Best Online Master’s in Management Programs

A ranking of the best master's in management programs. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

Updated on January 31, 2023

Break quickly into the global business world with one of the nation's best master's in management degrees.

Unlike an MBA, a master degrees in management (MIM) offer students of diverse backgrounds and experiences the opportunity to transition into business sectors across industries, from healthcare to technology.

This is because most MIM programs don't require a defined academic or vocational background. Instead, they offer a foundation in business fundamentals and leadership formation.

Some of the most elite, prestigious universities in the nation unsurprisingly offer the best master's in management programs and many also offer the same quality through online programs.

They guarantee an academic experience marked by hands-on experience and a curriculum steeped in theory. They are those programs that consider the holistic applicant, who see in their students not just a resume, but powerful leadership potential.

What kind of Management Degree should you get?

Not all management degrees are alike. While most will offer you a firm foundation in finance, marketing, accounting, and leadership, each program is unique in its emphases and real-world experience opportunities. For example, a Master's in Management degree at Vanderbilt prepares you to lead in the healthcare sectors, while the program at MIT is decidedly technological in its focus.

Regardless of which program seems like the best fit in terms of specialization, you will also want to consider immersion experiences and internship opportunities. Are you eager to gain some real-world experience? Then be sure to choose a program that requires an internship.

How much money do people make with a master's in management degree?

Because the job prospects for those with a MIM vary so widely, so also do projected salaries. However, rest assured that this degree brings with it a median, minimum 70k annual salary (for operation managers). For those who utilize the MIM in a tech field or human resources role, that salary jumps to an annual salary of 90k and 120k respectively.

Those with a MIM degree not only position themselves in a lucrative field, but a growing one too. The need for managers is projected to rise another 6 percent in the next few years alone.

What are the requirements for a master's degree in Management?

The good news: to apply for a master's program in management you do not need much or any undergraduate credits in business. The whole point of the MIM is to provide that foundation while launching your career. The less good news: you will have to take either the GMAT or GRE to apply to most of these programs.

Once accepted, you can anticipate one to two years of classes on the fundamentals of business principles: statistics, operations, marketing and PR, economics, finance, and more. In addition to these, you'll also take classes on leadership and participate in leadership formation experiences. The latter may consist of study abroad opportunities or internships. And Almost all programs require them.

What are the best Master's in Management degrees?

Management is a broad field encompassing everything from data analytics to negotiation strategy. So, while some of these programs emphasize one facet of management over another, they all share one thing in common: they are the best graduate management programs in the nation.

To arrive at such comprehensive and definitive list, we started first with the academic reputation of each program in the nation. Then we investigated retention—a reflection of student satisfaction—affordability, and the early salaries of graduates.

What we concluded with, after such extensive research, are those programs that are the best in the nation at training and educating future managers. Our figures and information come from the university and colleges' websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.

Ranking

See our rankings methodology page.

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