Accredited diploma

Offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Taught in English

Engage in group discussions with professors and peers

24-36 months

72 credit hours of graduate coursework

100% online

Hands-on learning from anywhere, no travel required

$23,040 USD total cost

A deeply engaging online MBA from a public university powerhouse.

Students in the iMBA program earn the same high-quality MBA degree that on-campus students have been earning for decades--but without needing to put career or family life on hold. Students achieve business mastery, gain lifelong leadership skills, and build a global network as they work alongside fellow students and faculty.

The iMBA program’s live global classrooms feature web conferencing, team projects, and personal interaction with professors during virtual office hours. The nearly 4,500 active students and 2,000+ alums in the iMBA family represent more than 90 countries and 48 states. The program was named the #1 Biggest B-School Innovation of the Decade by Poets&Quants, a leading authority on management education. The iMBA is from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a historical land-grant public research institution founded in 1867.

Build a Global Network

iMBA students are accomplished professionals from across the globe. You’ll work closely with classmates and join a global University of Illinois alumni network that’s 470,000 strong.

A Recognized and Respected Program

Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois is an AACSB accredited and competitively ranked college by Poets and Quants, US News & World Report, and Bloomberg Businessweek.

A Top MBA for a Breakthrough Price

At less than $23,040, the cost of the iMBA is by far the lowest of any major university’s online MBA.

Application Deadlines

Applications for the Fall 2022 cohort are now open! The deadline to apply is September 8. Classes start in October.

Benefits of Applying Earlier

  • No application fee
  • Apply for scholarship consideration
  • Priority registration for courses
  • Early access to Coursera for Illinois
  • Begin engaging with classmates via Illinois' networking platforms

Have questions?

Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu.

Upcoming Events

The full Gies Online Events Calendar can be found here.

You may be able to earn transferable credit towards this degree by successfully completing one or more of these participating programs

Looking for a one year business degree?

Explore the iMSM program, also offered by Gies College of Business. At $11,000, you can build a strong foundation of fundamental business skills with a MS in Management from the University of Illinois.

Learn more about the MS in Management

About the Program

Admissions

The program welcomes current and future business leaders from varied backgrounds, including the arts, sciences, music, engineering, finance, accounting, consulting, marketing, medicine, military, and more. No GMAT required.

Learn more about Admissions

Academics

The iMBA is career-focused. Students develop leadership and management skills that help them thrive in today’s business environment. Enjoy challenging team-based projects, face-to-face class sessions with faculty and peers, and the ability to customize your curriculum by choosing which courses best fit your needs.

Learn more about Academics

Student Experience

Work with senior Illinois professors and industry educators from top companies like Google. Connect with instructors and classmates via live classroom sessions and discussion forums.

Learn more about Student Experience

About University of Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the original 37 public land-grant institutions created after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act in 1862. Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement.

Learn more about the University of Illinois

Try a Degree Course

Try out an open course to see if the iMBA is right for you. If you decide to apply to the program, the work you’ve done in this course will count towards your degree. You can also apply directly to the iMBA program.

Learn more about how to try a course

Careers

The iMBA helps prepare students for an even more successful career in business. Learn about how our curriculum can help you elevate your career.

Learn more about Careers

Hear from our learners

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"Getting my MBA makes me feel empowered. I don't need to stop working, I don't need to stop being a mother, I don't need to stop having my life."

— Patricia P.

iMBA
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"You think that when you're on campus and you're in a classroom...'how could you ever replace that?' But you actually can. You can and it can be better."

— Kara A.

iMBA
Hear about the iMBA from the Gies community.

Hear about the iMBA from the Gies community.

News

Frequently Asked Questions

Coursera does not grant credit, and does not represent that any institution other than the degree granting institution will recognize the credit or credential awarded by the institution; the decision to grant, accept, or transfer credit is subject to the sole and absolute discretion of an educational institution.

We encourage you to investigate whether this degree meets your academic and/or professional needs before applying.