Located in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest, Ohio is the 7th largest state by population and the thirty-fourth largest by area. Ohio plays a vital role in linking major metro areas in the Midwest and Northeast of the United States. Its largest cities include the city of Columbus, also the capital, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
Ohio is home to 13 state universities and 46 private colleges and universities, many of these institutions offer online education programming. Some of the bigger universities in Ohio include Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, Kent State University, and Ohio University. Pursuing an online MBA has many advantages, including the convenience of studying from any geographic location, increased flexibility, and affordability. If you’re attracted to working toward an online MBA in Ohio, there are several good schools to choose from.
Consider an Online MBA in Ohio
Ohio contains almost sixty public and private schools, many of them offer online degree programs. At least 5 online and 14 on-campus MBA programs in Ohio have been accredited by the AACSB. Pursuing an online MBA in Ohio offers many advantages, including the low cost of living in the state. Several masters programs are available totally online, while other programs include hybrid classes that require on campus participation.
When pursuing an MBA online, you can typically live anywhere and simply access classwork any time from your computer. This affords great flexibility when likened to on-campus programs. Plus, at many online colleges you can pay in-state tuition rates, regardless of your state of residency. You can typically complete your MBA online in as little as a year if you decide on an accelerated program. That said, the average program requires around 2 years. Some MBA online programs in Ohio allow potential students to waive the GMAT under certain conditions, while others have no GMAT requirement at all. Applicants are often evaluated on their undergraduate coursework performance, and some schools require a minimum GPA of 3.0.
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 Ohio
Students pursuing an online MBA in Ohio can choose from a variety of specializations, but concentrations in healthcare and information systems are chiefly applicable to the biggest industries in the state. By selecting a specialization that is applicable to Ohio’s main industries, students have the best chance of securing job opportunities post graduation. Furthermore, concentrating in high demand industries like healthcare and information systems can lead to better career opportunities and higher salaries.
Ohio MBA Graduates Economy, Job, and Career Outlooks
Manufacturing dominated the state of Ohio’s economy for much of its history, but this industry has been decreasing for years. Since 2009, Ohio’s largest industries have been healthcare and social assistance. Ohio boasts many hospital systems that create jobs for tens of thousands of people, including the nationally-renowned Cleveland Clinic, which has locations across the globe. The Cleveland Clinic is the 2nd biggest employer in Ohio.
Retail is another significant industry in Ohio, Wal-Mart is the state’s largest employer. Recently Ohio’s unemployment rate has been higher than the national average. Growth in the manufacturing space is expected to continue its decline, but the education and health services fields are expected to grow considerably. The capital city of Columbus is one of the best places in the state to seek a career post-graduation. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate, a high number of employment opportunities, and low cost of living.
Top Employers in Ohio
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wal-Mart | Sales/Retail | Bentonville | 50,500 |
| Cleveland Clinic Health System | Healthcare | Cleveland | 49,500 |
MBA Careers in Ohio:
Top Executives
Top executives help organizations meet their goals by planning, strategizing, and creating policies. An MBA prepares people for these leadership roles. The projected growth for executives is 8%, on par with the national average for job growth.
Medical and Health Services Manager
These managers coordinate and direct services in the medical and healthcare fields. Healthcare is a top industry in Ohio and MBA graduates have the organizational and leadership skills necessary to work as managers. The earning potential for these jobs is north of $90,000 and the projected job growth of 20% is higher than the national average.
Sales Managers
MBA students learn many management skills, which are useful as a sales manager. These managers direct sales teams of organizations and are vital across numerous industries. The number of sales manager jobs is projected to grow by 7%.
Human Resources Managers
Human resources managers plan and coordinate the administrative duties for the company. Growth in this field is forecast to be 9%. Organizations across all industries depend on these professionals.
Financial Managers
The financial manager career is projected to grow by a healthy 19%. Financial managers bear responsibility for the financial matters of a company and can find employment in nearly any industry.
Online MBA Programs in Ohio
Online MBA programs are numerous If you live in Ohio, allowing students to choose a program that most aligns with their personal interests and employment goals. The following list highlights the best online MBA programs in Ohio.
How to Select an Online MBA Program in Ohio
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in Ohio – 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.