The 19 best online MBA programs

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An MBA can be a shortcut for ascending the career ladder and boosting your salary. While attending one of best b-schools in the world can be an attractive option — Business Insider published its list of the world's 50 best business schools in December — for some working professionals it's not feasible, making online programs a great alternative.

U.S. News & World Report recently released their ranking of the best online MBA programs, evaluating schools based solely on data related to their distance education MBA programs in five categories: student engagement, admissions selectivity, peer reputation, faculty credentials and training, and student services and technology. (You can read a full breakdown of the methodology here.) Note that because of multiple ties, the ranking only goes through No. 15. 

Temple University's online MBA program took the top spot, followed by Indiana University at Bloomington, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Read on for the rest of the 19 best online MBA programs in the country, according to U.S. News.

15. TIE: University of South Florida at St. Petersburg

U.S. News score: 76

Cost per credit: $907 (out-of-state), $462 (in-state)

University of South Florida at St. Petersburg employs the same qualified faculty to teach its online MBA courses. The program is based on flexibility in scheduling and coursework and accessibility to faculty.

15. TIE: University of North Texas

U.S. News score: 76

Cost per credit: $693 (out-of-state), $303 (in-state)

The online MBA program offered at University of North Texas can be completed in as little as 14 months. In addition, students are taught by the same tenured faculty who teach in the traditional MBA program.

15. TIE: University of Nebraska at Lincoln

U.S. News score: 76

Cost per credit: $531

Courses in University of Nebraska at Lincoln's online MBA program are accelerated with eight- week terms and employ the same faculty as the on-campus program. Ninety-six percent of students are employed when they enroll.