Why This Matters

  • NEARLY 800,000 NEW JOBS PROJECTED BY 2026

    Within business-related industries, the most in-demand jobs are market research analysts (23% projected job growth), fundraisers (15% projected job growth), and real estate appraisers and assessors (14% projected job growth).

  • CHOOSE ONE OF 3 TYPES OF DEGREE PROGRAMS


    When studying business administration, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Business Administration. Each degree is unique, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your goals.

  • CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN 9 DIFFERENT FIELDS

    Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in business administration can work in high-paying industries like accounting, real estate, marketing, finance, labor relations, human resources, insurance, and more.

Our Research

There are three types of undergraduate degrees available for Business Administration – Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). A BA is the most general, with credits split between Business Administration and Liberal Arts coursework. A BBA offers a broad overview of all aspects of Business Administration, while a BS dives deep into the technical aspects of a specific area like finance or marketing.

Since the type of degree you pursue varies based on your interests and goals, our list includes all three types of degrees. Some schools offer different degree types within the same program. To ensure flexibility, we only included programs that can be completed fully online.

We evaluated each program’s reputation, course strength, flexibility, and cost. Using this information, we calculated the Intelligent Score of each degree on a scale from 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best online bachelor’s in business administration degree programs are respected, affordable, and customizable. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 60+ hours to write this article
  • 177 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 307 education programs we compared

The Top 60 Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

badges
01

 

What You Should Know About This Degree

Most degrees in business administration offer a general overview of business practices and skills, with opportunities for specialization in different sub-fields. This approach prepares graduates for many business-related jobs. However, individuals seeking work in a focused industry, such as healthcare or accounting, might be better served by a bachelor’s in healthcare administration or accounting. When researching programs, consider your ultimate career goal, and which program will offer the most help in getting there.

Earning a bachelor’s degree is essential in landing a job in business, but it’s typically only the first step. Most business-related fields, including accounting, real estate, and human resources, have required or voluntary licenses and certifications that individuals need to work professionally. Factor in the additional commitment of time and money when deciding if a career in business is right for you.

If you want to pursue a career in business, but don’t already have an undergraduate degree, a bachelor’s is the logical place to start. However, if you do have a bachelor’s, even if it’s not in a business-related field, you may want to consider a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) instead. An MBA takes less time to complete, and will make you eligible for higher-paying jobs faster, but will cover all the business-related skills you need to know.

What’s Next?

When selecting an online business administration degree, consider the following:

  • Do I want a BA, BS, or BBA? Whether you want a more generalized or specialized experience will guide your decision about the type of business administration degree you want. Some schools offer multiple types of business administration degrees, making it easier to switch if you change your mind after enrolling in a program.
  • Does the program offer the specialization that I want? Most schools offer students the option to study general business administration, or focus on a particular area, such as management, finance, or entrepreneurship. Concentrating on a specific business aspect can better prepare you for jobs in that area. When researching programs, find out if they offer a concentration in the area that interests you most.

You can find information about the program’s admissions requirements and application processes online or by contacting the school’s admissions office. You should also consider how you will finance your education. Research scholarship opportunities and financial aid deadlines. If you are currently employed, check with your employer to see if tuition remission/reimbursement benefits are available.