It’s no wonder you’ve got Georgia on your mind. From its skyrocketing job numbers to its status as one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S., Georgia is a desirable place for current and new business professionals.
If you’re wondering whether an online master’s in business administration (MBA) is worthwhile, earning an MBA from a Georgia-based university is a flexible and affordable way to expand your business career options and increase your earning potential. Whether you want to supplement an undergraduate accounting degree or move up into a leadership position, online MBAs offer the foundational coursework and specialized knowledge you’ll need.
This page spotlights Georgia’s top online MBA programs and specialization options. We’ve also included information and data on job opportunities for MBA grads, professional resources, and more. So, if succeeding in the Georgia business world is on your mind, keep reading to learn about the best online MBA programs in Georgia today and discover how a business administration master’s can bolster your competitiveness in the state’s growing job market.
2024’s Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
Georgia’s top online MBA programs offer flexible and affordable academic pathways for business professionals to enhance their resumes, sharpen specialized skills, and expand professional networks. The quality programs spotlighted below allow students to do all of that while keeping up with personal and professional obligations. See which MBA programs in Georgia stand out for 2024.
Brenau University offers a fully online Master of Business Administration that can be completed in as little as 18 months, making it an ideal choice for working professionals looking to build credentials that move their careers forward. Core coursework encompasses essential principles like marketing strategy, business law, and financial management. With 14 distinct concentrations, this MBA is also highly customizable to individual career goals. Potential areas of specialization include business analytics, digital marketing, nonprofit leadership, and general business. No GRE is required to apply, and small class sizes ensure higher levels of interaction between students and professors.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration
- Credits: 30-42
- Length: One and a half years
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: ACBSP
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Mercer University’s fully online MBA program is designed for flexibility, catering to the needs of working adults. Online students benefit from instruction by the same faculty that teach Mercer’s on-campus MBA programs. While students can graduate with a 30-credit accelerated MBA in as little as one year, they can also opt to add a specialization with an additional six credit hours of work. Additionally, students can further enhance their credentials with graduate certificates in areas like women in leadership or entrepreneurship. To streamline the admission process, the submission of GMAT or GRE scores is entirely optional.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration
- Credits: 30 or 36
- Length: One to two years
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: AACSB
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Clayton State University’s 100% online MBA program is well-suited to students who need maximum flexibility as they pursue their MBAs. The program provides the option to earn a master’s in general business or to customize with one of five concentrations. Potential specializations include accounting, digital marketing, human resources leadership, international business, and supply chain management. Each course is taught in accelerated, eight-week sessions, so the program can be completed in as little as 12 months. Clayton State also allows online students to participate in virtual graduate assistantships in exchange for a reduction in tuition and fees.
Program Highlights:
Master of Business Administration
- Credits: 33
- Length: 12 to 18 months
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: AACSB
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Popular Online MBA Specializations in Georgia
While foundational MBA coursework applies to numerous careers in the business world, supplementing this coursework with an academic specialization can further tailor your professional skills and enhance your competitiveness in the job marketplace. From accounting to healthcare management, Georgia MBA programs offer a variety of specializations to meet your academic and career goals. Here’s a look at some of the most common of those specializations.
MBA with an Emphasis in Accounting
Accounting is an essential part of business, and an accounting concentration help students hone foundational skills that prove useful for both non-accountants and those seeking CPA licensure. Accounting specialization requirements vary, but standard courses include topics like accounting theory, advanced financial statement analysis, corporate taxation, and issues in accounting and taxation research.
Online MBA Programs in Georgia with an Accounting Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Healthcare Management
An MBA concentration in healthcare management is a solid option for students pursuing or advancing careers in healthcare leadership. Graduates in this specialization acquire essential business skills that enhance career options in healthcare settings. Common coursework includes topics like healthcare information management, research methods in healthcare, and legal environment of business and healthcare law.
Online MBA Programs in Georgia with a Healthcare Management Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Marketing
Students pursuing an MBA with a concentration in marketing supplement core business coursework with various marketing-centric classes. A marketing concentration introduces students to specialized skills while focusing on leadership. Common classes include topics like buyer behavior, international marketing, marketing research, and social media and e-marketing.
Online MBA Programs in Georgia with a Marketing Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Finance
Those pursuing an MBA can leverage a finance concentration as a way to expand career options and increase pay. This concentration is an excellent option for individuals in various finance careers, including those as investment brokers, financial analysts, and security analysts. Common finance courses include topics like entrepreneurial finance, managing financial institutions, and investments and portfolio management.
Online MBA Programs in Georgia with a Finance Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Management
An MBA with a management specialization introduces students to the complex world of managing people and organizational change. Ideal for future leaders who want to hone decision-making and leadership skills, common management classes cover topics like project management, organizational behavior, negotiations, and business and management law.
Online MBA Programs in Georgia with a Management Specialization
MBA with an Emphasis in Human Resources Management
Online MBA students can supplement core business classes with essential human resources coursework that can translate into lucrative HR leadership roles. Standard human resources classes cover topics like employment law, human resources strategy, and talent acquisition and management.
Online MBA Programs in Georgia with an HR Specialization
Frequently Asked Questions About Earning your MBA Online in Georgia
What is the average cost of an MBA program in Georgia?
The cost of online MBA programs in Georgia varies dramatically, but public institutions typically offer the lowest tuition rates. On the low end, tuition can be less than $300 per credit while more expensive institutions charge over $700 per credit. Students enrolling online often save on costs (e.g., campus-based fees, travel, etc.) typically associated with in-person learning.
What does an MBA admissions process in Georgia look like?
MBA admission requirements vary among schools, but there are some universal requirements applicants can anticipate. Prospective students need bachelor’s degrees from an accredited college or university, often with a minimum GPA of around 3.0. Alongside an online application, applicants typically must also submit a professional resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining academic and career goals. Additionally, many online MBA programs require at least two years of relevant experience in a professional business environment.
How quickly can I earn an online MBA in Georgia?
The length of MBA programs varies, but most take about two years to complete. Part-time students take longer to graduate than full-time learners, and those pursuing an academic concentration may also take longer. Additionally, students enrolling in accelerated programs or those with transferrable credits can expedite their graduation date.
Is the GMAT required to get into an MBA program in Georgia?
While the GMAT is a common admission requirement for MBA programs, online programs tend to favor academic performance and professional experience when making admission decisions. Additionally, many schools requiring standardized test scores commonly offer test waivers for applicants with extensive business experience or those with college transcripts demonstrating clear readiness for graduate-level coursework.
In Georgia, what is the ROI on an MBA vs a bachelor’s degree in business?
Graduates from schools like Kennesaw State University and Clayton State University working in Georgia see a 20-year net return on investment of about 9%. An online MBA offers working professionals cutting-edge skills that often lead to expanded career options and increased pay.
What accreditations should I look for in an online MBA program in Georgia?
When applying for online MBA programs in Georgia, be sure they hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Programmatic accreditation is effectively an MBA program’s seal of approval stating it offers standout academics, student services, and resources for graduates. Georgia schools should hold accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Financial Aid and Scholarships for MBA Students in Georgia
Many online MBA programs come with a significant price tag, but several also offer relatively affordable tuition rates. Earning an online MBA is always a considerable investment of both time and money, and most students need financial aid through options like loans, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and employer tuition assistance.
When reviewing potential online MBA programs in Georgia, reach out to each institution’s financial aid office. Financial aid professionals can help you find the most effective way to secure funding to offset the cost of tuition, course materials, and other fees.
Scholarships are another popular funding option. They range in size, but any financial award will help ease the financial burden of a graduate program. Some scholarships specifically for graduate students are highlighted below.
The Bikulege Family Foundation Master’s Fellowship
Duke Kramer MBA Graduate Assistantship
Salary Potential for MBA Grads in Georgia
Georgia’s unemployment rate currently (June 2024) hovers around 3.3%, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. The state’s job numbers also hit a new high of nearly 5 million (as of May 2024). This growth along with the state’s pro-business tax structure makes the Peach State an excellent place for business professionals.
Graduates with an MBA in Georgia gain the skills they need to expand career options and tackle leadership roles in various business environments. Jobs for marketing managers, financial managers, and management analysts, as the table below illustrates, all boast faster-than-average job growth rates.
Additionally, these leadership roles come with especially lucrative salaries, as indicated by the figures for Georgia professionals listed in the chart below. For example, according to recent (May 2023) figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wages for marketing and sales managers in Georgia both top $165,000 annually.
| Job Growth Rate (2022-32) | Average Annual Openings (2022-32) | Mean Salary (2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|
12.5% | 830 | $165,100 | |
24.7% | 1,890 | $178,980 | |
13.2% | 540 | $146,860 | |
16.8% | 3,350 | $110,250 | |
12.3% | 1,330 | $135,160 |