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The 15 Cheapest Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Schools

Cheapest Online MBA in Supply Chain Management - featured image

Supply chain management, the movement of products or services from production to client delivery, is one of today’s most thriving industries. Thanks to technological advancement, almost everyone is thinking of building their own brand or company; greater visibility and a vast expansion in global supply chain management will create more job opportunities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an average of 24,800 job opportunities per year and a 28% increase in employment for supply chain management between 2021 and 2031.

At a Glance

Individuals who enjoy problem-solving and management and want higher chances of obtaining a high-level position in manufacturing, distribution, or purchasing products and services should consider getting a graduate in supply chain management degree. A graduate degree in supply chain management program also trains aspiring supply chain management professionals for various job skills that are in great demand, pay well, and have room for advancement.

However, those who want to work in the supply chain management industry are caught in a dilemma in choosing between an online master’s in supply chain or an online MBA in supply chain management. This master’s is suitable for potential students interested in a long-term career as a logistician or another supply-chain-related position.

What’s in it for Supply Chain Management Online MBA Graduates

Graduates of supply chain management-focused online MBA programs can foresee consumer wants and the necessary abilities to address the needs of their clientele. Strong negotiation abilities and managing commercial relationships are among the additional skills learned in these online MBA programs.

Students can anticipate studying the following subjects:

  • Change management
  • Financial decision making
  • Forecasting demand
  • Inventory management and control
  • Quality control
  • Transportation management
  • Project management

Students are expected to register in various business courses that prepare them to lead their industries in any online MBA program. While pursuing online MBA programs in supply chain management, students learn about a variety of business disciplines, such as:

  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Business communication
  • Business law
  • Marketing
  • Ethics
  • Human resources

The 15 Cheapest Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Programs

Candidates for graduate degrees are usually already employed in the field. It means that most prospective students keep a busy schedule, which can hinder them from completing a degree on campus. Fortunately, accredited online MBAs exist and deliver the same caliber of education as their on-campus counterparts. 

Online MBA students, however, often deal with the issue of the high cost of Online MBAs. The good news is a few online business schools offer high-quality, affordable MBAs in Supply Chain Management.

Liberty University

Liberty University 

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University has an affordable online MBA in Supply Chain Management & Logistics approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. This 100% online supply chain management and logistics concentration build on students’ business knowledge and skills to develop critical thinking, management, and leadership abilities and open new administrative job prospects. Students will have an in-depth understanding of practical, empirical, and digital solutions that will help them improve a firm’s supply chain. 

One of the best features of this online MBA in supply chain management and logistics is its faculty of professionals with doctorates and years of experience in the field. Through the following concentration courses, students will obtain the necessary capacities to have a successful career in the future:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics 
  • Total Quality Management
  • Global Economic Environment
  • Operations Management

By studying an additional cognate, online students can cross-train in several beneficial areas, such as legal issues, accounting, and principles of international business for executive leaders. This could assist future supply chain managers to develop the flexibility needed to handle unforeseen business and operational issues. Additionally, students will learn how an effective supply chain design can increase a company’s market presence and business operations and significantly impact profits.


University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

The University of South Dakota offers an affordable online MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management suitable for new and experienced business professionals looking to compete in one of the most lucrative business areas. This online operations and supply chain management specialization deep dive into the study of supply chain management, quality control, and other issues pertinent in today’s quickly changing global logistics, in addition to the standard MBA courses that prepare you for leadership in any business capacity. 

Students who enroll in this online MBA should expect to undergo a rigorous operations and supply chain management curriculum accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Together with the school’s distinguished faculty, students will choose two of the following concentration courses:

  • Topics in Business
  • Lean Supply Chain Management 
  • Project Management 
  • Data Management and Warehousing
  • Quality and Six Sigma Management 

One of the best features of USD’s MBA program is its BBA/MBA fast-track options. This places many advantages for aspiring supply chain professionals yet to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After successfully completing both programs, students who choose this fast-track option will receive their undergraduate and graduate degrees at once. 


Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University

St. Leo, Florida

Saint Leo University has one of the most flexible and cheapest online MBA programs designed to help busy working adult students reach their educational and professional goals. The online MBA in Supply Chain Global Integration Management at SLU focuses on teaching students efficacy and efficiency in investigating the best practices for choosing, developing, aligning, and enhancing integrated global supply networks. With its accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs, online students can expect to receive a quality education recognized by other colleges and employers.

Aside from MBA core courses that teach students an overview of general business functions and processes, they will gain focus on important integrated supply chain management courses such as:

  • Strategic Supply Chain Integration
  • Dynamic Risk Modeling and Quality Initiatives
  • Integrated Global Systems and Sustainable Initiatives
  • Competitive Advantages through Strategic Relationships and Reverse Logistics
  • Best Practices in Supply Chain Global Integration

While the average completion time of this supply chain management online MBA program is two years, online students can enroll in an accelerated format and complete the degree in one year. Instead of taking one online class per eight-week term, the accelerated format allows students to take two classes per eight-week term. This option will enable students to enter the job market quickly at the exact cost. 


University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina

Pembroke, North Carolina

The University of North Carolina – Pembroke offers one of the cheapest online degree programs that deliver the same quality of education as their expensive counterparts. One of the most affordable Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited programs is the online MBA in Supply Chain Management at UNC – Pembroke, which teaches online students in-depth knowledge of supply chain management and business administration, such as accounting, marketing, and management. Online students will learn from the same distinguished on-campus faculty and gain proficient knowledge of supply chain management systems, including how to manage the flow of goods from point to point. 

This online MBA in supply chain management will help students become efficient in developing products and services, logistics management, operations, and materials management. Through concentration and elective courses, students will learn about supply chain management strategy, information processing systems, how to outsource, and distribution. Concentration courses are:

  • Management Information Systems
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management

Aside from the required concentration courses, students can further tailor their degree by choosing one of the two elective courses: Transportation and Logistics Management or Procurement and Global Sourcing. Online students can participate in campus networking events and create a professional network to help them pin down high-paying management roles. 


Clayton State University

Clayton State University

Morrow, Georgia

Clayton State University offers an affordable Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited MBA program with a Supply Chain Management Concentration designed to cater to the educational needs of students who want to become proficient with supply chain management strategies. This online MBA concentration, through the same on-campus faculty, helps students become future supply chain professionals with proficient knowledge of concepts from finance, economics, and logistics. Students will become experts in handling the flow of goods and services from the point of origin to the end of consumption as the program offers both the business knowledge and skills required.

The fundamentals of supply chain management, such as developing products and services, information processing systems, logistics, strategic sourcing, distribution, and quality challenges, are covered in courses. Students have three required supply chain management courses:

  • International Business/Global
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Supply Chain Strategy 
  • Global Sourcing in Supply Chain Management

Aside from its required supply chain management courses, students can also choose unique and advanced concentration courses based on student and faculty requirements and interests. Clayton State University prides itself on producing supply chain management MBA graduates who were able to work in various Fortune 500 and top regional companies, such as Home Depot, FedEx, Delta, AT&T, Sherwin Williams, and more.  


University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina

Wilmington, North Carolina

The University of North Carolina – Wilmington has an affordable MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Management available online that trains experienced and inexperienced students to become experts in producing and supplying goods and services. This online MBA specialization enables students to learn to identify potential suppliers, procure materials quickly and to the highest standards, implement world-class quality, boost project performance, and use data analytics to determine transportation, logistics, and distribution.

The curriculum teaches students the essential seven tools used in the supply chain—shipping, order processing, lean inventory, warehouse management, supplier management, demand forecasting, and analytics and reporting. To help students further their supply chain management degree, they can choose two of the following electives:

  • Supply Chain Analytics
  • Project Management
  • Procurement Strategy

The University of North Carolina – Wilmington ensures online students that they will receive the same education standards as their on-campus counterparts by having the same on-campus professors. The faculty comprises doctorate degree holders with years of experience in the private sector. They can employ real-life scenarios in course curricula to help students know what it’s like working in the supply chain and logistics industry and what it takes to become a successful supply chain manager. 


Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire

  • Average Cost: $18,810
  • Tuition per credit for online MBA program: $627
  • Units Required: 36 
  • Program Length: 1 year
  • Financial Assistance Options:

Southern New Hampshire University offers an inexpensive master’s in Supply Chain Management and Operations MBA online with a comprehensive yet rigorous curriculum designed to help both fresh grads and seasoned professionals gain the knowledge and abilities necessary to work in management roles.

This program ensures that students graduate with the necessary leadership techniques to influence both teams and individuals within a company and improve their understanding of the norms for customer service in domestic and international markets. The program offers several concentration courses, including:

  • Leading People and Organizations
  • Innovation and Strategy for High-Performance Organizations
  • Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
  • Operations Management
  • Supply Chain Management

With accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, online students can be sure to learn from the best faculty and earn credentials to help them pursue a higher degree level. Online students can also obtain a supply chain management certificate on top of their specialized degree to add another significant credential to their resume.


Albany State University

Albany State University

Albany, Georgia

Albany State University offers one of the cheapest online MBAs in Supply Chain Management that delivers an excellent quality of education, proven through the program’s accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Students in the supply chain management specialization must complete four concentration courses that build on their bachelor’s degree. Concentration courses include. Supply chain management elective courses are:

  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Procurement and Contract Management
  • Analytical Methods in Supply Chain Analysis (MGMT 6108 prerequisite)
  • Advanced Quality Management

Aside from online core and elective courses, students can enhance their resumes by obtaining a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. This certification is intended for working professionals with busy schedules and little to no prior Lean Six Sigma experience. It introduces students to the methods, tools, and tools that will enable them to direct LSS projects within their organization.


Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University offers an affordable MBA in Supply Chain Management that allows students to complete 100% online, allowing them to complete the degree in their own time. The online supply chain management degree helps students comprehend and analyze the connections between a company’s functional areas and external businesses involved in product development, manufacturing, and distribution. This online degree program focuses on the Geographic Information Systems used in private and governmental supply chains.

The MBA program has received accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, which means that local and international students can expect a distinguished faculty and a comprehensive curriculum. The supply chain management curriculum includes core courses and three concentration courses:

  • GIS and Decision-Making
  • Transportation and Logistics Management
  • Supply Chain Management

Another benefit of this program is its color theory and symbology in graphics and data visualization topics, allowing graduates to answer geographical questions and/or problems and apply mathematical ideas used in geospatial analysis. Graduates can name current issues facing carrier management and find solutions to remedy the situation using their enhanced decision-making skills.


Southern Arkansas University

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia, Arkansas

Southern Arkansas University helps working adult students obtain the education they need by offering online degree programs at a very affordable cost. One of SAU’s affordable online degree offerings is the online MBA in Supply Chain Management, suitable for students with a bachelor’s degree in business administration; however, students who have graduated from other degrees will be required to complete a 24-hour prerequisite program. The supply chain management MBA emphasis gives graduates the abilities and information necessary to successfully assist organizational initiatives to execute supply chain management methods. 

Online students will be required to complete two concentration courses, Enterprise Resource Planning and Supply Chain Management, on top of their MBA core courses. To further tailor their degree program, students can select two of the following electives:

  • Project Management
  • Supply Chain Sourcing
  • Supply Chain Security
  • Sustainable SCM Practices
  • RFID Technology Utilization
  • Special Topics in Supply Chain Management

In addition to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business- accredited online MBA with concentrations, SAU also offers a 4+1 BBA/MBA program. This option allows non-degree holders to complete a bachelor’s degree and a specialized master’s degree at once. This program has business experts and renowned speakers to deliver guest lectures and workshops, preparing students for the job market.


Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Technical University offers an affordable Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs-approved MBA in Supply Chain Management program designed to help working professionals reach their educational goals for career advancements. This online MBA program equips future operations and supply chain professionals with the necessary training and information to participate in worldwide activities of various sectors, including government, public, and private businesses and organizations.

Students will have the chance to research operations strategy and management, learn about product design, procurement, warehousing, and contracts in this extensive MBA program, and examine supply chain and logistics methods.

Through the school’s experienced faculty, online students will have the same coursework as their on-campus counterparts. The program requires students to complete four concentration courses, in addition to the MBA core courses. Specialization courses are as follows:

  • Operations Management
  • Operations Strategy
  • MBA Capstone
  • Logistics/SCM Inventory and Distribution

One of the best features of Colorado Technical University’s MBA in supply chain management is the intellipath®. This is one of the school’s proprietary learning applications that allow students to customize their degrees based on their current educational knowledge. This helps students evaluate what areas they need still need to learn.


Ohio University

Ohio University

Athens, Ohio

The online MBA in Supply Chain Management at Ohio University is one of the most affordable Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited online programs with residency requirements. The residency requirements allow online students to interact with their peers and instructors through the on-campus exclusive Leadership Development Conference, giving them a higher chance to create a professional network. This online MBA degree in supply chain management offers students in-depth knowledge about supply chain risk management to help them raise quality standards, lower costs, and lower risks in a business. 

The program has three concentration courses that give students an in-depth knowledge of the expertise they need to enhance supply chain processes from point to point on a worldwide scale:

  • Management of Lean Six Sigma Programs
  • Supply Chain Risk Management 
  • Supply Chain Project Management 

Online students will learn from the same on-campus distinguished faculty and will have access to various online resources that cater to their unique needs as online learners. Upon graduation, students will have an MBA degree and a supply chain management certificate to help them prove their expertise and capacities in business and worldwide supply chain processes. And because this program is AACSB-accredited, students can transfer credit hours to their future or terminal degrees.  


University of West Florida

University of West Florida

Ferry Pass, Florida

The online University of West Florida offers one of the cheapest MBAs in Supply Chain Logistics Management that guides graduate students in developing knowledge of the intricate process of arranging and moving resources to facilities and commodities to markets. This online supply chain logistics management MBA concentration focuses on worldwide supply chains and trains students in identifying and solving issues using strategic and analytical skills.

On top of equipping students with the necessary strategic management knowledge, they will have a complete grasp of a business and its industry from the perspectives of finance, marketing, economy, and information systems.

To helps students gain the ability to recognize difficulties in businesses and come up with workable solutions, this online MBA in supply chain logistics management offers three concentration courses:

  • Global Logistics Management
  • Seminar in Supply Chain Logistics Management
  • Logistics Systems and Analytics

The MBA program, with its Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation, guarantees that online students will have expert knowledge of the relationship between logistics management, strategic business processes, and the global distribution of products and services. They will have the same on-campus rigorous curriculum taught by industry-experienced faculty who impart their knowledge and experience to better prepare students for the industry. 


University of North Texas

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

The University of North Texas offers one of the cheapest online MBAs in Supply Chain Management designed to foster growth and development from two angles. First, if your career path is already determined, the program allows you to acquire the broader, more comprehensive viewpoint required for advancement to top executive positions. The combination of a bachelor’s degree with an MBA focus in supply chain management offers an excellent foundation for additional job prospects if you’re prepared for a business career.

To ensure that students obtain the necessary skills and knowledge for opening new career prospects or job promotions, this Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited online MBA in supply chain management allows professionals and newbies to take the same four concentration courses:

  • Industrial Distribution and Logistics Management
  • Strategic Supply Management
  • Operations Management
  • Advanced Supply Chain Management Problems

The same tenured and tenure-track faculty members teach the online MBA at UNT. Assignments, tests, and course materials are all the same. 

This online MBA in supply chain management is one of the fastest degrees of its kind. The program provides an accelerated curriculum that enables students to finish the degree in as short as 14 months through 8-week sessions, giving them greater freedom to fit their coursework around personal and professional commitments. 


Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina

Working professionals who don’t have the means to enroll in full-time and expensive traditional on-campus supply chain management programs can opt for the affordable MBA in Supply Chain Management track at Charleston State University. This online MBA has specialized accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, proving that the program provides a high caliber of business education. The supply chain management track equips students with the in-depth information and technological know-how necessary to secure employment in top supply chain management positions. 

This program seeks to equip students with capacities to re-engineer business processes involving multiple companies and various functional departments to increase business performance and profitability. Students can further tailor their degree by choosing three of four electives:

  • Product and Service Delivery Management
  • Strategic Procurement
  • Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Management
  • Supply Chain Information Technology

Upon graduation, students will have the necessary knowledge and skill sets to cover all supply chain echelons and functional areas, including supply chain management strategies, channel coordination, brand management, new product development, supply chain alignment, retail management, and distribution management. This enables them to land new career opportunities or compete for a job promotion. 


Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an MBA in Supply Chain Management?

The amount of time it takes to complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Supply Chain Management can vary depending on the individual, the type of program, and the school. Generally, students can expect to spend between two to three years completing their MBA in Supply Chain Management.

What are the careers available for an MBA in Supply Chain Management graduate?

Supply chain management involves overseeing a product’s entire lifecycle, including how it is purchased, distributed, transported, allotted, and delivered, which implies numerous career paths are available. Some of the opportunities are listed below.

Supply Chain Analyst

Quantitative techniques are used by supply chain analysts to analyze data and performance, spot issues, and create suggestions for supply chain planning and execution. Additionally, they produce performance reports for stakeholders and monitor suppliers’ and vendors’ compliance.

Supply Chain Manager

In addition to planning, buying, and production, supply chain managers are also involved in storage, transportation, and distribution. The supply chain management position can either be planning-focused, which involves demand forecasting and inventory control, or operations-focused, which involves working with people and product flows.

Customer Service Manager

Each aspect of the supply chain that impacts the customer, such as order input, customer requests, shipment/delivery tracking, returns/refunds, and order cycle durations, must be monitored and improved by customer service managers. These experts create protocols and strategies for resolving client difficulties.

International Logistics Manager

International logistics managers deal with issues in the worldwide supply chain, including scheduling, documentation, compliance, customs rules, and distribution and transportation strategies. Logistics managers work in various industries, from purchasing to production, marketing to manufacturing.

Purchasing Manager

For businesses, purchasing managers are in charge of finding high-quality, long-lasting, and short-term products and services at competitive prices. To do this, purchasing managers look at supply and demand-related factors and evaluate and review inventory records and sales data to anticipate current and future expenses. In addition, purchasing managers choose and assess vendors based on cost, quality, deadlines, and dependability.

Transportation Manager

To maintain smooth operations, transportation managers keep an eye on all facets of the transportation system, including safety training, scheduling and tracking deliveries, and regulatory compliance.

Will a Supply Chain Management Certification benefit my career?

Not everyone is willing to commit to a master’s in supply chain management since these degrees may take longer than a year to complete. So, their best option is obtaining certifications that only require a few months. 

Certification can improve a person’s credentials and position them as stronger candidates for open positions. Additionally, it can enable the person to increase their income or advance in their existing position. It better prepares a student for working in supply chain management in the actual world.

However, a person should search for the top supply chain management certification. Because not all supply chain management certifications are created equal, a person should search for the ideal one.

One option is to find a free supply chain management certification online. As the name implies, a free online supply chain management certification is available without charge. However, these might not adequately get a student ready for their objectives. A person must compare the programs as a result.

An additional choice is an international supply chain management certification, which instructs students on supply chain management when working with multinational corporations. An individual might advance to positions inside major global corporations with the aid of an international certification in supply chain management.

What is the standard syllabus of an MBA in Supply Chain Management?

The MBA curriculum gives prospective students the knowledge and abilities to successfully gather and arrange various resources. The candidates learn about different programs and tools in this area that make gathering and organizing resources simple and affordable.

It is challenging to summarize the extensive MBA curriculum in supply chain management. But here’s a glimpse of what to anticipate while taking an MBA with a supply chain management concentration.

Supply chain management and strategic planning 

A supply chain management MBA help students gain a comprehensive understanding of how strategic planning affects supply chain management and the significance of each in a corporate setting. The curriculum of this type of degree strongly emphasizes supply chain networks, the fundamentals of strategic planning, and how supply chain management and strategic planning may assist various businesses, among other things.

Advance sourcing strategies

The supply chain and logistics manager ensures that materials will always be available for manufacturing or delivering goods or services. This MBA course’s module gives managers practical sourcing techniques that make it easy to get, move, and store various resources.

Logistics and distribution optimization

The timely delivery of goods or services to the market is the responsibility of logistics management. They employ several delivery and distribution optimization tactics to ensure the prompt delivery of goods or services. The managers will learn several tactics in this section to help them maximize various logistics and distribution tasks.

Forecasting and demand planning

Your organization gains a competitive edge by applying the skills you learn in the MBA curriculum to comprehend, follow, and monitor various market trends. This course segment aims to give you the knowledge and abilities to identify emerging trends and apply them to your business. Additionally, it will train your analytical skills to comprehend product demand and forecast market needs at a specific period. Understanding demand will give you a competitive edge over rivals.

Cheapest Online MBA in Supply Chain Management - factArizona State University

Are there any professional organizations for Supply Chain professionals?

There are several professional organizations for a supply chain professional or student. Whether you are in the supply chain sector as a professional or a student, being a part of these exceptional organizations will allow you to keep current on market trends. It’s essential to keep your passion for your career alive. You can join a professional group to connect with others in the area, evaluate how your business compares to others in the same sector, and keep an eye on the competition.

American Production and Inventory Control Society

APICS is a well-known organization for operations management and a trustworthy source of data regarding supply chain companies. Additionally, APICS provides excellent manufacturing, inventory management, shipping, and purchasing advice. APICS is at the forefront of offering top-notch instruction and certification to supply chain specialists worldwide, relying on the support of hundreds of people and businesses.

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

By offering its members across the globe resources for education and career improvement, CSCMP has brought together supply chain experts. With an unrivaled global network and an online learning environment, CSCMP shares cutting-edge research results with its corporate and individual members.

International Warehouse Logistics Association 

IWLA brings together those with a stake in the transportation and warehousing of goods. The IWLA is firmly committed to the unrestricted movement of commodities across international borders. IWLA may assist your supply chain firm in making more money by lowering the costs of the goods and services since IWLA members get special, significant discounts.

Material Handling Association of America 

The MHIA is a sizable association for material handling and transportation that provides the logistics essential to a successful supply chain. Members of the MHIA work with systems, software, system integrators, and system simulators in the supply chain.

Is the Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management worth it?

You can establish a career in the continually evolving supply chain industry across industries with a master’s in supply chain management. You may obtain great earnings from MBA in supply chain management programs, allowing you to get a return on your original investment quickly. Here are a few reasons why getting an MBA is worthwhile.

  • It improves your productivity and efficiency.
  • You’ll have a greater likelihood of receiving a competitive compensation package.
  • It aids in your understanding of contemporary supply chain and logistics developments.
  • It helps you get familiar with various SCM and logistics techniques that can be used in a company.
  • This degree will significantly help you remove delays in the work competition.

A word of caution: Prospective online students should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of online learning before deciding whether to pursue an online MBA in Supply Chain Management. Even though online education has many advantages, such as the freedom to study whenever and wherever the student chooses, it isn’t always a good fit. Some students require the structure of in-class study and the associated responsibilities. Online learners must possess exceptional time management abilities, motivation, and focus.

How long does it take to get an MBA in supply chain management?