Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Supply Chain & Logistics for 2019

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Businesses have always relied on supply chain and logistics management to ensure that procurement, production, and distribution processes flow smoothly. In recent years, globalization and technological advances have led to supply chains that are greater in scope than ever before. Supply chain and logistics professionals must understand these complex product flows.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management are equipped with technological, analytical, and leadership skills. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a 7% growth in logisticians' jobs, and it also identified supply chain management and logistics as an important emerging field. As globalization continues to drive business, a logistics and supply chain management degree can deliver solid career options.

What are the Best Online Bachelor's in Supply Chain & Logistics Programs?

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1	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA		ADMISSIONS RATE 58% GRADUATION RATE 78% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 11% RETENTION RATE 91% DEFAULT RATE 5% UMass Amherst designed its online bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management as an extension of its popular business administration degree. The program explores all facets of supply chain management, including transportation, personnel, demand planning, quality assurance, and enterprise systems. Students gain a well-rounded business education and a deep understanding of the field of logistics. The operations information management (OIM) curriculum comprises general education courses, business courses, OIM and business electives, and non-business electives. At least 45 of the 120 required credits must be taken at UMass Amherst. Classes are largely asynchronous, and all online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.	Visit Site
2	Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL		ADMISSIONS RATE 73% GRADUATION RATE 45% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 58% RETENTION RATE 71% DEFAULT RATE 10% A leader in online education, Saint Leo offers a logistics and supply chain management degree as part of its bachelor’s in business administration, which is accredited by the prestigious International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. The Florida institution maintains close ties with the armed services, and its unique program emphasizes the the movement of goods and services in both the civilian and military sectors. Students complete 36 credits in general business, 12 in foundation courses, 6 in religion, and 24 in logistics. Saint Leo emphasizes flexibility for its online students; all classes are asynchronous, and students have access to 24/7 tech support. All of Saint Leo's programs are consistent with its Benedictine traditions and values.	Visit Site
3	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ		ADMISSIONS RATE 77% GRADUATION RATE 52% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 20% RETENTION RATE 74% DEFAULT RATE 9% NAU offers an entirely online bachelor's in logistics and supply chain management accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The program combines instruction in logistics and business with a solid liberal arts foundation, and courses emphasize collaboration, teamwork, and communication, with technology as the facilitator. Distance learners study asynchronously, but they often work in teams to navigate experiential assignments. Of the 120 required credits, logistics and supply chain management courses account for 27, with the rest of the curriculum comprising general education, business, and elective courses. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Some courses require prerequisites. Transfer students may bring up to 75 approved credits.	Visit Site
4	Park University Parkville, MO		ADMISSIONS RATE 40% GRADUATION RATE 43% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 53% RETENTION RATE 59% DEFAULT RATE 10% Based in Parkville, Missouri, Park University offers a bachelor's of science in logistics that prepares students for careers in management and operations and for advanced graduate study in supply chain administration. The program covers general management principles and best practices in logistics and supply. Graduates are prepared to sit for professional certification exams offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society and the Institute for Supply Management. Park’s curriculum is highly interactive and student-focused. Distance learners study asynchronously. With five start dates and accelerated, eight-week classes, online students may quickly complete the 120 required credits. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.	Visit Site
5	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL		ADMISSIONS RATE 66% GRADUATION RATE 27% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 82% RETENTION RATE 63% DEFAULT RATE 6% Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, ERAU has offered distance degree programs since 1971. Today, ERAU is a leader in online education and uses its own platform — EagleVision — for real-time, web-based learning. Students earning the bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management may study asynchronously or using virtual conferencing. The program covers technology, operations, and processes for warehousing, distributing, and transportation. Students learn management techniques, professional ethics, and practical solutions to business problems. Classes are offered in nine-week sessions, with 12 terms per year. Business students must pass a comprehensive exam in management. Accelerated and staggered course schedules are available, and ERAU offers 12 start dates per year.	Visit Site
6	Murray State University Murray, KY	ADMISSIONS RATE 85%	GRADUATION RATE 52%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 8%	RETENTION RATE 74%	Murray State offers a bachelor's of science in business online in conjunction with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which provides all the general education classes. Students complete the 47 credits required for the logistics and supply chain management degree through Murray State. Coursework is delivered asynchronously, and students should study at least six to eight hours per week for each course. The curriculum includes core business courses in finance, operations, and strategic management and classes in purchasing and supply, organizational behavior, quality control, transportation, and human resource management. Students complete a supply chain strategy capstone. Applicants must be admitted to Murray State before applying to the business program.	Visit Site
7	Ohio Christian University Circleville, OH	GRADUATION RATE 33%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 57%	RETENTION RATE 67%	DEFAULT RATE 12%	Ohio Christian offers an online undergraduate logistics and supply chain management degree with a Christian perspective. All programs at the Circleville, Ohio, school take a Christ-centered and biblically integrated approach in keeping with Ohio Christian’s Wesleyan traditions. Logistics is one of six concentrations available as part of the larger bachelor's of arts in business program, and students must take a core of religion classes to complete their 120-credit degree. Most coursework runs in accelerated five-week sessions and follows an asynchronous format. The logistics concentration itself comprises 45 credits, in subjects including transportation systems, warehousing and terminal management, and strategic procurement. Distance learners must pass a management capstone course. More than 80 percent of online students have their tuition fully covered by financial aid, and military families receive a dramatic discount.	Visit Site
8	Bellevue University Bellevue, NE	GRADUATION RATE 18%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 78%	RETENTION RATE 63%	DEFAULT RATE 7%	Bellevue, a conservative institution in Nebraska, offers an online supply chain and logistics management degree that places business in a global context. The program explores quality, sourcing, demand planning, and procurement alongside international laws and transportation issues. The curriculum also covers general business principles in financing, management, and information systems. Students in the cohort-based program complete coursework with a team of peers. The required Kirkpatrick Signature Series promotes American values and free enterprise ideas. The 127 required credits include 27 general education credits, 51 elective credits, 9 credits of Kirkpatrick classes, and 40 major credits. Transfer students may bring up to 60 credits. Class schedules are accelerated, and most coursework is asynchronous.	Visit Site
9	Athens State University Athens, AL	GRADUATION RATE 0%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 55%	RETENTION RATE 0%	DEFAULT RATE 8%	Athens State’s online bachelor’s in logistics and supply chain management program focuses on management information systems, emphasizing the efficiency and responsiveness of information technology. The program's curriculum covers the acquisition, production, and delivery of goods and services. Students also explore logistics in government to prepare for leadership positions. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA on all coursework and must earn at least 25% of credits from Athens State. Students are encouraged to pursue a minor in a complementary field. Business students must take a preliminary test in organizational communication during their first semester and must pass an assessment exam in business policy prior to graduation. Most classes are asynchronous.	Visit Site
10	Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL	GRADUATION RATE 35%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 20%	RETENTION RATE 0%	DEFAULT RATE 18%	FSCJ students gain knowledge in logistics and supply chain management and skills essential to top-tier management positions, including critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication. The 120-credit bachelor's of applied science in logistics program emphasizes strategic planning, transportation, regulatory compliance, technology, and global operations. Half the curriculum comprises lower-division work and half is major-oriented study. Online students can complete the accelerated supply chain management and logistics degree in 20 months. Most coursework is asynchronous. Students may earn credit for acquired knowledge and work experience, but at least 30 credits must be earned through FSCJ. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.	Visit Site

What Will I Learn in an Online Supply Chain & Logistics Program?

Supply chain and logistics is a relatively new program offering, and variations may exist between programs. Check the curriculum of any program you're considering to see if it fits your career goals. Most bachelor's in logistics and supply chain management include courses like these.

• Production Operations

  This class covers integration of logistics management and production operations in business. Special topics include supply chain strategy, inventory management, business processes, project management, and product design and development.

• Transportation Principles

  This course is an exploration of the role of logistics within the organization and the larger economy. Specific touchpoints include customer service, materials management, supply chain, logistics information systems, and inventory management.

• Logistics Principles

  Students will examine functions of logistics within an organization, specifically within integrated vertical systems. Participants will gain working knowledge of purchasing, packaging, order processing, materials management, customer service, information flow, inventory control, transportation, supply chain, and warehousing.

• Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain I & II

  Students will learn about digital tools that assist daily management of cost control, regulatory compliance, transportation systems, and product handling. Advanced topics explore EDI, database management and analytics, decision support systems, and commercial logistics software.

• Internship

  Students learn on the job site in a real-world environment in an industry relevant to their career goals. Most programs require internships equivalent to one semester. Students in online logistics and supply chain management degree programs conduct internships at facilities close to home.

What Can I do with an Online Supply Chain & Logistics Degree?

Because logistics is a high-demand field that only recently developed formal degree programs, holding a bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management can give you a competitive advantage you won't find in many other disciplines. Graduates of a logistics and supply chain degree program are qualified for many exciting positions across manufacturing industries. Below, we've listed just a few of the career paths you can expect to take after graduation.

Job Outlook and Salary for Supply Chain & Logistics Graduates

It's undeniable that the manufacturing industry felt the impact of the economic recession of 2007-2009. This, along with the trend toward offshoring production, drastically reduced manufacturing output in the US for many years. But according the the BLS, the U.S. manufacturing industry is on the rebound. Companies with facilities abroad are finding that labor, transportation, and risk management costs are prohibitive, and they're bringing their operations back to America. We are seeing steady growth in new plant construction, and the BLS predicts that this trend will continue. With expertise in management skills and advanced technology, degree-prepared supply chain and logistics professionals are well-prepared for the new face of US manufacturing. A bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management prepares you to join this exciting field at an ideal time.

Salary Growth by Experience for Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals

Most career paths follow a fairly predictable earnings arc, reserving the highest payouts for those who've put in the time. As the table below shows, average earnings in three typical roles tend to increase most within the first ten years. Mid-career pay continues to rise, but at a slightly slower pace. Late career salaries reward longevity. Those with a logistics and supply chain management degree are able to take on higher-level positions early in their career, allowing them to earn a higher salary.

Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online bachelor's in supply chain and logistics programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.