Amazon. Coca-Cola. Walmart. Exxon Mobil. General Motors. Apple and Microsoft. These are large, successful companies with one common thread: they all rely heavily on Supply Chain Management to move goods and services to customers.
What Is a Supply Chain Management Degree?
A Supply Chain Management undergraduate degree will have several components, such as logistics, transportation, and analysis. In brief, the degree prepares students to coordinate all the steps necessary to take a product from development/supplier to buyer/consumer. Think of it as the popular “farm to table” concept, but utilizing data analysis and technology for a national or global stage. Supply Chain Management focuses on coordinating the procurement of goods or services, warehousing, and transportation. Proper supply management and delivery of products is key to a company’s success and growth potential. A 2014 survey by Deloitte, a professional services company, showed that companies with a well designed and maintained supply chain management system saw a 79 percent revenue growth over the average.
However, it’s not just gigantic corporations that benefit from well designed Supply Chain Management. The theories and best practices of the field will yield better returns on cost, delivery and customer satisfaction.
If you want to manage the guy who manage’s the supply chain, consider a Business Administration degree.
How Much Can You Earn With a Supply Chain Management Degree?
Bachelor prepared students in this field may earn, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from $66,440-$85,610 annually, depending on the industry in which you work. PayScale surveys indicate a Supply Chain Manager earns an average of $82,426 annually. These estimates don’t include other compensation such as retirement or healthcare benefits.
Salaries are dependent on the industry in which you work and your geographic location. Supply Chain Managers may find employment in the federal government, technical services, corporations, or manufacturing, among others.
What Is Required For A Supply Chain Management Degree?
Colleges and universities offer associate, bachelor, or master’s degrees in Supply Chain Management (sometimes known as Logistics and Transportation). The degree frequently is a major in a university’s Business School or College and is awarded as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science diploma. The BA or BS is the preferred degree.
The typical four-year degree will require 120 credit hours which includes general education coursework, electives, and major courses. Several online degrees are offered as degree completion programs and will accept transfer credit hours for students with an Associate Degree or previous coursework from an accredited school.
What Are the Best Supply Chain Management Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
Bellevue University
20-Year ROI$1,077,529
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $7,152(in state) / $7,152(out of state)
- Accelerated degree
- Military friendly
- A U.S. News and World Report Best Online Bachelor’s Degree program
School Wide
Program Level
100%OSR ScoreBellevue University offers an online Bachelor’s in Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics Management. This program requires 127 credit hours and prepares students for Association for Supply Chain Management certification. You must hold an Associate Degree or have 60 semester hours completed at an accredited school for admission.
Ashford University
20-Year ROI$818,512
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $10,848(in state) / $10,848(out of state)
- Scholarships available
- IACBE accredited
- Over 80 online degree programs offered
School Wide
Program Level
87%OSR ScoreThe BA in Supply Chain Management through Ashford University’s Forbes School of Business & Technology requires 120 hours for completion. Studies will include International Supply Chain Management, logistics, principles, leadership, etc. This program is specifically designed for working professionals and the nontraditional student.
Park University
20-Year ROI$916,414
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $8,232(in state) / $8,232(out of state)
- Bachelor of Science or Associate of Science degrees available
- Veteran tuition discount
- ACBSP accredited
School Wide
Program Level
83%OSR ScorePark University, Parkville, MO, has an online logistics degree. The degree qualifies you to work in areas such as management, quality control, supply chain management, or purchasing or vendor management. Course studies concentrate on theories, techniques, and practices.
Rasmussen College
20-Year ROI$644,699
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $9,360(in state) / $9,360(out of state)
- Complete in 18 months
- 90 credit hours required
- 100% online
School Wide
Program Level
81%OSR ScoreRasmussen College is a private, for-profit institution with schools in multiple states. This online Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain and Logistics Management will qualify you to sit for the APICSS CSCP exam. Coursework includes procurement, transportation and distribution management, and supply chain risk and compliance.
Athens State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $5,940(in state) / $11,880(out of state)
- No out-of-state tuition
- 124 credit hours
- Offers BS, minor or certificate online
School Wide
Program Level
79%OSR ScoreAthens State University provides online studies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Graduates will be prepared to work as supply chain managers, global logistics management, or materials planners. You’ll study professional courses in operations management, logistics and supply chain strategies, techniques, support systems, etc.
Excelsior College
School Wide
Program Level
76%OSR ScoreThis BS in Business degree from Excelsior College is specifically created for working students and requires 120 credit hours for graduation. The program offers a concentration in logistics management and has coursework in Supply Chain Management, Lean Logistics, and Transportation, Warehousing, and Distribution. Excelsior College accepts an average of 48 credit hours of transfer credits.
American Public University System
20-Year ROI$1,257,003
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $6,480(in state) / $6,480(out of state)
- Military Tuition Discount
- Courses start monthly
- Up to 90 transfer credit hours accepted
School Wide
Program Level
76%OSR ScoreAmerican Public University has an online Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management requiring 120 hours. The BA has concentrations in Government Contracting and Acquisitions, Reverse Logistics Management and Transportation and Logistics Management. Financial aid is available for qualified students.
Ohio Christian University
20-Year ROI$620,787
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $10,680(in state) / $10,680(out of state)
- Completely online
- Pay in-state tuition regardless of residency
- $100 credit for referring a friend
School Wide
Program Level
71%OSR ScoreOhio Christian University is a Christian based university offering a BA in Business through its OCUOnline Plus program. You may choose a Logistics Management concentration with courses in Logistics Management, Warehousing and Terminal Management, Transportation Systems, etc. OCU has a 70 percent retention rate and ranks #61-#79 in U.S. News and World Report’s Regional Colleges in the Midwest.
Saint Leo University
20-Year ROI$869,248
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $21,600(in state) / $21,600(out of state)
- Military Friendly
- Six start dates throughout the year
- Virtual student clubs and associations available
School Wide
Program Level
71%OSR ScoreSaint Leo University ranks #69 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and #43 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans. The university, through its WorldWide programs, has a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Logistics. Saint Leo University has a 51 percent overall graduation rate.
Baker College
20-Year ROI$539,587
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $9,360(in state) / $9,360(out of state)
- Virtual, interactive classes
- Military tuition discount
- 89% career outcome rate
School Wide
Program Level
68%OSR ScoreLocated in Flint, Michigan, Baker College provides a BA Business/Management degree with a focus on logistics. You’ll take 36 hours in the logistics major and also study Operations Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Change Management, etc. Baker College has a robust online presence offering education ranging from certificate programs to master’s degrees.
Georgia Military College
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $5,445(in state) / $5,445(out of state)
- Military Friendly
- More than 4,000 online students
- No out-of-state tuition
School Wide
Program Level
68%OSR ScoreDon’t let the name fool you, you don’t have to be in the military to enroll in the online Bachelor of Applied Science degree at Georgia Military College. The school offers a BAS degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics and requires applicants to hold an Associate of Applied Science Degree for admission. This is a new degree offering for Georgia Military College.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
20-Year ROI$1,325,236
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $9,000(in state) / $9,000(out of state)
- Rolling admission
- 75% admission rate
- Military tuition discount
School Wide
Program Level
68%OSR ScoreEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University ranks #1 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News and World Report as well as #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans. The Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree requires 120 credit hours and will prepare you to sit for professional certification exams such as Supply Management Certified Professional in Supply Management, etc.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $2,095(in state) / $7,947(out of state)
- 92% graduate employment rate
- Ranks among the top 50 most affordable public, four-year institutions
- Students from more than 154 countries
School Wide
Program Level
67%OSR ScoreThe Bachelor of Applied Science in Logistics program from Florida State College at Jacksonville covers a wide range of topics for supply chain management and logistics. The school offers an accelerated program which may be completed in 20 months. Florida State College accepts admission applications throughout the year.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $15,030(in state) / $33,096(out of state)
- Must have a minimum of 27 transferable credits
- 79 major-specific credits
- Part of the Business Administration program
School Wide
Program Level
63%OSR ScoreThe University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers an Operations and Information Management bachelor’s degree that encompasses supply chain management. Students select electives from several fields, including Accounting, Hospitality, and Sports Management. Classes include Business Policy and Strategy, High Performance Organization, and Intro to Operations Management.
Northern Arizona University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $9,366(in state) / $16,006(out of state)
- 120 credits
- Must have an Associate’s degree to apply
- 18 credits in B.A.S. major
School Wide
Program Level
63%OSR ScoreNorthern Arizona University offers a Bachelor’s in Applied Science with a specialization in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Some coursework must be done in person. The program has several key focuses: logistics network analysis and design, sustainable logistics, global logistics, and strategic logistics.
