Best Online Business Management Degrees

Getting your bachelor’s degree in business management online offers flexibility of taking classes from anywhere without sacrificing the quality of education needed to build a career in business leadership. Applying to accredited programs that are nationally recognized for providing affordable, quality courses is crucial. To help you with your search for a business management degree online, the accredited bachelor’s programs detailed below are ranked for their overall combination of quality, affordability, scheduling flexibility, and student support services. While the full list is coming later this year, here are three of the best online schools for business management in the U.S. to jumpstart your search.

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About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
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).
• 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.
2. Assign Weightings
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
• 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.
Affordability
• 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.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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
• 1

  Carolina University

  Winston-Salem, NC

  Private not-for-profit $$

  The Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Carolina University is available entirely online for students who desire flexibility throughout their education. The management emphasis enables students to grasp the intricacies of leading organizations — for profit and nonprofit — toward the achievement of their goals. Students will be taught from a cutting-edge curriculum and will have experiential learning opportunities via internships and work placements. The curriculum covers topics such as business finance, organizational behavior, management information systems, and human resource management.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Business Administration — Management

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $490/credit
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: TRACS

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

• 2

  University of Charleston

  Charleston, WV

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  The BSBA Management degree from the University of Charleston is available online and provides a broad overview of the functional areas of business with an emphasis in management. Students will be able to choose from several emphasis options — organizational behavior, sales management, human resource management, small business management, leadership, operations management, and team development among them. The management major focuses on planning, organizing, leading, and controlling an organization’s resources. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to work in a range of occupations such as administrative services managers; advertising, promotions, and marketing managers; management analysts; operations managers; business development managers; and human resource managers.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Marketing

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $380/credit
  • Mode: Online, on-campus
  • Accreditation: ACBSP

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 3

  University of Illinois Springfield

  Springfield, IL

  Public $

  At the University of Illinois Springfield, students can pursue an online Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. In addition to foundational knowledge in accounting, economics, and statistics, students will learn about the different forms of organizations and how they operate in domestic and international contexts, how to analyze cognitive behavioral and ethical issues faced by individuals and groups in organizations, and how to develop an understanding of appropriate strategies for organizational effectiveness.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Business Administration — Management Concentration

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $367.50
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: AACSB

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 4

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  Birmingham, AL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 5

  Regent University

  Virginia Beach, VA

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 6

  Western Illinois University

  Macomb, IL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 7

  The University of Texas Permian Basin

  Odessa, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 8

  University of Minnesota-Crookston

  Crookston, MN

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 9

  University of Mount Olive

  Mount Olive, NC

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 10

  Bethel University

  McKenzie, TN

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 11

  Lindenwood University

  Saint Charles, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 12

  Cleary University

  Howell, MI

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 13

  Davenport University

  Grand Rapids, MI

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 14

  University of Maine

  Orono, ME

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 15

  Southeastern Oklahoma State University

  Durant, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 16

  Northern Kentucky University

  Highland Heights, KY

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 17

  University of Maine at Augusta

  Augusta, ME

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 18

  University of Houston-Victoria

  Victoria, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 19

  Jarvis Christian University

  Hawkins, TX

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 20

  California State University-East Bay

  Hayward, CA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  24/1

• 21

  University of Southern Mississippi

  Hattiesburg, MS

  Public $

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 22

  Mount Vernon Nazarene University

  Mount Vernon, OH

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 23

  Texas A&M University-Central Texas

  Killeen, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 24

  Saint Leo University

  Saint Leo, FL

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 25

  Chadron State College

  Chadron, NE

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 26

  Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

  Stillwater, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 27

  University of New Mexico-Main Campus

  Albuquerque, NM

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 28

  University of North Alabama

  Florence, AL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 29

  Langston University

  Langston, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 30

  University of Nebraska at Kearney

  Kearney, NE

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 31

  Eastern Oregon University

  La Grande, OR

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 32

  Northern Arizona University

  Flagstaff, AZ

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 33

  Minot State University

  Minot, ND

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 34

  SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

  Delhi, NY

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 35

  Brigham Young University-Idaho

  Rexburg, ID

  Private not-for-profit $

  Online Programs

  3

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 36

  University of Toledo

  Toledo, OH

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 37

  Idaho State University

  Pocatello, ID

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 38

  Delaware State University

  Dover, DE

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 39

  SUNY College of Technology at Canton

  Canton, NY

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 40

  Husson University

  Bangor, ME

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 41

  Arkansas Tech University

  Russellville, AR

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 42

  University of Alaska Fairbanks

  Fairbanks, AK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 43

  Utah State University

  Logan, UT

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 44

  Oregon State University

  Corvallis, OR

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 45

  Boise State University

  Boise, ID

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 46

  Central Michigan University

  Mount Pleasant, MI

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 47

  Northern Michigan University

  Marquette, MI

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 48

  Southeast Missouri State University

  Cape Girardeau, MO

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 49

  Fort Hays State University

  Hays, KS

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

Online Bachelor of Business Management: What You’ll Learn

An online business management program typically consists of general education classes, foundational courses in every area of business, and electives. Most programs cover finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and management in their core classes, and electives help students hone their skills in a specific area of interest. To give you a better idea of what foundational courses and electives can cover, let’s review popular course topics offered at each level of a business management online program.

Admissions for Top-Ranked Online Business Management Degree Programs

Competition for admittance into a top online business school can be competitive, but there are ways to set yourself apart and get an acceptance letter from your dream school. Usually, business management programs approach admissions with a holistic view by analyzing a student’s performance in the classroom, in extracurriculars, and on standardized tests.

When deciding who to admit, top-tier programs like Boise State University and Arizona State University often consider:

• A student’s GPA, with 2.8 or higher required by many programs. The higher your GPA, the more likely you are to get in and get merit-based scholarships.
• A student’s standardized test score on the ACT or SAT. The exact score needed to get in varies from school to school and even from application pool to application pool.
• Answers to essays and short answer questions. Schools are usually looking for passionate candidates with a clear vision for their professional futures.
• Letter of recommendation from teachers, past professors, or others who can attest to your academic performance. While not all schools require this, many do. 

While these application requirements are typical, the exact requirements differ from school to school. That’s why it’s important to check with each program you apply to. Additionally, the admission requirements for business programs are usually not different from the requirements for other departments, such as English or psychology. If you’ve already taken some college courses, you might be able to transfer those credits and graduate in a shorter time frame.

Costs and Financial Aid for Online Business Management Degrees

Choosing the right program is about more than making sure it aligns with your academic goals; it also must match with you can afford. An affordable, high-quality program accompanied by some financial aid means you pay less. Degrees range from less than $10,000 a year at in-state, public universities to over $50,000 a year at some private schools. For a better idea of how much you can expect to pay, check out the table below.

The initial tuition price isn’t the only thing to consider, though, since many universities offer scholarships and financial aid packages. Western Governors University, for example, has scholarships for students from the Midwest well as for transfer students, and Colorado State University has a variety of scholarships for online students and doesn’t charge a separate out-of-state rate for online students. In addition to financial aid through your university, you could also be eligible for federally funded, state-sponsored, or private financial aid. Visit our financial aid to learn more about all available options to lower your tuition cost.

FAQs About Earning Your Business Management Bachelor’s Degree Online

• What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in business management?

  A bachelor’s degree in business management is a flexible, versatile degree that can lead to a career in many fields. Because most programs require students to complete foundational courses in all areas of business, students are usually prepared to work in any field of business. To give you a better idea of potential career paths, here are five common job titles for business management graduates: 

  • Market Research Analysts
  • Financial Manager
  • Digital Marketing Manager
  • Sales Representative 
  • Management Analysts

• What’s the difference between a business management and business administration degree?

  While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a big difference between these two programs. A business management degree is focused on how to lead teams and oversee projects while a business administration degree is designed for students who want to organize and plan the day-to-day operations of a business. If you’re more of a detail-oriented person instead of a big-picture thinker, check out our business administration page (in progress) and consider a degree in business administration instead of business management.

• Is earning a business management degree worth it?

  Getting your business degree can pay off, both in terms of salary and the number of available positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those working in a business-related field are some of the top earners in the U.S. Salaries range from $50,000 to over $200,000, depending on experience and geographical location. Business-related fields will also grow faster than average over the next ten years, so there should be plenty of open roles when you graduate.

• Are online business management degree programs offered 100% online?

  If you want to complete a 100% online degree, a top-notch program should be easy to find. A high-quality hybrid program should also be easy to locate if you prefer to take some courses in person. Many programs, like the one at Colorado State University, are online and don’t require you to step foot on campus once. Other programs, such as the one housed at Oregon State University, offer hybrid and in-person courses or the option to complete your degree 100% online.

• What type of accreditation should a business management degree program have?

  When looking at business management programs, make sure you attend one that is accredited. If a school isn’t regionally or nationally accredited, your degree won’t be recognized by other academic institutions or most employers. Along with regional and national accreditation for an institution, also make sure your business school has programmatic accreditation. This can help you land a top-tier job and gain acceptance into an MBA program down the line. The most common programmatic accreditation for business schools is from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

• How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management?

  A bachelor’s degree in business management usually takes four years to complete. If you’re completing a traditional degree on a part-time basis, it could take longer. There are a couple of options for students who want to complete the degree in less than four years. Those include three-year accelerated programs or using transfer credits (e.g., college, AP, or dual-enrollment courses) to cover the general education requirements.

Career Outlook for Business Management Degree Graduates

Just like there are plenty of opportunities to earn a business management degree, there are many jobs with higher-than-average salaries open to business school graduates. In fact, students who get their undergraduate degree in business earn more than the average annual salary for all workers. Many roles, like analysts and managers, within the world of business also have a faster-than-average predicted growth rate over the next ten years. Check out the chart below for a better idea about the opportunities available and how much you can expect to make.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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