Top 10 Affordable MBA Programs in Ohio

Business education programs are popular choices for many students. Unfortunately, the cost of higher education is expensive, and many students stop at an undergraduate degree even when a Master of Business Administration (MBA) could further their careers.

States like Ohio have several schools offering affordable in-person and online MBA programs. Keep reading to discover the top affordable MBA programs.

Top Affordable MBA Programs in Ohio

Affordable online colleges in Ohio can help reduce the cost of a degree. Many of the colleges and universities in Ohio offer affordable MBA programs, and several also offer financial aid to cover the cost of an MBA. Below, we've featured some of the top affordable MBA programs in Ohio.

1. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University is a public research university in Bowling Green, Ohio. Its Schmidthorst College of Business offers a full-time on-campus and an online MBA program with specializations like:

• accounting
• finance
• strategic communication
• supply chain management

Graduate tuition at BGSU is $6,432 per term for in-state students and $10,426.20 per term for out-of-state students. Online tuition is less, making Bowling Green one of the most affordable online colleges in Ohio. The College of Business offers several assistantship opportunities that provide funding to help students pay for school.

2. Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is a private research university in Cleveland. It offers full-time, part-time, online, and executive MBA programs through its Weatherhead School of Management with concentrations such as:

• business analytics
• fintech
• healthcare management
• organizational leadership

Tuition varies depending on the program; the full-time MBA costs a total of $96,720, while the online MBA costs a total of $77,184. The university offers multiple high-value scholarship and fellowship programs that can cover up to the full amount of tuition for MBA students.

3. Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University is a public research university in Cleveland. Its Monte Ahuja College of Business offers several MBA degree programs with specializations that include:

• economic forecasting
• information systems
• marketing analytics
• operations and supply chain management

Full-time in-state students pay $8,604.70 per term, while out-of-state students pay just slightly more at $8,617.70 per term. The business school offers several scholarships to help students cover costs.

4. Franklin University

Franklin University is a private university with its main campus in Columbus. It offers in-person and online MBA degree programs with specializations like:

• business analytics
• human resources management
• information technology
• operational excellence

The university charges $670 per credit hour. As the MBA requires 36 credit hours, this works out to $24,120 for the program.

5. Miami University

Miami University is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio. It offers an MBA program that allows students to complete their coursework on campus or online through its Farmer School of Business.

Graduate tuition for in-state students at Miami University is $8,375.76 per semester and $18,895.68 per semester for out-of-state students. Students can use scholarships and grants from the school to cover their costs.

6. Ohio State University

The Ohio State University is a public research university in Columbus. Its Fisher College of Business offers several MBA options, including flexible MBAs for working professionals. It's listed as the best college for business in Ohio on the U.S. News and World Report business school rankings.

The in-person full-time MBA costs $31,285 per year for in-state students and $60,124 per year for out-of-state students, while the online program is $29,001 per year for in-state students and $29,601 per year for out-of-state students. Some students may qualify for financial aid.

7. Ohio University

Ohio University is a public research university in Athens, Ohio. It offers online and in-person MBA programs through its College of Business with concentrations including:

• business analytics
• business venturing and entrepreneurship
• project management
• supply chain and operations management

The online MBA costs a total of $35,980 for in-state students, while the one-year in-person program costs a total of $21,432. Students can receive up to $10,000 through institutional scholarships or participate in an assistantship program.

8. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is a public research university located in Cincinnati. Its Lindner College of Business offers full-time, part-time, and online MBA programs with concentrations like:

• artificial intelligence in business
• data analytics
• healthcare administration
• investment management

In-state residents learning on-campus and online pay $11,998 per term. The college offers an affordable online MBA for out-of-state students, with their cost per term being $12,148.

9. Wright State University

Wright State University is a public research university in Fairborn, Ohio. It offers MBA programs through its Raj Soin College of Business with concentrations such as:

• healthcare management
• international business
• new venture creation
• project management

Tuition for in-state residents is $8,440 per term, while tuition for out-of-state residents is $13,434 per term. The university waives up to full tuition costs for MBA students participating in graduate assistantships.

10. Xavier University

Xavier University is a private Catholic university in Cincinnati. Its Williams College of Business offers part-time, full-time, online, and executive MBA programs with concentrations like:

• business intelligence and analytics
• innovation, change, and entrepreneurship
• international business
• supply chain management

Tuition for the MBA degree is $919 per credit. The College of Business offers assistantships and scholarships specifically for students pursuing business degrees.

FAQs About Affordable MBA Programs

Below, we've answered frequently asked questions about affordable MBA programs in Ohio.

Will My Affordable Online Master of Business Administration Degree Be Respected?

Generally speaking, the affordability of your degree and whether or not your degree was earned in-person or online won't matter so long as your degree is accredited. Look for programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation verifies that a school of business offers a quality education.

Are There Affordable and Accredited MBA Programs in Ohio?

There are many high-quality, affordable, accredited MBA programs in Ohio. All the programs above are from regionally accredited institutions, and most are AACSB-accredited.

How Much Does an MBA Cost in Ohio?

Several factors influence the cost of an MBA in Ohio, including the institution you attend, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, and what financial aid you qualify for. However, on average, the cost of an MBA in Ohio is $47,833.

Is an MBA Worth it Financially?

For many MBA graduates, an MBA is worth it as it can help you get paid more than you would with just a bachelor's degree. It also allows you to focus on a specific area of study, like financial management or nonprofit management, through electives and concentrations.

Additionally, many MBA programs include real-world work experience, which can give you a leg up as you pursue your business career.

What Is the ROI of an MBA Program in Ohio?

Like the cost of an MBA, the return on investment you get from an MBA program can vary. Typically, ROI is determined by looking at how much the average salary is for an MBA grad within the first three months of graduating versus the average debts from the MBA program. For example, the ratio of graduates at Ohio State is 3.3-to-1.