Best Online Business Management Degrees 2021
| TBS Staff
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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 7% between 2018 and 2018. Professionals in this field earn an average annual salary of $104,240.
| #1 | University of Florida – Online Gainesville, FL |
| #2 | Florida International University Miami, FL |
| #3 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL |
| #4 | University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Whitewater, WI |
| #5 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH |
| #6 | Trine University Online Fort Wayne, IN |
| #7 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA |
| #8 | University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA |
| #9 | University of Northwestern – St Paul Saint Paul, MN |
| #10 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KS |
Featured Online Schools
Best Online Bachelor's in Business Management Programs
A public land-grant research university founded in 1853, the University of Florida houses the eighth-largest campus in the U.S.
Through the Warrington College of Business, UF Online offers both a bachelor of science in business administration (BSBA) and a bachelor of arts in business administration (BABA). The BSBA covers disciplines such as real estate and entrepreneurship. The 11 specializations for BABA candidates include sport or event management.
First-time student applications require ACT or SAT scores and a cumulative 'C' average on all core classes; minimum 2.0 GPA for dual enrollment courses.
Florida International University, the largest university in South Florida, first opened its doors in 1965. More than 58,000 students attend annually.
FIU Online's bachelor of business administration with a concentration in management (BBA in management) provides a fully online curriculum. Undergraduates pair with a success coach and specialize in accounting, finance, marketing, and statistics.
Students apply for one of three annual start dates, submitting a high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), a private institution established in 1926, specializes in aviation and aerospace academics.
ERAU's bachelor of science in aviation business administration degree accommodates distance learners pursuing careers in the growing industry. Students complete 30 credits in aviation management as part of the 120-credit program.
The program offers 12 annual start dates. Candidates submit high school or college transcripts. ACT or SAT scores are not required but highly recommended. Discounted tuition benefits extend to military members.
Founded in 1868, UW-Whitewater accommodates more than 12,000 students across two campuses and online.
Students benefit from mentoring, technical support, and career planning while pursuing an online bachelor's in general management degree. In addition to 45 credits focusing on economics, operations, leadership, and stakeholder management, business majors complete 20 hours of community service.
First-year students submit ACT or SAT scores and high school transcripts for consideration.
Founded in 1932 and now one of the fastest-growing private institutions, Southern New Hampshire University enrolls more than 80,000 online students annually.
Pursuing a bachelor of science in business administration (BBA) allows working professionals to complete their degree asynchronously with one of 14 specialties. Concentrations include nonprofit management, project management, and sports management.
Six annual undergraduate terms help candidates avoid acceptance delays. SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits and extends a 30% military discount.
Established in 1884 as Tri-State Normal College, Trine University adopted its current name in 1974. A small private university, Trine enrolls an average of 5,000 students annually.
Through TrineOnline, remote students pursue a bachelor of science in business administration-management (BSBA) degree asynchronously. Of the 120 credits, 78 encompass operations, accounting, project management, and internship hours, covering core competencies.
Applications require high school transcripts or GED exam scores. Active military and veterans receive tuition discounts and transfer credits for military experience.
A public university with roots dating back to 1884, Northwestern State University (NSU) became the first Louisiana-based school offering business degree programs.
NSU's bachelor of science in business administration program accommodates distance learners with one of six concentrations, including marketing, entrepreneurship, and international business. Upper-level electives offer students an optional concentration in management.
New students are asked to submit high school or college transcripts and official ACT or SAT codes (ACT 1600 or SAT 6492).
Established in 1931 as a public institution, the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) enrolls more than 7,500 students annually.
ULM offers a bachelor of business administration-management degree through the College of Business and Social Sciences. Distance learners benefit from a fully online program emphasizing effective management practices.
The online curriculum divides the course load into two or three classes with eight-week sessions. Transfer acceptance requires a minimum of a "C" grade in each of college-level English and mathematics.
Reverend Billy Graham served as the second president of the University of Northwestern (UNW) from 1948 to 1952. UNW, established in 1902 as a private Christian institution, now owns a chain of radio stations and enrolls an average of 3,500 students annually.
The bachelor of science business management, one of the fully online degree pursuits, provides 125 credits of core competency coursework. Ministries, communication studies, and psychology minors allow students to customize the curriculum.
New undergraduate applicants submit transcripts along with optional ACT, SAT, or CLT scores for admission consideration. Average scores: GPA 3.5, ACT 24, SAT 1220.
Fort Hays State University, the fourth largest state university in Kansas, accommodates more than 16,000 students annually.
Through its Department of Management, Fort Hays provides an online bachelor of business administration in management degree. Management electives, including entrepreneurship, tourism and hospitality, and retail management, prepare students for careers in logistics or operations management, and management analysis.
Admission requirements include a 2.25 GPA and ACT composite of 21 or higher or SAT ERW+M score of 1080 for incoming first-year students. The same online tuition applies to both in and out-of-state degree candidates.
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.
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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.
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Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
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What Is a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management?
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.
How Do I Get a Bachelor of Business Management Degree?
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 Is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) Accreditation?
Accreditation indicates that a school or program meets high standards with respect to faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For example, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only recognize and accept transfer credits and degrees from accredited institutions. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire candidates with accredited degrees.
Schools may receive regional or national accreditation. Regional accreditation typically applies to nonprofit, degree-granting institutions, while national accreditation applies to for-profit technical and vocational schools. Regional accreditation is generally considered the more prestigious of the two.
Certain programs within a school — such as social work, teaching, and business programs — may also receive accreditation. For instance, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International accredits business programs. The association also offers resources, networking events, professional development opportunities, and publications tailored to business students and graduates.
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 careers and potential salaries for business graduates.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services Managers | $96,180 | 7% |
| Marketing Managers | $132,620 | 8% |
| Marketing Consultants | $132,620 | 8% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $121,010 | 3% |
| Financial Managers | $127,990 | 16% |
| Human Resources Managers | $113,300 | 7% |
| Human Resources Specialists | $60,880 | 5% |
| Management Analysts | $83,610 | 14% |
| Property Managers | $58,340 | 7% |
| Public Relations Managers | $114,800 | 8% |
| Sales Managers | $124,220 | 5% |
| Social and Community Services Managers | $65,320 | 13% |
| Top Executives | $104,980 | 6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
Students can typically complete a bachelor's degree in business management in four years of full-time study.
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