Best Online Associate in Business Management

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Find top-ranked online associate in business management degree programs provide the framework for students who want to pursue a career in managing employees and resources.

Key Takeaways

  • An online associate degree in either business management or small business management can be an affordable way to get started on your college education.
  • Many community colleges and two-year schools offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in business management, small business management, or entrepreneurship.
  • Earning an online associate degree in business management can prepare you for a variety of entry level jobs in your field. Many students also continue into a bachelor’s degree program in business management or a related area.

Top 10 Online Associate in Business Management Degree Programs

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  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. Hampton University
  3. Providence College
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  5. Austin Peay State University
  6. Blinn College
  7. Granite State College
  8. Empire State University
  9. Purdue University Global
  10. Lone Star College System
  1. University of Cincinnati
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  3. Hampton University
  4. Providence College
  5. Anne Arundel Community College
  6. Sacramento City College
  7. Park University
  8. Lone Star College System
  9. St. Petersburg College
  10. Purdue University Global
  1. Brigham Young University–Idaho 96%
  2. Austin Peay State University 94%
  3. University of Cincinnati 86%
  4. Albertus Magnus College 80%
  5. Hampton University 74%
  6. Concordia University Wisconsin 70%
  7. Missouri Valley College 61%
  8. Providence College 53%
  1. State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota 38 to 1
  2. Blinn College 35 to 1
  3. Coastline Community College 30 to 1
  4. Northern Virginia Community College 28 to 1
  5. American River College 27 to 1
  6. Purdue University Global 26 to 1
  7. Seminole State College of Florida 26 to 1
  8. Sacramento City College 25 to 1
  9. Saddleback College 24 to 1
  10. Excelsior University 23 to 1
  1. Providence College $57,928
  2. Albertus Magnus College $37,682
  3. Concordia University Wisconsin $33,062
  4. Hampton University $29,162
  5. Missouri Valley College $22,450
  6. Colorado Christian University $17,476
  7. Park University $12,671
  8. University of Cincinnati $10,656
  9. Purdue University Global $10,080
  10. Harper College $9,372
  1. Albertus Magnus College $22,176
  2. Colorado Christian University $13,931
  3. University of Cincinnati $13,224
  4. Hampton University $13,099
  5. Concordia University Wisconsin $12,042
  6. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,535
  7. Empire State University $11,310
  8. Providence College $11,070
  9. Granite State College $9,810
  10. Purdue University Global $9,472
  1. Copiah–Lincoln Community College
  2. Miles Community College
  3. Grayson College
  4. Southwestern Community College
  5. Isothermal Community College
  6. Lake Tahoe Community College
  7. Forsyth Technical Community College
  8. Craven Community College
  9. Tidewater Community College
  10. Des Moines Area Community College
  1. Copiah–Lincoln Community College
  2. Lake Tahoe Community College
  3. Craven Community College
  4. Isothermal Community College
  5. Gogebic Community College
  6. Excelsior University
  7. Forsyth Technical Community College
  8. Miles Community College
  9. Central Wyoming College
  10. Des Moines Area Community College
  1. Providence College 53%
  2. Missouri Valley College 61%
  3. Concordia University Wisconsin 70%
  4. Hampton University 74%
  5. Albertus Magnus College 80%
  6. University of Cincinnati 86%
  7. Austin Peay State University 94%
  8. Brigham Young University–Idaho 96%
  1. Southwestern Community College 10 to 1
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  3. Isothermal Community College 11 to 1
  4. Forsyth Technical Community College 11 to 1
  5. Providence College 11 to 1
  6. Concordia University Wisconsin 11 to 1
  7. Gogebic Community College 12 to 1
  8. Miles Community College 12 to 1
  9. Craven Community College 12 to 1
  10. Hampton University 13 to 1
  1. Coastline Community College $1,104
  2. Lake Tahoe Community College $1,116
  3. Saddleback College $1,288
  4. Isothermal Community College $1,824
  5. Pitt Community College $1,824
  6. Craven Community College $1,824
  7. St. Petersburg College $1,943
  8. Southwestern Community College $1,976
  9. Forsyth Technical Community College $1,992
  10. Guilford Technical Community College $2,128
  1. Missouri Valley College $3,600
  2. Park University $6,663
  3. Austin Peay State University $8,226
  4. Purdue University Global $9,472
  5. Granite State College $9,810
  6. Providence College $11,070
  7. Empire State University $11,310
  8. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,535
  9. Concordia University Wisconsin $12,042
  10. Hampton University $13,099
Three students studying outside

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Management Degrees

The associate degree in business management may seem interchangeable with an associate degree in business administration. While these two degrees may cover similar content, the associate degree in business management is generally geared toward working professionals who want to strengthen their skills in managing employees and resources.

While both degrees can lead to business leadership opportunities, the associate degree in business will emphasize organizational leadership skills while business administration programs tend to provide a more broadly focused course of study on a variety of business topics. Your community college may provide access to the business management program either on campus or through an online associate degree.

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While both a business management and a small business management associate degree will focus on managing employees and resources, an online associate degree in small business management or entrepreneurship will center on the unique challenges of growing a business from the ground up. That being said, many of the principles and courses taught in either program will be similar.

So, if your local community college doesn’t specifically offer an associate degree program geared towards small business, an online associate degree in business management can still help you to gain the skills necessary for launching a new business.

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Most business management and small business management associate degree programs will require the completion of both general education courses and core courses in business. Courses may cover topics such as:

  • Financial and managerial accounting
  • Sales management
  • Business law
  • International business
  • Human resources management
  • Entrepreneurship

Key Point: The focus on leadership in business management not only gives students in associate degree programs the skills to lead myriad types of teams, but can also provide the business skills that are unique to starting or running your own small business.

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The online associate degree in business management is typically a 60-credit program. Most associate’s degree programs require roughly two years to complete. Once completed, your associate degree in business can lead to managerial roles in sales, marketing, customer service, and more.

It should be noted that many leadership roles will require you to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management. You may be able to continue into a business administration degree program at the bachelor’s degree level.

Most business schools offer access to both four-year degrees. The same opportunities are typically available through accredited online business schools as well.

There are also a number of top-ranked business schools that offer accelerated associate degrees that allow students to earn their degree in as little as 12 months.

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According to Forbes Magazine, less than half of small businesses fail before they reach the five-year mark. The skills that students gain that are unique to starting and maintaining a small business can be invaluable to its success.

If you dream of opening your own business or have the opportunity to take over an existing business, earning an online associate degree in small business management could give you the foundation you need for it to succeed.

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Whether you pursue an online associate degree in small business management online or on campus, you’ll likely learn:

  • How to write a business plan
  • The legal requirements of starting a business
  • The principles of marketing a small business
  • How to hire and manage a team of employees
  • Budgeting
  • Business software applications

Bottom Line: The unique needs of starting and running a small business are what differentiates an associate degree in business management degree online from one that focuses on entrepreneurship. Most of these associate degree programs will provide a combination of business theory and practical management skills.

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Students in a park

Learn more about how to major in business.

An associate degree is a great way for many to start their business education, but you may want to also consider an online bachelor’s degree in business administration program.



Note: Below, you will find two rankings of associate degree programs:

Two colleges, The University of Alaska Fairbanks and Granite State College appear in both lists because both schools have concentration areas related to business management and small business management.

Students in a student center

Best Online Associate in Business Management Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/26

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at University of Cincinnati

    Cost of Degree: $12,334
    Expenses: $16,990
    Starting Salary: $45,236
    Salary after 4 years: $55,964
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAB in Financial Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAB in Business Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AAB in Marketing Management Technology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #2

    Hampton University

    Hampton , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $29K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/22

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Hampton University

    Cost of Degree: $29,162
    Expenses: $16,886
    Starting Salary: $37,501
    Salary after 4 years: $44,522
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  3. #3

    Providence College

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/30

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Providence College

    Cost of Degree: $57,928
    Expenses: $18,982
    Starting Salary: $54,941
    Salary after 4 years: $65,229
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Administrative Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Cost of Degree: $9,612
    Expenses: $15,300
    Starting Salary: $41,049
    Salary after 4 years: $50,785
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Applied Business

    Concentrations

    • Administrative Management
    • Computer Applications
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Health Care Management
    • Human Resources
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Public Management
    • Recreation and Guiding Management
    • Tourism
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #9

    Purdue Global

    West Lafayette , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    66K

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Small Group Management
    • Required Credits: 55
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS or AAS in Small Group Management For Military
    • Required Credits: 90
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #10

    Lone Star College System

    The Woodlands , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    103K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Lone Star College System

    Cost of Degree: $5,136
    Starting Salary: $37,135
    Salary after 4 years: $45,943

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Concordia University Wisconsin

    Cost of Degree: $33,062
    Expenses: $19,260
    Starting Salary: $35,405
    Salary after 4 years: $42,034
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 69
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at College of Southern Maryland

    Cost of Degree: $7,200
    Starting Salary: $36,953
    Salary after 4 years: $45,717

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Technical Management
    • Required Credits: 60-61
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  9. #14

    Schoolcraft College

    Livonia , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Schoolcraft College

    Cost of Degree: $5,650
    Starting Salary: $32,948
    Salary after 4 years: $40,763

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Marketing and Applied Management
    • Required Credits: 62-64
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  10. #15

    SUNY Adirondack

    Queensbury , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at SUNY Adirondack

    Cost of Degree: $6,088
    Expenses: $16,460
    Starting Salary: $32,766
    Salary after 4 years: $40,538
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  11. #17

    Park University

    Parkville , MO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Park University

    Cost of Degree: $9,702
    Expenses: $13,335
    Starting Salary: $38,025
    Salary after 4 years: $45,145
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Management
    • Required Credits: 27
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Construction Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Seminole State College of Florida

    Cost of Degree: $3,131
    Starting Salary: $31,947
    Salary after 4 years: $39,524

    Online Degrees

    AS in Entrepreneurship And Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AS in Administrative Office Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AA in Environmental Management Pathway
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    59K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/22

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Brigham Young University–Idaho

    Cost of Degree: $4,536
    Expenses: $8,882
    Starting Salary: $36,977
    Salary after 4 years: $43,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 4 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Applied Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  14. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Guilford Technical Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,319
    Starting Salary: $27,851
    Salary after 4 years: $34,457

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 65-66
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #24

    Sacramento City College

    Sacramento , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Sacramento City College

    Cost of Degree: $1,288
    Starting Salary: $37,044
    Salary after 4 years: $45,830

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    25K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Johnson County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,784
    Starting Salary: $37,499
    Salary after 4 years: $46,393

    Online Degrees

    ASA in Marketing Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Colorado Christian University

    Cost of Degree: $26,846
    Expenses: $12,774
    Starting Salary: $33,384
    Salary after 4 years: $39,635
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AS in Nonprofit Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    AS in Logistics And Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
Two students working together
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Best Online Associate’s in Small Business Management Degree Programs

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Cost of Degree: $9,612
    Expenses: $15,300
    Starting Salary: $41,049
    Salary after 4 years: $50,785
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Applied Business with Entrepreneurship Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  2. #3

    Schoolcraft College

    Livonia , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Schoolcraft College

    Cost of Degree: $5,650
    Starting Salary: $32,948
    Salary after 4 years: $40,763

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Small Business for Entrepreneurs
    • Required Credits: 62-64
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  3. #4

    SUNY Adirondack

    Queensbury , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at SUNY Adirondack

    Cost of Degree: $6,088
    Expenses: $16,460
    Starting Salary: $32,766
    Salary after 4 years: $40,538
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Seminole State College of Florida

    Cost of Degree: $3,131
    Starting Salary: $31,947
    Salary after 4 years: $39,524

    Online Degrees

    AS in Entrepreneurship And Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  5. #7

    Harper College

    Palatine , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Harper College

    Cost of Degree: $9,942
    Starting Salary: $38,773
    Salary after 4 years: $47,969

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion time: 2 Years
    • Format: Online
  6. #8

    St. Petersburg College

    St. Petersburg , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at St. Petersburg College

    Cost of Degree: $2,682
    Starting Salary: $33,403
    Salary after 4 years: $41,326

    Online Degrees

    AS in Business Administration with Entrepreneurship Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  7. Tuition + fees

    $22K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1015/18

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Missouri Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $22,450
    Expenses: $14,700
    Starting Salary: $28,518
    Salary after 4 years: $33,858
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Small Business Management
    • Required Credits: 68
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  8. #12

    Jackson College

    Jackson , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Jackson College

    Cost of Degree: $7,425
    Expenses: $12,002
    Starting Salary: $31,037
    Salary after 4 years: $38,398
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Allied Health with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  9. #13

    Central Wyoming College

    Riverton , WY

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Central Wyoming College

    Cost of Degree: $4,680
    Expenses: $13,462
    Starting Salary: $30,127
    Salary after 4 years: $37,272
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Technical Studies- Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Truckee Meadows Community College

    Cost of Degree: $3,162
    Starting Salary: $34,587
    Salary after 4 years: $42,790

    Online Degrees

    AA in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  11. #15

    American River College

    Sacramento , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    42K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at American River College

    Cost of Degree: $1,288
    Starting Salary: $34,678
    Salary after 4 years: $42,902

    Online Degrees

    AA in Small Business Management
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  12. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Gogebic Community College

    Cost of Degree: $7,209
    Expenses: $10,100
    Starting Salary: $29,490
    Salary after 4 years: $36,484
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAB in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 61-62
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  13. #19

    Pitt Community College

    Winterville , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Pitt Community College

    Cost of Degree: $1,940
    Starting Salary: $27,851
    Salary after 4 years: $34,457

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Healthcare Management Technology with a Healthcare Entrepreneurship Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Healthcare Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 69
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  14. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Herkimer County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,776
    Expenses: $16,464
    Starting Salary: $31,401
    Salary after 4 years: $38,849
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Small Business Management
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Rockland Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,120
    Starting Salary: $39,046
    Salary after 4 years: $48,307

    Online Degrees

    AS in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    AAS in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  16. Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota

    Cost of Degree: $3,074
    Starting Salary: $31,765
    Salary after 4 years: $39,299

    Online Degrees

    AS in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Bucks County Community College

    Cost of Degree: $9,184
    Starting Salary: $38,500
    Salary after 4 years: $47,632

    Online Degrees

    AA in Technical Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 60-61
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  18. #25

    Rose State College

    Midwest City , OK

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    21%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Rose State College

    Cost of Degree: $5,010
    Expenses: $15,632
    Starting Salary: $33,039
    Salary after 4 years: $40,875
    Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Small Business Operations
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  19. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Des Moines Area Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,340
    Expenses: $10,708
    Starting Salary: $33,494
    Salary after 4 years: $41,438
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 65
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  20. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Tidewater Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,561
    Starting Salary: $32,129
    Salary after 4 years: $39,749

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Small Business Management And Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 67
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  21. #28

    Craven Community College

    New Bern , NC

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Craven Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,022
    Starting Salary: $29,945
    Salary after 4 years: $37,047

    Online Degrees

    AS in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 70
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  22. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Forsyth Technical Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,152
    Starting Salary: $27,305
    Salary after 4 years: $33,781

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 72
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  23. #30

    Lake Tahoe Community College

    South Lake Tahoe , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Lake Tahoe Community College

    Cost of Degree: $1,131
    Expenses: $18,996
    Starting Salary: $28,579
    Salary after 4 years: $35,358
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Business with a Small Business Ownership Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Small Business Ownership
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  24. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Isothermal Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,030
    Starting Salary: $24,211
    Salary after 4 years: $29,953

    Online Degrees

    AS in Associate In Applied Sciences Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 67
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  25. Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Southwestern Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,229
    Starting Salary: $25,303
    Salary after 4 years: $31,304

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Associate Of Applied Science Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship Concentration

    Concentrations

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 65-67
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  26. #33

    Grayson College

    Denison , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Grayson College

    Cost of Degree: $4,132
    Expenses: $11,154
    Starting Salary: $32,766
    Salary after 4 years: $40,538
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    ASS in Web Based Small Business Development
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  27. #34

    Miles Community College

    Miles City , MT

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Miles Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,240
    Expenses: $10,800
    Starting Salary: $39,228
    Salary after 4 years: $48,533
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AAS in Small Business Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  28. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Business Management degree at Copiah–Lincoln Community College

    Cost of Degree: $3,600
    Expenses: $9,350
    Starting Salary: $30,309
    Salary after 4 years: $37,497
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    AA in Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 63
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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