Once considered an alternative to campus-based post-graduate education, online Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree programs have now surpassed their brick-and-mortar counterparts in popularity. According to the MBA Alliance, nearly two-thirds of today's MBAs are earned through the online college environment. The breadth and quality of online MBA degree programs is stronger than ever.

One reason for the increase in percentage of online MBA students is the ease and flexibility of distance learning programs. The MBA student population tends to be older than those in other fields--and students frequently have busy home and work schedules that require them to study in a focused, goal-directed way.

Online MBA Holders Prosper

The MBA Alliance further reports that MBA degree holders in chief financial officer positions earned approximately $104,000 per year, compared with the average $88,800 earned by business professionals holding only a bachelor's degree.

The real advantages of online MBA study are the extensive specializations that colleges currently offer through their degree programs. Students can specialize in public administration, e-commerce, organizational management, global management, technology, education, health services, communications, information systems, accounting and more.

Some online colleges offer specialized MBA degrees in project management, marketing, human resource management, and operations management. The breadth of degree types means better prospects for those who already have experience in a particular field and wish to move into higher-paying management roles.

With online college courses, students log in at their convenience, rather than adhering to a strict, on-campus meeting schedule. Many employers will pay for all or part of an online MBA degree program, making the distance learning option even sweeter for those who wish to advance.