6 Affordable Online MBA in Engineering Management Programs 2025

An affordable online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in engineering management provides a pathway to leadership roles in technology-driven industries and beyond. If you're interested in advancing your career path in engineering in a business environment, this graduate degree can be an excellent choice.

This article highlights six accredited schools that offer MBA in engineering management programs. We'll also discuss program costs, coursework, and job opportunities. Keep reading to learn how online MBA programs can help your career goals.

What Is an MBA in Engineering Management?

An MBA in engineering management prepares students for leadership positions by combining technical engineering knowledge with fundamental business management principles, such as organizational behavior, strategic planning, and financial management. Students learn how to navigate complex technical operations while developing communication and leadership skills.

Professionals with an engineering management MBA can become product managers, systems engineers, quality assurance managers, and more.

How Much Does an Online MBA in Engineering Management Cost?

The cost for an online MBA in engineering management can range from $12,840 to more than $120,000 in total tuition. Costs vary according to the individual school and the program length. Public colleges and universities typically have lower tuition rates, while private schools often have more expensive degree programs.

You can help keep your education costs low by utilizing employer tuition reimbursement plans and applying for financial aid, such as scholarships. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for federal and state assistance.

Cheapest Online Engineering Management MBA Programs

The following schools offer online MBA programs with the option to specialize in engineering management. All of the featured colleges and universities are accredited institutions.

1. Henderson State University

Henderson State University (HSU) is a small public school located in Arkadelphia, AR, that offers a 33-credit MBA in engineering management program. HSU's program gives MBA students the knowledge and skills to manage complex systems, drive innovation, and lead diverse teams.

All of the program's coursework is delivered online. The curriculum includes courses like project management, strategic information systems, quality control improvement, and supply chain management. HSU's MBA in engineering management is designed to be completed at an accelerated pace � full-time students can earn their master's degree in 14 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,837 total tuition
• Program length: 14 months
• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

2. University of Southern Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana's online MBA in engineering management program hones management skills in manufacturing, technology, research and development, and other industries. The program is 30 credit hours total, consisting of 21 hours of core courses and nine hours of concentration coursework.

MBA core courses include leadership skills, marketing strategies, and information systems. Engineering management students take courses like project management and quality control management. The program's admissions requirements stipulate that applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.

• Estimated tuition cost: $13,900 total tuition
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: AACSB

3. Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University (LSU) is a large public school based in Baton Rouge, LA, with a customizable online MBA program. Engineering management students take a required set of core courses and curate their concentration through additional core and elective courses. Specialization courses include information systems, data analytics, and global supply chain management.

The Princeton Review and Fortune Education ranked LSU's program as one of the Top 50 Best Online MBAs. The program is 36 credit hours total, and full-time students can earn their degrees in 18 months. Students are not required to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores.

• Estimated tuition cost: $484 per credit hour
• Program length: 18 months
• Accreditation: AACSB

4. University of Buffalo

Located in its namesake city, the University of Buffalo (UB)'s School of Management offers an online MBA program designed for working professionals. Full-time students can earn their degree in one year; those enrolled part-time can take up to four years to complete the program.

The degree program consists of 36 credit hours of foundation courses and 12 credit hours of electives. Concentration courses include supply chain analytics, predictive analytics, and database management systems. Though engineering management applicants may have a bachelor's degree in any field, UB's School of Management requires potential students to have at least two to three years of work experience.

• Estimated tuition cost: $635 per credit hour (in-state)/$762 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Program length: One to four years
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an online MBA in engineering program in partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). WPI's prestigious faculty have developed and teach the degree program through SNHU's online platform.

MBA students develop problem-solving skills and learn the best systems engineering practices. The program curriculum consists of seven core business courses and three engineering management courses, such as organizational strategy and systems thinking. Courses are delivered in 10-week terms and have multiple start dates throughout the year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit hour
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

6. University of Maine

The University of Maine's online MBA in engineering management is a collaboration between its Business School and College of Engineering. Students who enroll in its program take 24 credit hours of MBA core courses and nine credit hours of concentration courses. The curriculum is delivered entirely online.

MBA students hone engineering and decision-making skills in courses like engineering economics, statistical foundations for data science, and engineering optimization. Full-time students can graduate from the program in 20 months or fewer.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit hour
• Program length: 20 months
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

How We Rank Schools

We consider factors like accreditation status, tuition rates, and reputation when deciding which schools to feature.

• Accreditation: All listed colleges and universities have been vetted by independent accrediting bodies. Some programs have been specially accredited by industry-specific organizations, like the AACSB.
• Affordability: These online programs cost $1,000 or less per tuition hour; we ranked the most affordable programs at the top of our list.
• Program reputation: An MBA program's reputation is determined by its curriculum, accreditation status, awards, and graduation rates.

What To Expect From an Online MBA in Engineering Management

An online MBA in engineering management program is similar to an on-campus MBA program. These degree programs consist of core, or foundational, business courses (e.g., business analytics) and concentration, or elective, courses (e.g., information technology).

MBA degree programs generally range between 30 and 45 credit hours and can be completed in 10 months to four years. The time it will take you to earn your MBA in engineering management depends on your chosen program, your enrollment status (full vs. part-time), and whether you have any eligible transfer credits.

Master's in Engineering Management vs MBA: What's the Difference?

Both the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) and the MBA in engineering management are graduate programs. An MBA in engineering management program takes a broader business-centered approach to education, with a specialization in engineering. A MEM program places a deeper focus on engineering-specific responsibilities, with a focus on applying leadership skills in technical industries.

Pursuing a Master of Engineering Management vs. MBA in engineering management depends on your educational background and career goals. MEM students typically come from a strong Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) background, while MBA students hold undergraduate degrees in various fields.

FAQs About Earning an Engineering Management MBA Online

Below, we address some commonly asked questions about earning your engineering management MBA online.

Is an MBA in Engineering Management Worth It?

Deciding to pursue an MBA is a highly personal process. You must consider the time and money needed to earn your degree, and how your degree can best serve your career goals.

An MBA in engineering management can open many doors to jobs in the engineering field. MBA graduates can become product development managers, technical consultants, project managers, and systems engineers. An MBA in engineering management can be applied in a broad range of industries, from energy and infrastructure to healthcare.

Do These MBAs Require an Engineering Background?

These MBA programs do not necessarily require an engineering background. While some undergraduate courses in engineering can be helpful, many programs do not require potential students to have a bachelor's degree in a specific field.

Online MBA programs' admissions requirements typically require students to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, have work experience, and submit a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and GMAT or GRE scores. Some programs do not require standardized test scores.

How Much Can I Earn With an MBA in Engineering Management Online?

Professionals with an MBA in engineering management are employed in a range of roles across many industries, and MBA engineering management salaries vary widely.

Generally speaking, people with an MBA in engineering management can earn between $75,000 and $239,000 per year. The lower salary range applies to entry-level positions, with experienced managers earning in the higher range. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that engineering managers average $167,740 per year.

Discover Online MBA Programs

If you're ready to advance your engineering and business education, we invite you to connect with the featured schools on Learn.org and discover which online master's program best supports your goals.