Are you eager to boost your sports management career without taking a break from work?
Maybe you have other obligations but still want to pursue a career that combines fulfilling work with your love of sports.
An online master's in sports management program builds on the skills you gained in your bachelor's program, more so if your bachelor's degree was in a related field. And you'll have the flexibility and convenience to study from home.
Once you graduate, you can pursue a variety of sports-related careers.
Read on to learn more about the best online master's in sports management programs of the year, and find one that is a great fit for you.
Sports Management Degree Highlights
Master's in sports management degrees can advance your skills and knowledge of the sports industry.
These programs typically take around two years to complete, requiring 30-36 credits. However, shorter, accelerated programs also exist.
Tuition and fees for two-year online master's business programs cost an average of around $22,000 without financial aid and around $17,000 with financial aid. These costs are based on 2019-2020 data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Our 2025 Online Education Trends Report found that 90% of online program graduates say their online degree has or will have a positive return on investment (ROI).
Nearly all (98%) of all students surveyed — current, prospective, and graduates — would recommend online education to others.
More than three-quarters (76%) of all students surveyed say that online learning is better than or equal to on-campus learning.
Source: BestColleges
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Top Online Master's in Sports Management
Why You Should Get a Sports Management Degree
Engage in your passion
Sports management programs cater to sports fans, helping you turn your passion for sports into a satisfying career.Find career versatility
These programs prepare you for a variety of roles in sports settings such as collegiate athletics, event management, and sports marketing.Develop into a leader
Your coursework in sports finance, marketing, and law can help you develop leadership skills related to the sports industry.
Benefits of Getting a Master's in Sports Management Degree Online
Nearly all (97%) online master's students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
A large majority (90%) of online program graduates say they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Nearly 80% of online master's students and graduates say an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
How to Choose the Best Online Sports Management Master's Program for You
As you research online sports management programs, consider factors like cost, financial aid, program length, application requirements, and potential careers you can pursue once you graduate. Doing so can ensure you find the best program for you.
How Much Does an Online Master's Degree in Business Cost?
Business, 2019-2020
Online
$10,995
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$8,534
Avg. Net Price
Source: NCES PowerStats
Tuition and fees for a two-year online master's in sports management program costs students an average of around $22,000 without financial aid. With financial aid, it's closer to about $17,070.
These rates are based on NCES data for the 2019-2020 academic year. You can, however, see how much financial aid, including grants and scholarships, can reduce the cost.
To qualify for financial aid, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) both years you're in school.
Find Financial Aid for Your Master's in Sports Management
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's in Sports Management Online?
30 Credits
Typical # of Credits
2 Years
Typical Program Length
Online master's in sports management programs typically take two years to complete, requiring around 30 credits to graduate. However, you should carefully research each program's credit guidelines before applying to know what will be expected of you.
You can speed up the learning process by enrolling in an accelerated online master's in sports management program.
The accelerated program at the University of Miami, for example, only takes 20 months to complete. And you can earn your master's degree from California University of Pennsylvania within 13 months.
Sports Management Master's Degree Application Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Official transcripts
Minimum GPA (usually 3.0)
Resume or CV
Application essay
GRE (if applicable)
Two or three letters of recommendation
What Can You Do With a Sports Management Degree?
Once you earn your sports management master's degree, you can pursue a variety of careers.
Some roles you may pursue include public relations manager, business development director, marketing director, athletic director, and player agent.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects entertainment and sports occupations to grow as fast as the average for all occupations between 2024-2034, with about 99,700 job openings each year, on average.
| Job | Average Annual Salary (2026) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Director | $104,975 | Oversees marketing departments of organizations, which can include athletic leagues and sports programs and clubs |
| Public Relations Manager | $81,112 | Creates communication strategies to improve a client's public image, raises funds, and oversees public relations teams |
| Athletic Director | $74,257 | Supervises the daily operations of an athletic department, including planning sports games, managing budgets, raising funds, and hiring new coaches |
| Business Development Director | $116,614 | Develops strategies for successful operations in companies, leagues, teams, and clubs |
| Sports Agent | $60,985 | Represents athletes during negotiations with teams over contracts and with companies over deals and sponsorships |
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Is a Master's Degree in Sports Management Worth It?
To figure out whether an online master's in sports management degree is worth it, consider your career goals, financial situation, learning style, and experience level.
The average starting salary for business master's graduates in the class of 2023 was around $89,500, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
A major benefit to finishing an online master's in sports management program is the specialized knowledge and skills you'll gain in sports business from a convenient, remote environment.
There's also the potential for career advancement — you can earn more money in high-level roles.
A master's degree is, however, a significant time and financial investment. And the degree isn't always required. Plus, as an online student, you'll also have fewer opportunities to interact with your professors and classmates than you would in a traditional program.
Education Beyond a Master's Degree in Sports Management
Once you earn your master's in sports management, you can pursue a doctoral degree in sports management. These terminal degrees provide leadership and business expertise with career opportunities in academia.
You'll earn around 60 credits beyond your master's degree, gaining a deep understanding of research methods and law in sports business management.
Specializations include human resource management in sports, leadership in sports, sports marketing, and sports governance and combatting corruption.
With a doctoral degree, you may decide to teach at the undergraduate or graduate level, do research focused on the sports industry, or lead a sports organization or management company.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Management
While online master's in sports management programs typically take two years to complete, there are accelerated options that you can complete in a shorter time.
