Best Online MBA Programs in the South for 2024

USF Muma’s online MBA required standardized testing unless candidates meet one of these qualifications: 3.5 GPA or better from a high-quality institution; three or more years of quality work experience; or a professional license or certificate of significant merit. International students must prove English proficiency via a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score. Three letters of recommendation are also required. Four months post-graduation, students earned median annual salaries of $98,000. The deadline to apply for fall admission is June 1.

The online Global Leadership MBA at the University of Texas––Dallas requires international students to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 80. GRE and GMAT scores are not required but are accepted. However, the school requires three letters of recommendation. The program offers two academic certificates, including those in the Business Analytics and AI and Emerging Technologies concentrations. One year post-graduation, alumni report a median base salary of $105,304. The deadline to apply for fall enrollment is August 1.

Florida State University offers an online MBA program that takes seven semesters to complete, and the GMAT submission is optional. International applicants must submit scores from TOEFL, IELTS, PTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1, or Michigan Language Assessment. The program has an average of 31 students per course, and the application deadline for fall 2024 is June 1.

James Madison University’s online MBA program requires students to submit GMAT scores but will accept GRE scores instead. The program requires non-native English speakers to submit TOEFL, IELTS, either Duolingo scores. It also requires applicants to submit two letters of recommendation. Classes have an average of 22 students, with students reporting 9.5 years of professional work expereince prior to enrollment.

The University of Delaware’ requires students to complete 44 credits to graduate. It also requires non-native English-speaking applicants to submit TOEFL and IELTS scores. Applicants are not required to submit GMAT/GRE scores but are encouraged to do so if they have a low undergraduate GPA. Alumnis report median base salaries of $119,185 post-graduation. The business school employs 40 faculty members and averages 35 students per core online course. The deadline to apply is August 13.

UMD Smith’s online MBA is test optional, but scores may be submitted to enhance an application submission. International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS. One letter of recommendation is required. The average class size for core courses is 26 students. The deadline to apply for fall admission is August 15.

At the University of Texas—Tyler, standardized testing is required but waivers exist based upon qualifications. No letters of recommendation are needed, and international students must turn in a TOEFL score. Alumni generally earn $105,471 shortly after graduating. The deadline to apply for fall admission is August 19.

The University of Southern Mississippi does not require testing for domestic students, but international students must turn in TOEFL, IELTS, or iTEP scores. Three letters of recommendation are needed to apply. Core classes have an average number of 25 students. According to the school, the program is newly revamped. The deadline to apply for fall admission is August 15.

Texas A&M University Kingsville’s 30-credit online MBA program will waive standardized test scores if the applicant has a undergraduate/graduate GPA of 3.0. The program does not require any letters of recommendation but does require English proficiency exam scores from international students. On average there are 27 students per core online course. The business school employs just 25 total faculty members. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 is July 15.

The online MBA program at the College of William & Mary does not require standardized testing to apply. Two letters of recommendation are needed, and international students must submit a TOEFL score (exceptions apply). According to the program, what makes it unique is its “excellent faculty, rigorous coursework and a sense of belonging instilled through our dedicated community.” The deadline to apply for fall admission is July 26.

The Online Flores MBA Program at Louisiana State University offers waivers for GRE and GMAT scores but requires TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers. On average, there are 78 students per core online class, and they have an average of 8 years of work experience before enrolling. The deadline to apply is August 12.

Baylor University’s online MBA program accepts TOEFL scores of at least 100, as well as IELTS and Duolingo English test scores. The program accepts GRE and GMAT scores, but they are not mandatory. Two letters of recommendation are required for admission, and graduates earn a median base salary of $115,000 within 12 months. The program has an average of 41 students per course and employs 219 faculty members. According to the university, students can complete the program in under 14 months. The application deadline is October 1.

VCU’s evening MBA online program has a test optional admission policy, and three letters of recommendation are needed to apply. International students must also submit proof of English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE. The average class size for core courses is 27 students, and the deadline to apply for fall admission is July 1.

The online MBA program at Morehead State University admits students based on an index score comprising an undergraduate GPA and a GMAT score. However, the GMAT can be waived and replaced with three letters of recommendation. On average, there are 15 students per core course, and ten faculty members are employed at the business school. Admission is on a rolling basis.

The Ole Miss MBA Program waivers its standardized test requirement for those with five or more years of work experience. No letters of recommendation are needed to apply. Graduates earn median annual salaries of about $110,000 shortly after the program. The deadline to apply for fall admission is July 1.

The online MBA program at Florida Atlantic University requires GMAT/GRE scores if the undergraduate GPA is below the minimum requirement. All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and international applicants must pass an English proficiency exam. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis and requires a minimum of 40 credits to graduate.

The Rawls College of Business Online MBA program at Texas Tech University is 42 credit hours long. If you’re an international applicant, you’ll need to show proof of English proficiency before your application can be considered for admission. The following exams are accepted: Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, Cambridge CPE, and Cambridge CAE. GMAT or GRE scores are mandatory, but if you have a GPA of 3.75 or above, you may receive a waiver. One letter of recommendation is required. On average, each course has around 45 students. Applicants should have at least three years of prior work experience. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 is July 1.

Rogers State University requires international students to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 500 to apply. The program accepts GRE/GMAT scores, but a 3.0 undergraduate GPA will suffice. The school does not require letters or recommendations. Graduates report median base salaries of $58,200 at graduation and $109,500 after three years. Letters of recommendation are not required for the application process.

The online MBA program of Fayetteville State University’s Broadwell College of Business and Economics mandates GMAT or GRE scores, but waivers are available if other qualifications are met. Two letters of recommendation are also required. Graduates report a median salary of $82,329 just four months after graduation. The deadline for applications is September 8.

George Washington University’s online MBA program does not require GMAT or GRE scores, but they can be submitted and will be factored into the admissions process. The program accepts TOEFL and IELTS submissions for international students and has a minimum TOEFL score requirement of 100. The school also requires one letter of recommendation. Students tend to enter the program with an average of 6.7 years of work experience and a median base salary of $82,500.

George Mason University’s online MBA program requires international students to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 88, with 20 points in each band. The school also accepts IELTS, Duolingo, and Pearson English proficiency exams. However, the school does not require GMAT or GRE scores. It requires applicants to submit a recommendation. Applications to apply are rolling.

At UNC-Charlotte, a satisfactory score on the GMAT or GRE test comprising acceptable levels on both the verbal and quantitative scores is required for admission into its online MBA program. The average number of students in core courses is 28. As a whole, the school has about 154 business school faculty members. The deadline to apply for fall admission is August 1.

King University’s Online Professional MBA program is designed for professionals with at least two years of work experience. Standardized tests and letters of recommendation are not required for admission. However, international students must submit TOEFL scores of 84 or get the exam waived. The deadline to apply for the program is rolling throughout the year.

Louisiana Tech University’s Professional Online MBA program requires GRE scores, but with a 3.2 undergraduate GPA, standardized test scores will be waived. Applicants do not need to submit letters of recommendation. On average, there are 27 students per core course. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 is August 1.

At the University of Louisiana–Lafayette, standardized testing is not generally required, but the requirement can be necessary in some circumstances. Letters of recommendation are required for students with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.74. The average class size for core courses is 90 students. The deadlines for fall admission are August 12 and October 7 (two waves).

Abilene Christian University offers an online MBA program that accepts both GRE and GMAT scores. Students who score at the 50th percentile or higher can waive two years of professional work experience. However, the program requires two letters of recommendation and has an average class size of around 15 students per course. ACU Online emphasizes a faith-rooted ethical approach to drive success. The application deadline for fall admission is August 5.

The online MBA program at East Carolina University requires TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores from international students, and GMAT or GRE scores from all applicants. The school pioneered the first fully online MBA program in North Carolina and has an average of 33 students per course. Letters of recommendation are not considered in the application process, and the deadline for fall 2024 applications is August 1.

Northwood University’s online MBA program requires either TOEFL or IELTS scores from non-native English speakers. The school does not require standardized test scores or letters of recommendation. On average, there are 15 students per core online class. The business school employs 36 faculty members. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 matriculation is July 26.

University of the Incarnate Word’s online MBA program requires international students to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. GMAT and GRE scores are not required for the application but are accepted. The school does not require letters of recommendation, and each course has an average of 21 students. The deadline to apply is August 12.

American University’s Kogod School of Business offers an online MBA program for international students. To be considered, students must have a TOEFL score of at least 100 and provide two letters of recommendation. Optional GMAT or GRE scores can also be submitted. The program has an average class size of 10 students, each with 4.6 years of professional experience. The median base salary for fall 2023 entrants is $65,000. The school boasts 212 faculty members and applications are due by August 15.

Samford University’s online MBA program is 36 credits and only requires a GMAT score if the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is below 3.0. The school requires zero letters of recommendation and averages about 28 students per core online course. However, it does require English proficiency exam scores for international students. The deadline to apply for fall 2024 matriculation is July 1.

University of Central Oklahoma’s online PMBA program can be complete in 16–36 months. Standardized test score waivers are available to applicants with a 3.5 undergraduate/graduate GPA or three years of work experience. Those not meeting those requirements can interview with program leaders to determine whether they can receive a GRE/GMAT waiver. The school does not require letters of recommendation but does require English proficiency exam scores. The deadline to apply is July 15.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin masters of business administration has waivers available for standardized testing based on GPA. Two letters of recommendation are needed to apply, and international students must turn in a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score. The average number of students in core courses is 53. The program has rolling admission.

Stetson University’s online MBA program does not require letters of recommendation. However, it does look for TOEFL or IELTS scores in international applicants. The program has an average of 18 students per course and 62 faculty members in its business school. The deadline to apply is July 15.

Delta State University offers an Integrated MBA program that is fully online and spans over a year. The program offers six areas of study to choose from, including General Business, HR Management, Healthcare Administration, Nonprofit Management, Information Systems Management, and Entertainment Industry Studies, catering to a diverse range of interests. Delta State University welcomes international students to apply to this program, but the students are required to submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. However, the university does not require standardized test scores or letters of recommendation for enrollment. Enrollment is rolling and available year-round.

Troy University’s 30 credit hour online MBA program requires non-native English speakers to submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. Standardized test scores are not required but are accepted. The program requests one letter of recommendation to be considered. The business school employs more than 120 faculty members.

West Virginia University’s online master of business administration does not require prospective students to turn in standardized test scores, but one letter of recommendation is needed. International students must submit proof of English proficiency via IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo. The average class size for core classes is 45 students. The deadline to apply for fall admission is July 1. Alumni earn median base salaries of about $81,453.