Online Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (BSBA) - Best of 2024

Get Matched With Business Administration Programs

A bachelor’s of any kind is the most common degree type earned by students all over the country. This is likely to remain true even as online education becomes more common. As most management positions (project management, operations management, or another type) require a higher level of education in general, an online or on-campus bachelor's in business administration provides an excellent entry into management. You'll be prepared to jump right into an assistant or general business manager position and ready to start taking online or weekend courses toward a master's degree with a concentration of your choice. You might even be able to start a new position with a bachelor's in business administration degree, and then have your employer cover part or all of the cost of your master's degree in order to increase your usefulness to the company. This is a great way of earning certifications and credentials.

It's not just those looking to earn a master's with a concentration who can focus the curriculum of their business degree. Those earning an online bachelor's degree in a business administration program could also choose to earn a minor or take extra courses in a niche within the field to deepen their professional knowledge when they graduate, including:

Business Analysis
Economics
Strategic Decision Making
Business Communication
Project Management
Business and Financial Operations Management
International Business
Human Resources Management
Managerial Accounting
Organizational Behavior
Business Statistics

PROS

Business administration programs support a part of the field of business that’s in high demand, one in which you have a variety of avenues on which to focus. Even at the bachelor’s level, your business degree will give you the opportunity for excellent annual earnings.

If you choose to focus on business, a bachelor’s in business administration program allows you to benefit from your knowledge and understanding of this field. You’ll be able to accept employment in a non-profit organization, work with federal tax law, or begin working in management.

The diversity of a BSBA allows you to benefit from a variety of career opportunities. Your business administration education gives you the tools and knowledge to work for an employer or start your own business. You’ll also learn skills that will take you into other positions. These include leadership and entrepreneurial skills. You’ll be able to use what you learned in your BSBA to help get you into MBA or master's in business administration programs, no matter what kind of program you attended: traditional, online, or hybrid (with both online and in-person courses).

If you choose, you can work in a field related to business administration. If the right opportunity develops, you may work in research and development, marketing, human resources, business statistics, international business, public relations, operations management, business communication and decision making, or you could even start your own business depending on what curriculum or concentration you choose.

CONS

Six years in college, more or less, is a lot of time learning about a new career. While you will have many more options with a more-advanced degree, does this come with drawbacks? I certainly can, depending on your goals.

First, if you’re happy at your current level, why return to school for another two years? It means you’re going to acquire a much larger amount of student loan debt—something you may not wish to do. Next, you may not want to take on the headaches of middle or senior management. These are business management levels for which you would need a master’s degree or higher.

If you have a family and a full-time job, then returning to school for your MBA means that you are going to be spending many hours away from your family, and your desk at work, especially if you choose to attend classes on-campus. Even online business administration programs require that students spend long hours singed into their school's online pootal, watching seminars, engaging on forums, and more. The effort required to earn your MBA may be challenging, verging on difficult.

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Top 25 Best Online Bachelor's in Business Administration Programs

Charter Oak State College

Score: 85.83

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,506
- Out-of-State: $8,506
Net Price: $10,191
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 100%
Total Enrollment: 1,602
Undergrad Students: 1,501
Graduate Students: 101
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

San Diego State University

Score: 81.57

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State: $20,170
Net Price: $13,017
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 37,402
Undergrad Students: 32,194
Graduate Students: 5,208
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 78.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State: $18,953
Net Price: $7,925
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 40,386
Undergrad Students: 35,432
Graduate Students: 4,954
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Score: 78.12

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

University of Florida-Online

Score: 77.2

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,876
- Out-of-State: $16,579
Net Price: $10,791
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 92%

Graduation Rate: 79%
Total Enrollment: 5,356
Undergrad Students: 5,356
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 54:1

Auburn University

Score: 75.29

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

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 75.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,570
- Out-of-State: $35,396
Net Price: $17,240
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 17,153
Undergrad Students: 12,389
Graduate Students: 4,764
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Illinois Chicago

Score: 74.58

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,338
- Out-of-State: $29,360
Net Price: $10,384
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 33,747
Undergrad Students: 21,807
Graduate Students: 11,940
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Florida International University

Score: 74.39

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

Regis University

Score: 73.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,980
- Out-of-State: $43,980
Net Price: $26,377
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 4,668
Undergrad Students: 2,398
Graduate Students: 2,270
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

University of Arizona

Score: 73.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State: $41,095
Net Price: $17,075
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 49,403
Undergrad Students: 38,751
Graduate Students: 10,652
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Oregon State University

Score: 72.76

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,494
- Out-of-State: $35,664
Net Price: $21,163
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 87%

Graduation Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 34,292
Undergrad Students: 28,905
Graduate Students: 5,387
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Arizona State University

Score: 72.59

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

Rutgers University-Camden

Score: 72.35

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,079
- Out-of-State: $35,841
Net Price: $14,151
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 5,966
Undergrad Students: 4,185
Graduate Students: 1,781
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Fresno Pacific University

Score: 72.08

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,558
- Out-of-State: $35,558
Net Price: $15,255
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 3,032
Undergrad Students: 1,744
Graduate Students: 1,288
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 72.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,130
- Out-of-State: $34,338
Net Price: $19,889
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 31,304
Undergrad Students: 23,745
Graduate Students: 7,559
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of La Verne

Score: 71.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,000
- Out-of-State: $47,000
Net Price: $25,103
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 5,662
Undergrad Students: 3,365
Graduate Students: 2,297
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 71.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,896
- Out-of-State: $33,751
Net Price: $16,926
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 33,403
Undergrad Students: 25,777
Graduate Students: 7,626
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Lewis University

Score: 71.61

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,882
- Out-of-State: $37,882
Net Price: $19,184
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 6,513
Undergrad Students: 3,933
Graduate Students: 2,580
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Score: 71.58

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,026
- Out-of-State: $22,626
Net Price: $13,025
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 11,306
Undergrad Students: 7,383
Graduate Students: 3,923
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

American Public University System

Score: 71.28

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State: $8,400
Net Price: $11,172
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 48,668
Undergrad Students: 39,206
Graduate Students: 9,462
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Temple University

Score: 71.16

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

Florida Atlantic University

Score: 70.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,879
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $9,711
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 29,592
Undergrad Students: 24,191
Graduate Students: 5,401
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Score: 70.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,834
- Out-of-State: $42,834
Net Price: $29,625
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 1,478
Undergrad Students: 990
Graduate Students: 488
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Score: 70.45

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,166
- Out-of-State: $27,166
Net Price: $26,757
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 9,959
Undergrad Students: 5,809
Graduate Students: 4,150
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Online Business Administration Certificate vs. Bachelor's

You have a choice of whether to earn a certificate or degree for your bachelor of business administration. Why not earn both? A certificate could add another two semesters to your time in school, but will enhance your breadth of knowledge in business. It can also be designed as a stand-alone if you want to expand your understanding in one particular area of business.

Choosing a major in business, you will embark on a full educational experience with general education, core, and elective classes. This option equips you fully for your career.

What Types of Degrees are Available?

You have a few online degree options from which to choose before you enroll in a university. You aren’t limited to those titled “Bachelor’s of Business Administration” (BBA). However, if the degree you choose has a different name, read through its descriptions to make sure that it gives you the same outcome. This is important for all types of programs, whether they are available online or on-campus, not just a business administration program.

Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program — This degree is very similar to the BBA and it will also prepare you to work in a business environment. You’ll learn to develop and use critical thinking skills, all about business functions, group behavior, communications, and it will help you become an effective business leader. Business professionals can get everything they need from this type of business administration program.

Online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree — Here, you’ll focus on accounting, business administration, finance, entrepreneurship, healthcare management, international business, human resource management, marketing, management, advertising, public relations, or sports management.

Online Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business (BBA-GB)—In this online business administration degree, you’ll learn everything you need, picking up the business tools that will help business professionals of all kinds get started in their careers. Even better, you’ll get a head start on your online MBA.

Online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)—This business credential gives you a healthy foundation in the business skills you need to begin your career. You will learn the basics of managing and operating a business, as well as everything successful business professionals need to know about international business, business strategy, operations management, financial and managerial accounting, financial management, supply chian management, human resource management, project management, critical thinking skills, etc.

Search Programs Offering Business Administration Majors

Admission Requirements into an Online Business Administration Program

You’ll learn about the admission requirements of each business administration degree you consider as you work through applications to the schools that interest you. Pay careful attention—if you miss a step, you risk being rejected for admission even if you meet all their requirements. In order to start your upper division undergraduate degree, you first need to have completed your business administration associate's.

Though requirements for an in-person or online business administration degree or business management degree can differ from school to school, there are standards that tend to exist across the country, even for online programs. You’ll likely have to take and pass your ACT and/or SAT exams and earn a certain score for admission. At one school, you’ll need to have an SAT reasoning score of 1230, an ACT composite score of 25, an overall and unweighted high school GPA of 3.6, and a high school class ranking within the top 8%. If you are currently in college, try to meet several minimum qualifications to get into a bachelor of science in business administration program. Online and community colleges tend to have fewer hurdles to jump when you apply than business schools, but you must make sure that any school you apply to has accreditation. This is especially important in online education as many business administration students find it more difficult to complete an online business administration degree .

How long does it take to earn an online Business Administration Bachelor's?

One university offering an online bachelor of science in business administration estimates that most students will complete their programs in three years. These students take two consecutive 8-week courses per semester, for a total of 6 credit hours.

The majority of online business administration bachelor’s degrees are considered earnable within a time frame of around 4 years. However, the recent trend in graduation is toward a longer period of time, more like 6 years. Even the government uses 6 years as the standard for “on time” graduation. If you take credits on a full-time basis and do not skip any semesters, it should be possible for you to complete the degree in 4 years. If you need to take time off or go to school part-time in order to work or care for family, then it may take you 6 or more years to complete your schooling.

Careers for Business Administration Graduates

Sales managers are responsible for managing the sales of their team within the company. it is up to them to ensure revenue comes in. They set sales goals, create sales training programs and analyze sales data. The sales manager also has to project future sales and determine the profitability of products and services for which they are responsible.
Annual median salary: $61,300
Financial Analysts’ work focuses completely on data—financial models, earnings releases, and financial recommendations. They know about every aspect of a particular business sector or industry so they can create and deliver presentations regarding investment options. They may either be sell-side analysts or buy-side analysts (working for mutual fund or pension fund companies).
Annual median salary: $61,400
Business Consultants or managerial consultants assist client companies to develop and propose methods of improving their business’ efficiency. The entire role is to consult with managers and provide advice on helping their companies become more profitable, reducing costs, and making more revenue. They organize information about an identified problem and devise an improvement procedure.
Annual median salary: $74,500
Market Research Analysts assist companies in developing an understanding of their customers, what products their customers want, and how to best promote those products. To complete their work, they design surveys, then train and supervise interviewers who will give the surveys. They analyze the research and give the results to the management of the company. While these professionals don’t develop marketing campaigns, they enable clients to learn what they need to know so they can build such campaigns.
Annual median salary: $54,400
Human Resources (HR) Specialists focus primarily on the hiring of new employees. They recruit for, screen, interview, and hire new employees. If they are trained in all HR functions, they will take responsibility for other activities. These include compensation and benefits, employee relations, and training. They may also process payroll and administer employee benefits.
Annual median salary: $51,500

Options to Advance

After earning your BBA and working for some time in your chosen field, you may want to move up into management or an executive position. In order to do so, it would be best to go back to school and earn your MBA or a masters in business administration. Ideally, you should be at a business school for no more than two years.

If you are working as an accountant after earning your bachelor of science in business administration, then earning your master’s in accounting may be the next natural step. You’ll solidify your managerial accounting and financial knowledge; learn new, strategic-level skills that allow you to adapt and encounter advanced concepts in accounting.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” While you may hear this in a job interview, it is a valid question if you plan to advance into a leadership or executive role. You may choose to move into the C-suite or begin working as a corporate advisor. For all of these, you need an MBA so you can decide where you want to be in five years. Ask yourself where you want to be in X years so you can plan accordingly. Check out below some of the best online business degree programs that help students achieve their online learning goals facing the futures new business challenges. Some of the skills business administration degree graduates need to acquire include: communication skills, management skills, project management, financial management, management principles, best business practices and conflict management are some of the fundamental skills that will be required for future business administration professionals make great business decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a bachelor’s in business management or administration difficult?

The answer to this question may depend on your particular skill set. However, it is generally understandable that these degrees are somewhat difficult, if easier in fact than a high-level STEM degree, such as engineering or physics. You are unlikely to take the highest level mathematics courses in these types of programs, but your focus will also not be on easier classes, such as those in the humanities. That is why many consider business degrees to be of mid-level difficulty, though those with skills in managing people and good interpersonal skills may have an easier time overall.

Is a business administration degree worth it at the undergraduate level?

This is one of the most in-demand majors because of the access it gives to a variety of business roles, including higher-level and supervisory roles. And, because those roles pay better than entry-level ones, this is definitely a degree that you are likely to find worth it in the long run. This is both in terms of career path options and your return on investment (ROI) for your educational costs.

Does business administration require a lot of math?

Math is definitely part of most business degrees, including those in business administration. Because you’ll need to be able to understand business analytics and financial management in higher-level business roles, you are likely to take many math classes during a business administration program. These might include statistics and business analysis and will nearly certainly include calculus. So, there are plenty of math classes you are going to need to pass in order to earn this degree, but they are definitely going to be worth it in the long run if you really want to work in a high-level business position.

Best Online Bachelors in Business Administration Degrees for 2024