University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights affordable programs for supply chain management.
As proven with the recent pandemic, the supply chain is a critical component to making the lives of billions operate more smoothly each and every day. When it is disrupted, catastrophes can follow, and you might see anything from toilet paper shortages to rising food prices.
The supply chain, in general, can be defined as the sourcing, procurement, and specific coordination of goods and materials. In some instances, manufacturing, marketing, sales, advertising, and more can be a part of the supply chain process. Much of the time, various aspects of the supply chain are outsourced to other businesses. The entire supply chain begins at the design stage and ends once a product is disposed of.
The supply chain has been in existence since humans began exchanging products and services with each other thousands of centuries ago. Today, the more modern supply chain career can take on any number of specialized areas such as customer service, distribution, efficiency enhancement, financial forecasting, inventory, logistics, packaging, production, purchasing, quality control, transportation and shipping, warehousing, and more.
Featured Online Supply Chain Management Programs
Top 50 Affordable Supply Chain Management Colleges and Universities
Georgia Institute of Technology
Score: 90.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,764
- Out-of-State:$32,876
- Net Price: $17,402
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 45,296
- Undergrad Students: 18,415
- Graduate Students: 26,881
- Grads Salary: $95,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Washington University in St. Louis
Score: 86.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,982
- Out-of-State:$62,982
- Net Price: $23,432
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 17,012
- Undergrad Students: 8,132
- Graduate Students: 8,880
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of Southern California
Score: 84.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State:$68,237
- Net Price: $36,808
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 48,945
- Undergrad Students: 20,699
- Graduate Students: 28,246
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Lehigh University
Score: 84.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,180
- Out-of-State:$62,180
- Net Price: $30,453
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 7,394
- Undergrad Students: 5,624
- Graduate Students: 1,770
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
The University of Texas at Austin
Score: 83.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,678
- Out-of-State:$42,778
- Net Price: $17,434
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 52,384
- Undergrad Students: 41,309
- Graduate Students: 11,075
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Maryland
Score: 83.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,505
- Out-of-State:$40,306
- Net Price: $16,210
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 40,792
- Undergrad Students: 30,353
- Graduate Students: 10,439
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Boston University
Score: 83.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $65,168
- Out-of-State:$65,168
- Net Price: $27,829
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 36,714
- Undergrad Students: 18,459
- Graduate Students: 18,255
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Binghamton University
Score: 83.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,363
- Out-of-State:$29,453
- Net Price: $19,535
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 18,312
- Undergrad Students: 14,402
- Graduate Students: 3,910
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Purdue University
Score: 82.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State:$28,794
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Score: 82.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,004
- Out-of-State:$34,501
- Net Price: $14,544
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 56,916
- Undergrad Students: 35,120
- Graduate Students: 21,796
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Score: 82.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,895
- Out-of-State:$31,767
- Net Price: $14,852
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 36,700
- Undergrad Students: 26,254
- Graduate Students: 10,446
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Score: 79.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,239
- Out-of-State:$36,001
- Net Price: $17,535
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 50,637
- Undergrad Students: 36,344
- Graduate Students: 14,293
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Brigham Young University
Score: 79.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,496
- Out-of-State:$6,496
- Net Price: $13,521
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 34,464
- Undergrad Students: 31,411
- Graduate Students: 3,053
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Score: 79.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $61,884
- Out-of-State:$61,884
- Net Price: $39,127
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 6,968
- Undergrad Students: 5,902
- Graduate Students: 1,066
- Grads Salary: $97,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Ohio State University
Score: 79.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,859
- Out-of-State:$38,365
- Net Price: $19,582
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 60,540
- Undergrad Students: 46,123
- Graduate Students: 14,417
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
California State University-Long Beach
Score: 78.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,008
- Out-of-State:$18,888
- Net Price: $9,346
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 38,973
- Undergrad Students: 32,931
- Graduate Students: 6,042
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Texas A&M University-College Station
Score: 78.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,099
- Out-of-State:$40,328
- Net Price: $20,375
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 74,014
- Undergrad Students: 57,512
- Graduate Students: 16,502
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
San Jose State University
Score: 78.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$19,872
- Net Price: $14,219
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 35,751
- Undergrad Students: 26,863
- Graduate Students: 8,888
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh
Score: 77.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,524
- Out-of-State:$39,890
- Net Price: $24,286
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 33,767
- Undergrad Students: 24,420
- Graduate Students: 9,347
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Score: 77.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,357
- Out-of-State:$39,293
- Net Price: $22,291
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 32,229
- Undergrad Students: 24,391
- Graduate Students: 7,838
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
The Pennsylvania State University
Score: 77.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,234
- Out-of-State:$40,188
- Net Price: $26,747
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 50,028
- Undergrad Students: 41,745
- Graduate Students: 8,283
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of St. Francis
Score: 76.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,000
- Out-of-State:$37,000
- Net Price: $18,560
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,297
- Undergrad Students: 1,414
- Graduate Students: 1,883
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of San Diego
Score: 75.93
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,444
- Out-of-State:$56,444
- Net Price: $36,008
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 8,815
- Undergrad Students: 5,669
- Graduate Students: 3,146
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Kettering University
Score: 75.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,380
- Out-of-State:$46,380
- Net Price: $34,486
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 1,769
- Undergrad Students: 1,422
- Graduate Students: 347
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Michigan State University
Score: 74.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,988
- Out-of-State:$43,372
- Net Price: $22,803
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 50,023
- Undergrad Students: 39,201
- Graduate Students: 10,822
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Auburn University
Score: 74.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,536
- Out-of-State:$33,944
- Net Price: $25,271
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 31,764
- Undergrad Students: 25,379
- Graduate Students: 6,385
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Rutgers University-Newark
Score: 74.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,586
- Out-of-State:$35,348
- Net Price: $16,578
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 11,017
- Undergrad Students: 7,511
- Graduate Students: 3,506
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Florida A&M University
Score: 74.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,785
- Out-of-State:$17,725
- Net Price: $11,583
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 9,215
- Undergrad Students: 7,709
- Graduate Students: 1,506
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University at Buffalo
Score: 74.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,782
- Out-of-State:$30,572
- Net Price: $18,524
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 32,099
- Undergrad Students: 20,761
- Graduate Students: 11,338
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
SUNY Maritime College
Score: 74.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,540
- Out-of-State:$18,450
- Net Price: $19,712
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 1,427
- Undergrad Students: 1,295
- Graduate Students: 132
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Clarkson University
Score: 73.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $57,950
- Out-of-State:$57,950
- Net Price: $32,450
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 3,719
- Undergrad Students: 2,668
- Graduate Students: 1,051
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Score: 73.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,944
- Out-of-State:$31,360
- Net Price: $12,444
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 8,223
- Undergrad Students: 6,116
- Graduate Students: 2,107
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Marquette University
Score: 73.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $48,700
- Out-of-State:$48,700
- Net Price: $33,136
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 11,167
- Undergrad Students: 7,528
- Graduate Students: 3,639
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Bryant University
Score: 73.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $51,169
- Out-of-State:$51,169
- Net Price: $40,361
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 3,536
- Undergrad Students: 3,204
- Graduate Students: 332
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Bradley University
Score: 73.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,680
- Out-of-State:$39,680
- Net Price: $24,053
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 5,552
- Undergrad Students: 4,143
- Graduate Students: 1,409
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Texas A&M International University
Score: 73.42
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,846
- Out-of-State:$19,382
- Net Price: $5,383
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 8,505
- Undergrad Students: 6,979
- Graduate Students: 1,526
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Tuskegee University
Score: 73.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,440
- Out-of-State:$23,440
- Net Price: $35,596
- Acceptance Rate: 30%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 2,570
- Undergrad Students: 2,100
- Graduate Students: 470
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Syracuse University
Score: 73.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,061
- Out-of-State:$63,061
- Net Price: $43,651
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 22,698
- Undergrad Students: 15,421
- Graduate Students: 7,277
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Florida International University
Score: 72.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State:$18,963
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Iowa State University
Score: 72.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,497
- Out-of-State:$27,683
- Net Price: $15,310
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 29,969
- Undergrad Students: 25,241
- Graduate Students: 4,728
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Howard University
Score: 72.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,344
- Out-of-State:$33,344
- Net Price: $28,279
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 12,886
- Undergrad Students: 9,809
- Graduate Students: 3,077
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Score: 72.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,770
- Out-of-State:$24,662
- Net Price: $18,588
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 9,237
- Undergrad Students: 7,169
- Graduate Students: 2,068
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Pacific Lutheran University
Score: 72.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $50,964
- Out-of-State:$50,964
- Net Price: $24,825
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 2,633
- Undergrad Students: 2,301
- Graduate Students: 332
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Colorado Boulder
Score: 72.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,430
- Out-of-State:$41,943
- Net Price: $21,836
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 39,585
- Undergrad Students: 31,034
- Graduate Students: 8,551
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Saint Louis University
Score: 72.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,244
- Out-of-State:$53,244
- Net Price: $29,651
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Total Enrollment: 15,755
- Undergrad Students: 10,662
- Graduate Students: 5,093
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
University of Rhode Island
Score: 72.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,408
- Out-of-State:$35,804
- Net Price: $20,695
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 17,473
- Undergrad Students: 14,768
- Graduate Students: 2,705
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Drexel University
Score: 71.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,663
- Out-of-State:$60,663
- Net Price: $39,267
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 22,344
- Undergrad Students: 14,021
- Graduate Students: 8,323
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Arizona State University
Score: 71.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Temple University
Score: 71.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,082
- Out-of-State:$37,462
- Net Price: $23,935
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 33,196
- Undergrad Students: 24,106
- Graduate Students: 9,090
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of Houston
Score: 71.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,711
- Out-of-State:$22,191
- Net Price: $14,056
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 46,700
- Undergrad Students: 37,943
- Graduate Students: 8,757
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Why a Degree from an Affordable Supply Chain Management School?
Affordable supply chain management schools offer more career and education opportunities. Many reputable programs cost less than $10,000 a year, allowing you to save money for further education or certifications to advance your career.
Savings from a more affordable education help minimize debt after graduation, leading to a better quality of life. These savings can be used for a home, travel, or other life goals. Additionally, applying for grants, scholarships, and student loans can further reduce costs, making a degree more manageable, whether tuition is $40,000 or $10,000 a year.
Find Your Online Supply Chain Management Program
More benefits of affordable supply chain management degrees come in the form of flexibility. Often, less expensive degrees can be more accommodating to students as the schools have a better grasp on the needs of students with limited financial resources. These supply chain management programs can offer a more equal and equitable learning platform to reach everyone rather than a select few. Such higher learning institutions typically offer an online supply chain management degree as well as hybrid and in-person classroom opportunities.
Choosing an SCM College
While price is important, it shouldn't be the only factor when choosing an affordable supply chain management college. Ensure the school is regionally accredited, which guarantees a higher educational standard. Employers often look for regional accreditation to assess education quality. Programmatic accreditation for the supply chain management program is beneficial but not essential.
For affordable quality education, consider in-state public colleges and universities. Out-of-state or private schools often cost significantly more. To save further, start at a community college for basic courses, then transfer to a four-year institution.
You can also consider online supply chain management degrees, as competition among institutions has led to incentives and competitive rates. Many schools offer in-state tuition or lower costs for online programs, though some charge more, making them less accessible. Be mindful of pricing differences when exploring online options.
Online Options
Most supply chain management careers involve using software, applications, phone calls, and video conferencing, making online degrees a great fit. Professionals often collaborate with people across the US and globally, so excelling without in-person meetings is a valuable skill for future leaders.
Many supply chain management students take online courses while working entry-level roles in the field. An affordable associate degree can secure a labor-intensive, hands-on position, providing valuable insight into the supply chain process. Many then pursue an affordable online bachelor’s degree while gaining experience. A four-year degree is typically required for office-based and management roles, which also demand experience. Those who work while completing their degree often advance faster. If finding a job while studying is challenging, utilize the college or university’s career center for help with part-time work, internships, or full-time opportunities after graduation.
Are These Programs in High Demand?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a growth rate of19% within the supply chain management field through 2033, a much higher estimate than the had only a few years ago. Growth within supply chain and logistics careers are increasing quickly after the world learned what happens when supply chains slow to a crawl. While there is a reduced need for direct human processing, there is an increased need for strategy and relationship building.
Logistics careers have seen significant growth in recent years due to the increasing demand for efficient supply chain management driven by global trade, e-commerce expansion, and advancements in technology. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of seamless logistics, as companies worked to adapt to disruptions and meet consumer expectations for fast, reliable delivery. This surge in demand has created opportunities for skilled professionals to optimize operations, manage resources, and implement innovative solutions across industries.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Supply Chain Management?
A supply chain management degree opens up diverse career opportunities with transferable skills across industries. Major employers include manufacturing companies, the federal government, professional organizations, management firms, and wholesale trade businesses.
Supply chain management graduates are sought by a variety of employers beyond commercial and industrial businesses. The government employs these professionals for tasks like relocating personnel, military logistics, and material procurement. Non-profits rely on supply chain experts to manage shipments, such as delivering supplies to medical volunteers abroad. Other employers include auto manufacturers, big-box retailers, consumer goods companies, electronics firms, food and beverage distributors, pharmaceutical labs, utility companies, and freight organizations.
Supply chain management roles vary widely based on degree level and specialization. You might start as a floor associate and progress to an analyst, manager, or executive. Some roles focus on numbers, while others involve interacting with consumers, clients, or vendors. With diverse options, there's a path to suit various interests and preferences.
Graduates Earn More After College
It’s possible to find work in the supply chain field without a degree; however, even as little as an associate degree can double one’s salary potential. For example, a forklift driver does not require a degree, and it pays over $25,000 a year. With an associate degree in supply chain management, individuals could earn around $52,000 a year.
Most supply chain management careers will require a bachelor’s degree. The median salary in 2023 for such careers was $79,400. The salary range of all supply chain management jobs is between $48,000 and $128,000, according to the BLS. Everyone’s salary will vary based on a number of factors such as the location of the job, the size of the employer, any direct reports, and more. The number of years of experience one has, and the level of education completed, will also play a role.
An easy way to increase salary potential is to always be learning, such as to complete certifications when possible, learn new skills at every turn, and cross-train throughout the organization. It’s also a good idea to network both internally and externally and join professional organizations. This is a great way to hear of new roles before others.
FAQs
- What will you study in a program focused on a supply chain management degree?
While each supply chain management degree will differ by degree level and higher learning institution, a number of subjects will remain constant such as research and analysis, international business, procurement, supplier relations, management information systems, transportation and distribution, supply chain risk, compliance, inventory management, and others. -
What professional organizations can I join while a student in a supply chain management degree?
Many supply chain management professional organizations offer student memberships for free or at a discounted rate.The following are just a few examples of some of the most popular and well-respected:
- CSCMP - Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
- ASCM - Association for Supply Chain Management
- SCMA - Supply Chain Management Association
- ISM - Institute for Supply Management
- What are the admission requirements for a master’s in supply chain management degree?
Supply chain management graduate degree programs may or may not require a graduate degree exam, such as a GRE or GMAT. Programs are increasingly moving away from entrance exam requirements and more toward a weighted scale system based on a number of factors, such as grades and work experience, to provide a more equal and equitable opportunity for all. - Are logistics and supply chain management the same thing?
Logistics and supply chain management are not the same. Logistics refers to the movement of the right raw materials or finished goods in the right way in the right condition with the right quantity to the right place at the right time. Supply chain management is a much broader term that also incorporates purchasing, packaging, procurement, inventory, and many others. - Will certification help my supply chain management career?
SCM Certifications will be helpful with pay increases, skill development, and career advancement, particularly if someone does not wish to complete a master’s degree. Given the fact this is now a highly competitive field with limited growth potential, certifications can only provide a career advantage when it comes time to look for new employment opportunities in supply chain management.
Sources:
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_of_Applied_Science_(AAS)%2C_Supply_Chain_Management/Salary
- https://www.ascm.org/globalassets/documents--files/salary-survey/2020-salary-report.pdf
- https://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/good-question/
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm
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