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10 Fastest Online Master’s in Business Management Degree Programs

business management degrees

In every sector of business, organizations need managers who can get things done. Online master’s in business management degree programs focus on developing these kind of managers. Business management programs help students develop strong business acumen and leadership skills. You graduate ready to launch a new business career or advance in your current one.

This article breaks down the fastest online master’s in business management programs. It covers the courses you can expect to take, the pros and cons of each program, and the completion time. If you want to fast-track your business management career, consider any one of these online programs.

Featured Programs

Our editors first ranked fastest online Master’s in Business Management programs in April 2023. This ranking was updated March 2024.

Related Rankings:

Methodology for Fastest Online MBM’s

Our list of Fastest Online Master’s Degree Programs in Business Management consists of top schools in the U.S. that offer an accelerated program so students earn their master’s degree quick. We feature the courses offered, the business skills you can gain, and the pros and cons of both school and program.

We listed schools by order of program completion time and based our rankings on the following criteria:

  • Allows for 100% online or hybrid master’s degree programs in Business Management
  • Offers accelerated program completion time (between 14 and 30 months)
  • Provides specializations to help tailor the degree
  • Provides financial aid opportunities
  • States positive reviews by recent graduates of an accelerated master’s degree program in Business Management
  • Provides student services centers, as well as career help centers for networking and career coaching
  • Teaches a comprehensive curriculum within an accelerated timeframe
  • Instructed by exceptional faculty with relevant experience and doctoral degrees

Check out our Methodology page.

RankCollege NameLocationTuitionCompletion Time
#1Southwestern CollegeWinfield, KS$9,00014 months
#2Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH$19,46715 months
#3Strayer UniversityArlington, VA$14,94018 months
#4Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO$13,14018 months
#5Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY$25,80020 months
#6Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC$10,71024 months
#7Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN$8,46024 months
#8Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY$9,62024 months
#9Concordia University Wisconsin Mequon, WI$12,96026 months
#10Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA$17,18030 months
Date collected from the National Center for Education Statisticsincluding the most recent in-state graduation tuition.

Fastest Online MBM Degree Programs

1. Southwestern College

Program Website

Southwestern College offers an online Master of Science in Management program that introduces students to business theories and develops advanced skills relevant to running, managing, or overseeing businesses. The program requires 39 credit hours of major and elective courses in an online setting.

The program emphasizes different business-related theories and methodologies, such as leading, planning, and managing organizations. Students take major business courses that include:

  • Ethics in the Global Marketplace
  • Financial Management
  • Decision Making & Business Analysis
  • Knowledge-based Decision Making
  • Project Management Fundamentals

Pros

  • 14-month program
  • Large selection of unique electives
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA requirement for admission
  • Stack with Executive Leadership or Quality Management certificates
  • Transfer up to six credits

Cons

  • Small student population (1,174 students, most undergrads)

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Program Website

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, not-for-profit educational institution that requires 36 credit hours for its online Master of Science in Management. Students can transfer up to 12 graduate credits, which is more generous than some schools. Transfer credits can help you finish your degree in a rapid 15 months.

This program is specifically designed to help business managers navigate the current global marketplace with confidence. The online master’s degree has three concentrations, including:

  • Construction Management
  • Emergency Management
  • Healthcare

Pros

  • 3 concentration options
  • Credit for previous work experience
  • Finish in 15 months, or at your own pace
  • Generous transfer credit policy
  • Innovative tech support

Cons

  • Large student population (over 164,000 students)

3. Strayer University

Program Website

Strayer University offers an accelerated online master’s degree in management. The program has 10 courses designed to encourage students to tackle the most challenging business issues head-on.

In this program, students take courses designed to cultivate competent business teams and outline the future of a business organization or industry. You learn how to make strategic, data-driven, and smart decisions. Additionally, students can choose one of three concentrations to help tailor their degree.

  • Leadership
  • Marketing Management
  • Project Management

Depending on the accepted transfer credits, you can finish this degree in 18 months.

Pros

  • ACBSP-accredited
  • 3 concentration options
  • 11-week courses
  • 2.50 GPA for admission
  • Generous transfer credit policy

Cons

  • Large class sizes

4. Webster University

Program Website

Webster University offers an online Master of Arts in Management and Leadership degree. The program consists of 48-51 total credits, which students complete in as quick as 18 months.

Online courses for the management degree have a week-by-week structure. Students take core courses and electives that cover relevant business topics. Courses include:

  • Basic Finance for Managers
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Organization Development & Change

Students who finish their degrees through this program are qualified to take on a wide range of business managerial roles.

Pros

  • 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • ACBSP-accredited
  • Dual degree options (MBA/MA)
  • Emphasis on leadership in business management
  • Multiple emphasis options in career-focused areas

Cons

  • 55% acceptance rate
  • 59% graduation rate (lower than some business schools)

5. Nazareth University

Program Website

Nazareth University is a private, not-for-profit school that offers an online global business and leadership master’s degree. This program develops a student’s skills to perform in any business field or industry. Students can complete their degree in as little as 12 months, but most students finish in up to 20 months.

This degree consists of emphasizes global management in business. Students take courses like:

  • Global Marketing & Buyer Behavior
  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Leading Organizational Change in a Global Environment
  • Project Management

A capstone seminar is included in the program’s completion requirements.

Pros

  • 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Emphasis on leadership and management in business
  • Fast-paced courses
  • Small, cohort-based program
  • Unique electives and global management courses

Cons

  • More expensive graduate tuition than some schools

6. Montreat College

Program Website

Montreat College is a private Christian educational institution in North Carolina that offers an online Master of Science in Management and Leadership. The MSML degree takes 24 months to complete.

The program develops critical thinking and strategic planning skills through Christian-based instruction. Students attending this fast online master’s in business management program will learn:

  • Advanced Entrepreneurship
  • Business Communication
  • Human Capital Management

Pros

  • Balanced curriculum (mixes both managerial and leadership principles)
  • Diverse selection of courses and electives
  • Fast-paced online courses
  • No GMAT or GRE scores required for admission

Cons

  • Christian-based instruction
  • Small student population (under 1,000 students)

7. Austin Peay State University

Program Website

Located in Tennessee, Austin Peay State University offers an online Master of Science in Management program for students with a previously earned bachelor’s degree in any related field.

Online courses are specifically designed for busy working professionals with an option to graduate 24 months, or faster with the hybrid plan. This program helps students gain advanced business knowledge to succeed in any position in the business industry and prepare them for such roles. Students need 30 credit hours to complete their master’s degree.

Pros

  • 14:1 student-to-faculty program
  • 100% online with no campus visits
  • All faculty hold PhDs
  • Two completion pathways (hybrid or two-year)
  • Year-round admittance

Cons

  • Out-of-state tuition for non-residents
  • Rigorous, accelerated coursework

8. Campbellsville University

Program Website

Campbellsville University offers a wide selection of online programs, including a Master in Management and Leadership degree. The degree is accredited by the IACBE.

This fast online master’s degree provides students with superior organizational leadership skills. You learn how to motivate, have vision, and leverage technology in business. You must earn 30 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements. But you can finish your degree in as little as 24 months.

Courses in this program include:

  • Business Ethics
  • Managing Diversity
  • Negotiation & Conflict Management
  • Organization Theory

Pros

  • Diverse selection of electives and core courses
  • 24/7 technical support
  • Capstone and portfolio projects
  • Generous transfer credit policy
  • Well-rounded business education

Cons

  • GRE or GMAT scores highly recommended
  • Larger class sizes than some schools (23:1 student-to-faculty ratio)

9. Concordia University Wisconsin

Program Website

Concordia University Wisconsin offers a variety of flexible, accelerated, and affordable higher degree plans, including an online Master of Business Administration in Management.

This program requires 39 credit hours consisting of 13 courses. It has six continuous eight-week terms per year. The duration of this fast online master’s in Business Management program is typically 26 months; however, with transfer credits, students can complete the degree even faster.

Core courses include:

  • Applied Statistics
  • Corporate Finance
  • Ethics & Organizational Leadership
  • Managerial Economics

Pros

  • 2.75 minimum GPA for admission
  • 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Graduate certificate options
  • Work-life balance flexibility

Cons

  • Limited number of courses and electives

10. Azusa Pacific University

Program Website

Azusa Pacific University is a private, nonprofit university located just outside of Los Angeles. The school offers an accredited Master of Science in Business Management.

Students typically complete this accelerated program in 30 months, depending on the student’s learning pace. There are quicker options if you have appropriate credits to transfer. There are seven concentrations that students can pick from to help tailor their degree. Some choices include:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Human Resource Management
  • Marketing
  • Public Administration

Pros

  • 7 concentrations
  • 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • IACBE-accredited
  • Nationwide rankings with esteemed publications
  • Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

Cons

  • More expensive than some other business schools

Other Fast Online Master’s in Business Management Programs

Not all colleges and university with fast online master’s in business management programs made our list. Here are more schools with online business programs to consider.

  • American Public University
  • Bellevue University
  • Benedictine University
  • Charleston Southern University
  • City University of New York
  • Concordia University St. Paul Global
  • Indiana University Bloomington
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Michigan State University
  • New England College
  • Purdue University Global
  • University of Alabama
  • University of St. Francis
  • Western Governors University
Fastest Online Master’s in Business Management Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an online Master’s in Business Management?

The average time for a master’s degree in business management is two years. But accelerated programs can cut months off this time. Many fast programs take around 18 months. With transfer credits, you can shorten the time even more.

How much does an online Master’s in Business Management cost?

Tuition for an online master’s in Business Management varies greatly by university or college. On average, tuition and fees for students earning their degree is between $20,000 and $35,000 total. Some degrees are faster, so you can cut your time and save money by enrolling in these accelerated programs.

Is a master’s degree in Business Management worth it?

Employment for business management occupations is expected to grow 10% over the next decade, making a master’s degree in this field worth it for students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for management analysts is 10% and for financial managers is 16% through 2032. With significant job growth, getting a degree in business management is a good idea.

Is it possible to get a Master’s in Business Management in 1 year?

It is! Some programs take between 12 and 30 months to complete. But most business management master’s degrees take longer than a year. However, you can shorten the time by transferring relevant credits and studying online.

Is an accelerated online Master of Business Management as good as a traditional one?

An online, accelerated MBM degree can be as good as a traditional master’s if it’s accredited. The quality of a degree program gets determined by the accreditation status of the school, the qualifications and backgrounds of faculty, resources the school provides, and student outcomes and job development after graduation. But most online and on-campus programs are the same.

How much can I make with an online master’s in Business Management?

It depends on the job. Financial managers make $139,790/year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay for other related careers includes $96,220 for financial analysts and $101,870 for facilities managers.

What can a Master’s in Business Management get you?

Some common jobs available to students with a master’s in business management include financial analyst and financial manager. You can also qualify for program manager jobs, especially with experience. Other possible job titles include sport manager and facilities manager.

Additional Information:

Rowan Jones
Chief Editor