Best Online Business Degree Programs

A business degree program can help you learn skills that are highly transferable and needed in almost every industry making it a versatile degree offering a variety of career options. 

This is just one reason why more degrees have been awarded in business at the bachelor’s and master’s level than in any other field in the last decade, and prospects for business degree holders may be growing. With federal government initiatives in place to increase business investment and bolster economic growth, business degree holders may see greater demand in the job market. By way of example, in 2017, the largest tax reform in three decades went into effect giving businesses and individuals a $1.5 trillion cut over a period of ten years. This change has resulted in new business degree jobs in over 500 companies.

With technology rapidly changing the business environment, business students may need to prepare themselves to adapt quickly in an environment that is highly competitive and often global. Carol Stubbings, Global Leader, People and Organization, PwC, offers this sound advice: “The secret for a bright future seems to me to lie in flexibility and in the ability to reinvent yourself. Think about yourself as a bundle of skills and capabilities, not a defined role or profession.”

Business leaders worldwide are looking to hire new talent, particularly people who have skills in areas like leadership, problem-solving, collaboration and innovation, according to a report by PwC. Prospective students wanting to enter the field of business can meet the market demand for such skills by enrolling in an online business program. Those who have an eye for details, enjoy problem-solving, and are capable of multi-tasking generally make good candidates for a business degree program.

Whether you’re already in the workforce or just getting started on your career, explore this page and take a look at the wide variety of business majors you can earn online. Offering flexible study hours, online programs in business can be a good choice for those who already hold a job or have family commitments, and want to earn a degree to enhance their career potential.

What Can You Do with A Business Degree?

Explore Online Business Degree Programs

From highly specialized topics like forensic accounting, hospitality management, finance, and human resources to broader fields like management, business support and assistant services, sales and marketing — there is a wide range of business concentrations for those interested in a business-related degree.

Given the range of options, where do you begin? How do you know which program might help you meet your career goals? The information on this page is designed to guide you as you consider the many choices you have.

Step one — take a look at the  variety of online business program options by clicking on the buttons under each of the sections below.

Step two — explore online college options by using our list of the top online business schools.

Online Business Management Degree Programs

Organizations are complex entities with activities being carried out and decisions being made at many different levels. In most organizations, there is a clear chain of command with each level of the structure being responsible for the one below. The management of a business or a department within a business is responsible for its productivity and growth by ensuring their employees have all the necessary tools to carry out their activities effectively.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects growth in employment in the management sector to be driven by the need for skilled workers to lead new organizations and expand existing ones.

Click on a management degree program that interests you and discover what you can do with it. You’ll find information on the kind of duties you may perform, the salary you can expect and the career outlook.

Online Operations Degree Programs

Those who work in operations roles typically create, implement, and/or monitor processes that are aligned with a company’s vision and which help to achieve the company or organization’s “bigger picture” business goals. The operations functions of an organization can range from human resources and public relations to office administration and project management.

Click on one of the program buttons below and find out what kind of coursework you can expect by degree level, wages typically earned, and top jobs related to each concentration.

Online Programs in Finance and Accounting

The financial experts of the future may need to be well-versed in technology as well as finance. They may need to use their analytical, problem-solving and innovative skills along with digital tools like social media, mobile apps, big data and cloud computing to make informed strategic business decisions, to share information and improve professional relationships with clients. Both financial analysts and accountants and auditors are predicted to enjoy a faster than average job growth by the BLS in the decade spanning 2016-26.

Click on the links below to learn about finance- and accounting-focused online degree programs in business. You’ll find more information on the career outlook, typical wages you might be able to earn, coursework you may encounter by degree level, and more.

Online Sales Degree Programs

The World Economic Forum predicts that specialized sales representatives are going to become “critically important” to industries across the world as innovative technical products or new customer bases become vital to commercial success. Brick-and-mortar retailers are changing to e-commerce and m-commerce (mobile commerce), requiring more creative and innovative sales and marketing approaches. Earning a formal degree may give you the edge you need to compete in this industry.

The BLS predicts that the need for advertising, promotions and marketing managers is expected to grow at 10 percent during 2016-26 which is faster than the average of all occupations.

Explore the different online advertising and marketing degrees you can earn by clicking on the tabs below. You’ll find information such as typical duties associated with each degree, coursework by degree level, career outlook and jobs you may be eligible for.

Best Online Business Degree Programs

Choosing a school is never easy. There are so many factors to consider. We’ve attempted to make the task easier for you by including in our methodology all the important points you are likely to consider as you make a choice, such as graduation rates, financial aid programs, placement services, and the percentage of students enrolled in online degree programs in business. For more details, check out our methodology to understand why these top ten colleges under can present you with the best business degree as an online student.

10 Best Online Colleges for Associate Degrees in Business

Online associate degree in business require about two years of full-time study. Graduates of online associate degree programs in business can be eligible for a wide range of entry-level careers in the business world. For example, a program in the accounting and finance field can prepare you to be a claims adjuster or appraiser– professions you can start with an associate degree.

10 Best Online Colleges for Bachelor’s Degrees in Business

According to the BLS, most of the financial occupations require a bachelor’s degree in business as an employment criterion. This can be a good way to obtain entry-level job roles in fields like marketing, sales, management or finance.

10 Best Online Colleges for Master’s Degrees in Business

Master’s degree in business online typically take around two years of full-time study. The Graduate Management Admission Council’s survey report states that most prospective students who want to remain with their current employer actively look for MBA programs that allow them to continue working either part-time or full-time while studying for their master’s degree.

What Jobs Can You Get With A Business Degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a 10 percent employment growth in business and financial operations occupations in the decade spanning 2016-2026. Explore this list of in-demand occupations in business based on employment numbers and average salaries in the table below.

Occupations In-Demand for BUSINESS
Job Openings
Median Salary
Typical Entry Level Education
Accountants and Auditors146,00071,550Bachelor's degree
Actuaries2,200108,350Bachelor's degree
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers28,10096,940Bachelor's degree
Advertising and Promotions Managers2,700125,510Bachelor's degree
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes2,60073,740Bachelor's degree
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators40063,930Bachelor's degree
Architectural and Engineering Managers14,600144,830Bachelor's degree
Budget Analysts4,80076,540Bachelor's degree
Chief Executives16,800184,460Bachelor's degree
Compensation and Benefits Managers1,400122,270Bachelor's degree
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists9,20064,560Bachelor's degree
Computer and Information Research Scientists3,200122,840Doctoral or professional degree
Computer and Information Systems Managers38,800146,360Bachelor's degree
Cost Estimators24,20065,250Bachelor's degree
Credit Analysts7,40073,650Bachelor's degree
Credit Counselors3,80045,950Bachelor's degree
Desktop Publishers1,20045,390Associate's degree
Economists1,800105,020Master's degree
Farm and Home Management Educators1,00049,710Master's degree
Financial Examiners5,20081,090Bachelor's degree
Financial Managers64,900129,890Bachelor's degree
Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other30,90081,590Bachelor's degree
Fundraisers11,30057,970Bachelor's degree
General and Operations Managers230,000100,780Bachelor's degree
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping13,80041,430Associate's degree
Human Resources Managers14,400116,720Bachelor's degree
Human Resources Specialists67,70061,920Bachelor's degree
Insurance Underwriters8,40070,020Bachelor's degree
Labor Relations Specialists7,00069,020Bachelor's degree
Logisticians17,90074,750Bachelor's degree
Management Analysts99,90085,260Bachelor's degree
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists90,70063,790Bachelor's degree
Marketing Managers26,000136,850Bachelor's degree
Medical and Health Services Managers42,200100,980Bachelor's degree
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners16,80050,600Bachelor's degree
Natural Sciences Managers6,100129,100Bachelor's degree
Operations Research Analysts10,90084,810Bachelor's degree
Personal Financial Advisors23,20087,850Bachelor's degree
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other91,300110,630Bachelor's degree
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other119,60073,570Bachelor's degree
Property Appraisers and Assessors6,70057,010Bachelor's degree
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers7,800116,180Bachelor's degree
Purchasing Managers6,400121,110Bachelor's degree
Sales Engineers7,900103,900Bachelor's degree
Sales Managers39,000126,640Bachelor's degree
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products36,00081,020Bachelor's degree
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents44,60062,270Bachelor's degree
Social and Community Service Managers17,80067,150Bachelor's degree
Statistical Assistants1,80049,870Bachelor's degree
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents4,60054,890Bachelor's degree
Training and Development Managers3,800113,350Bachelor's degree
Training and Development Specialists37,30061,210Bachelor's degree
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.
 

 

Methodology:

To be included in our rankings for the top colleges for online degrees in business by degree level all colleges had to meet the following 4 requirements:

  1. Offer a degree or certificate program in that subject, either in an online or hybrid format
  2. Have at least 1% of students attending some form of distance education
  3. Have awarded at least one degree or certificate in that subject in 2015-16
  4. Have reported data for all 19 ranking variables for associate/bachelor’s and 11 ranking variables for master’s (listed below)

We then ranked colleges and universities in the United States that fit our criteria, using 2016-17 data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the weights specified. The final totals were:

  • 498 colleges for online associate degree in business
  • 442 colleges for online bachelor’s degree in business
  • 529 colleges for online master’s degree in business

We then scored the final list of colleges by degree level on a 100-point scale using these specific data points:

Associate/Bachelor’s

1.      Associate’s/Bachelor’s Program prominence, based on how many of the degrees and certificates awarded via distance education in 2016-2017 were in this particular subject

2. Ratio of undergraduate students participating fully or partially in DE to Total Enrollment

3. Average in-state tuition for undergraduates

4. Retention rate

5. Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal, state, local, institutional or other sources of grant aid

6. Average amount of federal, state, local, institutional, or other sources of grant aid awarded to undergraduate students

7.  Student-to-faculty ratio

8.  Variety of Programs, based on the number of similar topics for programs in relevant CIP codes that are offered via distance education at any level

9.  Total electronic library collections, including digital books, databases, and media

10. The availability of any tuition plans (4 variables considered)

    a. Payment

    b. Guaranteed

    c. Prepaid

    d. Other

11. Services (2 variables considered)

    a. Academic/Career

    b. Placement for Completers

12. Credit offerings (4 variables considered)

    a. Dual

    b. Life

    c. AP

    d. Military

Master’s

1.  Master’s Program prominence, based on how many of the degrees and certificates awarded via distance education in 2016-2017 were in this particular subject

2.  Ratio of graduate students participating fully or partially in DE to Total Enrollment

3.  Average in-state tuition for graduates

4.  Credit offerings (2 variables considered)

     a.  Life

     b.  Military

5. Services (2 variables considered)

     a. Academic/Career

     b. Placement for Completers

6.  The availability of any tuition plans (3 variables considered)

     a. Payment

     b. Prepaid

     c. Other

7.  Total electronic library collections, including digital books, databases, and media

Methodology Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2016-17, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Sources:

  • Accountants and Auditors, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm
  • Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm
  • Associate in Administrative and Management Studies Degree, Excelsior College, https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/business/administrative-management-associate-degree, accessed September 2018
  • Bachelor’s In Business (General Business), Excelsior College, https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/business/business-general-business-bachelor-degree, accessed September 2018
  • Workforce of the future: the competing forces shaping 2030, PwC, 2017, https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/people-organisation/workforce-of-the-future/workforce-of-the-future-the-competing-forces-shaping-2030-pwc.pdf
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  • Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/claims-adjusters-appraisers-examiners-and-investigators.htm
  • Engineering Majors Top Class of 2017 Salary Projections, National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2017, http://www.naceweb.org/job-market/compensation/engineering-majors-top-class-of-2017-salary-projections/
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  • Financial Analysts, , Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm
  • Financial Managers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm
  • General and Operations Manager, , Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm#st
  • Graduate Degree Fields, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), updated March 2018, https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_ctb.asp
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  • Major: Operations Management, BigFuture, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/business-business-management-administration-operations-management, accessed September 2018
  • Management Occupations, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/
  • Marketing Managers, 11-2021, Occupational Employment and Wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2017, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112021.htm
  • Operating models: Delivering on strategy and optimizing processes, Ernst & Young LLP, 2016, https://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Operating-models/$FILE/Operating-models.pdf
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  • Prospective Students Survey Report 2017, Graduate Management Admission Council, 2017, https://www.gmac.com/-/media/files/gmac/research/prospective-student-data/2017-gmac-prospective-students-web.pdf
Methodologies and Sources