Are Online Business Degrees Legitimate?

What To Look For in an Online Business Degree Program

The most important thing to look for in an online business degree is accreditation.

Other factors to help you choose a strong business program include:

• Reputation
• Nonprofit versus for-profit status
• Graduation rates

Accreditation

Whatever business degree program you choose should come from an accredited school. There are two types of accreditation for colleges and universities: regional and national.

Regional accreditation is the most common and is generally preferred. National accreditation is primarily used for for-profit online institutions or career colleges, such as cosmetology schools.

Regional accreditation is preferable because of the more uniform and rigorous standards compared to those set by national accreditation agencies. It's also much easier to transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution.

Programs, like business programs, within an institution can also be accredited. Look for business programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Colleges and universities usually have accreditation information on their websites; or, you can do a quick online search to learn their accreditation status.

Reputation

Choosing a school with a better reputation for business programs will add respectability to your online degree and can help you in the job market.

You can find information about reputable business colleges by looking at college rankings, such as those published by U.S. News and World Report, and by reading reviews about colleges.

Nonprofit Vs. For-Profit Degrees

All public colleges and universities are nonprofit, but private universities may be nonprofit or for-profit. While there are some well-reviewed for-profit colleges, in general, these colleges have a negative reputation in the minds of some employers.

Many for-profit colleges are little more than diploma mills that essentially 'sell' degrees. They often offer inadequate education, but you'll receive a diploma as long as you pay. They also often leave students with high student loan debt.

This is why it's so important to do your research and ensure that the school you choose has good reviews and is accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rate is a metric that tells you how many first-time, full-time students from a university graduate with their undergraduate degree within a certain time frame.

For associate degrees, this time frame is three years, and for bachelor's degrees, this time frame is six years.

However, there is a catch: Many online colleges have a low number of students who fit the 'first-time, full-time' category, so the graduation rate isn't always indicative of the school's quality.

Some colleges and universities post their graduation rates on their website, but you can also find them by looking up the school using the College Navigator tool from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Differences Between Online Business Degrees and Traditional Degrees

Students in online degree programs and students enrolled in in-person degree programs for business often learn the same material but in a very different format.

In a traditional college program, students attend classes on campus a few times a week, where they listen to lectures, interact with their peers, and complete assignments.

Online learning works a little differently. Most online classes require students to complete weekly assignments, like reading texts or articles, listening to recorded lectures, or participating in online discussion posts.

However, students can complete this coursework at a time that works for them, so long as the work is done by the posted due date.

Some schools also offer competency-based online programs, which are a little different. In these, students progress through the program at their own pace, rather than one set by the instructor.

Benefits of Earning Your Business Degree at an Online School

The biggest benefit of earning a business degree through an online school is the flexibility, as these programs let you earn your degree around your schedule.

Another major benefit of an online degree is that it expands your options. You aren't obligated to choose between attending school where you live or moving away. With distance learning, you can attend a school across the country without ever leaving home.

Featured Online Colleges With Business Degrees

Several colleges and universities throughout the United States offer online bachelor's degrees in business. We've featured a few top programs below.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers a variety of on-campus and online bachelor's degrees in business through its W.P. Carey School of Business. ASU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and its business school is accredited by the AACSB.

The bachelor's business degrees offered online at ASU include the following:

• Applied Business and Technology Solutions - BA
• Business Administration - BA
• Corporate Accounting- BA Business
• Financial Planning - BA Business
• Food Industry Management - BA Business

2. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the online branch of The Pennsylvania State University, an esteemed public university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The bachelor's business degrees offered online at Penn State World Campus include the following:

• Business - BS
• Finance - BS
• Labor and Human Resources - BS
• Project and Supply Chain Management - BS
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management - BS

3. Purdue Global

Purdue Global is the online campus of the public Purdue University. It's accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and many of its business programs are accredited by the ACBSP.

The bachelor's business degrees offered online at Purdue Global include the following:

• Accounting (with four concentrations) - BS
• Business Administration (with 17 concentrations) - BS
• Finance (with four concentrations) - BS
• Organizational Management (with 14 concentrations) - BS

The BS in Business Administration is also available in Purdue Global's competency-based ExcelTrack format.

4. University of Florida

University of Florida is a public university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It offers online business degrees through its Warrington College of Business, which is accredited by the AACSB.

The following business degrees are offered online at the University of Florida:

• Business Administration - BA and BS
• Environmental Management - BS
• Sport Management - BS
• Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management - BS

5. University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMass Amherst is a public university that's part of the University of Massachusetts system. It's accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The business administration degrees are accredited by the AACSB.

The following business degrees are offered online at UMass Amherst:

• Accounting - BBA
• Finance - BBA
• Management - BBA
• Marketing - BBA
• Operations and Information Management - BBA

Find the Right Online Business Degree for Your Career Goals

Finding a respected, accredited online business degree requires research.

Using Learn.org's database, you can find articles and resources to help you learn more about online business programs and contact information to reach out to those schools when you're ready for more details.

Start your path to a business degree today.