Best Online Organizational Leadership Degrees

Whether you’re interested in taking on a leadership position at a current job or looking for an inside track into management as you tackle your first job after college, an online organizational leadership degree can help you get there. There are many online organizational leadership bachelor’s degree programs to choose from, and the list of programs and schools below can get help you select the best one for you. These rankings are based on factors like academic quality, affordability, flexible learning, and student support services. See our complete rankings list of the best schools for a degree in organizational leadership below.

2024’s Top Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership

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.

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
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About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
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).
• 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.
2. Assign Weightings
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
• 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.
Affordability
• 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.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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
• 1

  Spring Hill College

  Mobile, AL

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Spring Hill College offers an organizational leadership degree program that can be completed entirely online or on campus. Students learn about the practices that make a good leader, along with the underlying theories that fuel these practices. The curriculum is designed to develop strong, confident managers; students take coursework in leadership, human resource management, and financial administration. All coursework is steeped in the school’s Jesuit Catholic tradition.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: Four years
  • Cost: $411/credit
  • Mode: Fully online, on campus
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 2

  University of Charleston

  Charleston, WV

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Whether students want a managerial role in the public or private sector, the University of Charleston (in West Virginia) organizational leadership bachelor’s degree is designed to teach the vital skills that leaders need. As a result, students leave the program understanding how to analyze the performance of workers, communicate effectively with various audiences, oversee organizational changes, and reflect on their own performance to improve as leaders.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: Four years
  • Cost: $380/credit
  • Mode: Fully online, partially online, on campus
  • Accreditation: ACBSP

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 3

  Union University

  Jackson, TN

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Union University offers a bachelor’s in organizational leadership that is made for busy learners who need to effectively juggle their education with work and family responsibilities. The program, which can be completed in 18 months, provides services for online students to help them succeed, such as access to tutoring, an electronic library, and a writing center. Courses last eight weeks to help online students move through the curriculum quickly.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

  • Credits: 128
  • Length: 18 months
  • Cost: $504/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  9/1

• 4

  University of Southern Maine

  Portland, ME

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 5

  University of Arizona

  Tucson, AZ

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 6

  Regent University

  Virginia Beach, VA

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 7

  University of Mount Olive

  Mount Olive, NC

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 8

  Bethel University

  McKenzie, TN

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  13/1

• 9

  Central Christian College of Kansas

  McPherson, KS

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 10

  Fort Hays State University

  Hays, KS

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 11

  Arkansas Tech University

  Russellville, AR

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 12

  Western Kentucky University

  Bowling Green, KY

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 13

  Southwestern Oklahoma State University

  Weatherford, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 14

  Central Michigan University

  Mount Pleasant, MI

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 15

  Toccoa Falls College

  Toccoa Falls, GA

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 16

  University of Central Oklahoma

  Edmond, OK

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 17

  University of Massachusetts Global

  Irvine, CA

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  22/1

• 18

  Wilmington University

  New Castle, DE

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 19

  Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies

  Fort Wayne, IN

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 20

  Albany State University

  Albany, GA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 21

  University of West Georgia

  Carrollton, GA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 22

  Fort Valley State University

  Fort Valley, GA

  Public $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 23

  Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

  Marion, IN

  Private not-for-profit $

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 24

  University of Holy Cross

  New Orleans, LA

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  10/1

What You’ll Learn in Your Online Organizational Leadership Degree Program

An online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership includes general education topics as well as subjects related to your major. General education courses provide a broad set of educational perspectives while courses in organizational leadership provide the theories, techniques, and skills necessary to serve as an effective leader and carry out your organization’s mission. Much of your major curriculum focuses on how to work with people and understand how they think, especially when interacting with others. The section below gives greater detail about the information and knowledge you can expect to acquire during your organizational leadership studies.

Admissions: Getting into a Top Online Organizational Leadership Degree Program

When applying to an online program, the admissions process is often less competitive than that of a traditional on-campus program. Online programs are more likely to have non-traditional students apply, so they’re less likely to rely on conventional application metrics like entrance exam scores and grade point averages. With the classroom being the internet, there are also fewer physical and logistical limitations on class sizes. 

That doesn’t mean you’ll get accepted into every program you apply to or that the application process takes only a few minutes, though. Most organizational degree online programs ask that you provide or complete the following when applying:

• Online application
• Application fee
• Official high school and/or college transcripts

When it comes to ACT or SAT scores, programs differ in what they require. For example, Maryville University doesn’t require standardized exam test scores, but Arizona State University does.

Also keep in mind that programs often differ on minimum requirements for admission. Many schools have no official cut-offs, but schools like the University of Toledo with its 2.8 minimum GPA or 25 ACT/1200 SAT minimum scores do. While each admission process is different, you can be confident you’ll get into a top online organizational leadership program if you have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and an 80th percentile SAT or ACT score.

Paying for Your Online Organizational Leadership Degree: Costs and Financial Aid

When choosing which organizational leadership degree online programs to apply to, be sure to get a full picture of degree costs. The single most important factor is the tuition rate, which is affected by things like whether the school is a public or private institution and how many classes you’ll take per term. 

Other factors that can make a big difference in your actual out-of-pocket cost include the availability of financial aid and the existence of any in-person requirements. Because of these and other factors, tuition rates vary widely among schools. The following chart provides a general idea of what you can expect to pay for your organizational leadership bachelor’s degree.

Tuition rate is just one part of the total cost of attendance. Financial aid is also a big factor and includes student loans, work-study, grants, scholarships, and employee tuition reimbursement. Most schools have a department ready to help you figure out what financial aid you are eligible for. For example, Eastern University’s Financial Aid Office explains how students can apply for and obtain financial aid and provides resources that include forms, lists of scholarships and grants, scholarship application advice, student employment programs, financial aid eligibility guidance, loan options, and FAFSA application information.

FAQs About Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership Online

• Are online organizational leadership degree programs offered 100% online?

  Most online leadership degree programs at the bachelor’s level are 100% online. Some online programs in other academic areas offer online coursework but include on-campus seminars or other experiential learning requirements. For most organizational leadership programs, though, all academic requirements for graduation can be completed with no campus visits or other in-person curriculum mandates.

• What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership?

  One of the best aspects of an organizational leadership online degree is that it’s so universal. Whether you’re in the private or public sector, a profit or non-profit company, there’s always a strong need for effective leaders. Most organizational leadership degree programs also offer specialized options. Despite this flexibility, you’re more likely to find positions relating to personnel, management, or supervisory roles, including:

  • Sales manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Human resource specialist
  • Public relations manager
  • Executive
  • Project manager
  • Operations manager
  • Healthcare administrator
  • Corporate recruiter
  • Management consultant

• Is earning an organizational leadership degree worth it?

  An online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership is worth earning if you aspire for a managerial, supervisory, or leadership role. Great leaders can exist without formal training but getting a degree in leadership can take these already talented leaders to the next level or help any prospective leaders shift into leadership roles within their company. 

  Upper-level positions can be very competitive, but they pay very well for the best leaders who advance their organizations. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a chief executive is $179,520. For all management positions, the median pay is $102,450, which is still well above the national median for most other professions.

• What accreditation should I look for in an organizational leadership degree program?

  There are two major types of accreditations, institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation applies to the entire school and usually comes from regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In contrast, programmatic accreditation applies to a specific degree program. When selecting an online organizational leadership degree program, you only need to confirm the school you’re enrolling in has institutional accreditation since there is no prominent accrediting body for bachelor’s degree programs in organizational leadership.

• How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership?

  The time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership depends on several factors, but most students earn their degrees in two to four years. Students can graduate in just two years if they’ve already completed extensive college credits when they transfer into their organizational leadership program. Traditional students entering the program straight out of high school or with no prior college courses can expect to take about four years to graduate when attending full-time. 

  Whether you’re a transfer student or haven’t taken a single college course, you can set your own pace. One way to speed up the time it takes to earn your degree is to accelerate it by taking more classes per term. You can also slow it down to make your schoolwork more manageable if you have personal or professional responsibilities. Online programs make it easier to progress at your own pace.

Employment Outlook with an Organizational Leadership Degree

What this degree teaches can translate to practically any organization involving two or more workers. Because finding good managers and leaders is so difficult, many positions that require or benefit from an online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership pay very well and are often seeking new people to hire. The following chart reflects the types of positions open and the compensation offered to those with bachelor’s degrees in organizational leadership.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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