5 Most Affordable Online MBA Programs in South Carolina 2025

Earning a graduate-level business degree can be costly, especially if you have to attend classes in person. Often, the most economical way to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is via online coursework. Luckily, affordable online MBA programs are plentiful. For students in the South, there are quite a few affordable online MBAs in South Carolina.

Cheapest Online MBA Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina's list of accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA is impressive, but there are also a number of schools that offer cheap online degrees. Read on for the best affordable online degree options for students who want to earn an MBA.

1. University of South Carolina Aiken

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online MBA programs, the University of South Carolina Aiken allows students to earn their MBA in only 10 months by completing fast, seven-week courses. MBA students can choose from disciplines like accounting, business analytics, and cybersecurity management, as well as seven others.

At $465 per credit hour (30 hours required), USC Aiken is one of the more affordable online MBA programs in South Carolina, but it also accepts FAFSA.

2. Anderson University

At $580 per credit hour, the ACBSP-accredited Anderson University online MBA program is very affordable in relation to other programs. Students can choose one of seven MBA focuses, including digital marketing and online media, healthcare leadership, and supply chain management.

The online MBA program can be completed with 36 credits over 12 months. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

3. Charleston Southern University

Students can complete Charleston Southern University's International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)-accredited online MBA program in 17 to 24 months, which is typical for a full-time MBA program.

Three MBA tracks�general management, healthcare management, and supply chain management�are available at $650 per credit for a total of 30 credits. The university encourages every student to complete FAFSA to explore loan and scholarship options.

4. Limestone University

Limestone University in Gaffney employs full-time doctorate recipients to teach every course in its online MBA program. The university offers MBAs with concentrations in general management, health care administration, leadership, and sports business that have flexible schedules and accelerated courses.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)-accredited university charges $650 per credit hour and participates in a corporate grant program, which can offer 15% tuition discounts to some students.

5. The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina

Though it's technically a military school, students are not required to serve in the military before or after attending the Citadel. That's good news for those looking to complete one of South Carolina's best online MBA programs according to U.S. News & World Report.

Accredited by the AACSB, the Citadel's MBA curriculum is comprised of 36 credit hours at $700 per credit. Students are afforded some flexibility, with classes presented in seven- or eight-week formats. Core courses focus on information technology management, strategic marketing, and quantitative methods for operations management, among others.

Students enrolled in at least three credit hours per semester can be eligible for FAFSA benefits, and additional aid is available for veterans.

Other Affordable Online MBA Programs

Though the previously mentioned programs are the cheapest online MBA programs in South Carolina, there are other cheap MBA programs online that anyone can access. That's the beauty of online coursework.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

At just $297 per credit hour, the online MBA program at Texas A&M University-Central Texas is arguably the best bargain in the country for those seeking an AACSB-accredited education in business.

With tracks in marketing management, organizational behavior, and financial management, students have a broad range of areas to explore. The university offers financial aid to those who qualify.

University of North Georgia

With a 2.75 GPA and at least two years of experience in the professional world, students can apply to earn an online MBA from the AACSB-accredited University of North Georgia.

For $311 per credit hour, learners focus on tracks in entrepreneurship and innovation, compliance and ethics, cybersecurity, and technology leadership. The university is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Financial aid is available.

Arkansas Tech University

Offering concentrations in general business, business data analytics, and digital marketing, Arkansas Tech University is a great bargain for an online MBA at just $314.50 per credit hour.

To make entry into the program even easier, Arkansas Tech waives the GMAT/GRE requirement for those with managerial experience or select certifications and offers scholarships and other financial aid.

Eastern University

For a mere $330 per credit, Eastern University in Pennsylvania offers an online MBA program that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Seven-week terms mean that students can graduate in as little as 10 months with an MBA focused on either human resources, business analytics, project management, or general business. Eastern University's online MBA program is one of the most affordable in the country, and there are financial aid and veteran benefits available as well.

Northeastern State University

For students located in or near northeastern Oklahoma who want an online MBA course with the option for face-to-face coursework, the MBA program at Northeastern State University fits the bill.

At $343 per credit hour, Northeastern State University's Higher Learning Commission-accredited program is incredibly affordable and offers learners the option to explore areas like managerial finance, supply chain management, healthcare administration, and general business. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Our Selection Criteria

Before compiling this list, we researched online MBA programs in South Carolina in the following areas to ensure that we provided you with the best affordable options:

• Accreditation: The program must be an accredited online program, ideally by the AACBS or ACBSP.
• Affordability: To be considered ''most affordable,'' tuition must fall under $700 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: We scoured reputable online sources like U.S. News & World Report and the No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "Princeton Review https"! to research each program.
• Financial aid options: In addition to the cost of credit hours, we considered available financial aid options like loans, grants, scholarships, and veteran benefits.

What To Expect From an Online Master of Business Administration Program

Typically, an online MBA course can be completed in one to two years, though some programs on this list offer accelerated options in as little as 10 months. Though every program is different, students can expect to submit the following admission requirements before acceptance:

• undergraduate or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• GMAT or GRE scores
• minimum GPA
• letters of recommendation
• some corporate or real-world business experience

Once accepted into an online MBA program, students should be able to complete coursework on their own schedule within a specific curriculum's boundaries.

MBA Specializations and Coursework

Most low-cost MBA online degrees offer a general business track, but other common concentrations for MBA degree programs include information technology management, business leadership, health care management, marketing, and sports business.

Most courses cover topics like accounting, finance, leadership, and team management, while some delve into statistics, microeconomics, and communication.

Financial Aid for Online MBA Students

For students interested in completing career goals through business graduate programs on a budget, there are quite a few options for mitigating tuition costs.

• FAFSA: Most programs encourage students to apply for FAFSA for the full breadth of available federal loans, grants, and scholarships.
• Scholarships: If they meet the requirements, students can find scholarships in many places. The school offering the MBA program is the first place to look, but employers, local companies, and government entities routinely offer scholarships to students who qualify.
• Loans: Repayable loans are often offered at the state and federal level. FAFSA is the best source for these.
• Grants: Much like scholarships, grants can come from any number of sources. The federal Pell Grant is a very common grant that thousands of students receive every year.
• Work study: Many colleges and universities offer part-time employment to mitigate tuition costs.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online MBA Degree Programs in South Carolina

Choosing an online MBA program is a tough decision. To help make the choice a little easier, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions about online MBA programs in South Carolina.

Are Online MBA Degrees Respected?

Yes, online MBA degrees are respected. As studying online becomes more and more common, it's often not even a question of whether your degree was earned in person or online. In fact, an overwhelming majority of employers see online business degrees in the same light as in-person.

What Is the Average Cost of an Online MBA Degree in South Carolina?

The average cost of an online MBA in South Carolina varies. The cheapest we've found per credit hour is the University of South Carolina Aiken at $467 per credit hour, but many programs cost well over $1,000 per credit.

Nationally, the average cost of an online MBA can be anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000 but various supplemental costs like books and technology can add to the base number.

What Is the Cheapest Online MBA Program in South Carolina?

At just $467 per credit, the online MBA program at the University of South Carolina Aiken is the cheapest MBA in the state.

Can I Get an MBA Online for Free?

There's no such thing as a completely free online MBA. Some programs are nearly free, like the University of the People's online MBA program in Pasadena, CA, but even that program charges certain fees. However, with financial aid options like grants and scholarships, some students can attend online MBA programs at no cost.

Explore Online Business Degrees

Online business degrees make it possible for anyone in any location to pursue their MBA. With hundreds of potential programs available, Learn.org is your go-to resource for learning everything you need to know about the best and most affordable programs. Start investigating your options now.