Best Online Master’s in Project Management Programs of 2023
Effective leadership is an essential part of the success of any project. An online master’s in project management will prepare you for career advancement in overseeing the life cycle of projects across a variety of industries, or within a specific field.
Why This Matters
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GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT JOBS RISING 33%
The Project Management Institute predicts that by 2027, there will be 22 million new project management jobs worldwide. Over 800,000 of these jobs will be in the United States.
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46K NEW CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS NEEDED SOON
One of the fastest growing project management jobs is within the construction field, with 10% projected job growth by 2028. Job prospects for administrative service managers are also good.
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INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL BY $65,600
Individuals in management roles earn an annual median wage of $104,240, the highest annual wage of all occupations. Comparatively, the median annual wage for all jobs is $38,640.
Our Research
For this list, we focused on graduate-level programs, including Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and certificate programs. Most programs are general project management degrees, but some are focused on areas like information technology or engineering.
This list includes regionally and nationally accredited programs. Credits and degrees from regionally accredited schools are more widely recognized than those from nationally accredited institutions. It’s important to be aware of what type of institution you are choosing. Some programs also have programmatic accreditation through bodies like the Project Management Institute, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
We reviewed programs that are delivered online, in-person, and in hybrid formats. We then evaluated each program based on reputation, flexibility, faculty, course offerings, and cost, and gave them an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
- 85 hours to write this article
- 164 universities and colleges we assessed
- 400 education programs we compared
The Top 10 Best Online Master's in Project Management Programs
The College of St. Scholastica
Intelligent Pick
The College of St. Scholastica’s Master of Science in Project Management program trains you in all three areas of the “Talent Triangle” needed to succeed as a project manager: technical ability, leadership, and strategic/business management expertise. You will be taught by professors with advanced degrees, PMP certification, and professional work experience—and if you are already a PMP-certified professional, you can receive prior learning credit for two courses. The online, accelerated eight-week term format means that you can finish your entire master’s degree in under two years. The program is designed for current professionals familiar with the project environment, so you should have a combination of academic and work experience in this field before applying.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $565
- Credits required to graduate: 37
- Academic calendar: Accelerated eight-week terms
- Graduation rate: 68%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 651-403-8654
University of Arkansas Grantham
Best Scholarships
University of Arkansas Grantham’s Master of Business Administration in Project Management program is approved as a Registered Educational Provider of the Project Management Institute and can help prepare you to acquire certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP). The 36-credit program takes two years to complete. Unlike many other project management programs, Grantham’s program leads to a Master of Business Administration rather than a Master of Science degree, making it especially business-focused. The curriculum is professionally relevant and includes classes such as Managerial Economics, Business Ethics, Finance, and a Project Management Capstone. The university offers a range of scholarships for eligible applicants to make the degree more affordable.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $350
- Credits required to graduate: 36
- Academic calendar: Monthly start dates
- Graduation rate: 29%
More program information:
- Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 888-947-2684
Harrisburg University
Best for Biotechnology Management
Harrisburg University’s Master of Science in Project Management program is very hands-on and experiential. The curriculum is career-focused and built on the idea that you need to experience what you are learning about in order for it to sink in. In addition to the required core courses for the degree, you can choose to specialize in one of four areas: agile lean, biotechnology, human-centered interaction design, or individualized. These specializations allow you to customize the degree to your particular career goals and give you advanced knowledge in a particular domain that can differentiate you on the job market.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $650
- Credits required to graduate: 36
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 28%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 717-901-5101
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Best for IT Management
Citadel Military College of South Carolina’s Master of Science in Project Management program is highly customizable. The program contains two core curriculum modules focused on technical project management and principled leadership. Beyond that core, you can choose four elective courses in an area of interest that will benefit your career and professional development. Electives are offered in systems engineering management, program management, leadership, electrical and computer engineering, civil and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, cybersecurity, information assurance, computer science, and business. The flexibility of the elective options allows you to create a concentration best suited to your interests and goals.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $695
- Credits required to graduate: 30
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 74%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 843-953-5089
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Best for Transfer Students
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide’s Master of Science in Project Management program offers a curriculum that was developed entirely by certified PMPs, meaning that it aligns with the most current and well-regarded training in this field. A central component of the program is the capstone course, where you can demonstrate command of project management principles and techniques within a setting designed to simulate events and situations common within real-world complex projects. This makes your education highly applicable to a future career.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $773
- Credits required to graduate: 30
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 35%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 800-522-6787
Boston University
Best Part-Time Program
Boston University’s Master of Science in Project Management program can be completed full-time or part-time, making it well suited to those with busy schedules. The program is taught by nine core faculty members who are experts in their fields, and the curriculum particularly emphasizes leadership skills because these are increasingly the largest single differentiator. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, so classes are small and offer lots of personalized attention. Coursework centers on active, hands-on learning, and if you want to expand your education beyond the classroom, you can join the Project Management Student Club.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $505
- Credits required to graduate: 40
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 86%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 617-353-2980
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
Best for PMI Contact Hours
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies’ Master of Professional Studies in Project Management program is designed with working professionals in mind. The 30-credit program can be completed in person or online, full-time or part-time, making it highly flexible. Most online classes are offered in an asynchronous format, but they often include synchronous video conference sessions, during which you get to meet your classmates and professor in real-time for class discussions or presentations. You can expect to spend between six and nine hours per week on outside-of-class readings, videos, homework, and other assignments. Project Management Institute has approved the program to issue contact hours and PDUs for its courses.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $1,483
- Credits required to graduate: 30
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 94%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 202-687-6299
Brandeis University
Best Accelerated Program
Brandeis University’s Master of Science in Project and Program Management program can be completed at an accelerated pace within one year. This means you can quickly put your degree to use on the job market. Courses are engaging and innovative, with required classes such as The Human Side of Project Leadership and Demystifying Agile Project Management. In addition to a total of seven required courses, you are free to choose three electives suited to your interests and career goals. Some elective course options include The New Economy: Global Disruption and the Emergence of FinTech, Launching FinTech Ventures, and Foundations of Data Science and Analytics.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $3,535 per course
- Credits required to graduate: 7 courses
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 90%
More program information:
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 781-736-8787
University of Southern California Online
Best for Change Management
USC Online’s Master of Science in Project Management program enables you to earn your Master of Science degree from a Top 20 national university in just one year. If you prefer to study at a less accelerated pace, you can elect to complete the degree in two years instead. All of the courses in the program are accepted as PDUs and education contact hours toward your Project Management Professional certification and other Project Management Institute credentials. Areas of particular focus include portfolio and program management, technical project delivery, Agile, and change management. As part of the program, you build business relationship skills, learn from experienced professionals, and carry out a capstone project in which you demonstrate the ability to plan and implement a project from conception to conclusion.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $48,840 per program
- Credits required to graduate: 24
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
- Graduation rate: 92%
More program information:
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 213-821-3000
Colorado State University Global
Best for Human Resource Management
Colorado State University Global’s Master of Project Management program was ranked #1 Best Online Master’s Program in 2019 by BestOnlineMastersPrograms.org. The university has extensive experience hosting online courses and degrees. The 36-credit MPM program includes a combination of core degree courses and degree specialization courses. When you earn your master’s degree through Colorado State University Global, you can customize it with a graduate specialization in a subject that matches your professional goals or personal interests — anything from human resource management to finance or information technology. These highly personalized specializations allow you to craft a degree that best reflects your interests and professional goals.
Things to consider:
- Cost per credit: $500
- Credits required to graduate: 36
- Academic calendar: Traditional semester
More program information:
- Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 800-920-6723
Other Online Master’s in Project Management Programs to Consider
