2023 Most Popular Online Business Schools
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for business students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Business Degree Central has created its Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 1,086 schools in the United States to see which online programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.
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Most Popular Online Business Schools in the United States
Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Phoenix - Arizona the most popular school in the United States for business students working on their degree. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16,009 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $33,058 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $146 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UOPX - Arizona graduates make an average of $50,608 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Out of the 1,086 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Governors University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Western Governors University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 12,458 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WGU accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WGU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,838 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern New Hampshire University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Business Schools list. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 11,043 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SNHU accumulate an average of $30,063 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SNHU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,640 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the United States. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the large private for-profit school handed out 4,446 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $36,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $170.After graduating from Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,482 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Read full report on Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs
The programs at American College of Financial Services helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the United States. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 3,450 degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 28% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #6, American Public University System did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 4,056 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from American Military University accumulate an average of $25,070 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, American Military University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,395 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
Purdue University Global landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Purdue University Global is a large public school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 3,744 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $36,097 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $133 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Purdue University Global, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,154 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #8 on the list. UMGC is located in Adelphi, Maryland and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,309 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UMGC accumulate an average of $25,870 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UMGC graduates make an average of $59,246 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Liberty University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 4,352 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $30,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $420 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Liberty University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,489 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
American InterContinental University - Online came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. AIU Online is a private for-profit institution located in Schaumburg, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,854 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $42,789 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $116.After graduating from AIU Online, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,597 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
DeVry University - Illinois ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Schools list. DeVry University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,382 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $40,148 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $163 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DeVry University - Illinois, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,020 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Fort Hays State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. This fairly large public school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 1,684 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from FHSU accumulate an average of $28,036 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FHSU graduates make an average of $43,454 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Colorado State University - Global Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. Located in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 2,383 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,798 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Colorado State University - Global Campus graduates make an average of $59,059 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Colorado State University - Global Campus
Columbia Southern University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Orange Beach, Alabama is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,658 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,476 in student loans.After graduating from Columbia Southern University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,041 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Utah Valley University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Schools list. This large public school is located in Orem, Utah, and it awarded 2,084 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,616 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UVU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,719 during the early years of their career. Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.
Capella University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large private for-profit school handed out 2,407 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $36,349 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Bellevue University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Bellevue, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,933 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,741 in student loans.After graduating from Bellevue University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,053 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Strayer University - Global Region landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, the fairly large private for-profit school handed out 2,346 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $38,671 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $121.After graduating from Strayer University - Global Region, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,529 during the early years of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,054 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,490 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Wake Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,991 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
East Carolina University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 1,520 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ECU accumulate an average of $24,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $277, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECU graduates make an average of $44,403 annually. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
Seminole State College of Florida ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Schools list. Located in Sanford, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 1,463 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,694 in student loans.After graduating from Seminole State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,833 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Sinclair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #23 on the list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,278 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,593 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sinclair Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,938 during the early years of their career. Around 28% of those degree recipients were women.
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the large public school awarded 1,996 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,108 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $339, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, OSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,215 during the early year of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Schools ranking. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,508 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,869 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $304 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ASU - Skysong graduates make an average of $48,067 annually. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Online Business Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the top most popular online list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Online Business Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular online business schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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