Supply Chain Management is a much more important career path than most people realize. When you think about it, society as we know it would cease to function without supply chain managers planning and executing the distribution of resources.
In the globally interconnected world of today, a graduate degree in supply chain management is necessary to prepare aspiring business managers for the disruptive influences of a global internet market.
Last updated: November 12, 2024
Our list ranking was determined by balancing the program offerings against:
- Available online support services,
- Full-time faculty assigned to the program,
- Graduation rates,
- Affordability, and
- Online availability.
All the programs on this list are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). We also looked at:
- The school’s ability to provide a quality Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree program,
- Often includes job placement services,
- Has various financial aid programs for the Supply Chain Management student,
- Provides a convenient distance-learning format for busy professionals in the field of SCM or Logistics.
For additional information, see our Methodology page.
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Best Online Master’s In Supply Chain Management
Arkansas State University | College of Business
Arkansas State University offers an online MBA program that is regularly ranked among the best in the country for both quality and affordability. This affordable MBA in Supply Chain Management is 33 credits and can be completed in one year.
As an institution, Arkansas State goes above and beyond to ascertain that its online students aren’t suffering from distracted faculty: No adjuncts are hired for the online programs, only qualified graduate-appointed faculty. All faculty assigned to the online program go through training in effective online instruction. Finally, Arizona State has assigned 24 full-time faculty to its online MBA program.
They also offer the full complement of online student support services, from live tutoring to 24/7 tech support. The entire program is available 100 percent online, from start to finish.
Considering their dedication to student success, it is not surprising they have a three-year graduation rate of 92 percent for their online program—a number that’s even more impressive when considering that 98 percent of Arkansas MBA students are working when they start the program in their mid-30s.
The best value of an MBA in Supply Side Management comes from completing the program. Arkansas State provides the support to make that happen at phenomenal rates, with the data to prove it, earning them the number-one spot on our list.
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium faculty is drawn from the graduate faculty of the four affiliated Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredited Consortium partners (as have the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, another entrant on this list).
The MBA Consortium’s 30-credit hour programs have designed a curriculum intended to invest in innovative leadership and the practical application of creative problem-solving. Their 30-credit hour MBA in Supply Chain Management generally takes 2-3 years to finish.
The UW-MBA Consortium provides a generous faculty complement, with 38 full-time and 10 part-time instructors for their online programs. Only five percent of students leave the program in the first year, and 78 percent graduate within three years. The entire graduate program can be completed online, from application to graduation.
Old Dominion University | Stome College of Business
Old Dominion offers an interesting maritime twist on the supply chain management degree. As one of only two universities in the USA to offer maritime supply chain majors, take note: Here is an opportunity to acquire a unique, eye-catching degree in a desirable and marketable skill set!
Old Dominion offers two graduate track programs. The Maritime & Supply Chain Management (MSCM), or the MBA and Graduate Certificate in Maritime, Ports, and Logistics. These programs range from 40 to 45 credit hours, with a projected cost of about $25k.
There are 15 full-time faculty assigned to the online program, and online students receive both live tutoring and 24/7 tech support as needed. The accelerated eight-week program can be completed 100 percent online, with no on-campus visits necessary.
SUNY Oswego | School of Business
SUNY Oswego’s 36- credit MBA program offers a strong foundation in business with a focus on supply chain management. The program teaches students essential skills like logistics, inventory management, and global supply chain strategies to help them succeed in the field.
SUNY’s online program has 11 full-time faculty and six part-time faculty. There’s a 13 percent student attrition rate after one year and a 79 percent graduation rate within three years. They offer hybrid online/ on-campus options, but the program can be completed from start to finish online, with no campus visit requirements for orientations or exams.
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater | College of Business and Economics
This 30-credit hour MBA in Supply Chain Management is very affordable, with a 100% career placement rate. The program is 2-3 years, and admissions are open on a rolling basis.
They offer daytime tech support and live tutoring to their online students. There are 34 full-time faculty accredited for online instruction through the MBA Consortium program, and no adjuncts are ever assigned to online programs.
Their retention and graduation rates are impressive—only three percent leave after the first year, and a full 78 percent complete the program within three years. It can be completed online only, although students may also transition to on-campus or hybrid courses if they prefer.
Colorado State University | College of Business
Colorado State University’s Graduate Certificate in Global Supply Chain Management helps students learn about managing global supply chains. The program focuses on key topics like logistics, procurement, and inventory management. Students gain skills in analyzing supply chain processes and improving efficiency.
This certificate is great for those looking to advance in careers related to supply chain management. The courses are designed to be flexible and can fit into busy schedules. It is 9-10 credits and can be completed in 2 semesters.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to handle the challenges of global supply chains in various industries.
Cleveland State University | Monte Ahuja College of Business
This 34-credit MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management was designed for working students to complete in a year and was one of the first one-year online programs to be accredited by the AACSB.
CSU has nine full-time online faculty members and offers a full complement of support services to their online students, such as live tutoring and 24/7 tech support. The entire program can be completed online without any campus visit requirements.
Indiana University | Kelley School of Business
Indiana University’s Supply Chain and Operations MBA major or minor prepares students for careers in managing supply chains and operations. The program focuses on areas like logistics, procurement, and supply chain strategy. Students learn how to analyze data to make better decisions and improve business processes.
The courses offer hands-on experience with real-world supply chain challenges. Graduates will have the skills needed to manage operations in various industries. This program is ideal for those who want to specialize in supply chain management or enhance their business expertise.
The new student attrition rate is low, at only 3.25 percent, while the three-year graduation rate is middling at 65 percent. With no on-campus requirements to complete the program, this is another option for those interested in obtaining an MBA-GSCM from home.
Northeastern University | D’Amore-McKim School of Business
Northeastern’s MBA in Supply Chain Management runs 50 credit hours, with 13 core courses to strengthen the students’ business knowledge foundation and five elective courses for the area of emphasis.
NU offers hybrid, residency, and travel options for completing the online degree. Students who’ve completed nine online credits can attend an accelerated one-week campus residency course worth three credits, and second-year online MBA students in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 have the option to study global business management practices in an International Field Study Residency.
NU has 39 full-time and four part-time faculty in their online courses. Twenty percent of students leave after the first year, and about 59 percent graduate in a three-year time frame. The hybrid and residency options aren’t required to complete the online MBA, which can be completed without ever visiting the campus if so desired.
The University of Texas | Naveen Jindal School of Management
The University of Texas at Dallas offers a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management ( MS-SCM STEM) through the Naveen Jindal School of Management. This program teaches students how to efficiently manage the flow of goods and services. It focuses on important topics like logistics, operations, and supply chain strategy.
Students learn both the technical skills and the leadership qualities needed to excel in this field in this 36- credit STEM centered degree.
The program combines classroom learning with real-world projects to provide practical experience. Graduates are prepared for careers in supply chain management across various industries.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | College of Business Administration
The University of Nebraska offers a 48-credit-hour MBA with Supply Chain Certification. Although they do not offer to tutor, they do provide 24/7 tech support. The program has 18 full-time online faculty and three part-time online instructors.
The program has been highly ranked—15th nationwide and 12th worldwide—by US News and the Financial Times, respectively. With a 13 percent new student attrition rate and a three-year graduation rate of 35 percent, it’s clearly a challenging and competitive program.
Those who think they’re up to the task of this intense eight-week course will be pleased to learn there are no campus visits or travel requirements for this 100 percent online degree.
Quinnipiac University School of Business & Engineering
Quinnipiac offers a 46-credit MBA Supply Chain Management Track program. The program core is 28 credits, and the last 18 credits are in an interdisciplinary program essential to supply chain management, which teaches logistics, analytics, team building, manufacturing, retail, and banking.
QU offers limited daytime tech support, though students can e-mail one of their faculty if need be. There are 32 full-time and eight part-time faculty in the online graduate program. Twenty-one percent of students leave the program after the first year, and the three-year graduation rate is 44 percent. The program can be completed 100 percent online.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University offers a Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management. This program helps students understand how goods and services move from suppliers to customers. It focuses on key areas like logistics, purchasing, and inventory management.
The certificate can be completed in two semesters, making it a great option for working professionals. Students gain practical skills that are valuable in many industries. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in supply chain management and related fields.
University of Michigan-Dearborn | College of Business
The University of Michigan-Dearborn offers a 30-credit-hour MS in Supply Chain Management. Courses cover management, statistical modeling, logistics, and resource allocation. The MS-SCM is open to students from all undergraduate majors.
Online students receive 24/7 tech support but no live tutoring. There are 15 full-time online faculty and one part-time. Twenty-nine percent of students leave the program after a year, and the three-year graduation rate is 17 percent. However—the entire degree can be acquired online, with no campus visits necessary.
There are hybrid learning programs available for those interested, but there’s no on-campus requirement for today’s busy working students.
Arizona State University | W.P. Carey Online
Arizona State University offers an online Master’s in Supply Chain Management through the W.P. Carey School of Business. This program is designed to help students learn about global supply chains and improve their management skills. The curriculum covers important topics like logistics, operations, and procurement.
Courses are taught by experienced faculty who are experts in supply chain management. The program is fully online, allowing students to learn at their own pace while balancing work and other commitments. It also offers real-world projects to help students apply what they learn to real business problems.
Graduates of the program are prepared for advanced roles in supply chain management across various industries. Arizona State University’s online program is highly ranked and well-respected in the business community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Given the high demand for supply chain managers and logisticians, getting a Master’s in Supply Chain Management is worth it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19% growth in jobs for the supply chain manager and a logistician through 2033. This means 45,800 job openings should result each year over the next 10 years.
A direct path toward a career in supply chain management is to first get a bachelor’s in SCM. Once you have an undergraduate degree, consider getting a master’s degree so that you can qualify for advanced roles and leadership positions. Senior management positions want candidates with graduate degrees or experience.
It depends on the program. Traditional master’s degrees in SCM take 20-24 months, but online programs can take anywhere between 12 and 19 months for full-time students. Part-time programs can take longer (3-4 years).
An MBA (Master of Business Administration) provides a broad understanding of different business aspects, including supply chain management. An MS (Master of Science) in Supply Chain Management focuses on in-depth knowledge and skills related to the logistics and operations of supply chains.
Both degrees cater to different career goals and preferences, so which degree you get depends on the path you want to take.
The average pay for supply chain managers and logisticians is $79,400/year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% make $128,550/year and the lowest 10% make $47,990/year. The federal government is the highest-paying industry for this career. Supply chain managers make an average of $95,890/year working in federal government agencies.
There is! The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 19% growth in jobs through 2033. This means 26,100 job openings will result each year over the next 10 years. The growth of e-commerce will drive most of the demand expected in the upcoming years.
Supply chain management includes both hard and soft skills. Hard skills in supply chain management include quantitative analysis, logistics, and operations management. These technical and measurable skills are essential for optimizing processes. Soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration are also crucial for effective supply management.
Yes. The very nature of the profession demands numbers and statistics. You should have a strong foundation in mathematics to study supply chain management. Strong mathematical skills are valuable for making informed decisions and improving efficiency in supply chain processes.