Is an accelerated online MBA worth it?

An accelerated MBA allows you to start putting your degree to use more quickly, and that can mean better earnings and career advancement. However, accelerated programs often have fewer opportunities for specialization and networking. Ultimately, whether an accelerated online MBA is worth it depends on how it helps you achieve your personal and career goals.

Is an online MBA taken seriously?

Employers increasingly respect online MBAs, according to recent research by the Graduate Management Admission Council, although some still say in-person degrees lead to more solid skills.

Top Accelerated Online MBA Programs of 2025

Discover what an accelerated online MBA program is all about and see if it’s the right fit for you. Compare rankings, cost, and career options.

Edited by

Reviewed by

Updated January 10, 2025

Why Trust BestColleges

3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed
6,000+ Users connected with programs every month
300+ College and university partners
40+ Expert reviewers

Learn more about our

A master of business administration (MBA) degree has been shown to increase earnings, but it typically takes years to finish.

Most full-time online MBA programs take up to two years to complete. Part-time, asynchronous MBA programs that allow you to work toward your degree around your schedule can take even longer.

If you want to earn your MBA and start advancing your degree faster, there are online options for you: some business schools have accelerated programs that allow you to finish an MBA in as little as a year.

Accelerated programs aren’t for everyone. They feature intensive, fast-paced classes to truncate years of learning into 12-16 months. If you have a good work ethic and want to see the benefits of your degree quickly, an accelerated online MBA might be for you.

Popular Online MBA Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Learn More

Visit Site

Learn More

Visit Site

Learn More

Visit Site

In this Article

Accelerated Online MBA Programs

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,104

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,063

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

17,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,104

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,104

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,063

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

17,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD4 yearCampus + Online

$7,842

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,690

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

89%

Acceptance Rate

35%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,706

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,400

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

7,030

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,842

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,690

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,842

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,690

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment

35%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,706

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,400

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

7,030

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Bentley University

Waltham, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$43,440

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$43,440

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

48%

Acceptance Rate

24%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,500

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

5,264

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$43,440

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,440

Bentley University

Waltham, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$43,440

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,440

Acceptance Rate

48%

Online Enrollment

24%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,500

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

5,264

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Whitworth University

Spokane, WA2 yearCampus + Online

$12,816

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,816

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$47,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$47,700

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

2,417

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,816

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,816

Whitworth University

Spokane, WA2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,816

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,816

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$47,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$47,700

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

2,417

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

34%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,017

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,124

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,531

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,531

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

34%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,017

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,124

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

North Central College

Naperville, IL2 yearCampus + Online

$15,822

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,822

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

58%

Acceptance Rate

17%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$42,866

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$42,866

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

2,856

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,822

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,822

North Central College

Naperville, IL2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,822

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,822

Acceptance Rate

58%

Online Enrollment

17%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$42,866

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$42,866

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

2,856

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Aurora University

Aurora, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$14,586

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,586

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

36%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$27,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,200

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

5,935

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,586

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,586

Aurora University

Aurora, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,586

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,586

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

36%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$27,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,200

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

5,935

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD2 yearCampus + Online

$7,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,940

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,940

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,594

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,200

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,200

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

65%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,940

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,940

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,594

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Dominican University

River Forest, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$19,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$35,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,850

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

3,424

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,900

Dominican University

River Forest, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,900

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

73%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$35,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,850

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

3,424

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#10

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$21,626

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,626

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

43%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,058

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,058

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

5,528

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,626

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,626

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,626

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,626

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

43%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,058

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,058

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

5,528

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Accelerated Online MBA vs. Traditional Online MBA: What’s the Difference?

An accelerated online MBA usually has the same core curriculum as a traditional online MBA, but classes are more fast-paced and include more information. This means that accelerated MBA programs are typically geared toward students who have a specific career path in mind, with less room for electives and exploration than a full-time or part-time MBA program.

Some schools, however, have highly customizable and flexible accelerated programs. The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management’s accelerated in-person MBA, for example, builds on students’ existing business experience and allows students to bypass core classes and focus on electives in their field.

Schools are increasingly incorporating cohort-based models and networking opportunities into their online MBA curriculum. Accelerated MBA students usually have access to the same online resources as traditional students, including career counseling and academic advising.

You may be able to choose between a synchronous or asynchronous format, and the option you choose will likely depend on your needs and schedule.

Asynchronous accelerated online MBA: Asynchronous formats allow you to work toward your degree on your own time. That provides maximum flexibility if you want to stay in the workforce, but it also means you’ll need a lot of self-discipline to get your work done.
Synchronous accelerated online MBA: Classes are held at a specific time, usually multiple times per week. Live classes allow a real-time chance to connect with your instructors and also block out time weekly for you to focus on your degree. If you plan to stay in the workforce while you study, however, it might be challenging to manage time with your work and other obligations.

Accelerated Online MBA vs. Traditional Online MBA
Key Features	Accelerated Online MBA	Traditional Online MBA
Time	Tends to be faster, usually between 12 and 16 months	Typically takes two years or longer, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time
Cost	Faster programs usually run at a lesser cost than full-time programs	Cost varies, with part-time programs being less costly
Intensity	Intense, usually condenses two years of curriculum down into a single year	More spaced out, although tends to cover broad business topics and can still be intense
Flexibility	Tends to have a more set, mandatory pace, although some programs have asynchronous learning	Generally offers more opportunities for scheduling flexibility, like asynchronous learning
Electives	Usually has fewer elective options	Typically has a broad number of electives and specialization opportunities

Accelerated Online MBA: Pros and Cons

Pros

Faster completion time: Most accelerated MBA programs take around 12 months to complete, much less time than the two years of a typical full-time program.
May be less expensive: Because they take less time, accelerated programs tend to be less costly than traditional full-time programs.
Good for career-specific advancement: Accelerated programs might allow you to focus on a specific field, allowing you to hone a skill set to advance your career.
Some programs have built-in networking opportunities: Networking is a key benefit of MBA programs, and some accelerated programs have a cohort-based model with built-in networking opportunities.
Same degree: Many accelerated programs truncate two years of MBA curriculum down into a year, but you’ll be getting the same, respected instruction as students in a traditional MBA program.
Programs incorporate real-world learning: A number of programs include applied, real-world learning opportunities that allow you to work with companies as part of projects.

Cons

Fewer electives: Because of their intensive format, there is usually less opportunity to take elective courses in accelerated MBAs.
Fewer networking opportunities: Accelerated programs, in general, have less opportunities for networking and internships than their traditional counterparts.
Intensive format: Condensing two years of MBA curriculum down into a year can mean a high workload.
Less flexibility: Traditional programs usually include more scheduling and course flexibility than accelerated programs.
Less opportunity to explore careers and skills: Less time and a more narrow path to completion also means less opportunity to look at career changes and learn new skills.

What Can I Do With an Accelerated Online MBA?

An MBA can lead to a more specialized, advanced role or help you advance your career into leadership positions.

MBA graduates work in all fields, although consulting and management tend to be popular options. The management field is booming: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1.2 million job openings each year in management occupations, with a median annual wage of more than $116,000.

Here’s a sampling of some of the jobs MBA holders land after graduation.

Popular Jobs for MBA Degree Holders
Jobs	Description	Job Outlook (2023-2033)	Median Salary (2023)
Marketing Manager	Oversees marketing efforts, social media, and outreach for a company	8%	$157,620
Financial Analyst	Analyzes both the market and individual organizations’ finances to make projections and inform strategy	9%	$99,890
Human Resource Manager	Leads human resources efforts, including benefits, hiring, internal issues, and education	6%	$136,650
Computer and Information Systems Manager	Organizes a company’s information technology (IT) efforts and ensures systems run smoothly	17%	$169,510
Management Analyst	Analyzes a company’s structure and operations to recommend improvements and boost efficiency	11%	$99,410

Source: BLS

How Do I Know an Accelerated Online MBA Is Right For Me?

Accelerated online programs are best for working professionals who want to quickly get a degree and move up in their field.

Accelerated programs tend to offer less opportunity for exploring career options, so a fast-tracked MBA is usually best if you have a specific role or career goal in mind. If you want to advance in business analytics, for example, you might seek out an accelerated program with a focus on applied data analytics.

One-year MBA programs, in particular, tend to be highly condensed and intensive, so be sure you can set aside time to get your coursework done over the week. Some programs are asynchronous, meaning you’ll be able to choose when to work through class modules. This flexible structure is best if you’re self-started and able to set deadlines for yourself.

Accelerated Online MBA Features

Short program length
Saving money
Fast-paced learning
Fast turnaround for a specific career goal

Traditional Online MBA Features

Flexibility
Asynchronous learning
Having more free time
More elective options
Built-in internships

Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Online MBA Programs

Most accelerated program formats let you complete an MBA in as little as 12 months, but transfer credits and credit for work experience can further trim down the time it takes to get an MBA.