Employment of management occupations is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate during the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an additional 883,900 management jobs during that time period.
One of the fastest-growing management occupations is that of medical and health services managers, thanks to an increasing demand for healthcare services from the aging baby boomer population and changes in healthcare delivery systems.
Managers earn an annual median wage of $102,450, which is more than double the $45,760 average annual salary for all occupations.
This list features some of the best online Master’s in 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. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of business-related programs.
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 Master’s in 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.
Master’s in management programs are designed for individuals of all educational backgrounds who want to learn leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking skills. They generally incorporate both foundational and advanced skills in these areas, as students have a range of prior educational and professional experiences.
If you already have an educational background or prior work experience in business, you may want to consider pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) instead of a master’s in management. MBA programs are designed for mid-career professionals who have experience in the business world and may teach to a higher skill level than a master’s program. Consider your own experiences and professional goals before selecting the type of program you want to pursue.
Another consideration is what type of job or industry you are pursuing. While there are general management master’s programs that will cover skills applicable to many different career fields, most programs offer students the opportunity to specialize in a specific industry. This can include healthcare, nonprofit, project, or financial management. Learning skills specific to a particular industry can be beneficial when it comes to pursuing jobs in that area. When you’re exploring programs, find out what type of specializations they offer so that you can select a program that aligns with your interests and goals.
You can ask the following questions when researching online master’s in management programs:
At this time, you can also gather your application materials, confirm application deadlines and procedures, and explore your options for funding your graduate education. Talk to the school’s financial aid counselors about your options, including institutional and private scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers any tuition assistance benefits.