Why This Matters

  • PROJECT MANAGEMENT JOBS ARE GROWING BY 33% WORLDWIDE

    The Project Management Institute forecasts 33% job growth for project managers worldwide. This should create almost 22 million new opportunities within the industry through 2027.

  • WORK IN SEVEN DIFFERENT SECTORS

    Project managers work in many different industries. Some of the leading sectors for project managers are finance and insurance, information services and publishing, manufacturing and construction, oil and gas, and utilities industries.

  • EARN $80,000 OR MORE ANNUALLY

    The median annual salary for project management specialists is $80,220. Becoming certified can lead to an even higher salary that averages more than six figures. A master’s degree can help you become certified.

Our Research

We reviewed many Master’s in Project Management degree programs, including both Master of Science (MS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. Online, on-campus, and hybrid programs are all included on our list.

To ensure the quality of these programs, we only considered ones offered by accredited schools. Many are regionally accredited, and a number also have national accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 61 hours to write this article
  • 189 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 209 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs

Best Master's in Project Management Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree

Master of Science and Master of Business Administration programs both examine project management topics, but they have different emphases. MS programs tend to be more technically focused and may require a research thesis. MBA programs incorporate more general business courses and don’t normally require a thesis. Consider your professional goals, and choose whichever option will better position you for a successful career.

An alternative to either type of master’s program is a graduate certificate in project management. A certificate takes a shorter duration and is narrowly focused on project management. It might be suitable if you only need a few credits to obtain certification or if you already have another master’s degree. Notably, federal financial aid is unavailable for certificate programs.

Many online programs can be completed largely over the internet, but they might have a brief in-person component. Make sure you can meet any in-person requirement that a program has before applying.

Certification in the project management field is optional, but many employers look for one or more certifications in their job applicants. Thus, it’s helpful in landing competitive jobs and advancing your career. Keep certification exam fees in mind as you evaluate the financial obligation of enrolling in one of these programs.

What’s Next?

As you continue to research the different Master’s in Project Management degrees, keep these questions in mind:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Check a program’s minimum eligibility requirements before applying so that you can confirm that you qualify for the program. Some of these degrees require applicants to have an undergraduate degree in a specific field or a certain amount of professional experience.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? The vast majority of these programs are between 30 and 36 credits, which typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. A few programs run longer.

When you have a list of potential programs, investigate their admissions processes. You’ll need to find out what admissions materials each program wants and the relevant application deadlines. You can get this information from each program’s website or by contacting the admissions office directly.

Also consider the financial obligation of enrolling in a program. Talk with programs about their financial aid and scholarship opportunities. You might also be able to get tuition reimbursement from an employer if you’re currently working.