As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” When it comes to graduate school, however, things get a bit more complicated.

For prospective students evaluating Online MBA programs, cost is most definitely a factor in the planning and decision process. But rather than simply racing to the bottom and picking the cheapest option, students ought to determine the expected return on investment for the programs they are reviewing. The goal is to find the program that positions the student for success upon graduating – with success defined as a better career path and minimal debt (if any).

Still, all students must define success for themselves, and resources like the rankings below can help point students in the right direction when it comes to evaluating the programs that are most “affordable” to them.