The Best Online
Business Schools in 2021
An online degree in business is just as good as a degree from a traditional in-person school. The flexibility that the best online colleges have shown is making this type of online degree more common in 2021. Some are extensions of in-person schools, and others are standalone online schools.
You want to choose an accredited school that holds weight in the job market. Not every online business school is created equal. Read below for a list of the best online business schools where you can enroll in 2021.
In Brief: Top 10 Online Business Schools in 2021
These best business schools are also top options for other online programs. Refer to the table below to learn the basics about these schools, including program options, tuition costs, and accreditation. The information was sourced from the official school websites.
| School | Degrees and Tuition | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University (FSU) | Master of Business Administration $30,427.02 per year Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance $21,787.92 per year Master of Science in Management Information Systems $26,737.92 per year |
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) | Master of Business Administration $1,650 per credit |
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| Lehigh University | Master of Business Administration $1,180 per credit |
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Master of Business Administration $19,038 per semester |
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) | Master of Business Administration $55,441 per year (in-state) $93,179 per year (out-of-state) Master of Science in Business Administration $55,441 per year (in-state) $93,179 per year (out-of-state) |
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) | Bachelor of Business Administration $7,320 per year Master of Business Administration $359 per credit hour |
Higher Learning Commission, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| University of Virginia (UVA) | Master of Science in Business Analytics $63,562 per year (in-state) $63,742 per year (out-of-state) |
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| University of South Florida (USF) | Master of Business Administration $750 per credit |
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) | Master of Business Administration $1,644 per credit |
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
| University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) | Bachelor of Business Administration $475 per credit Master of Business Administration $900 per credit |
New England Commission of Higher Education, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business |
Why You Should Attend a Business School Online
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An online business school can help you secure your business degree without attending in-person classes. You can study on vacation, during your lunch hour at work, or on the weekends. You can create your own schedule.
Compared to an in-person school, online schools are more affordable and flexible. Things are changing in the education industry, and online and hybrid schools will take center stage in the future of learning.
Choosing the Best Business School for You
Choosing a business school on your own can be difficult. Depending on your priorities, there are many factors to consider. You should take a look at your school’s curriculum, accreditation, and student support services to give you a clearer picture.
Curriculum
You should look for an online business school that combines a theoretical and practical approach to business. Some of the classes should help you gain hands-on business experience and understand real-world situations. The school should also allow you to start with a general overview of business before you specialize.
Accreditation
In the United States, one of the highest business accreditations is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Some other good accreditations to look for are from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). The AMBA is for graduate programs.
Accreditation is important with online schools because you need to make sure you get the right quality of education. Online business programs can be hit or miss, so it’s important to do your research first. Accreditation means that your school offers the right level of quality to teach you business.
Student Support
The best online business schools have resources to help you throughout your experience. You should look for a school that has small class sizes so you can connect with your professors and get the resources you need. You should also look for mental health resources, online tutoring help, and financial assistance.
In-Depth: The Best Business Schools of 2021
The list below contains more details about the best online schools for a business degree. It will help you make an informed decision about your education.
Florida State University
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 79.8 percent
The online business school at FSU is one of the best in the country. You can specialize in any of the five key areas of business. If you want an online master’s degree in marketing, insurance, business analytics, or management information systems, this school is for you. You need a post-secondary GPA of 3.4 or eight years working in business management.
FSU Business Key Takeaway
This school is the best choice you want to get a specialized Master’s Degree in Business.
Johns Hopkins University
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 92.4 percent
John Hopkins University’s online business school is an extension of the Carey Business School. You can take most of your MBA courses online, but you also need to complete three mandatory residency courses in Baltimore. If you have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, you can apply for the graduate management admission test (GMAT) and get admitted.
JHU Business Key Takeaway
The residency courses may be in-person, but they will be worth it if you want to get experience in the field. The high graduation rate is a testament to this.
Lehigh University
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 88.7 percent
The best online MBA program at Lehigh is for prospective business leaders who want to brush up on their leadership skills. It covers business administration on a national and international level. It is one of the few schools that don’t require a GMAT score to apply. Online courses include business simulation, individual projects, and real-world case studies.
Lehigh Business Key Takeaway
This school is the perfect choice if you already work in business and want to move up in the field.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 82.8 percent
This private school has been gaining ground as one of the best online colleges. Even if it is an institute of technology, it offers an amazing business master’s program. If you don’t want a master’s, you can also apply for a graduate certificate program. These include supply chain analytics, managerial judgment, and decision-making for business leaders.
Stevens Business Key Takeaway
The master’s program at this school can teach you everything you need to know to fill a corporate management and entrepreneurship role.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 70.6 percent
This is one of the few schools that offers 100 percent online coursework. You are free to choose from a range of specializations, and there are courses dedicated to helping you build your IT skills. The Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Business Administration are both great options if you want a better job in the field.
UT Dallas Business Key Takeaway
In a master’s program at the University of Texas, you can learn more than just business and apply your skills to the field.
University of Illinois Springfield
Degree Levels: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 66.2 percent
UIS is one of the few schools to offer online business degrees at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The requirements for the online programs are the same as the requirements for in-person programs. Although the graduation rate is not as high as others on this list, it still provides a quality education if you’re willing to commit.
UIS Business Key Takeaway
This school is one of the best options for an online bachelor’s degree in business. Once you finish, you can enter directly into the master’s program.
University of Virginia
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 95 percent
UVA offers hybrid learning options to help you get your master’s degree. The first year is entirely online, and the following nine months are on-campus residence courses. This program is designed for professionals who want to upgrade their skills. Apart from the usual GPA and GMAT requirements, you need at least two years of working experience.
UVA Business Key Takeaway
If you’re interested in getting a hands-on education, you should enroll in the Master of Science in Business Analytics program.
University of South Florida
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 74.6 percent
This university offers one of the most extensive online MBA programs. The course work is completed online, but you will need to start by completing orientation on campus. This program from USF is a good choice if you have a foundation in accounting. You can learn anti-money laundering, healthcare analytics, and more.
USF Business Key Takeaway
The master’s program at the University of South Florida offers a specialized, hands-on education that can help you move up in the field.
University of Maryland, College Park
Degree Levels: Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 85.3 percent
UMD is an excellent option if you want to take full advantage of new data technology for business development. The coursework is extensive. You can choose from business analytics, supply chain management finance, marketing, accounting, and information systems. The work experience requirement is a minimum of two years in a business role.
UMD Business Key Takeaway
In this program, you can learn all the hands-on and technological skills you need to thrive in a business job.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Degree Levels: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree
Graduation Rate: 75.6 percent
The University of Massachusetts offers both Bachelor’s Degrees and Master’s Degrees in Business. The undergraduate program has five unique majors: management, finance, marketing, operations, and information management and accounting. For the MBA program, you need to have a good GMAT score and a bachelor’s degree.
UMass Business Key Takeaway
If you want to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, this school is one of the best online options out there.
Types of Online Degrees in Business
Through an online school, you can get both undergraduate and graduate degrees in business. You can even opt for certificate programs if that’s the path you prefer. Read below to learn more about the differences between these options.
Online Business Undergraduate Degrees
Associate Degree in Business
This is a two-year degree that gives you the technical and academic knowledge you need for a business career. Earning your associate degree before your bachelor’s degree might make your studies easier. You only need a high school diploma to apply for this degree. However, you will only be able to get entry-level positions once you graduate.
Bachelor's Degree in Business
You can get your business bachelor’s degree in four years. The two most popular options are Bachelor of Art in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The minimum requirement is a high school diploma. If you already have an associate degree, you can fast-track your bachelor’s as long as your credits transfer.
Online Business Graduate Degrees
Master's Degree in Business
A Master of Business Administration, also known as an MBA, runs for 12 to 24 months. You can also opt for a Master of Science in Business if you want to learn more about the technical side. You will need to complete your bachelor’s degree before applying for a business master’s degree. However, your bachelor’s doesn’t have to be related to business.
Doctorate in Business
If you want to get the highest level of education possible, you should get a PhD. The two common doctorates in business are a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and a PhD in Business. The time to complete a PhD varies by person, so speak to your advisor. Before you apply, you should have both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.
What Can You Do With a Business Degree?
With a business degree, you can work at many different kinds of corporations. You can also become an entrepreneur, although working with a company first will help you gain the experience you need. You can fill many different types of job roles with your degree.
Business Associate Degree
Average Salary: $52,309
Top Careers: Executive Assistant, Office Account Manager, Accountant
An Associate Degree in Business is for anyone who wants to dive into business but doesn’t have the time or resources for a bachelor’s degree. A business degree is more valuable than many other associate degrees. You could work as an accountant, sales manager, or human resource specialist.
Business Bachelor’s Degree
Average Salary: $58,623
Top Careers: Financial Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Business Consultant
You should go for a bachelor’s degree if you want to get the best entry-level business jobs. You will have the foundations of business administration, and you will be able to specialize your studies based on your interests. You can work as an actuary, business reporter, business manager, and more.
Business Master’s Degree
Average Salary: $75,227
Top Careers: Financial Manager, Chief Technology Officer, Investment Fund Manager
An MBA is perfect for you if you want to move up in the field or work on your skills further. It comes with prestige and usually a salary increase. You can work as an investment banker, marketing manager, or a human resources manager. This depends on your specialization.
Business Doctorate
Average Salary: $102,319
Top Careers: Professor, Economist, Market Research Analyst
This option is primarily for people who want to complete research in the area of business. However, anyone with a bachelor’s and master’s degree is free to apply for a PhD. A doctoral degree can help you stand out in the field and earn some of the highest salaries in business.
The Best Business Careers: How Much Can You Earn With a Degree in Business?
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VP of Finance | Master’s Degree | $192,666 |
| CEO | Master’s Degree | $148,709 |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Master’s Degree | $142,619 |
| Corporate Controller | Master’s Degree | $93,108 |
| Finance Director | Master’s Degree | $88,527 |
| Management Consultant | Bachelor’s Degree | $87,745 |
| Portfolio Manager | Master’s Degree | $80,252 |
| Business Teacher | Bachelor’s Degree | $48,034 |
| Administrative Assistant | Associate Degree | $37,849 |
| Customer Service Associate | Associate Degree | $32,814 |
Does It Matter What College I Go to for a Business Degree?
Yes, the college you attend matters to most employers. In some cases, your education is the first thing an employer sees on your resume. An employer is more likely to give you an interview if they are impressed with your education. Make sure the online college you choose is reputable and accredited, and you can get a good job in business.
