Our 2023 list of the Top 10 Online MBA Programs in the Southwest. We define the Southwest as Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University | Arizona |
| 2 | Rice University | Texas |
| 3 | University of Texas at Dallas | Texas |
| 4 | University of Arizona | Arizona |
| 5 | Baylor University | Texas |
| 6 | University of Utah | Utah |
| 7 | Colorado State University | Colorado |
| 8 | Oklahoma State University | Oklahoma |
| 9 | University of Colorado Denver | Colorado |
| 10 | University of Denver | Colorado |
Arizona State University (ASU) is home to W.P. Carey School of Business. Faculty come from six continents around the globe and students here represent more than 100 countries. Within W.P. Carey School of Business is the first fully online MBA program offered by an AACSB-accredited business school. With just one required in-person meeting at the beginning of the program, the W.P. Carey Online MBA consists of 17 courses (49 credit hours). This includes the required core (Ethical Issues for Managers); 43 credit hours of electives; and the culminating experience (Strategic Management) worth three credits.
Courses are five weeks each and students may take one class at a time. Course examples include Create and Deliver Customer Value: Marketing Management; Organizational Theory: Leading People, Teams and Organization; Decisions, Market Structure and Games: Managerial Economics; Financial Performance Reporting; and Finance: The Art of Managing Resources.
Elective examples include Advanced Corporate Finance, Global Business Environment, Project Management, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, and Management of Technology and Innovation. Online MBA students at ASU W.P. Carey also have the option to choose a concentration. Examples include International Business, Entrepreneurship, Business Data Analytics, Leadership, Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Marketing.
Other program features include small class sizes, case-based team projects, an inclusive online environment, and the option to earn two degrees in less time and at a lower cost. Dual online degree options include the MBA/MSE in Electrical Engineering, the MBA/Master of Legal Studies, and the MBA/MS in Industrial Engineering.
Graduates of the MBA Programs at Arizona State University are prepared for careers in industries such as Business, STEM and Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, and Communications. Program alumni are routinely hired by major companies such as Northrop Grumman, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, the United States Postal Service, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Bayer, FedEx, Honeywell, Apple, Michelin North America, Bank of America, Intel, American Express, Nestle, Capital One Financial Corporation, Walmart, CVS Health, and Dell.
Arizona State University opened on Feb. 8, 1886 as Territorial Normal School (TNS)—the state’s first higher education institution. On the first day of class, the TNS welcomed 33 students to a four-classroom building in Tempe. Today, ASU serves approximately 142,635 students enrolled in more than 800 degree programs across four campuses, 16 colleges and schools, and ASU Online. Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Rice University is home to the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, which has an AACSB-accredited Online MBA program known as the MBA@Rice. With an emphasis on entrepreneurship, the program includes access to the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which hosts workshops, classes, competitions, and networking events. MBA@Rice students will also have opportunities to pitch to investors and advance their startups at the Rice Business Plan Competition—the world’s largest intercollegiate startup event.
Other program features include 100% online assignments that include real-world case studies, video simulations, and collaborative projects; meetings with faculty members and peers each week for live, face-to-face class sessions over Zoom; and Global Field Experiences (GFE), which allow students to connect with peers, faculty, and mentors in locations around the world.
Students also benefit from small class sizes, which allow for more one-on-one attention from professors; access to advanced electives such as Optimizing The Workforce of the Future and Strategic Innovation and Competitive Advantage; and seven focus areas, allowing students to develop skills in a number of in-demand areas. Options include Corporate Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Corporate Finance, Marketing, Investment Management, and Energy.
The Online MBA Program at Rice University requires 54 total credits, including 36 core credits, 12 elective credits, three credits of Residential Intensive Learning Experiences (ILEs), and three additional credits of electives, ILEs or Global Field Experiences (GFEs). ILEs consist of a variety of seminars, guided leadership exercises, simulations, and immersions that bring students face-to-face with faculty, industry leaders, and peers. Domestic ILEs are often held at the Rice University campus in Houston. GFEs include intersessions, optional seminars, and study abroad opportunities .
Exams for the Online MBA at Rice University are held during the final week of each semester. Students can expect to complete the program in 24 months.
MBA@Rice graduates enjoy a 97% employment rate within three months of graduation Program alumni are often hired in the Technology, Consulting, Petroleum/Energy, and Financial sectors. Some top employers of MBA@Rice graduates include IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, Deloitte, HP, Google, McKinsey & Company, Accenture, GE, Apple, BCG, Chevron, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Ernst & Young (EY), Dell, Barclays, and ConocoPhillips, HP, Deutsche Bank, EDP Renewables, Shell, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, ExxonMobil, McKinsey & Company, and North Highland Management Consulting.
Rice University was chartered on May 18, 1891 as the William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art. When the Institute finally opened in 1912, it welcomed 77 students and a dozen instructors. Today, Rice University employs approximately 900 faculty members that serve 8,565 students. More than 75 programs are available across seven schools. Rice University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is home to Naveen Jindal School of Management. With more than 11,000 students and 60+ student organizations, Jindal is the largest of UT Dallas’ eight schools. Within Jindal School of Management is an AACSB-accredited MBA Program with multiple delivery options. For students seeking the most flexible option, Jindal has an Online Professional MBA (PMBA) Program that can be completed in as few as 16 months or up to 72 months.
Students in this program have access to nine concentrations, 59 elective course options, and five MS/MBA combinations. Some MS options are STEM-designated. Students in these programs are eligible for three years of (OPT) Optional Practical Training after graduation. Online PMBA concentrations require 12 credit hours and include options such as Business Analytics, Information Technology Management, Marketing, Internal Audit, and Healthcare Leadership Management.
The Online MBA Program at University of Texas at Dallas allows students to pursue an academic certificates through the Executive Education area. Options include Executive and Professional Coaching, Strategic HR, Organizational Consulting, Transformational Leadership, and Project Management. Courses completed as part of an academic certificate can be used as elective coursework toward the MBA degree.
While the UT Dallas Online PMBA does not require campus visits, students are encouraged to participate in the school's International Study Program. Options include semester-long, summer, or 10-day experiences in places such as the Middle East, Asia, Central America, Europe, and South America.
Graduates of the MBA Programs at UT Dallas enjoy a 90% placement rate within 90 days of graduation. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Deloitte, Wells Fargo, Proctor & Gamble, Amazon, Toyota, Dell J.P. Morgan, FedEx, Nestle, Verizon, Hewlett Packard, Intel, SpaceX, Texas Instruments, and Fossil.
University of Texas at Dallas opened in the 1960s as the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest. Established by the owners of Texas Instruments, UT Dallas is an official member of the University of Texas System. The school serves 31,570 students enrolled in more than 140 degree programs across eight schools. University of Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
University of Arizona (UA) is home to Eller College of Management. One of the 20 colleges at UA, Eller serves approximately 6,600 students enrolled in 26 academic programs, including a flexible 100% Online MBA (OMBA). Known as the Eller OMBA, this program provides 24/7 access to coursework and assignments, allowing students to complete the program on their own time.
With six starts per year (every eight weeks), the AACSB-accredited Eller OMBA has seven concentrations including Entrepreneurship, Health Care Management, Marketing, Management and Organizations, Finance, Privacy and Security, and Healthcare Informatics. The program requires 45 credits, including 28 core units and 17 elective units. Courses are completed across two sessions per semester. In general, each session offers two core courses and a minimum of two electives.
Students in the UA Eller Online MBA can decide how many courses to take at a time, so the program may be completed in as few as 14 months or up to 48. Course examples for the program include Marketing of Innovations, Applied Business Statistics, Communication Management, Leadership in Organizations, Managing Ethics in Organizations, Business Strategy, and Strategic Management of Information Systems.
To enhance the degree, Eller provides the opportunity for Online MBA students to participate in a Global Experience with Full-time or Evening MBA students. Experiences take place in business environments from Brazil and Chile to Singapore.
Graduates of the Eller OMBA Program at University of Arizona enjoy an 86% employment rate within 90 days of graduation. Top employer’s include Microsoft, American Express, T-Mobile, Procter & Gamble, Intel, Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD), Republic Services, and Gore.
University of Arizona was established in 1885, making it the first university in the state. A land-grant institution, UA opened with just a few students. Today, the school serves approximately 51,135 students, making it one of Arizona’s largest post-secondary institutions. UArizona provides more than 300 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in 150+ areas of study. Programs are housed across 20 colleges and nearly two dozen specialized schools. University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Baylor University (BU) is home to Hankamer School of Business (HSB), which houses an AACSB-accredited MBA program that can be completed in as few as 12 months. This accelerated, fully online program has four in-demand concentration options including Cybersecurity, Executive Communication, Global Trade and Supply Chain Management, and Marketing. Students may also pursue a General MBA, which explores all areas of business.
Course examples include Management Communication, Business Intelligence, Strategic Management and Business Policy, Business Analytics for Decision Making, Business Frameworks, Data Warehousing, Management Information Systems, Corporate Finance, Management of Organizational Behavior, and Business Intelligence.
Depending on the student’s academic background, 48-60 credit hours of study must be completed to graduate. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to pursue leadership positions in business, finance, consulting, or in their area of specialization. Graduates enjoy an 94% placement rate 90 days after graduation.
Baylor University MBA and Business alumni have been hired at Amazon, Dell, Google, Pepsi, Meta Platforms, Inc., Bank of America, AT&T, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), USAA, Atos, PwC, Nasdaq, ExxonMobil, McLane, , GE, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Dell, H-E-B, Textron, Capital One, Baylor Scott & White, BASF, HCA Healthcare, and SAS Software.
Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor University is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Serving approximately 20,710 students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries, this Christian University provides 250+ degree programs across 12 academic divisions. Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Founded in 1917, David Eccles School of Business at University of Utah (The U) provides access to 10 institutes, centers, and initiatives, more than 40 undergraduate, specialized master’s, MBA, PhD, minor, and certificate programs, and a network of more than 42,000 alumni worldwide. Among the school’s programs is an AACSB-accredited Online MBA that can be completed in 24-46 months.
Program features include 24/7 access to courses and lectures through a customized mobile-optimized platform; degree customization through 15 elective credits; access to corporate partners such as Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, L3 Technologies, Celtic Bank, Inflash, and University of Utah Health; GMAT/GRE waivers; and opportunities to interact with faculty and peers in a weekly live web-conferencing session. Students may also interact with others during one three-day on-campus residency. Online forums and multimedia are also part of the program as well as the option to select a mix of online and on-campus classes at any time.
Consisting of 48 credit hours, the Online MBA at University of Utah features elective courses across Operations and Information, Finance, Management and Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Operations and Information, Accounting, and Marketing. Elective examples include Cybersecurity Management, Lassonde Venture Programs, Cases in Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis, Brand Management, SQL Intensive, Competitive Advantage Through People, Digital Marketing and Analytics, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Python Programming, and Machine Learning for Business Applications.
Online MBA students may also choose the International Trip Elective that explores current issues in international business. Past destinations include Johannesburg, South Africa; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Shanghai, China; Seoul, South Korea; Beijing and Tianjin, China; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Eccles Online MBA students may specialize in several other areas by adding a graduate certificate. Options include Cybersecurity Management, Business Analytics, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Information Systems. The option to complete a concurrent degree is also available. Options include MBA/Masters of Healthcare Administration/ MBA/Information Systems MS; and MBA/Finance MS.
More than 60% of Eccles Online MBA students report receiving a promotion while in the program (with an average 98% salary increase), 15% receive a salary increase before graduating, and graduates enjoy a near 88% employment rate within three months of graduating. While program alumni are prepared to pursue leadership positions in all industries, many graduates go on to work in Technology, Finance, Healthcare, Consulting, and Consumer Packed Goods.
Founded in 1850, The U is Utah’s public flagship institution and a top-tier research university. University of Utah serves approximately 34,425 students, enrolled in more than 200 programs across 18 colleges and school, and nearly 100 departments. University of Utah has maintained its accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) continuously since 1933.
Established in 1960, Colorado State University’s (CSU) College of Business pioneered MBA distance work through the mail and via VHS tape. In the 1990s, the College began offering Online MBA courses. Today, CSU College of Business has an MBA Program that can be completed 100% online in the evenings via Mosaic (CSU’s Online Learning Platform) or anytime of the day or night through lecture capture videos. The Online MBA with Mosaic requires just one two-day, face-to-face orientation, while the video option does not require any campus visits.
The Online MBA Program at CSU focuses on management and leadership. Course examples for the program include Dynamic Decision Making, Supply Chain Management, Building and Leading Exceptional Teams, Project Management: Information Technology, International Business, Self-Leadership in Organizations, Information Management, Ethical Leadership Symposium, and Corporate Risk Management.
The Online MBA at Colorado State University also explores innovation, finance, data analytics, and using business for a better world. Forty-two credits are required, with 40% dedicated to electives. This allows students to customize the program to meet their individual goals. For additional credentials, students may add a certificate in an area such as IT Project Management or Marketing Management. In addition, a Marketing Data Analytics Specialization is available via streamed digital media.
While the CSU Online MBA is provided in a flexible, distance format, all students have the opportunity to participate in the International Business Experience. This five- to 10-day, one-credit elective can be completed in the summer or winter in places such as Chile, Greece, India, Croatia, Portugal, or Spain.
With five start dates each year, the CSU Online MBA requires professional work experience. The GMAT and GRE scores are not required for admission and the program. Students can complete the program in as few as 21 months up to five years.
More than 80% of Colorado State University Online MBA graduates report at least a $10,000 raise after completing the program. Examples of career opportunities include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), VP of Supply Chain, Information Technology Director, Operations Director, Health Services Manager, Business Intelligence and Analytics Director, Marketing Director, Nonprofit Executive Director, Investment Banker, High-End Management Consultant, and Business Owner.
Founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College, Colorado State University is a public Tier 1 Research university and part of the three-school Colorado State University System. With a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students, CSU provides over 250 programs across eight colleges and the Graduate School. Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Watson Graduate School of Management at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is home to Spears School of Business. Accredited by AACSB International since 1958, Spears houses the Department of Business Administration, which has a flexible, part-time MBA Program for full-time working professionals. Available 100% online, the program can be completed in as few as 16 months.
Consisting of 33 credit hours, the Spears Online MBA allows students to customize a General MBA through electives or add a Graduate Certificate. More than a dozen certificate options are available 100% online. Examples include Business Analytics and Data Science, Business Sustainability, Human Resource Management, Health Analytics, and Nonprofit Management.
Elective examples include the Study Abroad Entrepreneurship; Ideation, Creativity & Innovation; Designing, Prototyping, and Testing Creative Products; Entrepreneurship and The Arts; Data Mining and Customer Relationship Management Applications; Social Media Strategies; Growing Small and Family Ventures Advanced SAS Programming for Marketing Analytics; Global Competitive Environment; Sport Management; Energy Finance; and Launching a Business: The First 100 Days.
Graduates of Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University enjoy a 96% employment rate within six months of graduation. Examples of companies that have hired Spears graduates include Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, Apex Systems, Ernst & Young (EY), Amazon, Verizon, ConocoPhillips, PwC, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, HP, Apple, Love’s Travel Stops, Uline, Alaska Airlines, Wells Fargo, General Motors, Walmart Corporate, Dell, American Airlines, Enterprise, PepsiCo, and T-Mobile.
Established on December 25, 1890, Oklahoma State University is a five-campus system that houses seven academic colleges, a veterinary school, an osteopathic medical school, and several centers and institutes. This land-grant university serves more than 35,000 students enrolled in approximately 325 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Programs at OSU are housed across seven academic colleges, a veterinary school, and an osteopathic medical school.
The Business School at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has been providing business training to students for more than 30 years. This AACSB accredited school has an MBA Program that features access to 300+ business partners, more than 100 networking events, and the option to attend online, on-campus or a combination of the two (hybrid).
The hybrid MBA Programs require at least two in-person meetings per term, on weekends, and participation in one international immersion. The Online Professional MBA is CU Denver’s most flexible MBA Program. This 45 credit hour option features an optional Global Experience; more than 100 elective courses; career workshops and access to the Business Career Center team for life; Fall, Spring, and Summer starts; and 15 specializations, including six that are fully online.
Specialization examples include Bioinnovation and Entrepreneurship, Business Intelligence, Sports and Entertainment, Managing for Sustainability, International Business, Entrepreneurship, and Information Systems.
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admission to the Online Professional MBA Program and students can complete the program in as few as 16 months or as much as five years.
Graduates of the Business School at University of Colorado are prepared to pursue leadership positions in all industries. Across all graduate programs, students enjoy a near 80% employment rate within three months of graduation. Alumni have been recruited by companies such as Charles Schwab, KPMG, Arrow Electronics, S&P Global, Centura Health, First Bank, DaVita, Graebel, Plante Moran, Ball Corporation, and Marketo.
University of Colorado Denver opened in 1912 as an extension of the University of Colorado Boulder . The school became CU Denver in 1973, making it an independent campus. Organized into seven colleges and schools, University of Colorado Denver serves more than 15,000 students enrolled in approximately 115 degree programs. University of Colorado Denver is accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
University of Denver (DU) houses Daniels College of Business. Established in 1908 and continuously accredited by the AACSB since 1923, Daniels is the nation’s eighth oldest business school. Within the school are eight majors, 13 minors, nearly a dozen graduate options, and a variety of executive education workshops, short courses, and customized programs. All options combine business fundamentals with hands-on experiences via simulations, practicum projects, and interactions with professionals around the globe.
For professionals seeking a flexible program, Daniels College of Business has an Online MBA Program known as MBA@Denver. Program features include GMAT waivers, convenient January, March, June, and September start dates, and opportunities to network with more than 37,000 Daniels alumni through mentoring, company tours, and informational interviews.
Other program features include 10-week quarters, live on-screen classes, self-paced coursework, two required in-person domestic or global immersions, LinkedIn Premium benefits, and career support.
MBA@Denver Immersions allow students to travel to domestic and global destinations to meet peers, mingle with business leaders, and tour companies. During these three-day events, students will also work in group workshops to solve business problems. International immersions allow students to take an optional extension course, which includes five additional days to travel, engage with local businesses, and meet with local speakers. Possible locations include London, Paris, Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, and Norway.
The Online MBA at University of Denver requires 60 credit hours including 13 required foundation courses, 16 elective course options, and one real-world capstone course. Three concentrations are available and include Finance, Executive Leadership, and Marketing. Students living near DU may explore on-ground concentrations such as Real Estate and the Built Environment, Business Analytics, and Accounting.
A Customized concentration option is also available. Students in this option may select courses from a variety of electives to create a focus area that suits their goals.
Course examples for the MBA@Denver include Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset, Leading with Integrity, Supply Chain Management, Marketing for Social Impact, CEO Toolbox, Business Data and Analytics, Managerial Economics, and Financial Planning and Analysis. Students can expect to complete the Online MBA program at University of Denver in as few as 21 months.
Nearly 70% of MBA@Denver graduates receive a promotion and close to 90% receive raises within four months of completing the program. Program alumni work in areas such as Energy, Government and Military, Health, Transportation, Banking, and Consumer Goods and Services. Within these industries, students have worked in roles such as C-Suite Executive (CEO, CFO, COO), Director, Marketing and Sales Manager, Analyst, Vice President of Finance, and Program Manager.
Founded in 1864 as the Colorado Seminary, University of Denver is the oldest independent higher education institution in the Rocky Mountain West. The school serves 12,000 students enrolled in more than 220 programs across 12 colleges and schools. University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
