Top Online MBA Programs in Tennessee

Entering the Union on June 1, 1796, Tennessee was the 16^th state to join the United States. The word “Tennessee” is based on the Yuchi Indian word of “Tana-see” meaning “The Meeting Place.” The state is home to one national forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 15 state forests, and over 50 state parks. Tennessee is probably best known for its contributions to popular American music.

The centrally-located Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry and Music Row. Many country music performers have graced the stage at the Grand Ole Opry throughout the years and today the city is still where many songs are written and recorded. Music Row is a collection of honky-tonks and dance halls. Tennessee is also home to another city famous for its music, Memphis.

Tourists to the southwest city of Memphis can enjoy a tour of Elvis Presley’s famous Graceland home, walk through Sun Recording Studio where music greats like Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded, or take a stroll down Beale Street and patronage the numerous blues clubs found there. Hungry visitors will want to try Memphis’ well-known dry rub ribs and BBQ.

Famous Tennesseans include historical figures Andrew Jackson and Davy Crockett, musicians Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, and Justin Timberlake, and actress Dinah Shore. Tennessee received its state nickname of “The Volunteer State” during the War of 1812 when volunteer soldiers from the state fought bravely at the Battle of New Orleans.

Besides its rich history and interesting tourist attractions, Tennessee delivers a host of the nation’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs. While the MBA continues to be the most respected degree for professionals seeking to develop leadership skills in business, the online format for this program continues to grow in popularity. Many students are drawn to the online MBA as it allows them to remain working in their current positions without having to move or even travel to a school campus to attend classes. While many of the top programs in Tennessee require students to have attained at least two years of professional experience, the curriculum offered is based in solid business theory with a relevance for business application. Business professionals within online MBA programs often begin applying the concepts covered in the classroom simultaneously in their work environments.

There is no more flexible and convenient MBA program than the one offered online. Most online curriculums are identical to those offered in the classroom while many business schools provide the same access to mentoring and tutoring to distance learners as classroom attenders enjoy.

Understanding there are many factors to consider while researching online MBA programs, we have compiled the top 15 online MBA degrees in the state of Tennessee. While these programs are offered within a spectrum of total tuition cost ranging between being classified as affordable to above average, most of these programs is backed by their business school’s being accredited by such reputable organizations as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, or the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. We hope this ranking of Tennessee’s best online MBAs will be an asset as you research your next step in business education.

For more information about other online MBA programs, check out our article on the top MBA specializations and explore our other Online MBA Rankings.

Note: A detailed explanation of the methodology we used to determine the best online MBA programs in Tennessee can be found at the end of the ranking.

#1 University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics – Memphis, Tennessee

Photo creditThe Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis delivers one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees. This 30-credit hour program is classified as affordable with a total tuition price between $15,000 and $19,999. The business school receives its stellar business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 89^th best online MBA in the nation. Admission requirements include the submission of a GMAT/GRE score, current resume, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning, a statement of interests, a 1,000-word essay, two letters of recommendation, an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and a completed admission application with $35 application fee. This degree is divided between 30 hours of core courses and three hours of elective courses. Core courses include Creativity and Innovation, Corporate Governance and Business Ethics, Financial and Managerial Accounting for Managers, Economics for the Global Executive, Information Systems in the Global Enterprise, Global Financial Management, Global Operations Management, and Global Strategic Management.

Home of the Tigers who wear the school colors of blue and gray, the athletic department at the University of Memphis supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the American Athletic Conference. The U of M is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Memphis, Tennessee. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 21,301 students currently enrolled there. The university was founded as West Tennessee Normal School in 1912 as a result of the General Education Bill of 1909 passed by Tennessee Legislature. Through the years the school would change names serval times and have its focus grow to the point of it receiving its university status in 1957. The University of Memphis receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 100.00

#2 Tennessee Technological University College of Business – Cookeville, Tennessee

Photo creditTennessee Technological University offers an online Master’s of Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, HR Management, International Business, MIS, and Marketing through the College of Business. This 30-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. The College of Business receives its excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The AACSB is the one of the nation’s best accrediting bodies in higher education. This degree has been designed “to offer a professional program preparing graduate students from diverse backgrounds for rewarding careers in organizations. The core area of business studies is broad in scope for the purpose of developing general managerial competence through extensive use of various pedagogies such as case methods, simulations, and research projects. Electives are used to develop special competencies of interest to the student.” The core courses within this program include Accounting Information for Management Decisions, Financial Management, Analytical Decision Making, Strategic Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Management of Information Technology, and Business Strategy. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 68^th best online MBA in the nation.

Established in 1915, Tennessee Technological University is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Cookeville, Tennessee. The university got its start on a campus originally established as the University of Dixie once that school failed. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Tennessee Tech delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 10,493 currently enrolled there. The athletic department at the school supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 99.16

#3 University of Tennessee at Martin College of Business and Global Affairs – Martin, Tennessee

Photo creditOne of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees with a concentration in Agriculture or offered as a general MBA is delivered at the College of Business and Global Affairs by the University of Tennessee at Martin. This 38-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. The business school has recently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as offering the 30^th best online MBA in the nation. The College of Business and Global Affairs receives its excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Learning outcomes for this degree include a student’s being competent in “effective written and oral communication, effective leadership and teamwork skills, and an understanding of the integrated nature of business functions, the ability to think critically and use analytical approaches in making effective decisions within a dynamic business environment.” Admission requirements for this degree include official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a resume, and a GMAT score. Core courses within this cohort-based program include Business Skills, Organizational Theory and Design, Corporate Financial Management, Legal and ethical Environment of Business, Banking and Financial Services, Managerial Economics, Marketing Strategy, Accounting for Managerial Decisions, and Sales and Marketing for Banks.

The University of Tennessee at Martin was established in 1900 as the Hall-Moody Institute. The institution was later adopted into the University of Tennessee System in 1927 and renamed the University of Tennessee Junior College. UTJC began offering four-year bachelor’s degrees in agriculture and home economics in 1951 and was renamed the University of Tennessee at Martin Branch at that time before finally becoming the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1967. UT Martin now offers 18 bachelor’s degree programs and five master’s degree programs with regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The main campus in Martin and five educational outreach centers across West Tennessee served more than 6,7800 students in 2017-18. The UT Martin Skyhawk athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Ohio Valley Conference. The school’s official colors are blue and orange.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 98.44

#4 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Gary W. Rollins College of Business – Chattanooga, Tennessee

Photo creditThe Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga features one of the state’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs with an emphasis in Business Analytics, Healthcare Administration, or delivered as a general online MBA. This 36-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. The Gary W. Rollins College of Business receives its excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The curriculum for this program has been designed to offer “students an outstanding education that combines well-rounded theoretical knowledge, practical understanding and application, and valuable experiential knowledge. With an online MBA from UTC, students will gain practical and strategic skills through seven core classes and one capstone course.” Admission requirements for this program include an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a corresponding GPA of at least 2.7 and a GMAT score of at least 450. Students interested in applying for this program without submitting a GMAT score may do so if they retained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 through undergraduate study. Courses within this program include Economics for Managers, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Information Technology for Business, Financial Management, Quantitative Decision Analysis for Business, Accounting for Managers, Marketing Management, and Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 85^th best online MBA in the nation.

Home of the Mocs and featuring the mascot Scrappy the Mocking Bird, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 11,533 students currently enrolled there. The school was established in 1886 as a private and racially-exclusive institution named Chattanooga University. Operating under the motto of Faciemus (We Shall Achieve), the school receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 97.97

#5 Bryan College School of Adult and Graduate Studies – Dayton, Tennessee

Photo creditBryan College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies features one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees with specializations in Marketing, Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, Ministry, and Sports Management. “The program highlights aspects such as leadership formation, service commitment, technological competence, and global astuteness as being key aspects for business proficiency.” Courses within this 36-credit hour program include Management and Leadership, Biblical/Worldview Principles of Management, Quantitative Methods for Business, Legal Framework of Decisions, Accounting Information for Management Decisions, Ethical Issues of Business, Strategic Marketing, Business in a Global Environment, and Integrated Strategic Management. This program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. This program receives its excellent business accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, and the School of Adult and Graduate Studies has recently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as offering the 205^th best online MBA in the nation.

Established in 1930, the seed for Bryan College was planted when William Jennings Bryan expressed the need for a Christian institution to be established in Dayton which would “teach truth from a Biblical perspective.” The school was first known as William Jennings Bryan University, was later designated as a college in 1958 and would be renamed Bryan College in 1993. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the student body of 1,481 currently enrolled there. Home of the Lions, the athletic department at Bryan College supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The school’s official colors are red and gold.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 96.70

#6 Bethel University College of Professional Studies – McKenzie, Tennessee

Photo creditOne of the Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees with concentrations in Academic Practitioner, Executive, Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management is offered at Bethel University’s College of Professional Studies. This 36-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. Advantages of this program include its being delivered by leading industry practitioners, the option for students to complete all program requirements in just 19 months, classes which begin each month, no graded group work, all books and technology for program provided at no extra expense, constant tutorial support through SmartThinking, and no GMAT/GRE requirement for applicants. Core courses included in this program are Organizational Behavior, Statistical Analysis, Marketing Management, Managerial Economics, Managerial Accounting, Business Ethics, Organizational Development, and Strategy & Managerial Decision-Making. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 205^th best online MBA in the nation. Admission requirements for this program include a completed online application, official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities, an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, at least three years of professional work experience, a 500-word essay, and a $75 non-refundable application fee.

Home of the Wildcats, Bethel University features an affiliation with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The athletic department at the university supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level as members of the Southern States Athletic Conference. Bethel is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels to the 5,975 students currently enrolled there. The university was founded in 1842 as Bethel Seminary and became Bethel College five years later. The school was awarded its university status in 2009. With a main campus in McKenzie, Tennessee, the school’s official colors are purple and gold.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 89.08

#7 King University School of Business and Economics – Bristol, Tennessee

Photo creditKing University offers one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs with concentrations in Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Project Management at the School of Business and Economics. This 36-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 172^nd best online MBA in the nation. This excellent 100% “online professional MBA program blends an intensive case analysis with individual preparation and small group discussions. The MBA curriculum adopts and implements creative components such as a team-based learning model and provides a transformational learning experience for personal and professional skill development.” Topics covered within this excellent program include project management, problem solving, business communication, policy development, ethical decision-making, research methods, statistics analysis, and plan development and assessment.

Established in 1867 as King College, today’s King University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Bristol, Tennessee. King University’s namesake is the Reverend James King, who donated the 25 acres in Bristol that the campus was originally built on. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 2,804 currently enrolled there. Home of the Tornado and mascot, Twister the Lion, the athletic department at King supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Conference Carolinas. The school’s official colors are blue and red.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 88.90

#8 Lincoln Memorial University School of Business – Harrogate, Tennessee

Photo creditAn online Master’s of Business Administration with Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, Sport Management, or offered as a general MBA, is delivered by the School of Business at Lincoln Memorial University. The curriculum for this degree “has student learning goals that include effective written and verbal communication, critical thinking and analysis, and the decision-making skills. The School of Business believes that these skills, along with leadership qualities, will prepare future business leaders to produce profits and wealth in an ethical and socially responsible manner.” This 30-credit hour program is classified as affordable with a total tuition price between $15,000 and $19,999. The School of Business receives its excellent business accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Required courses within this program include Operations Management and Quantitative Analysis, Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Economics for Decision-Making, Contemporary Management and Leadership, and International Business. Program admission requirements include an online application, 500-word essay answers, a resume, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and an undergraduate degree with a 2.75 minimum GPA.

Originally founded on the 88^th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, today’s Lincoln Memorial University operates under the school motto “We Wear His Name Proudly.” Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the university exists today as a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, the university oversees a student body of 4,254. Home of the Railsplitters, the athletic department at the university consists of men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the South Atlantic Conference.

Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 87.34

#9 Union University McAfee School of Business Administration – Jackson, Tennessee

Photo creditThe McAfee School of Business Administration at Union University features one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs with concentrations in Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, and Marketing. This 36-credit hour program is delivered 100% online or allows students to attend classes in Memphis or Jackson one night each week. There are multiple entry points each year and classes are offered in eight-week terms. This online program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. This degree “provides graduate level competency in managing and leading organizations. The degree integrates relevant, top-tier academics with Christian faith in a way that effectively influences business ethics and organizational decision-making.” The McAfee School of Business Administration receives its excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Courses within this program include Managerial Economics, Analytical Managerial Accounting, Ethical Management, Social Issues in Management, Human Resource Strategy, Digital Marketing, Strategic Management, and Organizational Behavior.

Operating under the official school motto of Religio et Eruditio, Union University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Jackson, Tennessee. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 3,466 students currently enrolled there. Union was originally established in 1823 as the Jackson Male Academy on land which belonged to the Chickasaw Indians only five years before. The name was changed to Union in the early 1900’s and the campus moved from downtown Jackson to its current location in 1975. Union University receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The men’s and women’s varsity sports teams at Union compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Gulf South Conference. The school’s official colors are cardinal and cream.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 86.65

#10 Cumberland University Labry School of Science, Technology & Business – Lebanon, Tennessee

Photo creditCumberland University’s Labry School of Science, Technology & Business features one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees with concentrations in Services, Ed Leadership, Entrepreneurship. This 36-credit-hour, 100% online degree is classified as affordable with a total tuition price between $15,000 and $19,999. This program has been designed to train students in the areas of “advanced decision-making skills including problem recognition and solution development, leading-edge business and economics practices in areas such as financial and statistical analysis, managerial accounting, and information technology, how to gather and analyze organizational information from a variety of sources, and advances skills for organizing, evaluating, and communicating information. Consisting of nine core courses and three electives, the core courses within this program include Managerial Economics, Project Management, Managerial Accounting, Corporate Financial Analysis, Computer Information Systems, Principles and Theories of Leadership, Applied Statistics, Organizational Theory and Analysis, and Business Policy and Executive Decisions. The Labry School of Science, Technology & Business receives its business accreditation through the ACBSP.

Established in 1964, Cumberland University is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Lebanon, Tennessee. The university was established in 1842 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Cumberland’s School of Law was founded in 1847 as the first law school west of the Mississippi River. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate, levels to the student body of 1,963 currently enrolled there. Home of the Phoenix who wear the official school colors of maroon and white, the athletic department at the school supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level as members of the Mid-South Conference.

Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 86.06

#11 Freed-Hardeman University College of Business – Henderson, Tennessee

Photo creditThe College of Business at Freed-Hardeman University delivers an online Master’s of Business Administration with a specialization in Health Care Management or delivered as a general MBA. This 30-credit hour program is classified as affordable with a total tuition price between $15,000 and $19,999. This 100% online program features such characteristics as the chance to complete all course requirements in as few as 12 months, flexible start times throughout the year, and eight-week course terms. “As a requirement to graduate, students must participate in program assessment activities scheduled near the completion of their coursework. These activities are integrated into the capstone BUS 559 Strategic Decision-Making Course.” Divided between 24 credits of core courses and six credits of specializations, core courses within this degree include Managerial Accounting, Analytical Decision Making, Economic Thought, Financial Management, Leading Teams and Organizations, Operations Management, Marketing Management, and Strategic Decision Making. The College of Business receives its top-notch business accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Home of the Lions, the athletic department at Freed-Hardeman University supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete within the National Association of intercollegiate Athletics as members of the American Midwest Conference. Freed-Hardeman University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Henderson, Tennessee. The university delivers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 1,906 students currently enrolled there. The school was founded in 1869 as the Henderson Male Institute, a private high school and college. Freed-Hardeman receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges and consists of 12 academic departments spread between six schools.

Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 86.03

#12 Southern Adventist University School of Business – Collegedale, Tennessee

Photo creditSouthern Adventist University offers one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees with concentrations in Accounting, Healthcare Administration, and Management at the School of Business. This 36-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. This incredible, 100% online MBA is perfect for the distance learner who is seeking a quality curriculum with the added convenience of an online degree. Students may take all classes on line, in the classroom, or as a combination of the two through a hybrid program. Divided between 24 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of concentration courses, the core courses within this program include Management in a Changing World, Accounting for Control and Decision Making, Financial Management, Organizational Behavior, Marketing Management, Leadership and Change, Integrating Faith and Business, and Strategic Decision Making. Admission requirements include the submission of a graduate application with non-refundable $40 fee, all official transcripts from previously attended colleges and universities, two letters of recommendation, and a GMAT score. There is a GMAT waiver offered with this program for qualified students. The School of Business receives its business accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Established in 1892, Southern Adventist University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Collegedale, Tennessee. The university got its start as Graysville Academy in Graysville, Tennessee. Over the years the school would have its name changed as it developed first into a two-year campus in 1916 and then a four-year college in 1944. The school received its university status in 1996. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Southern Adventist delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 2,959 currently enrolled.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 83.52

#13 Tennessee State University College of Business – Nashville, Tennessee

Photo creditOne of the state’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs is delivered by the College of Business at Tennessee State University. This 36-credit hour program is offered as a hybrid executive MBA. This excellent degree has been “designed to better accommodate the needs of busy professionals. The 12-month program offers a convenient, business-friendly schedule with classes meeting on weekends and is delivered in a hybrid format consisting of a mix of in-person and online course offerings. Program participants also have the opportunity to spend 10 days studying outside the United States to broaden their understanding of global leadership.” Classified as above average in affordability, it features a total tuition price between $30,000 and $49,999. The courses offered within this cohort-based program Management & Evaluation of Information Systems, Statistical Methods, Accounting & Business Decisions, Managerial Economics, Managerial Finance, Legal Issues in Management, Operations Management, Marketing Management, Behavior in Organizations, Supply Chain Management, and Business Strategy & the Economic Environment. The College of Business receives its excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Tennessee State University was established in 1912 as the Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State Normal School for Negroes. The school went through several name changes through its early years and began offering graduate degrees in 1944. The school was awarded its university status in 1968 and merged with the University of Tennessee at Nashville eleven years later. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the college exists today as a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus in Nashville, Tennessee. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, Tennessee State oversees a student body of 8,760. Home of the Tigers, the school’s official motto is “Think. Work. Serve.”

Affordability Score: Above Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 80.08

#14 Tennessee Wesleyan University Goodfriend School of Business – Athens, Tennessee

Photo creditOne of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees with concentrations in Accounting and Management is offered at Tennessee Wesleyan University’s Goodfriend School of Business. Key features of this program include a student’s becoming competent in the areas of “ethical decision-making, critical analysis and problem solving, strategic orientation, global perspectives, concern for sustainability and growth, and respect for people and communities.” This 30-credit hour program is classified as affordable with a total tuition price between $15,000 and $19,999. Courses within this program include Business Research Methods, Accounting Management of Organizations, Management Theory, Marketing Theory, Financial Management of Organizations, Production and Operations Management, Corporate Sustainability, Leadership in a Global Economy, Human Capital Management, and Strategic Management. Admission requirements include a completed MBA application, an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, three letters of recommendation, and a current resume. As for students seeking the Accounting specialization, “applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting may apply for provisional acceptance and must submit evidence of coursework in management, marketing and finance, as well as completion of intermediate accounting I, intermediate accounting II, auditing and tax accounting I.”

Home of the Bulldogs who wear the school colors of blue, gold, and white, the athletic department at Tennessee Wesleyan University supports 17 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The college is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Athens, Tennessee. TWU delivers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels to the 8,760 students currently enrolled there. Tennessee Wesleyan University was established in 1857 as Athens Female College and began its humble start offering courses in a one-classroom building. Tennessee Wesleyan receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Affordability Score: Affordable
OMBAT Ranking Score: 80.06

#15 Lee University School of Business – Cleveland, Tennessee

Photo creditLee University’s School of Business features one of Tennessee’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees. This 32-credit hour degree is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. Students can complete all requirements for this degree in just 20 months while taking all courses online, in the classroom, or both as a hybrid experience. Year One of this program consists of Management Philosophy and Ethics, Business Analytics, Financial Management, Organizational Theory, Marketing Management, and Accounting for Managers while students then complete Managerial Economics, Legal Environment of Business Operations Management, and Strategic Management during Year Two. Goals for this program include a graduate’s being in “increased awareness of the global economic environment, a deeper understanding of the functional areas of an organization including finance, management, marketing, and operations, improved skills in research, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in problem solving, and an increased ability to develop and implement specific strategies to address organizational problems.” Candidates interested in this program are encouraged to complete an application, provide proof of an undergraduate degree, and submit two letters of recommendation, a statement of background and professional goals, a resume, and graduate entrance exam scores to the admissions office in order to begin the acceptance process.

Established in 1918, Lee University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Operating under the school motto of “Where Christ is King,” the university got its start by offering classes in a single classroom in the Church of God Publishing House. Lee has grown in scope of education and enrollment since the 1980’s. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the university delivers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels to the student body of 5,302 currently enrolled there. The athletic department at the university supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level as members of the Gulf South Conference.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 76.31

Methodology

To find the top Online MBA programs in Tennessee, a list of almost 490 online MBA programs was collected, and each program was evaluated first for a location in the state of Tennessee, and then ranked on the following factors:

Estimated Tuition Cost (25%): Each degree program was evaluated to find the estimated total base tuition cost. All financial information was gathered from the most recent data given on each program or school website. The base tuition was calculated for the entirety of the program, but does not included fees, books, or room and board; with the exception of programs that use all-inclusive figures. For colleges that offer a lower in-state tuition, the in-state pricing is used. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Based on this base tuition data, each program is given an Affordability Score:

Very Expensive = $100,000+
Expensive = $50,000-$99,999
Above Average = $30,000-$49,999
Average = $20,000-$29,999
Affordable = $15,000-$19,999
Very Affordable = $0-$14,999

Accreditation (25%): Accreditation plays an important role in the world of education. It gives testimony to which school has attained high national and global standards in its research and delivered education. Each online MBA in this list is evaluated on whether it holds a regional accreditation from one of the six institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additionally, business accreditations affect an MBA’s prestige and brand, which can also affect a graduate’s competitive advantage in the job market. Each school is ranked on if the online MBA program is accredited from one of the top business accrediting institutions: ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB. AACSB is regarded as the highest standard of business accreditation in the world, and thus schools that hold this accreditation are given the highest marks. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Average Base Salary (25%): The salary data is highlighted in this online MBA ranking because it allows prospective students to explore the affect a degree can have on a graduate’s salary. The average base salary is collected from the 2018 Best Business School Ranking by US News and World Report. Programs without a recorded average base salary from this list were calculated at zero because of no available third-party data. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Prestige (25%): The prestige for each online MBA is calculated by evaluating lists from some of the most prestigious educational rankings systems for online MBA programs: US News and World Report’s Online MBA Ranking, the Princeton Review’s Online MBA Ranking, the Financial Times’ Global Online MBA Ranking, and Quacquarelli Symonds’ Distance Online MBA Ranking. Each program was ranked on how many lists included their program. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

All of the data was weighted equally, averaged, and then calculated on a 100-point scale. This score is the OMBAT Ranking Score, which provides the ranking order. By evaluating the tuition cost, accreditation, average base salary, and prestige, this ranking helps prospective students find the highest quality online MBA programs in Tennessee.