Cheapest Online Business Degree Programs of 2025

We ranked affordable online business degrees based on cost, student outcomes, and other data so you can find the best program for your budget and goals.
Bennett Leckrone
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Updated May 15, 2025
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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: Penn State — 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 ranking list, we used federal data and a complex ranking methodology to find the best (and cheapest) online business degree programs. Specifically, we looked at factors like how many students receive financial aid and annual net price.

Our goal is to help you find the program that works best for your needs and budget.

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Most Affordable Business Degrees Online

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This list is from 2025. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology.

#1

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$10,092

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$34,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

89%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

Why GMU Made Our List

An online business degree from GMU is anything but cheap on paper. The bachelor’s in business program at GMU's Costello College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and costs $558 per credit hour for Virginia residents and $1,565 per credit hour for non-Virginia residents.

But the school is more affordable than you might think: The vast majority of students receive financial aid, and the average annual net price after aid is roughly $19,000.

Why Attend GMU

  • Lower Cost After Aid: While the price tag of a GMU degree is high, you can drastically reduce this cost by taking advantage of generous financial aid opportunities.
  • High-Demand Concentrations Available: In GMU's online business program, you'll get access to eight concentrations in fast-growing fields like information systems, supply chain management, and business analytics.
  • Most Students Receive Aid: At least 80% of students receive financial aid, according to the latest data.

Know Before You Go

  • High Cost Without Aid: While most students receive aid, those who don't will likely face high costs: The cost of a degree for out-of-state students without aid can be more than $100,000.
  • Blend of Synchronous and Asynchronous Courses: Some courses offered online are synchronous, meaning you'll need to log in at a specific time each week. This may make it hard if you have a strict work schedule.

High Admission Rate: GMU admits around 9 in 10 applicants, so you may not have too much trouble getting accepted.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,726

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,677

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

39,528

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,092

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Fairfax, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,092

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,726

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,677

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

39,528

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Why GMU Made Our List

An online business degree from GMU is anything but cheap on paper. The bachelor’s in business program at GMU's Costello College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and costs $558 per credit hour for Virginia residents and $1,565 per credit hour for non-Virginia residents.

But the school is more affordable than you might think: The vast majority of students receive financial aid, and the average annual net price after aid is roughly $19,000.

Why Attend GMU

  • Lower Cost After Aid: While the price tag of a GMU degree is high, you can drastically reduce this cost by taking advantage of generous financial aid opportunities.
  • High-Demand Concentrations Available: In GMU's online business program, you'll get access to eight concentrations in fast-growing fields like information systems, supply chain management, and business analytics.
  • Most Students Receive Aid: At least 80% of students receive financial aid, according to the latest data.

Know Before You Go

  • High Cost Without Aid: While most students receive aid, those who don't will likely face high costs: The cost of a degree for out-of-state students without aid can be more than $100,000.
  • Blend of Synchronous and Asynchronous Courses: Some courses offered online are synchronous, meaning you'll need to log in at a specific time each week. This may make it hard if you have a strict work schedule.

High Admission Rate: GMU admits around 9 in 10 applicants, so you may not have too much trouble getting accepted.

#2

University of North Texas

Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$8,404

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$21,004

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

72%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

Why UNT Made Our List

UNT's online BS in general business program costs $330 per credit hour, with 120 credit hours required to earn your degree. That comes to a total of around $40,000 for your time at the AACSB-accredited G. Brint Ryan College of Business — though that figure can drop significantly with financial aid.

At UNT, you can get a holistic look at the business world with classes in information systems and business analytics. You can also hone in-demand skills needed for various industries.

Why Attend UNT

  • Affordable Regardless of Location: UNT's online business degree charges a flat rate of $330 per credit, whether you live in Texas or a different state.
  • Low Cost After Aid: Annual costs for attending UNT run an average of just under $15,000 after aid. This makes UNT the most affordable school on our list.
  • Most Students Get Aid: An overwhelming majority of UNT students, 91%, receive aid. That's the highest percentage of all the schools on our list.

Know Before You Go

  • Internship Opportunities Available: UNT connects online business students with paid internship opportunities, so you can network while learning the skills you need to succeed.
  • Lower Graduation Rate: At 60% across degree types, UNT has the lowest graduation rate of the schools on our list.

Good Social Mobility: More than half of students across all income levels finish their UNT degree within four years.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,720

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

47,507

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,404

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,004

Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,404

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,004

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

69%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,160

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,720

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

47,507

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Why UNT Made Our List

UNT's online BS in general business program costs $330 per credit hour, with 120 credit hours required to earn your degree. That comes to a total of around $40,000 for your time at the AACSB-accredited G. Brint Ryan College of Business — though that figure can drop significantly with financial aid.

At UNT, you can get a holistic look at the business world with classes in information systems and business analytics. You can also hone in-demand skills needed for various industries.

Why Attend UNT

  • Affordable Regardless of Location: UNT's online business degree charges a flat rate of $330 per credit, whether you live in Texas or a different state.
  • Low Cost After Aid: Annual costs for attending UNT run an average of just under $15,000 after aid. This makes UNT the most affordable school on our list.
  • Most Students Get Aid: An overwhelming majority of UNT students, 91%, receive aid. That's the highest percentage of all the schools on our list.

Know Before You Go

  • Internship Opportunities Available: UNT connects online business students with paid internship opportunities, so you can network while learning the skills you need to succeed.
  • Lower Graduation Rate: At 60% across degree types, UNT has the lowest graduation rate of the schools on our list.

Good Social Mobility: More than half of students across all income levels finish their UNT degree within four years.

#3

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,084

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

92%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

Why Penn State Made Our List

Penn State's online BS in business program is another highly affordable degree option. Most Penn State students receive financial aid, reducing the annual net price of attendance to just over $24,000. That affordable price accompanies high-demand curricula in areas like supply chain management and analytics.

Penn State's Smeal College of Business is also accredited by the AACSB.

Why Attend Penn State

  • High Graduation Rate: At 72%, the school's graduation rate is tied for the highest rate on our list.
  • Individualized Learning: You can create an individualized learning pathway and select electives based on your career goals.
  • Plenty of Specializations Available: Penn State offers many business specializations in areas like health services, entrepreneurship, and more.

Know Before You Go

  • Tuition Depends on Credits: If you have 60 or more credits, you'll pay $678 per credit. If you have 59 or fewer credits, that price falls to $632 per credit.
  • Higher Tuition After Aid: At just over $24,000, Penn State's average annual net price after aid is the highest of those for schools on our list.

Major Prerequisites: To declare a major in business, you must have completed both ECON 102 and at least one math course from a selection of seven with a grade of C or higher. You must also be in at least your third semester and have at least a 2.0 GPA for all of your college-level courses.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,189

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,248

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

88,914

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,084

University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,084

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,189

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,248

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

88,914

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Why Penn State Made Our List

Penn State's online BS in business program is another highly affordable degree option. Most Penn State students receive financial aid, reducing the annual net price of attendance to just over $24,000. That affordable price accompanies high-demand curricula in areas like supply chain management and analytics.

Penn State's Smeal College of Business is also accredited by the AACSB.

Why Attend Penn State

  • High Graduation Rate: At 72%, the school's graduation rate is tied for the highest rate on our list.
  • Individualized Learning: You can create an individualized learning pathway and select electives based on your career goals.
  • Plenty of Specializations Available: Penn State offers many business specializations in areas like health services, entrepreneurship, and more.

Know Before You Go

  • Tuition Depends on Credits: If you have 60 or more credits, you'll pay $678 per credit. If you have 59 or fewer credits, that price falls to $632 per credit.
  • Higher Tuition After Aid: At just over $24,000, Penn State's average annual net price after aid is the highest of those for schools on our list.

Major Prerequisites: To declare a major in business, you must have completed both ECON 102 and at least one math course from a selection of seven with a grade of C or higher. You must also be in at least your third semester and have at least a 2.0 GPA for all of your college-level courses.

#4

Auburn University at Montgomery

Montgomery, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,568

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,224

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

61%

Online Enrollment

Why AUM Made Our List

AUM's online BS in business administration is highly customizable, letting you tailor the general business program's curriculum to your career goals. At just $368 per credit for in-state students and $389 per credit for out-of-state students, AUM's business program will run you around $44,000-$47,000 for all four years.

The College of Business is accredited by the AACSB, ensuring you receive a high-quality education.

Why Attend AUM

  • Flexible Focus: AUM designs its online degree programs for adults who are working full time. This means you won't have to put your career on hold to pursue your degree.
  • High Graduation Rate: At 72%, AUM's graduation rate ties with Penn State's for the highest rate on our list.
  • General Business Major: AUM's general business major gives you a broad look at the business landscape but also includes electives so you can hone your skills in niche areas that interest you.

Know Before You Go

  • Cost Cut Down by Aid:  Average annual tuition and fees fall to roughly $15,000 after financial aid. And almost all students, 99%, are awarded some type of aid.
  • Accessible Admissions: AUM has a first-year admission rate of 93%, making it the easiest school to get into on our list.

Fewer Specializations Available: While its general business major touches on many important aspects of the field, AUM doesn't offer as many specialized tracks as other online business programs on this list do.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,118

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,252

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

5,190

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,568

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,224

Montgomery, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,568

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,224

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

61%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,118

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,252

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

5,190

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Why AUM Made Our List

AUM's online BS in business administration is highly customizable, letting you tailor the general business program's curriculum to your career goals. At just $368 per credit for in-state students and $389 per credit for out-of-state students, AUM's business program will run you around $44,000-$47,000 for all four years.

The College of Business is accredited by the AACSB, ensuring you receive a high-quality education.

Why Attend AUM

  • Flexible Focus: AUM designs its online degree programs for adults who are working full time. This means you won't have to put your career on hold to pursue your degree.
  • High Graduation Rate: At 72%, AUM's graduation rate ties with Penn State's for the highest rate on our list.
  • General Business Major: AUM's general business major gives you a broad look at the business landscape but also includes electives so you can hone your skills in niche areas that interest you.

Know Before You Go

  • Cost Cut Down by Aid:  Average annual tuition and fees fall to roughly $15,000 after financial aid. And almost all students, 99%, are awarded some type of aid.
  • Accessible Admissions: AUM has a first-year admission rate of 93%, making it the easiest school to get into on our list.

Fewer Specializations Available: While its general business major touches on many important aspects of the field, AUM doesn't offer as many specialized tracks as other online business programs on this list do.

#5

Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$7,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,716

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment

Why Missouri State Made Our List

Missouri State's online BS in general business program has a broad focus, teaching you everything from accounting to human resources. Housed in Missouri State's AACSB-accredited College of Business, the undergraduate business program is highly affordable, with an average annual net price of around $17,000 after financial aid.

Why Attend Missouri State

  • Customize With Electives: While the business degree has a broad focus as a whole, you can customize your program with electives. Missouri State offers a wide range of electives in various industries and specializations, such as labor law, insurance, and project management.
  • Ample Online Student Support: The university offers plenty of virtual support, including research and writing assistance, to online students, making it easier to succeed.
  • Most Students Get Aid: 94% of students receive financial aid, which is the second-highest rate of all schools on our list.

Know Before You Go

  • Broad Business Focus: The university's general business degree is meant to be a broad introduction to business. It includes instruction in key business topics like finance, management, marketing, and human resources.
  • Lower Graduation Rate: Fewer than 60% of Missouri State students graduate based on the latest data, a rate lower than that of all other schools on our list.

High Admission Rate: The university is relatively easy to get into, with a 91% admission rate.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,264

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,492

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

23,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,716

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,716

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

51%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,264

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,492

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

23,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Why Missouri State Made Our List

Missouri State's online BS in general business program has a broad focus, teaching you everything from accounting to human resources. Housed in Missouri State's AACSB-accredited College of Business, the undergraduate business program is highly affordable, with an average annual net price of around $17,000 after financial aid.

Why Attend Missouri State

  • Customize With Electives: While the business degree has a broad focus as a whole, you can customize your program with electives. Missouri State offers a wide range of electives in various industries and specializations, such as labor law, insurance, and project management.
  • Ample Online Student Support: The university offers plenty of virtual support, including research and writing assistance, to online students, making it easier to succeed.
  • Most Students Get Aid: 94% of students receive financial aid, which is the second-highest rate of all schools on our list.

Know Before You Go

  • Broad Business Focus: The university's general business degree is meant to be a broad introduction to business. It includes instruction in key business topics like finance, management, marketing, and human resources.
  • Lower Graduation Rate: Fewer than 60% of Missouri State students graduate based on the latest data, a rate lower than that of all other schools on our list.

High Admission Rate: The university is relatively easy to get into, with a 91% admission rate.

Is an Online Business Degree Right for You?

Pros

  • check-circleLearn as You Work: The online business degrees we ranked are tailored to working professionals. That means you won’t have to put your career on pause to earn the degree.
  • check-circleOnline Programs Are Cheaper: Earning a degree online is typically more affordable than doing so in person. Particularly after aid is applied, online degrees can be highly cost effective.
  • check-circleHone In-Demand Skills: Many of the business degrees on our list offer instruction in fast-growing industries and niches. George Mason University’s online business program, for instance, includes interdisciplinary concentrations in information systems and business analytics.

Cons

  • x-circleCosts Can Still Be High: We chose online degrees based on affordability and aid, but that doesn’t mean they won’t cost thousands of dollars. Many of our picks can still run you $20,000 or more, even after aid.
  • x-circleNot Quick to Earn: Part-time degrees for working professionals can take years to complete. If you don’t plan to enroll full time each term, expect your online business degree to take more than the traditional four years.
  • x-circleFewer Networking Opportunities: Online degrees generally have fewer opportunities to network with faculty and peers than on-campus programs.

How to Choose the Best Online Business Degree for You

Cost isn’t the only factor you need to weigh when choosing a business school. You should also look for accreditation status, as well as courses and concentrations that fit your career goals.

Business Degree Cost

Online

$10,473 Avg. Tuition & Fees

$5,918 Avg. Price After Grants & Scholarships

On-Campus

$16,941 Avg. Tuition & Fees

$9,248 Avg. Price After Grants & Scholarships

Source: NCES PowerStats; latest available data is from 2019-2020

  • Business Scholarships: A number of business-specific scholarships are available to help you pay for your degree. Many of those are offered through private businesses, such as the New Silver Fintech Scholarship.
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Filling out the FAFSA is a good way to secure federal grants and loans and reduce the cost of college.
  • Student Loans: You can qualify for federal student loans by filling out the FAFSA, but you’ll need to pay these back with interest. Private loans are also available but tend to have higher interest rates, so be aware.
  • Online Student Scholarships: In addition to business scholarships, many schools and organizations offer scholarships specifically geared toward online students. Often, these awards cater to working adults or people in specific situations, like the Colwell Law Group Single Parent Scholarship.

Business Degree Program Length

Typical # of Credits

120 Credits

Typical Program Length

4 Years

Business Degree Application Requirements

  • checkHigh School Diploma or Equivalent: Most online business programs require you to have a high school diploma or GED diploma for admission.
  • checkLetters of Recommendation: You’ll generally need 1-3 letters of recommendation — ideally from current or former teachers — to apply to college.
  • checkACT or SAT Scores: Many colleges require standardized test scores as part of their application requirements.

Accreditation for Business Degrees

Attending an accredited business school is a good way to ensure you’re learning relevant skills from qualified faculty and industry professionals.

The three programmatic accreditation organizations for business schools and undergraduate business programs to look for are:

Every business program on our list is accredited by at least one of these agencies.

Jobs With a Business Degree

Popular Business Degree Jobs
JobMedian Annual Salary (May 2024)Description
Budget Analysts$87,930Prepare an organization’s budget and make financial plans
Human Resources Specialists$72,910Handle recruiting, internal training, benefits, and conflict resolution for a company
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$76,950Help a company make decisions about products based on broader market trends
Marketing Managers$161,030Lead social media and outreach efforts to promote a particular brand
Training and Development Specialists$65,850Lead internal training to upskill employees based on current best practices

Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Business Degree

Ask an Expert: Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Business Degrees

Portrait of Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez
Dr. Angélica S. Gutiérrez
Associate Professor

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.

Yes, you can get a business degree fully online – including associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

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