Best Online Business Management Degrees 2021

by TBS Staff
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Online College for Business Management

A bachelor's degree in business management gives students the problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills they need to succeed in lucrative and in-demand managerial business roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects business management jobs to increase 9% between 2020 and 2030. In 2020, professionals in this field earned a median salary of $109,760.

Online bachelor's degrees in business management examine topics like business ethics and law, accounting, economics, marketing, and leadership. Students gain technical business skills while learning to think critically about complex business issues. They also gain leadership, communication, and strategic problem-solving skills.

Some programs may offer concentrations that allow students to tailor the degree to their interests and career goals. Common concentrations include finance, marketing, accounting, supply chain and logistics management, human resource management, and hospitality management.

Graduates with a business degree can pursue careers as entrepreneurs, managers, sales representatives, marketers, and accountants.

Featured Online Business Management Programs

Best Online Bachelor's in Business Management Programs

  1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
    Location

    Little Rock, AR

    Tuition

    $13751

    Graduation Rate
    43%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Public
    Concentrations Available: Management
    Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    Distance learners can earn a business degree online at UA Little Rock. The school's BBA in management prepares graduates to become general managers, operations managers, and human resource specialists.

    The College of Business admits qualified students with 2.25 GPAs and college-level coursework in algebra and composition. UA Little Rock encourages applicants and new students to schedule an advising appointment.

    The 120-credit curriculum features 17-week class formats covering accounting, microeconomics, business analysis, and management. Besides the core classes, learners take general education and elective classes.

    Remote students get online access to the library, bookstore, and help centers for writing, communication, and math.

    Available Scholarships: Fall 2022 Scholarship; Transfer Student Scholarships

  2. Franklin University
    Location

    Columbus, OH

    Graduation Rate
    28%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: Business administration
    Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    Degree-seekers can earn a business degree online with Franklin's fully remote BS in business administration. Enrollees complete the 124-credit degree through asynchronous classes lasting 6-12 weeks. Learners develop skills in business law, corporate responsibility, ethics, finance, and marketing. The program ends with a business administration capstone.

    The curriculum includes general education courses. Students must pass college algebra, writing, and learning strategies to advance to upper-level classes.

    Franklin's transfer-friendly environment lets admitted students transfer up to 76% of credits toward the degree total. Applicants provide evidence of a high school diploma (or equivalent) or 24 transferable college credits and transcripts.

    Available Scholarships: Franklin University Undergraduate Scholars Program; Community College Transfer Scholarship

  3. Brenau University
    Location

    Gainesville, GA

    Graduation Rate
    46%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: Accounting; financial economics; human resource management; marketing
    Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    Brenau's 120-credit online business programs lead to a bachelor of business administration. Classes provide a broad business background and opportunities to specialize through electives. Coursework prepares graduates for corporate and small business leadership roles in accounting, finance, human resources, and marketing.

    An accelerated, asynchronous learning format includes core business classes, liberal education, and a business capstone. Remote learners can tap into resources like the library, writing and math centers, and IT help.

    Admission requires a 2.75 high school GPA or 30 transferable college credits with a 2.0 GPA. Admitted students may qualify to transfer up to 65 credits.

    Available Scholarships: Military Experience

  4. Campbellsville University
    Location

    Campbellsville, KY

    Graduation Rate
    36%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: Accounting; business information technology; healthcare management; human resource; management; marketing
    Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    Christian-based CU offers an online BBA with three concentration options. The online business degrees explore business fundamentals, trends, and concepts through a core curriculum and six emphasis areas.

    The asynchronous curriculum follows an eight-week format and requires 120 credits. General education includes required classes in macroeconomics and college algebra. The business information technology emphasis offers an internship opportunity.

    Applicants without 24 transferable credits submit college or high school transcripts. Prospective students can contact an enrollment counselor for advice and answers to questions. CU offers six start dates for admitted students, along with many benefits for active military and veterans.

    Available Scholarships: Transfer Scholarship

  5. Liberty University
    Location

    Lynchburg, VA

    Graduation Rate
    47%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: General track; automotive dealership management; communications; data analytics; digital marketing and advertising; economics; entrepreneurship; finance; financial planning; green and sustainable management; healthcare management; human resource management; international business; leadership; marketing analytics; marketing: sales management and professional selling; music business; project management; public administration; real estate; strategic marketing management

    Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    Students looking to do a business program online find many options at Christian-focused Liberty. The 120-credit BS in business administration offers more than 20 specializations. Eight-week, 100% online classes prepare graduates with practical skills. All students take financial and managerial accounting, business law, financial statement analysis and statistics.

    Liberty offers asynchronous classes with no required in-person intensives. Enrollees access numerous resources remotely through Liberty's research portal.

    Admission requires college transcripts, a high school self-certification form, and a 2.0 GPA. Admitted students may qualify to transfer up to 75% of the degree's total credits.

    Available Scholarships: First Responder and Military

  6. City University of Seattle
    Location

    Seattle, WA

    Graduation Rate
    33%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: Data analytics for business decision-making; management; project management; specialized independent study
    Accredited By: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes (different rates for Canadian students)

    Specializing in adult education, CityU counts a bachelor of business administration among its online business degrees. The 180-credit program prepares learners to become business professionals or pursue graduate education. Students make their own specialization curriculum with the program director or pick from three set options.

    The program's asynchronous classes explore artificial intelligence for business applications, business dynamics, and managing organizational systems and complexity. The curriculum also includes general education classes in composition, humanities, reasoning, and sciences.

    CityU offers rolling admission. Prospective students can complete a Prior Learning Assessment to see if their experiences earn credits toward their degrees.

    Available Scholarships: Community College Transfer Scholarship

  7. University of Alaska Southeast
    Location

    Juneau, AK

    Tuition

    $11000

    Graduation Rate
    26%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Public
    Concentrations Available: Accounting; management; management information systems; human resource management
    Accredited By: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? No

    The online business programs at UAS prepare graduates for business careers or graduate study. The bachelor's in business administration requires at least 120 credits, with some emphasis areas needing more.

    UAS requires 35 general education credits and three credits in Alaska Native knowledge. Topics for this requirement include Alaska native languages, native studies, and native arts. Enrollees finish with a capstone in strategic management.

    Applicants need a 3.0 high school GPA, a high school diploma and 30 college credits with a 2.0 GPA, or 60 college credits with a 2.0 GPA.

    Available Scholarships: Stay on Track/University of Alaska Grant

  8. McKendree University
    Location

    Lebanon, IL

    Graduation Rate
    60%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: Accounting; business administration; cyberdefense; entrepreneurship; human resource management; management; marketing; sport management; supply chain management and logistics

    Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    At McK, BBA students pick from nine majors and complete the business program online, on their own schedule. Most students take two classes during each eight-week session and build a foundation with business core classes. Topics include principles of financial accounting, business law, quantitative analysis for business decisions, and statistics.

    Required credits vary by major concentration, but all tracks end with a capstone. The sport management track includes an internship and the entrepreneurship track requires a practicum.

    Prospective students apply online and may qualify to transfer up to 90 college credits. Enrollees benefit from faculty mentors, advising, and IT and writing support.

    Available Scholarships: Transfer Student Scholarships

  9. New Mexico State University-Main Campus
    Location

    Las Cruces, NM

    Tuition

    $9930

    Graduation Rate
    48%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Public
    Concentrations Available: Entrepreneurship; human resource management; project and supply chain management; small business management and entrepreneurship
    Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    NMSU Online features different options for students wanting to do a business program online. The BBA offers a general track with three concentrations, along with majors in information systems and marketing. Besides general education and major requirements, students take statistics, accounting, strategic management, and enterprise resource planning. Graduation requires 120 credits, and students opt to complete internships and faculty research projects.

    Admission requires high school transcripts and 2.75 GPA, a 21 ACT or 1060 SAT score, or top-20% class ranking. Transfer students with 24 credits or more submit college transcripts with 2.0 GPAs.

    Remote learners can access IT help, library resources, and advising.

    Available Scholarships: Incoming Student Awards

  10. Methodist University
    Location

    Fayetteville, NC

    Graduation Rate
    45%
    View School Profile

    Fast Facts

    School Type: Private
    Concentrations Available: Healthcare administration
    Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes

    Mehtodist's online business degrees include a 124-credit BS in business administration or a 62-credit BAS in business administration. Asynchronous classes cover accounting, economics, management, marketing, and electives.

    The program offers an optional healthcare administration track, along with minors in accounting and marketing.

    BA admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and official transcripts. BAS admission requires an associate of applied science in any field. Applicants can transfer up to 93 credits for which they earned a C or higher.

    Available Scholarships: Community Partnerships Program

Best Online Programs Get Ranking Seal

Online Bachelor's in Business Management Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

  • Academics
  • Affordability
  • Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

How Do I Get a Bachelor's in Business Management?

Many entry-level positions in business require at least a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. A bachelor's program typically requires around 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study to complete. However, some programs may offer accelerated timelines that allow students to graduate in less time.

The flexibility of an online bachelor's in business management allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional obligations. Additionally, many online programs allow all students to pay the same tuition rate regardless of where they live. Online programs are ideal for self-motivated, disciplined students with strong time-management skills.

What Jobs Can I Get With a Business Management Degree?

Graduates with an online business management bachelor's degree can work in diverse roles, such as sales representative or marketing director. The following list outlines several common business careers and potential salaries.

Business Management Career Information
Career Median Salary 2020 Projected Growth Rate 2020-2030
Administrative Services Managers $98,890 9%
Marketing Managers $142,170 10%
Advertising and Promotions Managers $133,460 8%
Compensation and Benefits Managers $125,130 4%
Financial Managers $134,180 17%
Human Resources Managers $121,220 9%
Human Resources Specialists $63,490 10%
Management Analysts $87,660 14%
Property Managers $59,660 3%
Public Relations Managers $118,430 13%
Sales Managers $132,290 7%
Social and Community Services Managers $69,600 15%
Top Executives $107,680 8%

Popular Questions About Business Management Degrees

What Kind of Jobs Can You Get With a Business Management Degree?

Graduates with a business management degree can work in industries like sales, advertising, accounting, and management. They may work in roles such as financial manager, marketing consultant, and management analyst.

Is a Business Management Degree a BS or BA?

Students can pursue a BA or a BS in business management. Students seeking more technical skills in areas like math and science should pursue a BS, while learners more interested in soft skills, like communication and leadership, should pursue a BA.

What Is a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management?

A bachelor's degree in business management examines foundational business topics, like financial management, economics, and marketing. The degree trains students to use critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills to make strategic business decisions.

How Long Is a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management?

Students can typically complete a bachelor's degree in business management in four years of full-time study.

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