Online MBA in Washington State

    Amazon. Microsoft. Coffee. Apples. Washington State is known for all these things, not to mention its bustling, vibrant cities, mountains, and ocean view.

    There are also many top-notch online MBA programs in Washington for you to choose from. If you are a resident or merely searching for an accredited MBA online, we have put together a hand-crafted list of every online MBA program in Washington.

    It is easy to search, and all the “fast-facts” you’ll need are included. Scroll down or use the navigation provided to find the right business schools in Washington that is the best fit to help you achieve your goals.

    Online MBA Programs in Washington

    If you are not in the locality or would prefer not to attend on-campus classes, you can look for an online MBA in Washington, with distance options. Many students choose to study online merely because it is much more convenient, and it can take time if they are balancing a job with studying for an MBA. Here are two of the best online MBA programs in Washington that you can consider if you wish to go the off-campus route.

    1. Washington State University – Carson College of Business

    The Carson College of Business at Washington State University offers a comprehensive and extensive online MBA. The selection process is also rigorous, with all applicants required to have a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their bachelor’s degree. The four-year bachelor’s degree must be regionally-accredited, and also, you will need GMAT scores exceeding 550. The application process also requires three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. The bachelor’s degree should preferably be in a business-related subject. Several foundation courses have to be completed before applying for those who do not have a business background. The online MBA in Washington program has received the AACSB and NWCCU accreditation and was also ranked number 21 on the Best Online Graduate Programs list by US News and World Report.

    MBA Programs in Washington

    The list has been compiled specifically to search for and find the best-rated MBA schools to provide you with the best overall experience and the best earning potential. Accreditation is also essential, so schools in this list will all be formally-recognized and rated by bodies such as the AACSB. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is a body that rates and accredits business schools across the nation.

    The 9 MBA programs in Washington listed below are in alphabetical order.

    1. Eastern Washington University – College of Business and Public Administration

    The MBA degree of the Eastern Washington University (EWU) is an advanced degree, requiring students to choose between the focus areas of accountancy or finance. Electives are numerous and include public administration. In addition to the traditional degree, there is a chance of students opting for dual degrees in business. The first one is Business Administration with Public Administration, and the other is Business Administration with a master’s degree in International Business and Economics. The school is accredited by the AACSB and is mentioned in the Princeton Review in their best business schools listing. The student body consists of 58% male and 42% female. 35% of the students are international, and 42% of the students are employed full-time. The median age of the students in the EWU MBA program is 30.

    2. Gonzaga University – School of Business Administration

    The MBA degree program at Gonzaga University offers both full-time and part-time courses. The concentration areas available are Finance, Operations & Supply Chain Management, or MBA of Choice. The department has been active since 1961 and has one of the most experienced faculty in the region. It is accredited by the AACSB and is a 32 credit program with an average class size of 20-30 students. It is recommended that applicants have at least two years of full-time work experience before applying, but the average student has three years of work experience. The acceptance rate is 55%, with approximately 130 total enrolling every year. 39% of the department are women, and 8% are foreign.

    3. Pacific Lutheran University – School of Business

    The Pacific Lutheran University offers an expansive MBA program – there are up to 23 different specializations available. The intake is three times a year, with students admitted during the fall, spring, and summer terms. The credit system is split into nine core subjects, each worth four credits, for 36 credits. If you wish to specialize with an emphasis, you can take two additional four-credit classes and finish with 44 credits. Emphasis areas are Healthcare Management, Technology & Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management. The PLU has classes only in the evenings, making it an ideal choice for working students. The MBA in Washington can be completed in as little as nine months. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject and submit GRE or GMAT scores and a resume with their application.

    4. Seattle Pacific University – School of Business and Economics

    The Seattle Pacific University offers a comprehensive MBA program that is open for those who have at least one year of professional work experience and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate degree and GMAT scores of above 500. The degree has been broken down to 72 credits, including a pre-MBA course, advanced courses, and electives. The areas of emphasis are spread across seven fields: finance, management, social and sustainable business, human resource management, technology management, and information systems management. The classroom sessions are usually spread out over 10 to 11 weeks (one quarter), one evening per week. On average, you will be completing your MBA within two or three years, with one or two classes per quarter. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of about 15:1. The total male to female enrollment stands at 67% female to 33% male, with 85% of students studying full-time.

    5. Seattle University – Albers School of Business and Economics

    The MBA program at the Seattle University is operated under the Albers School of Business and Economics. It has been accredited by the AACSB, an honor bestowed only upon 5% of the world’s business schools. The department offers two types of MBA degrees, a traditional MBA and a Bridge MBA. There are almost 18 different options for MBA degrees, and students are admitted in the spring, winter, and fall semesters. Fifty-four credits are required for course completion, with 24 credits worth of classes and 30 credits worth of electives. The student body of the Albers School of Business is 59% female and 41%, male. 78% of the students study full-time, and 22% attend part-time.

    6. The University of Washington – Michael G. Foster School of Business

    The University of Washington operates its MBA program under the Foster School of Business.The MBA degree is designed to be completed in two years. Unlike most other schools, work experience here is not a requirement but is encouraged. As for the undergraduate requirements, you need a four-year, US bachelor’s degree or equivalent by a regionally-accredited college or university. Additionally, this school does not require applicants to have a background in business studies. After graduating from this school, the average salary stands at a little over $110,000, with a job placement rate of 96% for domestic students and 100% for international students. The student business school body comprises 129 students, and 33% of them are women. 33% of the students are international, and their average work experience is a little over five years. The school offers 13 core courses and 81 elective courses with seven concurrent degree options.

    7. University of Washington, Bothell – School of Business

    One of the three campuses that operate under the University of Washington, Bothell, is known as one of the state’s best colleges. The MBA program is run by the business school and they offer two types of degrees – Leadership MBA (LMBA) and Technology MBA (TMBA). The courses are specialized in preparing graduates for current market conditions. Classes are normally held in the evenings, for two evenings per week. The coursework is designed to be completed in two years, but many students can clear the credit requirements in as little as seven quarters. The program is AACSB-accredited and has received many other honorary mentions in the top ten and best university/ MBA program lists. The total number of credits needed to graduate from the program stands at 72; 28 taken in the first year, eight summer credits, and 36 taken in the second year.

    8. University of Washington, Tacoma – Milgard School of Business

    The University of Washington has its third campus at Tacoma and operates the Milgard School of Business, which offers a Master of Business Administration program. To gain admittance into Milgard, you will need to have at least two years of full-time, relevant work experience. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is also a requirement. The degree is split into 72 quarter credits, with 56 core credits and 16 elective credits. The program is designed to be completed in two academic years, which includes summer classes. Every quarter, you will be required to enroll in two courses. Classes are scheduled on weekdays between Monday and Thursday, and summer classes meet on Saturdays as well. The coursework can be completed in two years while working full-time. If you cannot finish the required credits in this amount of time, the program can be extended by an additional year.

    9. Western Washington University – College of Business and Economics

    Western Washington University offers its MBA degree program through the College of Business and Economics. There are three “tracks” that you can choose from for your MBA. The first is a traditional, two-year track that is full-time. The second is an accelerated MBA that is one year and also full-time. The third is a two-year evening or weekend MBA. Multiple tracks are offered to make it easy for students to pursue and complete an MBA around their schedule.

    Washington MBA Salary and Job Outlook

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we are in a favorable time for those in the management and financial sectors. The jobs that top the list for salaries and pay scale are related to management and operations, ideal for Washington MBA holders in the field. Washington, as a state, is one of the highest-paying states for business and management-related positions.

    Executive positions typically pay incredibly well, and you are likely to get a little over $49 an hour or $102,750 a year on average. Managers and those in operational positions get paid a little over $97,000 a year. Future job projections are also encouraging; the state’s growth for MBA-related jobs is expected to rise at the rate of 6% through the year 2024.

    The number of jobs on the chief executive cadre in Washington is expected to rise by 17% within 2012 and 2022.

    Management level jobs and operations categories are expected to rise by 17% in the same years, with annual job openings projected to be at well over 1,200.

    Why Do an Online MBA?

    Besides negotiating a higher salary, there are a few good reasons for you to put in those extra hours in the classroom and get certified with an MBA. Online MBA in Washington holders typically get paid up to 50% more than those who do not hold the degree.

    Schools also play a big part in your potential salary, as there are schools that are more rigorous and demand a lot more of their students than others. If you get certified from a reputed school, yearly pay can be nearly $25,000 to $30,000 more than “ordinary” schools.

    According to payscale.com, strategic management is the country’s third-highest paying degree. That means if you have an online MBA in Washington and would like to get into strategic management, you have the potential to make more money than almost any other graduate right out of college. The average salary for this position is about $148,000.

    MBA-certified students are always required for their specific set of management skills. Several sectors are growing at an accelerated pace, including healthcare and engineering, apart from business. Every one of those sectors will need managers and business strategists.

    High-level jobs are usually packed with responsibilities and decisions that may affect their very fate and employees. Such situations allow you to hone your skills and move the company forward.

    There will typically be a consistent rise in yearly income as the more experience you gain, your knowledge and skills will grow. MBA holders with about five to seven years on the job tend to earn well over $150,000. Fast-forward that experience to 10 years, and you may be taking home upwards of $200,000.

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