Degree Levels
Associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral business degrees, and how online versions of each work.
Business degrees come in four levels. Each step up takes more credits and time, and each opens different jobs. Almost every level is now offered fully online by accredited schools, which matters most for working adults who need to keep earning while they study.
- Degree LevelsAssociate Degree in Business AdministrationAn associate degree in business administration is a two-year, roughly 60-credit program that teaches accounting, management, marketing and business law. It can lead straight to entry-level work or serve as the first half of a bachelor's degree, depending on which track you choose.
- Degree LevelsBachelor's in Business AdministrationA bachelor's in business administration (BBA) is a four-year, roughly 120-credit degree covering accounting, finance, marketing, management and operations, usually with a concentration. It is the most common bachelor's field in the US and the standard entry credential for most business careers.
- Degree LevelsOnline MBA ProgramsOnline MBA programs teach the same core of finance, accounting, strategy and leadership as campus MBAs, usually in 30 to 60 credits that you complete while working. The right one depends on format, accreditation, admissions requirements and total cost, not on brand alone.
- Degree LevelsHow Much Does an Online MBA Cost?Online MBA cost varies more than almost any other degree, because it is driven by per-credit price, credit count, fees and how much your employer covers. This page shows how to calculate your real total and the most reliable ways to bring it down.
- Degree LevelsAACSB Accredited Online MBA ProgramsAn AACSB accredited online MBA comes from a business school that has passed the most widely recognized international review of business education. It is a strong quality signal, but it is one of two accreditation layers you should check, and it is not the only legitimate option.
- Degree LevelsExecutive MBA ProgramsExecutive MBA programs are MBAs built for experienced managers who keep working full-time. Classes meet in compact blocks (weekends, monthly residencies or online with short in-person sessions) and the learning leans heavily on what students bring from their own leadership roles.
- Degree LevelsMaster's in ManagementA master's in management (MSM or MiM) is a shorter, more foundational business master's aimed at recent graduates and early-career professionals. An MBA expects more work experience and goes deeper into strategy. Your experience level is usually the deciding factor.
- Degree LevelsDoctor of Business AdministrationA Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctorate for experienced managers who want to apply research methods to real business problems. It usually takes about three to five years, is often completed online or part-time, and ends with an applied dissertation.
- Degree LevelsAccelerated Business Degree OnlineAn accelerated business degree online saves time by cutting the number of credits you still owe and by letting you take more of them per year. Short terms, transfer credit, exams and competency-based models all help, but none of them reduce the actual work.
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Every salary and job outlook figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Education costs come from the College Board and federal aid rules from the U.S. Department of Education. We do not rank schools or accept payment for placement. Read our editorial policy.