Top HBCU Online MBA Programs
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Around the turn of the 19th century, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) began to focus on business education. The goal was to train and prepare the Black community for entrepreneurial and leadership pursuits.
HBCUs play a critical role in Black business education. These schools not only provide Black students with a high-quality education but also surround them with inspiration, motivation, and support. The next generation watches as HBCU-grown executives like Oprah Winfrey and Rosalind Brewer achieve huge success and blaze a trail for others to follow.
The Importance of Diversity in Leadership
Diverse leadership groups bring different perspectives to an organization. Diversity changes the way leadership communicates, relates, and solves problems. Top-down diversity can lead to more inclusivity and opportunities within an organization. However, underrepresentation still needs to improve in the business world.
McKinsey & Company reported in 2019 that only 5% of Black Americans had business ownership, compared to the 15% of white American business owners.
With equal representation in the corporate world, there would be at least 60 Black CEOs in Fortune 500 companies. In 2021, there were only four, according to another report by McKinsey & Company.
HBCU online MBA programs work to correct these disparities. They improve access to higher education for Black students, develop them into leaders, and increase their socioeconomic mobility.
Choosing an HBCU for Your Online MBA
A few stand out among the many reasons to attend an online HBCU MBA program. You'll benefit from diversity, alumni support, and lower-than-average tuition rates in these schools.
Diverse Community
Diverse student bodies create more inclusive and engaging classroom discussions, extracurricular activities, and student clubs and organizations. Diverse faculties provide more role models and mentors for people of color. As a result, diverse MBA programs produce business leaders that understand and value multicultural perspectives.
Alumni Network
Alumni from online HBCU MBA programs give back to their school communities by offering internships, mentorships, funding, and job opportunities. A diverse alumni network provides unique perspectives, passionate advocacy, and more personalized support for other diverse students.
Cost
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) reports that HBCUs feature tuition rates 30% lower than comparable schools. The lower costs help accommodate the disproportionate number of low-income learners in HBCUs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 55% of HBCU students received Pell Grants in 2020-2021, nearly double the national average.
Positive Outcomes
A 2019 UNCF report states that Black students achieve much stronger results in HBCUs than in other schools. Despite enrolling just 10% of the nation's Black students, HBCUs awarded 17% of all Black student bachelor's degrees and 24% of all STEM degrees in 2016.
2023 Top HBCU Online MBA Programs
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
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Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The second-oldest public university in Texas, PVAMU was founded in 1876. The school offers a traditional MBA with online and evening classes. The HBCU online MBA has a general track and four concentration options, including accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and management information systems.
PVAMU welcomes applicants from all disciplines and has no GMAT requirements. Tuition prices for Texas residents come in below $900 per credit. If you're a more experienced professional, you might consider the school's hybrid executive MBA.
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
TSU has a reputation as a leader in educating Black graduate students. The school designed its online executive MBA specifically for mid-career business professionals and offers two tracks: general business and energy finance. You can work full time and still complete the 36-credit program in less than two years.
To make its online MBA more accessible for business professionals, TSU emphasizes professional experience. You need five years of business leadership experience to apply, but TSU has no GMAT requirement. The $1,000 per-credit tuition rate covers all books and class materials
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Since its founding in 1887, FAMU has focused on improving opportunities for its students. Its online MBA program does just that. The program boasts a high employment rate, with 85% of graduates landing jobs and 15% going on to pursue another degree.
FAMU connects MBA students and graduates with a network of over 100 corporate partners. The school also offers tuition rates that cover textbooks, laptops, and an international residency.
Delaware State University
Dover, DE - 4 years
- Online + Campus
When founded in 1891, DSU became one of the first land-grant schools in the country. DSU's online MBA offers part-time, full-time, and accelerated paths. As an accelerated student, you can complete the program in as little as 12 months.
Any executive experience you have may qualify you for a GMAT waiver during the admissions process. The MBA program's evening and weekend classes provide flexibility if you choose to continue working while in the program.
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
As the largest HBCU in the nation, N.C. A&T awards more degrees to Black students than any other institution in North Carolina. The online MBA helps graduates succeed in the workforce, boasting a 90% placement rate in 2016 and 2017. You can choose from three online MBA concentrations. Options include human resources management, supply chain management, and general management.
While the admissions department considers GPA and test scores, your community engagement and personal ethics will also factor into the decision. N.C. A&T also has low tuition rates, charging below $400 per credit.
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Morgan was founded in 1867 and has grown into one of Maryland's leading research universities. The online MBA combines business fundamentals with specialized track opportunities in accounting, finance, and business administration. You can also specialize in marketing or information systems.
Morgan's MBA program includes two professional development courses to help prepare you for your postgraduate career. You can earn the degree in less than two years, and the online MBA program costs $30,000 as of February 2023.
Howard University
Washington, DC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1867, Howard is one of the country's largest and most reputable HBCUs. The online MBA develops the next generation of ethical leaders with strategic management and executive problem-solving training and skills.
As an MBA student, you'll gain access to Howard's extensive alumni network, international study opportunities, and a recruitment program from school partners. The online program pairs well with a busy work schedule, while small synchronous classes provide interaction and engagement opportunities.
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
JSU's original mission in 1877 was to develop Black leaders. The school's online MBA carries on that tradition by preparing you for various business management roles. The advanced curriculum includes courses in business policy, organizational behavior, and statistics for business decisions.
To apply to JSU, you need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA. You also need at least a 950 GMAT score. The $462 per-credit tuition rate and 30 credit minimum also make for one of the most affordable HBCU online MBA programs.
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Lincoln was founded in 1854, making it the oldest degree-granting HBCU in the country. Through its accelerated online MBA, you can earn your degree in one year. The program offers finance and human resources management specializations, along with an integrated capstone research project.
You can also attend optional MBA seminars to enhance your education. These sessions cover global financial management, human resources management, and organizational ethics. To apply to Lincoln, you need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA. The school has no GMAT or experience minimums.
Albany State University
Albany, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ASU began as a Bible and teacher training school in 1903. Since then, the school has introduced many more programs, including the online MBA. Along with a general track, you can specialize your MBA in accounting, healthcare, supply chain and logistics, or public administration.
The online MBA takes only one year to complete, and the entire program costs less than $10,000. You can apply to ASU with a degree from any discipline as long as you have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBAs at HBCUs
Are MBA programs at HBCUs hard to get into?
While the guidelines vary by school, HBCUs typically have similar admission requirements to other schools. However, the top HBCU online MBA programs still have strict demands. For example, Howard University requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, two years of relevant experience, and above-average GMAT scores.
Fayetteville State University only requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA and GMAT scores.
Is an online MBA worth it?
Yes. An online MBA has plenty of value, particularly if you need a flexible program to keep your current job.
Online MBAs also allow you to apply to distant schools. This advantage lets you choose from more programs and may lead to lower tuition rates or more suitable curriculums. While mostly online, these programs may have on-campus or internship requirements, so research programs before applying.
And be sure to ask questions about MBA programs to determine if a program is right for you.
What classes will I take during an online MBA program?
Every curriculum looks a little different, but most online MBA programs feature foundational courses in the following areas:
- Leadership
- Marketing management
- Statistical analysis
- Accounting
- Economics
You might get to choose a specialization in your MBA program. Some possible concentrations include business intelligence, finance, and human resources management.
What jobs can I get with an online MBA?
You can access leadership positions in many businesses and industries with an MBA. According to the 2021 Corporate Recruiters Survey, the top MBA jobs typically come in the consulting, finance and accounting, healthcare, products and services, and technology industries.