A complex global economy drives the need for business leaders who can navigate a fast-changing economic landscape. Students interested in learning how to effectively run an organization should consider pursuing an online business management degree. Business management programs may offer specializations in areas including finance, accounting, sales and marketing, and nonprofit management.
Graduates with a bachelor’s in business management degree can work in diverse areas, such as business and financial operations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for business and financial operations professionals to grow 5% between 2019-2029.
This guide ranks the best online bachelor’s in business management degrees. It also covers other important information for prospective students, such as professional organizations and scholarship opportunities for business management students.
FAQ
Is business management a good degree?
A business management degree offers career flexibility, above-average salary potential, and many job prospects. It also provides the foundation necessary to earn an MBA or other graduate degree.
What kinds of jobs can you get with a business management degree?
Business management skills easily transfer to various occupations in diverse sectors. Graduates can work in jobs such as business manager, healthcare manager, or information systems manager. They can also work as entrepreneurs.
What skills do you need for business management?
Business management professionals need effective financial management, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Are business management degrees in demand?
The BLS projects business and financial operations occupations to grow 5% between 2019-2029, slightly higher than the national average for all occupations.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Management Degrees 2021
See our rankings methodology page.
What Are the Goals of a Business Management Degree?
A bachelor’s in business management degree provides students with a well-rounded business education that covers key operational areas within an organization. Enrollees learn how to help achieve an organization’s goals with the effective deployment of resources, staff, and technology. Learners study topics like financial management, marketing, accounting, business strategy, and business law and ethics.
The degree may focus entirely on the major or offer a concentration. While business management qualifies as a specialization under the business umbrella, some online business management degrees offer specializations in areas such as marketing, finance, and human resource management. If the school does not offer concentrations or specializations, students can potentially use elective credits to explore a particular area of interest.
Why Get a Business Management Degree?
A bachelor’s degree in business management offers many benefits, several of which we highlight below.
Diverse Career Paths
Business management provides foundational training for diverse career paths. In addition to roles in business, finance, and sales and marketing management, graduates can pursue roles in nonprofit, healthcare, and project management.
Well-paying Jobs
The BLS data show that the median annual wage for business and financial occupations stands at $69,820, which is much higher than the national median for all occupations.
Leadership Skills
Business management programs give students the leadership skills they need to build relationships for organizational success. Students also learn how to develop policies and effectively use resources to help shape an organization.
Real-World Experience
Many online business management degrees provide internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
Entrepreneurship
Many business graduates choose to build their own business. Students in business management programs learn how to develop a business plan, source funding, and get their business up and running.
What Are the Requirements for a Business Management Degree?
Students typically complete a bachelor’s program in four years of full-time study. Most programs require at least 120 credits, including major and general education courses.
Major courses typically cover topics such as operations management, finance, marketing, and management information systems. Some programs may also require students to complete internships, capstone projects, or a portfolio of their achievements in the final year.
Admission requirements for online bachelor’s in business management degrees vary by school. Most schools require a high school diploma or equivalent, transcripts, and SAT or ACT scores. Many schools also require recommendation letters.
What is Accreditation and Why Does it Matter?
Professional Organizations for Business Management Students
Professional organizations provide students with benefits like professional development opportunities, networking events, job postings, publications, and industry-specific certification courses. The following list outlines four organizations for students pursuing online business management degrees.
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[resource-list-item link="http://www.amanet.org/" target="_blank" title="American Management Association" content="AMA is the largest organization specializing in management development and educational services. The organization offers students a free one-year online membership that includes access to industry experts, management articles, job readiness webcasts, and free lessons from the AMA OnDemand Library."]
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[resource-list-item link="https://www.betagammasigma.org/about/what-is-bgs" target="_blank" title="Beta Gamma Sigma" content="An international honor society for business students, BGS offers a global leadership summit that allows students to network and engage in hands-on leadership experiences. Membership benefits also include internship opportunities, scholarships for graduate school, and discounts on products and services."]
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[resource-list-item link="https://www.fbla-pbl.org/" target="_blank" title="Future Business Leaders of America" content="The largest student business organization in the world, FBLA hosts high school and college chapters. Students can access leadership development opportunities, academic competitions, awards programs, and exclusive discounts. FBLA's comprehensive business exam certifies students' general business knowledge at the undergraduate level."]
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[resource-list-item link="https://www.deca.org/" target="_blank" title="DECA" content="DECA prepares the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs in areas such as management, finance, and marketing. DECA offers chapters at high schools and colleges nationwide. Members gain access to a digital magazine, an online community, and scholarship funding."]
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Scholarships for Business Management Students
Schools, private companies, and nonprofits offer scholarships to help students offset the cost of their degree. Unlike loans, scholarships do not require repayment, making them ideal forms of financial aid. The following list outlines several scholarship opportunities for students earning an online strongachelor’s in strongusiness management.
Coca Cola Scholars Program
Who Can Apply: Coca Cola awards achievement-strongased scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The program values applicants who demonstrate the astrongility to serve and lead in their communities.
Amount: $20,000
UNIGO
Who Can Apply: UNIGO awards this annual scholarship to citizens and residents of the United States. Students must stronge enrolled, or plan to enroll, at an accredited postsecondary institution. Applicants must sustrongmit transcripts and an essay.
Amount: $10,000
NICHE
Who Can Apply: NICHE offers this scholarship to high school and college students. Applicants only need to fill out an online application; they do not need to write an essay to qualify.
Amount: $2,000
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