Managers work as leaders in the manufacturing, service, and information technology industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management positions are projected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, adding more than 900,000 jobs. Keep reading to see ZDNet’s top pics for the best online master’s in management programs that fit your personal and professional goals.
Top 5 online schools for master’s in management
The best online master’s in management degrees
ZDNet’s ranking methodology takes cost, curricula, reputation, and overall outcome into consideration to create this guide to the best online management master’s degrees. Gainesville, FL Application fee: $30 Champaign, IL Application fee: $70 Richardson, TX Application fee: $50 West Lafayette, IN Application fee: $60 Babson Park, MA Application fee: $100 Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.
What to expect in an online master’s in management degree program
Because management degrees vary significantly in scope and emphasis, they provide opportunities for learners to study specific topics through concentrations that relate to their professional goals.
Acceptance rate: 37%Graduation rate: 87%Avg. annual net price: $6,302Years to completion: OneGRE/GMAT: Not requiredMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Synchronous
Acceptance rate: 59%Graduation rate: 86%Avg. annual net price: $15,880Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: Not requiredMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: FiveCourse delivery method: Synchronous
Acceptance rate: 79%Graduation rate: 69%Avg. annual net price: $15,232Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GMAT or GRE (no minimum scores listed)Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: Not publicly availableGraduation rate: 33%Avg. annual net price: $27,160Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: EightCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 26%Graduation rate: 92%Avg. annual net price: 34,606Years to completion: TwoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 83%Graduation rate: 67%Avg. annual net price: $22,597Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GMAT (minimum score: 500)/GRE (minimum score: 300)Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 86%Graduation rate: 50%Avg. annual net price: $12,774Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT (no minimum scores given)Minimum GPA: 2.75Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 82%Graduation rate: 59%Avg. annual net price: $22,906Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 43%Graduation rate: 55%Avg. annual net price: $13,017Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 76%Graduation rate: 73%Avg. annual net price: $18,233Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 75%Graduation rate: 72%Avg. annual net price: $22,495Years to completion: One to two GRE/GMAT: GMAT (no minimum score listed)Minimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 61%Graduation rate: 62%Avg. annual net price: $26,809Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: FiveCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 71%Graduation rate: 72%Avg. annual net price: $26,489Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GMAT (no minimum score listed)Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: FourCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 41%Graduation rate: 82%Avg. annual net price: $33,719Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 92%Graduation rate: 50%Avg. annual net price: $14,382Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 2.75Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 56%Graduation rate: 56%Avg. annual net price: $18,979Years to completion: OneGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 2.5Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 73%Graduation rate: 63%Avg. annual net price: $37,518Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: EightCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: Not publicly availableGraduation rate: 44%Avg. annual net price: $14,268Years to completion: One to threeGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 84%Graduation rate: 38%Avg. annual net price: $12,311Years to completion: One to two GRE/GMAT: GMAT (minimum score: 1,000)Minimum GPA: 2.75Enrollment periods per year: FiveCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 90%Graduation rate: 58%Avg. annual net price: $26,287Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 40%Graduation rate: 83%Avg. annual net price: $37,588Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GRE/GMAT required for full-time studentsMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 85%Graduation rate: 62%Avg. annual net price: $23,337Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 83%Graduation rate: 79%Avg. annual net price: $29,756Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GMAT/GRE (no minimum scores listed)Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: Not publicly availableGraduation rate: 49%Avg. annual net price: $9,805Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: N/AMinimum GPA: Not publicly availableEnrollment periods per year: 12Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 67%Graduation rate: 44%Avg. annual net price: $11,898Years to completion: One to twoGRE/GMAT: GRE if minimum GPA is not metMinimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Management master’s degrees include one or two years of coursework and practical requirements. Students explore management fundamentals like business ethics, finance, and human resources through lecture classes, group assignments, and exams. Management programs also integrate research methods, statistics, and data analysis courses. These programs often culminate with internship and capstone requirements. An online master’s degree in management requires dedication, commitment, and active engagement with classmates and instructors. Here’s a look at some of the courses you might take in an online master’s degree in management.
Master’s in management courses
No two management degrees are the same, but there are some classes that remain consistent across management programs. Classes in organizational strategy, project management, finance and budgeting, and quantitative research serve as the backbone of a management master’s degree.
Quantitative analysis for managers
Coursework in quantitative analysis trains students to form research questions, conduct data-based research, and assess information using statistical models and tools. Topics include probability, sampling, statistical inference, and risk analysis.
Theory and practice of organizational behavior
By exploring organizational theories in an increasingly global society, theory and practice of organizational behavior coursework provides insight into decision-making and leadership in the marketplace. Topics include organizational ethics, social responsibility, and diversity within organizations.
Fundamentals of project management
A course in the fundamentals of project management guides students through the lifecycle of a project. Learners learn about project development, resource and time management, interpersonal communication, and quality control while carrying out a project from start to finish.
Financial decision making for managers
With an emphasis on accounting and economics, classes in financial decision-making introduce students to concepts like opportunity costs, time and money valuation, and financial analysis. Additional topics include costing procedures, cash flow techniques, and product pricing.
Management degree levels
To enter the field of management, students can earn an undergraduate degree. Individuals who already have a degree can start a graduate program in management, which accommodates learners with work experience and helps them advance their careers.
Associate in management
Length: Two yearsCost: $3,000-$12,000Post-grad careers: Office manager, administrative assistant, retail store manager
An associate degree in management includes two years of coursework in business, communication, and information technology. Students learn the basics of accounting, finance, and writing for business while training to use computer software and hardware found in business settings. With an associate degree in management, learners can pursue entry-level roles in corporate and business offices, marketing and human resource departments, and retail management. A management associate degree also sets the foundation to continue onto a bachelor’s degree in management or a related field.
Bachelor’s in management
Length: Four yearsCost: $10,000-$80,000Post-grad careers: Sales manager, finance manager, business analyst
Through four years of general education and major coursework, a management major learns the fundamentals of accounting, economic, business ethics, and data analytics. If students pursue a bachelor of science in management, the program will emphasize the technological aspects of management. A bachelor of arts integrates more humanities coursework in the curriculum. Many bachelor’s degrees in management allow learners to choose a specialization such as finance, supply chain management, agribusiness, or entrepreneurship. At the end of a management degree, students often complete an internship and capstone requirement.
Master’s in management
Length: Two yearsCost: $8,000-$$100,000Post-grad careers: Business development manager, senior project manager, management consultant
A master’s in management program includes two years of coursework. Whether students pursue a master of science or a master of arts in management, they complete coursework in topics such as organizational behavior, data analysis, finance, and project management. A master’s degree in management often provides specialization options for students. Areas of emphasis include marketing, business administration, healthcare, and information technology. With a management master’s degree, individuals can pursue administrative, executive, and leadership roles in business, manufacturing, education, and information services.
Doctorate in management
Length: Three to five yearsCost: $30,000-$120,000Post-grad careers: Chief executive officer, management professor, management researcher
A doctorate in management trains students to explore practical aspects of management through theoretical and data-driven analysis. Students learn to address and remedy managerial challenges and issues through case studies, collaborative projects, and seminars. After completion of comprehensive exams, learners advance to the final stage of a doctorate in management program. This involves in-depth research on a specific question or issue of management and the production of a dissertation.
In conclusion
Managers lead people and organizations, allocate resources and services, and drive innovation in organizations and companies around the world. If a master’s in management sounds like a degree for you, check out the schools on this page to find out more.
