[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students who pursue an accelerated business degree can earn a bachelor’s in less than four years or a bachelor’s and a master’s in five years or less, preparing for roles like accountant, data analyst, and marketing manager.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many accelerated business programs feature short classes lasting 4-8 weeks, and online students can often pick flexible, asynchronous options.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionals with a bachelor’s in business earn an average annual salary of roughly $78,000, and those who earn an accelerated degree can join the workforce faster.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-flex] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Launch, change, or grow your career by enrolling in a top-ranked, accelerated business degree program. Business consistently ranks as one of the most popular majors in the U.S. because it is so flexible and practical. Graduates can work across many different industries, doing sales, analysis, management, or executive leadership.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By accelerating your education, you either earn your bachelor’s degree in less than four years or you earn your bachelor’s plus your [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/masters/best-online-mba/no-gmat/”]master’s degree[/hen-ui-link] in five years or less. A bachelor’s degree almost always requires 120 credits or more, and an accelerated program is no exception. Typically, these degree programs have more generous transfer policies, accept work or life experience for credit, and/or apply the credits earned from one course to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An accelerated program can be a great choice for career switchers, younger students who already have clear career goals, or older students with established careers. Explore this guide to find out more about the top accelerated business degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is an Accelerated Business Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Business schools house accelerated degree programs to help students enter the workforce faster. Non-traditional students who have put their personal or professional lives on hold to pursue higher education may be particularly keen to take advantage of this opportunity. By reducing the number of required credits, accelerated degrees also help students save their tuition dollars.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students with some work experience, an existing network, and an exceptional work ethic may be especially suited for an accelerated business degree. These programs either allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree in fewer than four years or permit students to earn a bachelor’s plus a master’s degree in five years. Many accelerated programs allow students to count credits toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Often, these programs require enrollees to complete courses in 4-7 weeks instead of the traditional 15-week semester. These compressed courses allow students to work on their schedule, logging in and submitting assignments anytime. However, some accelerated programs enroll on-campus learners.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Courses, concentrations, and internship requirements are typically online as on campus. Students might concentrate in [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-healthcare-administration/”]healthcare[/hen-ui-link], analytic [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-finance/”]finance[/hen-ui-link], global [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-entrepreneurship/”]entrepreneurship[/hen-ui-link], creative thinking and design industries, or another business-focused field.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accelerated programs generally offer the same content and faculty as traditional degree programs, and schools do not add the word “accelerated” to transcripts or diplomas. However, graduates should not feel they must hide their academic experience from employers. Business leaders typically recognize the extra initiative, ambition, and work ethic required to complete an accelerated degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top Colleges With Accelerated Business Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We have compiled a list of nonprofit and for-profit institutions that offer accelerated business degree programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Accelerated Business Degrees[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]School[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Location[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Net Price*[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”School”][hen-ui-link href=”https://online.iu.edu/degrees/business-administration-bs-undergraduate.html”]Indiana University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Location”]Bloomington, IN[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Net Price*”]$16,234[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”School”][hen-ui-link href=”https://online.siue.edu/degrees/business/mba/general/”]Southern Illinois University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Location”]Carbondale, IL[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Net Price*”]$16,990[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”School”][hen-ui-link href=”https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/bachelors/major/ASU00/BABUSBABA/business-business-administration”]Arizona State University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Location”]Phoenix, AZ[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Net Price*”]$14,808[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”School”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chicagobooth.edu/mba/early-career-programs/chicago-booth-scholars/accelerated-mba”]University of Chicago[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Location”]Chicago, IL[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Net Price*”]$36,991[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”School”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/programs/full-time-mba/dual-degree-programs/5-year-bachelors-mba/”]Cornell University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Location”]Ithaca, NY[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Net Price*”]$26,060[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/”]NCES[/hen-ui-link] *Average net price as of December 2023 [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top Schools for Accelerated Business Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-white”]Indiana University[/hen-ui-heading]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://online.iu.edu/degrees/business-administration-bs-undergraduate.html”]Indiana University’s BS in business administration[/hen-ui-link] is offered 100% online. In this 120-credit program, students learn employer-friendly skills such as data analysis, communication, and presentation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Courses include entrepreneurism, analytics and decision modeling, leadership and teamwork, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applicants can transfer 60 credits from a two-year institution or up to 90 credits from a four-year college, meaning students can finish their degrees in a year. In-state students pay about $250 per credit, and out-of-state students pay about $365 per credit. The school maintains a rolling admissions deadline for this program.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-white”]Southern Illinois University[/hen-ui-heading]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students in the 100% [hen-ui-link href=”https://online.siue.edu/degrees/business/mba/general/”]online MBA at Southern Illinois University[/hen-ui-link] (SIU) can complete their 36-credit degree in 12 months. The program emphasizes the technical and behavioral components of managerial effectiveness.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The curriculum is divided between 24 credits of core courses and 12 credits of electives. Classes include corporate finance, accounting for MBAs, decision-making in organizations, and negotiation and interpersonal skills for managers.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or better and acceptable GRE or GMAT scores. SIU offers test waivers for qualifying enrollees. The program’s total tuition is about $18,941.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-white”]Arizona State University[/hen-ui-heading]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/bachelors/major/ASU00/BABUSBABA/business-business-administration?init=false&nopassive=true”]Arizona State University’s bachelor’s in business[/hen-ui-link] with a concentration in business administration and a master’s in global management in five years. This accelerated program allows undergraduate students to take up to 12 graduate credits, which apply to both degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The bachelor’s program requires a core of business courses plus 18 credits in the concentration. Courses include global supply chain operations, marketing and business performance, and principles of management and leadership.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduate concentrations include global affairs, public policy, and sustainable tourism. The program is available online and at several on-campus locations.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-white”]University of Chicago[/hen-ui-heading]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chicagobooth.edu/mba/early-career-programs/chicago-booth-scholars/accelerated-mba”]The University of Chicago offers an accelerated MBA[/hen-ui-link] exclusively for its current undergraduates and recent alumni. Students apply six undergraduate courses toward their MBA, reducing their time in the program to 15 months.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Current students need at least two years of full-time, pre-college work experience. Graduates one year out from graduation may apply for the evening or weekend MBA, and graduates two or more years out apply for the full-time program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]UChicago’s MBA offers 14 concentrations, including healthcare, finance, and business analytics. According to the university, about 96% of graduates accept a job offer within three months of graduation.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-white”]Cornell University[/hen-ui-heading]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/programs/full-time-mba/dual-degree-programs/5-year-bachelors-mba/”]Cornell University offers a five-year bachelor’s+ MBA[/hen-ui-link] for exceptional undergraduate students. In this program, students complete all their undergraduate requirements by the end of their third year, taking only graduate-level courses in their senior year. These courses count jointly as undergraduate electives and as MBA credits.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores at the end of their third year. To graduate, students must complete 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, including at least 25 credits of electives, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.7 or better in all business school coursework.[/hen-ui-text]
[/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is an Accelerated Business Degree Worth It?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Business is the third most popular undergraduate major in the U.S., [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=37″]according to the National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (NCES). In a business degree program, you can learn to start or manage a business or assume a leadership role in a corporation. In December 2023, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor%27s_Degree%2C_Business_Administration/Salary”]Payscale reported[/hen-ui-link] that people with a bachelor’s degree in business earned an average salary of $78,000.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionals with graduate degrees may earn much more. For example, earning a business degree can help you get a job as a management analyst, financial manager, human resources director, or top-level executive, earning well over six figures.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Not only does the market value the skills and information you acquire in the business classroom, but you can also create and nurture a professional network through your education. Besides helping advance your career, networking provides great opportunities to exchange fresh ideas and best practices.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By accelerating your education, you can maximize the benefits of your degree while limiting the time you spend in school. You may also be able to cut down on costs. Accelerated degrees often reduce the number of credits required, consequently reducing tuition and other fees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-article-card title=”Learn more about financial aid options” href=”/resources/college-finances/online-college-financial-aid/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-article-card title=”Explore business scholarships” href=”/resources/college-finances/business-scholarships/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Business Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Are accelerated degrees more expensive?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No, accelerated degrees are not usually more expensive than traditional programs. In fact, by graduating quickly and taking fewer credits, you can save money. By pursuing a 4+1 bachelor-to-master program, students may also save on application fees, testing costs, and leveling courses.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How do accelerated degrees work?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accelerated degree completion programs reduce your time to graduation through generous transfer policies, credit for life experience, and/or compressed schedules. Some schools allow students to count specific undergraduate courses toward both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. In these programs, students may finish two degrees in five years.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How do I know if a business degree is right for me?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you aspire to own a business, serve in corporate management, or lead a nonprofit organization, a business degree can help you realize your ambition. Admission to a bachelor’s program usually requires a high school diploma or its equivalent, and graduate business schools expect generally a bachelor’s degree with a qualifying GPA.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What are the benefits of accelerated degree programs?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accelerated degrees offer many benefits, including less time in school, a more flexible schedule, intensive and challenging classes, cost savings, and potentially easier access to graduate school. While an accelerated degree program is not for everyone, it can help you save time and money on the way to a new career, promotion, raise, or educational opportunity.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]