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Fast Online Business Degrees: Bachelor's Programs

Fast Online Business Degrees: Bachelor's Programs
Rank School Location
1 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, New Hampshire
2 Arizona State University Scottsdale, Arizona
3 Purdue University Global West Lafayette, Indiana
4 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, Arizona
5 Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota

We have done the research for students to be aware of fast online business degrees bachelor's programs. Fast online degrees are also known as accelerated online programs, which provides opportunities for students to earn a bachelor’s in business administration in a shortened timeframe, such as three years instead of the traditional four years.

For example, students can finish an accelerated online business program in as little as 18 months - such as at Southern New Hampshire University's online programs. Their online degrees are just as valid and prestigious as on campus programs.

There are currently efforts for a three year timeframe to get a bachelor's degree in higher education, according to InsideHigherEd. Online colleges and universities are moving towards offering more bachelor's degrees in this accelerated timeframe.

Accelerated online business programs can provide a quick, versatile, and flexible way to earn a bachelor’s degree, potentially leading to various professional opportunities.

We use a proprietary ranking system that factors in the influence that faculty and alumni have (and the colleges by extension) in various subjects. An important way to determine this is to look at the H-Index scores of the faculty and/or alumni and the H-Index scores of colleges and universities collectively, and rank accordingly.

For more information see our articles College Calculator: Objective, Data-Driven College Rankings, and H-Index: How Academic Influence is Determined.

Online Business Degrees: Fast Bachelor's Programs

1.

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a non-profit university, with one of the largest online student bodies in the U.S. SNHU offers many online bachelor's which can be completed in two years. They also have one of the lowest tuitions in the nation, which has been the same since 2012.

What makes SNHU our number one choice, is the combination of the low tuition rate, along with the many concentration options available for online business degrees, and that the bachelor's program can be completed in two years.

Students can earn their online bachelor's in business administration as its own degree, or select from 14 concentration options.

The online bachelor's in business administration concentrations are:

  • Accounting
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Human Resource management
  • Industrial Organizational Psychology
  • International Business
  • Management Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Project management
  • Public Administration
  • Sport Management

SNHU works with the Sophia Learning program, which allows students to take as many general education courses as they can finish within certain time frames, and for flat rates.

For example, for $99, students can finish one or two courses within one month. This longest option is $599 to complete online courses within one year. These are pass/fail online classes which grant college credit towards SNHU's undergraduate degree programs.

SNHU accepts transfer credits. Transfer students should check with SNHU to see how many credits can be transferred into their business program from their school. Their generous credit transfer policy allows for up to 75% of the degree in transfer credits. Transfer students should check with SNHU to see which credits can be accepted.

2.

Arizona State University

W. P. Carey School of Business

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State university

Arizona State University offers many accelerated bachelor's online that can be completed in three years. They offer the Bachelor's in Business (Communication), and the Bachelor's in Business Analytics. Each can be completed in three years.

The Bachelor of Arts in Business with a concentration in Communication online teaches effective communication skills and techniques along with business principles. Graduates should be able to communicate complex business processes and ideas.

Courses include:

  • Introduction to Human Communication
  • Macroeconomic Principles
  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry
  • Business Writing

The Bachelor of Science in Business Data Analytics teaches students how to harness big data to make it meaningful to inform business processes.

Courses include:

  • Small Group Communication
  • Public Speaking
  • Business Statistics
  • Business and Society

Arizona State University suggests that interested students should contact an academic advisor for more details on how to finish in three years.

3.

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue Global offers many online programs in many subjects, and is a leader in online education. Purdue Global offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration online, which can be taken through their ExcelTrack option. ExcelTrack is a multifaceted way to accelerate getting a bachelor's.

Students will take an assessment test to see what they already know, which can allow for skipping classes. This can be a way of getting college credit for already having work experience. It also lets students take as many 1 credit courses as they want within a semester.

4.

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university that offers bachelor's through doctorates online and on-campus.

Grand Canyon University's online Bachelor's in Business Administration can be completed in three years. Students can take classes all year, including summer.

Topics of study:

  • Labor Markets
  • Finance
  • Socially Responsible Business Practices
  • Conscious Capitalism

Students have flexibility to pay per course, per month, or per year.

5.

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University

Capella University offers the FlexPath program for their online Bachelor of Science in Business.

There are eight specialization options within their online BS in Business:

  • Accounting
  • Business administration
  • Management and Leadership
  • Finance
  • Health Care Management
  • Human resource Management
  • Marketing
  • Project Management

Flexpath allows students to finish a class and move on to the next online course without waiting for a new term or semester. This program allows students to work through classes at their own pace without needing to adhere to a predetermined schedule.

More resources for fast online degrees:

Assessing Business Courses and Concentrations

When searching for an accelerated degree program, consider its accreditation. Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation. Accreditation guarantees the quality of the programs, which shows that courses such as business law, financial management, and business operations meet specific standards.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a highly-regarded accrediting body for business schools. Employers and other institutions recognize regionally accredited degrees, making them potentially valuable for career prospects.

Besides accreditation, also look at the course offerings and curriculum of programs. Courses like international business, global markets, digital marketing, and financial management are all valuable to specific skillsets, which can be relevant to a student's career ambitions.

Understanding the differences between a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Arts (BA) with liberal arts courses, and Bachelor of Science (BS) can help determine the relevant programs that a student may want to learn.

Business Management

Consider the types of courses offered, such as international business, organizational behavior, digital marketing, and business ethics, and see which programs best align with education and career ambitions.

An accelerated program, such as an accelerated business management program, can offer various concentrations, allowing students to specialize in areas like Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Finance, and Human Resources. For those who want to learn management skills, a business management degree would be the prudent choice.

Pursuing a concentration in an area of interest can allow students gain valuable skills and knowledge to apply to the relevant career, potentially leading to more professional options.

Accelerated online degree programs in business, such as an accelerated business management program, can offer concentrations within their business education, allowing students to specialize in areas like Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, and International Business.

Pursuing a concentration in an area of interest, such as an accelerated business management program, can allow students to gain specialized instruction applicable to their career ambitions.

Prospective students can evaluate online bachelor's programs by looking at the business or business administration courses and concentrations. This evaluation can help students see which accelerated online program meets their education goals.

For example, Arizona State University offers fast business degree programs in Communication, and in Data Analytics. Given that these are two very different fields of study, it's worth looking in detail at which accelerated program offers what the student wants to learn. These two programs can lead to very different career paths.

Bachelor's in Business Administration degree programs

The types of business administration courses and concentrations offered, such as strategic management, operations management, organizational behavior, and marketing management, can be the determining factor of which program is the best fit.

For example, Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor's in business administration degree program by itself, or with 14 different concentrations from which to choose. If a student's ambition is to be in management, finding bachelor's degree programs with management courses or concentrations would be appropriate.

Additionally, understanding the differences between a Bachelor's in Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), and Bachelor of Science (BS) can help prospective students select the best business or business administration degree program.

With a bachelor's in business administration, graduates can explore roles in project management, human resources, marketing, and more, depending on your chosen concentration.

Accountant

There are some important factors to consider when selecting an online program, such as the duration of time, cost, flexibility, and the school's accreditation.

Research accreditation, course offerings and curriculum to be informed of the program particulars. Also look into financial aid & scholarships offered in order to make getting a degree more affordable.

To select the best accelerated online business program, it’s essential to research the school’s reputation, accreditation status, and faculty credentials. AACSB accreditation is a highly respected recognition for business colleges, ensuring that programs meet specific quality criteria in business education, and by extension is acknowledged by employers and other institutions.

In addition to accreditation, assessing the course offerings and curriculum is crucial to ensure that the program aligns with your career goals. For example, if you’re interested in social media marketing, look for a program that offers courses in social media, communication, digital marketing, and data analysis, for example.

Using these criteria, students can become informed of the best fast business degree program options online. There are also online business certificate programs available, but that is not the subject of this article.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a respected accrediting body for schools of business, showing that their programs meet quality standards in a business education in particular.

Accredited undergrad programs are recognized by graduate programs at colleges and universities, and by companies, governments and non-profits.

This accreditation illustrates a school's commitment to excellence. By selecting an accredited program, especially a regionally accredited program, can be confident in the quality of education.

Tips for Succeeding in an Accelerated Online Degree in Business

While taking an accelerated business degree program, it's prudent to use effective time management techniques, and take advantage of transfer credits and networking opportunities. Some schools allow transfer credits up to 75% of the degree.

By focusing on a chosen concentration and developing a strong foundation in essential business skills, online students will be better prepared to pursue high-demand business careers for positions that require a minimum of a bachelor's in business administration or related degrees.

By creating a schedule, and taking advantage of online resources, students can obtain their education quicker than a traditional four year timeframe.

Taking the maximum number of classes helps students gain more credits in a shorter period, including over summer. By choosing the relevant concentration that students want to study and developing business fundamentals, students can potentially be better suited to pursue careers in business after graduation.

Time Management

Managing time is a very important skill when pursuing a fast online degree. Setting goals, creating a schedule, and breaking down tasks into smaller increments, are good strategies to help manage time effectively. Taking breaks is also important.

7 Characteristics of Successful Students

See our articles Online College Success: 10 Best Tips and The 7 Characteristics of Successful Students.

Taking advantage of condensed course formats, which include Bachelor of Business Administration completion programs, can also help you manage your time efficiently. By incorporating effective time management strategies, online students can graduate faster while maintaining a balance between their work and education.

Transfer Credits and Degree Completion Programs

College Students

Making the most of transfer credits earned from previous college courses is a way to save time and money towards earning a bachelor's in business administration. Research transfer policies, credit equivalencies, and take advantage of credit for experience opportunities where available. These steps can help students maximize their credits and get a business degree online faster than otherwise.

Leveraging experience to earn college credit can be a great way to accelerate getting degree completion programs. Submitting a portfolio or taking advantage of ACE recommended credits are two methods to earn credit for prior work. By maximizing transfer credits and getting credit for work or life experience, students can complete their business degree online fast by skipping classes that they don't need to take.

Networking Opportunities

Business and Management

Networking can be a good strategy towards getting a lasting career. Online accelerated business degree bachelor's can offer opportunities to connect with other students, alumni, and business industry professionals.

These connections can bolster job prospects and expand a graduate's professional network. Many online schools provide a community of students, faculty, and alumni, which can become professional networks.

Accelerated business degree programs online are designed to help online students have a balance of work, life, and their education. Many programs offer online classes and condensed course formats that allow for working while pursuing a degree.

By providing the flexibility you need, these programs empower you to achieve your educational goals without sacrificing personal and professional obligations.

Some online colleges offer online Bachelor of Business Administration degree completion programs. By taking advantage of such bachelor's in business administration programs, students can shorten time spent in college getting their degree.

Career options:

Graduating with a degree from a fast business program online can potentially open a range of business career fields, such as human resources, project management, and business operations. With the business skills learned in these programs, graduates can pursue careers that require a minimum of a bachelor's.

Best Online Degrees for Careers

See our articles The 20 Best Online Degrees To Get For Careers, The Best Online Business Administration Colleges, and The Highest Paying Business Degrees.

There are numerous high-demand business careers available for graduates of fast online degree programs in business. For example, a Finance degree can potentially lead to many well paying careers. Financial analysts, investment bankers, financial consultants, and corporate finance professionals all offer great opportunities.

See our rankings of The Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Finance and The Best CFP Programs: Certified Financial Planning Bachelor's Online.

Graduates with a Marketing specialization can have many potential avenues in their career. They could be marketing managers, market researchers, brand managers or digital marketing specialists.

Graduates who specialize in marketing, such as marketing management, can potentially find career opportunities in several industries. These can include working in advertising, for social media companies, ad agencies, big tech, non-profits, and others.

Social Media Marketing

See our articles Social Media Marketing Degree: The Best Online Programs and The Best Online Marketing Degrees.

The potential for high paying careers for graduates of accelerated online programs in business is higher than most other bachelor's programs, given the many specialization options and profitability of business careers, especially in management positions.

Business Management degree specializations can provide the knowledge to potentially work as managers, team leaders, department heads or executives in a variety of industries in the business world. For more information about the best business management programs see our ranking The Best Online Bachelor's in Business Management Degrees.

As the economy continues to change, the demand for future business professionals in many fields is expected to grow.

By researching online business degree bachelor's options and staying updated on industry trends (such as the emerging fields of Business Intelligence and Blockchain technologies), students can be better informed and possibly take advantage of growing career prospects as they arise.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid Guide for Online College Students

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students pursuing accelerated online bachelor's degree programs are just as available as traditional programs.

Grants, loans, private or university scholarships, work-study programs, and tuition assistance programs offered by employers can help make a fast online education possible.

You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out which funding you qualify for. This is an essential step in securing financial aid for college.

Additionally, researching awards and recognition received by universities can help you find scholarships specifically for students enrolled in accelerated online degrees in business.

There are several types of financial aid available to help students. Grants, scholarships, and deferred-payment loans are great options to explore when financing your education. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams can also help you save money on earning credits.

Other funding opportunities could include work-study programs, which give students the chance to gain valuable work experience while earning money to pay for their education. By taking advantage of these financial aid options, students can better minimize the cost of education.

See our article Financial Aid Guide for Online College Students

Finding scholarships for students may require some research. Scholarship databases and university websites are advantageous to investigate your options. The financial aid office of the school can be helpful to request more information.

In addition to inquiring about financial aid options, also look into tuition assistance programs, which can be offered by employers, and research awards and recognition received by universities to find potential scholarship opportunities.

For example, there may be an award or scholarship that's given to a qualifying student who is enrolled in your subject of choice. Students may find scholarships that can help reduce the cost and make education more accessible.

Accelerated online degree programs offer a fast and flexible means to finish a college education. By selecting an accredited program, using time management strategies, and taking advantage of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, online students can achieve their educational goals in a quick manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest business degree to get?

Earning a degree in business can be one of the most rewarding investments. The easiest degree in business to get is usually the one that teaches a subject that a student is genuinely interested in learning.

Studies show that students who study what they're genuinely interested in learning score better and have higher GPAs. With student services and academic advisor resources, students can achieve success in their education.

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What is the quickest degree to get?

Earning a bachelor’s degree doesn’t have to take years of your life. Southern New Hampshire University offers the Sophia Learning program, which allows students to take as many general education classes as they want to take within certain time frames for flat rates.

These are pass/fail classes that translate to college credit. This can mean that a bachelor's degree can take only one and a half years to complete.

Programs like these can help online and traditional on-campus students get a degree in a fraction of the time it would take to complete a traditional four-year program.

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Is getting a degree in business online worth it?

Getting an online degree in business can potentially create new job opportunities. With the right preparation and dedication, this degree can be a great investment in a future career given its potentially high return on investment.

Graduates with an accelerated business degree bachelor's earn an average of $2 million dollars more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma.

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What is the duration of an accelerated online degree in business?

You can earn an accelerated online degree in business in as little as 18 months. It can be a quick and efficient way to expedite college education.

Many colleges offer online bachelor's that can be completed in three years.

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An accelerated business degree online offers popular concentrations such as Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Business Law, Finance, Human Resources, and International Business, providing students with diverse options to pursue their career aspirations.

These concentrations provide students with the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of business, developing business administration skills, for example, and other relevant skills.

With the flexibility of online platform learning, students can complete their degree at their own pace, while still having access to the same quality of education.

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Enrolling in an accelerated degree program in business online can offer students some worthwhile advantages. The benefits of accelerated business degrees can potentially include a less expensive education, network connections, quick graduation, and all of the flexibility that online college provides.

The flexibility of online learning allows balancing work, life, and education. Accelerated programs help students to complete a degree in a shorter amount of time, which saves money and can potentially provide a faster path to a master’s degree.

These online programs can potentially offer valuable networking opportunities given that they're taken through reputable universities with large existing alumni. Through online platforms and virtual events, students can connect with peers, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals.

Online students take general education courses along with specialized business courses in these online programs. Students learn soft skills such as critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem solving skills, along with business acumen, such as business intelligence, business ethics, management principles and business strategy.

In the growing business industry, obtaining a business administration degree, such as a bachelor’s in business administration, can be a step towards getting a career.

Business programs offer many specializations, such as business administration classes, business analytics, marketing, human resources management, finance, and more.

To qualify for admission to a bachelor’s degree in business administration program, applicants need to meet business administration degree requirements. This can include having a high school diploma or GED certificate, and other requirements.

What can students expect after obtaining an online bachelor's degree? A qualification to pursue a master’s degree, such as an MBA, or the minimum degree often required to enter careers such as international management, managerial accounting, operations management, or human resource management.

Many of the highest paying careers in business are in management, and require only a bachelor's degree, such as a bachelor's in business administration or a related degree.