Review the best online bachelor’s in business management degree programs in 2021. Use these salary figures and career possibilities to advance in your industry or become a manager in a growing company. Compare online versus on-campus bachelor’s degrees as you find your own path to your chosen career.
What Is an Online Bachelor’s in Business Management?
From organizational behavior analysis to business law and ethics, a BA in business management degree covers a wide variety of topics that help you become a better manager. Highly rated business management courses can help you perform essential duties as an experienced manager. They also equip you with the financial, marketing, and business skills you need to enter the industry. If you’re looking to improve your leadership skills and learn how to manage teams of all sizes, consider this online bachelor’s degree.
There are several concentrations you can consider as you explore degree programs. A bachelor’s degree in business management typically includes courses in the following areas:
- Organizational behavior
- Risk management
- Business law
- Financial decision-making
- Accounting
- Team development and leadership
- Customer service and human resource management
These courses can help prepare you to apply for a position as a manager in administrative services and facilities, advertising and marketing, information systems, human resources, or finance. Management positions in a number of industries are expected to enjoy stable growth and a high-paying salary in the coming years.
Business management positions vary considerably. Your previous experience, course concentration, and course selection can help prepare you for a leadership position in a field you’re passionate about. Facilities managers typically oversee the grounds, equipment, buildings, and supplies of commercial and industrial companies. You’ll recommend maintenance tasks and oversee teams as you work to improve the efficiency and capabilities of the facility.
Information systems managers handle IT systems as organizations plan installation, expansion, and maintenance projects. Work closely with facilities managers to create an efficient network capable of powering computer and information systems. Most information systems management positions require you to have an understanding of both hardware and software used in your particular industry.
Human resources managers handle recruitment tasks and employee relations. They oversee the recruitment process, including interviewing and other hiring steps. As a leader in human resources, you have the ability to create strategic plans for talent acquisition and create a strong link between management and employees.
Finance managers guide accountants and other financial professionals to prepare financial reports and advice on investments. You will be responsible for analyzing data and suggesting company-wide financial plans to help achieve your company’s financial goals.
Consider a career as an advertising and marketing manager to help create a strong brand for your organization. Handle relationships between clients and your company to promote long-lasting relationships. You may work closely with professionals creating marketing content and advertising copy for a variety of media. Use in-depth analysis to create long-term goals for your advertising and marketing strategy.
Most manager positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. Some, like postsecondary education administrators, require a master’s degree. Consider a management degree to help you move from entry-level positions to an upper-level career in your chosen industry.
Fully online courses in business management give you the flexibility you need in your career. Study part time or choose an accelerated course to quickly earn an online bachelor’s in business management. If you aren’t ready to quit your job to attend school, study part-time online for even more flexibility. Prepare to launch a new business, become a manager, or perform your role more effectively with a highly rated online program.
Choosing an online program offers you a broad range of colleges and universities. Instead of looking at only local schools or preparing to leave your state or metropolitan area to study, you can apply to highly rated programs throughout the country without a major move or job change.
How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Business Management Cost?
An online bachelor’s degree costs, on average, between$38,500 and $60,600, according to U.S. News. Typically, private colleges cost more than public colleges. Online programs are often more affordable than in-person bachelor’s degrees. Consider an online degree program to avoid campus fees and other costs.
As an online student, you may have the opportunity to work around your work schedule. This allows you to continue to gain critical work experience necessary for many business management positions. You can also create a schedule that matches your lifestyle. Don’t let a strict class schedule hold you back from receiving training to move forward in your career.
The cost of an online or on-campus program depends on these factors:
- Cost per credit
- Associated fees
- Available grants or scholarships
The cost per credit is one of the biggest factors in determining the total cost of your degree. This cost may be different for in-state and out-of-state students, whether online or on-campus. Compare the cost per credit with the total required credits of a program to find out which one offers more affordable tuition rates.
Most colleges and universities include additional fees for students. Expect to pay technology fees, administrative fees, and other costs as part of your online or on-campus program. On-campus students also have to pay room and board, so many online programs offer fewer or less expensive fees.
Grants and scholarships offset the cost of a business management program. Look for scholarships from your chosen college or university to see how you can save. Other scholarships opportunities may come from your employer, community groups you belong to, or local charitable organizations. You may also be approved for federal or local grants.
Average Salary for a Bachelor’s in Business Management
The best online bachelor’s in business management programs prepare you for a management career in a number of industries. The median annual pay for management occupations ranged from$56,600 to $151,100 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS.
The median pay for your industry depends on the area of management you wish to specialize in. For example, administrative services and facilities managers earned a median annual pay of around$98,900 in 2020. Managers in advertising, promotions, and marketing earned a median pay of$141,500 per year.
Financial managers in 2020 had a median pay of approximately$134,200. In human resources, managers made a median pay of about$121,200. Many of these positions recommend five or more years of experience in addition to a bachelor’s degree.
Consider your career path and skill sets to determine the best area of management for you to pursue. An online bachelor’s in business management is a good first step for postgraduate studies. Consider the area of management you wish to study, since you may need additional years of experience to qualify for positions.
While most positions require years of experience, you may still be able to apply for some with a bachelor’s degree and no previous experience. Expect to earn more, on average, if you have work experience in the field. Median rates also vary depending on your state or metropolitan area.
What Is the Job Outlook for Bachelor’s in Business Management Holders?
Many management careers are expected to see high levels of job growth. The job outlook for financial managers is expected to increase15% between 2019 and 2029. Other management positions are expected to grow6%. All of these 10-year growth projections are faster than the average for all occupations.
A fast-growing occupation offers you more opportunities to apply for your chosen position. Whether you’re seeking a role in human resources, information systems, or another area, you can expect more available jobs. A bachelor’s degree related to a fast-growing occupation could lead to a higher salary or more competitive application. Online programs offer an opportunity for you to strengthen your personal job outlook as you negotiate a promotion or seek a new position.
If you’re looking to become a C-level manager or start your own business, this bachelor’s degree may be a helpful step. Consider courses related to entrepreneurship, organizational strategy, and company-wide decision making to prepare to own a business or lead a department in your organization.
Courses in Business Management
Explore the courses included in top-rated online bachelor’s in business management courses designed to help you lead, inspire, and manage teams in your industry. Coursework for an online bachelor’s degree typically covers leadership, organizational strategies, law and ethics, finance, and customer service.
Take classes in principles of management, organizational change, principles of marketing, global finance, and more. A bachelor’s degree online can be completed in three to four years of study, depending on your pace of learning.
Consider elective courses that add to your breadth and depth of knowledge. Courses in organizational psychology, corporate finance, law, and computer science can round out your program and help you handle daily tasks.
Leadership courses offer you the skills and confidence you need to manage a team. Some positions work with a small, tight-knit group of professionals. Others put you in charge of hundreds or thousands of employees, making policy decisions that affect everyone in your organization. These courses help you uncover theories of successful leadership in a variety of settings.
Organizational strategy courses expand your strategic options in a specific setting. Handle unforeseen issues and improve the efficiency of your company with organizational-level strategies. Review examples and learn about the latest research in organizational management.
Law and ethics courses aren’t just applicable to lawyers and human resources managers. You can benefit from these courses in any management position as you learn about ethical practices and laws related to your organization.
Principles of marketing courses are crucial to advertising managers, but can help anyone in a management position learn more about branding. Communicate clearly and confidently with clients, donors, suppliers, and anyone else interacting with your organization.
Take one or more courses in corporate finance to understand budgeting, investment, and other financial principles related to your organization. Create a department budget or lead your finance team with confidence thanks to these classes. Your business management program should help you understand core principles of finance as they relate to organizations.
Looking to dive into a particular aspect of business management? These basic courses are all typically offered as part of a general bachelor’s degree of business management, but some online and on-campus programs offer concentrations. Here are some common concentrations that affect the types of courses you’ll take:
These concentrations still include basic courses on business management, but offer more electives and upper-level courses in the concentration area. Consider specializing in a particular area if you’re already working in that field or are positive you’re headed for a career in that area. Otherwise, a general business management bachelor’s degree may be more useful as you explore your options.
FAQs on Bachelor’s in Business Management
Core Takeaways for an Online Bachelors in Business Management
- Programs are typically completed in 36-48 months
- Popular concentrations include finance, human resources, and marketing
- Standard and accelerated programs are available for online study
- Can be completed in 36 months
- Provides essential training for careers in management
- Graduates with business management degrees have opportunities in high-growth industries
- Prepares graduates for a wide variety of management positions
- Tuition is highly variable from school to school
- A high number of scholarships are available for first-time students
- Some employers offer tuition reimbursement for business management degrees