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Your Smartest Career Move

At Nebraska, we know enrolling in an MBA program is a big commitment, so we work hard to make sure you receive a GREATER RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT of time and money. Our Nebraska MBA delivers an exceptional ROI with lower costs and higher post-graduation salaries. That’s why we’re ranked #1 VALUE FOR THE MONEY IN THE U.S. by Financial Times. In fact, our program offers a BIG TEN degree, with substantial savings compared to similarly ranked programs.

One Flat Tuition Rate: $710 per credit hour • Credit Hours Required: 48

Learn more about the estimated cost of attendance for students residing in Lincoln, including estimated costs for housing, food, etc. here. Please note resident and non-resident tuition rates listed do not apply to MBA students, and the online tuition & fees rate of $710 per credit hour is what students may expect to pay in our program.

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#1Best value in the U.S. for online MBA

Financial Times (2025)

#5Career Services in the world

Financial Times (2025)

#4Online MBA Among Public Institutions

The Princeton Review (2024)

#3 Online MBA in the Big Ten by The Princeton Review (2024)
#22 Best Online MBA Program for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2025)
#7 Online MBA program by The Princeton Review (2024)
#5 Online MBA in the U.S. by Financial Times (2025)
#29 Online MBA program by U.S. News & World Report (2025)
#16 Online MBA Among Public Institutions, Poets&Quants (2024)

A Best Value for the Money Among Top Online MBA Programs

Among the top programs ranked by The Princeton Review, the Nebraska MBA offers the best value for the money with tuition and fees totaling less than $34,000. As comparison, the average tuition of these top programs totals $86,077.

Nebraska MBA best valued online MBA Program
Best Online MBA 2021 - U.S. News
Best Online Veteran MBA 2021 - U.S. News
Financial Times 2025
Poets and Quants 2024
AACSB Accredited

Benefits of Our Nebraska MBA Program

Nebraska MBA allows you to advance your career while you work. Our flexible curriculum includes fully online courses offered in 8-week sessions, so you can either take multiple classes per semester or concentrate on one course at a time. If it’s crunch time at work, you can easily take a session off and then jump right back into your coursework.

Fuel Your Career with Purposeful Curriculum

Nebraska MBA’s curriculum combines core competencies in-demand with employers and a flexible set of electives to make your degree fit your career path.

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Balance Class, Work & Family Commitments

Nebraska MBA’s fully online, mobile-optimized classes and 8-week course schedule make it possible to earn your degree while continuing to work and fufil family/life commitments.

Expect Relevant & Interactive Classes

Nebraska MBA combines engaging, intuitive technology with our world-class Big Ten faculty for a dynamic online learning experience that’s ranked #16 among public institutions by Poets&Quants (2024).

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Engage with Big Ten Faculty

Nebraska MBA courses are designed and taught by Big Ten faculty who advance scholarly research and lead the conversation on what’s next in business.

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Expand Your Network

With an average of nine years of work experience, your Nebraska MBA colleagues will challenge you and give you meaningful connections across the globe.

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Partner with Career Advancement Professionals

Access to a career coach, online resume review, and a strong alumni network will prepare you for your next career move.

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Thu Pham

Nebraska MBA helped me understand and communicate better with people I’m leading. Additionally, it’s inspiring to see hard-working people in the program with different backgrounds working together on assignments. I was thankful I could bring in a unique perspective from the military on our projects.

Thu Pham, '19, U.S. Space Force

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Admission Requirements
Admissions Process

Admission Requirements

You may apply for admission for the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters. Students admitted before the semester starts may take classes in either of the two eight-week terms (term A or term B) offered that semester. If you miss the semester deadline, you will be considered for admission in the following semester. Application deadlines are July 15 for the Fall semester, December 1 for the Spring semester, and April 15 for the Summer semester.

Bachelor’s Degree, 3.0 GPA Recommended

Provide unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Official transcripts will be required for admission.

GMAT or GRE Score Optional

We utilize a holistic approach in our admissions decisions that values a mix of backgrounds and professional experience and considers previous academic record and length of work experience. A GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition or GRE is not required but is optional to submit. You will not be disadvantaged for not submitting a GMAT/GRE score, but it may be advantageous if you want to strengthen other elements of your application, such as years of work experience.

Three Reference Names and Contact Information

All three references must be former or current supervisors or professors. Nebraska will contact your references only if the committee deems it necessary. You do not need to include letters of recommendations.

Personal Statement

All applicants are required to submit a personal statement of 750 words or less through the graduate application. The statement is evaluated on content, sentence structure and grammar. Your personal statement should include the following:

• Briefly describe your past professional experience and relevant skills.
• What would you contribute to our MBA program?
• What are some of your short- and long-term professional goals?
• How would a University of Nebraska–Lincoln MBA assist you in achieving your goals?

Professional Resume

A professional resume should be submitted through the graduate application. Please include the following: relevant work experience, skills and involvement and education.

Three Years of Accumulated Work Experience

Applicants for Nebraska MBA are recommended to have at least three years of accumulated professional work experience. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of professional work experience may include military or post-graduate full-time employment.

For those with three or fewer years of work experience, we recommend you improve your chances by submitting GMAT scores or enrolling in one of our online graduate certificates. To find out which graduate certificate you should pursue to round out your current education and experience, please contact businessgrad@unl.edu.

TOEFL Exam (Required for International Students)

TOEFL score (minimum score of 550 written, 213 computer based or 80 iBT)

Alternatively, international students may submit IELTS scores. A score of 6.5 is required.

Please note: The Nebraska MBA program welcomes international applicants wishing to study remotely from their country of residence; but, as an online program, the Nebraska MBA does not meet requirements to sponsor student visas for study in the United States.

Prerequisites for MBA Program

You must have completed college-level statistics before you take the required economics and finance courses. If you have not taken statistics, you can fulfill this prerequisite at any accredited undergraduate school.

Admissions Process

Apply

Apply online and submit the $50 application fee.

Apply Online Now

Upload Supporting Documents

All Supporting Documents including unofficial transcripts and test scores are uploaded directly via the graduate application.

You are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended during the application review process.

Submit Official Transcripts

If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript sent directly from each institution you have attended to The Office of Graduate Studies. We recommend that you complete this task before your admitted term begins. A hold will be placed on your account if they do not receive your official transcripts by October 1 for the fall term, February 1 for the spring term and July 1 for the summer term. Students will have until that day to submit official transcripts or your admission will be rescinded.

Transcripts can be sent electronically to graduate@unl.edu or by mail to

University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Graduate Admissions
1100 Seaton Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0619

International Student Transcript Submission

If you are an international student, please refer to the Nebraska Office of Graduate Studies for transcript and document information.

International Transcript Information

Additional information on Application Requirements can be found at Graduate Studies website.

Start Your Application

Summer (May) Start

Application Deadline: April 15

Fall (August) Start

Application Deadline: July 15

Spring (January) Start

Application Deadline: December 1

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Sign up and we’ll send you what you need to know about advancing your career.

If you have immediate questions, contact the College of Business Graduate Programs Office at businessgrad2@unl.edu or 402-472-2338.

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Patrick Jungers

The value of an MBA from Nebraska is hard to overstate. Every course provided me with insight into the workings of my company and many of them provided actionable ideas to bring back to my team.

Patrick Jungers, '18, Senior Information Technology Leader
The Princeton Review

We strongly recommend the Nebraska MBA program as an outstanding choice for anyone aspiring to earn an MBA via an online program. The Nebraska program is exceptionally strong academically, and it maximizes technology that enables students to interact with and learn from faculty and students all over the world.

Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review

Talent Investment Program

We offer three-year flexible partnership agreements for companies and organizations to offer a 15% tuition reduction for Nebraska's online business master's degrees and graduate certificate programs to their employees and members. There is no minimum or maximum number of students required to take advantage of the program.

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ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR ALL MBA STUDENTS

Personalized Strengths Coaching from Faculty

Nebraska MBA students receive access to take the CliftonStrengths® Assessment, which provides a report on strengths you can use toward your professional and personal success. Students are then paired with a faculty member to receive personalized CliftonStrengths coaching while in the program.

"The CliftonStrengths coaching helped me understand the power in the individual thinking systems I use everyday to make decisions in my life. Dr. Amy Bartel's coaching showed me how these characteristics were really my inner superpower. The insights from this experience not only helped me use my strengths to balance the demands of school, family, and work, but helped me appreciate the unique perspective I bring to each of those settings. Take the time to do this, you won't regret it!" - Jared Walton

Beyond B School

Beyond B School is a career management resource for all business graduate students. It covers job searching topics such as resumes, interviewing and cover letters. Beyond B School differentiates between other career management resources by thinking about how to market oneself as an experienced professional and highlighting the value the MBA brings.

Other Beyond B School resources address career change and salary negotiation to leverage the MBA in new careers. Especially helpful in this work-from-home time, Beyond B School has resources about virtual interviewing and networking. In particular, there are a number of resources around the use of LinkedIn and other social media to develop and maintain professional connections. The site is organized by topic area as well as action items – assess goals, career path and personal branding; target resumes, research and network; and launch through communication, interviewing and negotiation.

Learn More

If you have questions, please contact the Business Career Center at email businesscareers@unl.edu

Nebraska MBA FAQ

How long has Nebraska offered its MBA? Founded in 1964, the MBA began offering online courses in 2001. This shift online happened due a relationship with military personnel at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. To serve our deployed military students after 9/11, we became one of the first online MBA programs. Today, the Nebraska MBA remains a leader in providing students with flexible options to complete their degree.
Does the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have an on-campus or in-person MBA? The online Nebraska MBA is currently the only MBA program offered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The on-campus M.A. in Business programs are no longer offered.

While the program can be completed remotely from anywhere in the world, we do strive to provide optional opportunities for in-person academic, professional, and social networking opportunities, however. We currently have two elective courses with in-person components: MGMT 966 – Adaptive Leadership and a new study abroad program departing for Spain in Spring 2025—you can find further details about these electives in our course previews. Additionally, Business Graduate Programs, the Business Career Center, College of Business, and UNL Alumni Association all invite current students and alumni to grow their networks through engagement at events like the College’s annual alumni tailgate, local alumni associations’ Husker Bar football watch parties, and the Business Career Center’s spring career expedition.

Please note for international applicants: as an online program, the Nebraska MBA does not meet residency requirements to sponsor student visas for study in the United States.
Does the Nebraska MBA program accept applications from international students? The Nebraska MBA welcomes applications from prospective international students wishing to study remotely from their country of residence. However, as a fully online program, the Nebraska MBA does not meet residency requirements to sponsor student visas for study in the United States. The Office of Graduate Studies manages English proficiency requirements, transcript handling, and international degree equivalency matters. You can find more detailed information about these requirements at their website for international applicants.
Can I get an assistantship? As a fully online program, the Nebraska MBA does not offer graduate assistantships; but graduate courses are eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA). While the Nebraska MBA does award fellowships in June of each year, these are typically competitive, one-time awards and should not be counted upon as a source of funding.
Do you have graduate fellowships? Business Graduate Programs awards over $75,000 in fellowships annually. All admitted students will receive a link to apply for fellowships prior to the June 15 fellowship deadline.
What are your application deadlines? The priority application deadline is July 1 for the Fall semester, November 1 for the Spring semester, and April 1 for the Summer semester. We will continue to accept applications until the final application deadline posted each semester (variable based on the term’s starting date).

Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be considered for fellowships and should receive an admission decision prior to course registration opening. As core courses do fill quickly, it is highly recommended that you submit your application by the priority deadline if you wish to start in Term A.

Note: fellowships are typically one-time awards and should not be counted upon as a regular source of funding.
What are the prerequisites for your program and can I start the program without meeting the prerequisite requirements? You must complete a college-level statistics course before you take the required economics or finance courses. If you have not taken statistics, you can fulfill this prerequisite at any accredited undergraduate school. However, you can start with other core required courses before completing your statistics course.
Where can I send transcripts? Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded directly into the application. Official transcripts can be sent electronically to graduate@unl.edu or to the Office of Graduate Studies, 1100 Seaton Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68588.
How long will it take for my application to be reviewed? Once applications have been submitted and test scores are verified, the admissions committee will review the application. Decisions are typically made within two weeks.
Can I take classes before I’m admitted? If you have met the prerequisite requirements for the intended course you wish to take, we will allow up to 12 credit hours completion prior to admission to the MBA program.
Do you accept transfer credit? Students may transfer in up to 12 credits from an AACSB accredited school. Students may transfer in up to 6 credits from a regionally accredited school. Total credits transferred in cannot exceed 12 credits. Requests for transfer credits will be evaluated at the time of admission. Courses must be graduate level, completed in the last 5 years with a grade of B or higher and in a career/MBA related area. Courses cannot have been used in another graduate degree.
I’m currently in a different MBA program. Can I take classes from your program as well? UNL allows visiting students who are in good standing in another graduate program to take classes in our program, as well.
Is your tuition rate the same for all students? All online students - including Nebraska resident, Nebraska non-resident and international students - are all charged our flat-rate tuition.
Are there any military discounts? There is a 15% discount for all active duty, retired or honorably discharged military students.
How do I pay for my degree? Graduate courses are eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA). In graduate school, six credits per semester is considered part time and nine or more is considered full time. August and October terms are considered the fall semester. January and March are considered the spring semester. In the summer, you must take two courses to qualify for financial aid.
How long will it take me to complete the program? It is possible to complete the program in 1.5 years; however, the average completion time is three years. Most students finish in three to four years.
Will I be required to come to campus to complete the program? No. You can complete the entire degree online. Campus visits are not required, but you are always welcome to visit or walk at graduation if you wish.
Are there specific times when students must be logged on to the course website? No. You will need to fulfill weekly course assignments. It is up to you to decide what time works best for you to complete the necessary assignments. Some professors use webinars and telephone conferences, and while your participation is encouraged, it is not required. Sessions are archived for later viewing.
How are exams administered? Just as you will find in classroom courses, each professor determines how he or she will administer exams. Some professors have no exams, some have open book "take home exams" and some have online, timed exams.
How many hours of study time can I expect to spend on each course? Although each student, course, and professor is different, you should plan to spend an average of 14 hours per week on course material.
Will my diploma or transcript designate that this was an "online" or a "distance" program? Your diploma and transcripts will not differentiate your courses were delivered online.
How do I register/enroll for a class? Registration codes are emailed out to current students 30 days prior to the start of each semester. If you didn’t receive them, contact the Business Graduate Programs office at businessgrad@unl.edu.
What does your curriculum look like? The program is 48 credit hours. There are 10 core classes (30 hours), and 6 classes of electives (18 hours). Learn More

Monthly Info Sessions

Join us to learn more about the MBA program by attending a virtual info session. There is no cost for the webinar. Please register to receive the Zoom information and your online passcode.

August 7 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register Now
September 4 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register Now
October 2 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register Now

Contact Us

Business Graduate Programs
402-472-2338
businessgrad2@unl.edu

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MBA Mentoring Program FAQ
How Do I Qualify to apply?

Students who have completed at least four courses in the MBA program but no more than 39 credit hours by the end of the Spring 2020 semester and have a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher are eligible to apply. Both online and on-campus students are welcome to participate in the mentorship program.

How often do mentors/mentees meet?

While individual mentors/mentees will decide how often they would like to meet, we anticipate this to be approximately a once a month commitment.

When does the program start and end?

Formal mentoring meetings will begin in September and conclude in April. Mentors and mentees will decide the best way to conduct a recurring meeting through Zoom or other video conference options, phone or in-person are encouraged.

How does the matching process work?

When students are selected, the matching process begins. We plan to match mentors and students as best as we can based on industry interest (management, business analytics, supply chain management, marketing, economics and finance) and years of professional experience for both the mentor and mentee. The number of students accepted into the program and their industry interest area will dictate the number of mentors needed to facilitate the program. We plan to have mentors and students matched by the end of August and start the program in September.