At a Glance: BestColleges' Top Affordable Online Business Degrees
#1: George Mason University — High financial aid figures help cut down the price of this respected online business program.
#2: University of North Texas — UNT offers the same affordable price to both in-state and out-of-state students.
#3: The Pennsylvania State University — Penn State has a low net price after aid and highly flexible learning options for students.
Pursuing an online bachelor's degree in business doesn't have to drain your wallet.
For this list, we used federal data to find online business degree programs that are both affordable and have strong outcomes for students.
Specifically, we looked at factors like how many students receive financial aid and annual net price, as well as the graduation rate and the debt burden of graduates.
Our goal is to help you find the program that works best for your needs and budget.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Affordable Online Business Degrees
Why the Cheapest Online Business Degree Program Isn't Always the Most Affordable
Not every degree on our list has the cheapest tuition out there.
That's because the annual price tag of tuition isn't a good metric for understanding the true cost of a degree. Federal, state, and institutional financial aid can drastically cut down the net price of a degree.
Return on investment (ROI) is also a key metric to better understand the value of a degree.
We extend affordability to postgraduate outcomes by factoring in an institution's graduation rate and percentage of graduates' income going toward loans to help you get a better grasp of whether a program leads to strong student outcomes.
Benefits of Getting an Affordable Business Degree Online
More than three-quarters of business students we surveyed for our 2025 Online Education Trends Report said an online learning environment is better than or equal to on-campus learning.
That's partially because many business schools have built their online learning programs around flexibility for working professionals.
The vast majority (94%) of online business students and graduates said they expect their degree to have a positive return on investment.
98% of current and prospective students and graduates we surveyed said they would recommend online education to others.
How Much Does an Online Business Degree Cost?
Business Bachelor's, 2020
Online
$10,476 Avg. Tuition & Fees
$5,928 Avg. Net Price
On-Campus
$16,921 Avg. Tuition & Fees
$9,231 Avg. Net Price
Source: NCES PowerStats
Business degrees have highly variable prices, with degrees from private and well-known business schools typically being much more expensive than those from regional public universities.
As a general rule of thumb, online degrees tend to be more affordable than their in-person counterparts.
On average in 2020, the annual tuition and fees of an online bachelor's degree cost $10,476 — roughly $6,500 less than an in-person degree.
Aid dramatically cuts the total cost of a degree: The average annual net price of an online degree was a little under $6,000 after aid was applied. Compare that with $9,231 for an in-person degree.
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What Is an Online Business Degree's ROI?
A business bachelor's degree tends to pay off.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) puts the average starting salary for 2023 general business and commerce bachelor's graduates at $76,113, above the $63,721 average starting salary for all bachelor's graduates.
Those with a bachelor's degree in business were more likely than their peers to be employed, with an overall employment rate of 80%, compared to 62.1% for all degree types.
Exactly what your ROI will be depends on your career path and the school you attend. Many business schools tailor their online degrees toward working adults. Some even feature built-in credentials as part of their curriculum, meaning you won't have to wait until you finish your degree to start bolstering your resume.
How to Save Money on Your Online Business Degree
Business schools emphasize affordability when they market their online degrees since the online business education market has become hyper competitive. That means there are plenty of ways to cut down on the cost of your degree.
1. Apply for Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is critical to receiving financial aid at the federal, state, and institutional levels. Filling out the form can determine your eligibility for income-based financial aid like the Pell Grant, as well as federal loans and income-based repayment options. State programs and individual colleges also use FAFSA data to determine scholarship eligibility.
2. Start at a Community College
Community colleges are generally more affordable than four-year universities, and many states even offer free two-year programs to residents. Many four-year institutions allow you to transfer up to 60 credits or more toward your bachelor's degree. And starting off at a community college can mean a hefty discount on the total program price.
3. Get Exempt from Credits
Your lived experience can also count toward your college education. Credit for Prior Learning(CPL) isn't a universal practice, but colleges that use it allow students to skip courses based on their prior experiences. That can mean work, military experience, or general knowledge showcased through a test like the College-Level Exam Program (CLEP).
4. Attend a 'Free' Tuition School
Some higher education institutions have slashed tuition entirely for qualifying students. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, for instance, received a billion-dollar donation to offer free tuition to all students starting in 2024. Other schools, like Princeton University, offer free tuition based on income thresholds.
Ask an Expert: Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Business Degrees
Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez is an associate professor of management at Loyola Marymount University who has been recognized as one of the "World's Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professors" by Poets&Quants.
Can you get a business degree fully online?
Yes, you can get a business degree fully online — including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Do business degrees pay well?
Yes, business degrees can pay well. The level of compensation, however, will depend on the specific field within business that you enter.
What field of business makes the most money?
The business fields that make the most money are private equity and venture capital, tech product management, corporate finance, and investment banking. The earning potential is also higher for those in leadership/executive roles.
What business degree is in high demand?
Many business degrees are in high demand given technological and industry needs, as well as global economic trends. While the actual compensation will differ depending on the specific field and role, some of the business degrees that are in high demand are finance, business/data analytics, supply chain management, finance, talent management, and IT.
Which bachelor's degree is best for business?
There really is no bachelor's degree that is best to pursue. The right business degree will depend on your academic and career interests. I would advise prospective students to carefully reflect on what they would like to do long term, then research and apply to business programs that appear most aligned with those pursuits.
