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.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), of the 48,800 degrees conferred at HBCUs in the 2021-2022 academic year, 16% were master’s degrees. If you’re considering attending an HBCU for an online MBA, follow this guide to learn about the best schools and how to choose your program.
We have highlighted some of the best online MBA degrees offered at historically Black institutions. Online MBA programs can be flexible, more affordable pathways to career success. Typically, these programs require students to complete 30-36 credit hours and last 12-24 months.
Best HBCU Online MBA Programs: Highlights
Prairie View A&M University, Texas
This 36-credit-hour online MBA program requires applicants to hold a four-year degree, preferably in business, and have a GPA of at least 2.5. If a prospective student’s undergraduate degree is in a different discipline, they may need to take some prerequisite courses before being admitted. Prairie View A&M’s MBA program offers concentrations in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, management information systems, and general management.
Southern University A&M College Louisiana
The online MBA at Southern University offers five areas of concentration, including accounting, entrepreneurship, human resources management, supply chain management, and healthcare management. This 30-credit-hour program is unique in that there is an optional two-week study abroad program opportunity.
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Howard University offers both an online MBA and an online executive MBA. The MBA program takes 2.5 years and 48 credit hours to complete. This program is designed for early- to mid-career professionals. The executive MBA requires at least five years of professional senior management and leadership experience and can be completed in 18 months and 42 credit hours. The program allows students to pursue one of many concentrations, including statistics and business analytics.
North Carolina Central University
This unique online MBA program offers a dual program with the option to also obtain a Juris Doctor or a master of information science. The MBA at North Carolina Central University is designed for applicants with at least five years of working experience, requires 24 credit hours of coursework, and can take from 18-24 months to complete. North Carolina Central offers many concentrations, including cyberspace, data analytics, real estate, and wealth management.
Tennessee State University
TSU offers an accelerated online MBA, which consists of 36 credit hours and can be completed in 12 months. This program is ideal for any professional who is eager to complete a quality MBA in a short amount of time
These are simply a few of the top online MBA programs offered at HBCUs. When considering programs, applicants should think about the specific area of concentration they are interested in, as well as the time frame it takes to complete the program.
Featured Online MBA Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best HBCU Online MBA Programs
- In-State$7,253
- Out-of-state$22,552
- In-State$5,096
- Out-of-state$14,316
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled9,248
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$6,941
- Out-of-state$19,707
- In-State$4,767
- Out-of-state$11,824
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled7,015
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,152
- Out-of-state$14,524
- In-State$8,019
- Out-of-state$22,108
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate33%
- Students Enrolled9,184
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$7,038
- Out-of-state$16,960
- In-State$5,160
- Out-of-state$11,376
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled4,739
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
North Carolina A & T State University
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,540
- Out-of-state$17,050
- In-State$4,745
- Out-of-state$17,545
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled12,753
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$5,477
- Out-of-state$18,100
- In-State$8,190
- Out-of-state$16,092
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled7,634
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$26,464
- Out-of-state$26,464
- In-State$32,248
- Out-of-state$32,248
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled10,859
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$8,270
- Out-of-state$8,270
- In-State$8,270
- Out-of-state$8,270
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled6,921
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Lincoln University
- Jefferson City, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,720
- Out-of-state$13,710
- In-State$7,476
- Out-of-state$8,802
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,012
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$4,064
- Out-of-state$14,786
- In-State$3,438
- Out-of-state$13,716
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled6,509
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2023. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
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 15% of white Americans.
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
There are 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 mean more role models and mentors for people of color. Diverse MBA programs produce business leaders who 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 to students. A diverse alumni network also provides unique perspectives, passionate advocacy, and personalized support for 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 NCES, 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 students’ bachelor’s degrees and 24% of all STEM degrees in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBAs at HBCUs
While the guidelines vary by school, HBCUs typically have similar admission requirements as 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 GPA of 3.0, two years of relevant experience, and above-average GMAT scores.
Fayetteville State University only requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and GMAT scores.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 5, 2024.
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