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

Get Matched With Business Programs

There are many colleges and universities, no matter what state in the country you wish to attend school from, where you should be able to find a program offering at least one undergraduate degree in business. Not only that, but, if you would prefer to search for online business degrees, these online education options are available from anywhere in the country. You need only decide what your personal and professional goals are. Online business degrees are becoming much more common, and the fact that business degrees are some of the most common degrees offered in the country means that new online options are showing up for business majors every year. These include online business programs in project management, financial accounting, business communications, business law, and more. A well-developed, undergraduate business degree program should expose you to knowledge and business and management principles that, when you graduate, will enable you to succeed throughout your business career. An online program can grant you a business administration degree or prepare business professionals for higher-level careers with master's degrees from well-known business schools.

In business degree programs, you’ll be exposed to various disciplines such as marketing, accounting, finance, and others during your core business courses. You could even choose a specialization or concentration from your traditional or online education based on your career goals and academic strengths, giving you a more well-rounded understanding of your field of choice and giving you a leg up in many industries. Whether you choose a face-to-face or online business degree, you’ll also need to look for a business program that allows you to put put theory into practice by providing you access to capstone projects and internships. Online students may opt for local internships. There are a wide variety of online business degrees at this level such as a Bachelor of Business Administration and degrees in finance or financial accounting, public relations, human resource management, retail management, project management, etc. These business programs offer critical thinking skills and leadership skills. Each course you take will provide you with a foundation in business principles, even if you don't choose a business administration major. Some of those core business courses that are a requirement for business students will cover the following topics.

Business Analytics
Business Management
Human Resource Management
Business Communication
Project Management
Strategic Management
Operations Management
International Business
Business Law
And Other Core Business Concepts

After they graduate, business professionals will have access to a huge number of business jobs and career advancement opportunities within the business field. They might make use of their leadership skills as administrative service managers, community service managers, business administrators, etc. Or they might work as a business analyst, or in sales, marketing, or public relations.

PROS

Getting a bachelor’s degree in business is a great way to set yourself up for a successful future. What makes a business degree such a good idea? Here are a couple of reasons.

The market demand is consistently high — Colleges and universities all know that incoming students who are seeking a spot in an undergraduate online business degree program want something that is in demand, which is part of why online business degree options have soared in the last 5-10 years.
Upon graduating, you’ll find that your salary is highly competitive — The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports that a new graduate with a BBA can anticipate earning at least $60,000 annually.
If you’re looking for career flexibility , business is also a good option for you— This may extend to having a flexible work schedule or even being able to work remotely. This may support you earning a higher-level degree online after graduating with your first online or in-person degree. You could earn a position working as an actuary, accountant, or sales manager from your home or in the office.

CONS

As attractive as a BBA is, some employers are looking for employees who have post-graduate degrees. That means they want someone with an MBA or even higher.

You likely won’t make it far up in the managerial structure — of a company with only a bachelor’s degree. in every company you examine, you’ll find that those holding master’s degrees are the managers of choice in sales, advertising, finance, accounting, human resources, and all the way up to the C-suites.
Though the annual salary of a graduate of a bachelor’s online business degree is attractive, surpassing your possible earnings with only an associate business degree, the salary of an MBA graduate would be even higher—up to 50% higher. MBA degrees are commonly available through online learning.

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Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Business Programs

San Diego State University

Score: 82.78

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,174
- Out-of-State: $20,054
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: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Score: 79.86

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,952
- Out-of-State: $38,171
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: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of Florida-Online

Score: 79.72

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: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 54:1

Auburn University

Score: 78.03

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,176
- Out-of-State: $32,960
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: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

LeTourneau University

Score: 76.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,470
- Out-of-State: $34,470
Net Price: $26,974
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 3,536
Undergrad Students: 3,350
Graduate Students: 186
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

George Mason University

Score: 75.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,401
- Out-of-State: $38,983
Net Price: $18,479
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 39,049
Undergrad Students: 27,014
Graduate Students: 12,035
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Florida International University

Score: 75.74

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: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Marquette University

Score: 75.47

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,670
- Out-of-State: $46,670
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: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Arizona

Score: 75.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,275
- Out-of-State: $39,577
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: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Illinois Chicago

Score: 75.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,046
- Out-of-State: $28,654
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: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Regis University

Score: 74.84

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,220
- Out-of-State: $42,220
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: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Mercer University

Score: 74.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,708
- Out-of-State: $39,708
Net Price: $22,087
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 8,889
Undergrad Students: 4,859
Graduate Students: 4,030
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Missouri-Columbia

Score: 74.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,981
- Out-of-State: $31,970
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: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Oregon State University

Score: 74.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,664
- Out-of-State: $33,439
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: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Arizona State University

Score: 74.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,618
- Out-of-State: $30,592
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: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Rutgers University-Camden

Score: 74.12

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,112
- Out-of-State: $33,812
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: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Syracuse University

Score: 74.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,135
- Out-of-State: $60,135
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: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Charter Oak State College

Score: 73.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,254
- Out-of-State: $10,796
Net Price: $10,191
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 1,602
Undergrad Students: 1,501
Graduate Students: 101
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Temple University

Score: 73.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,135
- Out-of-State: $35,608
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: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

University of Arkansas

Score: 73.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,656
- Out-of-State: $27,410
Net Price: $16,208
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 30,936
Undergrad Students: 26,269
Graduate Students: 4,667
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

Lewis University

Score: 72.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,530
- Out-of-State: $36,530
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: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

West Coast University-Orange County

Score: 72.9

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,889
- Out-of-State: $22,889
Net Price: $27,933
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 4,475
Undergrad Students: 3,023
Graduate Students: 1,452
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

Florida Tech

Score: 72.79

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,670
- Out-of-State: $43,670
Net Price: $30,752
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 8,315
Undergrad Students: 3,364
Graduate Students: 4,951
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Simmons University

Score: 72.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,350
- Out-of-State: $44,350
Net Price: $24,423
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 5,710
Undergrad Students: 1,788
Graduate Students: 3,922
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

Florida Atlantic University

Score: 72.52

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: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Certificate vs. Bachelor’s in Business

There are many differences between these two options. Students can pursue an online certificate or an online business degrees or traditional degree at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. However, you’ll notice when you look at the list of classes required for degrees vs certificates, there are many more requirements for earning an online business degree than there are for certificates. The program takes longer to complete, at both the bachelor’s and master’s level, but it will also hold more value for employers if you gain a full degree rather than just a certificate.

Generally, undergraduate online business degrees take four years and 120 credit hours to complete. You’ll have exposure to several business sectors, giving you a good opportunity to choose what is best for you and a well-rounded understanding of the business world in general. In contrast, an undergraduate business certificate requires the completion of 12 to 15 credits: these are offered for sub-sections of business such as finance, healthcare, or accounting and are much more focused. Online business degrees such as an online business administration degree will expose you to many business fields such as: marketing strategies, financial and managerial accounting, organizational behavior, financial management, business management, business marketing, social media marketing, communications, project management, supply chain management and much more.

What Bachelor’s in Business Degrees are Available?

As you look over various bachelor's in business administration degree programs, you may notice that bachelor's in business administration programs have different designations. For instance, you may see that you can choose a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS-BA) or a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BA-BA). Or, you may see something that looks like this: Business Administration, BA/BS with ______ Concentration. This means you can opt for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the concentration of your choice.

There is a significant difference between BA and BS degrees. A Bachelor of Science program focuses more on teaching students the technical and practical areas of their degree field. You’ll also notice that you’re often required to earn more credits to gain a BS with very few chances to take classes outside your degree program.

The business administration program offers you a wider selection of options. You’ll likely be required to earn several credits in liberal arts classes such as humanities, social sciences, English, and/or a foreign language. However, you won’t have to earn as many credits.

Admission Requirements

After applying to the schools and online business degree programs of your choice, you’ll have to take and submit scores for your college entrance exams. Your SAT Reasoning score should be at least 1230 and/or your ACT composite score should be 25.

Search Programs Offering Business Majors

For first-year students earning a BS, your high school class ranking should be within the top 8% and your overall (unweighted) GPA should be 3.6 in competency courses that the school has defined. First-year students earning their BA in business should have an SAT Reasoning score of around 1120 and an ACT score of 22. Their high school class ranking should be in the top 25% and overall GPA should be 3.0.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business?

You should expect to spend at least four years going to school full-time to earn your BBA. Though, some universities have specialized programs that allow their students to accelerate their final two years of their degree programs. These students are able to complete the final two years of their degree in 17 months. If you choose to attend school part-time for any reason, whether online or in-person, it could take you 6 years or more to complete your degree.

No matter how you choose to attend, you’ll have to complete around 120 credit hours to graduate with a bachelor’s in business degree. These credit hours include your general education (mathematics, history, humanities, and communications), along with your required major classes for your degree.

Potential Careers in Business with a Bachelor’s Degree

Project Manager:
Project managers oversee and direct work on various assignments. Good communication skills are a necessity as PMs are interacting with workers and higher-level management. The work a PM does requires not only need to have excellent people skills but they will need to be able to juggle all parts of a project such as the budget, various departments working on different parts of the project, and hard deadlines.
Salary: $73,800
Retail General Manager:
The retail general manager (GM) runs an entire store; managing inventory, training, and disciplining employees. They ensure the store is performing well in sales and that customers are happy. The GM should be comfortable with a wide range of managerial responsibilities. Light lifting and sustained standing or sitting may also be required.
Salary: $55,100
Operations Administrator:
This manager is responsible for directing the technical or physical operations for their organization. They make sure that the company operates at the highest level of profitability and efficiency. It is likely that the OM will manage a team of analysts, who will identify and resolve problems.
Salary: $50,000
Marketing Manager:
A marketing manager examines industry trends and ongoing demand for services or products offered by the organization. Once they gather this data, they create a targeted strategy to market items or services to customers. They work closely with financial employees, sales engineers, and advertising companies.
Median annual salary: $65,000
Human Resources Coordinator:
The recruiting coordinator in a human resources office works to obtain new talent for a business. They review applications and resumes and sit in on interviews during the hiring process. A recruiting coordinator may conduct all job interviews, then recommend to the hiring committee who should be hired.
Salary: $46,400

Options to Advance

Earning an online bachelor’s degree in business can be expensive and a master’s degree can be even more expensive. However, if you want to move up in business, usually this means moving into management, there are plenty of graduate online business degrees options to help you advance toward your goal.

One option is to earn certifications rather than going all in for a master’s degree. This, coupled with your experience in the field, could help you move up within the same department or make the switch to a new sector within your company.

Another option is to go back to school and earn an online business degree. This will allow you to advance in both responsibility and salary. You’ll also see more opportunities that you will now be qualified to apply to.

Don’t be afraid to ask your employer to provide professional development opportunities. You can work on your soft skills (writing, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking) while maintaining your position. These are highly valuable skills and your company will likely appreciate your interest in improving your skillset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to get a bachelor’s degree in one year?

To be fair, earning a bachelor’s degree does seem to take an inordinate amount of time. However, since students are required to earn at least 100, usually closer to 120, credit hours in order to earn their bachelor’s degree, four years with summers off really isn’t that insane. However, there are students who are willing to spend more of their time every week, or every day, in order to get through their degree in record time. There are a very small number of bachelor’s degrees that may allow you to finish your credit hours in around two years; these are known as accelerated programs and many are available through online learning platforms, where the flexibility of the curriculum is a huge asset to finishing your classes in a short period of time. However, programs allowing you to complete your bachelor’s within one year are even more aggressive. These programs exist for very specific degree end goals, so if you are certain of what degree you wish to complete, you may find that there is no option to complete that degree in the short amount of time that you are hoping for. There’s nothing wrong with checking, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

Are business concentrations available at the bachelor’s level?

While most people might know that there are concentrations or specializations available at higher levels of degree, such as a master’s or PhD, few know that it is possible to find bachelor’s degrees that offer the same types of specialization. Perhaps this is not true of every college or university, but if you are interested in creating a focused degree, there are options out there. Options include accounting, economics, human resources, international business, and more. There are even finer specializations for those who are willing to look, such as aviation management. And, while these won’t be useful for everyone, they will certainly have the possibility of providing you access with an interesting career if you choose to pursue them.

Best Online Bachelors in Business Degrees for 2024