Online Business Degrees
Do you see yourself working in a fast-paced corporate setting? Do you have a knack for numbers and enjoy the challenge of leadership?
If so, then working towards an online degree in business administration is a great option to build a diverse career out of your innate skill-set!
Over the last few decades, the student population has become increasingly diverse. Instead of students entering college straight out of high school, many also hold full-time jobs, are raising a family, or are adult learners looking for a career change. For non-traditional students, the opportunity to earn an online degree through top-tier colleges is the perfect option to fit school into their busy lives!
Business Administration Careers and Salaries
When it comes to business administration, there are countless career paths you can choose to put your degree to work! From owning a small business to accounting or human resource management, there are several ways that you can customize your business administration degree to meet your future goals.
To give you an idea of some of the options open to you, we put together a list of some common jobs within the field of Business Administration and their average mid-career salaries:
| Job Title | Job Summary |
Mid-Career Pay |
| Financial Controller | Holds many responsibilities that include the overseeing and managing of all of a company’s financial departments. |
$76,000 |
| Financial Analyst | Studies marketplace trends and microeconomic factors to help a business make smart investment decisions. | $65,000 |
| Senior Accountant | Responsible for keeping a company financially organized and is the head of the accounting division. | $64,000 |
| HR Manager | In charge of employee policies, compliance, and procedures within an organization. | $62,000 |
| Operations Manager | Oversees various departments within a company that involve their production of goods or services. | $60,000 |
*Job and salary data provided by Payscale.com
From the career and salary information above, you can see that those educated in the field of Business Administration hold vital roles within the structure of a business – and their pay reflects this!
The salaries shown are averaged from professional employees with 10 years of experience in the field. As you continue your journey into Business Administration, you may make less or more than the average depending upon your specific career path and skill-set.
Types of Online Business Administration Degrees
Everyone knows that a college education takes time, and online degrees are no different. However, there are many ways that you can shave time off your degree path when choosing to pursue an online Business Administration degree!
Consider registering for accelerated classes, making use of credit by examination opportunities (CLEP, DSST, or other institution-specific exams), as well as college credit for work (or military experience). Credit policies vary by university, so be sure to check with your prospective college to see if any of these opportunities are available to you.
Online Associate’s Degree in Business Administration
Earning an associate’s degree in Business Administration online can be a great option to get your feet wet in the world of business. There are many career paths that can be enhanced with knowledge of business administration, including working in accounts receivable, real estate, and insurance.
Online Associate’s in Business:
- Purdue University Global – Online Associate’s in Business Administration
- Ohio Christian University – Online Associate’s in Business – Business Management
At the associate’s level, you will take a number of courses that give a broad overview of the business world, including:
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Speech and public speaking
- Business writing
- Principals of marketing
- Fundamentals of microeconomics and macroeconomics
A solid stepping stone into the world of business, an online associate’s degree in Business Administration is a great choice for those looking to enter the workforce or start their own business venture.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
As with most careers, earning a higher-level degree tends to equal more career opportunities and greater salary ranges. When pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, you will be able to focus on a concentration specific to your career goals.
Online Bachelor’s in Business:
- Colorado State University – Online Bachelor’s in Business Management
- Ashford University – Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration
- Purdue University Global – Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration
Additionally, you will gain a more in-depth view of the field of business and have the opportunity to delve deeper into understanding how a successful company is run.
Common concentrations available:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Human Resources
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
Choosing to work towards a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration gives you an edge in the competitive world of business. Not only will you obtain specialized knowledge, you will also develop the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary to rise to the top of the corporate world.
Online Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
When working towards your Master’s in Business Administration, you will find that your online degree program focuses on the management and leadership skills needed to succeed in business. By building upon your existing undergraduate business studies, you will study the ins and outs of the corporate world by learning from leading experts and professors in the field.
Online Master’s in Business:
- Liberty University – Online Master’s in Business Administration
- Ohio Christian University – Online Master’s in Business Administration
- Full Sail University – Online Master’s in Business Intelligence
A few of the general required courses that you may encounter during your MBA journey include:
- Strategic marketing and leadership
- Organizational management and human resources
- Executive accounting
- Supply chain management
Although it is not the norm, it is important to note that a few universities may require a brief residency for successful completion of your MBA.
With many top universities now offering MBA programs online, the opportunity to hit the ground running in the business world is greater than ever!
Online Doctorate Degree in Business Administration
If you envision yourself at the top of a Fortune 500 company or teaching Business courses at a reputable university, then taking your Business Administration education to the doctorate level could be a valid strategic move.
Online Doctorate in Business:
The high-level courses that you can expect to see at the doctoral level include:
- Doctoral seminars
- Statistical research methods and design
- In-depth courses on global economics
- Ethical leadership and law
- Dissertation development
As the pinnacle of your educational career, earning a Ph.D. behind your name may be exactly what you need to open the door to a highly respected career.
Business Administration Career Outlook and Salary Information
The business world is always changing, and this can be a positive factor for those in business administration. With economic growth and the evolution of technology, new career paths are always developing in which you can put your business skills to the test.
As discussed above, there are a wide variety of jobs available once you have earned your business administration degree. Your career outlook and potential salary will be largely dependent on the amount of education you acquire and the specific industry and career path you pursue.
Regardless, the long-term outlook appears bright for those entering the business world! For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the career of Administrative Service Manager is expected to grow 8% between 2014 and 2024, which is on par with the national average. Other careers within Business Administration are showing an even greater rate of expansion over the coming years.
Check out our comprehensive list of the top 40 business careers to compare jobs and salaries in this field.
Is an Online Degree Program Right for Me?
If you’ve been considering an online degree program, you are likely wondering about the benefits of online classes – and there are many!
Some of the top reasons students choose to pursue an online degree include:
- Ability to log-in anytime and anywhere
- Technologically enhanced courses
- Option to move at a faster pace
- Lower cost of tuition (in many cases)
- Career advancement
- Ability to continue working full-time
…. and so much more!
With more colleges than ever jumping onboard with online degree programs, now is the perfect time to join over 6 million fellow students who are working towards their educational dreams in an online setting!
Comparing Top Business Administration Degree Programs
Once you have determined that the field of Business Administration is something you want to pursue, it is then time to pick a college that can best suit your needs. When it comes to accredited universities offering online degree programs, there are many options. However, by looking at the following factors closely, you can ensure you will be getting the best education possible.at
Accreditation
Earning a degree at an accredited university is essential in today’s world. There are many “degree mill” schools popping up with the increased popularity of students registering for online courses, and you will want to avoid these at all costs!
So, what does accreditation actually mean?
An accredited university is one that has voluntarily gone through the process of having their academic quality and financial resources formally reviewed. When you enroll at an accredited university, you have a much higher chance of knowing that you are working towards a degree that will have a positive reputation once you get into the workforce.
There are six regional accrediting agencies endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and several others that review specific universities and programs.
Some of the major names to look for during your research include:
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- Higher Learning Commission
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
- Distance Education Accrediting Commission
To find out more about regional and national accrediting agencies, you can go to the U.S. Department of Education’s website for detailed information.
Student to Faculty Ratio
Just because you will not be taking classes in-person at a brick and mortar school doesn’t mean that class size isn’t an important factor!
In fact, having an appropriate student to faculty ratio becomes even more essential in online degree programs to stay on track with your studies. When college professors are responsible for large class sizes, it is much more difficult for them to give you the individualized support you need in order to succeed.
In addition to checking out your prospective college’s student to faculty ratio, it is also a good idea to take a look at their faculty information. When you are putting the hard work in to earn your business administration degree, you need to ensure that you are being taught by expert faculty. Most colleges have a section on their websites where you can review the academic history and achievements of the professors for your desired program.
Academic Advising and Student Services
There is no doubt that studying and coursework are important to succeeding in your degree program, but there is more to it than that! When researching colleges, take time to look at the advising and student services they offer to online students.
These student services set the top colleges apart from the crowd, and may include:
- Online access to business resources
- Internship opportunities in various business career paths
- One-on-one online mentoring programs
- Online bookstores
- Free tutoring for current classes
Earning your online Business Administration degree is an exciting opportunity to jump head first into the fast-paced world of business. Whether you dream of supporting your family with a small business, or you have a passion for the corporate world, there are countless options available to customize a career path to your future goals.
With a strong career outlook and the flexibility of online degree programs, there is no better time than now to take the first step towards your Business Administration degree!
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