A bachelor’s degree in sports management can lead to a career in the sports industry. But the sports world offers many different career choices. From sports agent to athletic director, job opportunities abound. To stand out as a good candidate for a career in the sports industry, you need a college degree.
This article profiles 30 best sports management colleges and programs. These top sports management schools offer online bachelor’s degrees in sport management or a related discipline. Read on for more information on how we chose the best sports management program.
Featured Programs
Best Sport Management Programs Methodology
We reviewed about 80 accredited colleges and universities offering an online bachelor’s in sports management or related degree program. We narrowed our original pool of schools by choosing accredited programs ranked with U.S. News & World Report. We then listed the schools according to raw affordability.
Here are the 30 best online sports management programs.
#30 – McKendree University
Online BBA in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $33,050
McKendree University is a good school for sport management programs. They offer an online BBA in Sport Management.
The online bachelor’s degree is for students wanting a career in sport-related business. The sport management program teaches students about the business side of sports teams and professional sports. You also study sports law and the different legal aspects of sports management.
Some of the courses required for sports management students include:
- Sport and health psychology
- Sport facilities and event management
- Sport management
- Sports marketing
Students complete a total of 120 credit hours to earn their degree. They graduate ready for a career in sports administration. Students also move into graduate programs in business or sports management.
McKendree ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Current rankings include #58 in best regional midwest schools and #41 in best value schools.
#29 – Missouri Baptist University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $30,548
One of the top sports management colleges in the Midwest is Missouri Baptist University. This school offers an online bachelor’s degree in sports management.
The online program is for students looking for work in the sports industry after college. The program helps students by offering unique online courses that cover relevant topics. From the study of minor league sports to how sports organizations run, there are plenty of classes that get you ready to launch into the competitive world of sports.
Graduate of the sports administration degree program have landed jobs as:
- Coaches
- Professional sports administrators
- Sports agents
- Sports analytics managers
- Talent agents
MBU ranks with major publications like U.S. News. Current rankings include #127-#166 in best regional Midwest schools.
#28 – Indiana Institute of Technology
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $28,840
Listed among the top sport management colleges is Indiana Institute of Technology. This school offers an online BS in Sport Management program.
The sports management degree program helps students become savvy business professionals in the sports world. Classes teach you about the sports management industry and how it operates. Students study event planning and management. They also focus on business and sports analytics.
As one of the top sports management programs, the focus is on the business of sports. Students graduate with strong business acumen and good communication skills. You can go to work after you graduate or get a master’s degree. It’s up to you.
Indiana Tech ranks with U.S. News as a top school for undergraduate degrees. It ranks #117 in best regional schools in the Midwest.
#27 – Culver-Stockton College
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $28,495
Culver-Stockton College is top-ranked school for sports management. It offers accredited online programs that meet the standards set by the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). You can earn a bachelor’s in sport management, and know that it has received sport management accreditation.
The undergraduate program prepares students for careers in intercollegiate, professional, and youth sport organizations. When you graduate, you can qualify for jobs running sporting events or developing marketing strategies for sports managers.
The program offers courses that cover topics such as:
- Mass media and society
- Sales leadership
- Sport management
- Sport marketing
Culver-Stockton ranks #26 in best regional Midwest colleges by U.S. News and World Report.
#26 – Maryville University of Saint Louis
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Business Management
Undergraduate tuition: $27,166
Maryville University of Saint Louis is a good place to study sports management. It offers an online sport management degree with a focus on business management.
Sports management students learn what it’s like to work in the sports industry. Classes cover topics that prepare you for work as sports management professionals. Sports management graduates also continue their higher education and enter graduate programs.
Some of the courses you can take cover topics like:
- Communication skills in sports
- Sporting events management
- Sports analytics
Maryville ranks with U.S. News as one of the best sports business schools.
#25 – Midway University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $24,850
For sports degrees online, Midway University has options. The school offers an online bachelor’s in sport management that prepares students for careers in:
- Higher education sports
- Sports administration
- Sports medicine (management)
Students take a series of online courses that teach them about the industry. You learn about the communication in sport and how legal issues impact the industry. You also learn about sport psychology, among other topics.
The college admissions process for Midway includes applications for both admittance and financial aid. Online support is available to help you navigate the process.
#24 – Concordia University
Online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science
Undergraduate tuition: $23,900
Interested in health and medicine and the science behind sport? Concordia University offers an online degree in exercise science.
The program focuses more on applied science and exercise than on business and management. But there are courses you can take in:
- Sports business
- Ethics
- Sports law
- Sports leadership
- Sports medicine
Classes run seven weeks and move at a rigorous pace. The result is that you can graduate with an exercise and sports management degree in less than four years.
Concordia ranks with U.S. News and World Report as one of the best colleges for sports management.
#23 – Shorter University
Online BBA in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $22,810
Shorter University offers accredited sports management programs. You can earn an online BBA in Sport Management degree.
The program focuses on business administration under the umbrella of the sports industry. Classes in the online sports management degree program cover topics in both business and sports administration. Topics covered include:
- Business analytics
- Business development
- Management
- Sales
- Social media
Each of these topics apply practices to the sports world. When you graduate, you can bring your knowledge into management positions with professional sports teams and sports administration.
Shorter ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Its current rankings include #99 in best regional universities in the West.
#22 – Toccoa Falls College
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $21,490
Toccoa Falls College is one of the best colleges for sports management. The school offers an online sports management degree program that leads to a bachelor’s degree.
Students in the program complete 126 credit hours. Online courses include 42 credit hours of sport management and 15 credit hours of open electives. Classes prepare students for work in the sports industry.
Some of the courses you take while earning the sports management degree include:
- Event and facility management in sport and entertainment
- Organization and administration of sport
- Policies and issues in sport management
- Sport law and ethics
- Sport marketing
- Sports medicine
The college ranks with major publications like U.S. News. Recent rankings include #24 in best southern colleges and #10 in best value schools.
#21 – Davenport University
Online BBA in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $20,964
At Davenport University, you can earn a sport management degree. The school offers an online BBA in Sport Management.
The program blends business with sports studies. Students take a series of business management courses alongside sports leadership classes. You learn what it’s like to work in the sports industry in management and administrative roles. Your courses cover topics in:
- Accounting
- Business research and statistics
- Economics
- Finance
- Marketing
Sport management degree students also complete six internship credits that result in 300 hours of real work experience in the sport management field. In the past, students have interned with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Internships are also available at the West Michigan Sports Commission.
Davenport ranks with U.S. News. Recent rankings include #98 in best colleges in the Midwest.
#20 – Regent University
Online BS in Business Sports Management
Undergraduate tuition: $18,820
Regent University is a top school for a sport management degree. The school offers an online BS in Business with a concentration in sports management.
The program helps you turn your love for sports into a career. You learn how the sports industry works and what jobs it offers. Since the school is grounded in Christian faith, the program anchors your business knowledge to biblical principles.
The courses you will take while studying business administration and sports management include:
- Legal issues in sports management
- Sports economics
- Sports promotion and marketing
Like most best colleges for sports management, Regent ranks with U.S. News as a top national school.
#19 – Grand Canyon University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $17,800
Grand Canyon University is a good school if you’re looking for the best sports management programs. It offers an online bachelor’s degree in sports management that has received sport management accreditation.
The program teaches you about the different aspects of sports administration. From event planning to the business side of sports medicine, you learn the ins and outs of the sports industry. Your classes cover topics such as:
- Business statistics
- Ethical and legal issues in business
- Introduction to sports management
- Managerial accounting
- Sports marketing
- Strategic management
The accredited school also offers sports management students access to NCAA Division I sports teams. Many students intern or complete projects with these teams.
GCU ranks with major publications, including U.S. News as a top national school.
#18 – Post University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $16,610
Post University offers a sport management program for undergraduates. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in sports management online.
The program blends business with sports management. It gives you the skills you need to work in the fast-paced sports industry. You learn about the foundations of sports management and how athletic and sports administration works. You also study sport economics and sport marketing.
Post’s sports administration degree has received sport management accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The school also ranks with U.S. News as a top university in the North.
#17 – United States Sports Academy
Online Bachelor of Sports Science Sports Management
Undergraduate tuition: $16,418
Ranked among good schools for sports management, United States Sports Academy offers a different degree choice. At USSA, you can earn a Bachelor of Sports Science with a concentration in sports management.
The program combines sports science classes with sports management studies. Courses cover a wide range of topics that include:
- Contemporary issues in sports
- History of sports
- Legal concepts in sports
- Organization and management in sports
- Sports marketing
The program also offers a series of coaching courses in different sport disciplines. When you graduate with your sports management degree, you can work in many different spaces within the sports world.
#16 – University of the Southwest
Online BBA in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $16,200
The University of the Southwest is a good school for a sport management degree. Sports management students can earn an online BBA in Sport Management.
The business and sports management program combines studies to give students the best of both worlds. You study business and also sports. Your courses cover topics like:
- Foundations of sport management
- Law and liability in sport and recreation
- Organizational design and strategy
The program prepares students for work in the sports industry. But it also helps you gain a strong foundation in sport management and business administration that can support graduate school endeavors. Many graduates go on to earn a master’s degree in a sports administration degree program or an MBA.
The school ranks with U.S. News among other best colleges for sports management. Its current rankings include #90-#117 in best colleges in the West.
#15 – Southern New Hampshire University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $15,380
Southern New Hampshire University is one of the best colleges for sports management. The school offers an online sports management program for undergraduate students.
The BS in Sports Management degree program teaches students what it’s like to work in sports management careers. Courses explore topics in sports law and sports media. You also learn about the different types of sports leadership and how each impacts the world of professional sports.
Your sports management classes include:
- Global sport business
- How to run sports organizations
- Sales within sport
- Sports administration
- Sports event management
- Sports medicine
- Sport and society
SNHU ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. Recent rankings for this top college for sports management include #2 in most innovative schools and #133-#175 in top regional schools.
#14 – The University of Arizona Global Campus
Online Bachelor’s in Sports and Recreation Management
Undergraduate tuition: $12,736
Want a degree in sport management? The University of Arizona Global Campus offers an online bachelor’s in sports and recreation management with five specializations.
The sports management program prepares students for careers in sports and recreation management. You also get to choose a specialization to help meet your career goals. Specializations include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Information systems
- Marketing
- Project management
But the main focus of the degree is sports management. You study sport finance and law. You also take courses that teach you about sports administration.
U of A ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Its current rankings include #105 in best national universities. It also ranks #143 in best value schools.
#13 – University of Minnesota Crookston
Online Bachelor’s in Sport and Recreation Management
Undergraduate tuition: $12,514
University of Minnesota Crookston offers a sports management degree. You can earn a bachelor’s in sport and recreation management degree online.
The sports management degree program teaches you what it’s like to work in the sports industry. You study sport ethics and the psychology of sport. You also learn about sport ethics and leadership. There are several electives you can take that explore niche topics that other undergraduate programs don’t cover. These include:
- Socio-cultural dimensions in sport
- Sport economics
- Sport governance
The school ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Current rankings include #28 in best colleges in the Midwest.
#12 – University of Northwestern Ohio
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management and Marketing
Undergraduate tuition: $11,550
The University of Northwestern Ohio is a top school for a sports management degree. Students can earn a bachelor’s in sport management and marketing with a focus on business administration in sports.
The program emphasizes certain business and management skills needed to work in the sports industry. It also introduces students to the leadership skills they need to be successful in sports management. Through courses and projects, students gain insight into the sports marketing for sports teams and event management.
Online courses offered by the program include:
- Event planning
- Facility and event management
- Promotions and public policy
- Sports marketing
- Sport psychology
The school ranks with U.S. News and World Report as having one of the top sports administration degree programs. Its sports management degree programs have also received sport management accreditation.
#11 – University of West Alabama
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $10,990
The University of West Alabama is a good school if you want to advance your career in sports management. The school offers a BA or BS in Sport Management.
The degree program teaches you about the key aspects of sports and facility management. You learn about the business of sports and marketing for the sports industry. You also study sport management through a required internship. The program is great for individuals currently working as sports organizers.
But what makes West Alabama one of the best colleges for sports management is the added concentration in business. You have the option of adding the emphasis by completing 24 credit hours in business and related courses.
#10 – University of Iowa
Online Bachelor’s in Sport and Recreation Management
Undergraduate tuition: $9,942
The University of Iowa is one of the best sports management colleges. It offers a BS in Sport and Recreation Management with different concentration options.
The program teaches students studying sports management about different marketing strategies in sports. Students also study business administration and related sport business practices. You can tailor your degree by choosing one of eight concentrations. Some of the areas of focus include:
- Business administration studies
- Coaching and sport instruction
- Communications public relations
- Event management
- Sport and diversity
The program helps students qualify for leadership roles in the industry. But if you want to continue your higher education, the program can help you get into a master’s degree program.
The school ranks with U.S. News. Its current rankings include #83 in best national universities.
#9 – Franklin University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $9,577
Franklin University is an affordable school for sports management degree programs. It offers an online bachelor’s in sport management for students interested in event planning and management in sports.
Studies prepare you for graduate programs in sports management or a career in the industry. The program teaches you about sport business concepts. You also learn different techniques used to get results when working with athletes and professional sports teams.
In the sports management degree offered at Franklin, students complete a total of 120 credit hours. Online courses cover topics in sports law, marketing, and management.
Franklin ranks #127-#166 in best colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News.
#8 – Troy University
Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management
Undergraduate tuition: $9,312
Looking for online sports management degrees? Troy University offers sports management degree programs with sport management accreditation. You can earn a bachelor’s in hospitality with a sport and tourism management concentration.
In this program, you learn the different aspects of management and leadership in sports. Students graduate with the skills necessary to qualify for jobs in leadership and administration. You can qualify for a job as an:
- Athletic director
- Event marketer
- Minor league sports manager
- Sports analytics manager
- Sports media specialist
Troy ranks with major publications like U.S. News. It ranks #44 in best universities in the South and #47 in best value schools.
#7 – Colorado Mesa University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $9,000
Colorado Mesa University is a good school for sports management students. It offers a BS in Sport Management degree online.
The program helps prepare students for careers in the sports industry. Sports management careers can include athletic director or coach. They can also include roles in sports law, sport management, and marketing.
Students must complete a total of 120 credit hours to earn their sport management degree. Online courses cover different topics relevant to the discipline and career. Higher education courses include:
- Facility management
- Governance and communication in sport
- Leadership and ethics in sport
- Sport in society
- Sport law and risk management
- Sport marketing
Students also complete an internship in the sport industry during their time enrolled in the program. CMU ranks with U.S. News as a top school for a sports management bachelor’s degree.
#6 – Bellevue University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $8,310
Bellevue University is an affordable school for sports management degrees. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management program.
The program delivers flexible online courses and does not require on-campus attendance. The courses reach you about the contemporary issues in sports. You also study different legal aspects that related to sport and physical activity. Students study:
- Sport finance
- Sport management
- Sport marketing
- Sports analytics
Graduates of the degree have gone to careers in facility management and sports marketing and promotions.
Bellevue ranks with U.S. News. The school’s current rankings include #127-#166 in best Midwest schools. It also ranks #162 in top performers on social mobility. Bellevue is a top school for sport management.
#5 – American Public University
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $7,360
American Public University offers an affordable online bachelor’s in sport management degree program. The program helps prepare students for careers in:
- Athletic administration
- Coaching
- Sport management
Students take classes from professors with real-world experience. Some have coached or worked as athletic directors. Your online courses cover topics such as:
- Accounting fundamentals and financial statements for sports managers
- Ethics and contemporary issues in sports
- Sports facilities and management
- Sports marketing and public relations
#4 – Emporia State University
Online BS in Sport Leadership and Recreation
Undergraduate tuition: $7,001
Emporia State University is an affordable college for sports programs. It offers a BS in Sport Leadership and Recreation degree.
The program offers online courses that help students learn skills needed to work in sports management careers. Courses cover a wide range of topics that include leadership, marketing, and event planning. You also study business administration and learn how it impacts the sports world.
Your online courses include:
- Principles of business law
- Principles of marketing
- Psychology of sport
- Revenue management in sport leadership
Emporia State ranks with U.S. News as the 75th top regional university in the Midwest. Other rankings include #35 in best colleges for veterans.
#3 – Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Online BS in Recreation Sports Management
Undergraduate tuition: $6,930
At Southeastern Oklahoma State University, you can earn a BS in Recreation Sports Management. The program is for students looking for jobs in sports after graduation.
The online program teaches you the many aspects of management in sports. You learn about event planning and how to manage facilities. Courses help you develop strong leadership skills in sports administration. If you want to pursue an advanced degree, the bachelor’s can help you get into graduate programs.
SOSU ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Its current rankings include #90-#117 in regional Midwest schools. It also ranks #45-#59 in top public schools.
#2 – Florida International University
Online Bachelor’s in Recreation and Sports Management
Undergraduate tuition: $6,565
Florida International University is an affordable college for a sport management degree program. You can earn a BS degree in recreation and sport management online.
The program prepares graduates with management and leadership skills needed to work in the fast-paced sports industry. You take industry-specific courses and study business administration. Some of the online courses offered include:
- Care, maintenance and design
- Leisure services marketing
- Marketing management
- Sociology of sport
Toward the end of the program, students get hands-on experience through two internships. Interning can help you land your first job in the sports industry.
FIU ranks with U.S. News as the 151st best top national school. It also ranks #36 in most innovative schools.
#1 – University of Florida
Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
Undergraduate tuition: $3,876
The University of Florida is the most affordable school on our list for sport management programs. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management that you can complete online.
The program is for anyone interested in careers in intercollegiate athletic departments and professional sport franchises. Courses prepare you for leadership roles within the sports industry. Your courses cover topics like:
- Administration of sport and physical activity
- Ethical issues in sport
- Sport and society
- Sport facility design and management
- Sports media
Students complete a 15-credit hour, full-time internship toward the end of the program. During the final semester, interns work 40 hours per week.
UF ranks with U.S. News and World Report. Its most recent rankings include #29 in best national universities. It also ranks #88 in best value schools. The school awards financial aid to qualifying students.
Other Good Colleges for Sports Management
There were many colleges that received recognition for their sport management programs. These schools did not make the cut for our list, but offer programs to consider. Schools like Rice University and Louisiana State University have large sport management programs.
- Central Michigan University
- Louisiana State University
- Rice University
- Southern Methodist University
- Western New England University
BDP Staff
February 2023
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