An online bachelor’s degree in project management is an excellent credential for top-tier careers. Project management is needed throughout every facet of business industries to generate big ideas into tangible realities. If you already specialize in one type of career, say, healthcare, construction, or information technology, a project management degree online is a great place to upgrade you into overseeing projects, working for organizations, or working as an independent consultant.
The best online bachelor’s degree in project management for you might depend on your professional goals. Are you looking for a curriculum that follows the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide? Would you like to prepare specifically for the Certified Associate in Project Management exam? The accredited project management degree programs listed below offer an array of options, benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Consider also that the price between the most expensive and cheapest online bachelor’s degree in project management is around $112,000, then the best program for you might also depend on your academic budget.
GetEducated compared 33 project management online degree programs from 29 regionally accredited schools to create this ranking. Below is our editorially independent list of the 19 ‘Best Buys’ for an affordable online bachelor’s degree in project management. All listed programs cost less than the national average for this degree.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$59,600
Least Expensive: University of Maine at Presque Isle ~$22,400.00
Most Expensive: Rochester Institute of Technology ~$135,120.00
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are 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 project management programs. The online bachelor’s 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 Project Management
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | (ME) | $22,400.00 | All Students |
2 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $36,900.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
3 | Waldorf University | (IA) | $37,325.00 $30,125.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
4 | South College | (TN) | $38,400.00 | All Students |
5 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $38,550.00 $27,150.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
6 | Charter Oak State College | (CT) | $40,897.00 $53,465.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Colorado State University-Global Campus | (CO) | $42,000.00 | All Students |
8 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $47,125.00 $31,525.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
9 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | (OH) | $47,760.00 | All Students |
10 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $48,200.00 | All Students |
11 | Liberty University | (VA) | $48,892.00 $32,092.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
12 | Marian University Indianapolis | (IN) | $51,840.00 | All Students |
13 | Park University | (MO) | $52,875.00 $30,075.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
14 | Embry Riddle Aeronautical University | (FL) | $53,840.00 $30,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
15 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $56,710.00 $33,850.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
16 | Golden Gate University | (CA) | $57,606.00 $31,530.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
17 | Ferris State University | (MI) | $57,960.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $62,040.00 $35,760.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Linfield University | (OR) | $63,675.00 | All Students | |
Charleston Southern University | (SC) | $64,490.00 | All Students | |
University of the Incarnate Word | (TX) | $64,890.00 $30,090.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $64,920.00 | All Students | |
National University (School Merged) Bachelor of Business Administration / Project Management IACBE,14 | (CA) | $66,600.00 | All Students | |
Malone University | (OH) | $69,085.00 | All Students | |
Regis University | (CO) | $74,010.00 | All Students | |
City University of Seattle | (WA) | $76,140.00 | All Students | |
Saint Louis University | (MO) | $79,720.00 $37,120.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Cleary University | (MI) | $89,520.00 | All Students | |
Davenport University | (MI) | $103,000.00 $70,480.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Rochester Institute of Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts & Science / Project Management 14 | (NY) | $135,120.00 | 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
PMI GAC Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online bachelor’s degree in project management options. 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 project 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 online bachelor’s degree in project management 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 Project Management
If you are naturally organized, have a sharp mind for detail, and like the idea of leading teams to reach a specific, challenging, yet rewarding goal, a career in project management could be perfect for you.
These careers are unique and engaging, and while education is not required, an online bachelor’s degree in project management can significantly increase your potential for a wonderful career and a top salary.
What is Project Management?
Project management is simply the use of proven techniques to reach a specific, clear, and defined goal. Simple in nature, the practice and execution of managing a project can become highly complex, and will include proposals, planning, oversight, forecasting, and evaluation of the results. It includes managing people, leading teams, organizing resources, and more.
All industries can utilize project management. From software development to advertising to heavy construction, the skills and techniques used in project management stay largely the same. Yes, the details will change, and the specific industry knowledge will be different, but the basic foundations of project management stay largely consistent.
While there are different interpretations, project management usually starts with identifying an end result (a sturdy bridge, a successful marketing campaign, or a dynamic software product, as examples), then visualizing the project or end goal, planning the execution of that project, implementing the plan, and finally closing the project. It could also include evaluating and reviewing the results to improve future projects.
The differences between project management and other forms of management, such as healthcare, nonprofit, or human-resource management, can be unclear. The main difference is an end point. With project management, you have a clear and defined ending, then it’s on to the next project. With other forms, the management is ongoing and does not have the final conclusion.
A career in project management is interesting and unique, but you’ll need the right education if you want to reach the highest positions in this discipline.
What to Expect from a Online Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management
An online bachelor’s degree in project management will shape you into a knowledgeable expert who understands the challenges of a project, but it also molds you into a well-rounded student.
These are bachelor’s degrees, which usually means a combination of general studies classes and well as courses specific to your major. Your general-studies classes may include mathematics, science, writing, history, government, and other subjects that create a well-rounded graduate.
Eventually you’ll move into the specific business classes, which will include accounting, marketing, finance, team management, human resources, business law, and more.
With a specialization in project management, your business degree will include the principles of planning, executing, and finalizing a project. Courses will examine the tools and techniques used throughout the process, and give you the skills needed to examine, communicate, and lead throughout a project.
Popular Careers in Project Management
This education will help you become a strong leader in project management, preparing you for numerous careers in virtually any industry.
Potential jobs after an online bachelor’s degree in project management include:
Construction Manager
- Salary: $97,180
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Some training and experience required
A construction manager is responsible for the planning and coordination of a construction project. Duties may include preparing a cost analysis, creating a work timetable, collaborating with architects and engineers, monitoring the projects, and responding to work delays, emergencies, and other issues with workable solutions. From selecting contractors to reporting progress, construction managers perform many roles within a project.
The pay for this career is high, and the growth is expected to be around 11% between 2020 and 2030, 3% higher than the national job growth. But to become a construction manager, you need experience. Most construction managers have some experience in the construction industry, usually working in offices and administration before moving into higher management.
Marketing Managers
- Salary: $141,490
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: About five years
Marketing is often a project-based industry. Companies plan and execute a variety of projects and campaigns, sometimes lasting years. A project management education, therefore, could clearly apply to this occupation. Marketing managers generate interest in a product or service by planning promotions, selecting advertising mediums (billboard or television commercial, for example) and hiring staff for specific projects.
The expected growth for this career is also high (10%) but the pay is superb. The median pay is over $140,000 annually, while the top 10% command salaries over $208,000 a year. This makes the career profitable as well as interesting.