2023 Best Online Sports Management Degrees
An online bachelor’s in sports management gives students the foundation to pursue careers in the sports industry. Prospective students can expect to cover sports management topics like law, sports psychology, and sports marketing. Many online schools offer sports management as a concentration, requiring students to complete core courses in business or liberal arts and sciences. Future students may be required to complete an internship, seminars, research projects, and a capstone to graduate. Graduates of an online bachelor’s in sports management degree may go on to careers like athletic directors, business development managers, and sports information directors. Or, graduates can further their education by pursuing an affordable online master’s in sports management.
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Online Sports Management Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In
#1 American Public University System
- Salary Score: 98
- Median Starting Salary: $47,616
- Locations: Charles Town (WV)
- Accreditation: HLC
American Public University System (APUS) is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, which totals 120 credit hours. It can take four years to complete this bachelor's degree online. The acceptance rate at APUS is 100%, with a graduation rate of 18%.
At APUS, online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously on D2L Brightspace. This program provides an overview of the connection between business and sports. Sample courses include Sports Governance, Sports Psychology, and Ethics in Sports. A seminar and an internship are required. Prospective careers include athletic trainers, coaches, and sports agents.
Similar online degrees at APUS include a Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship - Sports Fitness and a Bachelor of Arts in Management - Sports Entertainment Management.
#2 Maryville University
- Salary Score: 92
- Median Starting Salary: $40,580
- Locations: St. Louis (MO)
- Accreditation: HLC
Maryville University is a private, nonprofit university with an online Bachelor of Science in Rawlings Sport Business Management requiring 128 credit hours. Full-time students can spend four years finishing this degree. The program offers two concentrations: (1) sport data analytics and (2) results-centered sales. Overall, Maryville accepts 92% of applicants, with 57% graduating.
Maryville facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the popular software Canvas. The program’s curriculum includes insights from sports business professionals to help students build their skills. Some of the program’s courses include Digital Foundations, Sport Finance, and Sport Marketing. Students must complete a capstone and an internship. Potential careers include operations coordinators, equipment managers, and public relations specialists.
#3 United States Sports Academy
- Salary Score: 87
- Median Starting Salary: $36,502
- Locations: Daphne (AL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
At the United States Sports Academy (USSA) — a private, nonprofit university — prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Sports Science in Sports Management, equaling 120 credit hours. It can take students four years to complete this degree. USSA’s acceptance rate is 100%, with an 11% graduation rate. The program offers nine minors, such as marketing and nutritional sciences.
At USSA, online students complete courses asynchronously on Canvas. The program covers sports management fundamentals. Example coursework includes Sociology of Sports, Sports Marketing, and Business Information Systems. An internship and a senior research project are required for graduation. Potential careers are sports managers, sportswriters, and head coaches.
Alternatively, you may pursue a Bachelor of Sports Science in Sports Coaching, a similar online degree.
#4 Davenport University
- Salary Score: 86
- Median Starting Salary: $36,077
- Locations: Grand Rapids (MI)
- Accreditation: HLC
Davenport University is a private, nonprofit university that offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management requiring 120 credit hours. Full-time students can spend four years finishing their studies. Davenport’s acceptance rate is 98%, with a graduation rate of 38%.
Davenport utilizes Blackboard for online asynchronous learning. The school's online sports management program helps students develop their skills in accounting, marketing, economics, IT, and statistics. The program’s courses include Digital Marketing, Global Sport Industry, and Sport Analytics. A 300-hour internship and a business planning capstone is also required for graduation. Prospective careers include marketing managers, sports accountants, and sports agents.
#5 University of Minnesota - Online
- Salary Score: 81
- Median Starting Salary: $33,230
- Locations: Minneapolis (MN) (and 4 others)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of Minnesota - Online (UMN) is a public university that hosts an online Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management totaling 120 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to spend four years completing this program. The acceptance rate at UMN is 73%, with an 81% graduation rate.
UMN facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on Canvas. Students can expect to gain valuable knowledge and skill through coursework and experiential learning experiences. Sample courses include Psychology of Sport, Supervision and Leadership, and Sport Ethics and Leadership. A seminar and an internship are required. Future careers may include athletic trainers, sports information directors, and recreation leaders.
#6 Concordia University - Saint Paul
- Salary Score: 80
- Median Starting Salary: $32,917
- Locations: Saint Paul (MN)
- Accreditation: HLC
Concordia University - Saint Paul (CSP) is a private, nonprofit university affiliated with the Lutheran Church. It hosts an online Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management requiring 120 credit hours. CSP is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. CSP accepts 68% of applicants, with 60% graduating. It can take two or more years to complete this degree online, depending on a student's pace.
At CSP, online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously on the learning management system Blackboard. This program teaches students to plan, develop, and manage sports facilities. Some of the program’s courses include Sport Management, Sport Business, and Exercise Physiology. In addition to online courses, students must complete an internship before graduation. Potential career options include coaches, sports marketers, and business development managers.
#7 University of Florida
- Salary Score: 78
- Median Starting Salary: $32,008
- Locations: Gainesville (FL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of Florida (UF) is a public institution with an online Bachelor of Science in Sport Management equaling 120 credit hours. Full-time students can spend four years finishing this program. UF’s acceptance rate is 30%, with a 88% graduation rate.
UF uses Canvas to deliver asynchronous and synchronous online courses. This program covers sports management fundamentals like law, management, finance, and marketing. Sample courses include Revenue Generation in Sport, Legal Issues in Sport, and Managing Organizations in Sport. Students are required to complete an internship to graduate. Graduates may go on to careers like sports agents, event managers, and athletic directors.
A similar online degree is UF's Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - Sport Management.
#8 Arizona State University
- Salary Score: 78
- Median Starting Salary: $31,781
- Locations: Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
- Accreditation: HLC
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public university offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Business - Sports Business, which requires 120 credit hours. The program, with a concentration in sports business, can last four years with a full class load. The university accepts 70% of applicants, with 47% graduating.
At ASU, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats via the digital platform Canvas. The program comprises business core courses and sports business concentration courses. Example coursework includes Global Supply Operations, Sports Business, and Sports and Media. Potential careers include athletic administrators, financial managers, and resort managers.
#9 University of Iowa
- Salary Score: 76
- Median Starting Salary: $31,109
- Locations: Iowa City (IA)
- Accreditation: HLC
At the University of Iowa, a public university, students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management. It requires 120 credit hours, which students can usually finish in around four years if they maintain a full-time pace. Iowa’s acceptance rate is 86%, with a 71% graduation rate.
Iowa facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on ICON, the school's proprietary learning management system. This program can help students start their careers in recreation, college athletics, professional sports, and other related industries. Some of the program’s courses include Sales in Sport, Sport and Recreation Promotion, and Liability in Sport and Recreation. Besides coursework, nine hours of guided or independent field experience is also required to graduate. Future careers may include sports camp directors, sports content producers, and sports bloggers.
#10 University of Louisville
- Salary Score: 76
- Median Starting Salary: $30,907
- Locations: Louisville (KY)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of Louisville (UofL) is a public university offering an online Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration, totaling 120 credit hours. It can take four years to complete this degree with a full schedule of classes. The acceptance rate at UofL is 75%, with a 55% graduation.
At UofL, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. In this program, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to start or advance their sports business careers. Sample courses include Sport Governance, Sport Management and Leadership, and Legal Aspects of Sport. A senior seminar, a first-year experience course, and an internship are required. Potential career options include ticket sales managers, tournament planners, and youth sports coordinators.
#11 Buena Vista University
- Salary Score: 75
- Median Starting Salary: $30,756
- Locations: Storm Lake (IA)
- Accreditation: HLC
Buena Vista University (BVU) is a private, nonprofit, Presbyterian institution with an online Bachelor Degree in Business - Sport Business requiring 116-117 credit hours. Full-time students may spend four years finishing this degree. BVU’s acceptance rate is 66%, with a graduation rate of 58%.
BVU uses Canvas to deliver asynchronous and synchronous online courses. The program’s courses include Sport Law, Selling, and Facility and Event Management. This bachelor’s in sport business helps students develop critical thinking, leadership, and business to succeed in a sports management career. Students must complete an internship and a practicum before graduating. Prospective careers include fitness club managers, public relations specialists, and college professors.
#12 Lewis-Clark State College
- Salary Score: 74
- Median Starting Salary: $30,283
- Locations: Lewiston (ID)
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts/Science in Sport Management, which equals 120 credit hours. It can take four years to complete this degree online. The program offers two specializations for students to choose from: (1) kinesiology and (2) business. LC State’s acceptance rate is 100%, with a 45% graduation rate.
At LC State, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. The degree's curriculum prepares students to manage athletic facilities and programs through courses that combine business and sports concepts. For example, some of the classes include Sport Law, Sport Administration, and History of Sport. An internship and either a senior research project or senior strategic seminar are also required. Prospective careers among graduates include athletic directors, accounts managers, and personnel directors.
#13 Southern New Hampshire University Online
- Salary Score: 71
- Median Starting Salary: $29,329
- Locations: Manchester (NH)
- Accreditation: NECHE
Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU Online) is a private, nonprofit institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Sport Management requiring 120 credit hours. Future students can expect to spend four years completing this program. The acceptance rate at SNHU Online is 92%, with a graduation rate of 36%.
SNHU Online facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on D2L Brightspace. The degree’s curriculum includes business, liberal arts, and sports management courses. Some of the program’s courses include Global Sport Business, Sport Marketing, and Internationalization of Sport Business. Students must complete an internship. Future careers include marketing managers, sports information directors, and guest relations specialists.
SNHU Online also offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Sport Management.
#14 Troy University
- Salary Score: 70
- Median Starting Salary: $28,767
- Locations: Troy (AL)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
At Troy University, a public university, prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality - Sport Management totaling 120 credit hours. The program generally lasts at least four years for full-time students. Troy’s acceptance rate is 95%, with a 38% graduation rate.
Troy’s online students complete online courses asynchronously and synchronously on the learning management system Canvas. The sport management concentration in particular covers the key aspects of working in the field of sports management. Example coursework includes Facility Management, Sport Finance, and Legal Aspects in Sport Management. A seminar and an internship are required for online students to graduate. Alums may go on to careers like parks and recreation directors, event coordinators, and business development managers.
2023 Best Online Sports Management Degrees
Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
---|---|---|---|
American Public University System | $47,616 | ||
Maryville University | 92 | $40,580 | |
United States Sports Academy | 87 | $36,502 | |
Davenport University | 86 | $36,077 | |
University of Minnesota - Online | 81 | $33,230 | |
Concordia University - Saint Paul | 80 | $32,917 | |
University of Florida | 78 | $32,008 | |
Arizona State University | 78 | $31,781 | |
University of Iowa | 76 | $31,109 | |
University of Louisville | 76 | $30,907 |
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