# Best Online MBA Programs by ROI

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-12 | Schools: 34 | Category: MBA
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-mba-roi

## Methodology

Online MBA programs ranked by return on investment — earnings vs verified annual MBA tuition, with net-price fallback when unverified.

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Online MBA programs have become a popular choice for professionals seeking to advance their careers without sacrificing their current jobs. With average earnings hovering around $60,255 for graduates, these programs offer a pathway to higher salaries and enhanced career opportunities. As many students consider their options, understanding return on investment (ROI) is crucial to making a sound decision.

What differentiates the strongest programs from the rest lies in key outcomes: earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall mobility. A program that results in higher earnings and lower debt is particularly appealing. The list below highlights schools that excel in these areas, providing a snapshot of what you can expect from each program based on real data.

For instance, the University of Florida-Online stands out with an impressive average earning of $71,588 and a graduation rate of 81%. In contrast, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide, while having the highest earnings at $84,131, only sees a graduation rate of 21%. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs between potential earnings and the likelihood of completing the program, underscoring the need for careful consideration as you navigate your options.

## Key Findings

- The University of Florida-Online boasts $71,588 in average earnings, the highest among the top programs.
- Graduation rates vary significantly; the University of Florida-Online leads at 81%, while Embry-Riddle only reaches 21%.
- The average net price across these programs is $12,254, making affordability a critical factor for consideration.
- Debt levels also differ, with the University of Arkansas Grantham having the lowest debt at $21,956 compared to Embry-Riddle's $23,666.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida) | Gainesville, FL | 91% | $71,588 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [University of Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-georgia) | Athens, GA | 89% | $68,726 | $13,936 | $18,500 | 0.27x |
| 3 | [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign) | Champaign, IL | 85% | $81,054 | $14,355 | $19,500 | 0.24x |
| 4 | [University of South Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-florida) | Tampa, FL | 76% | $57,743 | $9,812 | $17,988 | 0.31x |
| 5 | [Western Governors University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-governors-university) | Salt Lake City, UT | 48% | $60,615 | $12,548 | $11,116 | 0.18x |
| 6 | [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus) | Norman, OK | 75% | $63,126 | $15,300 | $20,654 | 0.33x |
| 7 | [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus) | Atlanta, GA | 93% | $102,772 | $12,116 | $21,672 | 0.21x |
| 8 | [University of Arkansas Grantham](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas-grantham) | LIttle Rock, AR | 32% | $63,496 | $8,370 | $21,956 | 0.35x |
| 9 | [Florida State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-state-university) | Tallahassee, FL | 84% | $61,675 | $11,297 | $18,000 | 0.29x |
| 10 | [University of Arkansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-arkansas) | Fayetteville, AR | 70% | $58,191 | $18,209 | $21,500 | 0.37x |
| 11 | [Indiana University-Bloomington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-bloomington) | Bloomington, IN | 81% | $63,742 | $16,264 | $19,509 | 0.31x |
| 12 | [University of Nebraska-Lincoln](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-lincoln) | Lincoln, NE | 66% | $56,887 | $17,747 | $21,000 | 0.37x |
| 13 | [University of Central Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-florida) | Orlando, FL | 77% | $58,308 | $10,411 | $18,190 | 0.31x |
| 14 | [Creighton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/creighton-university) | Omaha, NE | 82% | $73,911 | $31,568 | $25,000 | 0.34x |
| 15 | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ohio-state-university-main-campus) | Columbus, OH | 88% | $60,409 | $17,339 | $19,976 | 0.33x |
| 16 | [Florida International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-international-university) | Miami, FL | 74% | $60,249 | $9,288 | $16,500 | 0.27x |
| 17 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 18 | [University of Washington-Seattle Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-washington-seattle-campus) | Seattle, WA | 84% | $78,466 | $14,091 | $14,615 | 0.19x |
| 19 | [University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-hampshire-college-of-professional-studies-online) | Manchester, NH | 22% | $66,479 | $10,864 | $26,814 | 0.4x |
| 20 | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) | Chapel Hill, NC | 92% | $72,200 | $11,655 | $14,000 | 0.19x |
| 21 | [Texas A&M University-College Station](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-am-university-college-station) | College Station, TX | 84% | $72,097 | $21,315 | $17,804 | 0.25x |
| 22 | [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus) | University Park, PA | 86% | $63,435 | $32,875 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 23 | [University of Minnesota-Twin Cities](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities) | Minneapolis, MN | 85% | $69,020 | $16,778 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 24 | [Georgetown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgetown-university) | Washington, DC | 95% | $103,494 | $40,815 | $15,500 | 0.15x |
| 25 | [University of South Carolina-Columbia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-columbia) | Columbia, SC | 78% | $62,177 | $22,811 | $21,500 | 0.35x |
| 26 | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) | Madison, WI | 89% | $73,792 | $17,354 | $20,484 | 0.28x |
| 27 | [Northeastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeastern-university) | Boston, MA | 90% | $92,538 | $30,915 | $24,250 | 0.26x |
| 28 | [University of Denver](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-denver) | Denver, CO | 77% | $71,155 | $36,131 | $21,844 | 0.31x |
| 29 | [Syracuse University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/syracuse-university) | Syracuse, NY | 82% | $79,164 | $38,793 | $26,000 | 0.33x |
| 30 | [Boston University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boston-university) | Boston, MA | 89% | $83,238 | $24,402 | $23,250 | 0.28x |
| 31 | [Arizona State University Campus Immersion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arizona-state-university-campus-immersion) | Tempe, AZ | 68% | $62,668 | $14,967 | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 32 | [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor) | Ann Arbor, MI | 93% | $83,648 | $13,138 | $19,500 | 0.23x |
| 33 | [Drexel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drexel-university) | Philadelphia, PA | 78% | $84,648 | $38,509 | $25,325 | 0.3x |
| 34 | [George Washington University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/george-washington-university) | Washington, DC | 85% | $90,873 | $36,586 | $20,449 | 0.23x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Online MBA Programs by ROI." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-12. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-mba-roi

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.