Top 10 Online Aviation MBA Programs for 2026

Those interested in the business side of the aviation industry may want to consider a Master of Business Administration, or MBA, in aviation management or aviation in general. These programs prepare students to work in leadership roles in the business side of aviation.

For students who aren't able to study on campus, many MBA and aviation programs are available online. Keep reading to discover online MBAs in aviation and aviation management.

What Is an Online MBA in Aviation Management?

An aviation management MBA is a graduate business degree with a special focus on aviation management. These programs usually include core business courses, as well as aviation-focused courses on topics like airport management, aviation economics, and aviation systems.

Best Online Aviation MBA Programs

Several colleges and universities offer MBAs in aviation or aviation management, or similar degrees, online. We've highlighted some of these schools below.

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private, nonprofit institution based in Daytona Beach, FL, that's specifically focused on aeronautics, aviation, and aerospace. It offers an online MBA in aviation with optional tracks in areas like:

• airline management
• international business
• leadership
• marketing

The program provides students with business skills targeting the aviation/aerospace industries. It requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $868 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

2. Capitol Technology University

At Capitol Technology University, students can earn an MBA online with a concentration in aviation or aviation cybersecurity. The aviation concentration covers topics like airport and airline management, while the aviation cybersecurity concentration focuses on minimizing and eliminating cyber threats in the aviation world.

Capitol Tech, a private, nonprofit university, is located in Laurel, MD. The online MBA here requires a minimum of 36 credits and is completely online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $650 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota (UND) offers both an MBA in aviation management online as well as an online Master of Science (MS) in aviation. UND is a public research university in Grand Forks, ND.

The MBA includes 33 credits of core business courses and nine credits from the aviation department. The MS in aviation offers concentrations in aviation safety, unmanned aircraft systems, aviation management, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $762.34 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

4. Henderson State University

The online MBA at Henderson State University (HSU) offers a concentration in aviation management. The program examines airport management techniques, current challenges, and future trends related to airport operations, as well as how to navigate aviation regulations.

HSU, located in Arkadelphia, AR, is a public university. The MBA here requires 33 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 14 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $389 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: HLC, AACSB

5. University of Dubuque

The University of Dubuque is a private Presbyterian university in Dubuque, IA. It offers an MBA online with an aviation specialization that includes the following courses:

• Aviation Safety & Risk Management
• Leadership & Management in Aviation
• Crisis Management & Operational Continuity
• Technology and Operations Management

The MBA requires 46 credits. Full-time students can finish in as little as 15 months, but a part-time option is also available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $416 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Lynn University

Students at Lynn University can earn an MBA in aviation management on campus or online. The program focuses on the core business structure of the aviation industry, and includes courses on airport operations, aviation organization operations, AI in aviation, and more.

Lynn University, a private, nonprofit institution, is located in Boca Raton, FL. The MBA program here is 37 credits, and students who decide to take the aviation management MBA program online must complete flight training outside the university.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit
• Delivery format: Online with in-person flight training required
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

7. Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University (SUU) offers an online MBA with a concentration in aviation administration and leadership. SUU is a public university in Cedar City, UT.

The program includes courses on aeronautical decision-making, crew resource management, aviation economics, and the air transportation industry in general. It requires 33 credits and runs on seven-week terms, with students able to complete the program in just 12 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $504 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), AACSB

8. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

The online MBA at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE) offers several concentrations, including one in aerospace logistics. It trains students in aerospace logistics, program management, and systems acquisition processes, with a special focus on business in the aerospace industry.

SE, located in Durant, OK, is a public university. The online MBA is 30 credit hours and takes about a year for full-time students to finish.

• Estimated tuition cost: $391 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: HLC, AACSB

9. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a public university in Warrensburg, MO. It offers a unique MBA in airport management in-person and online that includes courses on:

• airport leadership
• airport finance
• airport planning and design
• aviation safety program management

The program requires 34 credits and can be completed in as little as a year. UCM also offers a 33-credit MS in aviation safety online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $445 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: HLC, AACSB

10. Thomas Edison State University

Several schools offer MS degrees in aviation management online, including Thomas Edison State University (TESU). The program here covers topics like aviation safety, air career operations, airport management, and aviation economics.

TESU, a public university, is located in Trenton, NJ. The aviation management MS here requires 36 credits and takes about two years of part-time study.

• Estimated tuition cost: $695 per credit
• Delivery format: Online
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the MBA in aviation management colleges, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions listed are regionally accredited, and many of the business programs are accredited by institutions like the AACSB.
• Program format: Every program listed is available online.
• Affordability: All programs charge less than $1,000 per credit hour, and many offer excellent financial aid options.

Who Should Consider an Aviation MBA?

Many people of different backgrounds may want to consider an aviation MBA. These include:

• mid-career aviation professionals
• airline managers wanting to further their careers
• business professionals wanting to enter the aviation sector

Essentially, these programs are ideal for anyone who wants to pursue a leadership role in the business side of the aviation industry.

FAQs About Aviation MBA Programs

An MBA in aviation is a great option for many students. We've answered some frequently asked questions about aviation MBAs to help you decide if this is the right option for you.

Is an Aviation MBA Worth It?

Whether an aviation MBA is worth it depends on your career goals. For many students, an aviation MBA helps them reach management, administration, and leadership roles in the aviation sector that they perhaps wouldn't reach otherwise.

Do I Need Aviation Experience To Apply?

Admission requirements vary by school. Some require you to have an undergraduate degree in an aviation-related field or to have aviation experience, while others do not.

How Long Does an Aviation MBA Take Online?

Many of the online programs listed above can be completed in about a year or so of full-time study, although some take 14 or 15 months.

What Careers Require an Aviation MBA?

There are very few careers that specifically require an MBA in aviation or a similar degree. However, some careers that you can pursue with this credential include:

• aviation operations manager
• airport director of operations
• aviation project manager
• aviation business consultant
• air freight and cargo manager

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Aviation MBA Programs?

As mentioned, the admissions requirements for an aviation MBA can vary by program. Almost all MBAs require a bachelor's degree; some are specific about the major, while others are not. Other admissions requirements you might encounter include:

• minimum undergraduate GPA
• work experience
• GRE or GMAT scores
• letters of recommendation
• personal essays

You can usually find the admissions requirements on the program website.

Explore Aviation Degrees

Find the perfect aviation MBA by exploring the online options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.