With an online master’s in management, you could land the highest paying leadership careers available today. These degrees can lead to a wide breadth of jobs in industries across the board. Management can encompass hiring, training, planning, solving problems, and thinking critically to pursue and reach organizational goals. If you are ready for this step in your career, an accredited online business management degree is the ticket. The national estimate for management occupation annual salaries sit at an impressive $126,480, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest paying management career as of 2020 is computer and information systems management, and almost all leadership professions are projected to grow at a faster rate than the average job.
An online master’s in management is a solid degree choice but it can come with a costly price tag—as high as $70,600! With student loan debt soaring, it pays to do your research before choosing an online management degree.
GetEducated compared 147 management master’s programs from 104 regionally accredited online schools to create this ranking. Below is our editorially independent list of the 62 Best Buys for an affordable online master’s in management. All degrees cost less than $25,500—below the national average for this degree.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$25,500
Least Expensive: Middle Georgia State University ~$8,859
Most Expensive: Babson College ~$70,600
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 master’s in management. The online management degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online Master’s in Management
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Middle Georgia State University | (GA) | $8,859.00 | All Students |
2 | East Central University | (OK) | $9,577.50 $20,292.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | University of the Cumberlands | (KY) | $10,165.00 | All Students |
4 | Amberton University | (TX) | $10,525.00 | All Students |
5 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | (IL) | $11,052.00 | All Students |
6 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $11,595.00 | All Students |
7 | Minot State University | (ND) | $12,829.20 | All Students |
8 | Tarleton State University | (TX) | $12,962.40 $25,232.40 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Chadron State College | (NE) | $13,680.00 | All Students |
10 | Peru State College | (NE) | $13,770.00 | All Students |
11 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $14,100.00 $10,575.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
12 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $14,450.00 $9,350.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
13 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $14,744.00 $26,984.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Bryan College | (TN) | $14,760.00 | All Students |
15 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center - School of Professional Studies | (NY) | $14,810.00 $14,455.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University | (OH) | $14,940.00 | All Students |
17 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $14,970.00 | All Students |
18 | Oakland City University | (IN) | $15,000.00 | All Students |
19 | Indiana Institute of Technology | (IN) | $15,525.00 | All Students |
20 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $15,700.00 | All Students |
21 | Wayne State College | (NE) | $15,746.40 | All Students |
22 | Iowa Wesleyan University Master of Arts in Management Leadership 14 | (IA) | $15,750.00 | All Students |
22 | Troy University | (AL) | $15,750.00 | All Students |
24 | Brescia University Master of Science in Management 14 | (KY) | $15,850.00 | All Students |
25 | Greenville University | (IL) | $15,857.00 | All Students |
26 | Shorter University | (GA) | $16,675.00 | All Students |
27 | Concordia University, St. Paul | (MN) | $17,100.00 $12,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
28 | Austin Peay State University | (TN) | $17,782.50 $24,652.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
29 | Colorado State University-Global Campus | (CO) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
30 |  Western Governors University | (UT) | $18,120.00 | All Students |
31 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $18,220.00 | All Students |
32 | University of Maryland Global Campus | (MD) | $18,734.00 $24,314.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
33 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $18,780.00 $21,930.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | Marian University | (WI) | $18,810.00 | All Students |
35 | Avila University | (MO) | $19,215.00 $17,889.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
36 | Charleston Southern University | (SC) | $19,615.00 | All Students |
37 | Faulkner University | (AL) | $19,650.00 | All Students |
38 | Doane University | (NE) | $19,886.00 | All Students |
39 | Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $20,046.00 | All Students |
40 | Montreat College | (NC) | $20,140.00 | All Students |
41 | Southern Wesleyan University Master of Science in Management & Leadership 14 | (SC) | $20,340.00 $18,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
42 | Hope International University | (CA) | $20,550.00 | All Students |
43 | Merrimack College | (MA) | $20,712.00 | All Students |
44 | Florida State University | (FL) | $20,795.94 $21,787.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
45 | Excelsior University | (NY) | $20,850.00 $9,450.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
46 | Multnomah Campus of Jessup University Master of Science in Management & Leadership 14 | (OR) | $20,905.00 | All Students |
47 | Coker University | (SC) | $21,052.00 | All Students |
48 | Hardin-Simmons University | (TX) | $21,125.00 | All Students |
49 | Russell Sage College | (NY) | $21,150.00 | All Students |
50 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | (WI) | $21,640.00 | All Students |
51 | Emmanuel College | (MA) | $21,920.00 | All Students |
52 | Abilene Christian University | (TX) | $21,960.00 | All Students |
53 | Warner University | (FL) | $22,150.00 | All Students |
54 | University of Houston | (TX) | $22,419.50 $37,689.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
55 | Lasell University | (MA) | $22,536.00 | All Students |
56 | Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $22,722.00 $17,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
57 | Bluffton University | (OH) | $23,000.00 | All Students |
58 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
59 | Salve Regina University | (RI) | $23,710.00 | All Students |
60 | Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $24,346.00 | All Students |
61 | University of Hartford | (CT) | $24,540.00 | All Students |
62 | Lake Erie College | (OH) | $24,900.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Joseph's University-New York | (NY) | $25,632.00 | All Students | |
Florida Institute of Technology | (FL) | $25,641.00 $23,076.90 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
National American University | (SD) | $25,825.00 | All Students | |
Azusa Pacific University | (CA) | $26,308.00 | All Students | |
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University | (FL) | $26,898.00 $22,578.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
ECPI University | (VA) | $27,200.00 | All Students | |
Walsh College | (MI) | $27,270.00 | All Students | |
University of St Francis | (IL) | $27,548.00 | All Students | |
Spring Arbor University | (MI) | $27,652.00 | All Students | |
Webster University | (MO) | $28,180.00 $13,780.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $28,404.00 | All Students | |
Southwestern College - Kansas | (KS) | $28,590.00 $21,960.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Biola University | (CA) | $28,896.00 | All Students | |
City University of Seattle | (WA) | $29,190.00 | All Students | |
National University | (CA) | $29,750.00 | All Students | |
 Ohio University | (OH) | $29,844.00 $30,528.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Duquesne University | (PA) | $30,330.00 | All Students | |
Davenport University | (MI) | $31,238.00 | All Students | |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $32,460.00 | All Students | |
Michigan State University | (MI) | $32,700.00 | All Students | |
Albertus Magnus College | (CT) | $32,832.00 | All Students | |
American College of Financial Services Master of Science in Management 14 | (PA) | $33,000.00 | All Students | |
Rider University Master of Arts in Arts Management & Executive Leadership 14 | (NJ) | $33,810.00 | All Students | |
Marquette University | (WI) | $36,600.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $37,080.00 | All Students | |
The University of Texas at Dallas | (TX) | $37,696.00 $69,596.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
North Carolina State University at Raleigh | (NC) | $39,533.70 $70,320.60 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Dallas Baptist University | (TX) | $40,244.00 | All Students | |
Indiana University Online | (IN) | $43,470.00 | All Students | |
Catholic University of America | (DC) | $45,170.00 | All Students | |
Tulane University | (LA) | $46,575.00 | All Students | |
Benedictine University | (IL) | $53,905.00 | All Students | |
Fordham University | (NY) | $54,628.00 | All Students | |
Stevens Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $54,700.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $61,464.00 | All Students | |
The New School | (NY) | $67,592.00 | All Students | |
Pepperdine University | (CA) | $68,400.00 | All Students | |
Babson College | (MA) | $70,600.00 | 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.
AACSB AACSB International
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 master’s in management. 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 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 master’s in management for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online Master’s in Management
These degrees teach you leading-edge principles of management and leadership in business. They prepare you for a professional career in virtually any industry, although you can specialize in certain areas. With these fantastic programs, you’ll take a variety of core classes, as well as courses that focus on a specific and detailed topic, such as management in the healthcare industry or managing accounting teams.
What to Expect from an Online Master’s in Management
A master’s degree is a high level of academic achievement. Simply getting into the program can be challenging, as these degrees have rigorous standards for entry. For starters, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as management or business. The specifics will vary by program, but you’ll likely need a prior GPA of 3.0 or better. Once you gain entry, however, you’ll have access to some of the most advanced management classes taught in modern classrooms.
Specific management courses will depend on the school and the program, but you can expect a list of core management courses, as well as electives and concentration courses. During an online master’s in management program, you may take classes on negotiations, management ethics, and business strategies. Some classes will be more technical or precise in nature, and may include business analytics, modeling, accounting technology, and human-resource law.
Management is a broad area of study, one that can be applied to virtually any industry. However, there are concentrations available from some schools that allow you to focus on a specific industry, sector, or subject that you find most interesting. For example, you can find programs that offer master’s of management degrees with concentrations in healthcare administration, marketing, nonprofit, government, sports, military leadership, and more. Once complete, you’ll be prepared for numerous high-paying jobs in management and leadership.
Potential Careers with a Master’s in Management
One of the benefits of an online master’s in management is that you’ll be prepared for almost any management job that you desire. Here are a few examples of potential careers after you complete one of these programs…
Marketing Manager
- Salary: $141,490
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Sales experience required
These professionals are skilled in marketing and advertising, as well as leadership and organizational management. They have numerous responsibilities, which can range from designing a marketing strategy to hiring team members for a marketing staff. Some will work for large companies, guiding an internal marketing team, while others will work for marketing firms that provide service to businesses and organizations on a contractural basis.
The pay for these positions in excellent, and the top 10% can expect salaries over $208,000. The expected growth is also strong, as managers in this sector should see job growth of roughly 10% between 2020 and 2030; there should be plenty of opportunities for managers experienced in advertising, marketing, promotions, and sales.
Healthcare Manager
- Salary: $104,280
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Less than five years
You don’t have to be a surgeon, physician, or nurse to contribute to the ever-important field of healthcare. If you are motivated to use your leadership and organizational skills towards one of the most impactful sector of all, you could become a manager in the healthcare industry. These professionals plan, coordinate, and direct the activities of a healthcare facility or system, helping it serve the most people while providing the highest level of care.
To become a manager in the healthcare industry, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s is preferred by many employers. While experience in the industry is required, this does not mean you have to work as a nurse prior to the career; clinical and administrative roles are common paths to healthcare management.
Requirements to Work in Management
While a degree in management is a great start, and a master’s degree in particular will set you apart from other candidates, you will need professional experience before you can be hired as a manager. Experience in your specific industry is almost certainly required, so if you want to manage in the manufacturing industry, for example, you’ll need experience working for a manufacturing company. Regardless of your education, you should be prepared to work in ground-level careers before taking on a management or leadership role.
Certification can also bolster your career, increase job opportunities, and potentially increase your pay. No matter what your industry, there are likely management certifications available. In healthcare, you could become certified by organizations such as the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management or the American College of Health Care Administrators. In human resources, certification through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or HR Certification Institute (HRCI) could be a good addition to your management education.