How Long Does It Take To Get An Accredited Business Management Degree Online?

by Alex Morgan · October 5, 2023

online business management college studies

Online business management degrees are quite popular nowadays among students. They save a ton of time, and they allow people to work and conduct their studies at the same time. This is one of the most viable ways to get an accredited business management degree without having to be in a college or university in person.

They are also a very good way to complete degrees at your own pace because some of the universities around the globe offer the option to take a course at the pace that student likes. This allows a student to take one class a week or multiple in a day.

That’s why around 49% of the students in the USA today have some sort of online learning attached to their name. Now, what are the basics of an accredited business management degree online? How long does it take to get one, and what are some of the cheapest online business management degrees available today?

We’ll answer that and more as we take a deep dive into understanding accredited online degrees and what they can offer. So, let’s get started.

Basics of a Business Management Degree Online

Now, before going to Google, “business management degree near me,” it’s important to understand a few basics of an online business management degree. This business degree should obtain all the same courses as an on-campus degree would.

Now, there are full-term graduate degrees, and then there are associate degrees in business management online. Students need to understand the difference between the two. But, some of the courses in either option might include curriculums focused on:

Business ethics;
Business management and administration;
Business accounting;
Professional communication;
Human resource management;
Financial forecasting and reporting;
And business law.

These basics then translate into a whole program that focuses on creating a degree that helps the student be ready for professional challenges. By focusing on ethics and such, an online business management degree can teach students common challenges in today’s professional world.

Whereas specific focus, such as human resources and accounting, will depend on the business management degree major. There are some business degrees that focus solely on management and administration. While there are some degrees like BSBA or BBA in management that focus on the accounting and finance aspect too.

Picking the right degree according to the major or concentration that the student wishes to focus on affects their career too. That’s why it’s necessary that a student pays thorough attention to majors and minors offered by a program.

While in most accredited universities, the business management online program will have the same courses as an on-campus one. But it’s still wise to confirm that by getting in touch with the university’s admission or registration office beforehand.

How Long Does It Take To Get an Online Business Management Degree

The duration of an online business management degree depends on the institution and it also depends on various other factors. This includes the type of business management degree one is applying for and their major and minor.

The important thing to understand is that traditional programs are four years. The at-your-pace programs that you might find will also take 3-4 years. The reason they’re called “at-your-pace” is because one can take these classes whenever they like in a specific window.

So a student doesn’t have to attend their lectures or classes on campus timings. They can take 8 classes on weekends instead of taking 2 every day from Monday to Thursday. But that’s just one example, as it could depend on other things like:

Credit transfer from prior education affects the completion timeline;
Course load per term also determines the rate of progress;
Full-time vs. part-time enrollment can impact degree duration;
Self-paced or fixed schedule affects flexibility and pace;
Availability of required courses and their required completion speed;
And personal time management also influences the overall degree timeline.

There’s more that goes into consideration, but these are some of the main reasons that decide the time it takes to complete a business management degree online. Now, according to Maryville University Online, one of the leading names in eLearning, it might take two years to finish a BS in business administration.

That depends on the definition as well because Maryville University says their degree is only eligible if the student already has 60 credits and wants to transfer from another university/college. But websites like Coursera claim that it might even take two to two-to-six years, depending on the type of degree.

So, it could be a 2-year online business management degree or a 3-4-year one. It depends on the college, accreditation, types of majors and minors, and a few other key factors mentioned above. So, make sure you consider all of these before signing up for a program at any university.

BA or BS: Which is Better in Business Management?

BA, which means Bachelor of Arts, is usually focused on various types of courses in a curriculum. Whereas BS, which means Bachelor of Science, focuses on technical skills and critical thinking in a field. For example, BA in Business Management will focus on:

Liberal arts;
Other minors like accounting;
And general skill development.

Whereas a BS In Business Management will focus on:

Quantitative skills;
Technical skills;
Data analysis;
And the science of management/business.

You could say that BS degrees are usually a bit harder than BA ones, too, though they are practically the same in most universities around the globe. Nowadays, there’s another program offered called BSBA, which means Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

So, they shouldn’t be confused with one another. However, picking one or the other depends entirely on the student, their priorities, which option is nearest, and which one they can afford.

What Is The Costs Of An Online Business Management Degree?

The cost and the final price tag of an online business management degree depend entirely on the university, state, degree level, and quality of courses offered. Most schools with dedicated business schools will happen to be a bit more expensive than universities without them.

This is because handling these schools requires extra income, and so that they can:

Create business-focused programs;
Hire experts in business to teach students;
And create a renowned faculty for business.

But that’s not necessarily the case with all major universities that offer online degrees. An online degree reduces the cost of operations, and that’s why the average difference is that an online degree is around $31,000 cheaper compared to an on-campus degree.

That means you won’t find a business management degree online for free, but you will find affordable and cheap options. According to Penn Foster, one of the cheapest online accredited universities from Pennsylvania, their business degree semesters cost around $1499 on average.

On the other hand, UTSA (University of Texas in San Antonio) has a business management degree online cost of around $486 per credit hour. If you multiply that by 120 credit hours, then the cost will be around $58,320 for an entire business degree.

So, it comes down to the university, college, and degree options that one should consider when thinking about the cost.

Best Accredited Universities And Colleges With Online Business Management Degrees

Let’s talk about some of the top universities and colleges that offer such programs.

1: Southern New Hampshire University – Online Business Degree

Southern New Hampshire is perhaps one of the leading universities that offers such programs in the United States. It is known for being lenient and doesn’t have any such thing as an “out-of-state” fee. So, everyone in the United States can freely apply for it.

It has two of the best online business degrees as well. One is an associate program, whereas the other is a full-scale bachelor of science program. Taking either of them will put the student on the spectrum of being an assistant or general business manager.

Programs:

AS In Accounting

BS In Accounting

2: ASU Online –Online Bachelor of Science in Management

ASU Online is one of the leading universities as well when it comes to online degrees. It offers one of the best business degrees in the United States that anyone from the nation can enroll in. The 120-credit hour degree has all the perks of learning about business.

This degree, called Online Bachelor of Science in Management, includes various minors and majors, but they are electives. So, the student can customize their course and take the 41-class management BS according to their liking.

Program:

Online BS in Management

3: University of Florida – Online BS or BA in Business Administration

The University of Florida is another capable online option and one of the best when it comes to an online degree for business. The two programs here are called Bachelor of Arts and Science in Business Administration. That’s why it should be on the list of consideration for any student.

Programs:

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA)

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)

Moreover…

The key things to consider about online business management degrees is to figure out which business management degree programs near you are ideal for you. Though online programs do rid one of the need to sign into the nearest university, the out-of-state factor should still be put into consideration.