Bachelor's in Business Administration Rankings

The Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs of 2027

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Key Points: Best Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs

  • Arkansas Tech University ranks #1 on a 66.0 Program Score, with a 49% graduation rate.
  • Only the top 15 programs make this list; every one is ranked on the same federal data, not on reputation.
  • The #1 program is also the lowest-tuition program on the list, so the best value and the best score are the same school.
  • Scores weigh graduation rate most, then selectivity, cost and graduate earnings, from IPEDS, College Scorecard and BLS data. No school pays for a place (methodology).
Lowest in-state tuition
$5,995
In-state tuition range
$5,995-$15,616
Online options analyzed
52
Median salary (BLS)
$105,770

The cheapest online business degree programs clear two bars at once: a confirmed online option, and a published tuition low enough to change the math. Of the 168 business administration degrees we analyzed nationwide, 52 carry a confirmed distance-education option, about 31% of the field. This ranking orders the 15 of those with the lowest in-state tuition that still clear an accreditation and completion floor.

Arkansas Tech University is the lowest at $5,995 a year in-state, graduating 49% of its students. In-state tuition across the ranked online programs runs $5,995 to $15,616 a year. Field median pay is $105,770 per BLS, the same benchmark whether the degree was earned online or on campus.

One thing to check before comparing: many online programs bill every student a flat per-credit rate regardless of where they live. That can beat an out-of-state price while losing to a local public's resident rate, so the order below is a starting point rather than your personal price. The cost section works through it.

The Lowest-Cost Online Business Degree Programs, Compared

In-state tuition for the 10 most affordable programs. Shorter bars cost less; the resident rate is what state schools charge in-state students.

How the Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs Are Scored

We analyzed 168 accredited business administration degrees reported to IPEDS, then ranked the 15 online options with the lowest in-state tuition among programs that clear an accreditation and completion floor. No school pays for inclusion.

Every program earns a Program Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:

  • Outcomes44%

    Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?

  • Selectivity & academics38%

    Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).

  • Scale & value18%

    Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).

Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.

The 15 Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs, Ranked for 2027

The 15 cheapest online business degree programs, ranked by in-state tuition.

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR · Public · online option

66.0 Program Score
Grad rate
49%
Admit rate
96%
In-state
$5,995
Out-of-state
$11,989

Arkansas Tech University's Business Management degree can be completed 100% online or on campus, with an accelerated bachelor's-to-MBA option.

  • Program Score 66
  • $5,995 in-state tuition
  • 96% admit rate
  • 100% online or on-campus, stackable certificates

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) offers a Business Management bachelor's degree through its LeMoyne Smith School of Business. The page describes an eight-semester degree map designed to finish in four years, with practical work in leadership, human resources and entrepreneurship. Students can use electives to earn a certificate in Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, Microsoft Applications or Business Data Analytics, and an Accelerated Bachelor to Master Degree program lets them earn dual credit toward the MBA. Experiences listed include the Governor's Cup business plan competition, a study abroad option and a New York Wall Street Experience. The school reports AACSB accreditation and says the program is 100% available online or on campus.

The Program Score of 66 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Federal data show a 49% graduation rate and a 96% admit rate. In-state tuition is $5,995 and out-of-state tuition is $11,989. The program fits students who want a low-cost public option, a flexible online path or a head start on an MBA. The 49% graduation rate suggests students benefit from planning their schedule early, and the near-open admit rate makes entry straightforward.

View Arkansas Tech University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, CT · Public · online option

70.7 Program Score
Grad rate
50%
Admit rate
91%
In-state
$6,998
Out-of-state
$10,498

The marketing concentration offers an Accelerated BS/MBA pathway that lets admitted students finish a bachelor's and an MBA in five years.

  • 50% graduation rate
  • Program Score 70.7
  • $6,998 in-state tuition
  • Accelerated BS/MBA in five years

Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Marketing offers a marketing concentration within its business administration bachelor's degree (BSBA). The concentration prepares students for entry level through senior management marketing roles and for graduate study. Topics include social media marketing, digital marketing, consumer behavior, marketing research, marketing analytics, product development, advertising, sales, retailing and global marketing. The page says learning outcomes follow AACSB Assurance of Learning standards and include problem solving with software such as SPSS and Microsoft Office, communication, reflective thinking and ethical practice. Students can also apply to an Accelerated BS/MBA pathway, in which high-achieving students complete foundational graduate coursework in their senior year and finish both degrees in five years.

Southern reports a 50% graduation rate and admits 91% of applicants. In-state tuition is $6,998 and out-of-state tuition is $10,498. The program's Program Score is 70.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The program fits Connecticut residents looking for a lower-cost public option and students who want a broad business foundation with a marketing specialty. The accelerated pathway is competitive, so students interested in it should plan their grades early. Because the school admits most applicants, the Program Score and graduation rate are better guides to fit than selectivity.

View Southern Connecticut State University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

University of Alaska Southeast

Juneau, AK · Public · online option

76.6 Program Score
Grad rate
28%
Admit rate
63%
In-state
$7,250
Out-of-state
$23,154

A Bachelor of Business Administration offered 100% online, with emphases in accounting, human resource management and management.

  • Program Score 76.6
  • $7,250 in-state tuition
  • 100% online
  • HR, accounting and management emphases

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration that the department says is available 100% online, with in-person options in Juneau for students who want them. Emphases are available in Accounting, Human Resource Management and Management. The department also lists an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration, a minor, an occupational endorsement in Accountant, and certificates in Accounting Technician and Small Business Management, which gives students stackable steps toward the bachelor's. The school reports that its courses are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and that the Society for Human Resource Management recognizes the program for students seeking careers in human resources. UAS says online students receive individual attention from professors, and some programs use a cohort model.

Federal data show a 28% graduation rate and a 63% admit rate. Tuition is $7,250 in-state and $23,154 out-of-state. The Program Score is 76.6, the basis of its ranking. The online format fits working adults, parents and students in Southeast Alaska communities who cannot relocate, and the accounting and HR emphases give a clear direction for career-focused students.

View University of Alaska Southeast's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, CT · Public · online option

88.6 Program Score
Grad rate
67%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$7,896
Out-of-state
$7,896

Charter Oak State College pairs a fully online business administration degree with Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Green Belt certifications at one flat tuition rate.

  • Program Score 88.6
  • 67% graduation rate
  • $7,896 flat tuition, in-state and out-of-state
  • 100% online, Six Sigma belts

Charter Oak State College offers a BS in Business Administration that is delivered with 100% online coursework, part time or full time. Students choose among three concentrations: entrepreneurship, general business or project management. The core includes financial and managerial accounting, business law, international business, financial management, marketing and organizational behavior, and the program ends with a business administration capstone. Major courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. The school says students can earn Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Green Belt certifications, and it describes an on-ramp to CAPM, PMP and Scrum Master credentials. Credit for industry credentials is available, and a fast-track option lets qualified students earn graduate credit at the bachelor's rate toward an M.S. in organizational leadership or health data analytics.

The Program Score is 88.6 out of 100, which is the basis of this ranking. Charter Oak is open admission, and federal data shows a 67% graduation rate. Tuition is a flat $7,896 for in-state and out-of-state students, so residency does not change the price. The program fits working adults, transfer students and community college graduates who need a self-paced online route to a bachelor's degree with certifications built in.

View Charter Oak State College's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK · Public · online option

75.0 Program Score
Grad rate
38%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$8,072
Out-of-state
$23,881

A 120-credit B.B.A. with six concentrations, including Sport Management and Finance & Economics, and a corporate strategy capstone.

  • 38% graduation rate
  • Program Score 75
  • $8,072 in-state tuition
  • Six concentrations

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers a Business Administration B.B.A. that requires 120 credits and a C- or better in each course. Students choose from six concentrations: Finance & Economics, General Business, Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing and Sport Management, and may earn more than one. The core covers business ethics, financial management, operations management, marketing, organizational behavior and the legal environment of business, along with Excel and cybersecurity coursework. Students also take one international course, either International Business or International Finance. BA F462 Corporate Strategy serves as the baccalaureate capstone. The catalog requires that 24 of a student's last 30 credits be earned at UAF, so transfer students should plan around that residency rule.

Federal data show a 38% graduation rate, and UAF is open admission, so there is no selective cutoff to clear. Tuition is $8,072 for in-state students and $23,881 for out-of-state students. The program earns a Program Score of 75, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a broad business foundation with room to specialize, especially those interested in the sport management and human resources tracks.

View University of Alaska Fairbanks's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Alabama State University

Montgomery, AL · Public · online option

57.5 Program Score
Grad rate
30%
Admit rate
98%
In-state
$8,328
Out-of-state
$16,656

Alabama State University's management degree offers in-person, online or hybrid courses and prepares students for the Certified Associate in Project Management exam.

  • 30% graduation rate
  • Program Score 57.5
  • $8,328 in-state tuition
  • Online, in-person or hybrid courses

Alabama State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Management through its Department of Business Administration. The page says the degree builds management concepts through coursework, case studies, individual and group projects, and competitions on ethical and management issues. Courses include Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, where students develop a business plan from scratch, Human Behavior in Organizations, and Project Management, which prepares students for the Certified Associate in Project Management credential exam. Students can take courses online, in person or in a hybrid format, full-time or part-time. The page lists a class size average of 25 students per instructor, internships with employers such as Altria, Deloitte, John Deere and the Library of Congress, and student organizations including the Society for Advancement of Management and Phi Beta Lambda.

ASU reports a 30% graduation rate and a 98% admit rate. Undergraduate tuition is $8,328 in-state and $16,656 out-of-state. The program has a Program Score of 57.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The degree fits students who want a management foundation with flexible scheduling, as well as those who plan to move on to law school or graduate study in business, human resources or project management, both of which the page names. The open course formats suit students balancing work or family with study.

View Alabama State University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · online option

73.1 Program Score
Grad rate
41%
Admit rate
82%
In-state
$8,807
Out-of-state
$24,004

Colorado Mesa University's BBA offers nine concentrations, with two of them available fully online, plus a 3+2 route to the MBA.

  • 41% graduation rate
  • Program Score 73.1
  • $8,807 in-state tuition
  • 3+2 BBA to MBA route

Colorado Mesa University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration that the school calls one of its most popular degrees. Students select one or more concentrations: business analytics, economics, energy management and landman, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality management, human resource management, international business management, and marketing. The school says human resource management and international business management are offered 100% online. Students enter a Pre-BBA status and declare a concentration after completing 30 credit hours with at least a 2.0 GPA. CMU also offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration for students who hold an associate of applied science degree, a business minor, and a 3+2 program that pairs a bachelor's with the MBA over five years.

CMU graduates 41% of its students and admits 82% of applicants. In-state tuition is $8,807 and out-of-state tuition is $24,004. The program earns a Program Score of 73.1 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits Colorado students who want a broad business degree at public-university prices, those drawn to the energy management and landman concentration, and applied-science associate holders who want a bachelor's in about four more full-time semesters.

View Colorado Mesa University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Amridge University

Montgomery, AL · Nonprofit · online option

86.3 Program Score
Grad rate
100%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$9,480
Out-of-state
$9,480

Amridge University's online BS in Business Administration requires 128 semester hours, including 60 in program-specific courses.

  • 100% graduation rate
  • Program Score 86.3
  • $9,480 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
  • Online, 128 semester hours

Amridge University is an online, non-profit, Christian institution accredited by SACSCOC, and the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration sits in its College of Business and Leadership. The degree focuses on business operations, with an integrated general education and business core plus concentration courses in economics, accounting, management, organizational communications and marketing. The listed General Business concentration is 32 hours that include Accounting Principles I and II, e-Commerce, Management, Marketing, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Human Resources Management. The degree totals 128 semester hours: 40 general education, 60 program-specific and 28 elective, and at least 40 must be taken at Amridge. Students finish with either a directed field experience internship or an organizational communication course, plus an e-Portfolio. The school frames graduates as prepared for entry-level roles in business operations, purchasing, finance and marketing.

Amridge is an open admission school, and the federal data show a 100% graduation rate. Tuition is $9,480 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program holds a Program Score of 86.3 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Distance learning is the format, so the degree fits working adults who need flexibility. It also suits those who want a general business foundation in a faith-based setting, including students aiming at roles in church or non-profit organizations, which the page names.

View Amridge University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

University of North Alabama

Florence, AL · Public · online option

71.4 Program Score
Grad rate
55%
Admit rate
87%
In-state
$10,200
Out-of-state
$20,400

University of North Alabama's BBA is offered by an AACSB-accredited college and lets students choose among eight majors, including accounting, data analytics and human resource management.

  • Program Score 71.4
  • 55% graduation rate
  • $10,200 in-state tuition
  • Eight BBA majors to choose from

The University of North Alabama offers a Bachelor of Business Administration through the Sanders College of Business and Technology, which reports AACSB accreditation. The page lists a four-year timeline for full-time students, an on-campus format and a set of BBA majors: accounting, computer information systems, data analytics, finance, innovation and entrepreneurship, human resource management, management and marketing. Students gain experience through internships, simulations and competitions. Admission to the college's major program comes after 45 semester hours of required courses, and until then students are classified as Pre-BBA students who cannot enroll in junior or senior business courses. The college says faculty hold PhDs or have industry experience.

The Program Score is 71.4 out of 100, which is the basis of this program's ranking. North Alabama graduates 55% of its students and has a high admit rate of 87%. In-state tuition is $10,200 and out-of-state tuition is $20,400. The BBA fits students who want a structured business degree with a choice of specializations and a path through a gateway of 45 credit hours.

View University of North Alabama's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, AL · Public · online option

75.3 Program Score
Grad rate
55%
Admit rate
78%
In-state
$10,440
Out-of-state
$20,880

A Bachelor of Science in Management with Human Resource Management and Management Information Systems concentrations, available online.

  • Program Score 75.3
  • 55% graduation rate
  • $10,440 in-state tuition
  • HR and MIS concentrations

Jacksonville State University lists a Bachelor of Science in Management in its Management and Marketing department. The page says graduates learn what it takes to be an effective manager, covering clear communication, problem solving, motivation, delegating authority, conflict resolution and team building. Two concentrations are available, Human Resource Management and Management Information Systems. An online degree option and a minor are both offered, and a plan of study is published. Potential careers named include purchasing manager, medical and health services manager, human resources manager and financial manager.

Jacksonville State reports a 55% graduation rate and a 78% admission rate. In-state tuition is $10,440 and out-of-state tuition is $20,880. The program has a Program Score of 75.3 out of 100, the basis for this ranking. The page cites Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual salaries of $69,900 for purchasing managers and $116,720 for human resources managers. The degree fits students who want a general management foundation with the option to lean toward people management or information systems, and those who need the online format.

View Jacksonville State University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN · For-profit · online option

86.6 Program Score
Grad rate
100%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$10,542
Out-of-state
$10,542

Walden University's online BS in Business Administration lets students stack up to three concentrations using existing electives, with no added credits.

  • 100% graduation rate
  • Program Score 86.6
  • $10,542 tuition, in state or out
  • Up to three concentrations

Walden University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration fully online. The school reports ACBSP accreditation for its business and management programs. The standard path is 181 quarter credits, and Walden says students can finish in as few as 48 months, with up to 75% of required credits eligible for transfer. Students can pursue up to three concentrations, including accounting, entrepreneurship, project management, and marketing, by using existing elective courses without extra credits. Featured courses include operations management, human resource management, microeconomics, health informatics, and financial accounting. Walden also offers Tempo Learning, a self-paced option, and an Accelerate into Master's track that lets undergraduates take up to 25 master's-level credit hours.

Walden reports a 100% graduation rate and is open admission, so there is no admit-rate screen. Tuition is $10,542 whether a student lives in state or out of state, since the program is online. The program earns a Program Score of 86.6 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults and transfer students who want a flexible, self-paced bachelor's, plus anyone planning to continue into a master's degree and wanting to bank graduate credits early.

View Walden University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public · online option

95.4 Program Score
Grad rate
82%
Admit rate
46%
In-state
$11,016
Out-of-state
$33,048

Auburn University's Bachelor of Science in Business Administration lets students tailor elective courses across accounting, analytics, marketing, finance and management, with an online degree completer option.

  • 82% graduation rate
  • Program Score 95.4
  • $11,016 in-state tuition
  • Online degree completer option

Auburn University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a business administration major through the Harbert College of Business. Coursework spans accounting, business analytics, marketing, finance and management, and students can focus or specialize their major electives around personal career goals. The page describes the major as flexible enough for graduate study preparation, added marketability or a specific interest. Students who still need to finish a business degree can apply to the online BSBA degree completer program, which the college says carries the same quality and support as the on-campus experience. Student organizations, including honor societies, associations and clubs, round out the experience.

The program's Program Score is 95.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Auburn graduates 82% of its students and admits 46% of applicants, so entry is selective. In-state tuition is $11,016 a year against $33,048 for out-of-state students. The major fits students who want a broad business foundation and the freedom to shape electives rather than commit to a single functional area on day one, and it suits those finishing a degree online as well as traditional campus students.

View Auburn University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

National University

San Diego, CA · Nonprofit · online option

80.4 Program Score
Grad rate
43%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$13,284
Out-of-state
$13,284

National University's BBA offers ten concentrations, online and hybrid delivery, and no application essays or exams.

  • 43% graduation rate
  • Program Score 80.4
  • $13,284 in-state and out-of-state tuition
  • Ten concentrations, online or hybrid

National University's Bachelor of Business Administration is offered online and hybrid, with year-round enrollment and a $0 application fee, no essays and no exams. The school lists an average completion time of 60 months. Students complete at least 120 semester credit hours, 30 of them in residence at National, 51 at the upper-division level, and a minimum of 47 units of general education. The program uses case studies to teach marketing, statistics, accounting, economics and finance. Students can concentrate in accounting, business analytics, business law, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, logistics and supply chain management, marketing, or project management.

The federal graduation rate is 43%, and National University is open admission. In-state and out-of-state tuition are both $13,284. The program holds a Program Score of 80.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format fits working adults and transfer students who need year-round starts and flexible delivery, and the lower graduation rate is worth weighing for anyone who needs strong support to finish the degree on schedule.

View National University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses

Stockton, CA · Nonprofit · online option

71.8 Program Score
Grad rate
62%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$13,500
Out-of-state
$13,500

Humphreys University's B.S. in Business Administration runs on four quarterly start dates and offers live Zoom, self-paced online and on-campus sections.

  • 62% graduation rate
  • Program Score 71.8
  • $13,500 in-state and out-of-state tuition
  • Four start dates a year

Humphreys University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration covering marketing, finance, management, operations and business communication. The page says most faculty are or have been working business professionals. Courses are available in online, virtual and on-campus formats. Virtual sections meet live over Zoom on a set schedule, while online sections are completed on your own time within the 11-week quarter. With four quarterly start dates, no one waits more than a few months to begin. The degree is a four-year bachelor's, and students who transfer an associate degree from a California community college typically finish in about two years. Humphreys also offers an MBA with concentrations in general business, information technology, project management and organizational leadership.

The federal data show a 62% graduation rate, and Humphreys is open admission, so applicants are not screened on test scores. In-state and out-of-state tuition are both $13,500. The program has a Program Score of 71.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults and transfer students who need scheduling flexibility and a broad business degree that can lead into the school's own MBA.

View Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Post University

Waterbury, CT · For-profit · online option

73.0 Program Score
Grad rate
25%
Admit rate
Open admission
In-state
$15,616
Out-of-state
$15,616

Post University's BSBA runs 120 credits with ten concentrations, including supply chain management and a pathway into MBA courses.

  • Program Score 73.0
  • 25% graduation rate
  • $15,616 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
  • Online or on campus, 10 concentrations

Post University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration online or on campus. The program totals 120 credits: 21 in the essential skills core, 21 in general education, 57 in the major and concentrations, and 21 in open electives. Students study accounting, economics, management, finance, marketing, business law and supply chain management, plus business analytics and strategic planning, and a capstone course concludes the degree. The page lists concentrations in general business administration, accounting, computer information systems, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, international business administration, marketing, sport management and supply chain management. An MBA track lets eligible students take advanced MBA courses while finishing the bachelor's. The school lists accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Post's Program Score is 73.0 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The university is open admission, and federal data shows a 25% graduation rate, so students should plan for support and a steady course load. Tuition is $15,616 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The wide menu of concentrations and online option suit adult learners who want to tailor the degree, and the MBA track fits those aiming at a graduate degree.

View Post University's Bachelor's in Business Administration Program →

Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.

Graduation Rates at the Ranked Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs

The median school on this list graduates 50% of its students. The highest rates belong to Amridge University (100%) and Walden University (100%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.

50% Median graduation rate across 15 schools
100% Highest on the list Amridge University
3 Graduate 80% or more of 15 schools
  • 80% and above 3
  • 60% to 79% 2
  • 40% to 59% 6
  • Below 40% 4
  1. #8 Amridge University100% graduation rate
  2. #11 Walden University100% graduation rate
  3. #12 Auburn University82% graduation rate

Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.

How Selective Are the Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs?

On this list, 7 of 15 schools are open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Auburn University at 46%.

85% Median admit rate across 8 schools
46% Most selective Auburn University
7 Open admission admit every qualified applicant
  • 25% to 49% 1
  • 50% to 74% 1
  • 75% and above 6
  • Open admission 7
  1. #12 Auburn University46% admitted
  2. #3 University of Alaska Southeast63% admitted
  3. #10 Jacksonville State University78% admitted

Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.

Public and Private Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs

This list holds 10 public, 3 private nonprofit, and 2 for-profit schools. Their median Program Scores: 74.0 public, 80.4 private nonprofit, and 79.8 for-profit.

10 Public highest ranked: #1 Arkansas Tech University
3 Private nonprofit highest ranked: #8 Amridge University
2 For-profit highest ranked: #11 Walden University

Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.

Where the Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs Are

The 15 ranked schools are spread across 7 states. Alabama (5), Connecticut (3), and Alaska (2) have the most.

7 States represented 15 schools
  • Alabama 5
  • Connecticut 3
  • Alaska 2
  • California 2
  • Arkansas 1
  • Colorado 1

Main campus state as reported to IPEDS.

Campus Size Across the Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs

Enrollment on this list runs from 639 at Amridge University to 49,441 at Walden University. Of the 15, 3 enroll 20,000 students or more and 5 enroll fewer than 5,000.

9,377 Median enrollment students, whole institution
49,441 Largest Walden University
639 Smallest Amridge University

Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.

What Graduates of the Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs Earn

Four years out, medians on this list run from $46,126 at Alabama State to $82,069 at Charter Oak State College.

The highest-ranked school in the table, Arkansas Tech (#1), reports $56,643, so the highest score and the highest pay are not the same school.

After grants, the average undergraduate pays least at Alaska Fairbanks, $7,570 a year, and most at Walden, $29,899.

College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.

What the Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs Really Cost

In-state tuition across the ranked online programs runs $5,995 to $16,124 a year. That range is the in-state rate, which is what residents pay at a public school. Online students are often billed differently, on a flat per-credit tuition that applies wherever they live. Where that happens the resident discount disappears, and the cheapest program on this list may not be the cheapest one for you. Add fees and the number of credits required, then compare totals rather than headline rates.

$9,480 Median in-state tuition across 15 schools
$8,200 Public schools, median 10 public
$13,284 Private nonprofit, median 3 private
8 Under $10,000 a year in-state

Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.

Low Price, Real Accreditation

Price is the sort order on this page, not the entry requirement. Every program ranked is accredited and reports completion data to IPEDS, and anything below a real graduation floor is filtered out before price is considered. That filter earns its keep at the low end of the market, where unaccredited providers compete on tuition alone and leave graduates holding a credential employers and licensing boards do not recognize.

Cheapest Online vs. Best Online

This page sorts on price. To see the strongest online options instead, ranked on graduation rate, selectivity, and outcomes, our best online business administration degrees list uses the same pool ordered by Program Score. The most affordable business administration degrees ranking drops the online filter and includes campus programs, which is where the very lowest in-state prices tend to sit.

Best Bachelor's in Business Administration Programs by State

Prefer a state-by-state view? We rank Business Administration Degrees in 21 states and the District of Columbia, each grounded in that state's real, accredited programs.

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Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs: Your Questions, Answered

What is the cheapest online business degree?

Arkansas Tech University has the lowest in-state tuition among accredited online options at $5,995 a year, followed by Southern Connecticut State University and University of Alaska Southeast. Confirm whether the school charges online students that resident rate or a flat per-credit rate.

Are cheap online business degree programs accredited?

The ones ranked here are. Accreditation and a real completion rate are applied as filters before price, so an unaccredited program cannot reach this list by being inexpensive.

Does an online business degree cost less than on campus?

Sometimes. A flat per-credit online rate usually beats out-of-state tuition and often loses to a local public's in-state rate. Online study also removes relocation costs and lets many students keep working, which moves the real cost of the degree more than the tuition line does.

Do online business degree programs charge the in-state rate?

Not always. Some public schools extend the resident rate to every online student; others charge by residency exactly as they do on campus. Confirm it with the school before comparing two programs on this page.

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