8 Most Affordable Online Sustainability MBA Programs 2025

Sustainability management careers focus on environmental, economic, and social responsibility within corporate and nonprofit organizations. Earning your Master of Business (MBA) in sustainability is an excellent way to launch your business education in this diverse and growing career sector.

In this article, we explore various online MBA in sustainability programs, discuss program costs and timelines, and review job outlooks. Keep reading to learn more about affordable graduate programs that teach about sustainable development in the business world.

What Is a Master of Business Administration in Sustainability?

A Master of Business Administration degree program develops students' strategic thinking and leadership skills. In addition to fundamental core business courses, such as corporate finance and operations management, many MBA programs have specialization options. An MBA in sustainability is a specialization emphasizing sustainable practices, environmental management, and corporate social responsibility.

Related degrees include MBAs in environmental sustainability, MBAs in sustainability management, and executive MBAs in sustainability. All of these master's degree programs combine traditional business practices with sustainability practices.

How Much Does an Online MBA in Sustainability Cost?

An online MBA in sustainability varies according to school and degree program. Online programs range from $20,000 to more than $80,000 in total tuition costs.

Public schools tend to be more affordable than private colleges and universities. Some public schools offer lower tuition rates for in-state students, while others provide one standard tuition rate for online learners. You can help keep your education costs low by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for federal and state financial aid, such as scholarships and grants.

Cheapest Online MBA in Sustainability Programs

This list highlights some of the best sustainability MBA programs. All of the following schools are accredited institutions and offer their MBAs with a sustainability focus either entirely online or in a hybrid format.

1. University of Houston Clear Lake

MBA students at the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL)'s College of Business can concentrate in environmental management. This degree specialization emphasizes contemporary environmental policies, business strategies, and pollution control technology.

The College Consensus has ranked UHCL's online MBA program among the best Texas MBA programs. You can take this 36-credit program completely online; there are also options to take some courses on campus.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,920 per year (in-state); $19,352 per year (out-of-state)
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

2. Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University (SOU) offers an MBA in corporate sustainability. This MBA degree program teaches students how to lead organizations with social and environmental responsibility goals through sustainable business models. The curriculum includes courses on change initiatives and risk management; real-world case studies help students understand how sustainability practices affect an organization's bottom line.

SOU's MBA in corporate sustainability program is 45 credit hours total. Full-time learners can earn their degree in 16 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $430 per credit hour
• Program length: 16 months
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

3. Oklahoma State University

Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a large public university that offers an MBA in energy business. This specialization combines financial management, risk management, and other business practices with a focus on sustainability strategies and contemporary energy issues.

U.S. News & World Report rated OSU's online MBA program as one of the nation's best in 2025. The program curriculum is 36 to 39 credits total, depending on your background, and includes courses like energy finance and management of sustainable enterprises.

• Estimated tuition cost: $489 per credit hour
• Program length: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

4. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private school in New Castle, DE, with an online MBA in sustainability program. This 30-credit degree program emphasizes sustainability principles that support business strategy and tactics.

Core courses include data analysis, managerial decision-making, and strategic planning for sustainability. MBA students can take all of their courses online, and those enrolled on a full-time basis can earn their online MBA in one year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $537 per credit hour
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

5. Unity Environmental University

Based in New Gloucester, ME, Unity Environmental University is a small private school specializing in social and environmental sustainability. Each of the university's bachelor's degree and master's degree programs highlights sustainable practices.

Unity Environmental University has two online MBA programs: one with a concentration in coastal economic development and one with a concentration in climate-ready business. Graduate students learn how to synthesize practices involving climate change and supply chain management, how to promote brand loyalty through environmental leadership, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $550 per credit hour
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)'s online MBA in sustainability and environmental compliance prepares students for leadership roles that focus on social and environmental issues. The curriculum includes core business courses, such as accounting and marketing strategies, along with sustainability electives, including:

• corporate responsibility
• eco-friendly practices
• sustainable investing

SNHU's online MBA program has five start dates per year. You can enroll as a full-time or part-time student; full-time students can earn their degree in one year.

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

7. Franklin Pierce University

Located in Rindge, NH, Franklin Pierce University offers an MBA in energy and sustainability practices program that can be taken online or on campus. This 39-credit-hour degree track prepares students to apply sustainability, energy, and social responsibility practices in corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Core courses include marketing management, organizational behavior, and legal and ethical issues. Students concentrating in energy and sustainability practices take courses like energy economics and building a sustainable enterprise.

• Estimated tuition cost: $665 per credit hour
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: IACBE

8. University of Redlands

The University of Redlands' School of Business and Society has an MBA in sustainable solutions program. The program focuses on responsible leadership, sustainability, and social justice and includes specialization courses such as energy systems for sustainability and management consulting skills for sustainability professionals.

This MBA program is available in a hybrid format. Most courses are delivered online with some required on-campus residences. Students can enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.

• Estimated tuition cost: $962 per credit hour
• Program length: Two to three years
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

How We Rank Schools

We rank schools using the following criteria, including accreditation status and tuition rates.

• Accreditation: All listed colleges and universities must be accredited institutions. Some schools' degree programs feature additional accreditation status from industry-specific organizations, like the IACBE or the AACSB.
• Affordability: These MBA programs must cost $1,000 or less per credit hour.
• Program reputation: We consider accreditation status, experienced faculty, curriculum, and graduation rates when evaluating a program's reputation.

What To Expect From an Online MBA in Sustainability

Online MBA programs follow the same curriculum standards as their in-person program counterparts. An online MBA in sustainability includes core business courses like finance, organizational behavior, and data analysis. You will also take specialization courses (some schools refer to these as electives) focusing on topics like sustainability strategies and environmental management.

You can earn your online MBA in sustainability in one to three years, depending on the program's total credit hours and your enrollment status. Some schools require MBA students to complete a capstone project.

FAQs About Online Sustainability MBA Programs

In this section, we'll answer frequently asked questions about online sustainability MBA programs, from potential job roles to program length.

Is an MBA in Sustainability Worth It?

An MBA degree is an investment in both time and money. Deciding whether or not to pursue your MBA in sustainability is a highly personal decision.

However, sustainability is a developing field. As climate change continues to grow in importance, corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations are incorporating sustainability practices into their short- and long-term plans. Sustainability professionals provide a specialized skillset that is applicable across a broad scope of industries.

What Kinds of Jobs Can I Get With a Sustainability MBA?

Sustainability professionals work to improve an organization's environmental, social, and economic impact. An MBA in sustainability offers a pathway to many job opportunities, including roles like:

• sustainability consultant
• environmental policy director
• environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment analyst
• sustainability data analyst
• environmental compliance specialist
• sustainable brand strategist

How Do Online Sustainability MBAs Compare to Environmental Science Degrees?

MBA in sustainability programs approach the environment and sustainability issues through business and leadership perspectives. While also culminating in a master's degree, a Master of Science (MS) in environmental science program has a more scientific-theoretical foundation. Coursework in an MS in environmental science can include environmental chemistry, ecology, and environmental policy and management.

Can I Specialize in Renewable Energy or Corporate Sustainability?

Schools offer their own unique MBA program concentrations, such as common ones like entrepreneurship and renewable energy; you may also find MBA with sustainability concentrations. Some of these programs are offered online, while others are only in-person degree options.

To decide which MBA concentration is best for you, research school curricula. This will give you a good understanding of the program's focus and how it aligns with your professional goals.

How Long Is an MBA in Sustainability Program?

MBA in sustainability programs generally range from one to three years. You can earn your degree more quickly by enrolling as a full-time student and by applying any eligible graduate-level transfer credits.

Most online programs are designed for working professionals. You can either take courses asynchronously or schedule your classes for evenings and weekends.

Discover Online MBA Programs

Many online MBA programs can support your career in sustainability. Reach out to Learn.org's partner schools and discover which best supports your professional goals.