| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg |
| 2 | William & Mary | Williamsburg |
| 3 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk |
| 4 | Liberty University | Lynchburg |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond |
Our 2019 rankings of the Top 5 Online MBA Programs in Virginia. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
The College of Business at James Madison University (JMU) offers two online MBA programs including the Information Security MBA and the Executive Leadership MBA. The Information Security MBA consists of 42 credit hours and takes around 28 months to complete, including summers. This AACSB-accredited program is part-time and requires just one Saturday residency every eight weeks in McLean, Virginia.
The 42 credit hour Executive Leadership MBA requires one Saturday residency every four weeks in McLean, Virginia. The program, which features small cohort sizes, places emphasis on “accelerating participant skillsets in crisis management, global competitive issues, supply chain challenges, stakeholder leadership, and in understanding, leading, and creating change across the organizations,” says the school. Learning takes place face-to-face as well as synchronously, using the latest online technologies.
Designed for “high-performing individuals who have the potential for organizational leadership and who will likely hold C-Suite positions,” the AACSB-accredited program includes 14 required courses that can be completed in 28 months, including summers. An optional global experience is also part of the program.
2. William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary (W&M) offers a 49-credit online MBA program for working professionals. This interdisciplinary program consist of 12 courses. Each course is 7.5 weeks, with just 22 students per course. Students begin the program with the unique Renaissance Manager course.
Per the school, the course explores “design thinking as an iterative approach to identifying and solving problems, the importance of both deep expertise and broad knowledge, understanding systemic connection as a part of creative problem-solving, how a willingness to experiment promotes a growth mindset, the ability to synthesize new ideas from seemingly unrelated or opposing ideas,” and more. Other course highlights include Global Managerial Economics, Integrated Technology, Leadership for the 21st Century, Revolutionary Leader Practicum, and Strategy.
Students will attend just one on-campus residency. This Friday-Sunday event includes speakers, team-building activities and networking functions and students will have the opportunity to “discuss core business topics such as leadership, finance and marketing, as well as current events and global issues.” Students will meet the school’s Executive Partners (EPs), “a select group of retired professionals who volunteer their time as mentors to all Mason School of Business students.” Students can expect to complete the AACSB-accredited Mason Online MBA in just two years.
3. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University (ODU) offers an MBA program that may be completed entirely online. This AACSB-accredited program offers the option to add a unique certificate in one of the school’s “nationally recognized areas of expertise.” Areas include Business Analytics and Big Data; Maritime, Ports and Logistics Management; Modeling, Simulation and Visualization; and Public Procurement and Contract Management. Students also have the opportunity to get Bloomberg terminal trained and certified at the Lumsden Bloomberg Trading Room.
The Strome Online MBA is a fast-paced program that features short 7.5-week courses, a strong core curriculum, and courses taught by Ph.D. faculty. Subject areas covered include Accounting, Business Analytics, Business Law, Economics, Finance, International Business, Leadership, Management, Marketing Strategy, and Supply Chain Management. The MBA consists of 40 credit hours and 45 for non-business undergraduates, with 36 hours of core courses in the covered subject areas.
All students have access to the Career Advantage Program, which assists interested students in identifying internship opportunities and career coaching. Students can take classes anytime during the week, they can shift between online and on-campus, and two-, three-, and four-year completion plans are available.
4. 
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
The School of Business at Liberty University offers a 45 credit hour MBA program that may be completed entirely online. Per the school, the curriculum for this ACBSP-accredited program builds students’ “existing knowledge and experience” to develop their “critical thinking, leadership, and management skills.” The program is designed for those seeking to advance in their current position or explore other areas within the field of business administration.
Students have the option to choose the 45 credit hour online MBA with a specialization or the 36 credit hour program with no concentration. More than a dozen specializations are available including American Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Finance, Healthcare Management, International Business, International Legal Studies, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration, and Strategic Management to name a few.
Students may transfer up to 50% of MBA program credit hours from another institution, courses are eight weeks, and there are eight different start dates each year with no set login times. The Liberty University Online MBA may be completed in two years.
5. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
VCU School of Business offers an MBA program that features weekly online classes, with three on-campus residencies held on weekends. The first residency takes place at the beginning of the year. It consists of an Orientation (Professional Development and Leadership). At the beginning of year two, students will attend a Creativity and Innovation Residency, and at the end of year three, they will attend “Hackathon” and the graduation.
Per the school, each semester, students will take two three-credit courses and a one-credit course. Three-credit courses focus on management and leadership in areas such as operations, finance and economics. One-credit courses focus on contemporary business issues such as innovation and creativity, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity.
Other program highlights include small class sizes (just 23 students), the opportunity to complete the program in two years, and AACSB-accreditation.
