If you want to make business decisions someday, you’ll need to know how businesses work. That goes for aspiring entrepreneurs and future Fortune 500 executives alike. A BBA teaches you how the fields of accounting, management, human resources, economics, marketing, and operations overlap in business.
Whether you want to be a generalist or a specialist, a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in business administration can make you a valuable asset to any organization.
You don’t have to move across the country to learn about the intricacies of the business world. There are countless online business administration degree programs that can land you the credentials and expertise you need to start your career. To help you sort through them, we’ve used data from The National Center for Education Statistics and ratings from school-ranking entities like TheBestSchools.org, BestColleges.com, U.S. News & World Report, CollegeChoice.net, and TopManagementDegrees.com—so this list of the top 10 online bachelor’s programs in business administration is the best of the best.
Less than 5% of the world’s 15,000 business schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, but 80% of the schools on this list are AACSB approved.
To help you make the choice that’s right for you, we’ll show you each school’s:
- Tuition cost
- Program length
- Graduation rates
- Awards and accolades
- Accreditation
- Anything else we think will help you decide
Let’s find a school you’ll love! For starters, here are some highlights:
Most affordable
If you live in Florida, you’re in luck! You’ve got two great online business schools with very low tuition: University of Florida is #1 on our list and it runs about $3,000 per year in state, and Florida International University (#3) is about $6,500 per year in state.
For non-Florida residents, University of Georgia (#8) and West Texas A&M University (#9) cost about $8,000–$9,000 per year and still provide you with a solid education.
That being said, some online programs can be completed faster than four years, depending on how ambitious you are. If you don’t have work, family, or other commitments in your schedule, you might be able to save some money with the right program by shaving off a year or two.
Best job placement rate
If landing a job is the whole reason you’re getting a degree, you may want to check out University of Iowa (#7 on our list). They have a job placement rate of 97%! So if you finish your degree at U of I, you’ll most likely have a job within six months.
Best graduation rate
The business world isn’t a classroom—and that means some of the savviest business minds struggle with academia. If you’re worried about graduating, University of Florida is your best pick. They have an 87% graduation rate, so almost 9 out of 10 students earn their degree.
What’s the difference between a BSBA, a BABA, and a BBA?
Before we go further, it’s worth pointing out that a BABA, a BBA, and a BSBA are essentially the same credential-wise. The difference in curriculum varies a little program to program, but it basically comes down to how specialized your education is. As you’ll see in the list, a lot of programs offer a wide range of specialization options regardless of whether or not the degree is a BSBA, a BBA, or a BABA, so even that difference depends on the program.
If it helps though, here are some general differences between a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science.
Now, on to the top ten!
1. University of Florida
Tuition cost:
- In state: about $3,000 per year for online students
- Out-of-state: about $10,000 per year for online students
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 87%
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on TopManagementDegrees.com: 1
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net:1
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 1
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 6
University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business is nationally recognized for its excellence. As an online student you can choose between a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in business administration.
The bachelor of science is designed to help you “master the technical and practical facets of a business career,” whereas the bachelor of arts gives you a firm foundation in business principles and then allows you to specialize in an area outside of business. In other words, the BSBA has a highly focused business curriculum, and the BABA is a flexible interdisciplinary program.
Here’s how they describe each program:
Bachelor of arts in business administration:
“Our new BABA degree is interdisciplinary in nature and provides students with the ability to take a deeper dive in an area outside of business. By providing a foundation in business and the choice of a specialized focus, the BABA degree allows greater flexibility to customize your education to match your individual goals and interests.”
Bachelor of science in business administration:
“A BSBA will give you a strong foundation in a variety of business disciplines. Students take introductory courses in accounting and economics as well as core courses in areas ranging from business law and international business to finance, management, and marketing. Additional courses in more specific disciplines such as entrepreneurship and real estate are included, as are professional development courses in business communication, career management and business computing.”
After you’ve completed the core business classes in the BSBA program, you can choose one of eight specializations:
- Anthropology
- Business and economic geography
- Educational studies
- General business
- Geology
- Mass communication
- Sociology
- Sport management
Whether your looking to move into an organizational leadership position or you have a more entrepreneurial bent, a BSBA or BABA from the Warrington College of Business will set you up for success.
Here’s what they say about their online program:
“Designed for students whose commitments make traditional campus attendance impractical, our online program stands at the forefront, providing flexible academic options with the same elite faculty and rigor that makes us a leading university and top research institution. We connect people with opportunities, remove barriers and set the standard for online higher education. UF Online graduates earn the same elite degree they would receive on campus, and they will be at the top of the list for the best employers in the country.”
2. Oregon State University
Tuition cost: about $13,500 per year
Program length: four to six years, 180 credits
Graduation rate: 63%
Accreditation:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 2
- Rank on U.S. News & World Report: 5
- Rank on TopManagementDegrees.com: 8
OSU offers both a bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in business administration. You can specialize in one of three areas:
- General business
- Retail management
- Supply chain and logistics management
The retail management specialization will teach you the business and marketing strategies you need to bring people into a store and fulfill their needs, as well as how to manage people.
The supply chain and logistics management option prepares you for an operations role in international business, particularly in the service or manufacturing industries.
Note: The classes you take within a specialization are in addition to the 180 credits needed to complete the program.
Here’s what OSU says about their online business program:
“The curriculum is taught by professors and instructors who have vast experience in each area of study, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship and experiential learning. Program topics include leadership, retail management, finance, marketing, project management, legal and ethical business practices.”
Online students at OSU have access to an online career services center, with links and videos to help you transition into a career. There’s also a career success center to help connect you with potential employers and internships.
OSU also offers a list of online minors you can add to your BSBA or BABA. It means taking more time to complete your degree, but it could help you become more specialized, explore another area of interest, and mould your degree to fit a particular career.
3. Florida International University
Tuition cost:
- In state: about $6,500 per year
- Out-of-state: about $19,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 56%
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on TopManagementDegrees.com: 4
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 5
Florida International University offers six concentrations for their online bachelor of business administration program. There is no general business degree, and each of these concentrations are highly specialized to fit particular careers—which is great if you already know what line of work you want to get into.
Here’s how they describe each track:
Online BBA in marketing:
“Our Florida International University Online Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing prepares you for a successful career in a wide range of marketing fields, including retailing, social media and e-marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, logistics, marketing research, and sales management. You will emerge with a solid foundation in marketing principles and strategy, consumer behavior, sales, research, presentation skills, and how to market products and services effectively.”
Online BBA in management:
“FIU Online’s Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management is a comprehensive program offered in a unique and convenient online learning format. Students learn the foundations of organizational management, with topics such as the legal environment of business, introduction to information systems, operations management, business and professional communication, strategic management, applied macroeconomics, marketing management, financial management, and applications of quantitative method.”
Online BBA in logistics and supply chain management:
“Whether they are moving goods, products, supplies or information, logistics, and supply chain management is critical to the success of global corporations. With our fully online Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, you’ll be able to provide global organizations with a competitive edge through lean, efficient operations. This program prepares you to tackle business problems in the international marketplace and understand the complex world of logistics, supply chain, and trade industries.”
Online BBA in international business:
“Our Bachelor of Business Administration with an international business concentration provides students with a broad overview of international business principles and information technology. Students learn about the complexities of international trade, including regional trade agreements, supra-national organizations, and foreign exchange systems.”
Online BBA in human resource management:
“FIU Online offers a Bachelor of Business Administration–Human Resource Management track to prepare for a career in HR. Your coursework will provide the foundation in how to attract the most qualified employees, matching people to the jobs for which they are best suited, compensation and benefits, training and development, collective bargaining, employment law, and human resource management information systems.”
Online BBA in finance:
“The Finance track emphasizes solid theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of banking, corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, financial risk management, financial engineering, financial institutions, and markets, and international finance.”
If one of these programs interests you, it’s definitely worth exploring FIU’s website (you can use the links above to go directly to each program). In addition to the usual information schools provide, FIU tells you about their “top faculty” in each concentration.
FIU utilizes a variety of tools to help online students connect with faculty and classmates. You can check out a complete list of these online learning tools on the website. You’ll also be paired with a success coach to keep you from falling through the cracks.
If you’re curious what it’s like to take an online course, FIU offers an online practice course to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Fun fact: FIU has a transfer rate of 1%. That’s the lowest I’ve ever seen. The national average is about 33%. People must really like this school.
4. Temple University
Tuition cost: about $16,000 per year
Program length: four years
Graduation rate: 71%
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on U.S. News & World Report: 2
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 3
Temple University’s Fox School of Business offers six majors within their online bachelor of business administration program:
- Accounting
- Business management
- Human resource management
- Legal studies in business
- Marketing
- Supply chain management
You can learn more about each of them here.
TU’s online BBA program requires you to attend real-time web-based sessions, so you will still have to work your personal schedule around your courses. But to be fair, there are potential advantages to this requirement. Here’s how they describe it:
“To fully immerse yourself in our program, all Fox online BBA courses require synchronous (real-time) scheduled sessions through a web cloud-based, conferencing solution, which can be conveniently accessed in the evening from your home computer. These sessions foster collaboration with your classmates and peers, for a deeper and richer experience in the Fox School of Business, where you will be recognized by your name, not an email address, thus making this a truly unique program for you.”
TU says of the Fox School of Business, “Its programs continue to be ranked internationally and nationally by leading business publications and organizations, such as the Financial Times, The Economist, U.S. News & World Report, and The Princeton Review/Entrepreneur magazine.”
You can check out all their rankings and accolades here.
To learn more about what being an online student at TU is like, take a virtual tour.
Fun fact: Most of the student professional organizations at the Fox School of Business don’t require you to attend meetings to be a member, so online students are free to join. Some of them even record their meetings, so you can easily keep up.
5. Penn State World Campus
Tuition cost: about $14,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 25%
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 1
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 8
Businesses bring together people from a wide range of fields. Penn State’s online bachelor of science in business administration program will help you bridge the gap between the various teams within an organization, providing you with general knowledge of major business disciplines and the opportunity to specialize.
According to Penn State, the program “integrates a theory-to-practice approach that strengthens your problem-solving skills while delivering an experience that is contemporary and relevant.”
17 of Penn State’s campuses have contributed to this online program to help you get the best possible education in each area. You’ll learn how to:
- Utilize marketing strategies
- Understand and communicate organizational issues
- Interpret business data and use it to solve problems
- Understand capital risk and reward metrics
- Use metrics to drive business decisions
- Execute contract agreements
- Prepare organizations for the cultural implications of a global marketplace
This online BSBA program also includes a specialization which will make up 18 of your 120 credits. You’ll choose one of the following options:
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial services
- Health services
- Management and marketing
- Custom
Here’s a complete course list for the program, including the courses offered within each specialization option.
Check out what some former students had to say about Penn State’s online BSBA program:
6. University of Iowa
Tuition cost:
- In state: about $9,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $29,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 72%
Job placement rate: 97%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 4
- Rank on TopManagementDegrees.com: 9
- See all rankings
University of Iowa’s online bachelor of business administration degree program is designed for students who already have an associate’s degree or transferable college credit. As an online BBA student through the Tippie College of Business, you’ll be in the entrepreneurial management track, which covers marketing, human resource management, team dynamics, and negotiation.
Here’s what University of Iowa says about their online BBA program:
“The program brings together the best of what Tippie has to offer: nationally acclaimed faculty, dynamic online courses, access to university-wide resources, and the credibility of a bachelor’s degree from the state’s top business school.”
It’s hard to argue that they’re not a top business school when they can boast a 97% job placement rate (and that’s within 6 months of graduating). And they’re not just getting jobs anywhere, well-known companies are hiring Tippie graduates. You almost have to work to not get a job when you earn a degree from here.
Note: You can transfer up to one third of your major credit hours.
Fun fact: The Tippie College of Business has held its accreditation from the AACSB for more than 90 years. That means as the business world has evolved and the demands of a business education have shifted over the decades, University of Iowa has adapted.
7. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Tuition cost:
- In state: about $14,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $31,000 per year
Program length: 120–122 credits
Graduation rate: 56%
Accreditation:
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 4
- Rank on BestColleges.com: 7
- More awards (including some from the Online Learning Consortium)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell’s bachelor of science in business administration is one of their most popular degrees.
Here’s how they describe it:
“Under the expert guidance of professors who are committed to bringing excellence to teaching and research, students will develop strong business-related communication skills; learn how to use both quantitative and qualitative methods for business analysis; demonstrate leadership skills and learn how to contribute effectively as a team member, gain knowledge of industry standard business systems, software and technologies; and develop a strong awareness of the global changes affecting businesses today.”
Courses are taught by both full-time and adjunct faculty. Full-time faculty are experts in their field, while adjunct faculty are practicing professionals.
There are detailed course descriptions (scroll down to the tab) if you want to see exactly what you’ll be learning in the BSBA program. If you’re squeamish about calculus, this may not be the program for you.
Here’s what UMass Lowell has to say about their online programs:
“At UMass Lowell, we are committed to providing you with high-quality, affordable online programs that make earning your degree or certificate more convenient than ever before. Our students have access to online course technical support 24X7, and our academic advisors and program coordinators are happy to help you with your questions.”
8. University of Georgia
Tuition cost: about $8,500 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 85%
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 6
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 7
When you become a student of University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, you’re becoming part of a more than 100-year legacy of business education. To celebrate a century of preparing students for the field, the Terry College of Business produced this charming video of their historic journey:
Here’s what they want you to know about their tradition of excellence:
“As the first business school in the South, the Terry College of Business is steeped in a tradition of providing cutting-edge business education to its students. Our challenging curriculum, exceptional faculty, and close-knit alumni network ensure that Terry students are prepared to become the next generation of leaders.”
To be admitted to the BBA program, you must have at least 60 transfer credits, two years of work experience, and a minimum 2.8 GPA. Here’s a list of courses you need to complete before entering the program.
UGA has this to say about their online program:
“As a University of Georgia graduate, you earn a degree from a top public research university. UGA offers a growing number of top-ranked online graduate degrees, certificates and undergraduate programs. Our highly respected programs are taught by some of the brightest minds in their fields.”
One of those bright minds said this about her role in the business administration degree program:
“Learning to effectively work with the numbers means learning what model best fits your business. My job is to make sure that students understand how statistics and data analysis fits into their own plans.”
You can hear directly from former students and faculty on their hub for online learning.
9. West Texas A&M University
Tuition cost:
- In state: about $8,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $9,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 44%
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on U.S. News & World Report: 4
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 7
The West Texas A&M University’s online bachelor of business administration degree program has four majors:
Here’s how they describe each major:
Online BBA in economics
“A degree in economics can provide you with the knowledge necessary to view and describe society and organizations from an analytical perspective. Economics combines the foundation knowledge from business with the social sciences in an effort to understand human behavior not only by using psychology and sociology, but also by studying society through mathematics, statistics, and historical analyses. Economics majors learn to make cost-benefit decisions and to apply policy analysis based on qualitative and quantitative research.”
Online BBA in general business
“A general business degree provides a broad exposure to all the crucial elements that make an organization function well. It doesn’t provide the specialization that more targeted degrees do (such as finance or accounting), but is valuable in its generalist approach. Students obtain an overview of many functions in the business world and an understanding on how these functions interact. Any business degree will involve working with numbers and statistical analysis but general business students must also develop the ability to communicate concise written and verbal information, excel at teamwork, and work well under pressure. General business majors must also learn about organizational structures, taking into consideration the goals of the group, considering the raw materials or rough data, and developing plans to move projects forward.”
Online BBA in management
“Management is the organizational process that includes strategic planning, setting objectives, managing resources, deploying the human and financial assets needed to achieve objectives, and measuring results. . . . Management positions require great communication skills, logical linear thinking, and comfort and competence in leading a team toward goals. The management degree program at West Texas A&M University provides general training and instruction in management along with the opportunity to take specialized elective courses.”
Online BBA in marketing
“Marketing is a broad field with a primary purpose of generating demand for an enterprise’s products or services. The marketing major provides a solid understanding of various business activities, which includes the identification and selection of target markets, to the development, pricing, placement and promotion of goods and services, and the management of relationships among business partners and their customers.”
10. University of Illinois at Chicago
Tuition cost:
- In state: about $14,000 per year
- Out-of-state: about $26,500 per year
Program length: 121 credits
Graduation rate: 58%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on U.S. News & World Report: 6
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 9
University of Illinois at Chicago knows that as much as you need knowledge to thrive in the business world of today, you need to know how to adapt to the business world of tomorrow.
Here’s how they describe their online bachelor in business administration program:
“The Online Bachelor of Business Administration completion program offers a challenging variety of courses intended to give you a well-rounded background in all aspects of operating a business. The program helps you develop your critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and other skills that you can put to use on the job today as well as establish a foundation for lifelong learning.”
UIC’s online BBA program is intended for those who already have their AA degree, AS degree, or 60 hours towards your BBA. You must also have at least a 2.5 GPA.
Note: You can only start UIC’s online BBA program in the fall.
A quick note on transferring schools
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than one third of all college students transfer schools before graduating. In order to transfer your credits from one school to another, the two schools usually have to be accredited by the same organizations. Unfortunately, most of the schools on this list are accredited by different accrediting bodies, but since eight of them are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools, it may be easier to transfer credits between programs.
The best school is really up to you
We can’t tell you exactly which school is the best choice for you—and you shouldn’t let anyone else do that, either. You have to weigh the factors that are most important to you and let that guide your decision. Choosing a school is a huge investment—both in terms of what it immediately costs you and how it affects your life. So take your time.
We hope this list has helped make the decision a little easier for you. Good luck in your future studies!