In this ranking, we’re going to present the top 20 best schools to earn your business management degree online. Because we have already ranked plenty of online MBA programs, this article is going to focus on undergraduate business degrees in business management or business administration.

Featured Programs

Bachelors in Business Management

A bachelors in business management can serve as a great prerequisite for pursuing a graduate degree in business or prepare you for entry-level jobs in business management. There are several types of business degrees that fit into this category. The core curriculum of business management programs is not going to deviate that much but the specific courses or electives offered will be slightly different with each option. Any BS degrees are going to focus on more technical aspects, such as data management, accounting, and making sure that you have a lot of practical skills in this area. Any BA degree options are going to cover a lot of the theoretical concepts of managing a business. Each one can apply to the same jobs but will equip you with a unique skill set. If you choose a Bachelor of Science, you may be better prepared for immediate entry into the professional world; a Bachelor of Arts will teach you a lot of the same information but may be a better way to prepare for graduate-level study.

 

A Bachelor of Business Management is similar to a Bachelor of Business Administration but places a stronger emphasis on leadership skills; a Bachelor of Business Administration is more technical and focuses on how a business functions. Choosing which one is the best program of study for you depends on your goals and how you plan to apply the degree once you’ve earned it. Regardless of your choice, you will cover the core competencies of business and leadership. Many schools will offer these degrees with an optional major or area of focus, which you can further tailor to your needs by selecting the right electives or even by declaring a minor.

Earning an Online Business Management Degree

The biggest advantage to earning a business management degree online is the incomparable flexibility. Online classes are typically asynchronous, which means that you can get on the computer and study when it is convenient for you. You don’t have to move or abandon your job or any other obligations in order to receive a high-quality education that will prepare you for the career you want. There are plenty of schools across the country that offer business management degrees at a distance; this will also allow you to select a program that offers the minor or electives you’re most interested in. Online degrees tend to be more affordable, and there are still plenty of opportunities for financial aid and even scholarships.

Methodology

In order to create this ranking, we started by researching all of the schools that met our qualifying criteria. Schools must be based in the United States, hold proper accreditation, and must offer at least one distance education program in business management, whether the program is 100% online or presented in a blended format. We also have excluded for-profit schools from this ranking.

All of the schools that met the qualifying criteria were then scored based on their academic quality. We determined academic quality using the following:

  • Freshman Retention Rate (50% of final score)
  • Graduation Rate (50% of final score)

The percentages were added together as whole numbers to produce a final score out of a possible 200 points. The 20 schools with the highest final scores are presented in this ranking. All of the data was collected from the schools’ websites whenever it was available. If not, additional ranking data and information presented here was collected from the following:

  • U.S. News and World Report
  • Niche.com
  • The National Center for Education Statistics
  • Collegedata.com

It is important to note that no school was given preferential treatment for any reason and the methodology presented would allow anyone to draw the same conclusion; however, some schools may not be represented here due to incomplete data.

Related Rankings:

  1. MERIT: 194
    View Profile Average Cost: $68,537

    Northeastern University offers a Bachelor of Science in Management online that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. You can complete it anywhere in the country thanks to the fully-online delivery format. All admitted students have the benefit of paying the same tuition rate regardless of residency, which is just one thing that the university does to help increase the accessibility of the program. Close to half of the students are receiving some financial aid.

    There are start dates in the fall, spring, and summer semesters so you can get started when it’s convenient for you. The program consists of 120 credit hours, and students are required to complete at least half of the degree at Northeastern. You will take asynchronous classes that allow you to log in at any time of day to get your work done so that the coursework won’t get in the way of your other obligations.

    There are unique learning opportunities at Northeastern as well. You can gain experiential learning at work if you’re already in a related job; you can work virtually with a sponsoring organization to complete short projects to gain experience and; you may also have the option to work in a co-op where you would work in a paid position in your field for up to six months. On top of that, online instructors are the same ones that teach on-campus, and they have real-world experience to draw on in order to help you learn and to mentor you to become a strong career candidate.

    As part of the core curriculum, you will take classes such as Supply Chain Management, New Venture Creation, Business Strategy, and more. You will also complete over 30 credit hours in electives that allow you to tailor your education to the specific career you want to get into or what you aspire to study at the graduate level.

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  2. MERIT: 184
    View Profile Average Cost: $21,131

    University of Florida
    The University of Florida offers an Online Business Administration Bachelor’s Degree that you can opt to earn as a BA or a BS. This program, in either variety, is open to students that have completed at least some college education prior to enrollment. The required prerequisites include Intro to Financial Accounting; Intro to Managerial Accounting; Problem Solving Using Computers; Principles of Macroeconomics; Principles of Microeconomics; Survey of Calculus and; Intro to Statistics. Students who have yet to take these courses are admitted on a case by case basis.

    Those with no college experience would be required to take the previously listed classes as part of the programs. The BSBA online is focused entirely on business disciplines, and the offered major is in General Business. This will prepare you for a technical or practical career in the field.

    The BABA option allows students to take a more interdisciplinary approach that will give them a foundation in business and then specialize their knowledge in one of the various concentrations offered. Currently available are majors in Anthropology, Business and Economic Geography, Educational Studies, General Studies, Geology, Mass Communication, Sociology, and Sport Management. This is a more flexible option that allows you to customize your curriculum to meet your individual needs and goals.

    These programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is the most highly-recognized accrediting agency in business. Last year, U.S. News & World Report ranked UFL among the top 20 best undergraduate business programs nationwide.

    Students can take this asynchronous program at a full- or part-time pace and will earn the exact same degree as students that would study on campus, putting them at the forefront of a competitive league of applicants for employment and graduate-level education alike.

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  3. MERIT: 180
    View Profile Average Cost: $26,404

    University of Georgia
    The Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Georgia is a comprehensive and flexible option that is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business. The program format was designed to fit into the lives of someone with a busy life, whether that is full-time employment or military service. The offered major is in General Business, which lays a firm groundwork in the field by covering a variety of disciplines.

    Students must earn a minimum of 45 of the required credit hours at UGA and also must have at least 60 credits to transfer in with them. This is a program for those who already hold an associate’s degree. All of the content is delivered online and asynchronously. You will take two classes per term, each consisting of eight weeks. You will progress through in a cohort and will have the choice of start dates in January, June, and August. There is a total of 121 credits to complete.

    The typical student completes the program in three years; there are both part-time and full-time scheduling options based on your needs. Online students can attend campus for their graduation if they so choose. Otherwise, they don’t have to attend at all. The tuition rate is competitively low and will be the same regardless of your residency.

    Some of the classes that you will take as part of your major include Operations Management, Financial Modeling, Business Law, and Consumer Buyer Behavior among others. Some of your electives are International Business, Real Estate, and Risk Management and Insurance. You can also choose one more elective, even if it isn’t offered through the department, that you think will help advance your skills.

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  4. MERIT: 178
    View Profile Average Cost: $25,055

    Pennsylvania State University
    The Bachelor of Science in Business at Pennsylvania State University is offered through the PennState World Campus, which is the distance education initiative at the university. The degree consists of 120 credits and features an 18-credit specialization for those of you who want to add depth to your skills in a particular area. The concentrations that are currently available include Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Health Services, Management and Marketing, and an Individualized option that allows you to select your concentration courses one by one.

    We have ranked the school specifically for the Management and Marketing concentration. On top of the technical and comprehensive business education, you’ll receive as part of the core curriculum. You will also explore advanced areas of management and marketing. These extra courses can prepare you for careers in sales, global marketing, and so much more.

    Penn State’s online bachelor’s programs were nationally recognized as being among the best by U.S. News & World Report, a distinction they are awarded on a regular basis. All of the courses are taught by the same professors that are teaching the traditional courses so that you will receive the same rigor and depth as a traditional student.

    The online business administration program is open to students who have earned at least 29 credits, but it will also accept qualified students who have completed part of a bachelors program or currently hold an associate-level degree. First-year applicants are also welcome, which sets this program apart significantly. Many online bachelors programs prefer some college experience.

    There are start dates in fall, spring, and summer. All of the courses offered are presented in an asynchronous format. You can work on your classwork at your own pace, any time of day, no matter where you are. Assignments are to be completed weekly, and you will interact with your classmates through the online learning management system. The classes are tailored to adult learners like you, to enhance your college experience further and ensure that it fits your needs.

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  5. MERIT: 174
    View Profile Average Cost: $32,433

    Rutgers University
    Rutgers University is home to a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration online that is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business. For the year 2018, the business programs offered at Rutgers were also ranked as some of the best in America according to U.S. News & World Report. The program consists of 120 credits. Students must have at least 18 credits, but for those who have more, there is a generous transfer policy. You could bring in up to 90 credits.

    The program is accessible entirely online, so you’ll never have to visit the campus, you can learn from anywhere and at any time of day that is convenient for you. However, you’ll still get all of the same benefits as you would if you were studying on campus. You will have opportunities for close interaction with your peers and professors thanks to incredibly small class sizes.

    You will also have access to learning tools and tutoring, student advisors, and job placement assistance upon graduation. All of this is on top of the cutting edge curriculum that is crafted by industry experts. Some topics that you will explore are financial accounting, business statistics, business law, marketing, strategy, policy, project management, and so much more.

    This 100% online business administration program has start dates three times per year, in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. You can choose to pursue your degree at a full-time or part-time pace depending on the demands of your schedule. If you want to accelerate your degree, Rutgers even allows you to take your classes year-round instead of taking breaks in between to help you graduate faster.

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  6. MERIT: 168
    View Profile Average Cost: $30,254

    University of Massachusetts-Amherst
    The University of Massachusetts offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration, and even though it is being provided through UMass Amherst, you can complete it entirely at a distance. The program is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business. In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranks the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts as the best in the region in its 2019 rankings.

    In order to enroll in the program, you must have completed either one year of undergraduate study or currently hold a minimum of 27 credits eligible for transfer. If you’re not sure that this is the right program for you, UMass offers a unique answer. You can take up to 15 credits before you choose to apply to the program. This is something that not every school offers and this type of test drive truly enhances your ability to make the right choice. This is just one of the ways that UMass proves that it is committed to the student experience.

    In total, there are 120 credits that are required to complete the degree, and the university features an exceptionally low cost-per-credit. You also have the option to major in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Operations & Information Management. You will take core courses that cover several of the key competencies in the business field such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, marketing, management, statistics, and finance.

    From there, you will take between six and ten courses in your specified major and 21 credits worth of non-business electives. You can use these to minor in a particular area you’re interested in or apply them towards earning a certificate along with your degree. For instance, if you choose to major in management, you will explore the following topics more in-depth to prepare you professionally: recruitment and hiring, understanding the workplace, decision-making techniques, organizational structure, and more.

    Each major also includes several electives that help you to truly tailor your education. Classes are presented predominantly asynchronously and designed for the working adult. There are start dates in the fall and spring each year.

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  7. MERIT: 161
    View Profile Average Cost: $32,300


    The online Bachelor of Business Administration at Temple University is one of the most flexible that we’ve featured in this ranking. It is also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is a hallmark of a quality business education program.

    One of the things that make the program so flexible is that there are six majors and nine minors to choose from. This allows you to truly study a laser-focused curriculum that will keep you on track and prepare you in the best way possible to fulfill the roles you want to at the professional level. Available majors include Accounting, Business Management, Human Resource Management, Legal Studies in Business, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. Minors will vary by your selected major.

    You will have access to a team of advisors, a variety of immersion programs, and over a dozen student organizations that will help you to make the right choices, meet your goals, get practical experience while you learn, and get a head start on expanding your networking opportunities.

    The program consists of 120 credits in total, and beyond the core curriculum, it is incredibly customizable. There are multiple start times throughout the year, so you don’t have to wait, you can start as soon as you’re ready. In addition to that, full-time and part-time scheduling is available. Classes run in traditional 15-week semesters, accelerated seven-week sessions in the fall and spring, and accelerated six-week sessions in the summer. All of these options allow you to complete the program at the pace you want to.

    Regardless of your residency, you will also pay the same tuition rate as a student that lives in Pennsylvania, where Temple is located. Tuition is charged at a flat rate, and there are ample opportunities for financial aid. While you can customize your learning pace, classes are presented live so you will interact with your peers and instructors in real-time. This is not technically a self-paced program, but it is flexible enough to be accessible to a busy adult.

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  8. MERIT: 160
    View Profile Average Cost: $69,392


    Drexel University provides students with a more technical option with its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program online. This program is offered as a degree completion program for students who have 24 credits or more already completed as long as those credits are eligible for transfer to Drexel. Students with 23 or fewer credits completed can enter as first-year students.

    A BSBA program puts a stronger emphasis on math and science which highlights the more technical aspects of business. Available majors include General Business and Marketing. The General Business major is best-suited for students that want a broad business education but still want to have a strong technical skill set. The Marketing major gives students the same foundation but will further focus on analytics, product management, and market research techniques; this is the best option for students who know that they want a marketing career.

    The program is also AACSB accredited. There is a total of 180 credits in this particular business administration distance education program. The generous transfer policy allows you to bring up to 60 credits with you if you have more college experience. While that is significantly more credits than a traditional bachelors program, you can still graduate faster. This is because of the way courses are presented at Drexel.

    You will study in four 10-week quarters per year as opposed to the traditional 15-week semester system. This allows you to get more of your classes completed per calendar year, so you can graduate at the same time (or even faster) than a student enrolled in a more traditional program.

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  9. MERIT: 160
    View Profile Average Cost: $17,936

    University of Iowa
    The Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa has been ranked among the top 25 best public business schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to that, the school has also been recognized by other publications for its academic quality and value in the past. The program we’ve ranked Iowa for is the online Bachelor of Business Administration.

    This is a degree completion program that doesn’t accept first-year students. Instead, students must have completed at least 24 credit hours in order to be considered for admittance into the program. The offered online major is Management. This major allows students to explore entrepreneurial management and establish a concrete foundation in business and a deep understanding of current trends and topics.

    Students will pay the same cost-per-credit regardless of where they’re at in the country, and that cost is significantly lower than the national average. There are also financial aid and scholarship opportunities that students may qualify for to help them bring those costs down even further.

    The school boasts that many of its students maintain full-time employment while they study, which is a strong testament to the flexibility of the program. You don’t need to worry if you’ll be able to balance your life well enough to squeeze in time to study; instead, with the help of dynamic and flexible course options, expert faculty, and access to a range of the university’s resources, you can earn your degree confidently and at your desired pace.

    Courses you’ll take in this program are taught by the same credible faculty that teaches on-campus. Some topics you’ll cover include Information Systems, Marketing Strategy, Business Planning, Dynamics of Negotiations, and Business Communications, among so many others. You will also have opportunities for internships and experiential learnings to help build your resume as you learn.

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  10. MERIT: 153
    View Profile Average Cost: $25,892

     CSUF-logo
    Cal State Online is the distance education division of the California State University System, but this particular program comes specifically from the Mihaylo College of Business at Cal State Fullerton. This program of study culminates in a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. The Mihaylo College of Business is the largest school on the west coast that has attained the prestigious AACSB accreditation.

    The BABA online program is one that has less of a technical focus and gives students a broad basis in the field of business. The curriculum has been designed to expose students to several areas such as accounting, finance, business modeling, marketing, urban planning, management, and even data analytics. Students can take these skills and apply them immediately in the professional world.

    In order to be admitted to the program, students must have already completed their general education requirements. What this means is that students should hold an associates degree or a minimum of 63 credits that are eligible for transfer. With that said, this business administration degree is an excellent fit for anyone that wants to get started or advance themselves in business.

    The program consists of 120 credits and covers a broad base. This comprehensive curriculum is perfect for students to explore where they want to apply themselves in the field or to prepare themselves for a dynamic professional role in modern business. Courses are asynchronous in nature so that you will take them at your own pace.

    Even though this is a self-paced program, students will still have ample opportunities to connect with their peers because you will progress through the curriculum in a cohort. Additionally, you are always welcome to attend campus if you’re local or visiting. Online students can even choose to attend a traditional graduation ceremony in California upon completion.

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  11. MERIT: 151
    View Profile Average Cost: $65,750

    18_Quinnipiac_LOGO
    Quinnipiac University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree online that is open to students who have completed at least 45 credits of undergraduate education so far. This BBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the university was ranked among the best business schools of 2018 in The Princeton Review. Online programs at Quinnipiac have also been recognized for their quality by U.S. News & World Report.

    The university asserts that it has a highly-supportive online environment that is dedicated to making its programs accessible for adults with busy lifestyles, whether that is full-time employment or taking care of a family. Professors of the online courses are the same ones who teach on the ground at Quinnipiac campus, and they all have industry experience to bring to the table.

    The online Bachelor of Business Administration at Quinnipiac University is offered entirely at a distance, never requiring you to attend campus for any orientations, lectures, or presentations. You can take courses like Business Law and Society, Strategic Management, Applications of Business Analytics, and more from the comfort of your own home or favorite study spot.

    The program consists of 121 credits; 30 of the required credits are electives that you can choose to specialize in a particular area or diversify your studies to make you a more competitive candidate. As stated, students must have a minimum of 45 credits to enroll in the program; however, they can transfer in up to 76 credits if they’ve had a little more academic experience.

    For those who want to take their education to the next level and earn an MBA once they’ve finished their undergraduate studies, Quinnipiac allows for students to take up to 9 credits of their graduate program while they are still earning their bachelors.

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  12. MERIT: 150
    View Profile Average Cost: $27,491


    The Oregon State University eCampus offers two options for those who want to study business administration online. You can opt to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration based on your goals. Areas of specialization available include Digital Marketing, Family Business, General Business, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Retail Management, and Supply Chain and Logistics Management.

    Students of OSU’s eCampus have access to a lot of the vast resources at the university such as success counseling, library services, online tutoring, career guidance, and more. Another perk of earning this online business administration degree is that you can choose to take classes in a blended format. This is great if you know you need a little more assistance in a particular area or you’d just like to get some face time with your instructors.

    While you have the option to take some classes traditionally, this is a degree that you can earn 100% online if that is what works best for you. It is AACSB accredited and has an expertly designed curriculum that emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurship and providing you with experiential learning opportunities.

    The program consists of 180 quarter credits with a cost-per-credit that is nearly half the national average. This is equivalent to 120 traditional credits. This BBA online degree is open to first-year students, but it also allows transfer students as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. There are four start dates per year, and the degree takes the typical student between four and six years to complete.

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  13. MERIT: 147
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,750

    University of Arizona
    The University of Arizona offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through the Eller College of Management. This college was ranked #15 out of all public business schools nationwide and #25 among all business schools nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report. Applications to the program are accepted on a rolling basis, and students can start in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

    Upon acceptance, students will enter a pre-business program that allows them to complete all of the prerequisites. Students who have already completed those prerequisites at another institution will be admitted directly into the Business Administration major. Pre-business has a lower cost-per-credit to help increase the accessibility of the program. Regardless of that fact, the Business Administration major still features an affordable tuition rate for all students regardless of residency.

    The degree is offered entirely online. Most of the courses are asynchronous, but there may be some courses that require you to log in at set times. Even those courses are designed with the utmost flexibility so that you don’t have to disrupt your lifestyle to get your education. Even self-paced courses do require a certain amount of participation each week.

    The curriculum of the program explores a range of topics in business such as business communication, marketing, management, management information systems, finance, economics, operations, and business ethics in the business core curriculum. You will also learn about real estate, financial accounting, project management, innovation, and more with the major-specific courses for the degree.

    You will also have the opportunity to enhance your education with electives courses that align with your interests or aspirations.

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  14. MERIT: 146
    View Profile Average Cost: $19,817

    10 UW -logo
    The University of Wyoming offers a distance-learning Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This is a degree completion program that is designed for students who have already completed all of the general education requirements and prerequisite coursework in business. Students who meet these requirements can choose from three start dates per year in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

    Students must meet what is called Advanced Business Standing prerequisites in order to qualify for this program. The courses you need to have completed include Communication one and two, Business Calculus or Calculus one, Mathematical Applications for Business or Calculus two, Principles of Statistics, Principles of Accounting one and two, Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, and Introduction to Information Management.

    Those of you who have yet to complete all of the listed prerequisites may be eligible to take them at the University of Wyoming. The BSBA program is meant to be completed in two years of full-time study and consists of 120 credits.

    This is a comprehensive program that explores various disciplines in the field of business to prepare you for a dynamic career. It is AACSB-accredited and has been crafted to foster success in graduates. Students enrolled in this online business administration program will have access to a professional advisement team that will help them select the best courses based on their individual needs and goals for the future, whether that is further academic study or direct entry to their chosen profession.

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  15. MERIT: 145
    View Profile Average Cost: $23,690

    13 FIU-logo
    Florida International University features an online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management through its R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business. This online business degree is available entirely at a distance and requires 120 credits for graduation. It is open to both freshmen and transfer students.

    FIU offers start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. Out-of-state students will pay a higher tuition rate; however, it is still just about $330 per credit. This is an incredibly affordable degree from a reputable school that you can use to push yourself to the next step in business, or you can take what you learn and apply it to a graduate-level program that is specific to your career aspirations.

    The skills you’ll gain in business law, information systems, professional communication, strategic management, marketing, and more will be universally applicable, and they’ll also give you a broad scope of knowledge that you can use to pursue a successful career in business administration. You can choose to specialize in several different areas as well, including accounting, finance, management, marketing, and statistics.

    All students of the program are paired with a success coach to help you choose the right courses for your needs and keep you on track to not just graduate, but excel. The core courses and major-specific courses cover diverse topics in business and familiarize you with all of the critical concepts of the field. You can take four electives that are career-specific.

    This online BBA in Management is synchronous, so you will not be able to complete it at your own pace. With that said, FIU prioritizes flexibility so students can earn their degree online without compromising their other obligations.

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  16. MERIT: 144
    View Profile Average Cost: $24,916

    University of Arkansas
    The University of Arkansas offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in general business. The program is delivered online in its entirety and consists of 120 credits in total. This program is open to both first-year and transfer students. It is offered through U of A’s Sam M. Walton College of Business, which has been ranked among the top 30 best public business schools in America by U.S. News & World Report.

    Tuition and fees are the same for all students regardless of what state they live in. The cost-per-credit is exceptionally affordable at just shy of $320. There are also minimal fees associated with the program, driving costs down even further. This degree was designed to lay the groundwork students need to excel in business, whether that is through continuing education or employment.

    Another significant aspect of this program is that the Sam M. Walton College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The majority of the courses presented through the UArk Global Campus are asynchronous; however, the programs are not self-paced in nature. Some classes may be able to be completed in a self-paced format. In order to learn more about that, you should connect with an advisor at the university.

    The classes are provided in a traditional 15-week semester format. For those students who would like to accelerate their graduation, you can opt to enroll in summer classes, which are provided in two five-week sessions. The core curriculum of the program covers essential topics in the field such as accounting, marketing, information systems, management, finance, and more.

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  17. MERIT: 142
    View Profile Average Cost: $44,420


    LeTourneau University is a private Christian university in Longview, Texas. This university offers a Bachelor of Business Administration online degree. Concentrations in Finance, General Business, Human Resource Management, Management, and Non-profit Management are offered. What sets this university apart is that all of the curricula is founded on the school’s Christian faith, which is ideal for religious students.

    This is a general program that features a comprehensive curriculum centered around the common core of business. Classes you’ll take include Business Ethics, International Business, Principles of Marketing, Information Systems, and more. You’ll then have the opportunity to select some upper-level electives that correspond to your desired career or concentration.

    This program consists of 120 credits and includes general education courses as well as theology courses. Those include Biblical Literature, Biblical Theology for Christian Life, and your choice of a Biblical or Theological Engagement class. These classes, along with the ingrained Christian principles, are designed to equip graduates with everything they need to incorporate ethics and service into everything they do.

    The vast scope of the business core curriculum prepares graduates of this program for multiple facets of professional business. LeTourneau takes this approach based on the belief that many companies prefer entry-level employees with a variety of skills that they can expand upon with professional training.

    The courses you’ll take are asynchronous classes that begin on Mondays, with all assignments due each Sunday night. The typical student takes one course at a time, with the majority of them lasting for just five weeks. Some exceptions may see courses lasting a duration of ten weeks.

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  18. MERIT: 142
    View Profile Average Cost: $44,715

    1 Findlay-logo
    The University of Findlay is home to a Bachelor of Science in Business Management online program. This is a degree completion program that is only open to students who have already completed 61 or more credits or undergraduate study. There is a minimum of 124 semester hours required to graduate. At the very least, students are required to complete the final 30 credits of the program at Findlay to graduate.

    The core curriculum will equip students will valuable skills in professional communication, analytical thinking, management, and more. Students will also gain essential business knowledge in the areas of marketing, finance, logistics, statistics, and international business. You can tailor your program of study with areas of focus that Findlay refers to as Strands. Your options include Business Management; Health Administration; Environmental, Safety, and Health and; Emergency Operations.

    This is an affordable program that offers a lower-than-average cost per credit for all students, regardless of residency. Full-time students that enter the program with the minimum required 61 credits can finish the program in as little as six semesters. This accelerated completion is possible due to the way that the courses are presented.

    All classes are asynchronous in their delivery and are presented in eight-week blocks, with two blocks per semester. Classes are offered year-round, and most students take two courses per block. If this is too heavy of a course load, you can work on your degree at a part-time pace. Students in good academic standing may be able to take more classes per block. The BBA program also allows students to smoothly transition to the MBA program if they so choose, which features the same course format. MBA students can choose between a blended or fully-online delivery.

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  19. MERIT: 140
    View Profile Average Cost: $22,324

    UNebraska-logo
    The University of Nebraska at Kearney is the host campus of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program, which is offered through NU Online. NU Online is a collaborative distance education initiative that encompasses the entire University of Nebraska System. This particular online undergraduate business degree is AACSB-accredited, flexible, and affordable.

    Out-of-state students do pay a higher cost per credit, roughly $387, which is still significantly lower than the average cost per credit at American schools. Nebraskans pay just $255. Regardless of residency, students will benefit from minimal fees associated with enrollment as well as several financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help increase affordability.

    This BSBA is offered entirely online and consists of 120 credits. Students earning their business administration degree online will have access to all of the same student services such as academic advising, library services, and career services that campus-based students will. This particular program was designed for first-year students; however, the program may admit transfer students as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

    The classes you’ll take don’t have set times. Instead, you’re able to log in when it works for you as long as you keep up with your coursework appropriately. The curriculum has been designed to increase your competence in all areas of business, providing you with a comprehensive education that gives you a competitive edge in the professional world. You’ll cover all of the key topics in business including social responsibility, business communications, business law, accounting, information systems, and more.

    The diverse selection of electives allows you to add depth to the skills you want to highlight in your professional life or further academic study. Tax Accounting, Consumer Behavior, Strategic Product Management, and E-Marketing are just some of your options. The structure of Nebraska’s BSBA online degree allows you to have a collaborative experience and receive a cutting-edge education without having to sacrifice your career or other obligations.

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  20. MERIT: 139
    View Profile Average Cost: $58,007


    Champlain College Online offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Management that is 100% online. What sets Champlain apart is the college’s dedication to supremely flexible, career-focused, affordable education. First-year students and transfer students can enroll in this online business bachelors program, which consists of 120 credits. Transfer students are allowed to bring in up to 90 credits and have the opportunity to earn credit for experience.

    The program is structured in a way that helps fast-track students to graduate. There are three semesters per year, each made up of two seven-week terms. Most of the courses last for just seven weeks, a small selection of them are a full 15 weeks because the material was too complex to condense. Students can start during any term, meaning that there are six start dates for you to choose from.

    The program features a robust core curriculum that covers business research, innovation, law, marketing, accounting, and more. Just by completing the core components of the program, students earn three certificates in Business Foundations, Intermediate Business, and Business Management. When you select your specialization, you will also obtain a relevant certificate in that area as well.

    The areas of specialization that are currently available include Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Cost Accounting, Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Business, Forensic Accounting, Human Resource Management, Human Relations & Organization Development, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management & Logistics.

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What is business management?

Business management sounds pretty straightforward, and it is. If you pursue a degree in this field, you will learn how to manage a business; but, you will gain a more profound knowledge of the subject than you would by going about it another way. This is a major that you can apply to a variety of fields or you can use as the basis for specialized graduate study. The curriculum of a business management program will cover the core subjects in business such as accounting, economics, finance, and marketing. You will study how companies operate, how products are sourced and manufactured, how those products are then marketed and sold, and how money is managed to sustain and grow a business.

Once you have that foundational knowledge about the way a business functions, you will study more in-depth topics in management. Some examples include communications, decision-making, human resources, information systems, and logistics. This type of program is intended to prepare you to manage other people or work in a supervisory position. Adding a specialization to your degree would allow you to look deeper into how a business in a specific field works, or to prepare yourself for a role in managing a business based on your career goals.

Is business administration a good major?

Business Administration is an excellent major if it is one that will prepare you for the professional life that you want. There are a few things that set it apart as being a good choice of major. One thing is that it serves as a strong foundation in the field of business. If you are not sure exactly what role you want to fill in the business world, this major will give you a basic understanding of the function of a business. This is the broadest undergraduate major in business, so it can prepare you for your next step even if you’re not entirely sure what that will be for you.

Another reason that this is a great major option is that it is flexible (in more than one way). Firstly, you can add an area of specialization and tailor it to a specific area in the field, or you can center your electives around a different career entirely and further prepare yourself for it at the graduate level. Having a background in business is likely to make you stand out as a candidate in many fields. Every business needs to be managed. Secondly, online degree options are abundant. You can earn this degree as part of a degree completion program or entering as a first-time college student. You can find a degree that fits your schedule and budget quite easily and won’t have to compromise the academic quality of the program.

What is the difference between business management and business administration?

While these two areas of study are similar in several ways, they are not the same thing. With a degree in either area, you can go into a management position, but what you learn on each path is going to differ greatly and will impact (or improve!) your career options later on.

Both majors will consist of a business core. This typically covers accounting, finance, marketing, and economics. You may learn a lot of the same subjects throughout your course of study but how you learn them and apply them later is where these two options diverge.

Business Management centers around planning and organizing, leadership, communication, logistics, recruiting, organizational behavior, and more. This degree prepares students for a management role specifically. The core of what you learn is how to develop an organization’s goals and the skills to properly align personnel and resources to meet them.

Business Administration is more technical. This major focuses on how a business works in its entirety. Instead of taking the business core and then delving into more theoretical topics, you will learn in-depth about money, products, analytics, business law and ethics, public relations, and so on. This is a more broad-based approach to learning business that you can build on to suit your needs, allowing you to fill roles beyond management alone.

Is certification the same as licensing?

As you are studying, you may come across the opportunity to pursue a certificate in a specific area. Also, in many areas of the business field, you may need a license to fill a particular role. It is easy to confuse these two as the same thing, and some institutions may use them interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing.

A certificate is typically awarded by a program or an institution after you complete a set of courses or fill another set of requirements. What this shows is that you have taken these courses and that you understand the content. This is evidence of your knowledge in a particular area for prospective employers.

Certifications come from a third-party organization that has set standards. Some classes and programs are designed to prepare you for certification in a particular area; however, certifications are not associated with higher education in and of themselves. Instead, colleges plan some programs to include the knowledge you will need in order to get certified. Usually, you will take an exam to receive your certification in whatever area, and this shows prospective employers that some standard-setting organization authorizes you to fill a role.

A license is similar to a certification. They indicate your competency in a certain area, but they differ from certifications in that they are typically awarded by the federal government or state government where you intend to practice. These are usually mandatory and sometimes need to be renewed with continuing education or re-examination after a certain point.

What is the best business management degree?

What is best for you may not be the best for everyone else. It is essential to find a school and a degree program that suits your needs. You’ll need to consider your career goals, your schedule, and your financial situation. However, there are some hallmarks of a great degree program that can’t be ignored. Based on our research, the best online business management degree is the Bachelor of Science in Management from Northeastern University.

We look at several different things when we are considering degree programs. Based on the academic quality and affordability of this particular BS in Management, we think it is the best. Online students pay in-state tuition rates at Northeastern, and nearly 50% of students receive financial aid.

The program also stands out for its flexibility. Northeastern University allows you to choose from multiple start dates throughout the year and delivers this program entirely online and asynchronously. You truly can study when you want to. Additionally, you can study what you want to! 25% of credits come from electives you choose.

This business management degree program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, features a generous transfer policy, and provides some unique learning opportunities for those enrolled.

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