Overall, this sector of the economy is expected to grow 7% over the next decade.
When studying business administration at the undergraduate level, 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.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in business administration can work in industries like accounting, real estate, marketing, finance, labor relations, human resources, insurance, and more.
This list features some of the best online business administration 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 administration 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.
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 still cover all the business-related skills you need to know.
When selecting an online business administration degree, consider the following:
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.