Information Technology and Systems; Leadership, Strategy and Stakeholder Management; Performance Measurement and Control Systems Perspective; Digital Marketing; Business Analytics; Information Systems and Business Decisions; Corporate Finance; and Principled Organization: Integrating Faith, Ethics and Work.
Graduates of the Online MBA programs at University of Dayton are prepared for advancement opportunities in with their current employers or to pursue leadership positions in all industries. Recent UD graduates have been hired by the US Army and the US AirForce; at Amazon, Deloitte, Fidelity Investments, Cleveland Clinic, GE Aerospace, EY, Fifth Third Bank, DHL, JP Morgan Chase; and Reynolds and Reynolds, Total Quality Logistics, AmeriCorps, Parker Hannifin, Centerville City Schools, TEKsystems, RSM, and University of Dayton.
University of Dayton was founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary (Marianists) as St. Mary's School for Boys. The school opened in a frame building with just 14 students. Today, UD sits on nearly 400 acres and it serves approximately 11,770 students. Around 280 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, minors, and certificate programs are available across five colleges and schools. University of Dayton has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928.
University of Dallas (UD) is home to Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business. Established in 1966 as UD’s Graduate School of Management (GSM), the College is AACSB-accredited and provides undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degree programs to more than 1,500 students. Programs are AACSB accredited and taught at the main campus in Irving, Texas, and UD’s ten-acre Eugene Constantin Campus, just outside of Rome, Italy.
Among UD Gupta’s graduate programs is an Online MBA with seven concentrations. Options include Cybersecurity, Strategic Leadership, Business Analytics, Healthcare Analytics, Finance, Supply Chain, and Marketing. With a concentration, the program requires 39-42 credit hours. Without a concentration, students are required to complete 30 credit hours (10 classes).
The Online MBA Program culminates with a Capstone Consulting Experience. To date, University of Dallas MBA students have completed more than 900 projects for 500+ companies, including Fortune 1000 firms, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures. Examples of past clients include Pepsi, Neiman Marcus, COX, The City of Dallas, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), United Way, Fujitsu, JCPenney, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The Online MBA at University of Dallas can be completed in 1-2 years without a concentration and in 2-3 years with a concentration. In addition to 100% online delivery, the program provides the option to complete coursework in a hybrid (online and on-campus) format.
Graduates of the MBA Program at University of Dallas hold positions in many different industries across the U.S. and around the world. Alumni are Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Computer and Information Systems Managers, Chief Information Officers (CIOs), High-End Management Consultants, Chief Information Security Officer (CISOs), Marketing or Sales Managers, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), IT Directors, Health Services Managers, Financial Managers, and Investment Fund Managers.
Founded in 1956, University of Dallas is one of just 23 Catholic universities in the country to earn a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. This private, co-educational, liberal arts university serves approximately 2,330 students from 49 states and 16 countries. Students at UD have access to 29 undergraduate majors and dozens of graduate programs across two colleges and one school. University of Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota (UST) houses Opus College of Business, home to the Part-Time Flex MBA. This program can be completed 100% online, in-person or a combination of the two (hybrid). Other program features include the opportunity to customize the degree through 8-12 elective courses and/or graduate certificates; participation in an optional global experience; partnerships with U.S. Bank, UnitedHealth Group (UHG), and API; and a choose-your-own pace that allows students to complete the program in as few as two years or up to seven.
Elective examples include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Emerging Technology for Improved Decision Making, Brand Management, Leading Self and Others, Compliance Programming, Emerging Tech in Business, and Supply Chain Synchronization.
Graduate certificates include Digital Experience; Innovation, Technology and Analytics; Omnichannel Strategy; Marketing Communications; Strategic Risk and Responsibility; Business Analytics; Global Business; and Strategic Growth. Students also have the option to customize their own certificate based on their career goals.
All UST Online MBA students must complete 11 required courses (22.5 credits). Courser examples include Operations Strategy, Business Ethics Foundations, Marketing Frameworks, Statistical Methods for Decision Making, and Entrepreneurial Thinking. At the end of the program, students will have completed 45 credit hours of study.
Approximately 97% of University of St. Thomas, Minnesota graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Graduates of the Online MBA are prepared to pursue advancement opportunities in their current careers or leadership positions in just about every industry.
Serving more than 9,000 students across campuses in St. Paul, downtown Minneapolis and Rome, Italy, University of St. Thomas – Minnesota is the largest private university in Minnesota and one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation. Founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, UST began as a high school, college, and seminary. The school provides more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors, and 55+ graduate programs across eight colleges and schools. The University of St. Thomas, Minnesota has maintained continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1916.
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) houses the Division of Business, which has an MBA program that can be completed 100% online or a combination of online and one evening a week on campus. Seven concentrations are available including Healthcare Administration, Data Analytics, Risk Management, Finance, Accounting, Leadership, and Sport Management. Concentrations require six additional credit hours. Students have the option to complete a General MBA (no concentration), which requires just two additional courses from any area.
The ODU Online MBA core consists of 36 credit hours. Course examples include Ethics & Social Responsibility, Management of Information Systems, Global Business Enterprise & Trade Issues, Quantitative Business Analytics, and Managerial Finance. Across concentrations, course examples include Marketing and Public Relations in Healthcare, Econometric Modeling, Enterprise Risk Management, International Financial Management, Financial Statement Analysis, Conflict Management & Negotiation Strategies for Leaders, Sport Marketing and Consumer Behavior, and Advanced Supply Chain Management.
The Online MBA at Ohio Dominican University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP). The GMAT is not required for admission and the program can be completed in as few as 16 months. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all industries.
Founded in 1911, Ohio Dominican University is Central Ohio’s only Catholic University. This private, liberal arts school serves 1,280 students enrolled in 42 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degree programs. Ohio Dominican University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
