Graduating college with an online bachelor’s degree in business can open the door to virtually any industry. While this type of degree may be associated with sales, marketing, and management, a graduate with this degree can enter the sports industry, entertainment field, the world of food or hospitality, and more. And that’s just one of many perks. Job candidates with bachelor’s degrees are more likely to be hired for the careers they want, earn a decent salary, and enjoy an average to above average projected growth in their markets. Now online bachelor’s degrees in business are more popular than ever. These programs are often designed for working adult students, offering more flexible schedules and even customizable curriculums! Not to mention, online degrees can be a more affordable option than traditional, on-campus programs.
However, the popularity of online programs can make searching for the degree that fits both your life and your budget a daunting process. That’s where GetEducated comes in. Looking for truly affordable options for an online bachelor’s degree in business? You’re in the right place! With almost a $150,000 difference in tuition between the most affordable and most expensive school, it pays to get educated before you enroll!
GetEducated compared 45 bachelor’s degrees in business from 44 regionally accredited online schools to create this ranking. Below is our editorially independent list of the 27 Best Buys for an affordable online bachelor’s degree in business. All degrees cost less than the national average.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$56,000
Least Expensive: Fort Hays State University ~$27,225.60
Most Expensive: St. John’s University ~$187,008.00
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 online bachelor’s degree in business. The online business degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $27,225.60 | All Students |
2 | Lewis-Clark State College | (ID) | $27,953.00 $80,977.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $30,712.00 $32,152.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $33,184.48 $64,524.96 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | University of the Potomac | (DC) | $33,500.00 | All Students |
6 | Central Methodist University | (MO) | $33,675.00 | All Students |
7 | Missouri State University | (MO) | $34,920.00 | All Students |
8 | Chadron State College | (NE) | $35,880.00 | All Students |
9 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $36,900.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
10 | Marshall University | (WV) | $37,020.00 | All Students |
11 | Dickinson State University | (ND) | $38,121.60 $46,521.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Kansas State University | (KS) | $44,251.20 | All Students |
13 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | (LA) | $45,480.00 | All Students |
14 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $47,400.00 | All Students |
15 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $47,880.00 | All Students |
16 | Olivet Nazarene University | (IL) | $48,000.00 | All Students |
17 |  Eastern Oregon University | (OR) | $48,626.50 $55,826.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Bay Path University | (MA) | $49,200.00 $42,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
18 | Faulkner University | (AL) | $49,200.00 | All Students |
20 | Southeastern University | (FL) | $49,560.00 | All Students |
21 | Virginia Wesleyan University | (VA) | $51,072.00 | All Students |
22 |  Notre Dame of Maryland University | (MD) | $52,185.00 | All Students |
23 | Southwestern Assemblies of God University | (TX) | $52,280.00 | All Students |
24 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | (CO) | $52,360.88 $111,004.88 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Regent University | (VA) | $52,600.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
26 | Crown College | (MN) | $54,285.00 | All Students |
27 | Grace Christian University | (MI) | $54,700.00 $36,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Barton College | (NC) | $56,700.00 | All Students | |
Bellevue University | (NE) | $56,710.00 $33,850.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Southwestern Adventist University | (TX) | $57,425.00 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $57,606.00 $31,530.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mary Baldwin University | (VA) | $58,590.00 | All Students | |
Brescia University | (KY) | $59,025.00 | All Students | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $59,400.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Texas | (TX) | $59,480.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $59,628.00 | All Students | |
Webber International University | (FL) | $61,306.00 | All Students | |
Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $62,040.00 $35,760.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Jessup University | (CA) | $66,560.00 | All Students | |
Excelsior University | (NY) | $67,085.00 $32,525.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $78,300.00 | All Students | |
East Texas Baptist University | (TX) | $114,170.00 | All Students | |
Rochester Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts & Science / Business Studies 14 | (NY) | $135,120.00 | All Students | |
St. John's University | (NY) | $187,008.00 | 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.
IACBE International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
ACBSP Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online bachelor’s degree in business. 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 bachelor 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 bachelor’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 business 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 online bachelor’s degree in business for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business
If you are interested in becoming a professional in business, management, and leadership, you’ll need two things: education and experience. While we can’t help with the experience, we can guide you to world-class online business studies programs that will give you the skills needed to launch a groundbreaking career.
What to Expect from a Business Studies Degree
A business studies degree is a broad-ranging education that focuses on a variety of business-related topics but doesn’t go too deep into any one area. Because of this wide-scope aspect, a bachelor’s in business studies or administration is great option for anyone what wants a career in business but isn’t sure about their specific role or industry.
This area of study usually combines elements of accounting, finance, management, human resources, and organization, creating a well-rounded professional who can help almost any business in virtually all markets.
An online bachelor’s degree in business can include many different classes. You’ll likely complete classes that include management principals, marketing, business law, and more. Some classes may be more theoretical than scientific. You could find classes on ethics in business or management theories, which help you understand business from a thoughtful perspective.
While they are often broad-level programs, you can select a specific specialization within your business studies program. For example, you may find programs that offer specializations in human resources, accounting, finance, or organizational psychology. You can even find programs that focus on a specific industry or category, such as sports management, small business, or healthcare management. If you have an industry that you find particularly fascinating, such as entertainment, music, science, or outdoor recreation, you can likely apply your business studies degree to this area of the market.
These programs are offered as both bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees. While there are similarities, a bachelor of arts will generally provide a broader, theoretical-based education, while a bachelor of science will deal more heavily with hard facts and figures. A business studies degree with a focus on accounting, for example, is likely a bachelor of science degree.
Potential Careers with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business
There are many different careers you can pursue after you complete an online bachelor’s degree in business. Best of all, you can apply these careers to practically any industry.
Labor Relations Specialist
- Salary: $73,240
- Education: Bachelor
- Experience: Five years or less
The relationship between labor and ownership can be complex, frustrating, and divisive. But with professional labor relations specialists, this relationship can actually be functional and mutually beneficial. These professionals work with labor unions and company management to create harmonious working systems that benefit everyone involved.
This career calls for professional communication skills and negotiating experience. You’ll need some experience to land the career, at most are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field.
Human Resources Manager
- Salary: $121,220
- Education: Bachelor’s
- Experience: Over five years
Human resources managers can have a profound impact on a company’s overall performance, which is why professionals in this field earn a median salary over $121,000. Duties in this career include planning and coordinating a hiring campaign, linking management and employees, and overseeing overall benefits packages.
Focused training in human resources is often required, but a business studies degree is a great start, an education that will help you understand the needs of businesses so you can respond to a variety of situations. These jobs also require first-hand experience, usually as a human resources specialist.
Licensing & Certification for Business Study Careers
Business and management jobs rarely require licensing; as long as an employer thinks you have the skills and abilities, you can probably work in the career field. However, there are a few areas where certifications, while not required, is practically mandatory in order to get a good job with a top organization.
A labor relations specialist, for example, can enhance a career by completing labor certifications, which are offered through a variety of colleges and universities.
In human resources careers, there are many certification options. Certification is voluntary, but you can find helpful programs from groups such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).
Regardless of your specific industry or profession, there is likely a business or management certificate that will enhance your overall career.