10 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs in North Carolina 2025

A Master of Business Administration degree opens up a range of lucrative career options, including business management, human resources, and entrepreneurship. Finding an affordable online MBA in North Carolina isn't hard; several programs cost less than $500 per credit hour, like Fayetteville State and North Carolina Central University.

The cheapest online MBA in North Carolina is available at the University of North Carolina Pembroke, but there are several options for other cheap online MBA programs across the U.S.

If you want a quality MBA degree without having to worry about traveling to campus, then one of these online programs may be a great fit. All are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), except for NC State Jenkins, which eanred Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation.

Cheapest Online MBA Programs in North Carolina

There are many great cheap online colleges in North Carolina for students hoping to complete an online master's degree. And to help lower costs more, students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for assistance as many of these are online colleges that accept FAFSA. Take a look at the graduate programs below, and see if an inexpensive online MBA will help you achieve your career goals.

1. The University of North Carolina Pembroke

Students at UNC Pembroke can finish their MBA degrees online in as little as 12 months. Online students take the same caliber courses as on-campus students and gain valuable business skills by managing a computer-simulated company. UNC Pembroke also offers several MBA concentrations for students interested in finance, business analytics, healthcare administration, supply chain management, and others.

UNC Pembroke's online MBA program costs $268.11 per credit hour, plus applicable fees. Financial aid and grants are available for qualified students.

2. Fayetteville State University

An MBA from Fayetteville State is AACSB accredited and can be completed in as little as 12 months or as many as 72 months. Most students complete their degrees in about two years. Online courses are designed for students from all walks of life, from recent undergraduates to military members to working adults.

Online courses are available in eight-week terms; all core classes and electives will have the option for interactive classes through a video conferencing tool like Zoom. Before graduating, students will work with a client to complete their capstone project, solving a real-world problem with the business skills they've gained.

For North Carolina residents, this program costs $280.30 per credit hour, plus applicable fees. Students in need of financial assistance should fill out the FAFSA to see what funding they qualify for.

3. The University of North Carolina Charlotte

UNC Charlotte's AACSB-accredited program was ranked as the number one part-time MBA for North Carolina public universities, according to U.S. News and World Report. The program gives students the business skills they need to thrive in their careers, but it also connects students with local companies ?from Fortune 500 organizations to small businesses, all local to Charlotte. Students can work part-time or full-time to complete their MBA online.

UNC Charlotte is offering an application fee waiver for Spring 2025 students. Tuition for state residents is $296.76 per credit hour. Additionally, the Belk College of Business offers some program-specific funding opportunities for students in need of financial aid.

4. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central is ranked as one of the top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the nation. Its online MBA program is AACSB-certified and lets students attend graduate school from wherever works best for them. MBA students will specialize in:

• data analytics
• marketing
• hospitality and tourism
• real estate
• wealth management
• information systems management
• cybersecurity

Students must complete 24 credit hours of core courses and 12 elective credit hours within their concentration. The program generally takes 12 to 24 months to complete, and courses are offered fully online. In-state graduate students will pay $299.23 per credit hour, plus fees. Financial aid options include the Next NC Scholarship, which offers grant money to students in need of assistance.

5. North Carolina Agriculture and Technical School

North Carolina A&T is a top historically Black public university offering a quality online MBA program. It teaches students to use technology to work more effectively and collaboratively within the business world, so they can become leaders in their community. The AACSB-accredited program has helped past students land jobs with companies like Volvo, Shell Oil, and Boeing.

The curriculum focuses on building a foundation in business essentials before students specialize in accounting, general management, human resources, or supply chain management. All of these are available fully online, except for accounting. In-state students will pay $416.67 per credit hour, and financial aid is available through grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs.

6. East Carolina University

East Carolina University was the first in the state to offer a low-cost MBA online. Since 2005, graduate students have been able to take the same MBA courses as on-campus students to complete an AACSB-accredited degree. The program can take as little as two years, but part-time students can stretch that timeline out to meet their needs.

Future business leaders can take classes fully online, on-campus, or hybrid. The program includes immersive coursework and an internship with a local business so that students can grow their skills with hands-on work.

The online MBA program costs $455.55 per credit hour. Students interested in financial aid must submit the FAFSA and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

7. The University of North Carolina Wilmington

Full-time MBA students at UNC Wilmington can finish their degrees in just 12 months. Students will complete 30 credit hours of core courses, including accounting, operations management, economics, and others. They will also complete six credit hours of electives like:

• international human resources management
• global marketing strategy
• commercialization

Students interested in pursuing an AACSB-accredited MBA from UNC Wilmington must have a bachelor's degree and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The GMAT is waived through the end of 2025, making this the cheapest online MBA with no GMAT requirements.

For NC residents, the program costs $535.77 per credit hour, including fees. Financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans, are available.

8. North Carolina Wesleyan

Forbes ranked North Carolina Wesleyan's online MBA program in the top 10 for 2023, but this private non-profit school is also one of the cheapest in the state. MBA students pay $543 per credit hour for a 33-credit hour program. Students in need of financial assistance can fill out the FAFSA and contact the financial aid office about a monthly payment plan.

North Carolina Wesleyan's online MBA program fits into a full-time or part-time schedule, offers multiple start dates per year, and allows students to specialize in executive leadership, information security, or supply chain management.

Interested students need a bachelor's degree in business or a related field, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5, a resume, and two references. GRE and GMAT grades are not required.

9. North Carolina State Jenkins

One of the most flexible online MBA programs is available through NC State Jenkins. The program can be finished in 21 months or stretched over six years. Classes are all available online, but students have the option to add synchronous online classes, or hybrid Saturday or evening classes. Electives allow students to graduate with a certificate in a specialized field.

Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited school; they must have completed statistics with a grade of a C or higher. They must also have two years of professional work experience.

The MBA program includes 40 credit hours of coursework and costs $546.50 per credit hour, plus fees. Some scholarships specifically for MBA students are available.

10. Wake Forest University

Students at Wake Forest University can pursue an MBA degree online. MBA students at Wake Forest can choose from five business concentrations:

• business analytics
• finance
• digital marketing
• project management
• leadership and strategy

Students blend electives into their coursework to home in on their chosen field and gain the skills they need to grow and thrive in the business world. Past students have had an average GRE score of 321, and an average GMAT score of 685.

Interested students must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Preference is given to students with at least two years of post-graduate work experience.

Full tuition is $9,330 per semester, which includes all applicable fees. Financial aid is available, as well as dozens of scholarships, specifically for MBA students.

Our Selection Criteria

To find the best cheap MBA programs online, we looked at a few key factors:

Accreditation: All schools listed above are accredited by either the SACSCOC or AACSB. Most are accredited by both, so you can be confident that your online MBA degree will provide you with the same quality education as on-campus students.

Affordability: Many of the schools listed above are less than $500 per credit hour, ensuring that you can complete your degree without significant student loans. All of the schools also offer financial aid of some kind.

Program reputation: The schools listed above are well-known in the state, either nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report or locally recognized and respected. The programs are rigorous and will help get your business career started on the right foot.

What To Expect from an Online Master of Business Administration

Many online business schools follow a similar methodology. Most of your credit hours will be focused on building a strong foundation in business basics, while elective courses will help you focus on topics that interest you most. You can expect a lot of flexibility from these programs; many are asynchronous, meaning you can complete the coursework on your own time.

Many of these programs match students with a local business, so they can get hands-on learning in the business world. There are also networking opportunities, both online and in-person. However, since most of your work will be completed independently online, you must be focused, self-motivated, and highly organized to succeed in an online MBA program.

Online Coursework for MBA Students

Your core foundational courses will likely include math and finance classes, economics, marketing, and managerial strategy. All of these courses will guide you as you dig deeper into your chosen field with elective classes on things like human resources, logistics, health administration, supply chain management, and many others.

The programs listed above offer flexible learning options. Some are 100% online, while others offer hybrid models or synchronous online classes.

Financial Aid for Online MBA Degrees in North Carolina

For students in need of financial assistance, there are many programs to help pay for your online MBA. To start, you should fill out the FAFSA for your MBA degree. This will automatically show you how much federal aid you are qualified for. But beyond that, there are many other options, including:

• scholarships and grants
• fellowships
• work-study programs

When you submit the FAFSA to your school, many will automatically enroll you in any scholarship programs you apply for, but you should still check for any other merit-based or program-specific grants that apply to you. Unlike loans, this money does not need to be paid back.

A fellowship can provide financial aid, along with other benefits like mentorship and networking. Finally, many business schools offer work-study programs, allowing students to study part-time so they can balance schoolwork with full-time work responsibilities ?this usually means it will take you longer to complete your degree, but a part-time program will lower overall costs.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online MBA Programs in North Carolina

Getting your online Master's in Business Administration is a big step. Take a look at our FAQs below to see if we can answer any more of your questions.

How Much Does an MBA Cost in North Carolina?

This depends on the program you choose, whether you choose to study online or in person, and whether you are full-time or part-time. However, on average, online MBA programs in North Carolina cost $375 per credit hour.

Is an Online MBA Degree Worth It?

An online MBA degree is as reputable as one received in person. The accredited programs listed above are from recognized schools that will effectively prepare you for a successful business career. Many also partner with local businesses or offer networking events to help get you connected even before you graduate.

How Can You Pay for an MBA Degree?

Taking online courses helps lower the cost of your degree, but financial aid options (e.g., federal loans, scholarships, grants, and fellowships) can also assist. Talk to your school's financial aid office to see what they can do to help you pay for your degree.

Can I Get an MBA Online for Free?

There are no free online MBA programs in North Carolina, but you can look into free or low-cost MBA certificates from organizations like edX or institutions like the New York University of Business and Technology.

Explore Online Business Schools

A master's degree may seem intimidating to some, but there are so many options for low-cost online MBA programs in North Carolina to make this goal easier to reach. If you're ready to find your perfect business school, take a look at the accredited programs featured on Learn.org and reach out to one today.