Online Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (BSBA) - Best of 2023

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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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What are the Best Online Bachelor's in Business Administration (BBA) Programs?

University of Florida

Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State: $28,659
Net Price: $9,809
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 91%

Total Enrollment: 55,781
Undergrad Students: 34,876
Graduate Students: 20,905
Diplomas Awarded: 432
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

San Diego State University

Tuition
- In-State: $8,136
- Out-of-State: $20,016
Net Price: $6,867
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 76%

Total Enrollment: 36,484
Undergrad Students: 31,321
Graduate Students: 5,163
Diplomas Awarded: 1,714
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 26:1

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Tuition
- In-State: $16,439
- Out-of-State: $36,964
Net Price: $17,291
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 84%

Total Enrollment: 32,045
Undergrad Students: 24,231
Graduate Students: 7,814
Diplomas Awarded: 68
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

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California State University-Fullerton

Tuition
- In-State: $6,976
- Out-of-State: $18,856
Net Price: $4,939
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 71%

Total Enrollment: 40,738
Undergrad Students: 35,600
Graduate Students: 5,138
Diplomas Awarded: 2,367
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Tuition
- In-State: $15,698
- Out-of-State: $33,624
Net Price: $13,227
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 69%

Total Enrollment: 17,597
Undergrad Students: 12,884
Graduate Students: 4,713
Diplomas Awarded: 623
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Rutgers University-Camden

Tuition
- In-State: $15,657
- Out-of-State: $32,299
Net Price: $10,104
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 71%

Total Enrollment: 6,569
Undergrad Students: 4,856
Graduate Students: 1,713
Diplomas Awarded: 243
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Drexel University

Tuition
- In-State: $57,136
- Out-of-State: $57,136
Net Price: $26,076
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 78%

Total Enrollment: 23,216
Undergrad Students: 14,413
Graduate Students: 8,803
Diplomas Awarded: 61
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Auburn University

Auburn University is one of Alabama's best academic institutions. Founded in 1856, the institution became the South's first land-grant college in 1872. With 24,600+ undergraduate and 4,700+ graduate students, over 30,000 altogether, Auburn is a large institution. With 14 colleges and schools that each encompass a wide range of degrees and programs, Auburn students never lack for an outlet for curiosity and research. They can also enjoy a 91% retention rate and an excellent 79% graduation rate.

Tuition
- In-State: $11,826
- Out-of-State: $31,986
Net Price: $23,873
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 81%

Total Enrollment: 31,526
Undergrad Students: 24,931
Graduate Students: 6,595
Diplomas Awarded: 302
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

University of Illinois Chicago

Tuition
- In-State: $14,126
- Out-of-State: $28,476
Net Price: $10,725
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 62%

Total Enrollment: 34,199
Undergrad Students: 22,279
Graduate Students: 11,920
Diplomas Awarded: 47
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Florida International University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,398
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 67%

Total Enrollment: 56,664
Undergrad Students: 46,415
Graduate Students: 10,249
Diplomas Awarded: 415
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Regis University

Tuition
- In-State: $39,610
- Out-of-State: $39,610
Net Price: $27,735
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 62%

Total Enrollment: 5,566
Undergrad Students: 2,745
Graduate Students: 2,821
Diplomas Awarded: 103
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

University of La Verne

The University of La Verne, located in the large suburb of La Verne, outside the city of Los Angeles, enrolls around 7,400 students each year. The school is a private, not-for-profit institution that offers its students nearly every level of available degree, from certificates at several levels and bachelor's to master's and doctorates focused on professional practice or research. Students can also choose between 80+ available majors.

Tuition
- In-State: $45,850
- Out-of-State: $45,850
Net Price: $22,538
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 69%

Total Enrollment: 6,201
Undergrad Students: 3,691
Graduate Students: 2,510
Diplomas Awarded: 296
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Tuition
- In-State: $6,275
- Out-of-State: $6,275
Net Price: $8,089
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 96%

Total Enrollment: 2,219
Undergrad Students: 1,774
Graduate Students: 445
Diplomas Awarded: 73
Grads Salary: $54,860
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is a large, public university founded in 1885. It is located in Tempe, Arizona, which is essentially a suburb of Phoenix. The school has an additional three locations throughout the Phoenix metro area and outside of the city including Downtown, West, Polytechnic, and Lake Havasu. ASU has a student body population of over 53,000, almost 45,000 of whom are undergraduates.

Tuition
- In-State: $11,348
- Out-of-State: $29,438
Net Price: $14,934
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 66%

Total Enrollment: 77,881
Undergrad Students: 64,716
Graduate Students: 13,165
Diplomas Awarded: 216
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona’s (UA) academic focus centers around adaptation, inclusion, determination, integrity, compassion, and exploration. Faculty and staff work tirelessly to adapt and upgrade programs, services, and experiences so that students are prepared to enter the real world with relevant and in-demand skill sets. As a University of Arizona student, individuals will become part of the community and work on projects aimed to provide solutions to big challenges, as well as to contribute to making the environment more sustainable.

Tuition
- In-State: $12,736
- Out-of-State: $37,258
Net Price: $17,242
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 64%

Total Enrollment: 48,274
Undergrad Students: 37,434
Graduate Students: 10,840
Diplomas Awarded: 54
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Missouri

Tuition
- In-State: $11,475
- Out-of-State: $30,450
Net Price: $18,249
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 88%
Graduation Rate: 73%

Total Enrollment: 31,401
Undergrad Students: 23,696
Graduate Students: 7,705
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

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Florida Institute of Technology

The Florida Institute of Technology is a small, private, not-for-profit higher learning institution founded in 1958. It is located in Melbourne, Florida, on the Atlantic coast not far from Orlando. Students can not only bask in the sun but enjoy small class sizes and a favorable student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to one. The overall student body consists of just over 6,200 students, including 3,600+ undergraduate students and over 2,600 graduate students.

Tuition
- In-State: $43,246
- Out-of-State: $43,246
Net Price: $32,314
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 66%

Total Enrollment: 7,830
Undergrad Students: 3,491
Graduate Students: 4,339
Diplomas Awarded: 11
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Saint Joseph's University

Tuition
- In-State: $47,940
- Out-of-State: $47,940
Net Price: $33,438
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 83%

Total Enrollment: 6,464
Undergrad Students: 4,196
Graduate Students: 2,268
Diplomas Awarded: 28
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Oregon State University

Oregon State University (OSU) is a large, public university founded in 1856. The school is located in Corvallis, Oregon, which is not far from Eugene to the South and Portland to the North. The picturesque campus is surrounded by stunning nature, and it’s a relatively short drive to the beach and ocean. The small size of the city allows for students to engage and interact in an inclusive community with unique opportunities. The student population is over 31,000 with roughly 26,000 undergraduates. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees, certificates, master’s degrees, research and scholarship PhDs, professional practice PhDs, and other educational opportunities.

Tuition
- In-State: $12,188
- Out-of-State: $31,579
Net Price: $20,318
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 68%

Total Enrollment: 33,193
Undergrad Students: 27,564
Graduate Students: 5,629
Diplomas Awarded: 361
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private, not-for-profit institution, with the Daytona Beach campus having been founded in 1926. This campus is northeast of Orlando, right on the east coast. The college offers a variety of programs in the form of certificates, associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctor's research degrees. In total, the student population is just over 7,000, nearly all of which are undergraduate students, as is common in these types of institutions.

Tuition
- In-State: $39,066
- Out-of-State: $39,066
Net Price: $35,923
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 70%

Total Enrollment: 3,071
Undergrad Students: 3,033
Graduate Students: 38
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Tuition
- In-State: $9,574
- Out-of-State: $26,390
Net Price: $15,218
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 70%

Total Enrollment: 29,068
Undergrad Students: 24,265
Graduate Students: 4,803
Diplomas Awarded: 194
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno Pacific University is a small institution located in Fresno, California. With an undergraduate population of around 2,900 and 400 graduate students, the campus has much to offer students in terms of degree programs as well as personal enrichment opportunities. In fact, FPU offers its students a choice of over 120 major degree programs. The list of degrees starts with agricultural sciences ends with visual and performing arts and, in the middle, students find subjects such as communication and journalism, education, health professions, and homeland security or law enforcement. The largest department is focused on education.

Tuition
- In-State: $33,452
- Out-of-State: $33,452
Net Price: $15,350
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 68%

Total Enrollment: 3,524
Undergrad Students: 2,686
Graduate Students: 838
Diplomas Awarded: 212
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Temple University

Tuition
- In-State: $17,378
- Out-of-State: $30,602
Net Price: $23,224
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 75%

Total Enrollment: 35,626
Undergrad Students: 25,967
Graduate Students: 9,659
Diplomas Awarded: NA
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Colorado State University

Colorado State University is a large, public university founded in 1870. The school is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is not far from Denver, the borders of Wyoming and Nebraska, and the foothills of the Rocky National Park. The student population is 33,000+, with close to 80% of those being undergraduates, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1.

Tuition
- In-State: $12,331
- Out-of-State: $31,613
Net Price: $18,320
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 69%

Total Enrollment: 32,586
Undergrad Students: 24,954
Graduate Students: 7,632
Diplomas Awarded: 676
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Lewis University

Tuition
- In-State: $35,472
- Out-of-State: $35,472
Net Price: $18,312
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 60%

Total Enrollment: 6,183
Undergrad Students: 3,907
Graduate Students: 2,276
Diplomas Awarded: 80
Grads Salary: $74,000
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.

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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 2023