Are online MBA programs respected by employers?

As recently as 2020, the BBC was asking, "Will online degrees become more 'legitimate'?"¹ It's a question that acknowledges the skepticism that has historically attached to digital degrees, but it's also a question that already feels dated. Online degrees are enjoying ever-increasing popularity: US News and World Report notes data from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business indicates 28% of MBA students were enrolled in online programs in 2023-24, up from just 14% in 2019-20.²

As the popularity of online degrees increases, skepticism about their value fades. The Graduate Management Admission Council's (GMAC) Corporate Recruiters Survey for 2025 found that 55% of respondents regarded online and in-person degrees as having equal weight.³

Are online MBA programs respected by employers in 2026? This post examines that question a little more closely, considering why employer acceptance of online degrees is on the rise and why concerns about whether online MBAs are respected seem increasingly outdated.

The evolution of employer perception: Are online MBAs respected?

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a dramatic shift in working habits around the USA (and the world). According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019, 6.5% of America's private business sector primarily worked from home.⁴ A 2025 study published in the Review of Income and Wealth found that "about half of the U.S. workforce worked remotely at least one day per week as of December 2020."⁵ Current BLS figures suggest roughly one in five American workers are regularly engaged in "telework" (the bureau's term for remote working).⁶

These numbers explain how the pandemic served to normalize working from home and hybrid working arrangements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, massive numbers of American workers and employers adapted to remote work. A significant percentage of them have never looked back.

In turn, this perhaps also explains the growing acceptance of online learning. Just as society has become more accepting of working from home, it has also come to understand that teaching can be conducted effectively online.

The most respected online MBA programs are judged by the same criteria as on-campus programs. Employers look at an institution's reputation or examine the skills that a curriculum has developed in its graduates, rather than the learning format.

Is an online MBA the same as a regular MBA?

There is really only one meaningful test for whether an online MBA is the same as a regular MBA–does the institution treat both formats the same? For established universities, there should be no significant differences between the curriculum, faculty, and rigor of an online degree and its on-campus counterpart.

For this reason, a final diploma from a respected university rarely specifies "online." There's no reason for the distinction. Universities need to tell prospective students about online vs. on-campus programs because there are significant differences in the ways those formats are structured. Tuition costs can also be different. But the outcome should be the same–either format should deliver the same education. The degrees are functionally the same; there's no need to distinguish between online and on-campus on the diploma.

Some people worry that an online MBA looks bad, but if you got your degree from a reputable university, your online MBA will look identical to an on-campus one.

Factors that define the most respected online MBA programs

Nonetheless, not all online MBA programs are created equal. There are two important factors that can help you quickly evaluate whether your online Master of Business Administration will enjoy the same positive employer perception as an on-campus program: Accreditation and Institutional reputation.

The critical role of accreditation

A degree is an assurance that a graduate has achieved a particular standard of proficiency in a given subject or field. Those standards are often set and maintained by independent accreditation organizations, which function to ensure that degrees in a particular field are all adhering to a common standard. In business education, the gold standard for accreditation is provided by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The AACSB is the world's largest business education network and standards body. It provides accreditation to more than 1,000 schools globally, covering more than five million students.⁷

Institutional brand and network

Beyond business school accreditation, employers will look at a university's overall legacy. A university with a strong academic reputation and an active and influential alumni network will drive more respect for its graduates than the classroom format for a particular program.

You may also want to consider whether your prospective program shows up in respected national rankings, such as those compiled by US News and World Report.² Different publications use different methodologies, but rankings from reputable sources help to identify the programs that are setting the standard for their peers.

Does an online MBA look bad on a resume? Dispelling the myths

As noted, an online MBA doesn't look bad compared to traditional learning formats because very few diplomas distinguish between online and traditional MBAs. But that is not to suggest online grads should conceal their learning experience.

MBAs are famously rigorous degrees, requiring a sustained level of focus and concentration over a relatively long period (typically, at least two years). Online students usually combine their studies with ongoing work or family commitments. As such, online learning demonstrates that you have strong time management skills and exemplary self-discipline.

Indeed, many employers will sponsor online education for employees–often because it does not require an interruption to employment–which further validates the acceptance of online learning in the corporate world.

Earn a respected credential with the online MBA from the University of Kansas 

The online MBA from the University of Kansas School of Business is ranked #8 in the USA by US News and World Report. The AACSB-accredited online program is optimized for working professionals, providing a rigorous and respected University of Kansas education in a flexible learning format.⁷ Students also enjoy the support of the Jayhawk alumni network, an active and engaged alumni association with members all over the world.

Find out more about online learning at one of the nation's leading accredited business schools on our website, where you can also get admissions information and learn more about the careers of KU MBA graduates. For more information, contact us directly or schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.