Best Online Sports Management Degrees of 2025

UF Online’s bachelor’s degree in sport management includes the same broad-based, relevant curriculum as the school’s in-person program. You’ll learn about all aspects of sports management, from marketing to finance and law. UF’s sport management degree is informed by its own acclaimed athletics department.

Why Attend UF Online

• Prepare for Broad Careers: UF’s online sport management degree is meant to prepare you for a vast array of jobs, with alums going on to work in everything from professional sports to municipal recreation.
• Internship Pathway: Online students have the option to complete a 12-credit internship in place of classes during their last semester.
• Many Resources for Online Students: UF Online aims to give students an experience akin to studying in person through personalized academic advising and its “Plaza” feature that helps you connect with fellow students.

Know Before You Go

• Transfer Credits: UF Online uses a free virtual tool allowing students to see if previous college credits can apply to their degree. Those with an associate degree from a Florida public community or state college can receive up to 60 transfer credits toward their UF degree.
• Test Out of Classes: You can test out of certain prerequisites by taking exams, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and more.
• Standardized Test Scores Required: All Florida universities require ACT or SAT scores — including UF Online. Scores are not always required for transfer students, although you will need them if you’re transferring fewer than 60 college credits.

Why Iowa Online Made Our List

Iowa’s online sport and recreation management degree is another program with foundations in a major athletics program. An emphasis is put on real-world analysis and applying business principles to sports in its flexible online program. Iowa also offers a highly customizable degree featuring concentrations tailored to your career goal.

Why Attend Iowa Online

• Multiple Concentrations Available: Iowa offers nine concentrations in key sports management areas, like coaching, entrepreneurship, event management, and media relations.
• Emphasis on Analytics: Iowa’s curriculum puts an emphasis on using data to address both business and culture challenges in sports.
• High Job Placement Rate: Iowa graduates have a 96% job or grad school placement rate within six months of graduation thanks in part to its dedicated career center.

Know Before You Go

• College Credit Required: You’ll need at least 30 semester hours of college credit completed to apply as an online student.
• Student-Designed Concentration: If you don’t find your niche amid Iowa’s multiple concentrations, the school also allows you to design your own focus area.
• 2+2 Program: If you attend certain community colleges, you can earn both your associate degree and bachelor’s degree via a transfer option.

Why Maryville Online Made Our List

Maryville’s online sport business management program is built around a unique partnership with Rawlings Sporting Goods, a sports equipment manufacturing company. The university combines a real-world, industry-informed curriculum with flexibility for working professionals as part of its innovative program.

Why Attend Maryville Online

• Two Concentrations Available: Maryville offers two online concentrations — sport data analytics and results-centered sales.
• Flexibility Focus: Maryville tailors its online degrees toward working professionals, featuring flexible scheduling and course options.
• Real-World Curriculum: Maryville partners with Rawlings to offer a relevant real-world curriculum.

Know Before You Go

• No ACT/SAT Required: Maryville University streamlines its admissions process and doesn’t require entry exams or admissions fees.
• Transfer-Friendly: Maryville accepts a maximum of 68 credit hours from two-year colleges and additional credits from four-year institutions. However, the last 30 hours of your bachelor’s degree need to be completed at Maryville.
• Transfer Scholarships: Maryville offers automatic and competitive scholarships for transfer students. In fact, you’ll automatically receive a transfer scholarship if you have at least 24 credit hours and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Why Louisville Online Made Our List

Louisville’s online sport administration program puts an emphasis on real-world learning. It features industry-experienced faculty and guest lectures by leaders in the sports management industry. Its core curriculum includes more than a dozen niche electives to choose from, including athletics in higher education, entrepreneurship, and industry-focused courses.

Why Attend Louisville Online

• Flexible and Customizable: Louisville provides flexible learning options for working professionals, including the ability to customize the degree to fit your career goals.
• Real-World Focus: You’ll be taught by faculty with industry experience, and you’ll also hear from current leaders in the sports industry during the program.
• Large Employer Network: Louisville has more than 450 employers in sports management fields that students and alumni can connect with.

Know Before You Go

• Major Military Discounts: If you’re an active-duty service member, tuition is discounted to $250 per credit hour from the regular $540.
• Flexible Transfer Options: Louisville accepts up to 60 credit hours from a community college and up to 90 from a four-year college.
• Tests May Be Required: Louisville is test-optional on a case-by-case basis.

Why Northwood Made Our List

Northwood’s online sport management program is focused on adult learners. That means it’s both highly flexible and highly customizable. It can help prepare students to work in a variety of jobs, from concert management to broadcast and facilities operations. Northwood also has a heavy emphasis on industry-relevant curriculum, so you’ll learn skills that you can apply on day one.

Why Attend Northwood Online

• Adult Learner Focus: Northwood’s focus on adult learners means the degree is built for maximum flexibility. You can work toward your education on your own time.
• Real-World Curriculum: Northwood builds its curriculum around insights from industry professionals and entrepreneurs.
• High Industry Placement Rate: Northwood boasts a 100% job placement rate of sport management students after they graduate.

Know Before You Go

• Flexible Transfer Options: You can transfer up to 90 credits toward your Northwood sport management degree, dramatically cutting down on the time and cost of earning your degree.
• Prior Learning Credit: Northwood’s industry emphasis extends to its students. Your real-world employment experience, certifications, military service, and civic engagement can all be evaluated to count toward your degree.