Why This Matters

  • PREPARE FOR OVER 12 POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS

    Because of the breadth of the supply chain management occupation, numerous job paths are available, including logistician, sustainability analyst, import/export agent, distribution center manager, and more.

  • THE U.S. NEEDS 10,300 MORE OF YOU BY 2026

    The job outlook for logisticians remains steady, with a projected job growth rate of 7% for the next few years. Job prospects are best for individuals who have experience as well as an advanced degree.

  • EARN $24,000 MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S

    A supply chain manager with an MBA earns an average annual salary of $83,000, compared to $59,000 per year for someone with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management.

Our Research

Advanced degrees in supply chain management (SCM) come in a few varieties – Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Professional Studies (MPS). Each degree type has a different approach, but they will all prepare you for career advancement in SCM.

We included programs delivered in on-campus, online, hybrid, and blended formats, to offer options for all lifestyles and learning preferences.

All of the programs are offered by regionally accredited institutions, ensuring that they meet high standards of quality. Many programs also have specialty accreditation through the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Once we narrowed our list of programs, we evaluated them based on their faculty, flexibility, course strength, cost, and reputation. We then gave them an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Our picks for the best master’s in supply chain management are respected, flexible, and affordable.(For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 75 hours to write this article
  • 147 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 403 education programs we compared

The Top 25 Master’s in Supply Chain Management Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree

The rise in global interconnectedness in manufacturing and shipping, and an emphasis on efficiency has driven job growth in supply chain management, but that growth is tempered by an increase in automation and purchasing cooperatives. Therefore, some jobs within SCM, such as purchasing buyers and agents, are expected to decline by 2026. While an advanced degree can give you an edge in competitive job markets, carefully consider your career goals and which career paths have the most potential.

In competitive job markets, having professional certifications through the Association for Supply Chain Management or the International Society of Logistics can give your employability a boost. You may need to meet experience and educational qualifications, take exams, and pay fees to obtain these certifications, but they are worth exploring as an added confirmation of your aptitudes.

When selecting the type of degree you want to pursue, there are a few things to consider. MBA programs emphasize business principles and skills, with applications within SCM. They are usually geared towards students with a business background, and a few years of professional experience. Meanwhile, MS programs offer a deep-dive into foundational and advanced SCM skills, and can be more open to accepting students without much real-world experience. The type of degree you seek will depend on your career goals and experience level.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Masters Supply Chain Management programs:

  • Does this program offer the concentration I want? Supply chain management is a broad field, so many programs offer the opportunity to concentrate on a certain aspect of the industry, such as accounting, global management, acquisition, or customer relations. If you are considering a concentration in a specific area, confirm that the program you are researching offers that option.
  • What are the in-person requirements for the program? Even if programs are advertised as being offered online, they may still have minimal in-person requirements, like on-campus orientations, residencies, or internships. If you are looking at online programs, be sure to review their curricula carefully, and make sure that any in-person requirements are compatible with your schedule and budget.

Other questions you should ask at this stage involve financial aid and scholarships, and application requirements, procedures, and deadlines. Look at the admissions and financial aid webpages for your programs of interest, or contact an admissions representative to get more information. Getting this information early is essential to ensuring a smooth application process, and understanding how you will pay for your master’s degree.