Best Online MBA Programs for 2024 – Strategy
If you are the type of professional who sees yourself at the helm of a company one day, making big picture decisions for businesses and becoming an integral part of building out long-term strategy, you may consider pursuing an MBA degree with a strategy focus. For those looking to sharpen their organizational leadership skills Fortune has ranked the best online MBA programs with a concentration in strategy.
UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA
STEM-designated. Tar Heel ROI. No compromises.
UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA is a top choice for experienced professionals with strong undergraduate performance. You can earn your degree at your own pace—in 18 to 36 months—without sacrificing academic quality and rigor. Access lifelong career benefits and join a global community of over 44,000 alumni with an AACSB-accredited online MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. Online MBA Fellowships Available. GMAT waivers available. Learn more today.
Learn MoreUC Davis Master of Management
The online Master of Management from UC Davis is a graduate business degree designed for recent college graduates, ambitious young professionals and career-changers aspiring to leadership roles.
The 15-month online Master of Management program provides aspiring leaders with a foundation in the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. No minimum professional experience is required.
Learn More1. Indiana University–Bloomington (Kelley)
Bloomington, INInternational students applying for the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program at Indiana University–Bloomington need to score at least 100 on the TOEFL test. Standardized test scores are not mandatory, but applicants must submit a recommendation letter. The program is primarily online but offers some in-person experiences and is taught by a team of over 360 full-time faculty members. Graduates of the program report a median base salary of $119,400. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 enrollment is July 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 30% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 8.0 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.42 |
Credits required to graduate | 54 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 87% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 90% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 598 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,758 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 64% |
2. Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
Pittsburgh, PAThe Tepper Online Hybrid MBA program at Carnegie Mellon University accepts the GMAT, GRE, and Executive Assessment (EA), but test scores can be waived upon request. If an applicant has two or more years of professional work experience, the two required letters of recommendation can also be waived. The program allows students to take fully remote courses from anywhere in the nation. The business school has 125 faculty members and an average of 34 students per course. The median base salary for fall 2023 entrants increased from $111,000 before enrolling to approximately $150,750 within a year post-graduation. The program has five application deadlines throughout the year for interested candidates.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 80% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 6.4 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.37 |
Credits required to graduate | 64 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 95% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 93% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 68 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $2,274 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 51% |
3. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
Chapel Hill, NCThe MBA@UNC requires appilicants to report GMAT or GRE scores if they have less than five years of professional experience, but other waivers may apply. International students can submit proof English proficiency via a TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or PTE Academic Exam. Two letters of recommendation are also required. The average class size for core courses is about 16 students. Five months after graduation, students report median base salaries of about $130,000. The program has four start dates per year (January, April, July and October).
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 59% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 9.4 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.27 |
Credits required to graduate | 62 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 90% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 96% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 147 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $2,026 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 52% |
The Online MBA From Rice Business
Rethink Your Approach to Business
GMAT waivers are available for the online MBA from Rice Business, ranked a Top-20 Online MBA by U.S. News & World Report. Ranked #1 in graduate entrepreneurship in the U.S. by the Princeton Review for 2024, aspiring entrepreneurs can earn their MBA in as few as 24 months.
Learn More4. Rice University (Jones)
Houston, TXRice University's online MBA program will waive standardized test scores if applicants have more than three years of professional full-time work experience, a terminal degree of M.D. or PhD, a master's degree in a STEM field, a professional certification of CFA or CPA, or are submitting an Executive Assessment Score at the time of application. Letters of recommendation are required. Applicants can submit just one if they use their direct supervisor or two non-direct supervisor letters. The fall 2024 deadline to apply for the MBA@Rice program is May 24.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 72% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 7.2 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.39 |
Credits required to graduate | 54 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 88% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 89% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 192 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $2,130 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 60% |
5. University of Iowa (Tippie)
Iowa City, IAThe Iowa MBA program is test optional and also does not require letters of recommendation. However, international students must proof English proficiency via or TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. On average, there are 36 students in each core course. The deadline to apply for fall admission is August 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 79% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 8.4 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.53 |
Credits required to graduate | 45 |
GMAT requirement | No |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 58% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 96% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 428 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $750 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 73% |
6. Southern Methodist University (Cox)
Dallas, TXSouthern Methodist University's 52-credit Cox School of Business online MBA program does not require English proficiency exams for international students. Standardized test scores are optional, and the school also does not require letters of recommendation. On average, there are 16 students per core online course. Students report a median base salary of $75,000 before entering the program and a median base salary of $127,500 post-graduation. The deadline to apply is July 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 71% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 5.2 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.14 |
Credits required to graduate | 39 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 86% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 81% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 256 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,797 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 55% |
7. University of Pittsburgh (Katz)
Pittsburgh, PAThe Katz PMBA experience at the University of Pittsburgh utilizes a “test-optional” admissions process for all of its programs––so applicants are not required to submit GMAT or GRE scores. The online program does require two letters of recommendation. Students report a median base salary of $69,700 before enrollment and $93,000 post-graduation. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required for international students. The deadline to apply is July 1.
Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 83% |
Avg. # of years of work experience, fall 2023 enrollees | 5.5 |
Avg. undergraduate GPA, fall 2023 enrollees | 3.46 |
Credits required to graduate | 39 |
GMAT requirement | Yes |
Graduation rate, 2020-23 | 68% |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 99% |
Size of 2022-2023 graduating class | 113 |
Tuition per credit, out-of-state | $1,634 |
Yield, fall 2023 (matriculates/admits) | 70% |
UC Davis Master of Management
The online Master of Management from UC Davis is a graduate business degree designed for recent college graduates, ambitious young professionals and career-changers aspiring to leadership roles.
The 15-month online Master of Management program provides aspiring leaders with a foundation in the functional areas of business, such as accounting, finance, marketing and strategy. No minimum professional experience is required.
Learn More