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Online Master of Business Administration

Online MBA Student Testimonials

The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed for working professionals who want to advance their career, broaden their business mindset, and distinguish themselves in the workplace, with University of Louisville's 100% online, no GMAT required, MBA program.

This is more than your typical MBA degree. Offered by the College of Business, UofL's online MBA delivers proven business theories, practices, and leadership skills to make you a more engaged and effective business professional—online and on your schedule. With an optional 10-day business study trip, innovative electives, and certificate opportunities in Distilled Spirits Business, Managerial Analytics, Business of Healthcare, Horse Racing Industry Business, Family Business Management & Advising or Franchise Management, you can specialize your degree and stand out in today’s competitive market.

The College of Business at the University of Louisville, has designed the online MBA program to closely follow the traditional MBA program, which is ranked by U.S. News & World Report, Poets & Quants, and The Princeton Review. The online, asynchronous format provides the flexibility you need to balance work and life while pursuing your career aspirations!

Business Cards and Coffee, The Second Tuesday of Every Month

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join us at a local Heine Brothers' coffee shop! Bring your business card, get a coffee on us, and learn about the amazing opportunities afforded through our online MBA and MSBA programs.Click below to register!
Register Now!


Friday Virtual Lunch and Learns, Every Friday

12:00 PM
Join us every Friday at noon eastern time for a Lunch and Learn information session about our Online MBA program!
Register Now!


Click here to watch a video about our 2023 trips!

 
100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework.

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45 CREDIT HOURS

The online MBA requires 36 core credit hours (12 courses) and 9 credit hours in electives (3 courses).

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1 BUSINESS STUDY TRIP

Expand your business savvy with a business study trip (optional).

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How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

Tuition rates effective starting January 2024

The online MBA is eligible for military Tuition Assistance. Program cost does not include textbooks or airfare for the international trip. Competitive scholarships are available.

*FAA rate is 10% tuition scholarship to all online programs. Eligibility excludes uniformed members of Dept of Defense and government contractors.


Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?

You may be required to submit a request for tuition reimbursement. Download a Sample Request Letter [PDF] to get started.

Online MBA Program Highlights

The 100% online MBA program is customizable and allows you to specialize your studies. Learn from esteemed faculty, guest speakers, business leaders, and successful alumni, and develop the business skills to lead teams and drive revenue for your organization. Some of our unique highlights include:

  • GMAT/GRE optional – waivers currently available for all applicants*
  • Develop vital business skills needed to lead teams and improve the bottom line.
  • Expand your business savvy with an optional 10-day business study trip.
  • Customize your MBA with certificate opportunities and innovative elective options.
  • Become part of an exclusive UofL online MBA LinkedIn group – network with other business professionals across more than 30 U.S. states.
  • Experience 1:1 time with expert business school faculty – each cohort is led by an instructional team, complete with designated section leaders who are engaged and ready to support you.
  • Learn from business leaders, guest speakers, and successful alumni.
  • Access your coursework from anywhere with 100% online classes.
  • Complete the program in 20 months (5 semesters), or faster if dual-status.
  • Gain professional career coaching from the College of Business Ulmer Career Management Center with our Lifetime Career Support Promise.

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*UofL Online MBA where GMAT is optional!

While the GMAT is a great way to prepare for any MBA program, it is optional for all UofL MBA applicants. To have your GMAT requirement waived, complete the GMAT Waiver Request Form along with your Admission Application.

Your GMAT may be waived if you meet any of the following conditions:

  • You hold a quantitative-based master’s degree, AND/OR a terminal degree such as MD, DMD, PHD, JD, EDD, PHARM D, etc. from a regionally accredited school.
  • You have five years or more of managerial work experience with increasing levels of responsibilities AND an undergraduate degree that includes 30% or more quantitative courses with at least a B average in such courses.
  • You are a military officer with five years or more experience OR a non-commissioned officer with 10+ years of experience.
  • You are an exceptional candidate for other reasons not listed above, as determined on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean of the UofL Graduate Programs.

Utilize Your Military Experience

The University of Louisville is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon program. As a military-friendly institution, the College of Business offers several features to assist service members pursuing their MBA:

  • GMAT/GRE optional – waivers currently available for all applicants including military officers with 5+ years of experience and Non-Commissioned Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers with 10+ years of experience.
  • Get credit for the work you’ve already completed – up to 6 credits of graduate-level ACE credits can be applied to your MBA elective requirements.
  • Defray the cost of the program – competitive, merit-based scholarships are available for active duty military and veterans.
  • Stay on track – if you deploy during the program, an academic advisor will work with you to map a personalized plan to get you on the fastest route to graduation.
  • Use elective credits to take our military-specific management course, Transitions: Military to Civilian

UofL Online MBA for Transfer Students

Students who have studied at other accredited institutions and wish to complete their degree at the University of Louisville can transfer up to six credit hours into our online MBA program.

To help you determine the best way to transfer your credits, we offer a pre-evaluation of credit so you can apply them in a way that matches your long-term goals.


Visit Graduate Transfer Policies

Cardinal Choice Icon

Let your passion for personal and professional change fuel your MBA.

If you are wondering how you will apply the knowledge gained in this program to your current role or future career, wonder no more! In our online MBA program, we designed a series of student-centered assignments that provide meaningful and consistent opportunities to apply course concepts to a specific area of interest.

To begin the Cardinal Choice Assignment, you will first select a focal area: Career, Industry, or Issue. This is based on whether you want to focus on enhancing knowledge for a current role, future career advancement, change and innovation in a specific industry, or a broader fundamental issue you want to solve for your organization, the community or society at large.

The focus/track you choose will subsequently influence your learning path by:

  1. Guiding the assignments you will complete in each of the core classes to personalize your experience.
  2. Allowing you to apply a portion of every core course toward your career, industry, or specific issue you or your organization may encounter.
  3. Providing you with a well-rounded understanding of methods, approaches, concepts and best practices that help you enhance your skills and prepare you to make a difference in your field.

Apply to our Online MBA program today and learn how you can set your degree apart from the rest!

Watch this video to learn even more about the Cardinal Choice Assignment!

What will you gain in UofL's online MBA?

Develop Specialized Expertise

Prepare to stand out in today’s competitive business landscape with focused expertise, gained through an online graduate certificate or innovative electives. Graduate with your MBA and a business certificate, earned at no extra time or cost.

  • Business Certificate Opportunities

    Complete a certificate in a focused business area or mix-and-match courses from certificate areas to fit your business interests.

    • Business of Healthcare- gain the business skills and healthcare experience necessary to take on leadership roles within healthcare systems, private practices and more.
    • Distilled Spirits Business – enhance your broad-based knowledge needed to manage business operations in the distilled spirits industry, including finance, operations, branding, and more.
    • Family Business Management & Advising – Gain the essential education needed to effectively navigate the unique nuances, opportunities, and challenges of family businesses—as well as support success and continuity.
    • Franchise Management – learn critical insights and practical knowledge needed to acquire, run, and grow a franchise business.
    • Horse Racing Industry Business – develop broad-based knowledge in the industry areas of crisis management planning, business ethics, sports and wagering analytics, leadership strategy, regulations, and industry nuances.
    • Managerial Analytics – gain knowledge and skills in rapidly-developing and in-demand areas including business analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, spreadsheet modeling, storytelling through data, and more—all with a business management focus.

    NOTE: Certificate courses without prerequisites may be taken individually as part of the 9 required elective hours.

  • Innovative Electives

    Innovative Electives

    Complete your 9 elective hours by choosing from a selection of courses across various key business areas. Electives are offered in the Spring semester.

    • Other electives are available on-campus across various disciplines. Online students are welcome to take seated electives, if desired.
    • One-day on-campus professional development (PD) courses are available in inclusive leadership, crisis management, negotiation, and business etiquette. Complete three PD courses and earn 1.5 credit hours of electives.

Expand Your Mindset

10-Day Business Study Trip (Optional)

Experience business firsthand during an optional 10-day study trip, included in the cost of the program.* During this hands-on learning experience, you will gain exposure to a variety of companies, industries, and business cultures through a mix of business visits, and immersion activities. You will also have the opportunity to expand your network by traveling with fellow UofL MBA students from the online, professional, full-time, and innovation programs, as well as College of Business faculty members. Trips occur in May, and could include both international and domestic options such as a San Francisco, New York City, Boston, and more. Examples of past international options include but are not limited to Argentina, Chile, China, Croatia, India, Romania, South Africa, and Taiwan. Note: Alternate non-travel course section must be taken if study trip is not undertaken.

* MBA program charge includes the cost of the trip minus airfare, most dinners, and personal incidentals. No refunds or discounts are applied if the student selects not to travel.

"We're truly getting a quality education from the College of Business."
Antigona Mehani, Online MBA, 2020 Cohort

Advance Your Career

UofL’s online MBA prepares you with the proven business knowledge needed to seek new positions and opportunities across a variety of industries, increase your earning potential, broaden your understanding of leadership best practices, and take your career in business to the next level.


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"[After] going through the online MBA program, I know how to be a better leader. I know how to manage them towards success. Before the program, I think I was just managing because that was my job. Through the classes that we took online, I learned how to manage how to reach a goal, how to push people for success and be a better manager."
Kathryn Honegger, Online MBA, 2019 Cohort

GMAT OPTIONAL FOR ALL APPLICANTS

The College of Business at UofL elected to make the GMAT optional for all applicants to the online MBA program until further notice. To get started, view additional application requirements below or fill out the GMAT waiver request form.

Deadline Term Start Date
November 1 (Pirority Deadline for Scholarship)* Spring January 9
December 1 Spring January 9
May 1 (Priority Deadline for Scholarship)* Fall August 22
August 1 Fall August 22

*We offer a limited number of scholarships for outstanding candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and a commitment to achieving their career goals. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first serve basis, with no additional application needed. We encourage you to apply early to get a better chance of receiving a scholarship that can help offset the cost of tuition and fees. Application due date and terms subject to change.

Universoty of Louisville College of Business

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete online application
  2. Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
  3. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
  4. Submit GMAT waiver—currently available to all applicants
  5. Check for scholarships

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Currently pursuing or recently earned a graduate or professional degree from UofL?

You could qualify for dual-status and complete your MBA in just 4 semesters! Reach out to our Online Enrollment Counselors, at 800.871.8635 or online@louisville.edu for more details.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution*
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • 2 Letters of recommendation
  • Professional resume
  • Personal statement

If transcripts cannot be sent electronically (preferred) please mail to:
College of Business, MBA Office
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
mba@louisville.edu

Complete application packet and waiver requests will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Candidates will be notified with a decision within 3-5 business days.

*See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.


International Applicants – Additional Requirements

  • WES or ECE formal transcript evaluation – if you studied outside of the United States, you are required to submit your academic records for a formal evaluation (visit www.wes.org or www.ece.org for more information)
  • TOEFL scores – score of 79 and higher on the internet-based test required; scores must be 2 years old or less at the time of application

For more information on the admission and application process, please contact contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors at 800.871.8635 or online@louisville.edu.


Delphi Certified Program Seal

The online MBA is a 45 credit hour program that requires 36 credit hours in core courses and 9 credit hours in electives. You can use your electives to earn a certificate in a specialized business area or select from a variety of innovative courses available across various disciplines.

Delphi Certified Courses:

  • Delphi Certified courses align with design practices that are based on the national Quality Matters standards. When you take a Delphi Certified course, you can expect to see a logical user interface, clear instructions for expected tasks, and opportunities for you to communicate with your peers and instructor as the course progresses. All core online MBA courses (not including electives) have earned the Delphi Certified designation.

Semester Course Title Credit Hours
1 MBA 626 Applied Microeconomics for Business 3.0
MBA 632 Strategic Managerial Communication 3.0
MBA 631 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analytics 3.0
2 MBA 628 Financial Accounting 3.0
MBA 625 Managerial Accounting 3.0
MBA 635 Contemporary Financial Management 3.0
MBA 621 Global Business 1.5
3 MBA 623 Global Learning (Business Study Trip) 1.5
MBA 630 Operations: Design and Analysis 3.0
MBA 640 Marketing Management 3.0
4 MBA 668 Information Technology Management in a Digital Economy 3.0
MBA 656 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.0
MBA 655 Strategic Management 3.0
5 Elective courses 9.0

*Course sequence will be different for students starting in the Spring semester.


MBA Statistics Prework Module – Required for all admitted students

All admitted online MBA students will complete an asynchronous 5-week Statistics Prework Module (non-credit, no cost) that is designed to ensure you're up-to-speed on statistical foundations, and prepare you for success in the program. This module will be offered prior to the start of your first online MBA course.

Online Certificate Options

NOTE: Certificate courses without pre-requisities may be taken individually as part of the 9 required elective hours.


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Sample Elective Course Descriptions

Elective courses offered are subject to change and vary based on semester. Elective courses are offered in the Spring semesters, taken 2 at a time and are 1.5 credit hours a piece.

Managing in the Future
2035: Managing in a Post Pandemic World. Imagine living in a time when the very foundations of the world are being upended by one single event, COVID-19. An event so powerful that it has literally touched every single human on the planet. How does one prepare to manage and lead in this new world? What would you read? What new skills would you need to learn and what beliefs would should leave behind? Whom will trust when there is so much uncertainty about the future, and the efficacy of sources of information? What questions will you ask when the world of “Black Mirror, Black Lives Matter, Black Swans, Machine Learning, AI Nationalism, CRISPR, Climate Change, Aging, & Social Media all converge? This course is designed for the curious mind; to help you your way into a new way of seeing the future. You will be challenged to reach beyond your comfort zone in a journey to discover new emerging broad social, political, economic, technological, and environmental trends and events that will impact your effectiveness as a manager in a post pandemic world.

Supply Chain Management
This course will focus on various supply chain strategies including push versus pull strategies, efficiency versus flexibility strategies, and outsourcing versus insourcing. Execution of these strategies will be studied through case analysis and readings. The course will also focus on key supply chain performance metrics.

Transitions: Military to Civilian
C4 Leadership is The Military Transition to C-Suite; Command, Control, Communications and Culture. The MBA680 is Comparison in Military Acumen and Corporate Business Acumen for those students transitioning from the Military looking for a competitive edge in the Corporate Business Environment. A career in the Military is like no other and moving into the Business World could be a Culture Shock. Transition from the Military Leadership and Culture is multifactorial challenge and best approached as a process. Students will be introduced to an overview of the different Corporate Business Models, Corporate Strategies, Corporate Leadership Models, and Organizational Culture models within today's Business Climate. Students also will learn about navigating the business structure and evaluating the differences between Military Leadership, Culture, Strategy and Business Leadership, through Interviews and Case Studies of Various Business Disciplines. The course challenges the students to apply practical experience in recognizing what information is important, sifting it for relevance, and employing the knowledge for the competitive benefit in the Business Community.

Advanced Business Analytics
The volume of data generated every day continues to grow exponentially. Being able to mine the available data for information is now a fundamental skill sought by organizations. This course challenges and teaches students how to use powerful statistical tools (e.g. SAS and SPSS) to handle data that come in a variety of forms and sizes in more complex, less structured business situations. Students will participate in extensive hands-on work solving realistic business problems. This course may guide students with handling advanced regression analysis that deals with real-life models and interaction variables, time series analysis, and topics such as path modeling. After taking this course, students should: (1) Approach business problems data-analytically; (2) Think systematically whether and how data can help make better-informed decisions; (3) Be able to interact competently with business analytical tools; and (4) Have a hands-on experience mining data. A review of necessary statistical concepts will be provided as needed.

Advanced Brand Management
This course will cover the principles and practices of developing, managing a sustaining brand value. Course material will cover internal and external brand management initiatives including revitalizing, repositioning and extending brands. Case studies will be utilized to illustrate practical applications of the course topics.

Advanced Leadership
This course examines different models of leadership and provides practical advice and guidance, with particular emphasis placed on organizational culture, structure, diversity, communication, and stakeholder management. The goal of this course is to increase your capacity to effect organizational change and motivate others.

Artificial Intelligence
This course focuses on analytical databases. Analytical databases are databases designed and used for decision support/business intelligence and analytical purposes. The course will provide an overview of business intelligence, including architecture, tools, and methodologies. The course provides a heavy hands-on exposure to topics such as data warehouse design, implementation, and use.

Blockchain
The purpose of this course is to explore Blockchain concepts and how to apply them in a wide range of real business scenarios and explore unique, challenge-based business scenarios using design-thinking methodology.

Business in Eastern Europe
The course aims to explain phenomenon of business in Eastern Europe through economic, cultural, historical, and other perspectives. It will introduce concepts, approaches, strategies, and tactics employed by international and local companies working in this region. Both successful and those who failed. The course consists of lectures, discussions, case studies, individual and group work. Extra materials include market potential and other valuable data.

Design Thinking
Design thinking is a flexible framework or system for applying the discipline of Human-Centered Design - applying empathy to create opportunities or solutions that resolve consumer problems. A Design Thinking approach establishes a methodology and a unifying language for how organizational disciplines interact and collaborate applying creativity, leading to better and faster solutions (innovation).

Equine Race & Sports Analytics
A broad overview of the concepts and methods used in sports analytics as well as how to apply them. Key topics include but are not limited to betting systems for horse racing and other sports, data sources, data analytics tools, productivity measurement, and athlete compensation.

Healthcare Strategy
This course is to build upon your existing courses and frameworks to provide the tools necessary for crafting successful strategies for firms operating in the U.S. health sector. As a participant, you will be introduced to the key strategic problems facing the complete set of healthcare organizations and to develop strategic frameworks that can be applied in a variety of settings. This course will explicitly cover recent healthcare changes, including COVID-19 and how those can represent both opportunities and threats for participants in a variety of markets.

Introduction to Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity tools and solutions examines the attack trends in the current landscape for criminals. The course will demonstrate various tools to understand the criticality of risk these trends pose. Students will learn why technology solutions are picked to operate as a business in today's market.

Core Course Descriptions


  • Is the business trip required?

    No, although the trip does count as a core and the trip is all-inclusive, outside of incidentals and airfare, so we highly encourage you attend if able. Alternate non-travel course section must be taken if the optional study trip is not undertaken. MBA program charge includes the cost of the trip minus airfare, most dinners, and personal incidentals. No refunds or discounts are applied if the student selects not to travel.

  • Am I required to visit campus at any point?

    No, you are not required to visit campus. You are welcome to visit at any time to meet with faculty, admissions team, career services, etc., and to participate in the university-wide commencement ceremony.

  • Is there a part-time option?

    No. Our program is cohort based which means you will complete 9 credit hours per semester over 5 semesters. However, the courses themselves are accelerated, so you only ever take 1 course at a time, completing 3 – 4 courses in a semester. We have found that students appreciate the structure of the program (no worries over which class to take and when) and find that the structure helps them stay on course to graduate. Additionally, we manage your enrollment therefore lessening any undue stress of registration concerns.

  • Is there an active duty tuition rate?

    Yes, bundled tuition for active-duty service members is $22,500 for all 45 credit hours ($500 per credit hour). GMAT waivers are also available as well as up to 6 credit hours of transfer credit from an AACSB or ACE accredited program.

  • Are there scholarship opportunities available?

    Yes! Click here to view the current list of graduate scholarships offered through our College of Business. Please note that scholarships are limited, therefore we encourage you to contact the MBA and Graduate Programs office at 502-852-6440 to discuss your situation.

  • What if I need to take a semester off (or am active duty and have to leave on orders)?

    This is not an issue, although we ask that you contact the MBA and Graduate Office and inform them of your situation. As with our on-campus programs, you would rejoin the next cohort and pick up where you left off.

  • Is the GMAT required?

    The GMAT is an excellent tool to help you refresh the math concepts you need in any MBA program, therefore, we certainly encourage you to prepare and take it. We do however waive this requirement based on certain criteria (learn more). If you decide to submit the waiver request form, it will be reviewed with your entire packet and you will be notified. In some cases where the GMAT is waived, you may be instructed to www.mbamath.com prior to the program start date.

    Please keep in mind, the UofL MBA program is quantitative, classes are 5-week long, and we want you to be successful; the GMAT is a great preparatory tool for the math required.

    Should you have any concerns regarding the GMAT, we encourage you to contact the MBA and Graduate Admissions Office at 502-852-6440. Note: we will also accept GRE scores.

  • I don’t meet any of the conditions for the GMAT waiver, can I still apply for a waiver?

    Yes. The committee will review your waiver request and notify you of the decision.

  • What is the process for applying for the GMAT waiver?

    Complete the form as soon as possible at https://business.louisville.edu/graduate-programs-gmat-waiver-request/. Your request will be reviewed along with your completed application packet and you will be notified of the decision.

    Please note: you can gain provisional admission to the program pending GMAT/GRE scores, so it’s encouraged you begin and complete your application outside of those scores as soon as possible.

  • How much time should I dedicate to each course per week?

    For each 3 credit hour course, you should plan for around 15-25 hours per week. However, this will vary from individual to individual. For example, if you are knowledgeable and/or have had exposure to the subject matter, it may take less time. This may seem time-intensive, but the online MBA is designed so that you take only 1 course every 5 weeks, deliberately allowing you to hyper-focus on the subject matter of the particular course. Further, all the courses are delivered asynchronously, meaning there are never specific class meeting times. The flexibility of this online structure allows you to work around your schedule and priorities each week to complete assignments, etc., by the deadline.

  • Are there any career services available for MBA students?

    Yes! Our College of Business offers career services for life. To learn more, visit our Career Services page.

  • Am I allowed to visit UofL?

    Yes! While the Online MBA Program is 100% online, the University of Louisville College of Business is located in beautiful Louisville, Kentucky, where southern charm meets urban innovation, creating a vibrant tapestry of culture, culinary delights, and friendly faces that beckon you to explore. All online MBA students are welcome to visit our wonderful campus at any time to meet with faculty, admissions team, career services, etc., and to participate in the university-wide commencement ceremony. We hope to see you online or in person as a student of our online MBA degree program!

  • Is an online MBA the same as a regular MBA?

    While the core curriculum and academic rigor are the same, an online MBA provides the added advantage of flexibility, allowing you to earn your degree on your terms, anywhere. An online MBA empowers you to pursue higher education while staying balanced in other areas of your life, such as work, family, and travel.

  • How to choose an online MBA program?

    Selecting the right MBA program is all about aligning its offerings with your career aspirations, evaluating its curriculum and other experiential opportunities, considering your preferred learning mode, and networking potential, as well as factoring in location, reputation, and financial feasibility. A well-informed choice ensures a program that maximizes your growth potential and paves the way for your future success.

  • How hard is an MBA online?

    It depends largely on your ability to balance the MBA coursework with your existing commitments, such as a full-time job or family care. For each three-credit course in the University of Louisville Online MBA program, you should plan for around 15-25 hours of coursework per week. How much time you spend every week on coursework will vary based on the intensity of the course and any prior knowledge you may have of the subject matter.

  • How long does it take to get an MBA online?

    On average, the online MBA program takes 20 months, or roughly two years, to complete.

  • How do I know if I should get an MBA?

    An MBA could be the right choice if you're looking to advance your career, broaden your business acumen, and strengthen your leadership abilities. It's a valuable investment for those seeking to navigate the complexities of today's business landscape, whether you're aiming to switch industries, take on management roles, or start your entrepreneurial journey.

  • How much does UofL’s online MBA cost?

    For regular applicants, bundled tuition and fees is starts at $38,500. Bundled tuition for active-duty military, Coast Guard and qualifying members of the National Guard/Reserves, starts at $22,500. Tuition assistance and competitive scholarships are available.





    UofL Online MBA Class Profile: Fall 2021 Cohort


    Online MBA class profile and student demographics, statistics about UofL online MBA students and diversity information

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