Top 10 Online MBA Programs

While the economy has cooled down since 2008, a down economy can be a perfect time to add a graduate degree to a resume and to update skills. Workers who earn a Master of Business Administration degree can be well poised to take advantage of new job opportunities when the economy turns around. At the same time, workers need to keep existing jobs in order to maintain steady employment; quitting to return to college doesn't make sense when the job market is shaky. This is where an online MBA comes in.

Online MBA for Flexibility

Online MBAs aren't new, but they are growing, as more colleges add online programs to their business college offerings. As a part-time professor at an accredited, well-ranked college (by U.S. News and World Report standards), one of the most important factors I look at in any graduate program is accreditation and legitimacy.

For instance, there are plenty of online-only colleges and universities claiming to have outstanding MBA programs. Any company can create a for-profit "college," claim to have an MBA program, charge hefty tuition and sign people up for courses that are little better than an introductory accounting or business course at a local community college.

What Kind of College or University?

While most prospective MBA students are smart enough to spot obvious scams, how many can determine which online MBA programs are of lower quality, and which will actually help with resume building, networking, and most important - getting a higher-paying job

The key here is on-ground reputation. That doesn't mean the school needs a physical presence but it certainly helps. Most on-ground colleges and universities have to meet extremely tight procedures for accreditation, financial aid, and educational quality.

Top 10 Online MBAs

With that in mind, here are the top 10 online MBA programs, many with on-ground presence and occasional in-person meetings (though rare):

1. Duke University
2. Northeastern University
3. University of Michigan at Dearborn
4. Babson College
5. indiana University
6. University of Massachusetts at Amherst
7. University of Phoenix
8. IE Business School's Global MBA
9. Saint Leo University
10. University of Florida

Just because a university isn't listed here doesn't mean the online MBA program offered at that school isn't worthwhile. This list of the top10 online MBA programs is based on a combination of quality and flexibility. Find the program that works best for your budget, schedule, and long-term career needs.