Best Online Business Administration Degrees

If you’ve got your heart set on earning an online bachelor’s degree in business administration but aren’t sure which school and program are best for you, you’re in the right place. To help you sort through all the online business administration degree programs out there and find the right one for you, we’ve reviewed the programs and ranked them by weighing factors such as affordability, academic quality, scheduling flexibility, and student support services. The full rankings list will come out later this year, but until then, we’ve identified three notable colleges worth considering.

Top Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration for 2024

We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
or
Select a StateALAZCACOFLIAILKSKYMEMIMOMSNCNDNENMOHOKORTXVAVTWAWV
About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  Carolina University

  Winston-Salem, NC

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Aspiring business professionals who want to work in the sports industry should consider this undergraduate degree from Carolina University. Throughout the four years of study, students complete coursework in the foundational areas of business, such as finance and marketing, and specialized electives in sports management. They also choose between three concentrations: esports, sports management, or general management. No matter the specialization, the entire degree can be completed online.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Business Administration

  • Credits: 129
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $8,820 per year
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

• 2

  Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America

  Santa Fe Springs, CA

  Private not-for-profit $

  Presbyterian Theological Seminary offers a global business degree for those who align with Christianity. The curriculum covers biblical studies, the foundations of business, and international management styles. Students also take two business practicums, which often include providing hands-on solutions based on previous courses. The degree is offered in a blended learning style, meaning some course components take place online and others on campus.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Arts in Global Business Administration

  • Credits: 122
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $260 per credit
  • Mode: Hybrid
  • Accreditation: Association For Biblical Higher Education

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  3/1

• 3

  University of Southern Maine

  Portland, ME

  Public $

  Southern Maine offers a fully online business degree that is perfect for aspiring marketing professionals. This four-year program covers foundational business disciplines, such as management and finance, before diving into marketing. Unlike other marketing programs, this program emphasizes experiential learning, which culminates in group projects with corporate partners, online networking events, and an internship requirement. Internships can be completed online or in person.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing Major

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $9,210
  • Mode: Online
  • Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 4

  Davenport University

  Grand Rapids, MI

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 5

  New Mexico State University-Main Campus

  Las Cruces, NM

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 6

  University of Illinois Springfield

  Springfield, IL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 7

  Central Christian College of Kansas

  McPherson, KS

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 8

  Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

  Edwardsville, IL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 9

  Mayville State University

  Mayville, ND

  Public $

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 10

  The University of Texas Permian Basin

  Odessa, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 11

  Cleary University

  Howell, MI

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 12

  Southeastern Oklahoma State University

  Durant, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 13

  Lindenwood University

  Saint Charles, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 14

  University of Maine at Augusta

  Augusta, ME

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 15

  University of Maine

  Orono, ME

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 16

  Central Washington University

  Ellensburg, WA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 17

  University of Arizona

  Tucson, AZ

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 18

  Maryville University of Saint Louis

  Saint Louis, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 19

  Kent State University at Kent

  Kent, OH

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 20

  Northern Kentucky University

  Highland Heights, KY

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 21

  Fayetteville State University

  Fayetteville, NC

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 22

  University of Houston-Victoria

  Victoria, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 23

  Texas A&M University-Central Texas

  Killeen, TX

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 24

  Saint Leo University

  Saint Leo, FL

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 25

  Jarvis Christian University

  Hawkins, TX

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 26

  California State University-East Bay

  Hayward, CA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  24/1

• 27

  Chadron State College

  Chadron, NE

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 28

  Maharishi International University

  Fairfield, IA

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 29

  Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

  Stillwater, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 30

  University of North Alabama

  Florence, AL

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 31

  Langston University

  Langston, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 32

  Northern Vermont University

  Johnson, VT

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

• 33

  Mid-America Christian University

  Oklahoma City, OK

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 34

  Eastern Oregon University

  La Grande, OR

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 35

  Mount Vernon Nazarene University

  Mount Vernon, OH

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 36

  Glenville State University

  Glenville, WV

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 37

  Murray State University

  Murray, KY

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 38

  University of Mount Olive

  Mount Olive, NC

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 39

  University of New Mexico-Main Campus

  Albuquerque, NM

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 40

  Park University

  Parkville, MO

  Private not-for-profit $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 41

  Liberty University

  Lynchburg, VA

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 42

  Husson University

  Bangor, ME

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 43

  University of Nebraska at Kearney

  Kearney, NE

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 44

  Elizabeth City State University

  Elizabeth City, NC

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 45

  Dickinson State University

  Dickinson, ND

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 46

  Hannibal-LaGrange University

  Hannibal, MO

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  2

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

• 47

  Mississippi State University

  Mississippi State, MS

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 48

  Colorado Christian University

  Lakewood, CO

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 49

  University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  Greensboro, NC

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 50

  Northern Arizona University

  Flagstaff, AZ

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

Curriculum of an Online Business Administration Degree Program

When you enroll in an online business administration degree program, you’ll take general education courses in addition to business-related coursework. This is to ensure you receive a well-rounded education and to provide you with the opportunity to take electives and a few courses purely for the sake of academic curiosity. As for courses in the major, those will usually consist of core business classes and classes in a particular concentration (or business electives). Below are some topics and classes you can expect to take as a part of an online business program.

Applying to a Highly Ranked Online Business Administration Program

The general admissions requirements are straightforward for most online business administration programs. These requirements typically consist of the following:

• Online application
• Application fee
• Copies of official transcripts

Differences in the admissions process exist depending on whether you’re a first-year applicant or a transfer student. If you’re the latter, you’ll often need to have a minimum GPA in regard to your prior college courses. For example, transfer students with 24 or more credits will need at least a 2.50 GPA when applying to the University of Louisville’s online business administration bachelor’s degree program.

Some of the more competitive business programs will have additional admissions requirements, such as Arizona State University. Here, first-year applicants must have a minimum SAT score (1040 to 1180, depending on when they took the test and their residency status), class rank (top 25%), ACT score (22 or 24 depending on residency status), or high school GPA (3.00 on a 4.00 scale). While not common, applicants may also need to provide a personal statement and letters of recommendation, such as when applying to the Morehouse College business administration bachelor’s degree program.

Financing Your Online Business Admin Degree: Tuition and Financial Aid

In addition to the tuition rate, it’s important to understand that the total cost of your online bachelor’s degree in business administration will depend on several other factors. These include the acceptance of prior transfer credits, state residency status, course load, type of school (public versus private), and availability of financial aid. You’ll need to consider all these factors for each school you’re interested in to most accurately calculate how much your potential degree will cost. 

These factors matter because they can turn a seemingly expensive program into the most affordable one for you. For instance, a school with the highest tuition rate could be your cheapest option because you’ll have in-state residency status, you can attend school part time so you can continue working while in school, and the school offers you an exclusive scholarship not available anywhere else. 

In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000 over four years for your degree. Keep in mind this amount doesn’t apply any financial aid or tuition discount adjustments and assumes you’ll need to earn the full 120 or so credits to graduate.

No matter how great of a tuition rate you get for your online business administration degree, you may still need to obtain financial assistance to help you pay for it. Luckily, most schools will have robust financial aid options available. A great example of this is Indiana State University, which outlines the various state-based and private scholarships available, as well as federal work-study, loans, and military tuition benefits. If you’re working full-time, another source of financial aid could be employer tuition reimbursement benefits. This is where your employer will pay for some or all of your tuition in return for a promise to continue working for them for a minimum amount of time.

FAQs About Earning Your Bachelor’s in Business Administration Online

• Are online business administration degree programs fully online?

  One of the great things about a business administration degree is that it doesn’t require hands-on skills development like a more technical degree might. As a result, most online business administration degree programs will be available fully online, with no campus visits or other in-person curriculum requirements. Given the importance of networking for the business world, some programs will offer optional networking opportunities or allow students to take some classes on campus.

• What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in business administration?

  A bachelor’s degree in business administration is best suited for those who wish to have a career at a company, whether it’s a nonprofit or for-profit organization. This means you’ll be working for a wide range of employers in either the public or private sector, from business as small as that mom-and-pop store in a small town or a Fortune 500 company in a major city. Here’s a list of common careers where a bachelor’s degree in business administration would be helpful.

  • Management analyst
  • Financial manager
  • Human resource specialist
  • Budget analyst
  • Cost estimator
  • Market research analyst
  • Project management specialist
  • Logistician
  • Public relations specialist

• What’s the difference between a business administration and business management degree?

  There is a lot of overlap between these two business degree programs, as they both cover the same basic business principles such as accounting, finance, and marketing. In many schools, these two programs differ in the level of detail they get into regarding how to achieve organizational goals. Generally, business administration focuses on the technical aspects of business operations and the tasks required within a specific department. In contrast, business management looks at the human requirements for running a business organization and the bigger-picture issues of organizational planning and managing.

• Is earning a business administration degree a worthwhile investment?

  Earning an online degree in business administration can lead to higher earnings. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median wage for workers with a bachelor’s degree is $60,000. However, the median wage for someone with a bachelor’s degree in business is $65,000. The degree will also provide training for many potential positions as its curriculum covers varied subjects, such as business law, ethics, marketing, production, accounting, finance, business psychology, quantitative analysis, human resources, and management information systems. These topics will help you understand how almost any organization operates and functions.

• What accreditation should I look for in a business administration degree program?

  When choosing an online business administration degree program, there are two types of accreditation to look for. First, there’s institutional accreditation, which refers to an independent body reviewing a school’s academic programs and ensuring they meet basic quality standards. Second, there’s programmatic accreditation, which applies to a specific program.

  When choosing a bachelor of science in business administration degree program, the two primary accrediting bodies you should look for are the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the AACSB. Another less common one is the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.

• How long does it take to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration?

  For most full-time students, it takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration. However, several factors can affect this timeframe. One of the biggest is prior college training and how much of that will transfer to the online business administration program. For example, those with an associate degree can usually shave one to two years off the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree in business. 

  Another factor is the pace of learning. Online programs make it easier to customize the pace of learning, which can add or reduce the time it takes to earn a degree. This self-paced learning can be the result of taking more or fewer classes or enrolling in a part-time or accelerated program.

Job Market for Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Admin

An online bachelor’s degree in business administration is ideal to open doors to business-related positions. But its curriculum is also broad enough that it can lead to a plethora of entry-level careers with great starting salaries and plenty of professional growth potential. The following chart will give you an idea of what you can expect to earn after you graduate with your business degree.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Interested in Bachelor’s Degrees in Business? Check Out These Other Specializations: