Business is a wide-ranging field that guarantees any number of successful careers for those who have the gumption to go after them through business schools.
If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in business or following your intuition into the corporate sphere, it’s important to start by selecting a solid, reputable school with cheap online business degrees.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable online schools for business in the U.S. If you’re looking into a career in the field of business, it wouldn’t hurt to look into these widely-renowned virtual business school programs either.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online business degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in September of 2023.
Online Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.2024 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Business Degrees
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| # 1 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | $3,496 |
| # 2 | Western Carolina University | $4,532 |
| # 3 | Fort Hays State University | $5,430 |
| # 4 | Valdosta State University | $6,007 |
| # 5 | Georgia Southwestern State University | $6,032 |
| # 6 | Clayton State University | $6,084 |
| # 7 | Southern Utah University | $6,770 |
| # 8 | California State University-Channel Islands | $6,817 |
| # 9 | Columbus State University | $6,844 |
| # 10 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | $6,863 |
| # 11 | Kennesaw State University | $6,898 |
| # 12 | Georgia Military College | $7,043 |
| # 13 | Mississippi University for Women | $8,092 |
| # 14 | Minot State University | $8,634 |
| # 15 | Wichita State University | $8,860 |
| # 16 | Dickinson State University | $9,118 |
| # 17 | Tarleton State University | $9,819 |
| # 18 | University of the Cumberlands | $9,875 |
| # 19 | Lamar University | $10,586 |
| # 20 | Western Governors University | $11,835 |
| # 21 | Columbia Southern University | $12,474 |
Cheapest Online Colleges for Business Degrees
1. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Average net price: $3,496
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 90%
The University of Northern Carolina at Pembroke, otherwise known as UNCP, features a business degree online that can be completed in as few as twelve months. For anyone looking for a high-quality online business degree program, the average $3,496 price is well worth it. UNCP is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College.
UNCP business program graduates are able to succeed in practically any field of business because the online programs are taught by the same professors that teach on campus, meaning you won’t have to sacrifice any of your education by working online. This college features a 90% acceptance rate, with an average ACT score for admittance ranging between 16 and 21. It also has a graduation rate of 25%. Overall, the University of Northern Carolina at Pembroke is one of the best choices to be considered for your business education.
2. Western Carolina University
Average net price: $11,835
School type: Private Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Western Carolina University (WCU), nestled in Cullowhee, North Carolina, stands as a vibrant public institution within the esteemed University of North Carolina System. It offers a rich array of both undergraduate and graduate programs, some of which are accessible online, catering to diverse educational needs.
The WCU College of Business, brimming with vitality, propels learners towards honing their skills in various business domains. It facilitates this journey through five dynamic online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degrees:
- Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship
- Business Administration and Law
- Finance (Financial Planning Concentration)
- Management
- Marketing
Meticulously designed, these online BSBA degrees provide students with diverse business knowledge and specialized skills for career success. The curriculum covers fundamental disciplines including accounting, economics, finance, and marketing. Students also complete in-depth coursework aligned to their selected major. This blend of broad business foundations and targeted expertise equips graduates to navigate the complexities of the business world. Students finish the program armed with a comprehensive skill set tailored to thrive in their chosen concentration.
Furthermore, WCU’s online business programs have earned accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This revered distinction underscores the highest echelons of academic excellence and quality that WCU’s business programs consistently maintain. It signifies a commitment to unwavering standards and assures students that their academic endeavors are supported by a robust educational foundation.
3. Fort Hays State University
Average net price: $5,430
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Nestled in Hays, Kansas, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) offers an array of online business degrees, furnishing students with diverse educational opportunities.
Options include:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a choice of majors spanning:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Business Education
- Finance
- Information Networking & Telecommunication
- International Business and Economics
- Management
- Marketing
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs offering specialized majors in:
- Agribusiness
- Corporate Communication
- Digital Marketing
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- HHP/Sports Management
- Human Resource Management
- Information Assurance
- International Business
- Leadership Studies
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
FHSU’s online business programs immerse students in knowledge, honing skills for the global stage. Seasoned faculty lend their expertise to deliver these high-caliber programs.
FHSU is accredited by the prestigious Higher Learning Commission, demonstrating rigorous standards for education quality. This accreditation assures students receive a top-tier learning experience from FHSU’s online business degrees.
4. Valdosta State University
Average net price: $6,007
School type: Private Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Valdosta State University (VSU) offers three fully remote business degrees, each designed to cater to the diverse needs of modern students:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Major in Organizational Leadership: This program readies students for roles in management and leadership across various industries. It delves into a broad spectrum of subjects, encompassing business fundamentals, theories of organization, honing leadership acumen, and managing human resources effectively.
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Major in Office Administration and Technology: This course equips students for administrative and support roles within different business and organizational contexts. It covers a wide array of subjects, ranging from adept office management, mastering computer skills, adeptness in business communication, to delivering exceptional customer service.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) via the Georgia WebMBA: The Georgia WebMBA, a collaborative venture involving five esteemed institutions in the University System of Georgia, including VSU, immerses students in a comprehensive curriculum tailored to propel their careers in the world of business. The program spans an extensive array of subjects, comprising strategic business planning, financial expertise, marketing mastery, and efficient human resources management.
All these programs bear the prestigious accreditation of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), signifying the highest echelon of recognition for business schools. This unequivocally underscores the global recognition and esteem that VSU’s online business degrees command among employers.
Designed with utmost flexibility and convenience in mind, VSU’s online business programs cater to the schedules of working adults and students requiring part-time study options. Courses are presented asynchronously, granting students the freedom to log in and tackle their coursework at their own pace.
Notably, VSU’s online business programs are facilitated by a cadre of seasoned, accomplished faculty members. Many of these educators bring their extensive industry experience to the classroom, enriching the learning experience with practical insights into the dynamic world of business.
5. Georgia Southwestern State University
Average net price: $6,032
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Georgia Southwestern State University offers several online bachelors of business degrees in the areas of management, accounting, and human resource management. These courses foster skills in globalized business, corporate ethics, managerial accounting, and much more. The university accepts 86% of applicants, all of whom score an average ACT score between 18 and 22. With an enrollment of only 2,467 undergraduate students, the school is relatively small. However, GSW works with several 2-year state colleges to offer collaborative programs that open marketing opportunities to each and every student.
Georgia Southwestern State holds accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Ultimately, in your search for the perfect online business degree, Georgia Southwestern has a lot to offer and should definitely be a top contender.
6. Clayton State University
Average net price: $6,084
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Clayton State University is the #2 most affordable online college for business degrees, which is extremely impressive. That said, the average cost of its business degree is on the more costly side at an average of $6,084. For education of such high quality, however, it is well worth it for many. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and, with an acceptance rate of only 43%, is very selective when it comes to the students it admits.
Clayton State’s online business degree offers a rigorous curriculum that prioritizes mastery in the fields of financial and managerial accounting, performance/quality management, global business, and much more. Their BBA is a 120-credit-hour program and can be completed entirely online. Plus, with the plentiful chances to pursue internships, attend networking events, and engage in specialized business research, this degree program is relatively unmatched.
7. Southern Utah University
Average net price: $6,770
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: NWCCU
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Southern Utah University (SUU) Online College for Business Degrees offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, all of which are taught 100% online. The programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), which is the highest level of accreditation for business schools.
SUU Online’s business programs are designed to be flexible and affordable, so you can earn your degree while working full-time and meeting other commitments. The programs are also taught by experienced faculty who are experts in their field.
Undergraduate business degrees:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Accounting (BA)
- Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration and Leadership (BS)
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management (BS)
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Marketing (BA)
- Bachelor of Science in Finance (BS)
- Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management (BS)
- Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BS)
Graduate business degrees:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA)
- Master of Science in Marketing (MSM)
- Master of Science in Sport Management (MSM)
Graduate certificates:
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Leadership
- Marketing
If you are interested in earning a business degree online, SUU Online is a great option to consider. The programs are affordable, flexible, and taught by experienced faculty. SUU is also accredited by AACSB International, which is the highest level of accreditation for business schools.
8. California State University-Channel Islands
Average net price: $6,817
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: WASC
Acceptance Rate: 93%
California State University-Channel Islands (CSUCI) offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration degree-completion program. The program is designed for transfer students who have already completed 60 semester/90 quarter transferable units, including the CSU’s “Golden Four” general education requirements.
The online BS Business Administration program at CSUCI is a rigorous and practical program that prepares students for careers in business and management. The curriculum covers a wide range of business topics, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in one of three areas: finance, management, or marketing.
The online BS Business Administration program at CSUCI is taught by experienced faculty members who combine academic expertise with real-world business experience. The program is also supported by a variety of student services, including academic advising, business clubs, and a paid micro-internship program.
Features of the CSUCI online BS Business Administration program:
- Accelerated program that can be completed in as little as 24 months
- Practical, skills-based education
- Faculty members with a blend of academic and industry experience
- Full brick & mortar university supporting services
Admission requirements for the CSUCI online BS Business Administration program:
- 2.0 minimum GPA from a transfer institution
- Prior completion of 60 semester/90 quarter transferable units*
- Completion of the “Golden Four” general education classes with a C- grade or higher
- Good standing at the last institution attended
- Grade C or higher in Business major prerequisites
9. Columbus State University
Average net price: $6,844
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Columbus State University is located in Columbus, Georgia, and on average, a business degree from this university costs $6,844. The most popular business degree offered is the general business (BBA) degree, which prepares students for careers in management, advisory positions, and more. Columbus State accepts 99% of applicants and graduates around 23% of students. Those graduates go on to earn average starting salaries of approximately $28,600 annually. The school also holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Columbus State’s BBA is a broad degree and therefore offers a broad choice of careers. A degree of flexibility, general business prepares students for careers in entrepreneurial positions, small business management, and even corporate-level careers.
10. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Average net price: $6,863
School type: Public Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Eastern New Mexico State University offers a phenomenal business degree online, with several different emphasis areas that allow distance learners the customization they want. As far as tuition costs go, the average net price for this university’s business degree is $6,863. With a 33% acceptance rate, the school graduates around 46% of its students. They also hold accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, or HLC.
The online bachelor of business administration equips online students with the skills they need to become experts in business analytics, general business, international business, and applied economics. Whether you’re interested in being an entrepreneur, a marketing specialist, or a finance specialist, the online program can get you where you want to go. Utilizing web interfaces like Blackboard, Mediasite, and Collaborate, students get to experience the feeling of attending college in person while doing so from the comfort of their own personal computers.