If you want to earn a degree in supply chain management, enrolling in an online program is the ideal way to do it. By learning online, you can continue working in your current position. While this may not seem like the best way to focus on your studies, it is a great way to gain experience.
Jobs with a supply chain management degree are available for those who understand the industry and what it means to keep materials moving in the right direction. With a supply chain management degree, you will have the skills you need to keep businesses supplied with the things they need to remain profitable.
Supply and demand are two sides of the same coin. When you have sufficient supplies, you can meet the demands of your customers. Being able to keep these two sides of the equation in balance requires a working knowledge of both the manufacturing and retail sides of the business. Bringing together everything that is needed on the supply side will help to ensure that demands are met on every level.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Online Supply Chain Management Programs
To rank the best online supply chain management degree programs, Bachelor’s Degree Center editors focus on reputable, accredited institutions. We rank programs according to practical factors including cost, graduate salary, and reputation, using data from IPEDS and Niche.
1. Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University offers a BS in Business — Operations and Supply Chain Management that has been named among California’s best online supply chain management programs for adult learners. Golden Gate University’s best online logistics degree requires students to finish a minimum of 123-semester units. Classes for GGU’s bachelor’s degree with a supply chain management track include import/exports fundamentals, business process improvement, and fundamentals of project management, plus an internship, among others.
Founded as an evening college at the YMCA in 1901, Golden Gate University (Golden Gate) now operates as a full university with a student enrollment that exceeds 5,150 students each year on the school’s urban campus and distance-learning platform.
What We Like: Golden Gate University is organized into four academic divisions offering programs in accounting, law, business, and taxation, to name a few.
Degree: BSB — Operations and Supply Chain Management
2. Bellevue University
Bellevue University offers a BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management that is ranked among the best online supply chain management programs by bestcolleges.com. Classes for Bellevue University’s best online logistics degree program include global logistics management, global procurement & strategic sourcing, global business law, transnational marketing strategies, plus a capstone project, to name a few. The total bachelor’s credit units required to graduate is 127. In addition, several classes prepare students for an ASCM certification.
Bellevue University was established as a private university in the mid-1960s to primarily offer education programs to adult education who live, work and play in and around the Bellevue University vicinity. Bellevue University maintains two facilities, a campus in Bellevue and Omaha.
What We Like: The university’s online platform and campuses are home to more than 10,140 undergraduate and graduate students each year.
Degree: BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
3. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management that requires degree candidates to finish a minimum of 120 credits entirely online. As one of the nation’s best online supply chain management programs, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s best online logistics degree program includes coursework in quantitative business methods, principles of procurement management, people solutions for warehousing, advanced professional logistics, and principles of supply chain. Management, among others. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University holds the distinction of
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private space-grant school that was established in the 1920s. The school’s dual campuses in Arizona and Florida, plus ERAU’s distance-learning platform, serve nearly 34,000 students each year.
What We Like: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is recognized to be the largest of all accredited higher learning institutions the specializes in aviation and aerospace.
Degree: BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
4. University of Massachusetts — Amherst
The University of Massachusetts offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations and Information Management that is ranked among Massachusetts’ best online supply chain management programs. This best online logistics degree program requires applicants to have a minimum of 27 credits that are eligible for transfer. Students graduate from UMass’ undergraduate degree in supply chain to find rewarding careers in production, inventory control, quality assurance, and distribution/logistics, to name a few.
The University of Massachusetts (UMass) was founded in the 1860s under the Morrill Land Act as a land-grant school. UMass Amherst is the largest member school and flagship campus of the state’s university system, with more than 29,950 undergraduate and graduate students each year.
What We Like: UMass is also a member of the Five School Consortium of western Mass, which includes Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and Mount Holyoke’s colleges.
Degree: BBA in Operations and Information Management
University of Massachusetts
5. Florida International University
Florida International University offers a BBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management that has been named among the best online supply chain management programs in the Southern United States. This best online logistics degree program from Florida International University requires enrolled students to complete 120-semester units in classes like marketing channels, principles of logistics, export marketing, and logistics technology, among others.
Founded in the 1960s in the greater metropolitan area of Miami, Florida International University now serves nearly 59,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year vying for programs offered by FIU’s eleven colleges/universities.
What We Like: FIU, as a space-grant school and member of the Florida state university, has grown to one of the largest student enrolments in the nation.
Degree: BBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Florida International University
6. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a BS in Industrial Distribution with two concentrations from which to choose – medical equipment and supplies and engineering. This best online logistics degree program is AACSB accredited and recognized among the most innovative of available best online supply chain management programs, according to US News. Foundational courses for UAB’s supply chain management program include essentials of financial literacy, industrial distribution policies, and business foundations, among others.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham was founded in the 1930s as an academic extension facility but became a full four-year school three decades later. More than 22,450 students attend classes offered online and on UAB’s Birmingham campus.
What We Like: The University of Alabama’s medical system is one of the largest academic facilities across the nation.
Degree: BS in Industrial Distribution
University of Alabama at Birmingham
7. Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon Institute of Technology offers a BS in Operations Management that is recognized to be among the most innovative and best online supply chain management programs that have received IACBE accreditation. Coursework for Oregon Institute of Technology’s best online logistics degree program includes business law, business research methods, quality management, service management, operations management, and several levels in Lean/Six Sigma Management, organizational behavior, ethics in the professions, plus a senior capstone project, to name a few.
Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) was founded in the 1940s as a vocational school but now operates as one of Oregon’s polytechnic schools with several campuses and facilities in the state. The school serves nearly 5,500 students studying for the nearly three dozen programs.
What We Like: Oregon Institute of Technology operates as a space-grant school with campuses Klamath Falls, Wilsonville, Salem, and Seattle.
Degree: BS in Operations Management
Oregon Institute of Technology
8. Athens State University
Athens State University offers a BS in Logistics & Supply Chain Management (LSCM) that is among Alabama’s best online supply chain management programs. Applicants for ASU’s best online logistics degree program must have a minimum of 36 transferrable credits from a school with regional accreditation. Graduates from Athens State University find rewarding careers in the government, wholesale, manufacturing, or retail. In addition, ASU is recognized as one of the most affordable institutions of higher learning in the state.
Athens State University was founded in the 1820s as an academy for women. The university became an institution of higher learning more than a century later, in 1931.
What We Like: The Athens campus of the school is within a larger district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Degree: BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
9. CSU Global
CSU Global offers an undergraduate degree in Operations Management and Supervision that can be attached to one of a few CSU Global’s baccalaureate degrees in organizational leadership, business management, or project management. As one of Colorado’s best online supply chain management programs, CSU Global’s best online logistics degree program curriculum includes operations management, managing the supply chain, and project procurement & contract management, to name a few. The bachelor’s degree in supply chain from CSU Global offers rolling, monthly start times, with all classes offered asynchronously online.
Colorado State University’s distance learning extension — CSU Global that was founded in 2007 and now serves more than 20,000 students each year. CSU Global specializes in nontraditional programs for distance and working learners.
What We Like: In addition to a variety of bachelor’s degree programs, CSU Global offers more than a dozen graduate-level classes – all online.
Degree: Operations Management and Supervision
10. Oregon State University
Oregon State University offers a BS in Business Administration (BSBA) in Supply Chain and Logistics Management that US News and World Report ranks among the nation’s top three best online supply chain management programs as a business specialty. Additionally, Oregon State University’s best online logistics degree program requires degree candidates to complete at least 180 quarter credits to graduate. This logistics degree from OSU offers four yearly start dates and includes classes in supply chain analytics, sourcing management, influence & negotiation, plus a capstone, to name a fee.
Oregon State University was established in the 1860s and is one of only a few schools with four designations in space, sea, sun, and land-grants. The college-town campuses and online platform of this research school serve nearly 32,000 students each year.
What We Like: OSU operates a branch campus in Bend, Oregon.
Degree: BSBA in Supply Chain and Logistics Management
11. California State University, East Bay
The College of Business & Economics at California State University, East Bay offers a BS in Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management that is one of the state’s best online supply chain management programs. CSUEB’s best online logistics degree program is AACSB accredited and can be completed in two years as a completion degree, but offers students the opportunity to study at their own pace. Classes for California State University East Bay’s undergraduate degree in supply chain and logistics include global supply chain management, quality and process improvement, and data analytics, among others.
The East Bay campus the California State University system was established as a state college in the 1950s.
What We Like: CSU East Bay maintains several campuses with a total student enrolment of nearly 15,000 postgraduate and undergraduates each year.
Degree: BSBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management
California State University
12. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers a BS in Supply Chain Management (BSSCM) that is recognized as one the top twenty best online supply chain management programs in the nation, as noted by US News and World Report. Classes for UNCG’s 120-credit best online logistics degree program include logistics & transportation management, managing and organizing projects, principles of business analytics, global sourcing of consumer products, revenue management, and essentials of enterprise requirements planning, plus an independent study, to name a few.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro was founded as an industrial/normal school in the early 1890s. Many landmarks are found across the UNC Greensboro campus that serves nearly 20,000 students each year.
What We Like: The University of North Carolina’s campus in Greensboro is home to one of the most significant collections of modern American art.
Degree: BS in Supply Chain Management
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
13. Ball State University
Ball State University offers an AACSB accredited BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) that ranks among the country’s best online supply chain management programs, as noted by US News & World Report. Core curriculum classes for Ball State University’s best online logistics degree program include simulation, modeling and optimization, inventory, warehousing and negotiations, global logistics and transportation management, and manufacturing planning and control, plus an integrated project and industry internship, among others.
Ball State University (BSU) was founded as a research institute of higher learning in 1918. More than 15,050 undergraduate and postgraduate students attend classes online and at the school’s various Indiana locations and facilities.
What We Like: Ball State University’s main campus includes more than 100 buildings across more than 700 acres.
Degree: BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
14. Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University offers an AACSB accredited BSBA in Global Supply Chain Management that consistently ranks among Kentucky’s best online supply chain management programs, as noted by US News & World Report. Core curriculum classes for Ball State University’s 120-credit unit best online logistics degree program include supply chain management, comparative international management, project management, logistics and distribution, global supply chain analytics, and strategic sourcing, to name a few.
Northern Kentucky University is a space=grant school that was founded in the late 1960s in Covington as an academic extension facility of UK NKU, with nearly 15,000 students is considered one of the largest in the greater Cincinnati metro area and the youngest of Kentucky’s higher learning institutions.
What We Like: NKU is organized into seven academic colleges/schools offering programs in arts/sciences, business, human services/education, honors, law, health professions, and informatics.
Degree: BSBA in Global Supply Chain Management
Northern Kentucky University
15. Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University’s Innovative Educational Initiative offers a Bachelor of Applied Science degree (BAS) program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management named among the most affordable best online supply chain management programs in Northern Arizona and beyond. In addition, Northern Arizona University’s best online logistics degree program can be taken on a traditional online track or the more flexible competency-based online track. The competency track from this HLC-accredited institution of higher education offers a flat rate six-month option.
Founded in the late 1890s (a dozen years before Arizona reached statehood) as a state-funded normal teacher’s training school, Northern Arizona University is a space-grant school with a main campus in Flagstaff and various facilities throughout Arizona that serve nearly 30,000 students each year. Northern Arizona University is organized into eight schools/colleges that offer more than 250 programs.
What We Like: More than 330 organizations are on campus to serve Northern Arizona University’s student body.
Degree: BAS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
What Can I Do with a Supply Chain Management Degree?
Earning a supply chain management degree will give you the opportunity to work in many different fields. A transportation manager is responsible for planning routes and matching up drivers with loads so that everything moves efficiently. It is their job to find the most practical ways to ship items from one place to another. They must be cost-efficient as well as able to meet deadlines in a timely fashion. An effective transportation manager can work with suppliers to make sure that all shipments run smoothly and those deliveries are made on time.
Logistics managers and logisticians work to make the job of a transportation manager much easier. Logistics involves knowing what vehicles you have at your disposal and which routes are best when it comes to keeping loads moving quickly and efficiently. When you work in the field of logistics, you work with both transportation specialists and drivers, making sure everything matches up when it comes to loads and finding the best route to each location. Working in the field of logistics can be very rewarding, especially if you like working with a group of people who are always on the move.
How Do I Get a Job in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?
If you want to find work in the field of logistics or supply chain management, you can start by finding an entry-level position in shipping and receiving. This will give you the basic knowledge of how the transportation industry works. As you start to gain experience in the field, you can enroll in an online supply chain management degree program. This will give you the additional knowledge you need to expand your horizons and take on new opportunities. If you are good at what you do, you may be moved up to a management position before you graduate with your degree.
As you work on earning your degree, the key to advancement is to continue to learn as much as you can through your job as well. The experience you earn on the job will reinforce what you are learning in school. The higher your grades are when you graduate, the higher your offer will be when it comes to your starting pay. Everything you learn on the job will add to the skills and abilities you gain in your degree program. Don’t take school for granted. Any opportunity to learn when it comes to logistics will help you further your career.
Is There a Lot of Demand for Supply Chain Managers?
With more and more people working for transportation companies, the demand for supply chain managers is continually on the rise. Supply chain managers are now able to use cutting-edge technology that allows them to be more efficient at their jobs. They are able to work both remotely as well as onsite. By earning a degree in supply chain management, students are better able to understand the complexities of the industry and provide insight on how to make their job more efficient.
As long as supply and demand remain strong within the transportation industry, the need for managers will be high. Companies rely on their transportation and logistics managers to make their companies more efficient. Without them, nothing would move and products would be stuck in warehouses instead of out on the sales floor. The more supply chain managers that are employed within the industry the better off the economy will be. Without the ability to move resources and materials from one place to another, there would be no growth and no products to sell.
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