A master’s in sports management online is the best way to advance in your career with the dynamic sports industry. These programs are designed for a variety of professional aspirations, from general management to athletic coaching, scouting for teams and programs, even marketing and public relations. From big names like the NFL or NCAA to smaller community games and events, sports managers need to be able to handle administrative and operational tasks. Through an online sports management master’s degree program, students are transformed into resourceful, successful leaders with the knowledge and tools to help one of the most popular industries in the world thrive. But even with the prospects of a management career with a great salary, finding a college program that fits with your budget as well as your burgeoning career can be an overwhelming process.
Looking for an affordable master’s in sports management online? GetEducated’s rankings reveal all of the regionally accredited master’s programs in sports management that cost less than the national average so that you, the consumer, can make the most informed decision.
GetEducated compared 91 master’s degrees in sports management at 77 online schools to create this ‘Best Buy’ list. Our rankings reveal the most affordable options in the United States—54 master’s in sports management online for under $23,000.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$23,000
Least Expensive: Southeastern Oklahoma State University ~$10,140
Most Expensive: New York University ~$84,944
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There’s no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest accredited online schools. The master’s in sports management online programs listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Master’s in Sports Management Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $10,140.00 | All Students |
2 | Grace College and Theological Seminary | (IN) | $10,200.00 | All Students |
3 | Union Commonwealth University | (KY) | $10,250.00 | All Students |
4 | Western Carolina University | (NC) | $10,340.10 $29,185.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Arkansas State University | (AR) | $11,412.00 | All Students |
6 | University of Central Arkansas | (AR) | $12,016.80 | All Students |
7 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $12,100.00 $7,850.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
8 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $12,570.00 | All Students |
9 | University of West Georgia | (GA) | $12,632.00 | All Students |
10 | Minot State University | (ND) | $12,829.20 | All Students |
11 | Indiana State University | (IN) | $13,460.00 $17,360.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Delaware State University | (DE) | $13,730.00 | All Students |
13 | University of Southern Indiana | (IN) | $13,967.41 | All Students |
14 | Jacksonville State University | (AL) | $14,050.00 $9,550.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
15 | Georgia Southern University | (GA) | $14,448.00 | All Students |
16 | American Public University System | (WV) | $14,450.00 $9,350.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
17 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $14,700.00 $11,025.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
18 | Colorado Mesa University | (CO) | $15,450.00 | All Students |
19 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | (MN) | $15,513.30 | All Students |
20 | Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $15,675.00 | All Students |
20 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | (MN) | $15,675.00 $11,550.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 | University of Central Missouri | (MO) | $16,140.00 | All Students |
23 | University of South Alabama | (AL) | $16,215.00 | All Students |
24 | Neumann University | (PA) | $16,385.00 | All Students |
25 | Jackson State University | (MS) | $16,632.00 | All Students |
26 | University of Mississippi | (MS) | $17,145.00 | All Students |
27 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside | (WI) | $17,325.00 | All Students |
28 | Gardner-Webb University | (NC) | $17,450.00 | All Students |
29 | University of Southern Mississippi | (MS) | $17,559.96 | All Students |
30 | University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $17,910.00 | All Students |
31 | John Brown University | (AR) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
32 | Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $18,502.00 $9,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
33 | West Virginia University | (WV) | $18,840.00 | All Students |
34 | Troy University | (AL) | $18,900.00 | All Students |
35 | Missouri Baptist University | (MO) | $19,367.00 | All Students |
36 | Coker University | (SC) | $19,492.00 | All Students |
37 | East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $20,130.00 $25,245.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
38 | Belhaven University | (MS) | $20,660.00 $14,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
39 | Southern Nazarene University | (OK) | $20,700.00 | All Students |
40 | Fresno Pacific University | (CA) | $20,940.00 | All Students |
41 | Old Dominion University | (VA) | $20,960.00 $22,544.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
42 | Colorado State University | (CO) | $21,128.00 | All Students |
43 | Missouri Baptist University | (MO) | $21,218.00 | All Students |
44 | University of Toledo | (OH) | $21,371.20 $21,521.20 | In-State Out-of-State |
45 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $21,436.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
46 | Endicott College | (MA) | $21,494.00 | All Students |
47 | Morehead State University | (KY) | $21,654.00 | All Students |
48 | Baker University | (KS) | $21,686.00 | All Students |
49 | University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $22,380.00 $22,830.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
50 | Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $22,521.60 $24,429.60 $18,309.60 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
51 | Lasell University | (MA) | $22,536.00 | All Students |
52 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $22,722.00 $17,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
53 | University of Memphis | (TN) | $22,803.00 | All Students |
54 | Fairleigh Dickinson University | (NJ) | $22,850.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adrian College | (MI) | $23,150.00 | All Students | |
Western Kentucky University | (KY) | $23,331.00 | All Students | |
United States Sports Academy | (AL) | $23,950.00 $19,165.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $24,510.00 | All Students | |
Ohio Dominican University | (OH) | $25,470.00 | All Students | |
 University of New Haven Master of Science in Esports Business AACSB,14 | (CT) | $26,076.00 | All Students | |
Winthrop University | (SC) | $26,200.00 | All Students | |
University of Louisville | (KY) | $27,072.00 $9,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Wayne State University | (MI) | $27,560.54 $52,222.34 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Canisius College | (NY) | $28,545.00 | All Students | |
Southern Connecticut State University | (CT) | $29,364.00 | All Students | |
 Ohio University | (OH) | $29,808.00 $30,492.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Temple University | (PA) | $30,208.00 | All Students | |
Gonzaga University | (WA) | $32,860.00 | All Students | |
Tulane University | (LA) | $33,930.00 | All Students | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $35,325.00 | All Students | |
Adelphi University | (NY) | $35,640.00 | All Students | |
Rider University | (NJ) | $36,780.00 | All Students | |
DePaul University | (IL) | $38,744.00 | All Students | |
American University | (DC) | $40,510.00 | All Students | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $42,705.00 $39,870.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
 Georgetown University | (DC) | $44,490.00 | All Students | |
Northwestern University | (IL) | $45,133.00 | All Students | |
University of Miami | (FL) | $66,490.00 | All Students | |
New York University | (NY) | $84,944.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
15 AACSB International (AACSB)
16 International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
17 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
46 Multiple cost options include a traditional tuition format and a flat-rate basis.
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited master’s in sports management online. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online master degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for sports management may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best master’s in sports management online for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Master’s in Sports Management Online
If you are already working in the sports industry, perhaps in the marketing, human resource, or sales departments, a master’s in sports management online could boost your career. But these degrees are also wonderful opportunities for anyone, in any profession, who wants to work in the engaging and ever-fascinating world of sports. Can’t hit the curve, dunk a basketball, or run a marathon, but still want a career in and around sports? Then these are the programs for you!
What to Expect from a Master’s Degree in Sports Management
Sports management is one of the broadest academic fields you can find. While it stays focused, for the most part, on the sports industry, the topics can include management practices, finance, marketing, leadership, ethics, legal issues, and more.
Once complete, a master’s in sports management online will prepare you for many different roles within the sports industry. From the marketing department to general management, you’ll be ready for an exciting career in this fun, engaging industry.
To gain entry into one of these programs, you’ll need previous education (likely a bachelor’s degree) in a related field. Business, marketing, communication, journalism, and health studies are all potential educations for students entering a master’s in sports management online. You’ll need transcripts, and many colleges require at least a 3.0 GPA from previous studies. Master’s programs often have requirements for entry that include multiple letters of recommendation, essays, and a resume that shows experience in a related field.
The classes in these degrees can take many forms and cover a variety of topics, including…
Management & Leadership
Some programs will focus almost entirely on management and leadership within the sports industry. While you may not be giving a roaring, “win-one-for-the-gipper” speech, you will be guiding a sports organization and office. Understanding issues like change management, administration, communication, and group organization will be essential in your career.
Economics & Finance
Not all sports teams and leagues are swimming in cash. Most, in fact, operate on tight budgets. This is true for almost all minor and local teams, as well as programs in the largest and most popular sports leagues in the world. People in sports management need to understand the financial issues impacting teams and leagues, so classes may include basic accounting, project estimating, finance, and how to create revenue streams.
Marketing
Your master’s in sports management online may also include a few classes on marketing. They will specifically focus on how to market a sports product to the general public, how to create a loyal following, and how to turn ticket-buying customers into buyers for shirts, hats, and other merchandise.
Theories, Ethics & Humanities
Many of the classes will be theoretical in nature, with a more classic liberal-arts theme. Classes may include the ethics of sports management, the psychology or philosophy of sports in culture, or critical issues that are impacting sports.
Careers after a Sports Management Degree
The specific career you choose will depend on your overall skills and talents. There are many different positions available within the sports industry, and the following positions can be found within a sports team or league…
Marketing Manager
- Salary: $141,490
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Five years or more
Even the most popular sports teams, programs that have a loyal fanbase and sell out tickets every year need a thriving, vibrant marketing department. Marketing managers set the pace and character of an organization’s advertising and promotional campaigns. On a day-to-day basis, they may work with the team’s general management to define marketing goals, select the best advertising medium, and negotiate contracts with radio, television, and print outlets.
This career can bring an excellent salary, and it’s expected to grow by 10% between 2020 and 2030. So there should be plenty of opportunities for people with marketing experience in the sports industry.
Sales Manager
- Salary: $132,290
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Less than five years
Like any business, a sport team needs to make money. It often falls on sales associates, led by sales managers, to increase profits and keep the team on a strong financial foundation.
Sales managers oversee sales teams, set goals, create selling strategies, and analyze numbers to increase future performance. In the sports world, this could mean selling more tickets to past buyers, reaching out to broadcasters to sell the sports product, or attempting to increase concession sales.
Requirements for Working in Sports Management
To work in the sports industry, you need a variety of skills and knowledge. Fortunately, almost all of the careers that come after a master’s in sports management online will not require a license. Certification, however, could be useful. Professional certification in marketing, management, or sales could boost your career.
If you expect to work in sports management, you’ll likely need experience. This is a requirement for managers and leaders across all industries, as most employers require roughly five years of experience for their management.