Online Business Degrees

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Online Business Degree

To help you enhance your career, many online colleges offer business degrees. Business professionals typically work in finance, marketing, HR and as self starters. So, having a business degree may prove to be a versatile credential. Whether you may want to start your own company, pursue a promotion, or break into a new field.

An online business degree typically exposes you to the staple disciplines of business. Like accounting, finance, management, and marketing. Then tends to help you apply these skills to work with teams, manage projects, and make decisions. One may find online business degrees at all levels. Bachelors, masters and PhDs. At each level, you may learn techniques that refine your ability to solve problems. Things like how to analyze data, execute contracts and assess risk vs reward.

At the bachelors level, a business degree is basic but broad. It often grounds you in theory while it also helps you to gain key skills. As a grad, you may be able to think, speak, analyze and write about organizational issues. Masters in business programs delve deeper. They often help you learn how to start up a new venture, run a business and stay competitive. As there are many niche areas, you could look for either a general program. Or, one that builds certain expertise.  

PhD in business programs tend to prepare you with quality research and analytical skills. With this upper level credential, many may pursue careers as scholars, professors, researchers and senior business leaders.

Bachelor’s in Business

An online bachelors in business degree is entry level. It tends to cover all the key domains in business as well as how to lead, communicate and make decisions. Many online schools award either a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) in business. A BA tends to cover more liberal arts and soft skills. While a BS tends to be more technical so it may stress analytics, math and info tech.  

The average program typically covers core topics and may allow you to deepen studies into one area. Core areas may include micro and macro economics. Plus areas in finance, marketing, accounting and strategy. Along the way, you may study how to create effective business strategies. And, ways to achieve measurable results for your employer. You may also learn how to read corporate reports, work in teams and on real world projects.  

In all, you may have about 120 credits to complete. As a full time student, you may need four years to graduate. But if you transfer credits from an associate degree, you may cut this time down. To get into a bachelors in business program, you may need a high school diploma or GED. Some online colleges also set an approved GPA range. And while many are test optional, some ask for ACT or SAT scores along with transcripts. That said, standards do vary. 

Another factor is cost. According to DataUSA, it costs an average of $6,670 per year at public schools. Or, $29,736 for private ones outside your state.  

Master’s in Business

An online master of science in business is a grad degree. And many people who pursue a business grad degree may typically want to prep for an executive position. That said, some MS business programs likely aim to bring non business majors ‘up to speed’.  In these, you tend to study the basics as well as leadership. So this type of program may appeal to people from other areas (E.g. health care) who want to refine strategic skills.

But there are many others that may bring one area of business into deeper focus. As such you may see MS in business analytics, management, finance and so on. These programs often gear to the career goals of experienced business pros, who want to step into a corporate role. Any MS is going to differ from the MBA (Master of Business Administration). MS programs are by nature, technical. While the MBA tends to cover a wide range of manager topics, plus any anchor area you tack on.  

In any of these programs, many course plans may entail 30 to 36 credits. If you study full time, you may need one to two years to finish. To enroll in a MS in business program, you usually need to have a bachelors degree. Some programs may need prior courses or a certain major too.  

Apart from official transcripts, there may be needs about GPA, GRE or GMAT scores. And some online schools may want references, a current resume and a goals essay. Another factor among schools is tuition. According to the NCES, the average cost of a grad degree at a public school for the academic year 2016 to 2017 is $11,617. As such, some may be more expensive, and others may be more affordable. 

PhD in Business

An online PhD in business is the highest degree in business. A research degree by nature, it may prep you to pursue a career in teaching, R&D, and C-suite leadership. Many PhD programs typically entail from 43 credits up and usually take at least three years to complete if you have a masters degree. Many may also feature study plans that aim to be both broad and deep.

Broad because you tend to study major functional areas that are essential to business success. Things like business ethics, global business, and strategic management. And deep because you also choose an anchor point for your dissertation. The dissertation is typically central to a PhD. It shows you may be able to fuse what you learn and may be able to add something new to the field. As business is such a vast topic, many online colleges steer a PhD focus within a specific area. Executive leadership, finance, human resources and others.  

On top of courses, many programs feature a practicum. This might be in research or teaching and may involve built in visits to campus. So, while you might access classes online, you may have some in person visits too. When you are ready to apply, many online schools look for applicants with a masters degree. You may also need to meet standards for grades, send references, a resume and writing sample.  

What could I pursue with an Online Business Degree? 

A business degree may be a entry point to a wide range of current and new fields. Business skills apply to many industries and sectors. From admin, accounting and finance. To marketing, management and human resources. As business needs evolve with the times, there may be jobs for all levels of education. In many business and financial fields, one typically needs a bachelors for entry level roles. 

Apart from having a bachelor’s degree, many corporate managers may have a master’s or higher degree. Business execs may also need certain skills in the field in which they work. 

1. Accountant 

An accountant prepares tax returns and keeps all financial documents in order. Beyond these key skills, their expertise could help boost revenue and improve profits. Many accountants begin their career with a bachelors degree. But those who have a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential may improve their prospects. And some employers may prefer to hire accountants with a masters degree or MBA.

2. Management Consultant 

A management consultant typically works with businesses to improve their efficiency. To do this, they take generally a close look at revenue, costs and staff reports. Then, discuss ways to make changes that could cut expenses and boost revenue.

Consultants may enter the workforce with a bachelors degree. But some employers may prefer to hire MBA grads. Either way, it may be helpful to also have a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) credential. 

3. Social Media Manager 

As a social media manager, you typically set the tone for brands and campaigns. So your job is to engage people with a client’s products, services or mission. Apart from promotional skills, social media managers may tend to need a bachelors degree.

4. Financial Analyst 

A financial analyst typically helps businesses and individuals make investment decisions. So many work in banks, with pension funds, mutual funds, securities and insurance firms. Having financial skills may be a key to any start up or to guide growth and prosperity. Yet it is a competitive industry. So having certifications and a grad degree may improve your prospects.

5. Office Manager 

The duties of an office manager are to typically  plan and oversee all the day to day activities that help a business run well. Things like mail delivery, safety issues, staff morale and org’al compliance. In any role (big or small), an office manager typically needs solid managerial and leadership skills. Beyond a “take charge attitude”, you may also tend to need a bachelors degree in business. 

6. Budget Analyst 

As a budget analyst, your role is to typically advise a business how to spend (or not spend) its money. This takes a solid grasp of costs, benefits and compliance rules. Apart from accounting skills, many budget analysts have a bachelors degree. Those who work with gov’t budgets typically tend to also need a Certified Gov’t Financial Manager credential.

7. Fundraising Managers  

The main task of a fundraising manager is to typically secure donations. To do this, one needs to run events and campaigns, hire and train staff or volunteers. Beyond PR skills, many fundraisers start out with a bachelors degree. But for more complex roles, employers may prefer to hire masters prepared managers.

8. Business Professor 

A business professor usually teaches college students and may have their own research interests on the side. And while some may instruct several subjects, this may not always the case. To get to this stage in a career, one tends to need expertise, experience and a PhD.

Is an Online Business Degree worth it?

A business degree may provide versatile skills, opportunity and above average earning potential. Jobs in business and financial sectors are growing faster than average. Per the U.S. BLS, the more refined your skills in data analysis, the better. As businesses need workers who can forecast market trends, demand is high. Some analyst jobs predict an uptick of 11% more openings by 2029. That’s much faster than the norm which is only 4%. 

People who could help a business expand in global markets face good prospects too. Financial skills help with investments, accounting, budget decisions and beyond. Jobs in these areas expect potential growth too, above all if you could help a business manage its costs.

Business Degree Jobs & Salary

Top States for Jobs as an Accountant

Online Business Degree Courses

Online business classes aim to help you understand today’s market. And, act as a key contributor, strategic thinker, and team leader. This means you tend to study key areas of business such as:

• Finance, marketing, accounting and other business practices
• Legal, ethical and regulatory factors 
• Business communication 
• Management strategies 
• Statistical analysis 

You may study many of these topics when you pursue a business degree online. But each level of degree is likely to do this in a different way. Below are some of the classes you may find at the bachelors, masters and PhD levels. 

Bachelor’s Degree Courses 

Classes in an online bachelors of business program aim to outline staple areas of business. Marketing, finance, management, law, economics and accounting. Many programs expose you to theory but may have a practical side too. So, you tend to study issues in the business world, and models to help solve them.  

Other classes may discuss areas like business law and communication. These classes may help you learn how to be an effective, professional team player. Many course plans also help you understand the decision process. For instance, how to use data to back up tactical plans.

Here are a few samples of classes at the bachelor’s level:

Graduate Degree Courses 

Classes in an online MS in business program aim to refine decision skills. As such, many course plans feature classes in business analytics and statistics. These tech topics tend to go hand in hand with business basics. Like accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing. As you study these areas, you may learn how they interact and impact the decision process. And along the way, you may gain soft skills. How to negotiate, for example, and manage projects and programs.

Apart from core topics, keep in mind, some programs may allow for more focus. In these, the focus you select may add depth in that area. Classes in an online PhD in business program aim to nurture skills in three areas. Research, teaching and exec decision making. Research classes tend to cover statistics, analysis and research methods. These classes may train you to think systematically and rely on data.  

Teaching classes tend to put you on campus. You may have to deliver live lectures, grade papers and be accessible to students. Leadership classes may expose you to proven ways to be an effective, ethical, logical leader. Through them, you may learn how to set policy, optimize business output and create solid work teams.

Here are a few samples of classes at the graduate level:

How long does it take to earn a Business Degree online?

The time it takes to earn a business degree online typically varies. A typical BA or BS in business usually tends to take four years if you study full time. But if you transfer associate degree credits, you might need 18 to 24 months. Once you graduate, many MS in business degree programs typically take one to two years. And if you continue on to a PhD, it may take from three to eight. Naturally, you may need to factor in your course load and time to research.

15 Schools with an Online Business Degree

We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down.

1. University of Phoenix
2. Crown College  
3. Penn State World Campus  
4. Concordia University Saint Paul     
5. Excelsior College 
6. University of Texas at San Antonio 
7. Indiana University 
8. Western Governors University 
9. St. Johns University     
10. Purdue University Global   
11. Walden University    
12. University of Charleston   
13. University of the Cumberlands    
14. Capella University  
15. Southern New Hampshire University 

FIND AN ONLINE BUSINESS DEGREE

Here is a deeper look into the above online schools and the degree programs they offer.

*Unemployment Earnings.  Sources for school stats and data include the NCES and IPEDS.