It’s crucial that nonprofit organizations employ educated and knowledgeable people to fulfill management roles. If you find the idea of managing an organization that is interested in helping society rather than generating a profit inspiring, nonprofit management could be where you belong. Nonprofit management degree online programs prepare students to function as leaders in nonprofit organizations, whether they are managing day-to-day operations, leading during a crisis, or raising funds.
To get you started on your path to nonprofit management and help you find an affordable, high-quality, accredited school that prioritizes the needs of students, we’ve spotlighted some universities that offer nonprofit management degree online programs. Keep reading to check out our full rankings list of the best colleges to earn a nonprofit management degree.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in 2024: Nonprofit Management
We have ranked the top schools below. Our Rankings Data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES.) Click the About the Ranking link below for more information about our methodology.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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Lakewood, COPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Those who are interested in taking a leadership role at a charitable or humanitarian organization can get the training they need from Colorado Christian University’s nonprofit management bachelor’s degree program. This accelerated online degree is the perfect solution for busy professionals thanks to five-week sessions and weekly meetings and assignments that can be conveniently fit into their schedules. Students learn from professionals in the field, benefiting from their instructors’ first-hand experience managing nonprofit organizations.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $494/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: HLC
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Toccoa Falls, GAPrivate not-for-profit $$$$
Whether students want to work for government, social services, faith-based, or nongovernmental organizations, Toccoa Falls College’s nonprofit business administration degree gives them the knowledge and skills needed to reach their goals. To prepare, coursework covers financial management, nonprofit marketing, law and governance, and strategic management. All coursework is based on the school’s religious roots.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Business Administration
- Credits: 126
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $370/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
15/1
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Concord, NHPublic $
The nonprofit management concentration of the University of New Hampshire’s business management bachelor’s degree program provides students with the verbal and written communication, critical thinking, leadership, and quantitative analysis skills needed to reach their goals. Specific classes cover grant writing, fundraising and resource development, financial management for nonprofit organizations, and marketing. Also, students take general education coursework in interpersonal communication, mathematics, economics, and budget management.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $314/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: NECHE
Online Programs
1
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
17/1
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Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida’s flexible online nonprofit management degree is offered fully online, in a hybrid format, or on campus and is the first of its kind in Florida. The bachelor’s program is designed to give students a well-rounded approach to nonprofit organizations and their inner workings. You should expect to engage in an in-depth study of fiscal and human resources while also receiving hands-on experience with a required internship at a nonprofit organization. The University of Central Florida coordinates an annual nonprofit conference that provides students with opportunities to further their education and network with organizational leaders.
Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to work in nonprofit organizational supporting roles such as communications, management, human resources, and fundraising, and you’ll also be able to pursue a national credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. This degree can be completed online in approximately four years of full-time study.
Program Highlights:
- Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $212/credit in-state | $748/credit out-of-state
- Mode: Fully Online / Hybrid / On Campus
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Institutional)
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University offers a public and nonprofit administration bachelor’s degree online and on campus, which can be attended either full time or part time. This degree is for students who are passionate about serving their community and causing social change. The curriculum includes topics such as human resources, fundraising finances, public policy, organizational leadership, and business fundamentals. Students will be able to learn from faculty with decades of experience, customize their electives, and network within the program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in student organizations such as the Refugee Outreach Collective or Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance.
Students can also get practical experience through internships with law offices, governor’s offices, or nonprofit organizations. This major also prepares students to obtain a certificate in public and social entrepreneurship, public policy analysis, citizen engagement, or international nongovernmental organization administration.
Program Highlights:
- Bachelor of Public and Nonprofit Administration
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $440/online credit
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (Institutional)
University of Illinois – Springfield
The University of Illinois – Springfield offers a public and nonprofit administration degree designed to give students the knowledge and skills needed to lead and manage people and organizations in the nonprofit sector. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of communication, business management, finances, and leadership. You’ll study the issues facing nonprofit organizations and the strategies to make them thrive. Students will have the chance to pursue one of three concentrations: child advocacy studies, global public health, and environment and society.
Upon graduation, students will be ready to communicate with public officials and stakeholders, negotiate agreements, manage contracts, and analyze, design, and improve programs intended to improve the lives of the public. This degree can be taken completely online and consists of 27 core course credits with nine elective credits. This program also allows the transfer of credits from up to four courses.
Program Highlights:
- Bachelor of Public and Nonprofit Administration
- Credits: 120
- Length: 4 years
- Cost: $313/credit in state | #631/credit out of state
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (Institutional)
What You’ll Learn in Your Online Nonprofit Management Degree Program
As with most bachelor’s degree programs, a nonprofit management degree online requires general education courses in subjects such as math, science, English, and history. Beyond these required courses, your nonprofit management program will include instruction on finance, including accounting and economics, and how financial knowledge and expertise applies to nonprofit management and fundraising. You’ll also learn the basics of business management, communication, and leadership in organizational institutions, along with philanthropy and how it relates to society and nonprofit management. Here is a short list of topics you’ll learn from an actual program curriculum.
Main Topics You’ll Cover
- Financial information, such as accounting and economics
- Statistics and research, including methods and analysis
- Methods and principles of management in organizations
- Grant writing and fundraising
- Leadership and philanthropy
Lower Division Curriculum (Years 1 and 2)
Students can usually take their lower division nonprofit management degree online courses at the same time as their general education courses like math and English. Lower-division courses focus on terminology and general information to give students a foundation of education. Upper-level courses will focus on how to use this information and develop skills for the workplace.
Common Courses
- Introduction to Speech Communication: Students will study basic communication principles related to public speaking, speech development and organization, informative and persuasive strategies, and communication theory.
- Principles of Management: Students will explore the fundamental principles of management, including planning, organization, and control. Students will learn the basic functioning operations of businesses.
- Principles of Financial Accounting: This is an introduction to the accounting process. The curriculum will focus on gathering, analyzing, and reporting financial information and understanding its importance.
- Information Systems: This course provides students with an overview of modern information systems, along with the hardware, software, and procedures necessary to keep these systems operating smoothly. Students will learn how these systems are essential to business management.
- Elementary Statistics: You’ll get an introduction to research statistics, including correlation, graphic representation, sampling theory, and frequency distribution.
Upper Division Curriculum (Years 3 and 4)
Once you’ve completed your general education requirements and the basic core requirements for your nonprofit management degree online, you’ll be ready to move on to upper division courses that focus on implementing knowledge and building important skills. These courses are typically more complex and difficult than general or basic coursework.
Common Courses
- Nonprofit Leadership and Management: Students will be exposed to concepts in nonprofit leadership management, study problems in nonprofit organizations, and explore current trends in organizational leadership.
- Grant Writing: Students will learn to identify sources of funding and how to write grants for nonprofit organizations.
- Fundraising: Students will explore the role of fundraising in successful nonprofit organizations while analyzing, planning, and creating a portfolio and examining special issues in organizational leadership.
- Philanthropy: This course will help students develop the skills and values of modern philanthropists as they explore the effects of philanthropy on society and the relationships between donors, grantees, and social change.
- Strategic Management: Students will learn to integrate all the business disciplines and strategies they’ve learned and will put them into practice as they analyze companies and create strategic plans.
Admissions: Getting into a Top Online Nonprofit Management Degree Program
Most top-tier universities have high standards for admission in general, but each university will have slightly different requirements. Some schools require different ACT scores than others, while some require you to be in the top 25% of your class. Many schools require a 3.0 GPA to be admitted. Wherever you are looking to go to school, you’re going to want to check the program’s requirements before applying. Some schools require a non-refundable application fee, and you don’t want to waste your money and pay the fee if you don’t meet all the requirements.
While requirements depend on the school, there are a few common requirements you can expect from each university.
- GPA
- College transcripts
- SAT or ACT score
- Application essay
Once you send in your application, the school will review your academic coursework, GPA, test scores, and entrance essay. This can take several weeks. You’ll then receive a notification if you have been accepted into the school or not.
There are a few exceptions that schools make regarding their requirements. For example, if a school requires a 3.0 GPA and you only have a 2.9 GPA, you may be able to contact admissions and talk to someone about letting you in on a probationary basis. However, if the program is competitive, there might not be any wiggle room for exceptions. To increase your chance of being accepted, study hard for your SAT and ACT tests, and try to keep your GPA as high as you can.
Paying for Your Online Nonprofit Management Degree: Costs and Financial Aid
Attending higher education requires a financial commitment, so it’s important to understand how much it will cost to earn your nonprofit management degree online and then create a budget. You can expect to pay between $38,000-$56,000 for a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management online, but the price will vary depending on several factors. If you’re living on campus, you’ll have to pay for housing. A private school typically costs more than a public school. If you’re attending school off campus, you’ll have to factor in the cost to commute to classes.
Still, you don’t need to have all the money upfront. Typically, you’ll pay tuition one semester or term at a time. Some schools even have payment plans where you split your semester tuition cost into a few payments. You may be able to save costs by not living on campus and taking online courses so you don’t have to commute. There are also financial aid opportunities, such as federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans. You should always map out the costs for nonprofit degree programs online when choosing a program and school. Here are a few examples:
| School Name | School Type | Total Credits | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | Private, Nonprofit | 120 | $320 / credit | $320 / credit |
| Central Michigan University | Public | 120 | $440-$474 / credit | $440-$474 / credit |
| Lakeland University | Private not-for-profit | 120 | $541 / credit | $541 / credit |
| North Park University | Private | 120 | $1,050 / credit | $1,050 / credit |
| Colorado Christian University | Private, for-profit | 120 | $494 / credit | $494 / credit |
FAQs About Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree in Nonprofit Management Online
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Are online nonprofit management degree programs offered 100% online?
Yes, you can get your nonprofit management degree completely online. However, each school has a slightly different curriculum, so be sure to check what is available at your school of choice. Some courses are offered in a hybrid format, which combines online and on campus. Some courses require online coursework with on-campus practicums. If you want a degree 100% online, make sure to research the school and program before you sign up.
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What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management?
Earning an online bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management will allow you to work in senior management in a variety of nonprofit institutions. The biggest nonprofit institutions include healthcare, education, and social assistance. Here are a few examples of jobs you might get.
- Advocacy Director
- Chief Operating Officer
- Communications Director
- Major Gifts Officer
- Development Director
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Is earning a nonprofit management degree worth it?
It all depends on your goals. If you want to help people and be a positive force for social change, then a nonprofit management degree online can give you the opportunity to have a fulfilling career. This degree can help you run a nonprofit organization or help you start your own. Nonprofit organizations employ the third largest workforce in the U.S., so you can look forward to job opportunities and security.
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What accreditation should I look for in a nonprofit management degree program?
Accreditation helps guarantee a quality education program, so you’ll want to be sure the university you choose is accredited. Programmatic accreditation also matters for some degrees. Any accreditation is a good sign, whether it’s for the university as a whole or the program. A nonprofit management degree program may have accreditation through the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, and in most cases a university should have regional accreditation or accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.
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How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management?
The time it takes to complete nonprofit degree programs online depends on several factors. Traditionally, a bachelor’s degree takes four years of full-time study to complete, but it will take longer if you’re attending part time. Some universities offer accelerated courses or semesters, which can speed up your timeline. Completing your degree can take longer if you’re working or you take a break mid-degree. You can check the program’s curriculum on the school website to see how many semesters are needed to complete the degree.
Employment Outlook with a Nonprofit Management Bachelor’s Degree
Job growth for nonprofit management occupations is expected to be average or faster than average through 2031. Depending on your experience and specific occupation, the median annual salary can range from $60,000 to over $150,000. Nonprofit organizations will typically have smaller salaries than for-profit organizations, but you’ll be able to help people and make a positive impact on society. The table below shows a few examples of jobs, their projected growth rate, and their median salaries.
| Career | Median Annual Earnings (2021) | Job Growth (2021-2031) |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Manager | $74,000 | 12% |
| Fundraising Manager | $119,860 | 8% |
| Fundraiser | $60,660 | 11% |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 | 7% |
| Social Assistance Executive | $154,650 | 6% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics