Earning a top online degree in business administration can be a convenient and cost-effective way to start your career.

From administrative assistants to chief executive officers, a business administration degree teaches students the finance, management, and networking skills they need.

Many programs include specializations that grow business expertise in a particular field. Graduates are prepared to enter the field or pursue a graduate degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% growth in managerial positions to 2030. 

To find out which online business administration degree is right for you, check out our top picks below. 

Top 5 online schools for business administration

College	Program stats	How much?
University of Florida Gainesville, FL	BS or BA in Business Administration Acceptance rate: 37% Graduation rate: 87% Students choose among 11 specializations	Per credit  $129.18 in-state $552.62 out-of-state Application fee: $30
Florida International University Miami, FL	Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance Acceptance rate: 58% Graduation rate: 64% Emphasizes analytical and managerial skills	Per credit  $228.81 in-state $345.87 out-of-state Application fee: $30
California State University, Fullerton Fullerton, CA	BA in Business Administration Acceptance rate: 53% Graduation rate: 76% Three-year degree completion program	Semester tuition, CA residents taking 7+ units: $3,478.12 Out-of-state:Add$396/unit Application fee:$70
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL	BBA Acceptance rate: 63% Graduation rate: 61% Major options include accounting, hospitality and tourism management, marketing, and management	Per credit $263.29 in-state $781.84 out-of-state Application fee:$30
San Diego State University San Diego, CA	BS in Business Administration Acceptance rate: 34% Graduation rate: 78% Two-year degree completion program	Semester tuition, CA residents taking 7+ units: $2,871 Out-of-state: Add$396/unit Application fee: $70

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What business administration degrees can I earn?

Depending on the school, you may pursue a bachelor of business administration, a bachelor of science in business administration, or a bachelor of arts in business administration.

Business administration degrees are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Earning a bachelor's in business administration online gives you the knowledge needed for many entry-level business careers. Management positions may require experience and a graduate degree. 

Other degrees you can earn include: 

• Business administration associate degree
• Master of business administration (MBA)
• Business administration Ph.D. or doctor of business administration (DBA)

What courses will I take during a bachelor's in business administration online?

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What to expect in a business degree program varies, but most programs share some common courses. 

Introductory coursework in economics, finance, and business communication help establish foundational knowledge for program-specific business administration classes. 

While earning a business administration degree, students learn data analytics, entrepreneurship, marketing, and management while simultaneously applying the principles of each through assignments, group projects, and practical learning exercises.

Business analytics

A business analytics course introduces students to methods used to assess quantitative and qualitative information. Learners develop skills to interpret and apply information from data to business situations. 

Global business

Global business courses emphasize the business connections between organizations, companies, and individuals around the world. Students explore social, economic, and political influences on business and how to apply that information to making effective, efficient business decisions on the global stage.

If global business coursework captures your passion, you can go on to pursue an international business master's degree.

Marketing

Marketing classes focus on strategies to promote goods and services. By emphasizing advertising, business communications, and market strategy and research, students develop skills to engage with and influence consumers and the general public.

Project management

In a project management class, students learn about how to effectively manage all aspects of a project's life cycle. Project management coursework emphasizes time management, budgeting, risk management, and communication skills alongside planning, development, and execution of a specific project.

Insights from a graduate who majored in business administration

 Darien Chui obtained his bachelor's degree in business administration from Washington State University-Vancouver. During his undergrad, he served as president of Beta Alpha Psi and the Institute of Managerial Accountants to help fellow students bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. Darien was also a student ambassador for the Carson College of Business and a student leader in other non-business-related organizations on campus. 

Since graduating, Darien has been working full time as a data analyst. Outside of the 9-5, Darien also owns his own wedding photography studio, which is ranked top 10 in the United States.

ZDNet: Was there anything about being a business administration major that you didn't expect or anticipate?

Darien Chui: To be honest, I didn't entirely know what to expect because I wasn't 100% sure what my exact career goals were when I first started. However, I didn't expect for there to be so many options for study and career paths within the business admin major. It was nice to be exposed to so much variety.

ZDNet: What misconceptions do people have about majoring in business administration, and what would you tell them?

DC: I think many people think a business administration major will prepare them to run their own business. From my experience, I'd tell them that a business administration major is a good foundation; however, it's not enough to fully guarantee your success in starting a business from scratch.

ZDNet: What was the most challenging course you took as a business administration major? What advice would you give to students who are about to start this course?

DC: My most challenging course was statistics. I struggled with stats because there were a lot of formulas that you had to memorize by rote memory, which wasn't my strong suit. My advice to students taking a stats course is to find real-life scenarios for where each type of formula or concept takes place. Having real-life examples to study, and a story to help you remember, will improve your understanding of statistics.

ZDNet: How did you make the most of your time as a business administration major so that you were competitive in the job market after graduation?

DC: I took advantage of all the extra-curricular opportunities that were available. Good grades aren't enough. When your university offers workshops such as professional resume reviews, interview prep, networking events, etc., be sure to go to as many of them as you can. 

Also, get involved with business clubs where available. Being involved in Beta Alpha Psi (an accounting club) helped me better understand the accounting profession and helped me make connections with accounting firms in the area, which led to an internship. Even after I decided to discontinue my path into accounting, the connections with other student leaders and employers eventually helped me land a full-time job in the industry I decided to go into. 

When employers see that you're putting in effort outside of the classroom to educate and prepare yourself for the workplace, you'll stand out amongst the competition.

The best online bachelor's in business administration degrees

The rankings below are ZDNet's top picks for business administration degrees online. ZDNet's ranking methodology takes numerous factors into consideration to help you get a clear look at how to find the best online business administration degree.

Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

1. University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida  

About the program: UF offers both a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts in business administration online. The former focuses on business foundations, while the latter allows learners to explore an additional specialized area.

• Acceptance rate: 37%
• Graduation rate: 87%
• Annual net price: $6,302
• Years to degree: Four
• SAT range: 1310-1470
• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Enrollment periods per year: Three
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

2. Florida International University
Miami, Florida

About the program: FIU's online bachelor of business administration degree with a finance track emphasizes banking, corporate finance, investments, and financial institutions and markets. 

• Acceptance rate: 58%
• Graduation rate: 64%
• Avg. annual net price: $7,296
• Years to degree: Four
• SAT range: 1110-1280
• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Enrollment periods per year: Three
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

3. California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, California  

About the program: Cal State Fullerton's online business administration degree in professional business serves as a degree-completion program. Students choose from among seven specialization options.

• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Graduation rate: 76%
• Avg. annual net price: $7,991
• Years to degree: Three
• SAT range: 1030-1200
• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Enrollment periods per year: Two
• Course delivery methods: Synchronous

4. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

About the program: Designed for students who have completed two years of coursework, FAU's online bachelor of business administration includes majors in accounting, hospitality and tourism management, management, and marketing.

• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Graduation rate: 61%
• Avg. annual net price: $10,186
• Years to degree: Two
• SAT range: 1080-1240
• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Enrollment periods per year: Three
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

5. San Diego State University
San Diego, California   

About the program: As a degree-completion program, SDSU's online bachelor's in business administration emphasizes fundamental topics like leadership, international strategies, marketing, and investments. 

• Acceptance rate: 34%
• Graduation rate: 78%
• Avg. annual net price: $14,788
• Years to degree: Two
• SAT range: 1110-1330
• Minimum GPA: 2.75
• Enrollment periods per year: Two
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

6. The University of Alabama  
Tuscaloosa, Alabama  

About the program: UA's online bachelor's in commerce and business administration allows students to specialize in management, marking, or accounting.

• Acceptance rate: 83%
• Graduation rate: 67%
• Avg. annual net price: $22,597
• Years to degree: Four
• SAT range: 1080-1340
• Minimum GPA: 2.0
• Enrollment periods per year: Three
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

7. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana

About the program: ULM's bachelor's of business administration online includes 120 credit hours of coursework. Learners choose two concentration areas as part of the program.

• Acceptance rate: 80%
• Graduation rate: 45%
• Avg. annual net price: $10,453
• Years to degree: Four
• SAT range: Not publicly available
• Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
• Enrollment periods per year: Six
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

8. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico

About the program: NMSU's online bachelor's in business administration allows learners to specialize in information systems or marketing. Students have the option to take part in an internship as part of the program.

• Acceptance rate: 55%
• Graduation rate: 52%
• Avg. annual net price: $8,659
• Years to degree: Four
• SAT range: 950-1150
• Minimum GPA: 2.0
• Enrollment periods per year: Three
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

9. Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington   

About the program: Designed to accommodate students with an associate degree in business, CWU's online business administration bachelor's includes optional specializations in human resource management, marketing management, and supply chain management.

• Acceptance rate: 85%
• Graduation rate: 60%
• Avg. annual net price: $15,397
• Years to degree: 1.5-4 
• SAT range: 950-1170
• Minimum GPA: 2.25
• Enrollment periods per year: Four
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

10. University of Northwestern Ohio
Lima, Ohio

About the program: Online business administration degrees at UNOH include optional concentrations in agribusiness management, automotive management and automotive aftermarket, and marketing.

• Acceptance rate: Not publicly available
• Graduation rate: 42%
• Avg. annual net price: $19,055
• Years to degree: 1.5-4
• SAT range: Not publicly available
• Minimum GPA: Not publicly available
• Enrollment periods per year: Four
• Course delivery methods: Asynchronous

In conclusion

A business administration degree online paves the way to a fulfilling business career. The wide scope of a business administration degree allows students to apply what they learn across industries and organizations. Check out the top online business administration degree picks here and find out which program is right for you.

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