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Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools

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2023 Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools

285 Schools Ranked
$23,273 Avg Student Debt

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 Graduate Certificate Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 285 schools in the United States to see which online graduate certificate programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

823 Total Awards

Our analysis found University of Phoenix - Arizona to be the most popular school for business students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in the United States. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 823 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
812 Total Awards
$52,170 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,755 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Harvard University is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. Harvard is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 812 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,755 in student loans. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#3

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
701 Total Awards
$17,552 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means DeVry University - Illinois is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the large private for-profit school awarded 701 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full DeVry University - Illinois Report

#4

American College of Financial Services

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
295 Total Awards

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means American College of Financial Services is a great place for business students working on their graduate certificate. Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 295 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

The American College is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

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#5

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
654 Total Awards
$12,065 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at University of Iowa helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in the United States. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 654 students in 2020-2021.

Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 33% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Iowa Report

#6

Strayer University - Global Region

Washington, District of Columbia
273 Total Awards
$15,135 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Strayer University - Global Region did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 273 students in 2020-2021.

Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Strayer University - Global Region is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read full report on Strayer University - Global Region

#7

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire
253 Total Awards
$19,470 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern New Hampshire University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Southern New Hampshire University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Manchester, New Hampshire that handed out 253 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

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248 Total Awards
$9,342 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. University of Maryland Global Campus is a large public school located in Adelphi, Maryland that handed out 248 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 91% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Maryland Global Campus Report

#10

Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado
167 Total Awards
$13,313 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools list. Fort Collins, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 167 students in 2020-2021.

Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 67% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
153 Total Awards
$7,594 Average Tuition & Fees

East Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 153 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Full East Carolina University Report

#12

Colorado State University - Global Campus

Greenwood Village, Colorado
141 Total Awards
$23,015 Avg Student Debt

Colorado State University - Global Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 141 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Colorado State University - Global Campus accumulate an average of $23,015 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Colorado State University - Global Campus is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read full report on Colorado State University - Global Campus

#13

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
135 Total Awards

With a ranking of #13, Capella University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Capella University is a large private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 135 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Capella University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Capella University

#14

University of Missouri - Columbia

Columbia, Missouri
161 Total Awards
$11,255 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 161 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Missouri - Columbia

#15

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
118 Total Awards
$8,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Liberty University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 118 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#16

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
113 Total Awards
$7,050 Average Tuition & Fees

American Public University System ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools list. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, the large private for-profit school awarded 113 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.

Since the graduate programs at American Military University are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full American Public University System Report

#17

Champlain College

Burlington, Vermont
159 Total Awards

Champlain College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools ranking. Burlington, Vermont is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 159 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Champlain College

#17

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
137 Total Awards
$16,644 Average Tuition & Fees

George Mason University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools list. GMU is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 137 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 87% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on George Mason University

#19

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
103 Total Awards
$11,826 Average Tuition & Fees

Auburn University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Located in Auburn, Alabama, the large public school awarded 103 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 35% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Auburn University Report

#20

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
97 Total Awards
$30,832 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 97 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#21

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
221 Total Awards
$32,904 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,615 Avg Student Debt

George Washington University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Business Graduate Certificate Schools ranking. GWU is located in Washington, District of Columbia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 221 graduate certificates to qualified students.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,615 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

Around 37% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on George Washington University

#22

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
74 Total Awards
$9,530 Average Tuition & Fees
$33,486 Avg Student Debt

Purdue University Global landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate business programs. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, the large public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,486 in student loans. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Purdue University Global is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#23

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska
80 Total Awards
$7,751 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,815 Avg Student Debt

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 graduate certificates to qualified students.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $23,815 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#24

SUNY Empire State College

Saratoga Springs, New York
72 Total Awards
$11,870 Average Tuition & Fees

SUNY Empire State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. Saratoga Springs, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 72 students in 2020-2021.

Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full SUNY Empire State College Report

#25

Babson College

Wellesley, Massachusetts
69 Total Awards

With a ranking of #25, Babson College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 69 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

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:

#26

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#27

Stevens Institute of Technology

Hoboken, New Jersey
#28

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
#29

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#30

Belhaven University

Jackson, Mississippi
#31

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#32

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#33

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#33

Park University

Parkville, Missouri
#33

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#36

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
#37

Strayer University - Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia
#37

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#39

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina
#40

Rensselaer at Hartford

Hartford, Connecticut
#40

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#42

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee
#42

Indiana Institute of Technology

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our most popular online business schools ranking:

Rank School Location
45 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
46 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
47 Northcentral University San Diego, CA
47 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
47 Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO
47 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
51 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
51 Full Sail University Winter Park, FL
51 Florida International University Miami, FL
54 Ball State University Muncie, IN
55 Concordia University, Irvine Irvine, CA
55 Post University Waterbury, CT
57 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
57 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY

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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