Best Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership
An online degree in organizational leadership can help you launch a career in executive leadership, general management, or human resources.
Organizational leadership experts help businesses succeed in nearly every industry. They set company-wide goals, develop businesses’ strategic visions, and identify ways to improve efficiency. Earning an organizational leadership degree prepares aspiring professionals for this work by instilling high-level management knowledge and cultivating skills in leadership and communication.
Many companies rely on organizational leadership experts to reimagine work culture in light of COVID-19, making it an adaptable and versatile field. Organizational leaders can often work remotely, depending on their work environments.
This page ranks some of the top programs available for online organizational leadership study. It also details what prospective degree-seekers can expect from their programs, including timelines for completion, learning outcomes, and common curriculum offerings, as well as career prospects and related salary data.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500-$600
Out-of-State | $500-$600
Credits to Graduate: 120
UA's online BAS degree in organizational leadership and regional commerce with an organizational leadership emphasis can develop your managerial skills to prepare you for a career in human resource management, corporate training, or logistics management.
Available through the College of Applied Science and Technology, this degree requires classes like leadership in a diverse environment, psychology of leadership, entrepreneurship and small business growth, and judgment and decision-making. The organizational leadership BAS program also requires a senior capstone and senior mentoring workshop.
- In-State$10,990
- Out-of-state$33,739
- In-State$12,106
- Out-of-state$32,290
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled48,274
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses
- Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $299
Out-of-State | $299
Credits to Graduate: 120
Trine Online's organizational leadership bachelor of science degree can help you learn how to implement change, lead employees, and solve problems for nonprofit and corporate organizations. You can add a specialization in industrial leadership by taking five classes exploring facility management, project management, and supervision.
If you want to earn a graduate degree, you can pursue Trine's combined pathway. This option groups this program and the Lou Holtz master's in organizational leadership in a four-year timeline, saving more than $8,000 in tuition.
- In-State$9,576
- Out-of-state$9,576
- In-State$10,350
- Out-of-state$10,350
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled1,367
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Cost per Quarter Unit:
In-State | $370
Out-of-State | $370
Credits to Graduate: 180
NU's online BS in organizational leadership program can help you create your leadership style, understand ethical issues of leadership, and compare the management negotiation styles. Potential careers after graduation include human resource manager, executive director, change management manager, or director of diversity and inclusion.
The curriculum includes classes like legal aspects of business, introduction to human resource management, leading diverse groups and teams, and ethics and decision-making. The program also requires a leadership capstone project and develops your business problem-solving skills.
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled17,135
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $634
Out-of-State | $634
Credits to Graduate: 120
ASU Online's bachelor of arts in organizational leadership degree can help you become a successful leader in the public and private sectors. Faculty in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts include Fulbright Scholars, American Psychological Association fellows, and American Educational Research Association fellows.
The program offers courses like introduction to project management, behavioral dynamics in organizations, organizational ethics, and resource allocation in organizations. You can take an organizational leadership internship to get hands-on professional experience before graduation.
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$12,984
- In-State$9,774
- Out-of-state$9,774
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled57,848
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 120
UMass Global's online BA in organizational leadership program develops organizational and leadership skills that can apply to any industry. The curriculum focuses on human resources, marketing, organizational behavior, and finance best practices. You can add an area of emphasis in organizational administration or supply chain systems.
Core courses explore topics like leadership and professional ethics, research, and leading multicultural organizations. Other classes include team building, organizational communication, and organizational development and change. You must complete a senior research project capstone to graduate.
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-State$12,240
- Out-of-state$12,240
- Retention Rate19%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled9,798
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Western Kentucky University
- Bowling Green, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $551
Out-of-State | $551
Credits to Graduate: 120
WKU's online bachelor of science in organizational leadership program from the School of Leadership and Professional Studies can help you develop leadership skills applicable across various sectors. You can graduate in four years with full-time attendance.
The core organizational leadership BS curriculum requires classes like leading change, leadership in global contexts, leadership coaching, and leadership ethics and decision-making. Electives explore project management, human capital supervision, effective listening, and health systems management.
- In-State$10,992
- Out-of-state$27,000
- In-State$12,140
- Out-of-state$18,340
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled16,750
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $329
Out-of-State | $329
Credits to Graduate: 120
Charter Oak State College's fully online organizational leadership bachelor's program explores leadership skills, organizational change, team dynamics, and motivation. The degree can prepare you to become a leader in government, business, or the nonprofit field. You may be able to receive credit for prior learning and graduate in less time.
Major requirements include diversity and inclusion in the workplace, human resources management, principles of marketing, and team leadership. You need to take an organizational leadership capstone to graduate. The program also features an optional healthcare administration option, along with six start dates each year.
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,618
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
John Brown University
- Siloam Springs, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $315
Out-of-State | $315
Credits to Graduate: 120
JBU's organizational leadership BS degree can help you learn how to transform organizations and make positive impacts in your work. The fully online program can develop communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. You can earn this degree and an accelerated master of business administration from JBU in just five years.
The curriculum, grounded in a Christian worldview, requires classes like strategic management, research concepts, business ethics, and coalition building. Other topics include accounting, marketing, and organizational change.
- In-State$27,662
- Out-of-state$27,662
- In-State$13,920
- Out-of-state$13,920
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled2,459
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Bellevue University
- Bellevue, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $449
Out-of-State | $449
Credits to Graduate: 127
Bellevue University's leadership BS degree is available on campus or completely online. The curriculum includes classes like interpersonal leadership, leadership ethics, psychology of leadership, and classic figures of leadership. The program requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, but you don't need to take the ACT or SAT.
The university offers academic credit for military experience and prior college coursework, saving you time and money. Active duty military personnel and their spouses receive tuition discounts and pay $250 per credit.
- In-State$7,560
- Out-of-state$7,560
- In-State$10,980
- Out-of-state$10,980
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,902
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Samford University
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $382 (plus $100 fee per online course)
Out-of-State | $382 (plus $100 fee per online course)
Credits to Graduate: 128
Samford's online BA in organizational leadership degree explores operations, human resources, and leadership. Required classes include workplace diversity, organizational learning design and technology, nonprofit leadership, and contemporary ethical issues. All students also must take introduction to the Bible I and II and two senior capstone classes.
The program, from the Office of Professional Studies, offers two tracks: a path for students with associate degrees and a full degree option for students with no college credit or less than an associate degree.
- In-State$34,410
- Out-of-state$34,410
- In-State$20,935
- Out-of-state$20,935
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,758
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is an Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership Degree?
Earning an organizational leadership degree helps you build the core skills necessary to help businesses set goals, inspire staff, and navigate administrative concerns. Graduates are also empowered to identify and develop their own management and communication styles.
The best candidates for an organizational leadership program are strategic thinkers with clear leadership potential. Most programs begin with fundamental courses in management or business administration.
As learners progress toward graduation, they expand their knowledge base with skills in analytical problem-solving, strategic decision-making, team-building, leadership development, and communication. Some programs require a culminating capstone project to help students integrate these concepts with practical situations.
What Are the Differences Between Organizational Leadership BA and BS Degrees?
Some programs offer options to earn either a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) in organizational leadership. Which is best for your career depends on what your professional goals are.
The BA pathway focuses on the more human side of organizational leadership, exploring concepts and theories drawn from the social sciences, language arts, and the humanities. A BS focuses more on data-driven approaches to organizational leadership, exploring how scientific and empirical methods of inquiry can enhance efficiency and overall performance.
Choosing an Online Program
Factors to consider when selecting an organizational leadership degree include your professional responsibilities and other outside commitments, financial aid availability, career potential and earning power, and program flexibility. Use the links below to learn more about how to find a program that meets your needs.
What to Expect From an Organizational Leadership Major
Each school offers its own approach to organizational leadership, but most programs have similar curricula and learning objectives. In general, they offer a working overview of the field, covering popular leadership styles, methods of effective management, and problem-solving strategies. Some institutions offer specializations in areas like business management or public administration.
Organizational Leadership Curriculum
While each program sets a distinct curriculum, organizational leadership degree-seekers will commonly encounter the following courses.
- Business Ethics: This class explores common ethical issues in business, including issues surrounding employee management. Coursework focuses on how individuals in leadership roles can use popular management models to make ethical choices.
- Conflict Resolution: Degree-seekers learn how to respond to instances of conflict by using negotiation and collaboration. The class develops clear strategies for facilitating healthy work relationships and organizational efficiency.
- Human Resource Development: This class teaches aspiring professionals how to manage human resources in their organizations and leverage them for success. Coursework covers training implementation, employee education, and how to understand key performance indicators.
- Organizational Communication: Learners in this course acquire core skills in communication techniques, trust-building, and relational development. They also learn how to develop a healthy organizational culture.
- Critical Thinking: Drawing on traditions in philosophy and other liberal arts disciplines, this class teaches degree-seekers how to dissect, analyze, and interpret arguments. Topics include logical reasoning, reflective thinking, biases, and common fallacies.
- Leading Organizational Change: This class focuses on how organizations can thrive amid industry evolution and broader cultural shifts. Coursework covers prominent thought leaders and examines their leadership styles.
Organizational Leadership Careers
Earning an organizational leadership degree marks you as a versatile and desirable job candidate. Some graduates with this degree pursue work in human resources, while others opt to put their skills to work in management or business administration roles.
Here are some popular career options available to organizational leadership graduates.
| Career | Median Annual Wage | Projected Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $206,680 | 6% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $140,360 | 2% |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $132,870 | 7% |
| Human Resources Managers | $140,030 | 6% |
| Training and Development Managers | $127,090 | 7% |
| General and Operations Managers | $101,280 | 3% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $117,960 | 29% |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $106,880 | 6% |
| Management Analysts | $101,190 | 11% |
