Is a master’s in management degree worth it?

Master’s in management programs can lead to a strong return on investment, even for professionals with minimal work experience. Georgetown University reported an average base salary of more than $80,000 for its 2023 master of management graduates.

Is an MBA higher than a Masters?

Both a master’s in management and a master of business administration (MBA) are graduate-level degrees. Some schools have taken a unique approach and combined the two degrees, with London Business School listing a master’s in management or equivalent as a requirement for its new one-year MBA.

What is the difference between an MBA and a Master’s of Management?

The master’s in management degree is an emerging alternative to the traditional MBA and is usually geared toward younger professionals. Master’s in management programs typically focus broadly on management, project management, and other resources for people early in their careers, while MBA programs cover a host of business topics and are often geared toward working professionals.

Best Online Master’s in Management Programs

A master’s in management degree can prepare early-career professionals for fast-growing, high-paying management occupations.

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A master’s in management degree can prepare students to step into key leadership roles.

This degree has emerged in recent years as an alternative to the master of business administration (MBA). A master’s in management is typically geared toward students with less work experience and covers broad leadership and management topics across the private and public sectors.

Read on to learn about the best online master’s in management programs, as well just some of the potential career paths the degree can unlock for you.

Featured Online Master’s in Management Programs

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In this Article

Best Online Master’s in Management Programs

Franklin University

Columbus, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,552

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,552

Retention Rate

47%

Students Enrolled

6,031

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,080

Franklin University

Columbus, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,080

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

80%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,552

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,552

Retention Rate

47%

Students Enrolled

6,031

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Brenau University

Gainesville, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$12,834

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,834

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

58%

Acceptance Rate

60%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,370

Retention Rate

52%

Students Enrolled

2,817

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,834

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,834

Brenau University

Gainesville, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,834

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,834

Acceptance Rate

58%

Online Enrollment

60%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,370

Retention Rate

52%

Students Enrolled

2,817

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI4 yearCampus + Online

$21,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

11%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,350

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,350

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

11,819

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,060

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,060

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

11%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,350

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,350

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

11,819

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

51%

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,417

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

85,586

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,980

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,980

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment

92%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,417

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

85,586

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Ashland University

Ashland, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$6,540

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,540

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

71%

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,950

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

5,091

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,540

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,540

Ashland University

Ashland, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,540

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,540

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment

51%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,950

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

5,091

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$14,400

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,400

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

64%

Acceptance Rate

43%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,270

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

6,359

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,400

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,400

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,400

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,400

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment

43%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,270

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

6,359

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$10,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

11%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,094

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,094

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

2,687

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,620

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,620

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,620

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

11%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$28,094

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,094

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

2,687

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Babson College

Wellesley, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$89,550

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$89,550

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

26%

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,608

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,608

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

3,325

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$89,550

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$89,550

Babson College

Wellesley, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$89,550

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$89,550

Acceptance Rate

26%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,608

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,608

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

3,325

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

City University of Seattle

Seattle, WA4 yearCampus + Online

$11,430

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,430

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,120

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,120

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

1,960

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,430

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,430

City University of Seattle

Seattle, WA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,430

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,430

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

80%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,120

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,120

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

1,960

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,268

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$28,170

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

38%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,456

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,640

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

11,695

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,268

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,170

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,268

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,170

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

38%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,456

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,640

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

11,695

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

What Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Management Program?

Earning an online master’s in management helps students develop essential skills and learn how to make business decisions that drive profitability.

Succeeding in management requires a strong grasp of leadership, strategy, and project management. These skills help managers enhance organizational and departmental efficiency and effectiveness.

The credit requirements for master’s in management programs vary by school, but it typically takes full-time students about one year to complete their degree if studying full time. Many online programs use an asynchronous format, which provides increased flexibility by allowing students to complete coursework and watch recorded lectures.

Other programs feature a synchronous online format, which requires mandatory virtual sessions and class meetings at set times. Additionally, hybrid options combine online instruction and in-person meetings.

Programs may offer concentration options in areas such as healthcare, project management, human resources, finance, and construction management. Choosing a concentration allows students to align their degree with their interests and career goals. Learners also receive industry-specific training.

Some online master’s in management programs include a capstone or thesis requirement. These usually require students to complete a business project, either individually or as part of a team. Projects generally require students to use course concepts to solve complex business and management issues. Some programs use simulations in the capstone, while others allow learners to work with real-world clients.

Admission Requirements for Online Master’s in Management Programs

Every online master’s in management program possesses its own admission requirements. However, it is common for schools to require students to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete prerequisite coursework in core subjects. Many schools also require applicants to submit GRE or GMAT test scores, letters of recommendation, and a resume.

Because requirements vary, prospective students should reach out to a school’s admissions department directly to obtain exact information. For more general information, consult our Graduate Admissions Guide.

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What Courses Will I Take in an Online Master’s in Management Program?

The curriculum for a master’s in management offers a comprehensive overview of several key subjects, including finance, economics, marketing, human resources, and management. Students pursuing a concentration complete additional coursework focusing on their subject area. While each program’s curriculum differs, the following list details five common courses.

Management Courses

Management of Resources

Students learn about the process of aligning resources with an organization’s goals. Coursework covers essential topics such as budgeting, resource allocation, and incentives and benefits. Students develop an understanding of how decisions impact an organization’s finances and personnel. The course may also include an overview of cost-benefit analysis.

Leading Change

This course focuses on concepts that drive organizational change. Covered topics may include leadership theories, organizational theories, levels of organizational change, and transformational leadership. Some classes challenge students to create a plan to lead organizational change for a fictitious company. This gives students the opportunity to see how theories can work in practical situations.

Management Communication

Management communication courses typically teach students how to analyze audiences effectively and develop messaging that targets those audiences. Coursework teaches students to speak, write, and work with individuals and communicate across cultures. Some classes may include an additional overview of sales or marketing techniques to teach students how to shape effective communication strategies.

Management Research Methodologies

This course provides students with the skills and tools they need to gather and analyze data. The class typically focuses on the traditional qualitative and quantitative research practices managers use to make strategic business decisions. Some courses may emphasize research tools, such as focus groups or surveys, and the role they play in an organization’s strategy.

Foundations of Management

Students explore management basics, such as topics related to marketing and finance, decision-making, and organizational behavior. The curriculum also provides an overview of effective management techniques across different industries and settings. The overall aim of the course is to build the skills, knowledge, and abilities students need to manage teams effectively.

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What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Management Degree?

Businesses and organizations across industries need effective leaders to manage teams, make strategic decisions, and create profitable business plans. Earning a master’s in management teaches you the skills you need to qualify for a variety of rewarding career opportunities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment in management positions to grow rapidly between 2023 and 2033, with 1.2 million job openings per year across sectors. The median annual wage for management occupations was $116,880 in May 2023, more than double the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.

Explore what a management job can do for you. Read our guide on business management careers for more information.

Sales Manager

Sales managers lead sales teams across a wide range of businesses. That can include everything from insurance companies to car dealerships and more. Sales managers are responsible for both hiring and managing members of their team and analyzing data to determine sales strategy.

Healthcare Manager

Healthcare managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare organizations. These professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing and residential facilities, and government agencies. Job titles in this field include healthcare administrator, clinic director, and public health manager.

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers focus on driving consumer interest in products and/or services. Primary tasks include developing marketing and sales campaigns, negotiating advertising contracts, initiating market research studies, and managing a marketing team. Professionals in this field typically hold titles such as advertising, marketing, or promotions manager.

Manufacturing or Transportation Manager

Logistics professionals determine how to deliver products or services to consumers. They coordinate sourcing, manufacturing, and transportation. Examples of common job titles include industrial production manager and transportation, storage, and distribution manager. Common tasks include implementing production standards, reviewing supply chains, and managing personnel.

Financial Managers

Financial managers evaluate the financial health of individuals or organizations. They complete tasks such as preparing financial statements, generating forecasts, and analyzing market trends. They may also supervise teams of accountants. Finance management positions include financial manager, credit manager, risk manager, and chief financial officer.

Information Technology Manager

Management occupations in information technology (IT) focus on ensuring that an organization’s technology functions properly. These managers analyze a firm’s needs, recommend upgrades to improve processes, assess the costs of new projects, and oversee the installation and troubleshooting of technological systems.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Management

Master’s in management programs are typically intensive, short-term programs geared toward young professionals with minimal work experience. The broad-based curriculum is meant to familiarize students with a host of management concepts.