Best Online Business Administration Degree Programs

Technology, globalization, and evolving ethical questions have changed the way that businesses think about their everyday practices. Learning the principles of business activities such as marketing, finance, accounting and human resources can help students become potential candidates for employment in many different companies and organizations.

Individuals with strong leadership abilities, decision-making skills and a tolerance for working in high pressure environments can be well suited for a career in business. The ability to work and manage teams remotely is another skill that is going to be increasingly critical for business success in the future according to Stephane Kasriel, CEO of @Upwork. An online degree program in business administration can help you develop this skill through interacting with your peers and professors using online forums, discussion boards and email.

Many online business administration degree programs offer 24-hour access to lectures and materials, making it easy for working professionals and those with family commitments to complete the required coursework at a time that is most convenient for them.

Southern New Hampshire University

  • Some of the nation’s most affordable tuition rates, from a private, nonprofit, NEASC accredited university
  • Qualified students with 2.5 GPA and up may receive up to $20K in grants & scholarships
  • Multiple term start dates throughout the year. 24/7 online classroom access
  • Offering over 200 online degree programs

What is the Difference Between Business Administration and Business Management?

The two terms are often used interchangeably with a subtle difference between business administration and business management degrees leaving students wondering which pathway to choose. The core coursework for both is typically the same. Both degrees can give students a strong foundation on how businesses work.

Business administration students can choose to specialize in a particular business topic like marketing, IT, economics or accounting.

Business management degrees tend to be more generalized with a focus on learning the skills needed to manage people and projects. Students may choose courses like communication, human resources or project management.

In the workplace, too, there can be an overlap in terms of the jobs available, especially in the case of smaller firms. In short, a business administration degree is more focused while a management degree may suit individuals who do not have a specific area of interest.

The average earnings of MBA graduates tend to be higher than most other graduates

Depending on their position within the organization and job description, some of the duties of business administrators may include:

  • Supervising administrative and clerical personnel
  • Managing records
  • Recommending and implementing procedures to improve the operations and efficiency of the company or department
  • Setting achievable goals and deadlines for employees and company or department operations

The duties of higher-level executives may include:

  • Overseeing budgetary goals and financial activities of the organization
  • Working with other executives and board members to manage the operations of the company
  • Analyzing the performance of the company by using financial statements and other measures and recommending improvements to policies and procedures
  • Approving contracts and negotiating their terms
  • Hiring and managing departmental heads and overseeing their performance

Listed below are a few steps typically required to becoming a business administrator.

  • Read the various sections on this page to understand what careers you can have with a business administration degree.
  • Choose an online business administration degree program that helps meet these career goals
  • Check that the school or program is accredited
  • Choose a specialization within the field of business administration while studying for your degree
  • Complete an internship to gain work experience
  • Continue with an advanced degree if you wish to
  • Obtain the necessary certifications and licensures to work in your field
  • Join a professional organization (optional but it can help)
  • Build your résumé
  • Look for a job
  • Climb up the career ladder through experience and/or continuing education

What Are The Top Business Administration Degrees In-Demand?

The demand is increasing for graduates with business administration skills.

Business is among one of the most popular fields of study for online students and continues to be a strong-performing program, according to a 2018 Learning House survey. A business degree can be used to complement a wide range of career paths. For example, tech-savvy individuals may want to gain a solid business education in order to start their own technical consulting company, while a culinary worker might want to learn how to launch a catering business.

It might be a good idea to identify the career path you want to take in order to answer the question “what is the best concentration for business administration?”, as the answer could be different for individual goals.

According to the BLS, most business-related occupations require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, while holding a master’s or more advanced degree could result in higher-level or higher-paying jobs in the field of business administration.

What can I expect to learn in an online certificate program?

Certificate programs in business administration can help students to develop business communication skills, understand organizational theories and build managerial skills.

Typical duration: Up to one year of part-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: You may find topics surrounding business ethics, financial and management practices. Courses may include:

  • Introduction to business
  • Business communications
  • Business and society
  • Managing behavior in organizations

What can I do after earning a certificate?

A certificate in business management may allow you to apply for entry-level management roles or may make you eligible for promotion in your current occupation. The type of job you can get may be dependent on the location, the size of the enterprise and a host of other factors. Some potential job titles are:

  • Administrative services managers
  • Storage and distribution managers
  • Security managers
  • Sales managers

What can I expect to learn in an online associate degree program?

An online business administration associate degree can give you the fundamental business knowledge you need to navigate through the shifting corporate world. These programs are usually designed to enhance students’ critical thinking and communication skills, which may prove crucial when solving complex business problems and managing employees. Subjects tend to focus on basic business practices and concepts that can be used in organizations of any size — from a small one-man business to multinational corporations.

Typical duration: Two years of full-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: Students may study essential business concepts such as marketing, accounting, human resource management, and business finance and law along with some core general education topics. Examples of course topics include:

  • Financial accounting
  • Business systems analysis
  • Introduction to marketing
  • Management fundamentals
  • Organizational behavior
  • Business and technical writing

You may also have to complete a capstone project and/or pass a proctored examination as a part of your online business administration degree.

Possible electives: English; human resources; mathematics

What can I do after earning an associate degree?

Employment for associate degree holders may be found in entry-level positions in a variety of industries. Some potential occupations are:

  • Administrative services managers
  • Industrial production managers
  • Transportation managers
  • Compliance managers
  • Construction managers
  • Social and community service managers

What can I expect to learn in an online bachelor’s degree program?

You may be able to complete your online business administration bachelor’s degree with a:

  • Bachelor in Science (B.S. or BSBA) — these degrees can have a stronger focus on mathematical and business-related disciplines when compared to bachelor of arts degrees
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A. or BBA) — about one-fourth of the coursework for these degrees is in liberal arts allowing students to gain a broad spectrum of knowledge in different disciplines

Online bachelor’s degrees in business administration can act as a valuable proving ground for students looking to enter the business arena, combining fundamental business concepts with real-world examples that can help prepare students for the ever-changing corporate world. Students may also get the opportunity to enhance their verbal and written communication skills, giving them an edge in business relations.

Typical duration: Four years of full-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: Topics usually cover management styles and theories, project management, business technologies, information systems, and public administration, along with other common business topics like finance and marketing. Courses may include:

  • Research design methods and applications
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Management of human resources
  • Organizational behavior principles
  • Introduction to marketing
  • Introduction to project management
  • Introduction to logistics/supply chain management

You may be required to complete a capstone project as a part of your online business administration degree requirements.

What can I do after earning a bachelor’s degree?

According to the BLS, the job outlook for business administration majors for entry-level roles in a variety of business occupations is best with a bachelor’s degree or higher. You may be able to find entry-level roles in industries that you are interested in, based on your concentration or specialization. Some potential occupations include:

  • Budget analysts
  • Business operations managers
  • Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
  • Labor relations specialists
  • Market-research analyst
  • Tax examiners and collectors

What can I expect to learn in an online master’s degree program?

An online master’s degree in business administration (MBA) can be a good way to acquire the business acumen necessary to climb up the corporate ladder or start your own business. Coursework in these programs is designed to give students a deep understanding of how different types of businesses are run.

Typical duration: Two years of full-time study

General prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree, GMAT or GRE

Typical coursework: Students typically learn advanced business skills in subjects such as accounting, human resources management, marketing, strategic leadership and project management. You may find topics like:

  • Applied managerial accounting
  • Applied managerial economics
  • Strategic management in dynamic environments
  • Leadership and ethical decision-making
  • Managerial marketing

Students may also be required to complete a capstone project or a master’s thesis as a part of their online business administration degree.

Possible electives: Human resources management; business writing classes; or entrepreneurship

What can I do after earning a master’s degree?

MBA programs impart a deeper understanding of subjects in business administration, preparing students to possibly take a larger role in guiding a business. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 86 percent of companies planned to hire recent MBA graduates in 2017 at salaries with an 83 percent premium over recent bachelor-degree holders. Students graduating from an online master’s degree program in business administration may be able to choose from a wide variety of careers that require leadership skills. Some potential occupations are:

  • Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent
  • Management analysts
  • Marketing manager
  • Business operations manager
  • Regulatory affairs manager
  • Compliance manager

Best Online Colleges For Master’s in Business Administration

We’ve used factors that students that are especially useful for students interested in online business administration programs. To present you with the best opportunities, our methodology has taken into consideration factors like number of online programs offered in business administration, tuition, ratio of students participating in distance education programs compared to the total enrollment, student-faculty ratio, services such as academic and placement, and more.

1
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Texarkana, TX
https://www.tamut.edu
Average in-state tuition
$5,551
No. of online programs
3
% of students in distance education
77%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,596
Admissions Rate
51%
Graduation Rate
28%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
2
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Athens, TN
https://www.tnwesleyan.edu
Average in-state tuition
$23,300
No. of online programs
3
% of students in distance education
43%
Avg. amount of Aid
$18,019
Admissions Rate
60%
Graduation Rate
40%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
No
3
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV
https://www.fairmontstate.edu/0
Average in-state tuition
$5,408
No. of online programs
3
% of students in distance education
49%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,199
Admissions Rate
95%
Graduation Rate
36%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
4
The University of Texas at Tyler
Tyler, TX
https://www.uttyler.edu/
Average in-state tuition
$6,150
No. of online programs
14
% of students in distance education
68%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,343
Admissions Rate
78%
Graduation Rate
45%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
5
Midway University
Midway, KY
https://www.midway.edu
Average in-state tuition
$24,500
No. of online programs
21
% of students in distance education
61%
Avg. amount of Aid
$13,283
Admissions Rate
61%
Graduation Rate
37%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
6
Sul Ross State University
Alpine, TX
https://www.sulross.edu
Average in-state tuition
$4,891
No. of online programs
15
% of students in distance education
62%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,864
Admissions Rate
99%
Graduation Rate
25%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
7
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN
https://www.bemidjistate.edu
Average in-state tuition
$7,630
No. of online programs
17
% of students in distance education
44%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,697
Admissions Rate
67%
Graduation Rate
46%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
8
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Portales, NM
https://www.enmu.edu
Average in-state tuition
$3,842
No. of online programs
26
% of students in distance education
69%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,958
Admissions Rate
60%
Graduation Rate
35%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
9
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS
https://tabor.edu/
Average in-state tuition
$27,300
No. of online programs
6
% of students in distance education
19%
Avg. amount of Aid
$17,091
Admissions Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
42%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
10
Adams State University
Alamosa, CO
https://www.adams.edu
Average in-state tuition
$5,736
No. of online programs
19
% of students in distance education
51%
Avg. amount of Aid
$8,361
Admissions Rate
99%
Graduation Rate
27%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

NOTE: The accuracy of data derived from IPEDS depends on colleges regularly reporting to IPEDS. Not all colleges are as regular as they should be in updating this information with IPEDS.OnlineDegrees.com, therefore, has gone a step further to ensure the rankings you see are accurate and verified. We manually check each college website to provide you the top rankings you can rely on. Because of this double-check, the number of colleges may vary for each degree level.

What can I expect to learn in an online doctoral degree program in business administration?

Prospective students have two main choices when it comes to earning a business administration degree at the doctoral level, although there can be a crossover between the two:

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) — typically designed for professionals looking to improve real-world business practices through advanced theoretical knowledge
  • Ph.D. in Business Administration — this doctoral program tends to focus on the creation of new theories, often for academic purposes

Typical duration: Four to six years of full-time study

General prerequisites: Master’s degree

Typical coursework: The curriculum of these programs covers subjects like business theory and research, ethics, business sustainability, management, and corporate finance. Students are also given the framework to conduct their own business research, which helps them identify trends, challenges and solutions that can shape the corporate world of the future. Courses may include:

  • Organizational strategy and design
  • Contemporary issues in finance and accounting
  • Problems and methods in management marketing
  • Intellectual property
  • Executive decision making

Students may also be able to choose from a variety of concentrations depending on their online business administration degree program.

In addition to coursework, students are often required to complete a dissertation and present it to a committee of business professors. They may also have to take a comprehensive examination that covers what they studied during the program.

What can I do after earning a doctoral degree?

A doctoral degree can help individuals gain employment in senior management positions or in academia. Some potential occupations are:

  • Chief executive officer
  • Senior management analyst
  • Organizational development director
  • University professor

What Specializations Are Available in Business Administration?

It can be common practice for students enrolled in online business administration programs to choose a concentration aligned to future employment in specific areas of business such as:

  • Digital marketing
  • Finance
  • Human resource management
  • International business
  • Logistics and supply chain management
  • Marketing
  • Organizational behavior
  • Project management
Ready to Explore Colleges Offering Online Degree Programs?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the job outlook for business administration majors is growing as more workers may be needed to manage the operations of new organizations along with the expansion of existing ones.

Salaries in the business world can vary depending on the level of education and the industry. The data below displays wages for business-related occupations, many of which enjoy higher income than all other major occupations. The downside is that these highly paid workers may also log in more work hours than the average.

Take a look at the occupations related to the business field along with job openings, average salary, total employment and job outlook for 2016 to 2026.

Careers
Employment
Median Salary
Projected Job Growth
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers307,280$96,9407.3%
Budget Analysts51,460$76,5404.2%
General and Operations Managers2,400,280$100,7806.9%
Marketing Managers263,680$136,8508.1%
Sales Managers402,600$126,6405.1%
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Accreditation

Accreditation can be an important criterion to look for while choosing an online business administration degree program. It serves to show that the education you are receiving aligns with the high quality standards required for employment in the industry.

Furthermore, graduating from an accredited program or institution can be a prerequisite for many professional certifications, licenses or even financial aid. Some accrediting bodies for business-related programs and schools are:

The requirements for certifications and licensures for graduates of online business administration degree programs can vary by state, industry of employment and job role. For example, the International Facility Management Association offers certification Certified Facility Manager (CFM) certification for administrative services managers while the Institute of Certified Records Managers offers the Certified Records Manager (CRM) certification.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing body for individuals working in the field of finance. Other fields may or may not require licenses to practice.

Employment Statistics

Budget Analysts

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Federal Executive Branch
  • Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing
  • State Government, excluding schools and hospitals
  • Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
  • Communications Equipment Manufacturing
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • New York
  • Florida
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NH NECTA Division
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
  • Boulder, CO

Administrative Services Managers

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
  • Office Administrative Services
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works)
  • Sound Recording Industries
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • New York
  • Florida
  • Massachusetts
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Newark, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division
  • Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Sales Managers

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Automobile Dealers
  • Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
  • Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
  • Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
  • Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Florida
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL
  • California-Lexington Park, MD
  • Fort Collins, CO

Marketing Managers

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works)
  • Sound Recording Industries
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Other Information Services
  • Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • Battle Creek, MI
  • New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  • Newark, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division
  • Boulder, CO

General and Operations Managers

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works)
  • Grantmaking and Giving Services
  • Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations
  • Office Administrative Services
  • Land Subdivision
States with the highest level of employment
  • California
  • Texas
  • New York
  • Illinois
  • Florida
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
  • Trenton, NJ
  • Newark, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division
  • New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division

Source: 2016 Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Other resources for those aspiring for a career in business administration

Methodologies and Sources

See Methodology Information Here

Article Sources

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  • Associate of Science in Business Administration, Colorado Technical University,https://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/associate/business, accessed August 2018
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  • Online Master of Business Administration (MBA), Arizona State University https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/graduate/master-business-administration, accessed August 2018
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Methodologies and Sources