Online MBA Cost in Ohio | Fees, Requirements, Schools

Ohio offers some of the most affordable yet competitive online MBA programs, with flexible options that can accommodate working professionals really well. However, it is critical to understand the Ohio University MBA cost and Ohio State University MBA fees alongside the program requirements before you make the decision and finally invest. To help you get a closer insight, this article breaks down the current online MBA fees in Ohio in detail, compares the top-tier schools available on the basis of cost and specialties, and explains what you might need to get enrolled.
Whether you’re aiming to secure admission in one of the top-ranked schools or seeking for the cheapest MBA programs in Ohio, this guide gives you a spot-on clarity around costs, value, and outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Affordable Yet Competitive – Ohio offers some of the cheapest MBA programs in Ohio without compromising on AACSB accreditation or career outcomes.
- Ohio University MBA Cost – Around $36,470 (in-state) and $37,240 (out-of-state), making it a nationally competitive option.
- Ohio State University MBA Fees – Approximately $29,220/year for residents, slightly higher for non-residents, with flexible hybrid learning.
- Wide Range of Schools – From budget-friendly options like Cleveland State University to nationally ranked names like University of Cincinnati and Kent State, students can choose based on ROI and flexibility.
- Requirements – Most schools need a bachelor’s degree, 2–3 years of experience, and a 2.5–3.0 GPA. Many waive the GMAT/GRE for qualified professionals.
- Career Value – Graduates earn $85K–$110K/year on average and land roles in Fortune 500 firms such as Procter & Gamble, Cardinal Health, and Nationwide.
In short: Ohio’s online MBA programs strike the perfect balance of cost, flexibility, and career outcomes, making them a smart investment for working professionals.
Related: Which Schools Offer Online MBA Programs in California
Why Choose an Online MBA in Ohio?
The diversified economy of Ohio, spanning across healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and technology startups, has made it a central hub for business education. These industries are continuously growing and so is the demand for business graduates. Cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati host headquarters and major operations for many big names such as Cardinal Health, Procter & Gamble, and Nationwide. Thus, the state conveniently becomes a launchpad for successful careers in business operations, finance and consultation.
A major draw is the value proposition. Ohio offers many online MBA programs that charge a tuition way below the average fees of national private schools. The fact that most of them are AACSB-accredited and guarantee strong academic quality further enhances their value. For instance, Cleveland State and Ohio University offer a lot cheaper rates for online MBA programs than the private universities offering a similar quality of education.
The availability of online programs brings flexibility for working professionals. It also helps save relocation costs by offering virtual classes, and the students can keep working full-time. Ohio’s geographical location in the Midwest makes it closer to the Chicago and NYC business corridors, allowing remote workers to access elite networks without having to bear the moving cost.
MBA grads in Ohio get to enjoy great career outcomes. There are many roles available in consulting, operations leadership, financial management, and corporate strategy that can be explored. Graduates often land jobs in Fortune 500 companies in Ohio, financial services, or the mid-sized regional firms – leveraging both the state’s strong corporate presence and the schools’ reputation.
Top Ohio Universities with Affordable MBA Programs
Here’s a thorough look at the top Ohio universities offering affordable yet value-adding MBA programs so you can make an informed decision and investment.
University of Toledo – College of Business and Innovation
Toledo offers a flexible online MBA program with both full-time and part-time options available. The program’s core focus is applied learning through simulations, case studies and consulting projects so the students mostly come out prepared for the corporate world.
Tuition Cost: An online MBA from Toledo costs a tuition of around $672 per credit-hour for both in-state and out-of-the-state residents. It makes a total cost of $22,176 for the required 33 credit-hours. However, there’s a surcharge of $5/credit-hour for the non-residents.
Specializations:
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
Special Features:
- Most affordable AACSB-accredited program in Ohio.
- Guarantees great career options meaning strong ROI.
- Idea for working professionals given the online model.
Wright State University – Raj Soin College of Business
This is one of the few affordable online MBA programs in Ohio, designed in perfect alignment with the needs and requirements of working professionals. It can help students enhance their learning without having to compromise on careers. The program focuses on strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making and leadership skills.
Tuition Cost: The online MBA from Wright State University costs around $780/credit-hour for Ohio-residents and $1,245/credit-hour for the non-residents. The total cost is $23,400 for residents and $37,350 for non-residents, given the 30-credit-hours requirement.
Specializations:
- Business economics
- Finance
- Health care management
- Interdisciplinary business
- International business
- Investments
- Management, innovation, and change
- Marketing
- New venture creation
- Project management
Special Features:
- Flexible admission criteria with a GMAT waiver students carrying strong academic or professional backgrounds.
- The faculty is composed of both research and industry experts.
- AACSB-accreditation with a strong academic curriculum.
Ohio State University – Fisher College of Business
It offers a working professional/online MBA program, spanned across 48 credit-hours with multiple elective options you can choose from. The program has been specifically designed to accommodate part-time students and working professionals with the choice of campus-based, hybrid, and online classes options.
Tuition Cost: The online WPMBA from Ohio State University costs around $29,220 per year for the residents and $29,820/year for non-residents. Non-residents have to pay a surcharge of $200/semester.
Electives/Specializations:
- Marketing
- Data Analytics
- Leadership
- Supply Chain Management
- Operations
- Strategy
- Finance
- Organizational Behavior
- Global Business
- Non-Profit
- Human Resources
- Or make it your own
Special Features:
- AACSB-accreditation with a strong academic curriculum.
- Strong alumni network
- Good reputation for leadership roles
- Wide electives across departments
- Easy and early access to multiple career options.
Kent State University – College of Business Administration
It is a well-recognized online MBA program that comes along with AACSB-accreditation. It is a short program designed for working professionals who want to advance their learning without any fulltime commitment and can be completed within 12 months.
Tuition Cost: It costs around $31,800 for Ohio residents and $32,200 for non-residents in total.
Specializations:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Digital Transformation
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- Leadership in Conflict Mediation
Special Features:
- Kent State is nationally recognized for the online MBA offered by U.S. News and World Report.
- Students can benefit from the multiple career paths, leadership coaching, and a widespread Ohio alumni network.
- Affordable tuition with a strong curriculum and quick completion opportunity.
University of Findlay – College of Business
Findlay’s Online MBA is accredited by ACBSP (a recognized business accreditation body). The program is known as one of the most affordable private MBA options in Ohio, with strong healthcare and nonprofit management specializations.
Tuition Cost: Approximately $675 per credit hour with around 36-48 credit-hour requirement, meaning the total cost is somewhere around $32,400.
Specializations:
- Business Administration (Standard MBA)
- Business Analytics
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Healthcare Management
Special Features:
- Emphasis on practical business applications and leadership development.
- Flexible part-time scheduling allows professionals to finish within 1–2 years.
Related: Top 10 Online MBA Programs in Texas
Ohio University – Online MBA Program
The university offers an AACSB-accredited online MBA program which requires completing 35 credit hours and includes around 11 electives you can choose from.
Tuition Cost: The tuition at Ohio University costs an average of $1,042 per credit-hour for residents of Ohio and $1,064 per credit-hour for non-residents. The total cost of an online MBA program in Ohio University is $36,470(in-state) and $37,240 (non-residents).
Specializations:
- Accounting
- Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Business Analytics
- Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
- Event Management
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Human Resources
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Project Management
- Strategic Selling and Sales Leadership
Special Features:
- Online scholarships are available for up to $10,000
- Military/corporate/alumni partner incentive up to 15% is applicable
- eCampus with hybrid option
- a strong alumni network
- recognized as a top ranking schools by Poets & Quants Top Online MBA
Cleveland State University – Monte Ahuja College of Business
Cleveland offers an accelerated online MBA program with AACSB-accreditation and spans across 12 months. With a 30 credit-hours breakdown, the online MBA has a curriculum focused towards core business areas while preparing students for leadership roles alongside.
Tuition Cost: The total tuition for an accelerated online MBA from CSU is $36,702, split over 3 semesters. Scholarships are also available on the basis of merit and can save around $12k.
Specializations:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Integrative Business Strategy
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Operations & Supply Chain Management
Special Features:
- One of the fastest AACSB-accredited online MBA programs which you can complete within 12 months.
- On-campus faculty ensure quality and excellence of the education provided.
- Flexible online scheduling tailored to accommodate working professionals.
Xavier University – Williams College of Business
Xavier’s Online MBA is AACSB-accredited and can be completed in as little as 12–18 months. The program focuses on value-driven education with flexible classes’ options to accommodate working professionals.
Tuition Cost: Approximately $942 per credit hour. With 39–48 credits required, total tuition around $36,738.
Specializations:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Healthcare Management
Special Features:
- Known for small class sizes and personalized faculty attention.
- Strong regional and national reputation with extensive alumni networks in business and healthcare.
- Values-driven Jesuit education.
- Flexibility in completion timeline
- Strong networking opportunities for leadership roles in Ohio and beyond.
University of Cincinnati – Lindner College of Business
Lindner College of Business offers an online-MBA program that comes along with AACSB-accreditation. It offers both full-time and part-time options so you can complete the credit-hours in up to 2 years as per your convenience.
Tuition Cost: The total tuition cost per semester is around $12,556 for residents and $12,706 for non-residents, meaning $37,668/ year for residents and $38,118/year for the non-residents.
Specializations:
- Healthcare Administration
- Healthcare Finance
- Healthcare Operations
- Healthcare Policy and Regulations
- Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Data Analytics
- Corporate Taxation
- Individual Taxation
- Investment Management
- Quantitative Finance
- Artificial Intelligence in Business
Special Features:
- Ranked as one of the best online MBA programs in Ohio by the U.S. News.
- Offer flexible start dates, GMAT waivers, and strong employer partnerships for working professionals.
- Affordable in comparison to many schools yet guarantees great ROI.
University of Dayton – School of Business Administration
Dayton offers a fully online, AACSB-accredited MBA program that promises real-world learning and experience for students. The program comprises around 36 credit-hours with every course aimed at training working professionals for leadership positions.
Tuition Cost: online MBA from Dayton costs around $1,170 per credit-hour, meaning $42,120 in total for the 36 credit-hours.
Specializations:
- Business Analytics
- Marketing
Special Features:
- Offers an interactive online platform for flexible learning opportunities.
- They emphasize cohort-based learning and virtual classes.
- Students also get to experience in-person immersion.
Requirements for Enrolling in an Ohio MBA Program
The majority of the online MBA programs in Ohio offer a standard, conventional admission process. There’s a requirement for candidates to have a bachelor’s degree and those with majors in business get an edge over others. However, some programs have moved past the traditional practices and encourage students from all disciplines to enroll for an online MBA. There’s usually a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5-3.0, though some top-tier schools like Ohio State University might expect a higher GPA around 3.2 or more.
GMAT and GRE requirements also still stay with most of the traditional programs, however the modern business schools in Ohio are evolving. A lot of them have waived off the test for candidates bringing a strong professional background or higher GPAs .Almost 2-3 years of working experience is often required but some online programs accept fresh graduates as well.
As part of the process, each candidate is required to submit a resume, statement of purpose (SPO), and recommendation letters that highlights both their academic and professional achievements. International students might also require submitting a proof of English proficiency i.e. IELTS/TOEFL scores.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to pursue an online MBA in Ohio, you’re certainly making a smart move. Especially, if you’re a working professional who needs flexible class schedules and affordable education, online MBA programs in Ohio offer the perfect balance. With multiple AACSB-accredited business schools, widespread networks and competitive tuition rates, these programs deliver great ROI when compared to any of the other states. Graduates here enter their professional careers with strategy, leadership and analytical skills making easy entry into roles such as finance, consulting, technology and healthcare.
To make sure you choose the right program and gain the best ROI, above comparison helps you understand the different program rankings, tuition costs, and admission requirements. Early applicants can also enjoy scholarships at multiple schools. So, whether you’re a full-time student or a working professional seeking flexible study options, enrolling into an online MBA program in Ohio can certainly prepare you for the highly competitive business landscape of today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the cheapest online MBA program in Ohio?
While most programs are affordable, Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University offers the cheapest online MBA in Ohio. It can cost around $36,702 in total, split across 3 semesters. The program also offers up to $120,000 as scholarship for students that bring along strong academic backgrounds.
How much does the Ohio University Online MBA cost?
The online MBA from Ohio State University is affordable and costs around $36,470 for in-state residents and $37,240 for out-of-state residents. The quality of education they offer is a lot premium for this cost.
Do Ohio MBA programs require GMAT/GRE?
Most MBA programs in Ohio have introduced GMAT/GRE waivers for students that have strong GPAs or a 2-5 years of working experience. Kent State, Ohio University and University of Cincinnati allow applicants to enroll with such requirements, making quality education accessible.
Are online MBA programs in Ohio AACSB-accredited?
Yes, majority online MBA programs in Ohio are offered by AACSB-accredited business schools. The accreditation helps ensure each of these programs maintain high academic standards and global recognition, maximizing the value of degree.
What career opportunities can an MBA from Ohio lead to?
There are multiple career options open for the MBA graduates in Ohio with promising roles in finance, healthcare, consulting and leadership. Fortune 500 companies like Cardinal Health, Nationwide, and Procter & Gamble are all based in Ohio, creating great opportunities for the candidates. The average salary of an MBA in Ohio lies between $85,000-$110,000, meaning the ROI is great.