Earning an MBA nonprofit management online degree sets you up for a successful career in the public sector. These programs train students to enter their careers with well-rounded business knowledge and skills, particularly those in administration, finance and accounting. Pursuing a degree before entering the nonprofit industry provides graduates the chance to make a more meaningful impact on society. From the formation and sustainability of an arts council to finding a position at the American Red Cross Association, nonprofit management leans towards selfless service and personal and professional fulfillment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the job outlook for positions in social and community service management will increase 15 percent over the next 10 years, which is much faster than average. Earning an online MBA in nonprofit management equips students for an academic and competitive edge in addressing critical social needs. But with nearly a $50,000 difference in tuition between the most expensive and cheapest online nonprofit management degree programs, it pays to get educated before you enroll.
GetEducated has compared the cost of 47 MBA nonprofit management online degrees from 44 regionally accredited colleges for you. The following “Best Buy” list reveals the most affordable nonprofit management master programs in the United States, providing the links to the highest caliber education for a reasonable price. Review and compare fully researched options before taking the next step in your career.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$24,700
Least Expensive: Albany State University ~$10,160
Most Expensive: Pennsylvania State University ~$59,328
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest MBA nonprofit management online programs. The online non-profit management and public administration MBA degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable MBA Nonprofit Management Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Albany State University | (GA) | $10,160.00 | All Students |
2 | Lincoln University | (MO) | $13,091.08 $22,721.08 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Waldorf University | (IA) | $14,920.00 $11,680.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
4 | Adams State University | (CO) | $16,300.80 | All Students |
5 | Doane University | (NE) | $16,580.00 | All Students |
6 | University of the Potomac | (DC) | $17,750.00 | All Students |
7 | Coastal Carolina University | (SC) | $17,940.00 $33,060.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $18,200.00 | All Students |
9 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $18,220.00 | All Students |
10 | Lindenwood University | (MO) | $18,440.00 | All Students |
11 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $18,960.00 $14,250.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
12 | Antioch University Online | (OH) | $19,176.00 | All Students |
13 | Eastern Kentucky University | (KY) | $19,860.00 $9,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
14 | Springfield College | (MA) | $20,450.00 | All Students |
15 | Johnson University | (TN) | $20,745.00 | All Students |
16 | Asbury University | (KY) | $21,420.00 | All Students |
17 | Truett McConnell University | (GA) | $21,482.00 | All Students |
18 | University of Mary | (ND) | $21,808.00 | All Students |
19 | Crown College | (MN) | $22,180.00 | All Students |
20 | University of the Southwest | (NM) | $22,500.00 | All Students |
21 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $22,607.00 | All Students |
22 | Calvin University | (MI) | $23,760.00 | All Students |
23 | Mount Aloysius College | (PA) | $23,820.00 | All Students |
24 | New England College | (NH) | $23,960.00 | All Students |
25 | Hope International University | (CA) | $24,300.00 | All Students |
26 | University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $24,480.00 $14,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lakeland University | (WI) | $24,732.00 | All Students | |
Florida National University | (FL) | $25,040.00 $9,740.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Bushnell University | (OR) | $25,560.00 | All Students | |
Salve Regina University | (RI) | $25,645.00 | All Students | |
Belhaven University | (MS) | $25,760.00 $16,940.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Newman University | (KS) | $26,272.00 | All Students | |
 Liberty University | (VA) | $26,770.00 $12,475.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Assumption University | (MA) | $27,712.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $28,373.00 | All Students | |
Houghton College | (NY) | $28,386.00 | All Students | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $29,412.00 | All Students | |
National Louis University | (IL) | $31,059.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $31,600.00 $13,750.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Brenau University | (GA) | $32,760.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $34,486.00 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $52,845.00 $23,325.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,328.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Program is no longer accepting new students.
15 AACSB International (AACSB)
16 International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
17 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited MBA nonprofit management online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online MBA degrees in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an MBA that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for an MBA may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best MBA nonprofit management online options for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: MBA Nonprofit Management Online
Nonprofit organizations are extremely valuable. They address some of the world’s most important problems, and take on challenges that seem almost impossible to overcome. These important organizations, however, need high-quality professionals to complete their work.
They need managers.
To work in nonprofit management, it helps to have the right degree. An MBA, which stands for “master’s of business administration,” is an excellent choice, and can apply to any industry or sector, including nonprofits. However, if you choose an MBA nonprofit management online degree, you’ll become one of the best candidates for leading the important efforts of a nonprofit organization.
What to Expect from an MBA Nonprofit Management Online
An MBA nonprofit management online education covers a broad range of business- and organization-related topics. During your studies, regardless of the concentration, you’ll study topics like basic accounting, managerial and leadership practices, and organizational communication. There are many similarities between this and a typical business-focused MBA, as you’ll learn administration, financial, and marketing skills, which are essential to for-profit and nonprofit groups alike.
With a specialization in nonprofit management, you’ll take classes that make you more prepared for the challenges of these organizations. The goals are simply different in a nonprofit, so the skills learned during an MBA nonprofit management online will be different as well.
A high-quality MBA with a nonprofit focus will on many of the unique challenges that impact these organizations. Most notable, you’ll learn about accounting, finance, budgeting, taxes, and other money-related issues that impact a nonprofit group. You’ll also learn about developing a nonprofit’s overall reputation, and creating a strong foundation of donors to support your group.
Classes will take many different forms. You may take course that include the foundations of nonprofit management, grant writing, philanthropy, and more. All of these classes will make you a more competent leader in the nonprofit sector.
Potential Careers with an MBA Nonprofit Management Online
After you complete an MBA nonprofit management online degree, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers both inside and outside of the nonprofit sector.
Fundraising Manager
- Salary: $118,430
- Education: Bachelor’s
- Experience: At least five years
Nonprofit organizations have a variety of unique challenges, not the least of which is how to generate funding to keep their important work going. They often turn to fundraising managers, who help these groups reach their financial goals. They are often critical to the longterm success of a nonprofit organization.
Fundraising managers develop and execute a groups’s overall fundraising strategy. Specific duties may include identifying potential donors, then contacting these donors or leading teams of outreach specialists. They often plan and organize events, meet face-to-face with major donors, and apply for grants that will help the organization. Usually, their work includes deciding which fundraising techniques will be best, then formulating a plan to meet these goals.
Non-Profit CEO
- Salary: $107,680 (All top executives)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Generally extensive
Like any business or group, a nonprofit organization needs leadership. These organizations often have people who carry the title of “CEO,” “COO,” or “president,” just like a typical company. And people holding this title often have similar responsibilities, although the final goal may be different.
For a nonprofit, a CEO’s responsibility can include the establishment of goals, creating plans to meet these goals, and determining staff needs for the group. They may appoint heads to various departments, manage general activities, and identify the best uses for an organization’s finances.
Requirements for Working for Nonprofit Organizations
To work in non-profit management, you won’t need a long list of licenses. There is no legal requirement for working in these careers, so routine licensing won’t be required. Voluntary certification, on the other hand, could boost your career. These certifications are available through many different organizations.
Fundraising managers could improve their skills and job opportunities by completing certifications from leading organizations like CFRE International, a group that offers the Certified Fund Raising Executive program. This certification, which requires education and professional experience, will enhance your chances for landing one of the top positions in nonprofit management.
In a few situations, however, you may need licensing. If you are going to have any accounting responsibilities, you many need accounting certifications or licensing through the state. Some nonprofits may prefer candidates who have a CPA license, as it shows a knowledge for responsible and ethical budgeting.