Best Online MBA in Operations Management Ranked for Students in 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE MBA IN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
By Dave Tomar
Published:
Updated:

An online MBA in operations management can lead to a well-paying career in the business sector. We rank the best programs here.

Key Takeaways

  • The online MBA in operations management degree is a versatile degree dealing with various overlapping business strategies.

  • Getting the online MBA with an operations management concentration can lead to well-paying careers for administrative services and business operations managers.

  • A select few schools of business offer fully online MBA programs in operations management.

See our complete guide to MBAs for more information.

Featured Programs

An online MBA in operations management is perfect for business professionals looking for careers in quality and project management. While many of the best online MBA programs offer closely related degrees in areas like strategic management and human resource management, there are only a few online MBA programs in operations management to choose from.

However, graduate students looking to balance work and career advancement tend to benefit from the convenience of the online MBA program. That makes each online program listed below particularly unique.

Most students who earn an online master in operations management will seek roles in operations and supply chain management. However, there are numerous related career paths that you could take including human resources management, financial management, and quality control.

Female managers in a warehouse

The Best Online MBA in Operations Management Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Syracuse University

    Syracuse , NY
    #2 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #4 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #5 Best Colleges in New York 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    52%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1345/30

    Career Outlook for Operations Management degree at Syracuse University

    Cost of Degree: $46,318
    Expenses: $22,086
    Starting Salary: $82,715
    Salary after 4 years: $93,924
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Syracuse University known for?

    Syracuse University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    What do we love about Syracuse University?

    Syracuse University was formed in 1870 as an affiliate of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Becoming a secular institution in 1920, this private research university is noted today for nationally renowned programs in areas like business administration, architecture, and public administration.

    Syracuse University serves more than 21,000 students. Syracuse also boasts a strong roster of alumni, including 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden.

    • Syracuse University is great for students who:

      Are seeking advanced degrees. Syracuse is noted as an R1 university for its high level of research activity.

    • Syracuse University might not be the best fit for students who:

      Don’t prefer an urban educational experience. Syracuse University is primarily concentrated in downtown Syracuse.

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Thomas Jefferson University

    Philadelphia , PA
    #9 Best Research Universities in Pennsylvania 2025 #10 Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2025 #10 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/29

    Career Outlook for Operations Management degree at Thomas Jefferson University

    Cost of Degree: $23,814
    Expenses: $22,874
    Starting Salary: $118,694
    Salary after 4 years: $134,779
    Cost Recoup Time: 5 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Thomas Jefferson University known for?

    Thomas Jefferson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    What do we love about Thomas Jefferson University?

    Thomas Jefferson University was established in 1824 as a private university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though the university merged with Philadelphia University in 2017, it is still largely recognized simply as Jefferson.

    Thomas Jefferson was formed as a medical college but, today, serves nearly 8,000 students in a wide range of disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Today, its medical school ranks as 9th oldest in the nation.

    • Thomas Jefferson is great for students who:

      Wish to study medicine. Jefferson is noted for its many teaching hospitals.

    • Thomas Jefferson University might not be the best fit for students who:

      Do not prefer an urban environment. Jefferson is based in the major metropolitan city of Philadelphia.

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Lincoln Memorial University

    Harrogate , TN
    #4 Best Small Colleges in Tennessee 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #9 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2024 #10 Best Research Universities in Tennessee 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1086/21

    Career Outlook for Operations Management degree at Lincoln Memorial University

    Cost of Degree: $23,225
    Expenses: $17,408
    Starting Salary: $49,725
    Salary after 4 years: $56,463
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lincoln Memorial University known for?

    Lincoln Memorial University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    What do we love about Lincoln Memorial University?

    Lincoln Memorial University was formed in 1897 and was named to honor the late President Abraham Lincoln. It is said that Lincoln wished during his lifetime to reward the people of East Tennessee for their loyalty to the Union during the Civil War. For this reason, Union General Oliver O. Howard worked with local leaders to establish the Harrowgate, Tennessee school.

    Today, the private university is home to more than 4000 students, the majority of whom are studying for postgraduate degrees.

    • Lincoln Memorial University is great for students who:

      Enjoy outdoor recreation and history. Lincoln’s 1000 acre campus borders the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and lays claim to one of the largest collections of Lincoln artifacts in the nation.

    • Lincoln Memorial University might not be the best fit for students who:

      Are seeking a larger campus experience. While students describe the campus as beautiful and brimming with history, the modest size may limit on-campus activities.

    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with Operations Management Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Operations Management And Supervision

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $12,282
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,172
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $83,399
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $95,030
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 4 years
  • Job Growth: 7.87%
  • Number of Jobs: 3,142,200
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Chief Executives5.48%$206,680
Computer and Information Systems Managers17.42%$169,510
Compensation and Benefits Managers2.09%$136,380
Purchasing Managers5.04%$136,380
Human Resources Managers6.51%$136,350

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Chief Executives$206,680
Computer and Information Systems Managers$169,510
Compensation and Benefits Managers$136,380
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Find out what your options are with a look at our full List of Online Programs.

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About Online MBA in Operations Management Degree Programs

Students in the online MBA in operations management degree program will study topics such as personnel management, enterprise resource planning, and supply chain management. Students will also work to enhance their leadership skills, critical thinking skills, and core business skills.

These skills can easily be transferred to careers in other business contexts including logistics, finance, and marketing.

In most cases, however, the online MBA in operations management is designed to prepare you for a career as an operations manager.

This advanced degree can lead to immediate and well-paying opportunities in the field. For instance, Administrative Services and Facilities Managers are capable of earning a median salary of $99,290 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements for a online MBA in operations management

Schools that offer an online MBA in operations management have different admission requirements.

These are the admission requirements common to schools offering the online MBA in operations management:

  • A completed online application
  • An accredited bachelor’s degree
  • Official college transcripts
  • A cumulative college GPA of 3.0 - 3.5
  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) Score or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Score
  • Personal statement or essay
  • Reference Letters
  • Professional Resume or CV

Key Point: Some programs might also require an interview process.

Learn more about online MBA admission requirements.

Curriculum and Courses

Each school of business offering the online MBA with an operations management specialization has its own course requirements, although there are similarities in programs.

There are typically core online MBA in operations management courses, individualized research projects, and practicum, laboratory, or residency requirements.

The typical courses offered in the online MBA in operations management program include:

  • Business Analytics
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Business Process Improvement
  • International Business Law
  • Finance Management
  • Financial Accounting
  • Marketing Management
  • Risk Management

Key Point: Online MBA in operations management programs will cover topics such as supply chain management, data analysis, and risk management.

Managers in a warehouse
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Careers for Online MBA in Operations Management Degree Holders

Graduates with the online MBA in operations management have the credentials to qualify for several careers in the business world, including:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Project Management
  • Global Logistics
  • Business Operations Management
  • Administration Services
  • Quality Management
  • Managerial Finance
  • Human Resource Management

Key Points: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for Administrative Services and Facilities Managers are projected to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031.

The picture is even brighter for those who use their operations management degree for a career in supply chain management. Jobs logistics experts are expected to grow by an incredible 28% from 2021 to 2031.

See what else you can do with an online MBA.

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Factors for Choosing MBA in Operations Management Online Programs

If you aspire to a career in operations management, you must be sure that you can tackle the challenges of an accredited online MBA in operations management program.

Choosing a top-notch online degree program will help to make your professional journey easier by allowing you to balance your pursuit of an advanced degree with any existing professional demands.

Furthermore, an online degree program in a reputable college or university should have the integrity, reputation, and track record to convince employers that their graduates deserve a place in the employer’s organization.

Here are the factors that you need to consider when choosing a school that offers the online MBA in operations management degree:

  • Accreditation: Accreditation is vital. It signifies that the school’s education is in compliance with the standards of the Department of Education and the accrediting body. A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its students.

    • In addition to institutional accreditation, be sure your degree in online MBA in operations management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This national board provides programmatic accreditation, which is an important mark of credibility for the master’s of business administration degree.

  • Cost: Cost is an inherent element of every educational pursuit. But since cost differs from one school to another, you must ensure that the online school you choose is affordable while still providing a quality education.
  • Financing Options: Accredited colleges and universities will offer financial aid options including grants, scholarships, and loans for students who qualify. Some will also offer work-study programs.
  • Course Delivery: Online education courses are delivered in three different ways: synchronous (live online classes), asynchronous (classes that can be attended anytime), and blended or hybrid (a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous). Choose a school that offers the type that suits your schedule.
  • Academic Support: Academic support is a valuable element of distance learning. Give due credit to schools that provide students with online resources such as references and tutorials. You will need these to gain a deeper understanding of your lessons.

Learn how to find accredited online MBA programs.

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Student Submitted Questions on the Best Online MBA in Operations Management

Evan asks, “How do online MBA programs in Operations Management accommodate working professionals?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: Depending on the program that you choose to do, the school might offer asynchronous courses, meaning that you can access lectures and other course materials on your own time. This type of schedule is extremely flexible, meaning that it should not interfere with your work. There are also part-time options so that students can balance school while working.

Marquelle asks, “What types of internships or other experiential learning opportunities are offered to online MBA students focusing on operations management?”

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: Many schools will have industry partnerships that they can connect students to. These specific connections will differ based on the school, so I would look into what these connections are. This might impact where you choose to go to school if the partners are companies that interest you, or vice versa. Most institutions will also provide students with the opportunity to be part of consulting projects, case studies, and simulation exercises. These activities will allow students to become adept at making strategic decisions and testing operational strategies.

Noah asks, “How do online MBA programs prepare students for leadership roles in operations management?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: This will differ based on the program, but many schools will prepare students for leadership roles through coursework, practical experiences, and skill development initiatives. Some MBA programs will require or encourage students to take electives, allowing you to take courses with more of a leadership emphasis. Leadership development programs that are designed to teach students about communication, team building, negotiation, and strategic thinking are another way that universities foster leadership in their students.

Save money on your way to an MBA by checking out some free MBA courses at some of the best business schools in the world.

Or find other top schools with a look at these College and University Rankings.

 
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