Best Online Sports Management Degrees of 2025

Do you want a behind-the-scenes sports career? A bachelor’s degree in sports management can combine your passion for sports with the business side of the industry.

During your studies, you’ll explore various aspects of the field, including sports law, sports marketing, and sports psychology. This can prepare you to pursue management and leadership positions within athletic organizations.

If this sounds like a career for you, read on to explore the best sports management programs around and learn more about what they have to offer.

Curious what courses you’ll take online? Check out our sports management program guide.

When comparing online sports management programs, consider tuitions costs, program length, and the careers they can help you pursue after graduation.

According to National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data, an online bachelor’s degree in sports management usually costs around $42,000 for tuition and fees over four years without any financial aid. However, financial aid can reduce that price tag to around $23,600.

Financial aid can often lower the cost of tuition and fees by thousands of dollars. With this in mind, remember to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you plan to attend college. This can help you qualify for several financial aid options, including grants and scholarships.

Bachelor’s programs usually take four years as a full-time student to complete. During tis time, you’ll have to earn around 120 credits to graduate — typically 30 credits per academic year.

If you’d like to graduate faster, consider enrolling in an accelerated and degree-completion programs. These programs can be completed in a shorter amount of time because they let you take more classes simultaneously, and the courses usually last fewer weeks.

With a bachelor’s in sports management, you can pursue a variety of careers in different fields, including advertising, agenting, and athlete management.

According to the BLS, advertising, promotions, and marketing managers are among the top earners in this field, making a median salary of $159,660 per year, as of May 2024.

The lowest earners are coaches and scouts, who bring in a median salary of $45,920 per year.

The table below lists some other popular roles you can qualify for with a bachelor’s in sports management:

Whether an online bachelor’s in sports management degree is worth it depends on your career goals and learning style.

Our Online Education Trends Report shows that over half (56%) of online bachelor’s students and graduates say their online classes included assignments they could use to explore future career options. Additionally, 51% percent say their online classes included assignments they could relate to their future jobs.

An online program will also provide flexibility to balance work and personal commitments as well as the potential to save money compared to traditional, in-person programs.

However, online programs provide limited face-to-face interactions, which can reduce your networking opportunities. You may also have fewer chances to gain hands-on experience.