Why This Matters

  • 24% OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS SAID A BACHELOR’S IS REQUIRED

    In a survey conducted by O*NET, 24% of business managers said they needed a bachelor’s degree to do their job. 34% answered that only a high school diploma is required.

  • JOB GROWTH TO INCREASE 7% BY 2031

    Business management positions are expected to increase by 7%, adding 23,600 job openings.

  • $100,000+ MEDIAN ANNUAL SALARY

    While pay can vary widely by industry, the median salary for business managers in 2021 was $100,170, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online business management programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are available at accredited institutions, including The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), both reputable organizations who assess business programs for educational excellence and a commitment to quality education.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online business management programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 50 Online Bachelor’s in Business Management Programs

Best Bachelor's in Business Management Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Liberty University
01
Best Private Institution
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Best Admission Rate
Western Governors University
01
Most Flexible Start Dates
Florida International University
01
Best Public Institution
University of Maryland Global Campus
01
Best in the West
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
01
Most Affordable
University of Alaska Fairbanks
01
Most Specialized Program
Norwich University
01
Best in the Northeast
UMass Amherst
01
Best Accelerated Program
Averett University
01

Eastern New Mexico University
01

The University of New Mexico
01

University of St. Francis
01

New York University at Stern
01

University of Louisiana at Monroe
01

California Baptist University
01

Southern Utah University
01

Syracuse University
01

Southeastern University
01

California State University at East Bay
01

Lesley University
01

Arizona State University
01

Appalachian State University
01

City University of Seattle
01

UMass Dartmouth
01

Washington State University
01

Saint Peter's University
01

The University of Arizona
01

Thomas University
01

McNeese State University
01

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
01

West Virginia State University
01

Franklin University
01

Langston University
01

Brenau University
01

University of Mary Online
01

Northern State University
01

Campbellsville University Online Programs
01

Kean University
01

Cleary University
01

West Texas A&M University
01

National Louis University
01

Brigham Young University at Idaho
01

Florida Atlantic University
01

LeTourneau University
01

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
01

The University Of Texas at Permian Basin
01

University of La Verne
01

University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
01

University of Alaska Southeast

What You Should Know About This Degree

When considering an online bachelor’s degree in business management, it’s important to note that this degree may not be the only credential required to work in a variety of industries.

Employers in finance, health, or legal fields may also ask for a specific combination of experience and certifications in addition to a degree. In the tech sector, systems administrators may need a double major in order to qualify for a management role since you will need to understand day-to-day operations and business management techniques such as cash flow and strategic planning.

As a professional in any field, you gain experience specific to that industry. As a business management professional, you gain the knowledge and experience needed to navigate the complex processes that go along with running a business successfully, including knowledge of basic legal requirements and accounting.

There are no specific professional credentials required for management professionals, though each industry may have its own professional organizations that can be helpful.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online bachelor’s in business management programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Online bachelor’s in business management programs often work with both new high school graduates and established professionals already in the workforce. You likely won’t need any higher education credits to qualify — unless you are looking for an accelerated program that requires an existing associate degree.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? An online program for a bachelor’s in business management takes the same number of credits as an in-person option. The degree received is the same, so you will need the same number of credits.

For the vast majority of business schools, a bachelor’s in business management requires approximately 120 credits for graduation. Some schools may require as many as 180 credits, while others just ask for 18 credits but may only count classes directly related to the degree program.

As you research different business programs offered online, be sure to track deadline information and apply as early as possible. Financial aid is often distributed by need, but early applicants get first consideration.