Nonprofit management specialists are in-demand today to address society’s needs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that social and community service managers can anticipate an employment growth rate of 15% between 2020 and 2030. The best online master’s in nonprofit management equip you with skills like nonprofit board governance, grant writing, and fundraising. Read on for our rankings of the top nonprofit management master’s programs in the nation, along with our guide on what to expect from this degree.
Top 5 online schools for nonprofit management master’s degrees
The best online nonprofit management master’s degrees
Before looking at our rankings, take a moment to read over ZDNet’s ranking methodology. This page explains how we pinpoint the best programs in the country and then order them based on affordability, academic merit, usefulness, and other factors. Orlando, FL Application fee: $31 Cedar Falls, IA Application fee: $60 Nashville, TN Application fee: $25 Winona Lake, IN Application fee: $30 Denver, Co Application fee: $75 Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.
What to expect in an online nonprofit management master’s degree program
An online nonprofit management master’s is an intensive, experientially-oriented degree that prepares learners to work at the highest levels of management in the nonprofit and human services industries. Many programs strongly emphasize group work or follow a cohort model. Your program will likely require you to participate in both asynchronous and synchronous course elements and join in weekly discussions.
Acceptance rate: 44%Graduation rate: 72%Avg. annual net price: $10,274Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 1170-1340Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 79% Graduation rate: 66%Avg. annual net price: $15,620Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 980-1241Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 62%Graduation rate: 51%Avg. annual net price: $17,499Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 1070-1288Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 80%Graduation rate: 72%Avg. annual net price: $20,820Years to completion: TwoSAT range: Not publicly available.Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 59%Graduation rate: 75%Avg. annual net price: $32,361Years to completion: Two to threeSAT range: 1170-1350Minimum GPA: 2.5Enrollment periods per year: ThreeCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 89%Graduation rate: 43%Avg. annual net price: $6,848Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 920-1080Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 71%Graduation rate: 57%Avg. annual net price: $25,483Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 1030-1240Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 64%Graduation rate: 54%Avg. annual net price: $23,855Years to completion: TwoSAT range: Not publicly available.Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: TwoCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 56%Graduation rate: 57%Avg. annual net price: $15,225Years to completion: Two to five years (part-time option available)SAT range: Not publicly available.Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 66%Graduation rate: 61%Avg. annual net price: $20,576Years to completion: One to two (accelerated option available)SAT range: 973-1190Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Synchronous
Acceptance rate: 72%Graduation rate: 57%Avg. annual net price: $22,211Years to completion: One to two (accelerated option available)SAT range: 960-1170Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 78%Graduation rate: 64%Avg. annual net price: $24,763Years to completion: Two to threeSAT range: Not publicly available.Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 48%Graduation rate: 59%Avg. annual net price: $19,170Years to completion: Two to threeSAT range: 970-1180Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 83%Graduation rate: 62%Avg. annual net price: $21,859Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 990-1247Minimum GPA: 2.5Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 88%Graduation rate: 54%Avg. annual net price: $17,491Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 980-1170Minimum GPA: 3.0Enrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 78%Graduation rate: 53%Avg. annual net price: $20,687Years to completion: One to twoSAT range: 905-1060Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: Rolling admissionsCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: Not publicly available.Graduation rate: 44%Avg. annual net price: $12,142Years to completion: Two to three (part-time option available)SAT range: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 58%Graduation rate: 46%Avg. annual net price: $21,745Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 920-1140Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous
Acceptance rate: 41%Graduation rate: 36%Avg. annual net price: $18,499Years to completion: Two to threeSAT range: Not publicly available.Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Acceptance rate: 68%Graduation rate: 49%Avg. annual net price: $17,537Years to completion: TwoSAT range: 910-1060Minimum GPA: N/AEnrollment periods per year: RollingCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Because this degree is tailored to the nonprofit industry, it emphasizes practical concepts such as fiscal management, leadership theory, and fundraising and outreach practices for nonprofits. Students master fundamental hard skills in grant writing, online marketing, and program development. You will also develop skills in policy analysis, leadership and board governance, and business communication. Many programs offer electives covering topics including ethics in the nonprofit industries, diversity in nonprofits, and legal considerations for nonprofits.
Nonprofit management master’s courses
Though nonprofit management master’s programs can vary strongly in exact course offerings, most programs’ courses generally touch on a few key topics relating to leadership, finances, and program evaluation from a nonprofit perspective. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare students for this industry by showing them how organizations are led, how funds are raised, and how organizations communicate their value in the nonprofit field. The following course list represents some common course offerings in most nonprofit management master’s programs.
Fiscal management for nonprofits
This course teaches students the best practices for effective financial decision-making in the nonprofit industry. Topics may include budgeting for nonprofits, evaluating financial statements, and complying with regulatory and legal reporting requirements.
Nonprofit board governance and leadership
Learners in this course explore the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, as well as how to effectively apply leadership and organizational theory to nonprofit boards and organizational culture.
Nonprofit program evaluation
This course explores useful strategies for nonprofit program evaluation, such as logic models, survey design, and focus groups. Students learn how to apply qualitative and quantitative theories to evaluation to gaging program outcomes.
Nonprofit fundraising and outreach
For this course students investigate strategies for generating revenue for nonprofits through fundraising drives and outreach programs. Topics include donor motivation, social media’s role in fundraising, and communicating your organization’s goals to donors.
Nonprofit management degree levels
The different levels of nonprofit management degrees come in handy for different kinds of career goals. A nonprofit management bachelor’s will land you a management job in most organizations; however, if you want to ascend the ladder to a high-responsibility position, a master’s or doctorate might be a better choice. Choose your degree with your career goals in mind.
Associate in nonprofit management
Length: Two to three yearsCost: $5,000-$10,000Post-grad careers: Administrative assistant, team leader, volunteer coordinator
A two-year associate in nonprofit management can help you obtain entry level work in the nonprofit and human services industries. With this degree, you can work as an administrative assistant, event planner, or volunteer coordinator for many nonprofits. You may even be able to become a higher-up administrator with this degree alone. A nonprofit management associate generally consists of 60 credits and covers foundational topics such as fiscal management for nonprofits, nonprofit program development, and nonprofit leadership.
Bachelor’s in nonprofit management
Length: Four yearsCost: $40,000-$200,000Post-grad careers: Program coordinator, fundraising manager, grant proposal manager
A four-year bachelor’s in nonprofit management appeals both to traditional students looking to transition into an upper-level management position in the nonprofit industry and working professionals looking to bolster their credentials. With this degree, you can work as a program coordinator, fundraiser or outreach coordinator, or other high-responsibility role. The degree emphasizes communication and leadership skills through a nonprofit lens. More in-depth course topics include grant writing, nonprofit marketing, and public policy and strategy.
Master’s in nonprofit management
Length: Two to three yearsCost: $40,000-$100,000Post-grad careers: Program director, executive director, director of special initiatives
A 2-3 year master’s in nonprofit management is an ideal degree for established managers/administrators looking to ascend to the highest level in the nonprofit and human services industries. Graduates with this degree often work as program directors, CEOs, and directors of special initiatives. Within this degree, learners develop their communication, leadership, and analytical skills. Students usually get the opportunity to pursue an internship. Course topics may delve into special topics in nonprofit management, such as policy analysis, research, and public sector theory.
Doctorate in nonprofit management
Length: Three to five yearsCost: $80,000-$200,000Post-grad careers: University professor, executive director, development director
A nonprofit management doctorate typically takes 3-5 years to complete. Graduates who hold a doctoral nonprofit management degree generally either work in academia or in the field as executive directors, development directors, or directors of special activities for nonprofits or government agencies. This doctoral degree develops skills in business communication, policy analysis, and research. Course topics generally include a research component, along with a practicum or internship and topics in grant writing, public administration and advocacy, and leadership theory.
In conclusion
An online nonprofit management master’s offers many outstanding benefits. In two to three years, you can gain insight into how nonprofits work and learn how you can help these organizations help others as a leader, analyst, or visionary. For more information, consult with other helpful input sources on this career, such as your local college’s career counseling center, local nonprofits, or local human or community service agencies. Good luck!
