Why This Matters

  • MANAGERS EARN $104,240 PER YEAR ON AVERAGE

    Among occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management positions have the highest average salaries, with some executive positions topping $200,000 per year.

  • DEMAND FOR HEALTHCARE MANAGERS RISING 20%

    Healthcare is one of the nation’s fastest growing industries. Another 72,100 leadership positions are expected by 2026. Specializing in healthcare leadership will give you an employment advantage.

  • 115K NEW CONSULTANT JOBS EXPECTED BY 2026

    Management consulting is another popular career path for individuals with organizational leadership degrees. Projected job growth is 14%, a faster-than-average pace for all occupations.

Our Research

We reviewed programs delivered online, on-campus, and in hybrid formats to provide a range of options for all lifestyles and budgets.

Students can earn a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degree in organizational leadership. Each degree type has a somewhat different approach. For example, MS degrees are typically more research-focused and may include a thesis requirement.

We only included programs that have regional accreditation to ensure that they meet the highest standards of quality for education. Many programs are also accredited by business-specific organizations, like the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). These additional accreditations provide an extra guarantee of quality specific to business education.

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

  • 86 hours to write this article
  • 172 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 292 education programs we compared

The Top 60 Master’s in Organizational Leadership Programs

Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
California Baptist University Online
01
Best for Active Military
Norwich University
01
Best in the Northeast
Goodwin College
01
Fastest Completion Time
Neumann University
01
Best for Healthcare Industry
Brenau University
01
Best Scholarships
Eastern University
01
Best for Criminal Justice Industry
Northern Arizona University
01
Best for International Students
Lindenwood University
01
Best Public University
Western Kentucky University
01
Best Accounting Focus
Colorado State University Global
01
Best in the West
University of Colorado Boulder
01
Best Faith-Based Institution
Messiah University
01
Best Catholic University
Lewis University
01
Flexible Completion Time
Campbellsville University
01
Best Military Track Focus
Umass Global
01
Best Public Research School
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
01
Most Diverse Curriculums
Lincoln Christian University
01
Best Private University
Jacksonville University
01
Best Liberal Arts University
Geneva College
01
Best Master of Science Degree
Colorado Technical University
01
Best in the South
Saint Louis University
01
Best Specialization Options
Northcentral University
01
Best Christ-Centered University
Cornerstone University
01
Best for Rolling Admissions
Columbia Southern University
01
Best in the West
Fresno Pacific University
01
Best for Asynchronous Classes
Champlain College
01
Best Business Ethics Focus
Duquesne University
01
Best Private Research University
JHU Advanced Academic Programs
01
Best for Accelerated Classes
Michigan State University
01
Christian Foundation
LeTourneau University
01
Christian Leadership Emphasis
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
01
Best in the Southeast
Pfeiffer University
01
Best Long-Term Care Admin Focus
University of South Dakota
01
Best Strategy Focus
Western Governors University
01
Alumni Recommended
St. Bonaventure University
01
Most Affordable
The University of Alabama
01
Best in the Midwest
The University of Kansas
01
Best Online University
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Best for Accelerated Classes
Regent University
01
Best Hybrid Program
Winona State University
01
Best Cohort-Based Program
Point Loma Nazarene University
01
Best Faculty Mentorship
Mercer University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Indiana Wesleyan University
01
Best in the Northwest
Gonzaga University
01
Best for Accelerated Classes
National University
01
Best Human Development Emphasis
George Washington University
01
Best for Small Class Sizes
University of Northwestern - St. Paul
01
Most Flexible Start Terms
Regis University
01
Most Flexible Completion Time
Charleston Southern University
01
Best Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Trevecca Nazarene University
01
Best for Multiple Start Terms
University of Saint Francis Virtual Campus
01
Best for Non-Business Majors
Mercy College
01
Best Student Support Services
Florida Institute of Technology
01
Best for Adult Learners
Belhaven University
01
Best Military Friendly School
Baker University
01
Best Dual Degree Options
Creighton University
01
Industry-Leading Faculty
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
01
Best Christ-Centered Program
Crown College
01
Best Experiential Learning Emphasis
Saint Joseph's University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Quinnipiac University
01
Nationally Recognized
Robert Morris University
01
Most Flexible Class Scheduling
Medaille College

What You Should Know About This Degree

Working in management and leadership can be very rewarding, professionally and financially, but it can also be demanding. Managers are typically expected to work longer hours, shoulder more responsibilities, and juggle multiple priorities. While a master’s in organizational leadership will teach and hone many of the skills needed to be a successful leader, individuals seeking this degree should already possess strong communication, decision-making, management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is a degree that is closely related to a master’s in organizational leadership and one that may also be worth exploring. An MBA teaches advanced practical and theoretical business knowledge, usually related to a specific area of business like finance or marketing, preparing graduates for higher-level roles in those fields. A master’s in organizational leadership focuses more on the principles and applications of being an effective leader, regardless of industry. When researching programs, consider what your ultimate career goals are and which type of program will best prepare you for the job you seek.

Because leadership roles exist in every industry, having a concentration may provide an advantage if you want to work in a specific field. Many schools offer concentrations within their degree programs in areas such as healthcare, human resources, or non-profits.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Organizational Leadership programs:

  • Do I meet the qualifications for this program? Some master’s in organizational leadership programs seek students who have prerequisite coursework in business or related topics. In the event a candidate does not have these courses at the time of application, some schools allow students to complete them prior to enrolling. Carefully review the program’s requirements to ensure that you are eligible for the program.
  • Is this program available part-time? Many programs are designed for working professionals and offer evening courses, weekend courses, or online courses that can be completed on your own schedule. Be sure to review the program’s curriculum and schedule to ensure that it aligns with your schedule and availability.

During the research process, you should also review the program’s admissions procedures and deadlines. This will help your application process go smoothly when the time comes. Now is also a good time to think about financing your master’s education. Talk to financial aid representatives about loans, scholarships, and assistantships. If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers tuition assistance benefits.