Best Online Business Management Degree Programs 2024
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2024Business makes the world go ’round — but how many of us really understand the nuts and bolts of running a company, launching an enterprise, or bringing a new product to market?
One of the best ways to learn is through a degree in business management. And you don’t even have to set foot on campus to earn one. Some of the best programs out there are available totally online.
We’ve already rounded them up and ranked them for you. Find your fit and jump-start your career in business today.
Check Out Our Sponsored Business Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Schools for an Online Business Management Degree
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,791
- Out-of-state$36,316
- In-State$14,014
- Out-of-state$30,572
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled32,045
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Appalachian State University
- Boone, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,242
- Out-of-state$19,849
- In-State$4,839
- Out-of-state$19,849
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled20,641
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Simmons University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,872
- Out-of-state$41,872
- In-State$21,384
- Out-of-state$21,384
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,984
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,900
- Out-of-state$41,900
- In-State$22,068
- Out-of-state$22,068
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled8,270
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,065
- Out-of-state$29,456
- In-State$13,446
- Out-of-state$27,297
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled33,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
John Brown University
- Siloam Springs, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,662
- Out-of-state$27,662
- In-State$13,920
- Out-of-state$13,920
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled2,459
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Steubenville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,720
- Out-of-state$29,720
- In-State$12,600
- Out-of-state$12,600
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled3,415
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Walsh University
- North Canton, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,205
- Out-of-state$30,205
- In-State$13,410
- Out-of-state$13,410
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled2,440
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment79%
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota-Duluth
- Duluth, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,420
- Out-of-state$17,718
- In-State$17,844
- Out-of-state$27,612
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled9,884
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
In order to create this rankings list, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our 2023 College Choice and Admissions Survey.
What Is a Business Management Degree?
What the Degree Is About
You’ll learn the principles of business, management essentials, and many industry-relevant skills, like financial forecasting and operational planning.
How Long It Takes
You’ll spend around 3-5 years earning the degree. Accelerated programs can take about 1.5 years but require a more intense workload.
Career Path
You’ll have plenty of business-oriented fields to choose from, such as accounting, sales, corporate leadership, and financial analysis.
Keep in Mind
There are three common types of bachelor’s degrees in business management:
- A bachelor of science (BS) in business management emphasizes math and analytics.
- A bachelor of arts (BA) in business management emphasizes soft skills from liberal arts courses.
- A bachelor of business administration (BBA) in management emphasizes organizational management.
“I pursued a bachelor’s in business to be part of the decision-making process. I was able to use the skills I learned to help drive business forward … This degree was able to open up many doors for my career and help me transcend upwards into management.”
Why Should You Get a Degree in Business Management?
Whether you want lots of job options, a wide variety of skills for diverse industries, or a running start up the career ladder, a bachelor’s degree in business management can be a great first step.
“The business management degree equips students with critical skills that enable them to be successful in their careers. The numerous topic discussions, cases, and projects allow students to analyze and react to a variety of business issues in a variety of settings.”
Benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management
- Qualify for higher-paying business careers
- Better impact and reach
- Access to diverse job opportunities
- Increase variety of marketable skills
- Improve your business acumen
- Boost your lifetime earning potential
- Gain business-related credibility
- Increase your chances of steady employment
Reasons to Get Your Business Management Degree Online
- Earn your degree without quitting your job
- Balance classes, work, and childcare
- Flexible class schedules
- Control the pace of your education
- Neurodivergent-friendly learning methods
- Ability to learn from anywhere
- Self-driven learning environment
- Well suited for career changers
“One main benefit for me was the ability to keep my job while going to school. Since I was a bit older, I didn’t have the option to just stop working to go to school.”
Read More:
How Much Does an Online Business Management Degree Cost?
The average annual cost of one year of college at a public, four-year university was $9,700 in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
You can save money on your degree or graduate faster in a few different ways:
Credit for prior learning
Credits for college-level experience and skills — including military experience, exam scores, certifications, and workplace training — can count toward your degree.Financial aid
Financial aid, such as scholarships for business majors or grants from state or federal governments and private organizations, can help lower the cost of your education.Transfer credits
Transfer credits for courses you’ve taken can speed up your time to graduation.
How Long Does an Online Bachelor’s in Business Management Take?
You’ll finish your degree quicker or slower depending on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.
A full-time student, taking a minimum of 15 credits per semester, will finish a bachelor’s in business management in about four years. Full-time students may also qualify for accelerated programs that take three years or less.
A part-time student, taking fewer than 15 credits per semester, should finish in 5-6 years.
Average Length of a Bachelor’s
in Business Management Program
3-4 years*
Total Course
Credits Required
120 credits*
How Much Money Will I Make With a Bachelor’s in Business Management?
You may earn a salary between $69,000 and $77,000 after graduation. Higher or lower salaries depend on your degree type, the field you’re in, and your experience level.
Average Base Salary by Type of Business Degree
“I was able to make a six-figure salary early on in my career, respective to my peers, and I have a bachelor’s in business to thank.”
What Jobs Can You Get With a Degree in Business Management?
Job versatility is a big upside of getting a business management degree. The scope of skills you learn can apply to all sorts of jobs and industries, from business consulting to small business management.
“I know business management majors who have gone on to lead research and development divisions even though they do not possess exceptional technological skills. These individuals understand the technology to a degree, but their real value comes in managing the people and issues of the division. That’s the beauty of the business management degree: It allows for change and growth over a career.”
Here are 10 popular jobs for bachelor’s in business management grads, including how much they pay and how much they’re expected to grow over the next decade:
| Job | Median Salary (May 2023) | Projected Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | $156,580 | 8% |
| Sales Manager | $135,160 | 6% |
| Human Resources Manager | $136,350 | 6% |
| Administrative Services Manager | $104,900 | 6% |
| Financial Analyst | $99,890 | 9% |
| Management Analyst | $99,41-0 | 11% |
| Operations Research Analyst | $86,640 | 23% |
| Budget Analyst | $84,940 | 4% |
| Business Consultant | $81,490* | N/A |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,680 | 8% |
*Average salary, not median, accurate as of Sept. 2024
Read More:
Is a Bachelor’s in Business Management Worth It? Grads Weigh In
The graduates we spoke to believe a business management degree is a practical way to reach your career goals. They also agreed flexibility is a big selling point for getting a degree online.
But they also think you should be mindful of why you want a business degree and whether online will be the right educational experience for you.
“I love online education. The business programs are not easy, but what makes them so great is that they are balanced in theory and practical application, they challenge you to improve your reasoning skills, and you are in control of when and how much you learn.”
―Andrew Simmons, Chief of Staff and Head Instructional Designer, Dynamic Perspectives
“Did I need the degree for the career paths I’ve chosen? Perhaps not necessarily, as I find sometimes schools don’t teach people to think, [they teach] people to do and follow directions. Which is all OK if you are in the corporate world. As an entrepreneur, you must think outside the box, be adaptable and resourceful. I find traveling and listening to podcasts taught me more than books from school did. I’d ask: What’s the goal and desired outcome from this degree? What are you hoping to learn from it? Have you tried learning from business books and podcasts? Is more schooling really for you?”
―Alice Huang, Corporate Consultant and Co-Founder of Web3MTL
“When I started my online [management] degree, I had been working in middle management for just over 20 years. My experience had taught me a great deal, but I started to identify skills and knowledge I was missing that were necessary to move to the next level. The best way to gain those skills and master that knowledge was through formal education at the degree level.”
―Robin Day, National Director of Academics, Herzing College
“[A business] degree can open up many doors in the future and will allow you to be part of the decision-making process. I believe that I was able to ascend to director and vice president early in my career due to the skills I learned from this degree. I would highly recommend this degree as a stepping stone for your career.”
―Andrew Lokenauth, Finance Executive and Personal Finance Expert
“My answer is yes, especially the online route. I didn’t go to college right out of high school like most people. Instead, I got my online business management degree a few years ago from American Public University. I did this solely so I could get a promotion and pay raise.”
―Todd Ramlin, Manager, Cable Compare
Frequently Asked Questions About a Bachelor’s in Business Management
Marketing managers, whose median annual salary is $138,730, is one of the highest-paying jobs you can get with a business management degree. Job growth for marketing managers is projected to increase by 6% from 2022-2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is higher than the average of 3% across all occupations.
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