Have you ever wondered how your favorite brands end up on the store shelves? Does innovating new products and finding the best way to get them in the hands of consumers sound like the kind of career where you’d thrive? If so, earning an online supply chain management degree is where you’ll learn the intricacies of getting products from Point A to Point B, beginning when an idea for a product is conceived, to the manufacturing of a product with raw materials, and then to delivery to stores throughout the country and world.
To help you investigate accredited supply chain degrees online, we’ve curated the following list of schools based on the quality of the education they provide and their flexibility and affordability. You’ll want to stay tuned because we’ll be offering a comprehensive list of the best logistics and supply chain management degrees online later this year.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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Macomb, ILPublic $
Western Illinois University offers students a flexible way to earn their Bachelor of Business degree in Supply Chain Management. The courses are available on campus or 100% online. There’s also a five-year dual-degree track for those interested in earning an MBA at the same time. Despite being an online program, students have plenty of in-person events to take advantage of, such as internships and Supply Chain Management Day, where students can network and businesses recruit new hires.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management
- Credits: 120
- Length: About 4 years
- Cost: $326.70/credit
- Mode: Fully online or in-person
- Accreditation: AACSB
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
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Murray, KYPublic $
The online Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Murray State University is a degree completion program. The program’s curriculum consists of 47 credits, but students will still need 120 credits to graduate. All major courses are offered off campus, meaning online instruction or taking classes at regional campuses through interactive television. Classes are also offered during the summer, in addition to spring and fall semesters.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
- Credits: 120
- Length: About 4 years
- Cost: $404.50/credit
- Mode: Partially online
- Accreditation: AACSB
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
16/1
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Pensacola, FLPublic $
The AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of West Florida is ideal for traditional and nontraditional students. In addition to the online courses, there is a generous transfer policy where up to 90 transfer credits can count toward the degree. The curriculum is self-paced, meaning working students can work full- or part-time while in school. Lastly, there are various start dates to the program, adding even more flexibility to the already convenient curriculum.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Supply Chain Management)
- Credits: 120
- Length: About 4 years
- Cost: $218.98/credit (in-state); $648.37/credit (out-of-state)
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: AACSB
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
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Parkville, MOPrivate not-for-profit $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
14/1
-
Lakewood, COPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
-
Flagstaff, AZPublic $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
21/1
-
Philadelphia, PAPublic $$$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
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Miami, FLPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
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Omaha, NEPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Miami, FLPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
24/1
-
Tahlequah, OKPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Owosso, MIPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
8/1
-
Commerce, TXPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Greenville, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
18/1
-
Boone, NCPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
-
Houston, TXPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
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Portland, ORPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
19/1
-
Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
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Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profit $$
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
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Jacksonville, FLPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
23/1
-
Huntsville, TXPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
20/1
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Kennesaw, GAPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
22/1
-
Fort Lauderdale, FLPublic $
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
28/1
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Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
Arizona State University
Offered through the W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University’s supply chain management bachelor’s degree gives students access to award-winning faculty members who have a wealth of knowledge and experience amassed from their work on six continents. Thanks to professors that include a Nobel laureate and industry journal authors, the school offers a high-quality curriculum that covers supply management, finance, supply chain strategy, and managing supply chains on the global level. Also, the department has a business and ethics for managers course to familiarize students with the regulatory and ethical challenges they may face throughout their careers.
To be admitted, first-year students should have an SAT Reasoning score of at least 1230 or an ACT composite score of at least 25. Also, students should have a minimum 3.40 grade point average and rank in the top 8% of their graduating class. If you’re a transfer student, you’ll also be expected to have a 3.0 GPA in your college-level work.
Program Highlights:
- Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management
- Credits: 120 credits
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $700 per credit in-state | $700 per credit out-of-state
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
University of Arkansas
The business administration in supply chain management program offered by the University of Arkansas has been acclaimed for its quality, particularly in the areas of education scope, size, and track record for providing value to the industry. These accolades are not surprising given that the Sam M. Walton College of Business, where the program is housed, operates based on four important core values: excellence, innovation, professionalism, and collegiality.
The program’s reputation was earned in part thanks to its curriculum, which includes coursework in everything from transportation and distribution management to inventory analytics to supply chain design and optimization. Additionally, the school offers individual learning experiences, including an independent study course where you can do a deep dive into a specific topic related to logistic, transportation, and supply chain management, and an internship that reinforces what you’ve learned in class by providing a first-hand look at the business.
Program Highlights:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management
- Credits: 120 credits
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $339.83 per credit in-state | $922.75 per credit out-of-state
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Ball State University
Graduates of Ball State University’s logistics and supply chain management bachelor’s program go on to land jobs as logistics and distribution managers, quality control analysts, and procurement managers thanks to the school’s emphasis on both theory and application. Inside of the classroom, students learn the fundamentals of supply chain management because classes cover manufacturing planning and control; project management; and inventory, warehousing, and negotiations. Also, they take foundational business and general education courses to become well-rounded and knowledgeable professionals.
Outside of the classroom, students participate in an internship, which can be completed at their current employer or another company or government agency. They also take a capstone course where they get hands-on experience with a supply chain project at a top company. During this time, students may work together as a team on projects involving manufacturing strategies, enterprise resource planning, or Lean Six Sigma.
To further help students succeed, Ball State University developed its Success, Opportunity, Acumen, and Readiness (SOAR) program, where you can work with a mentor to learn key skills that will help you with your job search, like resume writing and interviewing abilities.
Program Highlights:
- Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $461 per credit in-state | $679 per credit out-of-state
- Mode: Fully Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
What You’ll Learn in Your Online Supply Chain Management Degree Program
After enrolling in an online supply chain management degree program, you can expect to gain business acumen by taking classes in transportation, inventory management, manufacturing, and supply chain management. In addition, you will take general education classes to gain strong writing, verbal, science, and math skills. Depending on the program, the curriculum may not only earn you a bachelor’s degree, but also position you to get professional certifications, such as the certified supply chain professional (CSCP) credential offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management. Altogether, this means you’re in the best position to succeed in your career path after graduation.
Main Topics You’ll Cover
- Logistics management
- Manufacturing planning and control
- Project management
- Research and negotiation
- Simulation, modeling, and optimization
- Reverse logistics
- Supply chain service and customer management
Lower Division Curriculum (Years 1 and 2)
During the first two years of working toward your supply chain degree online, you’re given a beginner’s look at the field to build a foundation of knowledge and skills needed to advance in the program and prepare for your career. During this time, you’ll take classes that teach you the basics of how professionals create and implement supply chain strategies, which prepares you for later coursework. In addition to taking introductory supply chain management classes, you’ll take foundational business courses, as well as general education.
Common Courses
- Introduction to Supply Chain Management: This course acts as an overview of how the supply chain is used to manage the flow of products to meet consumer demand. Students are introduced to basic information about the tactical and strategic decisions professionals make throughout this process.
- Business Analytics: Data is at the center of many activities in the supply chain, so learning business analytics is an essential part of being successful. This class will teach you how to use tools to collect, analyze, and visualize data so you can make informed business decisions.
- Principles of Financial Accounting: This course provides the basics of how to handle accounting records and what businesses use them for. Students gain valuable skills to help them manage assets and liabilities in organizations of different sizes.
- Exploration of Business: This course is designed to familiarize you with the different functions you find in any business. From accounting to marketing to information systems, you’ll be taught how each segment of a business functions and how they contribute to an organization as a whole.
- Integrated Supply Chain Management: This class provides a comprehensive look at each element of supply chain management. Specific topics covered may include new product design, project and performance management, and customer relations.
Upper Division Curriculum (Years 3 and 4)
As you move into the last two years of an online supply chain management degree program, the curriculum builds on the information you’ve learned and gives you the more advanced knowledge and skills that employers expect. During these upper division years, you’ll take classes that cover international supply chain management, advanced logistics principles, and supply chain performance management. This is the time when business departments may provide more hands-on learning, so depending on the school, you may be able to participate in capstone courses or internships that reinforce classroom learning and take your skills to the next level.
Common Courses
- Supply Chain Process Improvement: Manufacturing and service go hand in hand when it comes to the flow of product creation, and this class covers the tools and techniques associated with managing these parts of the supply chain process. Different approaches for doing this are explored throughout the course.
- Professional Development in Supply Chain Management: Looking for a job can be challenging no matter what degree you earn. This class provides specific information to help students getting a supply chain degree online embark on their job search and how they can best prepare for that endeavor.
- Sustainable Global Supply Chain Management: As the world becomes increasingly connected through globalization, companies are concerned about getting their products in the hands of customers around the world while keeping an eye on sustainability. This class teaches you how organizations maintain that balance through different sustainable business practices.
- Supply Chain Design and Optimization: Business changes rapidly, so supply chain professionals must always be on their toes. To do this, they should understand the concepts taught in this class concerning tricks of the trade that make the supply chain design process efficient and effective.
- Strategic Cost Management: Standard cost management principles and techniques are discussed through the lens of supply chain management in this course. As a result, students learn how cost management applies to manufacturing expenses, performance measurement, and risk versus opportunity assessments.
Admissions: Getting into a Top Online Supply Chain Management Degree Program
Like most schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, the ones that offer an online supply chain management degree expect students to have a high school diploma or its equivalent, earn a good score on the SAT or ACT, and have a good grade point average. Admissions standards vary from one school to the next, so be sure to examine the requirements for each one you’re interested in attending.
For example, Ball State University’s applicants are expected to have a high school diploma with a minimum 2.50 grade point average. Students should have completed four years of English coursework and three years of mathematics, science, and social studies classes. Though not required, the school prefers students to have completed some foreign language courses. SAT and ACT score submission is optional, but students who have earned a GED should meet the minimum scores on the GED or TASC test of 150-200 and 500 respectively.
On the other hand, Miami Dade College requires students to have some college experience to be admitted into its Bachelor of Science in supply chain management program. Applicants should have at least a 2.50 GPA and a business-related associate degree. Those who have not earned an associate degree will be considered for the program if they have at least 60 credits of college-level coursework, including general education, foreign language, and computer classes.
Paying for Your Online Supply Chain Management Degree: Costs and Financial Aid
As you look at schools offering a logistics and supply chain management degree online, the cost may heavily factor into your decision. Attending an online program may save you money, both in tuition and the costs associated with traveling to campus regularly. Though price will differ depending on the school and your residential status, generally, you can expect to pay a per-credit tuition rate ranging between $220 and $1,000. Review the table below to find out specifics of what some schools are charging.
| School Name | School Type | Total Credits | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | Private not-for-profit | 120 | $320/credit | $320/credit |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Public | 120 | $395/credit | $395/credit |
| University of Arkansas | Public | 120 | $339.83/credit | $339.83/credit |
| Florida International University | Public | 120 | $228.81/credit | $345.87/credit |
| Franklin University | Private not-for-profit | 126 | $398/credit | $398/credit |
Although online degree programs can be more affordable than traditional ones, the costs can add up. If you’re wondering how you’ll pay for your education, you’ll be glad to know there are many financial aid opportunities you can take advantage of. There are grants available from schools, as well as the state and federal government, which are provided to people who need financial assistance. The federal government also provides loans to help students pay for college expenses.
You may also be eligible for scholarships, which can be based on merit or need, from various sources. For example, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University offers the Supply Chain Management Scholarship to students enrolled in its bachelor’s program. These yearly awards range from $1,000 to a full scholarship.
Similarly, the Institute for Supply Management offers $5,000 and $10,000 scholarships to seniors in an accredited supply chain management degree program. To be eligible, people must be enrolled on a full-time basis and demonstrate high academic, leadership, and ethical standards.
FAQs About Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management Online
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Are online supply chain management degree programs offered 100% online?
Whether you’re able to complete your online supply chain management degree entirely remotely depends on the school you choose. In some cases, the whole program can be completed 100% online. Other schools may have some on-campus requirements, such as capstone courses. Also, some schools may require an internship, so even though you’re not going to campus for class, you’ll be traveling to your internship site.
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What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management?
Since there are so many stops along the supply chain, there are numerous opportunities to find a job in the field. From logistics to distribution to transportation to warehousing, those who complete a logistics and supply chain management degree online are able to use their knowledge and skills in numerous ways, which makes professional prospects plentiful. Here’s a look at some of these jobs.
- Commodity manager
- Purchasing agent
- Logistics manager
- General and operations manager
- Materials project manager
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Is earning a supply chain management degree worth it?
It’s not unusual to wonder if a specific degree program will be worth the time and expense you’ll put into it. Only you can decide if earning an online supply chain management degree is worth it for you, but the facts speak for themselves. In addition to robust projected growth for specific jobs in the supply chain sector, the industry itself is expanding. In fact, according to Grand View Research, on a global level, the supply chain management market was $21,129.2 million in 2022, and is expected to increase by about 11% by 2030 because of various innovations.
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What accreditation should I look for in a supply chain management degree program?
Naturally, you’re concerned about factors like the curriculum and cost of an online supply chain management degree program, but you must also consider accreditation. This will benefit you because accredited schools and programs have been reviewed by an independent organization and given a seal of approval based on quality. Supply chain degrees online may be accredited by the International Accreditation Council for the Business Education or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Even if a specific program isn’t accredited, you should still look for school accreditation from a regional group, like the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management?
If you’re enrolled in an online supply chain management degree program on a full-time basis, you should be able to complete your degree in about four years. You may be able to shave off time by increasing your course load or taking classes during summer sessions. If your schedule only allows for you to enroll on a part-time basis, you can generally complete your degree in about five or six years.
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Will an online supply chain management degree prepare me for any professional certifications?
You can prepare for a professional certification as you earn your online supply chain management degree. Credentials you may be eligible to test for include the certified supply chain professional (CSCP), the project management professional (PMP), the certified associate in project management (CAPM), and the certified in planning and inventory management (CPIM).
Additionally, some colleges may allow you to focus on a specific area of the supply chain discipline to earn a certificate from the school. Weber State University, for example, offers certificates in business analytics, logistics, and Lean Six Sigma.
Employment Outlook with a Supply Chain Management Degree
Since the supply chain management field is so large, there are numerous well-paying job opportunities available, some of which are expected to have double-digit growth in the coming years. To give you an idea of what types of positions you can qualify for after completing your degree, we’ve put together the following table.
| Career | Median Annual Earnings (2021) | Job Growth (2021-2031) |
|---|---|---|
| Logisticians | $77,030 | 28% |
| Purchasing Managers | $127,150 | 4% |
| Operations Specialties Managers | $127,140 | 12% |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,970 | 7% |
| Industrial Production Managers | $103,150 | 3% |
| Management Analysts | $93,000 | 11% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics