A business degree can be a great investment because it can help you qualify for high-paying business careers in finance, marketing, or human resources.
Your return on that investment will be even better if you keep your costs low on the front end. This is why we've rounded up a list of the most affordable online business degrees available in 2024.
Keep reading to find out how the right online program can save you money, give you more flexibility, and prepare you for a promising, in-demand career.
Featured Online Business Degree Programs
2024's Most Affordable Online Business Degrees
Why Get an Online Business Degree?
There are a lot of advantages to getting your bachelor's degree in business online.
Cost Savings In addition to potentially saving money on tuition and fees, going to school online can reduce your commuting and living expenses.
Flexible schedule Online programs offer a lot more flexibility than traditional programs, with asynchronous learning, self-paced coursework, and continuous access to course materials.
Tech Skills Online degree programs will help you become familiar with digital tools and platforms that are increasingly important in today's business environment.
Location Freedom Study from anywhere. No need to live near (or on) a campus.
Career Advancement Online business degrees give you the opportunity to pursue an education without interrupting your employment, which means you can continue to gain work experience while applying your new skills and knowledge in real time.
Business Degree Specializations
Many online business programs allow you to select a specialization, which can help you develop focused knowledge and skills in a particular field. Some common specializations include:
Accounting
Dive into the nitty-gritty of financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and financial analysis.
Best For:
Students interested in becoming certified accountants
Financial analysts
Auditors, tax specialists
Finance managers
Business Administration / Business Management
Learn how best to manage people, organizations, and resources by studying organizational behavior, operations management, human resources, and more.
Best For:
Students interested in becoming project managers
Operations managers
Business consultants
Entrepreneurs
Finance
Expand your understanding of financial concepts, risk management, markets, and decision-making.
Best For:
Students interested in becoming financial analysts
- Investment bankers
Corporate finance officers
Financial planners
Human Resources
Discover what it takes to recruit, hire, train, place, promote, and manage employees – the most important asset of any successful business.
Best For:
Students pursuing roles like HR specialist
Benefits manager
Training and development specialist
HR director
International Business
Get a big-picture understanding of international trade, global markets, cross-cultural management, and world economies.
Best For:
Students who want to land jobs like global supply chain manager
International trade specialist
International market research analyst
International consultant
Marketing
Study marketing principles, channels, promotion strategies, consumer behavior, and market research so you can build a brand, move consumers, and drive profits.
Best For:
Students interested in becoming brand or marketing managers
Product managers
Marketing consultants
- Digital marketing specialists
Sales
Learn all about sales strategies, negotiation, customer relationships, and sales analytics.
Best For:
Students who want roles like sales manager
Account manager
Business development manager
Sales operations analyst
Featured Online Business Degree Programs
How Much Does a Degree in Business Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average annual tuition and fees for a bachelor's degree from a full-time, public institution was $9,700 in 2021-2022.
For private, for-profit schools, tuition and fees averaged $17,800, and for private, nonprofit schools they averaged $38,800.
What Can I Do With a Business Degree?
A business degree will give you highly transferable knowledge and skills that you can leverage in almost any career path, field, or industry. Check out these five high-earning careers for people with a bachelor's in business.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2022) | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,000 | 4% |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $101,870 | 5% |
| Financial Analysts | $96,220 | 8% |
| Human Resources Specialists | $64,240 | 6% |
| Management Analysts | $95,290 | 10% |
| Market Research Analysts | $68,230 | 13% |
| Project Management Specialists | $95,370 | 6% |
| Public Relations Specialists | $67,440 | 6% |
| Top Executives | $100,090 | 3% |
Source: BLS
Featured Online Business Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Business Degrees
How do I know if a business degree is right for me?
It's best to get a degree (and pursue a career) in something you already like or are good at. A business degree could be a good fit for you if you are interested in business, are a strong communicator, enjoy problem-solving, and are decent with numbers.
Is getting a business degree online worth it?
Yes, it certainly can be. Payscale reports that the average salary for someone with a bachelor's degree in business is nearly $80,000 a year. An online business degree can open the door to steady jobs with good salaries while providing you with flexibility and cost savings.
What is the easiest business degree to get?
That depends on what comes easily to you. If you're good at math, you may find accounting or finance easiest. If you're naturally creative or persuasive, then marketing or sales might be the most natural. If you're a born leader, then management or administration could feel like a breeze.
What is the lowest-paying business major?
The lowest-paying business degree is the one you don't finish — which is why your first priority should be picking a major you're interested in. Almost any business major can be leveraged into a high-paying job.
That said, the lowest-paid job on our list is human resources specialist, at a median salary of $64,240 a year.
Which degree is best for online business?
If your goal is to make as much money as possible, online business majors like marketing, finance, and international business pull in some of the highest starting salaries.
