Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in business can help prepare you for diverse career paths or graduate studies. Many colleges and universities now offer accredited business administration programs fully online, providing flexible access to quality education.
When researching online business degrees, affordability is an important factor. Our rankings highlight some of the most budget-friendly online bachelor’s programs in business administration and related fields from accredited nonprofit colleges across the country.
What to Look for in an Affordable Online Business Degree
An accredited online bachelor’s degree in business should provide:
- Relevant curriculum covering core business topics like accounting, marketing, management, finance, and analytics
- Opportunities for practical experience through internships, projects, or simulations
- Student support services like academic advising, career counseling, and access to faculty
- Flexible scheduling and self-paced course options
- Competitive tuition rates and financial aid opportunities
Top Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Business
University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 13,061
- Programs: AACSB-accredited online BS in business administration
- In-state Tuition: $3,735
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Admission Rate: 58%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $33,600
Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 14,016
- Programs: Online bachelor of business administration degree for transfer students
- In-state Tuition: $4,951
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Admission Rate: 58%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $38,200
University of Houston-Downtown (Houston, TX)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 15,239
- Programs: AACSB-accredited online business degrees
- In-state Tuition: $5,673
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Admission Rate: 93%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $42,500
Dickinson State University (Dickinson, ND)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 1,441
- Programs: Hybrid business administration program
- In-state Tuition: $6,474
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Admission Rate: 99%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $42,300
SUNY Empire State College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
- Type: Public college
- Students: 10,724
- Programs: Flexible online and hybrid BS in business administration options
- In-state Tuition: $7,070
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
- Average Alumni Earnings: $42,200
Indiana University East (Richmond, IN)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 3,434
- Programs: Online, ACBSP-accredited BS in business administration
- In-state Tuition: $7,067
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Admission Rate: 67%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $32,400
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 27,562
- Programs: AACSB-accredited online BS in business administration
- In-state Tuition: $7,568
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Admission Rate: 78%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $40,900
Bellevue University (Bellevue, NE)
- Type: Private university
- Students: 13,059
- Programs: Accelerated online business bachelor’s degrees
- Tuition: $7,176
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
- Average Alumni Earnings: $52,200
Central Methodist University (Fayette, MO)
- Type: Private university
- Students: 3,429
- Programs: Hybrid business bachelor’s degrees online and on campus
- Tuition: $5,950
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Admission Rate: 100%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $35,000
University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 31,089
- Programs: Fully online, AACSB-accredited BS in business administration
- In-state Tuition: $9,330
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Admission Rate: 82%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $42,700
University of the Cumberlands (Williamsburg, KY)
- Type: Private Christian university
- Students: 19,110
- Programs: Online business administration degrees
- Tuition: $9,875
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Admission Rate: 81%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $28,500
West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)
- Type: Public university
- Students: 26,269
- Programs: Online business administration degrees
- In-state Tuition: $8,976
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Admission Rate: 84%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $39,300
University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Type: Public university
- Students: 13,874
- Programs: AACSB-accredited online BS in business administration
- In-state Tuition: $11,328
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Admission Rate: 58%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $38,700
Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA)
- Type: Private Christian university
- Students: 93,349
- Programs: Online bachelor’s in business accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Tuition: $14,791
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Admission Rate: 50%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $35,800
Monroe College (The Bronx, NY)
- Type: Private for-profit college
- Students: 6,541
- Programs: Online and on-campus business management bachelor’s degrees
- Tuition: $14,796
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Admission Rate: 49%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $29,100
DeVry University (Chicago, IL)
- Type: National for-profit university
- Students: 20,832
- Programs: Online business bachelor’s degrees
- Tuition: $14,560
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27:1
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Admission Rate: 44%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $37,600
Union Institute & University (Cincinnati, OH)
- Type: Private university
- Students: 809
- Programs: Online BS in business management with generous transfer credits
- Tuition: $15,510
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
- Average Alumni Earnings: $64,200
Maryville University (St. Louis, MO)
- Type: Private university
- Students: 10,979
- Programs: Online business administration bachelor’s degrees
- Tuition: $24,766
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Admission Rate: 95%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $44,100
John Brown University (Siloam Springs, AR)
- Type: Private Christian university
- Students: 2,343
- Programs: Online bachelor of business administration degree
- Tuition: $27,048
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Admission Rate: 59%
- Average Alumni Earnings: $45,300
Excelsior University (Albany, NY)
- Type: Private nonprofit college
- Students: 21,974
- Programs: Two fully online business bachelor’s degrees with comprehensive student support
- Tuition: Not provided
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
- Average Alumni Earnings: $60,200
Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Analysis
1. Tuition Range:
- The schools listed span a wide range of tuition fees, from as low as $3,735 (University of West Florida) to as high as $27,048 (John Brown University). Excelsior University did not provide tuition, so it’s excluded from this range.
2. Public vs. Private:
- Public universities tend to offer lower tuition rates, especially for in-state students. This is evident with institutions like the University of West Florida, Indiana University East, and the University of Arkansas, all of which have in-state tuitions below $8,000.
- Private universities and colleges, on the other hand, generally have higher tuition rates. For instance, Maryville University and John Brown University have tuitions above $24,000.
3. Student Population:
- There’s a vast difference in student populations among the schools. Liberty University stands out with a whopping 93,349 students, while Union Institute & University has a notably smaller student body with just 809 students.
- There doesn’t seem to be a direct correlation between the number of students and tuition fees. For example, Liberty University, with its large student population, has a tuition of $14,791, which is mid-range among the listed schools.
4. Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
- The student-to-faculty ratio varies across the board, with Union Institute & University offering the lowest ratio of 7:1, suggesting more personalized attention. In contrast, DeVry University has a high ratio of 27:1, which might indicate larger class sizes and potentially less individualized attention.
- Generally, a lower student-to-faculty ratio is preferred as it can lead to more personalized instruction and better student support.
5. Average Alumni Earnings:
- There’s a wide range in average alumni earnings, from $28,500 (University of the Cumberlands) to $64,200 (Union Institute & University). Interestingly, the school with the highest alumni earnings (Union Institute & University) doesn’t have the highest tuition, suggesting that a higher tuition doesn’t necessarily equate to higher post-graduation earnings.
- It’s also worth noting that some schools with lower tuitions, like the University of West Florida, still have alumni earnings on the higher end of the spectrum ($33,600).
6. Retention and Admission Rates:
- Retention rates give an indication of student satisfaction and the quality of education. Schools like the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas have high retention rates of 89% and 85%, respectively, suggesting that a significant majority of their students continue their studies after the first year.
- Admission rates can indicate the selectivity of a school. Central Methodist University stands out with a 100% admission rate, suggesting it might have an open admission policy or less stringent entry requirements.
Ranking Insights and Inferences
- Value for Money: Schools like the University of West Florida offer significant value for money, with low in-state tuition and relatively high average alumni earnings.
- Size Doesn’t Equal Cost: The size of the student body doesn’t necessarily correlate with tuition costs. Some larger institutions offer competitive tuition rates, while some smaller institutions have higher tuition fees.
- Private Doesn’t Always Mean Expensive: While private institutions generally have higher tuitions, there are exceptions. Central Methodist University, a private university, has a tuition of $5,950, which is on the lower end of the spectrum.
- High Tuition Doesn’t Guarantee High Earnings: Just because a school has high tuition doesn’t mean its alumni will have the highest earnings. It’s essential to consider other factors, such as the school’s reputation, network, and the quality of its programs.
- Consider Retention Rates: High retention rates can be a good indicator of student satisfaction, which might suggest a quality education and good student support.
In conclusion, when choosing a school, it’s essential to consider various factors beyond just tuition. The quality of education, student support, alumni network, and potential post-graduation earnings are all crucial elements to weigh in the decision-making process.
Further Ranking Insights
Based on the rankings of these top online bachelor’s degrees in business, a few key insights emerge:
- Public universities dominate the most affordable options, making up over half of the ranked schools. They are able to offer lower tuition rates compared to private institutions.
- There is a wide range of tuition costs, from as low as $3,735 per year at the University of West Florida to $27,048 per year at John Brown University. This highlights the affordability of options at public schools.
- Larger universities tend to offer lower tuition rates, likely due to economies of scale. The University of Missouri and West Virginia University are among the lowest priced options.
- There is no clear correlation between tuition costs and post-graduation earnings. Some schools with higher tuition like John Brown University produce higher average alumni salaries, while lower cost schools like the University of the Cumberlands show lower earnings.
- Christian universities are strongly represented in affordable online business degrees. Liberty, Cumberlands, and John Brown all integrate faith into the curriculum.
- AACSB accreditation signals high quality business programs. Several AACSB-accredited options like UWF, Missouri, and Missouri-St. Louis make the ranking.
- The inclusion of national, for-profit institutions like DeVry University points to their competitive tuition rates, though their student outcomes require scrutiny.
Overall, public universities, larger student bodies, AACSB accreditation, and Christian missions emerge as common themes among the most affordable online business bachelor’s degrees in this ranking. Students should weigh costs, earnings potential, and other factors that contribute to value.
Key Takeaways
When researching affordable online bachelor’s in business degree programs, look for reasonable tuition rates along with ACBSP or AACSB accreditation, quality curriculum, student support services, professional development opportunities, and financial assistance.
An accredited online business degree can prepare you for diverse careers in areas like management, human resources, marketing, finance, and more. With flexible access and affordable options, online education makes earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration more achievable.
