Best Online Bachelor’s in Project Management 2024
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Project managers are a unique class of business professionals. They plan, manage, execute, and lead projects with specific scopes and objectives. Successful project managers combine knowledge of finance, accounting, and logistics with leadership and management skills. If you're looking to build these skills, a bachelor's program in project management is a great place to start.
Online project management programs offer an appealing combination of academic quality and flexibility. You can study when it's most convenient for you, and you'll also find it easier to balance school with commitments like work and family. Some online schools also offer accelerated project management degree programs, which can help you enter the workforce faster.
You'll find lots of programs to choose from, and you don't want to rush your decision. This degree guide includes a ranked list of the best online bachelor's programs in project management of 2024. Use it to start your search for the project management degree that best matches your career plans and learning goals.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2024's Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in Project Management Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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George Fox University
Newberg, OR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $499
Out-of-State | $499
Credits to Graduate: 120
George Fox's bachelor of science in project management degree takes 16 months to complete if you transfer in 90 credits. The fully online program can help you gain the technical expertise and soft skills to lead organizations and oversee projects.
The beginning of the program includes a synchronous cohort meeting via Zoom, followed by online accelerated courses that you take with your cohort in a set sequence. The curriculum aligns with the standards set by the Project Management Institute.
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Project Management Institute
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $295
Out-of-State | $295
Credits to Graduate: 120
MSU Moorhead's online BS in project management program lets you customize your plan of study to reflect your interests. Each course lasts eight weeks, and you can finish the degree at your own pace.
You'll take courses like cost analysis, agile project management, principles of accounting, and quality management. You can complete an internship or take a business consulting course where you work in a team. The program also requires students to complete a project management capstone.
The degree includes a Certified Associate in Project Management or Project Management Professional certification.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor's in Project Management Program?
Project management combines business knowledge, leadership skills, and technical expertise. Project managers serve as the go-to experts on a project for a company, from the first discussions of project scope through project closing.
Project managers need good communication skills, organization capabilities, and critical thinking abilities. These professionals must maintain a high-level understanding of the project and pay attention to details others may overlook.
A bachelor's in project management can help you develop essential project management skills and learn to use industry software. Most bachelor's degree programs require students to complete 120 credits and take four years to finish, with about 60 credits focused on business and project management.
While specific projects vary by industry, project managers often have technical skills in an area of specialization, such as construction or information technology. Some students may seek a degree in project management after gaining professional experience in a different field.
Many schools also offer concentrations in project management. Popular concentration options include construction management, information technology management, and nonprofit management. Concentrations feature a sequence of three or four classes that complement the project management curriculum with a focus on one industry or skill set.
Internships and practica can complement your online bachelor's in project management. Often, these experiences help students demonstrate their skills and put what they have learned to work in a real-world setting. These experiences can also help students build professional networks.
What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor's in Project Management Program?
Bachelor's in project management programs often include a core curriculum in business concepts and principles. Many schools require courses in financial accounting and organizational management. These requirements complement project management courses that focus on planning, quality assurance, and contract management.
Courses vary by school and by program, but the courses below offer a sampling of classes you may take in your online bachelor's in project management program.
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Fundamentals of Project Management: Project management consists of various processes and principles that help professionals manage project quality and control. This course introduces students to those concepts, with an emphasis on strategic direction. Students develop ethical decision-making and critical thinking skills and learn principles that can help them identify and meet stakeholder expectations. -
Project Cost: Project managers help determine a project budget and control costs to meet that budget. This course looks at various tools project managers use to estimate costs and implement cost control measures. Students learn the basics of earned value management techniques and how to use those techniques throughout the project lifecycle. -
Project Quality: Project managers must ensure they deliver a high-quality project that meets the project scope to the stakeholders. This course addresses quality assurance techniques and measurements. Students learn to use relevant quality management tools. Concepts and theories emphasize the importance of quality planning and process improvement. -
Project Risk Management: Project managers must provide leadership and use problem-solving skills when a project encounters problems. With effective risk management, managers can mitigate or minimize problems by identifying possible issues early on and developing action plans. This course looks at tools and techniques project managers can use to identify, measure, and monitor possible risks. -
Project Leadership: Project managers often work with a team. Many projects require coordination among multiple departments and specialties. This course focuses on leadership within the team and helps students identify their leadership styles. Throughout the term, students gain skills and learn techniques to build strong teams, coach team members, and lead change.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor's in Project Management Degree?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 6% for project management specialists from 2022-2032. That's faster than the projected growth rate for all professions.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) shares the BLS's positive outlook. According to 2023 PMI data, 2.3 million project management job openings are expected to become available by 2030.
The subsections below explore multiple popular project management career options. One of them might be just right for you.
Construction Manager
Construction managers prepare budgets and work timetables, working closely with architects, engineers, and construction foremen. They select subcontractors and schedule work, carefully following contracts and legal requirements. They respond to emergencies and work delays to keep the project moving forward.
The BLS projects 5% job growth for this field between 2022 and 2032. In 2023, construction managers earned a median annual salary of $104,900.
Industrial Production Manager
Industrial production managers work in manufacturing or production facilities. They hire, train, and evaluate production employees. They look for efficiencies and savings, tracking detailed production data and determining when to upgrade equipment.
The BLS reports these managers earned a median salary of $116,970 as of May 2023. The BLS projects average 2% growth in this field between 2022 and 2032.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and information systems managers work closely with IT support personnel. A person in this role may serve as the chief information officer or report to top executives. Computer systems managers study an organization's computer needs, recommending upgrades in hardware, software, or security. They oversee the installation and implementation of new equipment, often working with multiple departments to provide training and support.
The BLS reports these managers earned a median salary of $169,510 in 2023. The BLS projects 15% growth in this field between 2022 and 2032.
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers build consumer demand for products or services. They may assist in product development by coordinating market research efforts and providing input on pricing. They manage complex marketing campaigns that may include paid advertising, new media, or public relations efforts.
These professionals earned a median annual salary of $131,870 in 2023, with the BLS projecting 6% growth between 2022 and 2032.
Architectural and Engineering Manager
Architectural and engineering managers work closely with clients to determine project needs and limitations, such as budgetary or site constraints. They then develop plans for buildings or products. They may oversee work at a building site or respond to technical problems in manufacturing a product.
The BLS projects 4% growth in this field between 2022 and 2032. In 2023, these managers earned a median annual salary of $165,370.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor's in Project Management Programs
Is a bachelor's degree in project management worth it?
A bachelor's in project management is valuable if you want to move into a management role in your industry. You can combine your practical experience with the processes and concepts used in project management in order to lead change or launch new projects. Management professionals earned a median annual salary of $116,880 in 2023, per the BLS.
What can I do with a bachelor's in project management?
You can pursue a career as a project management specialist, cost estimator, purchaser, or procurement specialist. Pairing your degree with industry-specific knowledge or experience can lead to roles in construction, healthcare, and IT project management, among other specializations.
How many project management majors get jobs?
In 2022, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that 74% of 2021 bachelor's-level business graduates were employed by the time of the NACE survey. Project management is usually considered a specialized business degree, giving the NACE data relevance to the field.
How much money can I make with a bachelor's in project management?
In April 2024, Payscale cited $84,000 per year as the average base salary of a working professional with a bachelor's in project management. The BLS found that project management specialists earned a median wage of $98,580 per year in 2023. However, the BLS data includes professionals of all degree levels, not just bachelor's degree-holders.
What are the highest paying jobs with a bachelor's in project management?
According to the BLS, project management specialists earn the highest average salaries in the finance and insurance, professional services, manufacturing, administrative services, and construction industries. Your earning power also depends on factors other than degree level, like your experience and location.
