Affordable Online MBA Programmes: How to Compare Low-Cost Options
Updated 27 October 2026
The cheapest online MBA is only good value if the degree is recognised where you need it. Use the table of cited fees as a starting point, then check recognition and hidden costs.
Online MBA fees we have verified
| Programme (provider's name) | Format | Published fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Online MBA Hult International Business School | Online | 2027–28 programme fee US$44,800 (books/materials US$1,450 extra) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| Global Online MBA Imperial College Business School | Online, part-time, 21/24/32 months | £57,000 (January 2027 entry); £60,500 (September 2027 entry) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| MBA The Open University | Part-time distance learning, typically 3 years | Approx. £21,240–£23,200 total at 2026/27 prices, paid module by module (assumes no resits) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| Global MBA (online) University of London | Online, 1–5 years | Full programme fee 2026-27: £13,697 (Band A countries) / £20,770 (Band B countries) | Cited Provider page, accessed 21 Oct 2026 |
| Global Online MBA Warwick Business School | Online, 2 years part-time, with face-to-face weeks | £43,550 (Warwick route, Jan 2027); £48,950 (London route, Jan 2027); £49,500 (June 2027) | Cited Provider page, accessed 27 Oct 2026 |
| Other low-cost online MBAs | — | Pending verification | Pending |
Listed alphabetically by provider; order is not a ranking. Fees change every intake and exclude living costs unless stated. Confirm on the provider's own page before applying. No school has paid to appear.
What "accredited" can mean
- Degree-awarding status: the university is legally recognised to award degrees in its country (essential).
- Business-school accreditation: voluntary international accreditations held by many business schools. Ask whether they cover the online MBA specifically.
- Professional-body recognition: exemptions or memberships for some programmes.
We do not label programmes "accredited" ourselves; check each claim on the accrediting body's own website.
Hidden costs in low-cost programmes
- Annual fee increases on pay-per-module pricing.
- Exam-centre, resit and continuation fees.
- Required residentials and the travel to them.
- Country-based fee bands.
Ways to cut cost
- Employer sponsorship.
- Government postgraduate loans if you are eligible (for example UK residents — check gov.uk).
- Scholarships listed on the fee page.
Study-abroad cost calculator
Enter figures from the school's fee page and your own budget. Use one currency throughout. Nothing is pre-filled from assumptions.
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