Best Online Schools for Business Degrees of 2025
Business is the most popular college major. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), nearly one in five college graduates earned a bachelor’s in business in the 2021-2022 school year. So, why do so many undergrads choose to study business?
Business and finance careers offer high salaries, with a median annual wage of $80,920, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree.
Earning an online bachelor’s in business degree can boost your return on investment. And with a distance learning format, you’ll benefit from flexible, high-quality programs that often allow you to work while in school. Our ranking introduces the best online bachelor’s in business degrees.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degrees
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled164,091
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Kent State University at Stark
- North Canton, OH
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$7,170
- Out-of-state$16,642
- In-State$12,072
- Out-of-state$22,522
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled3,433
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled5,356
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Valdosta State University
- Valdosta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,371
- Out-of-state$15,426
- In-State$4,572
- Out-of-state$16,470
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled10,180
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$10,978
- Out-of-state$13,248
- In-State$9,972
- Out-of-state$9,972
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled62,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,168
- Out-of-state$18,566
- In-State$911
- Out-of-state$2,003
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled54,085
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
Kansas State University
- Manhattan, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,964
- Out-of-state$26,838
- In-State$10,294
- Out-of-state$23,018
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled19,745
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Arkansas Tech University
- Russellville, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,995
- Out-of-state$11,989
- In-State$5,481
- Out-of-state$10,962
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled9,487
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,582
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled17,743
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,602
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Are Business Degrees Actually Valuable?
Yes, online bachelor’s in business degrees can be valuable, especially if you intend to pursue a business career. These programs help you develop key business knowledge and skills that are highly sought after by employers.
According to a 2024 LinkedIn Learning report, project management, sales, and analytics rank among the most in-demand job skills. Business degree programs can develop your expertise in these areas.
Why Earn Your Business Degree Online?
There are several key benefits to earning your bachelor’s in business degree online rather than on-campus through the traditional route. Below, we highlight four of the biggest advantages:
Accessibility
Online programs make education more accessible, allowing you to enroll at schools across the country without having to relocate. This broadens your available options, helping connect you with programs with curricula and specializations that align with your career goals.Flexibility
Online programs often use asynchronous delivery, which does not require set class times. This delivery method typically includes less rigid schedules, offering additional flexibility if you have family or career obligations.Cost
In addition to saving on costs like relocation and commuting, online programs can be less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. Distance learning may feature lower tuition rates, including in-state tuition for out-of-state students.Quality Education
Online programs are increasingly common, typically sharing the same faculty and coursework as on-campus programs. Attending an accredited online school ensures you receive the same quality education as in-person learners.
Choosing the Right Online Business Program: 4 Key Factors
Bachelor’s in business administration degree programs typically require 120 credits and include a mix of core business classes, electives, and general education requirements.
However, there are several key differences among online business programs that you should carefully review. First, make sure the program comes from an accredited institution.
1. Accreditation
Institutional accreditation verifies that a school meets standards of academic excellence for student outcomes, faculty credentials, and other factors. Many top-ranked business programs also hold specialized business school accreditation.
For business degrees, key accreditors include the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). These accrediting bodies ensure a strong standard curriculum for all business programs.
2. Student and Career Support Services
Student support and career services can make a significant difference in your academic success, helping you land an internship or even a job after graduation. Many online colleges offer these resources, which provide you with ongoing support. Check for support services such as academic advising, career placement support, and networking opportunities.
Next, check the program format and delivery style to ensure the scheduling and pace work for you.
3. Program Format
It’s essential to ensure the learning format — synchronous or asynchronous — works for your schedule. In an asynchronous format, you can watch classes and complete assignments on your own schedule while adhering to set deadlines. Synchronous courses require you to attend live classes online.
Moreover, schools typically offer various enrollment options and concentrations for online business administration degrees, which brings us to the last factor: Check that the program offers concentrations that match your career goals.
4. Business Concentrations
Most business programs allow you to add on a minor or concentration to specialize your business degree. Should you have a specific career or focus area in mind, make sure the programs you’re considering offer your concentration. For example, if you already know you want to work in logistics, consider pursuing supply chain management. Some of the most common business degree specializations are:
- Entrepreneurship
- Information systems
- Accounting
- HR management
- Finance
- Supply chain management
- Marketing
- International business
What Can You Do With a Business Administration Degree?
Online business degrees are versatile, preparing you for careers in fields such as finance, marketing, accounting, sales, and analytics. Bachelor-level business administration (BBA) degrees can qualify you for entry-level jobs in these fields. If you’re more interested in top-level positions, you may need an executive master of business administration (MBA) degree.
So, what jobs can you get with a business degree? Below, we highlight some of the most popular careers for business graduates.
| Careers | 2024 Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $159,660 |
| Budget Analysts | $87,930 |
| Credit Counselors | $50,480 |
| Financial Examiners | $90,400 |
| Management Analysts | $101,190 |
| Market Research Analysts | $76,950 |
| Purchasing Managers | $139,510 |
| Sales Managers | $138,060 |
How Much Does an Online Business Degree Cost?
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Online | $7,370 |
| In-Person | $11,749 |
NCES reports that the median annual tuition and fees for an online bachelor’s degree in business is $7,370. But costs can vary. Factors like school prestige, whether the institution is public or private, and student state residency can affect cost per credit.
Paying for Your Online Business Degree
Some schools charge lower tuition for online programs, which can make earning a business degree more affordable. While on-campus enrollees must budget for expenses like relocation and commuting, online students can often avoid these costs.
You can pursue multiple financial aid options to finance a degree, including scholarships and loans. We explore these terms below.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid refers to any funding source that helps students pay for school.
- Scholarships: Scholarships are a kind of financial aid that you do not need to repay. Schools and organizations offer scholarships based on merit and financial need.
- Fellowships: Institutions and organizations offer fellowships, which also do not require repayment. Fellowships often include an agreement to exchange work for tuition remission and a stipend.
- Grants: This form of funding also does not require repayment. Grant recipients typically demonstrate financial need.
- Loans: Federal and private loans can help cover tuition costs. However, loans usually require repayment with interest.
Interview with a Business Administration Professional
Alex Williams, the CFO of FindThisBest, got his bachelor’s in business administration from California State University – Fullerton in 2015. His specialization in BBA was accounting and finance, and he took his CFA level 1 exam in 2016. Currently, he’s working as a CFO at an eCommerce company.
Q: What was your favorite aspect of earning a bachelor’s in business administration degree?
The degree is well diversified, no matter where you get it from. You get to read up on a whole bunch of case studies and courses throughout your four years that make you think logically and critically about decision-making.
BBA doesn’t just teach you how to be a good employee or lead the next Fortune 500 company; it just opens doors for you to really pursue something you’re good at. Luckily I was good with numbers and I enjoyed finance courses, which is why I opted for the ACF (accounting and finance) major.
Q: What should students interested in this subject be good at?
One thing that students should really be good at is critical thinking. Courses within BBA aren’t your typical math or science courses, where you can use a specific formula to answer a question. Rather, you’ll be given open-ended questions, and you’ll have to rationalize your answer. As long as you’re good at thinking objectively and looking at the bigger picture, you’re going to excel at this.
Q: Are there any advantages to studying business administration online as opposed to in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting?
The advantage would definitely be that your assignments and projects will be more remote, and you’ll have to work in teams to get the job done. This is truly how things work in the real world — even before the [COVID-19] pandemic struck. Therefore, this degree truly gives you a glimpse into the real world before you even step foot in it.
Q: What makes business administration a versatile degree?
Its versatility stems from the fact that you’re not limited to just one area of business. You get to study a whole variety — from supply chain management to data science — for decision-making. Over time, you’ll find something you’re good at and excel at it. At least, that was the case in my undergraduate degree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Administration Degrees
Earning a business degree can pay off. According to BLS data from May 2024, the median annual salary for business and finance jobs was $80,920 per year — over $30,000 higher than the national median salary for all jobs.
This indicates that a business degree can unlock the door to careers with higher earning potential, especially compared to occupations in other fields like social service or education. In the same year, these groups saw median annual wages of $52,000 and $59,940, respectively.
Moreover, the BLS indicates that bachelor’s degree-holders earn around $600 more per week than those with only a high school diploma. That’s a difference of more than $30,000 over the course of a year.
