Over the last decade, Georgia has become known as an economic powerhouse for small businesses. Since the Peach State is a hub for innovation and full of successful startups, this is no surprise. Georgia-based startups such as SalesLoft, the leading sales engagement platform, Kabbage, an online fintech company, and Calendly, a robust scheduling software, are in need of sales, marketing and operations professionals to help them grow.
Entrepreneurship is not the only productive business field in Georgia, however. Since the tourism industry in Georgia generates $63.1 billion in economic impact, it's considered one of the largest industries in the state. Hospitality and tourism professionals are also in high demand to fill positions at the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, Jekyll Island and other attractions that bring visitors to Georgia.
In addition, Georgia has no shortage of consulting companies such as McKinsey & Company and Cohn Consulting Corporation, which depend on data analysts, financial professionals, and market research analysts from the best business colleges in Georgia to provide their clients with results-driven recommendations.
Online business schools in Georgia offer students a convenient opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge they need for breaking into the fields of business administration, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship and more. With the number of online business programs Georgia students have access to, a flexible and comprehensive business education is more attainable than ever before.
Atlanta is packed with hundreds of financial technology ("fintech") companies who focus on providing customers with digital payment options. Georgia is ranked third in the nation in fintech revenue, as it has generated $72 billion. Fintech Atlanta is an organization dedicated to recruiting, retaining and expanding fintech jobs across Atlanta and the entire state of Georgia.
The automotive industry in Georgia is booming; it employs more than 18,000 professionals in sales, finances and other business disciplines. The state is home to the first U.S manufacturing facility for Kia Motors -- one of its many claims to fame in this industry.
Since its inception in 2008, the Georgia Initiative has supplied the state's business community with various educational and financial resources. Its mission is to advance a pro-business environment in the Peach State.
Below is our ranking of the most popular business degrees in Georgia, based off how many degrees of each type were awarded by Georgia schools in the 2017-18 school year.
Below is our ranking of the most popular Business degrees in Georgia, based off how many degrees of each type were awarded by Georgia schools in the 2017-18 school year.
Online business schools in Georgia host a plethora of majors, and there's more differences between them than just their names. Which may be best for you? Consider your strengths and your future career goals, and you should be able to narrow down your choices to the business options that fill you with genuine excitement and passion.
For example, because Atlanta is a hub for international travel, students who enjoy meeting and working with individuals from other countries may consider a major in international business. On the other hand, those who possess skills in math and critical thinking may pursue an accounting or finance major as part of becoming a member of Georgia's fintech movement. And of course, competitive and creative self-starters may benefit from majoring in management or entrepreneurship, which can help them to build a successful startup in Atlanta, Augusta or Roswell.
As a final example, students who can see themselves producing television commercials, coming up with slogans or managing digital marketing accounts may find a major in marketing, communications, digital marketing or public relations to be a good fit. Big Squad Interactive and ASA Media, Inc. are two examples of Georgia-based companies that offer potential opportunities for marketing graduates.
To help prospective students find the ideal business school for their career goals and preferences, we've compiled a list of the best online business schools in Georgia. Each school that has earned a spot on our list offers a degree or certificate in a business-related subject that students may complete online or in a hybrid format. The list was formulated with the use of data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES).
Brenau University has been offering online education since 1998, which has given them a lot of time to refine and add to their portfolio of online business programs. And what a portfolio it is: with six Bachelor of Business Administration programs, 15 MBA programs, and a host of related bachelor's programs and graduate certificate programs in subjects such as organizational leadership and business analytics, Brenau students have well over two dozen options for pursuing their online business degrees. It should be no surprise that Brenau not only tops our list of online business schools in Georgia, but also made our ranking of the best online colleges in Georgia for 2019-20.
Online business courses at Brenau are asynchronous and delivered via the Canvas online learning platform in accelerated seven-week sessions. Courses cap enrollment at 20 students, keeping the university's student-to-faculty ratio low.
Albany Technical College's online programs come in three types: Associate of Applied Science degree programs, diploma programs and technical certificate of credit programs. As a general rule, the AAS programs take 24 months to complete, while the diploma programs take 18 months and the TCC programs may take one to three semesters. And students can find business options for all three:
Online courses at ATU are taught in an asynchronous format and delivered through the Blackboard learning platform, in line with the university's semester schedule. With so many flexible options, ATU deserves its spot not only on this list, but on our ranking of the best online colleges in Georgia for 2019-20 as well.
Mercer University is a faith-based online college that emphasizes religious diversity and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This is why Mercer devotes time and effort not just to its online programs, but to creating effective hybrid programs that can offer the flexibility of online programs along with the community of on-campus meetings and seminars. This combination can be ideal for working adults who are looking to fit classes in around a busy work schedule, but also want face-to-face contact in their degree program.
The BBA programs in accounting, general business, human resource management, management and marketing, as well as the MBA program, are all offered fully online (although there may be required on-campus orientations). Meanwhile, the MS in business analytics and MS in organizational leadership are offered in Mercer's hybrid format. Courses are delivered through the Canvas learning management system in four-, eight- or ten-week sessions.
As you might expect from the name, the nonprofit Savannah College of Art and Design takes a more creative approach to business. Instead of the usual online business programs, this artistic institution offers a B.A. in advertising, an M.A. in creative business leadership, an M.A. in design management and the world's first online M.A. in luxury and fashion management. These programs are dedicated not just to principles of business, marketing and management, but also to media strategy, PR management, event management and trendspotting, with courses delivered asynchronously on a 10-week schedule.
When it comes to online learning, SCAD comes highly recommended. Not only was this the first art and design university to receive the Instructional Technology Council's award for Outstanding Distance Education Program, but it was also awarded the rank of Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Teaching and Learning from the Online Learning Consortium.
While Dalton State College doesn't offer online degree programs itself, it is connected to the resources of the entire University System of Georgia (USG), which includes the eCore and eMajor initiatives. eCore allows DSC students to complete the first two years of a degree program entirely online, covering the core courses that a student would usually take in the first two years of a bachelor's program. This can be a particularly convenient way for working adults to reenter the college system after a break or a pause.
eMajor, on the other hand, connects students to online degree programs offered by other institutions in the USG. For example, DSC students can pursue a BBA from Georgia Southwestern State University, or an A.S. in financial technology from Middle Georgia State University. With the resources from so many of the online business programs Georgia has to offer available, it's easy to see why DSC deserves a spot on our list.
Clayton State University is located near the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the Savannah Port, close to leaders in the transportation and supply chain fields -- some of Georgia's most prominent industries. This has inspired the university to develop its online programs in areas such as general business, management and supply chain management, making them available for working adults across the Peach State who want to benefit from Clayton State's location and experience.
Online courses at Clayton State are taught during the fall and spring semesters via the BrightSpace LMS. Most courses are semester-length (16 weeks); however, certain accelerated courses can be completed in just eight weeks, helping students to complete their programs more efficiently and save money in doing so. Furthermore, fully online students may be eligible for Clayton State's eTuition rates, which exclude fees for various on-campus services, making college more affordable for online students.
Students attending the best business colleges in Georgia may benefit from a variety of professional associations. By attending meetings and becoming members of these associations, they may network with students and professionals, stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, and access special seminars and conferences.
Association for Financial Professionals of Atlanta, Atlanta
Buckhead Business Association, Buckhead
American Marketing Association, Chapter in Atlanta
Network Under 40, Atlanta
Entrepreneurs' Organization, Atlanta