Our 2014 list of the Top 20 Online MBA Programs offered by schools on the West Coast of the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
Washington State University’s Carson College of Business offers a 36-credit-hour online MBA and a 44-credit-hour online Executive MBA (EMBA). The online MBA program offers three concentrations – Marketing, Finance, and International Business, and may completed in as little as 22 months. Students without a bachelor’s degree in business may have to take up to 17 additional credit hours, which will increase their completion time.
The online EMBA consists of Marketing-Marketing Management and Administrative Policy, Finance-Problems in Financial Management, Management Information Systems-Information Systems Analysis, Business Administration-Business Analytics, and Accounting-Administrative Control. The EMBA program, which also offers the opportunity to travel to China for a week-long residency, may be completed in as little 18 months. Both the online MBA and EMBA are AACSB International-accredited.
2. Pepperdine University, Malibu, California
The Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University offers an online MBA program that features four elective concentrations. Students may choose between Finance, General Management, Leadership and Managing Organizational Change, and Marketing. Accredited by AACSB International, the 52-credit-hour program takes as little as two years to complete.
3. California State University-Dominguez Hills, Carson, California
The College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) at California State University-Dominguez Hills offers a professional MBA program that may be completed 100% online. The 30 to 33-credit-hour program features seven concentrations including Finance, General Business, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, International Business, Management, and Marketing Management. Students also have the option to earn a Certificate in Logistics Management or Marketing.
Enrollment in the program takes place four times each year in spring, summer, fall #1, and fall #2. Each session is scheduled in 12-week intervals and students typically complete two courses per session. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the online MBA program at CBAPP takes around 18 months to complete.
4. University of La Verne, La Verne, California
The College of Business and Public Management (CBPM) at the University of La Verne offers an MBA that may be completed online, on ground, or a combination of both. According to CBPM, the 36-credit-hour program “is structured to assist students in the transition from theory to practice, so students can capitalize on their investment immediately, as well as through their careers.” At this time, the online option offers one concentration: Management & Leadership.
The University of La Verne is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
5. California State University – Stanislaus, Turlock, California
The College of Business Administration at California State University – Stanislaus offers a 33-credit-hour MBA program that may be completed entirely online. The Online Master of Business Administration (OMBA) program utilizes Skype video conferencing, Elluminate! Live virtual classroom sessions, and online office hours to deliver coursework and connect students with the programs Sloan Consortium-certified instructors. Students can expect to complete the AACSB International-accredited program in less than two years.
6. Brandman University, Irvine, California
Brandman University offers a 36 to 48-credit-hour MBA program that may be completed entirely online or via a blended (on-campus and online) format. Either format may be customized by choosing electives in the areas of Accounting, E-Business Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Administration, Human Resources, International Business, Marketing or Organizational Leadership. Courses for the online MBA program and the blended MBA are eight weeks in length and they are offered six times year round.
Brandman University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
7. California Baptist University, Riverside California
California Baptist University Online (CBU Online) offers a 36-credit-hour MBA program that features two delivery formats—online and hybrid. According to the university, “the primary objective of the MBA program is to provide graduate students with a Christ-centered business education that is rigorous and designed to prepare students to effectively lead organizations, implement change, and manage business affairs with conviction and in a manner that is honoring to God.” According to a specialized education, the program offers small classes, the latest distance learning tools, and “experiential learning through practical application of theory.”
California Baptist University's online MBA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
8. University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
The College of Business at the University of Wyoming (UW) offers an online MBA program that consists of 30 credit hours of coursework. The cohort-based program begins each fall semester and there are no required visits to the UW campus. Accredited by AACSB International, the UW Online MBA takes just two years to complete.
9. City University of Seattle, Seattle Washington
The School of Management at City University of Seattle offers an MBA program with nine emphasis areas. Options include Accounting, Change Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Management, Global Marketing, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Sustainable Business, and Technology Management. The 48-credit-hour program is also available via "mixed-mode,” which allows students to complete part of the degree in class and part online.
The online MBA program at City University of Seattle is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
10. Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, Oregon
The School of Business at Marylhurst University offers an MBA program that may be completed in as few as 18 months. The accelerated program format features short five-week sessions. Specializations include General Management, Marketing, and Nonprofit Management. Degrees include an MBA in Health Care Management, an MBA in Real Estate and an MBA in Sustainable Business. Students have the option to complete any specialization or degree entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. The online program does not have any residency requirements.
All business degree programs at Marylhurst University carry specialized accreditation from the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
11. National University, San Diego, California
The School of Business and Management at National University offers an online MBA program with nine optional specializations. Options include Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Integrated Marketing Communication, International Business, Management Accounting, Marketing, Mobile Marketing and Social Media, Organizational Leadership, and Professional Golf Management. The program, which requires 63 to 76.5 quarter units to graduate, also offers non-credit, self-paced, and self-study courses online and free of charge for registered MBA students.
Students are welcome to visit any of the schools 12+ campuses located across the state of California, but campus visits for the program are not required. The online business programs at National University are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Schools (IACBE).
12. California InterContinental University, Diamond Bar, California
California Intercontinental University offers an online MBA program that does not require any campus visits. The program consists of 45 credit hours of study and six areas of emphasis. Options include Finance, Healthcare Management and Leadership, Information Systems and Knowledge Management, International Management and Marketing, Organizational Development and Human Resource Management, and Project and Quality Management. The online program (with an emphasis) typically takes two years to complete. However, with transfer credits and by taking classes simultaneously, students may complete the program in as little as 18 months. Students that prefer a slower pace have the option to complete the program in four years (or more).
California Intercontinental University is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) and it is a recognized Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) member institution.
13. Corban University, Salem, Oregon
The Hoff School of Business at Corban University offers an online MBA that may be completed in as little as 16 months. The program utilizes the online learning platform Converge and there are no face-to-face requirements. Students may focus on one class at a time during short five-week sessions. This allows students to take one semester off "without losing the entire semester," according to the school. Tracks for the 36-credit-hour program include Management, Human Resources, and Non-Profit Management.
Corban University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
14. Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California
The Edward S. Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University offers an MBA program that may be completed online, with the exception of at least one supervised (proctored) exam per term. Students may also mix in-person and online courses (Mixed Mode) or take traditional in-person courses that also use the online platform to facilitate some course activities or deliver content (WebEnhanced). Optional concentrations for the 48-credit-hour online MBA program include Accounting, Finance, Global Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, IT Management, International Business, Marketing, Project Management, and Public Administration.
Golden Gate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
15. Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho
The School of Business at Northwest Nazarene University offers an MBA program that may be completed entirely online. The generalist program in business administration requires 42 credits to graduate and it offers five areas of emphasis including Finance, Global Business, Healthcare, Leadership, and Operations Management. Students will enroll in two 8-week courses at a time, which will allow them to complete the program in as few as 16 months.
The online MBA at Northwest Nazarene University’s School of Business is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).
16. Touro University, Los Alamitos, California
The Graduate School of Business at Touro University offers a Master of Business Administration that may be completed entirely online. The online MBA program has seven concentration options including Accounting, Finance, Global Management, Health Administration Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Nonprofit Management (for Jewish Leadership). The 36-credit-hour program allows students to “adjust their course load from one academic term to another,” according to the school. This means, students may complete the program in as few as two years.
The online MBA at Touro University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
17. United States University, Chula Vista, California
United States University offers an online MBA program that consists of 36-credit-hours of study, small class sizes, and just one prerequisite course requirement for students who have not completed an undergraduate degree in Business. Full-time students with no interruptions in enrollment can expect to complete the program in just three semesters (12 months). United States University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
18. Boise State University, Boise, Idaho
The College of Business and Economics at Boise State University offers a 49-credit-hour online MBA designed to be completed in two years. However, students may finish the program as quickly as one year. The online MBA “uses 100% digital content,” according to the school, with each course lasting seven weeks. Students can expect to take courses such as Marketing Strategy, Corporate Finance, Managing Successful Projects, and Global Economics: Policy and Trade.
Boise State’s graduate business degrees are accredited by the international Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The school’s business program is the only AACSB International-accredited graduate business program in Treasure Valley.
19. California State University - San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California
The College of Business and Public Administration at California State University – San Bernardino offers an online MBA program that requires 12 courses and 48 quarter-units to graduate. Students are required to take three elective courses (12 hours). Elective offerings include, but are not limited to, Financial Reporting and Disclosure, Managing Human Resources, Managing and Leading Global Business, and Global Supply Chain Management and Logistics.
Students may complete two courses per quarter, including summer, which allows them to finish the program in just 18 months.
The College of Business and Public Administration at California State University - San Bernardino is fully accredited by AACSB International.
20. Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii Pacific University’s College of Business Administration offers an online MBA program, a Hybrid MBA, and a Hybrid/On Base MBA. All delivery formats feature 12 concentration options including Accounting, E-Business, Economics, Finance, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Marketing, Organizational Change and Development, and Travel Industry Management. The 42-credit-hour program features a one-course-at-a-time schedule taught in condensed eight-week terms. This allows students to “fully concentrate” on one course at a time.
Hawaii Pacific University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
