Best Online Master's In Nonprofit Management

Updated November 15, 2022

Earning a master's in nonprofit management can increase job opportunities. We list the most affordable program options here.

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Master's In Non-profit Management

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An online master's degree in nonprofit management and leadership could do wonders for your career. If you have an interest in philanthropy, charitable giving, and generally making the world a better place, you should consider work in the nonprofit sector. If you additionally have an interest in business and management, working your way to the head of a nonprofit organization could be the perfect plan for you.

Admittedly, it can be difficult to find a job in upper management without a graduate degree. Luckily, online colleges make attending a master's program easier than ever. You can enroll at multiple times throughout the year, and there is generally a great deal of flexibility regarding the pace at which you complete classes.

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

Top 20 Cheap Online Master's in Nonprofit Management Degree Programs for 2021

  1. Louisiana State University-Shreveport
    Location

    Shreveport, LA

    Tuition

    $7349

    If you're in the market for a quick but high-quality nonprofit management program, take a look at Louisiana State University at Shreveport. By attending full-time, you can graduate from this cheap online nonprofit management master's program in just 12 months. In that short time, you'll acquire a hefty dose of knowledge in all the standard topics - and then some! The curricular core covers social institutions, human resources, research methods, philanthropic development, decision making, and financial management, among other subjects. In addition, you'll take two targeted seminars - one in "Planned Giving" and another in "Development" - that explore crucial questions like why people give and how to maximize donations.

    • Graduation rate: 35%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 34+
    • City location: Shreveport, LA
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 2.5 overall or 2.75 for last 60 hours of course hours
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 318-795-4245
    • Website: https://www.lsus.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-programs/online-master-of-science-in-nonprofit-administration 
  2. Grace College and Theological Seminary
    Location

    Winona Lake, IN

    Tuition

    $7888

    Grace College's MS in Nonprofit Management focuses on one question: "What will help [you] do a better job of serving others now?" To aid you in answering that question, Grace faculty offer you a solid repertoire of philanthropic and managerial skills. You'll learn how to train staff, use donor management software, leverage social media in y our fundraising, advocate for important causes, and much more. Before graduating from this affordable online master's degree in nonprofit management, you'll also have the chance to take some electives. Given that Grace is a Christian college, it should come as no surprise that many of these electives focus on religious topics, such as "Principles and Practices of Prayer" and "Ministry and Cultural Diversity."

    • Graduation rate: 71%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 90+
    • City location: Winona Lake, IN
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 888-249-0533
    • Website: https://online.grace.edu/programs/master-of-science-in-nonprofit-management/ 
  3. Liberty University
    Location

    Lynchburg, VA

    Tuition

    $8723

    The top-ranked (and cheapest) of the MBA degrees on this ranking, Liberty University's graduate program offers a solid business education at a great value. And in case you have any doubts about its quality, note that Liberty's MBA curriculum has earned approval from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. And its no wonder why; the business core goes beyond most curricula, touching on complex issues like "Policy and Strategy in Global Competition" and "Global Economic Environment." Add in a focused cognate of courses in workforce planning, strategic communication, and grant acquisition, and you have the makings of a top affordable master's in nonprofit management and leadership online.

    • Graduation rate: 40%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 700+
    • City location: Lynchburg, VA
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 3.0, undergraduate business prerequisites
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 800-424-9595
    • Website: https://www.liberty.edu/online/business/masters/mba/nonprofit-leadership-and-management/ 
  4. Concordia University-Nebraska
    Location

    Seward, NE

    Tuition

    $9395

    Another great choice on this online nonprofit management master's programs ranking for aspiring MBAs, Concordia University's graduate degree offers a forward-thinking and career-oriented education. In the MBA core, you'll take traditional classes in accounting, marketing, and finance. But you'll also stretch your critical-thinking skills and challenge yourself to think outside the box in progressive courses like "Innovation and Business Model Generation in a Digital Age" and "Effective Decision-Making and Communication." But your biggest challenge will come in the "Strategic Management" capstone course, during which you'll have to design, implement, and assess an actual business plan for a nonprofit organization.

    • Graduation rate: 65%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 100+
    • City location: Seward, NE
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, letter of intent, professional resume
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 800-535-5494
    • Website: https://www.cune.edu/academics/graduate/mba-master-business-administration 
  5. Crown College
    Location

    Powell, TN

    Tuition

    $9430

    Christian students, take note: Crown College offers a "Christ-centered" MBA in Nonprofit Management. Officially, the 42-credit, accredited online nonprofit management master's program only includes one religiously-focused course ("Theoretical and Spiritual Foundations of Leadership"). However, you can expect ideas related to spirituality and religion to crop up throughout the curriculum as faculty address lessons "through a God-centered lens." Aside from its Christian leanings, this program stands out for its especially comprehensive coursework. Not only will you take 27 credits in general business, but you'll take another five classes specifically related to nonprofit management.

    • Graduation rate: 54%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$
    • Number of programs offered: 40+
    • City location: Saint Bonifacius, MN
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 952-446-4100
    • Website: https://www.crown.edu/online-grad/graduate/business-leadership-programs/business-administration-m-b-a/ 
  6. National Louis University
    Location

    Chicago, IL

    Tuition

    $11364

    Want the cachet of an MBA degree without sacrificing the focused training of a master's in nonprofit leadership? Look to National Louis University, where you'll find an MBA with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. In the main portion of the program, you'll accrue an impressive stockpile of business knowledge in finance, human resources, economics, marketing, and strategy. This know-how will serve you well in the second half of the program, where you'll build on these skills as you learn how to form relationships with stakeholders, address organizational issues, and run successful fundraising campaigns. Also note that in addition to its 100% online master's degree in nonprofit management, NLU has created a new blended format for residents of Illinois and Florida.

    • Graduation rate: 58%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 70+
    • City location: Chicago, IL
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, statement of academic and professional goals, professional resume, letters of recommendation, online writing assessment
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 888-658-8632
    • Website: https://upg.nl.edu/academics/businessmasters/mbadegrees/nonprofitmanagement/ 
  7. University of Houston-Downtown
    Location

    Houston, TX

    Tuition

    $11381

    In many ways, UHD's MA degree is no different from the other affordable online nonprofit management master's programs on this list. After all, the core coursework covers all the expected topics: strategic planning, finance, leadership, resourcing, and more. However, the program distinguishes itself from the crowd with some rather unique electives. Yes, you'll still find the standard subjects (e.g., grant writing) but you can also study "Public Relations and Media," "Communications and Technology," or even "Negotiation and Conflict Resolution." In addition, the University of Houston-Downtown's program includes a required six-credit internship.

    • Graduation rate: 41%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 52+
    • City location: Houston, TX
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 3.0, professional resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 713-221-8208
    • Website: https://www.uhd.edu/academics/humanities/graduate-programs/master-arts-non-profit-management/Pages/ma-index.aspx 
  8. Metropolitan State University
    Location

    Saint Paul, MN

    Tuition

    $11897

    As a 40-credit program, Metropolitan State University's Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management is among the most robust options on this list. The curriculum starts with six credits of fundamentals (research, governance) along with 18 credits in "Strategic Skills and Knowledge" (e.g., economics, ethics, organizational behavior). You'll then have a chance to focus your studies by selecting electives from different departments. You can stick with nonprofit classes, explore general public administration courses, or take credits in a completely different area - cultural heritage or political leadership, for example. Lastly, you'll round off this top online master's degree in nonprofit management with a capstone that focuses on issues facing diverse communities.

    • Graduation rate: 58%
    • School status: Public
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 178+
    • City location: Saint Paul, MN
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 3.0, admissions essay
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE/GMAT required for applicants who don’t meet GPA requirements
    • Contact: 303-556-5740
    • Website: https://www.metrostate.edu/academics/programs/master-of-public-and-nonprofit 
  9. Shorter University
    Location

    Rome, GA

    Tuition

    $12200

    Compared to other programs on our master's in nonprofit management and leadership online ranking, Shorter University's degree puts a much heavier emphasis on general management. In fact, the first six classes you take will have nothing to do with nonprofit work. Fortunately, the topics they do cover - such as business analytics and organizational behavior - are still useful for developing your managerial prowess. In the second half of this 31-credit program, you'll take a deep dive into all things philanthropy, studying marketing, communications, volunteer management, and fundraising in the context of the nonprofit sector.

    • Graduation rate: 46%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 64+
    • City location: Rome, GA
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 2.75, professional resume, letters of recommendation
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GMAT required for applicants who don’t meet GPA requirement
    • Contact: 800-868-6980
    • Website: https://www.shorter.edu/master-of-management/ 
  10. Cairn University
    Location

    Langhorne, PA

    Tuition

    $12384

    At Cairn University, being a successful nonprofit manager starts with good leadership. That's why its MS program includes a leadership-oriented capstone practicum that focuses on developing students as strategic leaders. Note that as a Christian university, Cairn also incorporates religious topics into its programs. And its online nonprofit management master's program is no exception; required classes include "Overview of Christian Theology" as well as "Theology of Leadership and Business." Of course, you'll also study plenty of standard nonprofit administration subjects as well, from fundraising and development to financial management, best practices, and innovation.

    • Graduation rate: 60%
    • School status: Private
    • Tuition cost: $$$
    • Number of programs offered: 40+
    • City location: Langhorne, PA
    • Admission requirements: Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA of 2.5
    • Standardized test scores/requirements: GRE not required
    • Contact: 800-366-0049
    • Website: https://cairn.edu/programs/ms-nonprofit-leadership/ 

Methodology: Here's How We Rank Schools

At Best Value Schools, we help students of all ages get the best possible value for their education. When choosing the best schools and programs, we prioritize tuition rates, student debt, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and the availability of online programs. We source unbiased data from government and educational databases like the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 6,374 schools across the U.S. We organize that data into five weighted categories to compile our school rankings.
Metric Data Used Percentage
Academic Quality Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates 25%
Affordability Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid 35%
Reputation Admission and enrollment rates 15%
Program Offerings Number of program options 10%
Online Enrollment Score Portion of learners taking at least one online course 15%
You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our methodology page.

Similar Industries

Thanks for reading our ranking of the 20 top cheap online master's degrees in nonprofit management and leadership!

Sources:
IPEDS Data Center
College Navigator

See also:
Top 15 Cheap Online Human Services Degree Programs (Bachelor's)
Nonprofit Management Scholarships
Management and Leadership Scholarships

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