Modern businesses depend heavily on the supply chain, a complex system of interlinked processes that dictates how companies manufacture products and bring them to consumers. Supply chain managers oversee the many stages of a product's life cycle, taking broad responsibility for the logistics behind processes such as manufacturing, storage, and transportation.
Supply chain management plays a vital role in most businesses, and the field offers high salaries for managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that general and operational managers earn an annual median salary of $100,410. An online MBA in supply chain management can prepare students for top positions in this field.
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MBA in Supply Chain Management Career Outlook
What type of jobs can I get with a supply chain management degree?
An MBA in supply chain management degree prepares graduates for jobs such as operations manager; transportation, storage, and distribution manager; logistician; and cost estimator.
Is supply chain a good career?
Supply chain management plays a role in most major industries, and supply chain jobs generally offer high salaries, making the career a viable choice for MBA graduates.
What do supply chain managers do?
Supply chain managers oversee the infrastructure that brings goods and services to consumers. They ensure that logistical operations such as inventory storage and transportation function efficiently.
Are supply chain jobs in demand?
The supply chain affects nearly all commercial industries. Careers in logistics and management should grow at about the same rate as the national average.
Why Get an MBA in Supply Chain Management?
An MBA in supply chain management builds high-level skills in business, logistics, and infrastructure. These skills prepare candidates to manage and oversee the major stages of a product's life cycle. This degree can lead graduates to high-paying management positions that commonly pay salaries in the low six-figure range, such as operations manager and transportation, storage, and distribution manager.
An online MBA in supply chain management often provides candidates the flexibility to complete their studies while maintaining a full-time job. Some programs may include experiential components, such as practicums or capstones, that students can complete at their current employer.
How Much Does an MBA in Supply Chain Management Cost?
MBA candidates typically earn higher salaries after completing their degree. Depending on the industry and location, students can experience a salary increase of anywhere from $70,000-$84,000 annually. However, these enormous salary gains translate to steep tuition rates at many colleges, and total expenses for top MBA programs can easily top $100,000 or even $200,000. Most MBA candidates view their degree as a professional investment, weighing pricey tuition expenses against the increased future earnings of an advanced degree.
MBA candidates can reduce their overall education expenses by seeking out more affordable programs at public colleges, which commonly offer lower tuition rates than private schools. Online programs may also offer lower tuition rates compared to on-campus programs. Some public colleges even allow online students to pay a reduced in-state tuition rate, regardless of residency. The most affordable graduate programs may cost as little as $20,000-$40,000 in total.
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How Much Do MBA in Supply Chain Management Majors Make?
MBA in supply chain management graduates can pursue various careers after earning their degree, including upper-level management positions that typically yield high salaries. Supply chain students commonly find work as operations managers, earning an annual median salary of $100,410. Operations managers employed in the management of companies and enterprises earn a higher annual median salary of $162,510.
Supply chain management can also lead to various related career paths in logistics and operations. Logisticians earn an annual median salary of $76,270, while transportation, storage, and distribution managers earn a median salary of $96,390 annually. Cost estimators earn a $66,610 annual median salary.
Candidates who enter supply chain management careers may also progress to top executive positions and earn a median $107,680 annual salary. In most cases, executive and top-level management positions require significant professional experience and a demonstrated record of business success.
Courses in MBA in Supply Chain Management Programs
Most MBA in supply chain management programs divide their course content between general business courses and specialized supply chain management courses. Degree candidates complete general business coursework focusing on topics including finance, economics, management, and marketing. Concentration courses in supply chain management explore topics such as logistics, strategic sourcing, and operations management.
MBA candidates often complete a major culminating project, such as a capstone or thesis. Occurring later in the program, these projects synthesize student learning and apply it toward a contemporary issue or problem in business logistics.
This list highlights three courses typically found in MBA in supply chain management degrees, offering a general idea of what to expect when pursuing this concentration.
Operations Management
The class determines the major processes organizations use to transform resources into products and services for consumers. Coursework explores the methods and models that inform operating decisions for supply chain managers, along with the factors that affect operations, such as materials and processes, labor, and capital.Logistics
Logistics plays an important role in supply chain management, determining how to organize and operate each step of the supply chain. The course focuses on analytical and decision-making techniques in relation to logistics. Topics covered include equipment and resource management, transportation, and inventory analysis.Global Supply Chain Management
The supply chain often involves the movement of resources and inventory across borders and worldwide. This course highlights the global dimension of supply chain management, including the various challenges and opportunities presented by international supply chain processes. Common topics include import and export, port operations, and global logistics technology.
Certifications and Licensure for Supply Chain MBAs
Supply chain managers and logistics specialists can demonstrate their professional competency and improve their career prospects by earning various certifications. Demonstrating supply chain knowledge and skills, these certifications require varying amounts of education and professional experience. The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) offers several certifications for industry professionals, with three of the most popular credentials outlined here.
The planning and industry management certification focuses on international production, demonstrating the ability to improve productivity and profitability through expert inventory management. Certification recipients can also work with complex enterprise resource planning systems. While this certification does not feature any educational requirements, applicants must pass two comprehensive exams.
Serving managers who look beyond an organization's internal operations to the extended supply chain, this certification emphasizes large-scale supply chain design and strategy. Certification applicants must hold either a bachelor's degree, at least three years of supply chain management work experience, or another ASCM certification.
This certification emphasizes knowledge in logistics, including strategy and planning, risk management, transportation, order and warehouse management, and sustainability logistics. Recipients possess the skills to oversee logistics network design and forward and reverse logistics processes. Certification applicants must complete one comprehensive exam.
Scholarships for MBA in Supply Chain Management Students
While an MBA in supply chain management generally leads applicants to high-paying career paths, students can still save on tuition expenses by pursuing various scholarships. Some awards serve applicants planning to work in certain fields, while others serve applicants of certain backgrounds. This list features three popular supply chain management scholarships.
Scholarships for MBA in Supply Chain Management Students
| Scholarship |
Amount |
Who Can Apply |
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship |
$10,000 |
WTS International offers this scholarship to female graduate students pursuing degrees related to transportation (including logistics programs). Applicants must hold membership in their local WTS chapter, through which they can submit their application. |
Dr. Harold Kerzner Scholarship Fund |
$7,500 |
The Project Management Institute offers this scholarship for undergraduate or graduate students pursuing programs in project management or a related field (such as supply chain or logistics management). |
John J. Murphy Scholarship |
$7,500 |
The Food Shippers of America (FSA) offers this scholarship to students enrolled in supply chain management or logistics programs. Applicants' parents must work as supply chain/logistics employees at any FSA member company. |
Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Programs 2022
#1 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
University of Maryland-College Park
- College Park, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The master's programs at University of Maryland-College Park prepare graduates for new job opportunities and career advancement. In the accredited MBA in supply chain management program, students learn through a rigorous curriculum taught by experts. Online learners may also qualify for institutional aid to lower the cost of their degree. The program educates degree-seekers through video lectures, assignments, and class discussions.
Information on the school's cost per credit is unavailable. Students qualify for grants and scholarships to pay for school. Online learners submit school transcripts for admission.
University of Maryland-College Park Fast Facts:
Online Student Enrollment: 7,797
Online Master's Programs: 3
Graduate Tuition Rate: $13,158 in-state; $29,250 out-of-state
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $8,912
Average Price With Aid: $17,723
University of Maryland-College Park is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an independent accrediting agency.
Percent Online Enrollment
19%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Lincoln, NE
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers undergraduate and graduate programs in virtual and in-person formats. The public institution delivers an online MBA in supply chain management. Professionals often maintain employment while earning the master's degree and benefit from increased business management career opportunities after graduation.
Faculty advisors support degree candidates with academic advice and professional input regarding the field's current challenges. The program features a rigorous curriculum that meets high academic standards. In addition to gaining core business management knowledge, master's students develop and hone important analytical and leadership skills.
The school's affordable tuition rates make it easier for learners to pursue graduate degrees. Financial aid counselors help degree-seekers explore funding options. Online learners at the school pay affordable tuition rates and can apply for institutional funding to further reduce the financial burden of earning a master's degree.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Fast Facts:
Online Master's Programs: 73
Total Online Programs: 16
Number of Online Students: 12,449
Average Cost Per Credit: N/A
Graduate Tuition In-State: $5,976
Graduate Tuition Out-of-State: $17,280
Transfer Credits Counted: No
Percent Online Enrollment
49%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
Ohio University-Main Campus
- Athens, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Athens-based Ohio University-Main Campus provides academic programs for online and on-campus degree-seekers. The school's offerings include on-campus and online master's programs. The institution's online MBA in supply chain management benefits distance students seeking career advancement.
The rigorous graduate-level curriculum prepares enrollees to succeed in business management careers. Degree candidates often appreciate the program's scheduling flexibility. Master's degree-seekers usually earn their degree after 1-2 years of full-time study.
Students at the accredited institution qualify for federal financial aid programs. The school reports that 51% of enrollees fund their education using student loans. According to the institution's data, 94% of its learners pay for their degree using some form of financial aid.
Ohio University-Main Campus Numbers:
Total Programs: 350
Number of Online Programs: 48
Online Master's Programs: 94
Number of Online Students: 13,063
Average Cost Per Credit: $820
Religious Affiliation: Non-Affiliated
Transfer Credits Toward Degree: Yes
Percent Online Enrollment
48%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
A great option for distance learners, University of North Texas offers an online MBA in supply chain management. The public university reports that 15,051 students take online classes. Employers value the rigorous education in the accredited program. Degree-seekers gain advanced knowledge and skills for business management careers. Learners benefit from a student-to-faculty ratio of 26-to-1, which means one-on-one attention from faculty.
The school's website provides additional information about online student services. The institution charges affordable tuition rates and offers financial aid. This helps learners afford the master's degree with less debt. The college reports a graduation rate of 56% for its programs.
University of North Texas at a Glance:
Total Online Enrollment: 19,118
Number of Online Master’s Programs: 11
Graduate Tuition: $5,900 per year in-state, $13,496 per year out-of-state
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $9,441
Average Net Price: $14,020
The school holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Percent Online Enrollment
49%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, is a leader in online learning. This institution offers online and on-campus master's degree options. Qualifying online learners may also receive institutional aid to lower their educational expenses. Video lectures, assignments, and class discussions cover advanced topics in the MBA in supply chain and logistics management program.
Students can pursue grants and scholarships to lower their costs. In addition to this online program, Oregon State University offers 12 other master's degrees.
Oregon State University at a Glance:
Total Number of Online Students: 14,977
Distance Learning Master's Degrees: 13
Graduate School Tuition Rate: $12,933 in-state; $24,975 out-of-state
Average Per-Student Aid Amount: $7,288
Average Cost With Aid: $19,273
The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Percent Online Enrollment
47%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#6 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
- Texarkana, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Texas A&M University-Texarkana offers an online MBA in supply chain management. The public school enrolls about 1,065 learners who take at least some online courses. The accredited curriculum offers a rigorous education valued by employers. The program emphasizes advanced knowledge and skills for business management careers. Enrollees benefit from a student-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, which gives them one-on-one time with faculty.
The program's website provides more information about support services and student organizations. The institution offers affordable tuition rates and financial aid opportunities. This makes the master's degree an affordable option for learners on a budget. The college posts a graduation rate of 34% for its programs.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana Fast Facts:
Total Online Enrollment: 1,666
Number of Online Master’s Programs: 3
Graduate Tuition: $4,130 per year in-state, $13,141 per year out-of-state
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $7,869
Average Net Price: $10,412
Texas A&M University-Texarkana has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
Florida Southern College
- Lakeland, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Lakeland, Florida Southern College delivers academic programs online and on campus. The private institution offers an online MBA in supply chain management for students with personal or professional responsibilities.
Master's students take core business management classes to gain foundational knowledge in the field. The curriculum also includes advanced courses covering in-depth business management topics. Faculty members provide mentorship, and degree candidates can participate in experiential learning activities.
MBA graduates often qualify for positions with increased responsibility and earning potential. Graduate students and alumni can explore their professional options with the help of faculty advisors and career counselors.
The amount students pay per credit is unknown at this time. The institution holds accreditation, which means degree-seekers can submit the FAFSA to receive federal grants and loans. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees pursuing master's studies. The school reports that 100% of students receive financial aid.
Percent Online Enrollment
34%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
University of South Dakota
- Vermillion, SD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
University of South Dakota offers an online MBA in operations and supply chain management. The Vermillion institution enrolls 2,035 students in its online courses. The accredited program sets high academic standards that employers value. The program's advanced training prepares graduates for careers. The school maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 15-to-1, which gives learners one-on-one attention from faculty.
Degree-seekers can learn more about online support services at the program's website. Enrollees pay affordable tuition rates and receive financial aid. This helps learners complete a master's degree with less debt. Students can expect a graduation rate of 59% for this program.
University of South Dakota Numbers:
Total Online Enrollment: 4,939
Number of Online Master’s Programs: 10
Graduate Tuition: $6,062 per year in-state, $11,656 per year out-of-state
Average Amount of Aid Awarded: $4,558
Average Net Price: $17,689
The school holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Percent Online Enrollment
50%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#9 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
University of Dallas
- Irving, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Based in Irving, Texas, University of Dallas educates degree-seekers through in-person and flexible online programs. The school's offerings include on-campus and online master's programs. Students at the institution can pursue an online MBA in supply chain management.
The master's program combines rigorous, graduate-level courses with strong faculty and career advising. Working professionals can benefit from the online program's flexible enrollment options. Full-time degree-seekers typically require 1-2 years to earn their master's.
The institution holds accreditation, which means students can submit the FAFSA to receive federal grants and loans. To pay for school, 48% of the school's enrollees take out loans, which they must repay after graduation. Of the institution's learners, 99% receive financial aid, according to the institution.
University of Dallas Numbers:
Total Programs: 66
Number of Online Students: 595
Average Cost Per Credit: Unavailable
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Transfer Credits Permitted: No
Percent Online Enrollment
24%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 Online MBA In Supply Chain Management 2021
Bethel University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Learners throughout the country can pursue high-quality online graduate programs from Bethel University. In addition to educating students at its Minnesota campus, the private institution enrolls students in 36 online programs. One option includes an MBA in supply chain management. Working professionals who enroll in this program can complete academic requirements around their schedule.
Learners gain specialized knowledge during advanced classes. Degree-seekers apply theoretical knowledge during experiential learning opportunities. Enrollees typically graduate in 1-2 years. For details about application deadlines and requirements, prospective learners can review the institution's website.
Online learners at the school pay affordable tuition rates. Graduate students pay an average tuition rate of $11,700. Online master's programs at the school cost an average of $426 per credit. Enrollees with financial need can submit the FAFSA to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. The school reports that 100% of its student body receives financial aid to fund their education.
Percent Online Enrollment
39%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
