Why This Matters
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CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES
Earning a degree in this field will allow you to work in just about any industry. The highest-paying management jobs are in computer and information systems, architecture and engineering, and natural sciences.
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MANAGEMENT JOBS PROJECTED TO INCREASE 8%
The formation of new organizations and growth of existing companies is expected to drive demand for managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the addition of 883,900 new management jobs by 2031.
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EARN AN AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY OF $102,450
Among all occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management has the highest median annual wage. The median annual wage for all occupations is $45,760.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online small business 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. 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 small business 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.
The Top 43 Small Business Management Degree Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree
Being a leader or entrepreneur requires specific aptitudes and qualities. People in these roles must be confident, creative, disciplined, and motivated. They must make tough decisions, collaborate with others, and work hard. While a small business management course can help develop these skills, reflect on your own innate qualities and whether you fit this profile.
Starting your own business can be exciting and rewarding, but there are also many risks involved. In a small business management course, you will learn how to minimize and cope with those risks. You may also have the opportunity to develop your business plan in a supportive environment.
Applying the skills and theories you learn in a real-world setting is a key component of small business and entrepreneurial education. Even if the coursework for a program can be fully completed online, there may be optional or required experiential learning components, such as an internship. This training is valuable, and you should seek out a program that allows you to fit this experience into your schedule.
If you are considering an associate’s degree with the intention of transferring to another school to finish a bachelor’s, be sure to select a college with regional accreditation. Credits from regionally accredited institutions are more transferable and widely recognized than those from nationally accredited schools.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching Small Business Management programs:
- How are online courses delivered? Online courses can be delivered asynchronously or synchronously. In asynchronous courses, students access lessons and assignments on their own schedules and work fairly independently. In synchronous programs, you must attend virtual classes at set times.
- Do you need financial aid? A certificate program is a fast, convenient way to obtain an education in small business management, but keep in mind that certificate programs are not eligible for any kind of federal financial aid. If you will need this kind of financial support to pay for your tuition, you may want to consider an associate’s degree, which is eligible for federal student aid.
Be sure to review the program’s requirements for admission and their application deadlines. Requirements and deadlines vary from program to program, so having this information organized will keep your applications on track.
Besides federal student loans and grants, you can research other types of support including institutional and private scholarships, assistantships, and tuition benefits if you are currently employed.