Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Supply Chain & Logistics for 2019
Businesses have always relied on supply chain and logistics management to ensure that procurement, production, and distribution processes flow smoothly. In recent years, globalization and technological advances have led to supply chains that are greater in scope than ever before. Supply chain and logistics professionals must understand these complex product flows.
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management are equipped with technological, analytical, and leadership skills. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a 7% growth in logisticians' jobs, and it also identified supply chain management and logistics as an important emerging field. As globalization continues to drive business, a logistics and supply chain management degree can deliver solid career options.
What are the Best Online Bachelor's in Supply Chain & Logistics Programs?
Top 10 Online Bachelors in Supply Chain & Logistics for 2019
Admissions Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
78%
Online Enrollment
11%
Retention Rate
91%
Default Rate
5%
UMass Amherst designed its online bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management as an extension of its popular business administration degree. The program explores all facets of supply chain management, including transportation, personnel, demand planning, quality assurance, and enterprise systems. Students gain a well-rounded business education and a deep understanding of the field of logistics.
The operations information management (OIM) curriculum comprises general education courses, business courses, OIM and business electives, and non-business electives. At least 45 of the 120 required credits must be taken at UMass Amherst. Classes are largely asynchronous, and all online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.
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What Will I Learn in an Online Supply Chain & Logistics Program?
Supply chain and logistics is a relatively new program offering, and variations may exist between programs. Check the curriculum of any program you're considering to see if it fits your career goals. Most bachelor's in logistics and supply chain management include courses like these.
Production Operations This class covers integration of logistics management and production operations in business. Special topics include supply chain strategy, inventory management, business processes, project management, and product design and development.
Transportation Principles This course is an exploration of the role of logistics within the organization and the larger economy. Specific touchpoints include customer service, materials management, supply chain, logistics information systems, and inventory management.
Logistics Principles Students will examine functions of logistics within an organization, specifically within integrated vertical systems. Participants will gain working knowledge of purchasing, packaging, order processing, materials management, customer service, information flow, inventory control, transportation, supply chain, and warehousing.
Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain I & II Students will learn about digital tools that assist daily management of cost control, regulatory compliance, transportation systems, and product handling. Advanced topics explore EDI, database management and analytics, decision support systems, and commercial logistics software.
Internship Students learn on the job site in a real-world environment in an industry relevant to their career goals. Most programs require internships equivalent to one semester. Students in online logistics and supply chain management degree programs conduct internships at facilities close to home.
What Can I do with an Online Supply Chain & Logistics Degree?
Because logistics is a high-demand field that only recently developed formal degree programs, holding a bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management can give you a competitive advantage you won't find in many other disciplines. Graduates of a logistics and supply chain degree program are qualified for many exciting positions across manufacturing industries. Below, we've listed just a few of the career paths you can expect to take after graduation.
A materials manager oversees intake, inventory, and distribution of all materials. They negotiate contracts and supervise their execution in purchasing, shipping, and receiving. The manager develops and maintains relationships with suppliers; conducts supplier and product audits; and monitors demand and adjusts inventory as required. They continually modify processes to reduce waste and increase production in shipping, receiving, and transportation. This manager is responsible for record-keeping and documentation.
Median Salary: $72,894
Job Outlook and Salary for Supply Chain & Logistics Graduates
It's undeniable that the manufacturing industry felt the impact of the economic recession of 2007-2009. This, along with the trend toward offshoring production, drastically reduced manufacturing output in the US for many years. But according the the BLS, the U.S. manufacturing industry is on the rebound . Companies with facilities abroad are finding that labor, transportation, and risk management costs are prohibitive, and they're bringing their operations back to America. We are seeing steady growth in new plant construction, and the BLS predicts that this trend will continue. With expertise in management skills and advanced technology, degree-prepared supply chain and logistics professionals are well-prepared for the new face of US manufacturing. A bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain management prepares you to join this exciting field at an ideal time.
Salary Growth by Experience for Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals
Most career paths follow a fairly predictable earnings arc, reserving the highest payouts for those who've put in the time. As the table below shows, average earnings in three typical roles tend to increase most within the first ten years. Mid-career pay continues to rise, but at a slightly slower pace. Late career salaries reward longevity. Those with a logistics and supply chain management degree are able to take on higher-level positions early in their career, allowing them to earn a higher salary.
To determine the best online bachelor's in supply chain and logistics programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online bachelor's in supply chain and logistics programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.