There are many reasons why prospective students may consider pursuing an online master’s in project management degree. Working professionals looking to improve job performance or advance their business careers often find such a degree to be helpful in achieving their professional goals. Which online master’s project management program is right for you, however? To help you answer this question, we’ve reviewed scores of programs to determine the top value online project management master’s degrees.
Featured Programs
Ranking Methodology for Online Master’s in Project Management
Awards and Recognition (Related to Project Management)
• National Level – 2 points
• Regional Level – 1 point
Accreditation
• Project Management Institute – 2 points
• AACSB – 1 point
20-Year Net ROI
• Above 600,000 – 6 points
• Above 500,000 – 5 points
• Above 400,000 – 4 points
• Above 300,000 – 3 points
• Above 200,000 – 2 points
• Above 100,000 – 1 point
• Above 200,000 – 2 points
Customization Options
• Content Customizations (e.g. Concentrations and Specializations) – 1 point
• Format Customizations (e.g. Hybrid, Synchronous, etc.) – 1 point
Innovative Programs and/or Teaching Methods in Project Management – 1 point
Project Management Scholarship Opportunities – 1 point
Related Student Organizations and Societies – 1 point
Job Placement Services – 1 point
Wow Factor
• 1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us
To determine the best value colleges for an online master’s project management, our editors began with an initial pool of 44 schools. It is important to note that both master of science programs and MBA programs with concentrations or specializations in project management were considered. We then narrowed this pool by selecting the 25 most lucrative programs according to the ROI figures listed on PayScale.com. To rank these programs, we applied the methodology above. In cases of a tie, graduate tuition and fees were considered, and we awarded the more affordable school the higher ranking.
Reviewing Each of the Best Online Master’s Project Management
#25 – University of Denver
Online Master’s in Leadership and Organizations: Project Management no GMAT
Denver, Colorado
Website
Points: 4
The University of Denver’s online master’s in project management no GMAT offering is technically a Master of Science in Leadership and Organizations with a concentration in Project Management. The 48-credit hour program is comprised of a 20-credit hour core consisting of courses such as Building the 21st Century Organization and Graduate Social Research Methods as well as 16 credit hours of concentration courses such as Project Contracts & Procurement, Project Management Tools & Techniques, and Project Management Techniques. Classes are scheduled according to 10-week terms, and there is no GMAT required for admission into this online master’s degree in project management.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $43,458
#24 – Liberty University
Online Project Management MBA
Lynchburg, Virginia
Website
Points: 4
As one of the more comprehensive master’s in project management online programs available, Liberty University’s offering is a 45-credit hour program that consists of a 33-hour business core and a 12-hour project management cognate. Though there is little flexibility in terms of content customization, students do have the luxury of completing coursework at their own pace and may take up to 5 years to earn their online project management master’s degree if necessary. Specialty course topics include Business Research Methods, Global Economic Environment, Policy & Strategy in Global Competition, and Global Project Management.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,000
#23 – Sam Houston State University
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Huntsville, Texas
Points: 4
The master’s in project management online degree program offered by Sam Houston State University is a 36-credit hour program that can be completed entirely online. Although it offers little in terms of content customization, the curriculum is ideal for those professionals who wish to become certified by the Project Management Institute. Some specialty course topics include Quality Management, Management of Innovation & Technology, Tools of Project Management, and Staffing Organizations. A minimum GMAT score of 500 is required for admission into this online project management master’s degree program.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,213
#22 – Colorado State University—Global Campus
Online Master’s of Project Management
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Website
Points: 5
Colorado State’s master’s in project management online is unique in that it allows students to add a project management specialization to their chosen degree program such as Management or Organizational Leadership. This specialization consists of four graduate courses: Project Management; Contracts, Procurement, and Risk Management; Project Metrics, Monitoring, and Control; and Project Management Office (PMO). This online project management master’s degree offering can help students become more attractive to potential employers, advance in their current roles, or become a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,000
#21 – Mississippi State University
Online Project Management MBA
Starkville, Mississippi
Website
Points: 5
Mississippi State University’s master’s in project management online is technically an MBA with a specialty in project management offered through the school’s College of Business. The curriculum is comprised of eight courses of MBA and fundamental business concepts and 3 classes in Industrial Engineering as it relates to project management. Some specialty course topics include Leadership Skills for Management Behavior, Enterprise Systems Engineering, and Process Improvement Engineering. Prerequisite courses are also available for those students who begin the online master’s in project management program without a strong business background.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,502
#20 – Missouri State University
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Springfield, Missouri
Website
Points: 5
Missouri State University offers a master’s in project management online through its Department of Technology and Construction Management. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and is designed to prepare students for success in a variety of different industries. To earn their online project management master’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours, 9 to 15 of which are elective courses chosen by students. Students may choose to complete these electives online or on campus. Both thesis and non-thesis tracks are also available.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,500
#19 – Southern New Hampshire University
Online MS in Operations and Project Management
Manchester, New Hampshire
Website
Points: 6
Southern New Hampshire University offers a 36-credit hour master’s in project management online degree program accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The balanced curriculum for this program requires just five core foundational courses, allowing students to choose another five electives to customize the program for their career interests and goals. A wide variety of electives are available, including topics such as Human Behavior in Organizations, Six Sigma Quality Management, and International Supply Chain Management. The accelerated format for this master of project management online allows students to earn their degree in as few as 15 months.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,810
#18 – Saint Leo University
Online MBA in Project Management
Saint Leo, Florida
Website
Points: 6
Saint Leo University’s master’s in project management online offering is an MBA with a project management concentration. The 36 credit-hour program is well-balanced, requiring 21 credit hours of Business Core and 15 credit hours of Project Management courses. Topics include Global Business Management, Project Process Groups and Project/Product Life Cycles, Financial and Managerial Accounting, and Best Practices in Project Management. Courses are available year round, and it is possible for students to earn their online project management master’s degree in as little as one year.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,730
#17 – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Winona, Minnesota
Website
Points: 6
Saint Mary’s University offers one of the most versatile master’s in project management online programs on our list. Students have the option to choose from ten different concentrations, including Supply Chain Management, Information Security, Quality Assurance and Quality Control, and Talent Acquisition, among others. The 36-credit hour program is asynchronous, meaning students can complete coursework at times that are convenient for them, and they can complete the project management master’s degree online in just two years. Accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the program prepares graduates for success on the PMP exam.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,884
#16 – Drexel University
Online MS in Project Management
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website
Points: 7
Drexel University offers a master’s in project management online program designed to help business professionals advance in their careers and to support those who wish to complete the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. The 45-credit hour program consists of ten required core courses, four free electives, and a capstone project in project management. Students pursuing Drexel’s project management master’s degree online will take courses such as Project Estimation & Cost Management, Project Risk Assessment & Management, and Project Leadership & Teamwork.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $31,519
#15 – George Washington University
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Washington, D.C.
Website
Points: 7
Founded in 1996, the master’s in project management online program from George Washington University is one of the oldest programs in this ranking. Even so, the 36-credit hour program is continually updated to remain innovative and relevant to the contemporary business world. The curriculum is delivered in four stages: Foundation, Core Project Management & Decision Sciences, Advanced Quantitative Application, and Capstone. Students may take courses on a full-time or part-time basis, with the most ambitious students earning their project management master’s degree online in as few as 18 months.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $27,851
#14 – University of Mary
Online Master of Project Management
Bismarck, North Dakota
Website
Points: 7
The University of Mary offers a highly flexible master’s in project management online program from its Gary Tharaldson School of Business that can be completed entirely through distance learning or in combination with on-campus classes. In addition, students can choose from the following seven available concentrations: Energy Management, Executive concentration, Healthcare, Human Resource Management, Public Administration, and Virtuous Leadership. This particular master of project management online option is also an accelerated program, so students can earn their degree in as few as 18 months.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,820
#13 – Boston University
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Boston, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 8
Boston University offers a comprehensive 48-credit hour master’s in project management online consisting of twelve required courses. With just two elective courses, this program is less customizable than some of the others on our list, but it does allow students to earn two graduate certificates as they work towards their online master’s degree in project management: a graduate certificate in project management and a graduate certificate in administrative sciences. Students typically complete the program over a period of two years.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $48,082
#12 – Brandeis University
Online Master of Science in Project and Program Management
Waltham, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 8
The master’s in project management online offered by Brandeis University is designed to help working professionals advance their careers in the field of business. In addition to taking seven core courses required for degree completion, students can individualize their learning experience by choosing three elective courses. Some specialty topics include Management of Virtual and Global Teams, Procurement and Contract Management, and Agile Project Management. Although course scheduling is flexible, this online master’s in project management program can be completed in as little as two years.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $45,988
#11 – University of Alaska—Anchorage
Online Project Management MBA
Anchorage, Alaska
Website
Points: 8
The University of Alaska—Anchorage offers a flexible master’s in project management online degree program for working professionals. Classes are recorded live, and students are invited to join in active discussions via teleconference. These lectures are also recorded, however, so that students also have the option of viewing them on their own time. The 33-credit hour program consists of 15 credit hours of project management classes, 12 credit hours of electives, and a 6-credit hour capstone project. As they progress towards their project management master’s degree online, students will study topics such as Operational Integration and Project Closure, Project Initiation and Planning, and Application of Project Management Processes.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,542
#10 – Grand Canyon University
Online MBA in Project Management
Phoenix, Arizona
Website
Points: 8
Grand Canyon University offers a master’s in project management online through its Colangelo College of Business, resulting in an MBA with an Emphasis in Project Management. The program’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for the following certifications: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP). Courses comprising this master of project management online program include Applied Business Probability and Statistics, Managerial Accounting, and Fundamentals of Project Management.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,124
#9 – University of Colorado—Colorado Springs
Online Project Management MBA
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Points: 8
The master’s in project management online program offered through the University of Colorado—Colorado Springs is actually an MBA offering with a specialization in Project Management. The program offers working professionals access to the same curriculum delivered on campus with the option to take distance courses on a full-time or part-time basis with fall, spring, and summer start dates. Classes are intentionally small, and online master’s in project management students receive individualized instruction from professors in a virtual classroom environment. Unlike many other programs in this ranking, this program allows some students to waive the GMAT requirement if they have prior experience in the field.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,000
#8 – Florida Institute of Technology
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Melbourne, Florida
Website
Points: 9
Florida Tech offers a master’s in project management online program with two available concentrations: Information Systems and Operations Research. Students are taught by expert faculty members, all of whom hold a doctorate in project management. The curriculum for this project management master’s degree includes topics such as Introductory Managerial Statistics, Cost and Economic Analysis, Strategic Project Management, and Project and Program Risk Management. Although course material can be completed entirely online, students must complete a field experience prior to graduation.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $16,128
#7 – University of Texas at Dallas
Online Master’s in Project Management
Richardson, Texas
Points: 9
The University of Texas at Dallas offers two master’s in project management online programs: an MS in Management Science with an emphasis in project management and an MBA degree with a project management emphasis. While the MS project management online is a 36-credit hour program, students who wish to graduate with an MBA must take an additional 14 credit hours of the MBA core. Both programs are accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). A graduate certificate in project management is also available.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,940
#6 – Purdue University
Online Master of Science in Information Technology Project Management
West Lafayette, Indiana
Website
Points: 9
Purdue University offers an accelerated master’s in project management online with an emphasis in Information Technology that can be completed in as few as 11 months. The program’s curriculum includes course topics such as IT Policy, Laws, and Ethics; Organizational and Project Change Management, Program and Portfolio Management; and IT Economics and Procurement Management. The curriculum is aligned with the Project Management Institute (PMI)’s Body of Knowledge, so those who hold a master of project management online from Purdue will be well-prepared to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,002
#5 – Georgetown University
Online Master of Professional Studies in Project Management
Washington, D.C.
Website
Points: 10
Georgetown University offers a versatile 30-credit hour master’s in project management online that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis as well as completely online or via a hybrid format. Although elective courses are limited, and some may not be available online, students have the option to choose some of their electives from the school’s MPS in Technology Management program. The school’s location in the Washington D.C. area translates to strong corporate and government connections that even online students can benefit from. Students typically complete this project management master’s degree online in 1-3 years.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $45,136
#4 – Northeastern University
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Boston, Massachusetts
Website
Points: 10
Northeastern University offers a highly customizable master’s in project management online program from its College of Professional Studies that allows students to choose from the following eight concentrations: Clinical Trial Design, Construction Management, Geographic Information Systems, Information Security Management, Leadership, Leading & Managing Technical Projects, Organizational Communication, and Program & Portfolio Management. Students can complete coursework on a full-time or part-time basis and can earn their online project management master’s degree over the course of two years or in as little as one year.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $23,166
#3 – Penn State—World Campus
Online Master of Project Management
University Park, Pennsylvania
Website
Points: 10
Penn State—World Campus offers a 30-credit hour, interdisciplinary master’s in project management online that is endorsed by both the AACSB and the Project Management Institute (PMI). By selecting electives aligned with their professional goals, students can customize the degree according to several available career tracks, including Enterprise Architecture, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Supply Chain Management. While pursuing their project management master’s degree online, students may also earn a graduate certificate in project management, thus enhancing their resumes prior to graduation.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $19,832
#2 – University of Wisconsin—Platteville
Online Master of Science in Project Management
Platteville, Wisconsin
Website
Points: 10
The University of Wisconsin—Platteville offers a master’s in project management online program that is accredited by the Global Accreditation Center of the Project Management Institute (PMI). One of the stand-out features of this program is that it is elective-rich, allowing students to customize their curriculum content according to their interests and career aspirations. Some elective courses include Compensation Management, International Finance, Management Decision Analysis, and Taguchi Method of Designing Experiments. Students can take courses at their own pace and may take up to seven years to complete their online master’s project management degree if necessary.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,710
#1 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Online Master’s in Project Management
Daytona Beach, Florida
Website
Points: 11
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a highly versatile 30-credit hour master’s in project management online program with ten different concentrations for students to choose from, including its one-of-a-kind concentration in Aviation and Aerospace. Other available concentrations include Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Financial Management, Information Systems, and Global Management. In addition to courses related to their chosen concentration, students seeking a project management master’s degree online will take 21 credit hours of core courses such as Anatomy of Project Organizations, Effective Communications for Managing Projects, and Assessing and Managing Project Risk.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,960
Sources: NCES College Navigator
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This concludes our ranking of the top 25 values for an online master’s project management degree.
CVO Staff