Alabama is home to 4,863,300 residents, 61 colleges and universities, as well as several major corporations. It is the 24th largest population in the country. Since it became a state in 1817, Alabama’s economy has transformed from agriculture to the manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and finance industries that developed around major cities like Birmingham and Huntsville. As the economy has transformed, educational institutions have grown to meet the demand for gifted employees by creating state-of-the-art curriculum, facilities, and advanced online learning programs. If you are looking to capitalize on positive economic trends in Alabama, online MBA programs can be the path to new career opportunities.
Consider an Online MBA in Alabama
Colleges and Universities have altered the landscape of the state, specifically in major cities such as Birmingham where the University of Alabama has become one of the city’s biggest employers. Alabama is home to some of the nation’s best colleges and universities, including Jacksonville State, Tuskegee, and Auburn. However, the enticement of lower in-state tuition costs and the status of attending Alabama’s top universities is countered by higher costs of living around campus areas. For many potential students in Alabama, online MBA programs offer an easy, affordable alternative to the standard master’s degree track.
Most times indistinguishable to their on-campus counterparts, online MBA programs in Alabama give the same excellent instruction and demanding academics anticipated from the state’s first-class institutions. Unlike standard classroom MBA programs, online degrees can be accomplished from the convenience of home, making it easier to balance life’s obligations. Some online programs can be finished in half the time of an MBA on-campus, and a lot have no GMAT requirements. Providing great convenience at a reasonable price, distance education is increasingly prevalent among Alabama graduate students.
The Mason School of Business at William & Mary
Location:Williamsburg, VA
Length:24 – 36 Mos
Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University
Location:Santa Clara, CA
Length:24 Mos
California State University, Monterey Bay
Location:Seaside, CA
Length:18 – 24 Mos
Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics
Location:Seattle, WA
Length:30 Mos
University of Kansas School of Business
Location:Lawrence, KS
Length:27-36 Mos
MBA Concentrations for Students in Alabama
MBA programs typically provide multiple concentrations allowing students to gain specialized knowledge in a particular area. If you are working on your online MBA in Alabama, selecting a specialization matching with the state’s top industries can highly increase your job opportunities. Alabama hosts various flourishing industrial sectors, including aeronautics, agriculture, technology, and forestry. Below are 2 regularly accessible MBA concentrations that would stand out on any Alabama job candidate’s resume.
Alabama MBA Graduates Economy, Job, and Career Outlooks
Alabama has advanced a long way from its humble agricultural roots. Many regional economies have swung to the service sector, Alabama has grown a reputation as one of the United States biggest manufacturing centers over the last 20 years. In metro areas such as Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, manufacturing and associated industries are a noteworthy source of employment, along with professional services and government. Alabama’s infamously high unemployment rate has decreased dramatically as the need for skilled labor and business professionals continues to grow.
Alabama is benefiting from its economic diversity, with over 60 major companies headquartered in the state. After completing an online MBA, Alabama grad students often find major city areas like the Birmingham-Hoover region provide an assortment of job opportunities. Below are 2 of the biggest companies in Alabama, and how many employees they have.
Top Employers in Alabama
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibbett Sports | Retail | Birmingham | 2,600 |
| Toyota | Manufacturing | Huntsville | 1,100 |
Regardless of your interests or area of specialization, an MBA will arm you with the essential skils to excel in any business or financial role. You won’t just advance your career prospects, an MBA can give your income a substantial lift too.
MBA Careers in Alabama:
Healthcare Executive
With hospitals amongst the biggest employers in Alabama and an enormous national job growth rate of 20%, healthcare facility managers are in great demand. Not only is it stimulating, this career path is also lucrative, with an annual median wage of $96,540.
Financial Management
Many companies in Alabama, regardless of size, have a financial manager on the payroll to oversee investments and spending, develop budgets, and maintain records. Another job with six-figure earning potential, financial managers are also in high demand, with a national job growth rate of 19%.
Operations Manager
Responsible for managing an organization’s production and ensuring all processes run according to standards, these managers are employed in Alabama’s manufacturing and service fields to help organizations run efficiently.
Market Research Analyst
Since local demographics and consumption habits transform quickly, the need for market research analysts is forecast to improve by as much as 23%. These experts survey purchasing and pricing trends in sales and services to help organizations establish business strategies.
Online MBA Programs in Alabama
Ready to take the dive? We’ve done most of the research for you! The list of online MBA programs in Alabama are offered by schools that are known for their academic quality and the flexibility you’ve come to expect from an online degree program.
How to Select an Online MBA Program in Alabama
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in Alabama – these include factors explained above like cost, specialization, and concentrations. The following list is made up of some necessary steps to follow during the MBA program research process (in any state).
COMPARE STUDENT OUTCOME DETAILS
Student outcomes incorporate graduation rate, retention rate, the average debt student will take on, and overall student achievement with their degree program. Student outcomes do not ensure you will be pleased with a particular program but can help pinpoint a school’s pros and cons.
CONSIDER EXPECTED COSTS OF YOUR PROGRAMS
Practically every college or university posts tuition costs online. Additionally, you should research other college-related expenses like housing accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to study on-campus), official fees, and IT fees (for online students). You should also look into grants, scholarships, and financial aid that can offset some of the expenses.
CHECK THAT CLASSES WILL FIT INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
Scheduling is crucial for students with other significant commitments, such as childcare or full-time jobs. Many online programs are self-paced; students in these classes are free to complete coursework on their own schedule. Synchronous programs (on the other hand) demand weekly online meetings with teachers and other students.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
A large number of online MBA programs will include internships and capstone requirements ― and in many cases, students can obtain on-the-job training with real-world office experience. Look into the school’s industry partnerships, particularly regarding the field you plan to enter after receiving your MBA.
TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT ALUMNI
You should reach out to the alumni office at each school you are weighing and ask to be connected with previous students. These individuals can be great sources of information about education costs, life on (or off) campus, local tips, and other fundamental details for aspiring MBA students.