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Best 21 MBA in Sustainability Programs 2024 [Updated]

January 26, 2024 | Admin

MBA in Sustainability
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Sustainability issues have long plagued the business world, but without government intervention, most businesses choose the least expensive choice, not the socially responsible one. With a very legitimate threat of climate change forever looming, business leaders acknowledge the need for businesses to advocate and support the application of socially responsible business principles. To meet this genuine business need, the education community developed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with an academic specialty in sustainability. An MBA sustainability degree integrates the theories & practices where the realms of environmental science, technology, social responsibility, and business intersect.

As business settles into the 21st century, business executives must begin to plan for a future that requires companies to remain profitable without depleting the earth’s resources or contaminating the air and the water on earth. In other words, business leaders must reorganize their priorities as their current agenda, unfortunately, and unacceptably, leaves little in the way of resources for future generations or a healthy environment.

The educational community has playfully named these MBA sustainability programs the Green MBAs. An MBA in Sustainability degree program is designed to augment the tried and true conventional Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum with coursework in the ethical application of resources and the best sustainability practices. There are many on-campus, and online sustainability degree programs that help students explore the many tangled, complex roles and available sustainability applications that can help private or public industry become more socially and ethically enterprising.

MBA in Sustainability Management is generally offered in a two-year format, although many programs offer accelerated options. Students explore ways to solve the many challenges businesses face in remaining profitable while ensuring resources are available for the future, and the environment remains clean for today.

A Word About Accreditation

Graduate business degrees are generally accredited by three sanctioned accrediting agencies – the ACBSP, the IACBE, and the AACSB. It is noted that AACSB accreditation is generally acknowledged to be the gold standard in business education.

Rank School Location
1Maharishi International UniversityFairfield, Iowa
2The University of North AlabamaFlorence, Alabama
3Oklahoma State UniversityStillwater, Oklahoma
4Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5The University of MaineOrono, Maine

MBA sustainability Degrees with Specialized Accreditation

If you have a strong interest in a meaningful business degree that will positively impact your career and the environment, an MBA sustainability  degree option just might be the perfect fit. As you consider your academic sustainability degree options, consider the essential factors like tuition, program length, and accreditation status.

1

Maharishi International University

  • Fairfield, Iowa
  • Graduation Rate: 60%

The Maharishi International University, a member of AASHE, offers an MBA degree in Sustainable Business that is recognized among the top MBA sustainability  programs by MBA Central. Maharishi International University’s online MBA sustainability  program can be completed entirely online or on the school’s Iowa campus in Fairfield.

*Depends on the foundation course waiver. A maximum foundation of 18 credits may be waived.

School Overview

Accreditation: IACBE
Credit Hours: 58 Credit Hours
Tuition: $500 Per Credit
Time to Complete: About 24-36 Months*
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2

The University of North Alabama

  • Florence, Alabama
  • Graduation Rate: 40%

The University of North Alabama’s College of Business offers an on-campus or online MBA degree program that allows students to customize the graduate degree in sustainability . The University of North Alabama’s MBA sustainability Programs are offered for those with five-years of professional experience, known as the Executive MBA, or the MBA, for those with limited experience or a new baccalaureate graduate.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 34 Credit Hours
Tuition: $370 Per Credit Resident On-Campus, $525 Online Resident
Time to Complete: 12 to 18 Months for full-time Students, 24 to 30 Months for part-time Students.
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3

Oklahoma State University

  • Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • Graduation Rate: 63%

Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business offers an MBA degree program with a business sustainability concentration that requires degree candidates to complete 12 credit hours from the sustainability curriculum to meet major requirements. This MBA in sustainability program is available online and in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Hours
Tuition: $426.50 Per Hour (Resident)
Time to Complete: 12 Months
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4

Duquesne University

  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 78%

Duquesne University’s Graduate Business School offers an MBA in sustainability that is an accelerated degree program that can be completed in one year. Classes for Duquesne University’s MBA Sustainable Business Practices degree include strategic innovation, leading sustainable change, managerial economics, sustainable business practices, plus a business sustainability practicum, to name a few.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 39 Credit Units
Tuition: $1,376.62 Per Credit
Time to Complete: 12 months
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5

The University of Maine

  • Orono, Maine
  • Graduation Rate: 58%

The University of Maine’s Business School offers an MBA in sustainability that is ranked among US News’ best online degree graduate degree programs in business. sustainability majors in the University of Maine’s MBA program complete coursework in business & sustainability , environmental law & policy, launching sustainable ventures, and sustainable communities, to name a few.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 33 Credit Units
Tuition: $461 Per Credit Resident On-campus or Online
Time to Complete: 18 Months to 24 Months, on average
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6

Wilmington University

  • New Castle, Delaware
  • Graduation Rate: 50%

Wilmington University’s College of Business offers an MBA is Sustainability degree program that is available fully online.  The MBA in Sustainability includes a seven course MBA common core that includes courses in financial analysis, marketing, information technology, strategy and others along with a five course sustainability concentration.  The sustainability concentration includes courses in principles of sustainability, project management, sustainability operations, and sustainability strategy.

School Overview

Accreditation: IACBE
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Hours
Tuition: $488 Per Credit, $300 Per Credit for Active Duty Service Members Only.
Time to Complete: Designed for Working Professionals, on average, 24 months.
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7

The University of Houston, Clear Lake

  • Houston, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 59%

The University of Houston’s Business College, located at Clear Lake, offers an MBA in sustainability  that requires nine credits to be pulled from the sustainability curriculum directly. Coursework for this MBA sustainability degree program includes environmental economics, environmental law, foundations in sustainability , and global sustainability , to name a few.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Units
Tuition: $529.11 Per Credit Resident
Time to Complete: 24 months
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8

Boston University

  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Graduation Rate: 87%

With the Full-Time MBA Energy & Environmental Sustainability concentration (EES), you’ll cultivate your passion for energy and sustainability and could find yourself in a role working in areas like: life science, insurance, medical devices, or hospital administration. Wherever you end up, this concentration is for students looking to lead organizations increasingly concerned with climate change and environmental sustainability.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB International
Credit Hours: 64 Credits
Tuition: $58,560
Time to Complete: About 24 months.
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9

Appalachian State University

  • Boone, North Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 70%
Outdoor view of college campus

Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business offers a Sustainable Business MBA degree to main campus students. The degree is customizable to include courses such as Sustainability Performance Assessment, Environmental Economics and Policy, Sustainable Business for a Global Economy, Benefit-Cost Analysis and others.  Students can also choose to complete independent studies, practicums, theses, or internships. Qualified undergraduate business majors or minors at Appalachian State University can opt for accelerated admission into this program.  For our Online MBA, currently a limited number of sustainability-related electives are available.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Hours
Tuition: $485.29 Resident On-Campus (Full Time), $504.22 Resident Online
Time to Complete: 3 semesters if Studying with a 12-Credit Courseload
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10

Franklin Pierce University

  • Rindge, New Hampshire
  • Graduation Rate: 44%

Franklin Pierce University’s College of Graduate & Professional Studies offers an MBA in sustainability and Energy that is recognized among the best MBA sustainability degree by US News and World Report. Classes for this sustainability graduate degree include energy economics, ethical issues of business, building a sustainable enterprise, and the future of energy and business, among others.

School Overview

Accreditation: IACBE
Credit Hours: 39 Credit Units
Tuition: $665 Per Credit (Resident)
Time to Complete: About 24 Months or 4 Academic Terms
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11

The University of South Carolina

  • Columbia, South Carolina
  • Graduation Rate: 74%

The University of South Carolina’s Moore Business School offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in sustainability (Sustainable Enterprise & Development) that is designed to prepare tomorrow’s business sustainability leaders. The University of South Carolina’s business school building has achieved the highest in LEED certifications – Platinum – by the USGBC.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 48 Credit Hours
Tuition: $741 Per Credit for Professional MBA Program
Time to Complete: About 24 months, with options to accelerate/extend class requirements.
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12

Norwich University

  • Northfield, Vermont
  • Graduation Rate: 58%

Norwich University offers an online MBA sustainability degree program with a focus on energy management that is available entirely online and a class size that maxes out at 15 students. Applicants to Norwich University’s MBA in sustainability  do not need to submit a GRE or GMAT score to apply and can transfer up to twelve eligible credits. Degree candidates for this graduate degree program are required to pass a comprehensive MBA exam to meet graduation requirements.

School Overview

Accreditation: ACBSP
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Units
Tuition: $808 Per Credit
Time to Complete: 18 Months, on average
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13

The University of Colorado at Boulder

  • Boulder, Colorado
  • Graduation Rate: 70%

The University of Colorado’s (UC Boulder) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program with an academic track in corporate social responsibility. Students explore the moral, economic, and social principles of business and its relation to corporate responsibility. Classes for the University of Colorado, Boulder’s MBA sustainability  Programs include leadership and management, plus an assortment of Leeds sustainability -related classes to help students explore environmentally conscious business objectives and solutions.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 55 Credit Units for Full-Time Program
Tuition: $954 Per Credit (Resident)
Time to Complete: 22 Months
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14

Chatham University

  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 52%

Chatham University offers an MBA sustainability  dual degree with a Master of sustainability that is considered a program from one of the most environmentally responsible higher learning institutions in the nation. Combing these degrees saves students thousands of dollars by saving 21 credit units. Students graduate from Chatham Univdersity’s dual-degree MBA sustainability  programs prepared for leadership roles in sustainability across sectors, including nonprofits, businesses, and government entities.

School Overview

Accreditation: IACBE
Credit Hours: 57 Credit Units
Tuition: $987 Per Credit Online
Time to Complete: as little as 24 Months
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15

Drexel University

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 70%

Drexel University’s Lebow College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) that is highly customizable that allows students to create an MBA sustainability program to meet each student’s specific education and goal goals. Drexel University’s online MBA sustainability program is available in a traditional and accelerated format. Drexel’s MBA sustainability  Programs are recognized among the top in the world.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 49 Credit Units
Tuition: $1,106 Per Credit Accelerated, $1,151 Part-Time MBA, $1,306 Online
Time to Complete: 18 months for Accelerated, 24 to 36 months Part-time
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16

St. John’s University

  • Queens, NY
  • Graduation Rate: 58%

The MBA concentration in Sustainability at St. John’s University enables their graduates to pursue business careers that focus on the environment and the economy. Graduates are able to transform how organizations do business by formulating and implementing sustainable strategies. The Sustainability concentration challenges their graduates to offer sustainable long-term solutions to a range of critical business issues, and to develop resource and systems solutions that can be implemented by businesses and non-profit organizations.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB International
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Units
Tuition: $1,360 Per Credit
Time to Complete: 24 months
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17

Fordham University

  • New York City, New York
  • Graduation Rate: 79%

Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program with a global sustainability concentration that is designed for working business professionals. Students enrolled in Fordham University’s graduate degree program complete classes both online and on weekends/weeknights. The capstone experience from Fordham’s MBA sustainability  Programs requires a two-day business full immersion experience after a student has completed a minimum of 39 credit units.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 52 Credit Units
Tuition: $1,682 Per Credit for Professional MBA Degree
Time to Complete: 24 Months Studying Part-time
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18

Syracuse University

  • Syracuse, New York
  • Graduation Rate: 82%

Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, in collaboration with the College of Engineering & Computer Science and SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, offers an MBA degree program paired with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainable Enterprise (CASSE), a New York State certificate program that is available on-campus with a full-time cohort. Students enrolled in the CASSE program explore entrepreneurial thinking from a sustainability perspective through coursework and experiential learning to complement the MBA.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 54 Credit Units
Tuition: $1,683 Per Credit
Time to Complete: 24 Months
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19

Tulane University

  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Graduation Rate: 83%

Tulane University’s Freeman Business School, in partnership with the School of Architecture, offers an MBA sustainability degree as a dual degree program with a Master of Science (MS) in Sustainable Real Estate Development. Students explore enrolled in this graduate degree in sustainability explore the rapidly changing need for the real estate community to begin to establish sustainability standards. This dual degree prepare students for the next generation of real estate development leaders.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 78 Credit Units for both MBA and MS Degrees
Tuition: $1,700 Per Credit
Time to Complete: 24 months Full-time Program
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20

The University of Texas (UT Dallas)

  • Dallas, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 81%

The Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas offers an MBA with a concentration in energy management and it is 53 credit hours. Students with an MBA and a concentration take 9-12 credit hours in energy courses. They also are able to do a double degree with an MBA and a Masters degree where they take 12 core classes for the masters (some overlap with the MBA core) and another 12 elective hours in energy.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: 53 Credit Units
Tuition: $1,823 Per Credit (Resident) – Guaranteed Rate for 12 Consecutive semesters
Time to Complete: 18 Months studying Full-Time, as long as 6 six years studying Part-Time
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21

The University of Vermont

  • Burlington, Vermont
  • Graduation Rate: 74%

The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont is a leading program for emerging changemakers who believe business can — and must — become a force for good. It is ranked the No.1 “Best Green MBA” by Princeton Review in 2020, 2019, and 2018, and No.1 US-based “Better World MBA” by Corporate Knights in 2019 (No.4 globally).

Our fully integrated sustainable business curriculum creates impact because it was designed from the ground up to integrate environmental, social, and governance challenges. The Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) is a rigorously accelerated program that focuses on the essential toolkit needed to lead businesses to profitable, sustainable, and transformational growth. The program is delivered in one year, which helps reduce the financial burden of studying and means our graduates get back out into the world in less time.

During the full-time, on-campus program, SI-MBA students gain unique access to Vermont’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students learn from sustainable business leaders working to transform business into a force for good. The SI-MBA experience is capped off with a practicum project, where students work on consulting engagements within sustainable businesses across Vermont, the US, and beyond.

The UVM Sustainable Innovation MBA is one of the best values on the market. Tuition for the year long program for the 2021-2022 cohort is estimated* to be $52,976 for out-of-state students and $32,028 for Vermont residents.

GMAT/GRE is not required and application fee waivers are available.

School Overview

Accreditation: AACSB
Credit Hours: A nine-month cohort of intense sustainability classes, followed by a practicum over the 3-month summer term.
Tuition Estimate: $32,028 (in-state), $52,976 (out-of-state)
Time to Complete: 12 Months
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Non-Specialized-Accredited MBA sustainability Degree Programs

The sustainability specialty options offered by MBA programs are considered a relatively new graduate degree specialty. As a result, many of the newer, quality programs have yet to be accredited through the voluntary process of specialized accreditation. However, there are a lot of bachelor’s in sustainability degree programs that are offered.

Because business sustainability degrees are a new specialty, it is important to pay attention to some of the more innovative and smaller programs carving out sustainability niches in the education industry.

Here are a few of these quality MBA sustainability degree programs to consider

1

Unity College

  • Unity, Maine
  • Graduation Rate: 57%

Unity College, located in Maine, bills itself as America’s Environmental College. Unity College offers an MBA in sustainability that is ranked among US News’ best online degree graduate degree programs in business. Classes for this MBA sustainability degree include finance for sustainable businesses, communication corporate social, and leading sustainable change, among others.

School Overview

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (Regional)
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Units
Tuition: $650 Per Credit On-campus or Online, $585 Per Credit for active military and veterans.
Time to Complete: as little as 14 Months
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2

Mary Baldwin University

  • Staunton, Virginia
  • Graduation Rate: 44%

Mary Baldwin University offers one of Virginia’s most affordable online MBA sustainability  programs, with its Master of Business Administration with an academic emphasis in Sustainable Enterprise. This MBA in sustainability degree requires the completion of an apex project at the end of the student’s coursework. Work experience is preferred, although all applicants are welcome to apply.

School Overview

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional)
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Units
Tuition: $650 Per Credit Resident Online
Time to Complete: 18 Months to 24 Months, on average
Visit School Website
3

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

  • Winona, Minnesota
  • Graduation Rate: 61%

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an online MBA sustainability degree program that is also available on-campus or through a hybrid delivery. This customizable MBA in sustainability from Saint Mary’s University offers classes in sustainability studies in measuring the value of social & environmental responsibility, ethical leadership, monetary policy, and international development, among others. Students enrolled at Saint Mary’s University have the option of transferring a maximum of six eligible credits earn prior to program entry.

School Overview

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (Regional)
Credit Hours: 30 Credit Units
Tuition: $690 Per Credit for Accelerated Online Option
Time to Complete: in as little as 12 months
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4

Antioch University

  • Culver City, California
  • Graduation Rate: 71%

Antioch University offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program with an academic emphasis in sustainable business that is designed to be completed by working business professionals in less than two years. Antioch University’s MBA in sustainability does not require applicants to submit a score for a GMAT or GRE exam.

School Overview

Accreditation: Higher Education Commission (Regional)
Credit Hours: 33 Credit Units
Tuition: $695 Per Credit
Time to Complete: 22 Months
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5

Prescott College

  • Prescott, Arizona

Prescott College offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program with an academic track in corporate sustainability Leadership. Classes for Prescott College’s MBA in sustainability include organizational behavior through the sustainability approach, sustainability leadership, intercultural leadership, and economics of sustainable communities, among others. Students graduate to find rewarding careers as business consultants, sustainability specialists, or social responsibility coordinators, to name a few.

School Overview

Accreditation: Higher Education Commission (Regional)
Credit Hours: 36 Credit Units
Tuition: $825 Per Credit Online
Time to Complete: as little as 14 Months
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The MBA sustainability programs ranked above have first been reviewed with the most affordable of MBA sustainability  Programs that have both regional and specialized accreditation.

The next section ranks those MBA sustainability  programs that have yet to receive specialized accreditation for their on-campus or online MBA sustainability degree programs.

Note that additional information was obtained from the most recent edition of the National Center for Education Statistics database.

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