If you pride yourself on your planning and problem-solving, browse our list of the Best Logistics and Supply Chain Management Degrees.
“Supply chain” refers to the steps a company takes to transform raw materials into a final product that is delivered to customers. Supply chain management typically covers five stages: plan, make, source, deliver, and return.
Every step of this process requires analytical problem-solvers with a unique understanding of the supply chain. That’s where you come in! Earning a Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree will prepare you to efficiently plan and manage a supply chain. Learn the tools you’ll need to run a supply chain better, faster, and more cost-effectively.
What kind of Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree should you get?
A bachelor’s degree will prepare you for most careers in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Depending on the position and level of responsibility, some employers may require a master’s degree. Either way, earning your bachelor’s degree is a necessary first step.
You can earn a degree in logistics and supply chain management, or you can pursue a business degree with a supply chain management concentration. Both degree paths are beneficial, and we’ve provided a mix of both options on this list.
If you’d prefer to earn your degree online, visit our list of the Best Online Bachelor’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Degrees.
How much money do people make with a Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree?
Logistics and Supply Chain Management is a broad field with a variety of careers. Below, we’ll look at the median salaries for a few related careers (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
These careers are projected to grow faster than average. Supply chain management is recognized as one of the hottest job tracks in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Jobs of the Future issue.
What can you do with a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?
A degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management prepares you to work for a consulting, manufacturing, or logistics company. You’ll likely start as an analyst or project manager.
The top five industries employing logisticians are the federal government, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, general manufacturing, and professional, scientific, and technical services.
However, an efficient supply chain is essential for most businesses. This means that a background in logistics and supply chain management will make you a desirable candidate in a wide variety of industries.
What are the requirements for a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?
Most Logistics and Supply Chain Management degrees require 120-credit hours to complete. You may also need to complete an internship or practicum. Other programs may require you to complete real-world projects to gain hands-on experience.
Many programs also require students to take introductory coursework in business. This may include courses on accounting, finances, business communication, marketing, human resources, and more.
What are the best Logistics and Supply Chain Management degrees?
Below, we’ve listed the best Logistics and Supply Chain Management degrees available. To choose the best, we consider criteria such as school reputation, tuition, and overall return on investment. Each program on this list is accredited. That means they’ve successfully undergone an extensive review process to meet academic criteria.
The Logistics and Supply Chain Management degrees listed here will give you the tools to succeed in the hyper-competitive global market.
Founded in 1865, Lehigh University is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The university provides a rigorous academic community for over 7,000 students. Lehigh boasts over 100 majors and degree programs, as well as more than 20 interdisciplinary programs spanning multiple colleges. Ninety-six percent of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for graduates is $61,000. Lehigh offers a Supply Chain Management major.
Lehigh’s Supply Chain Management major includes an optional internship or experiential project. Students also develop cross-functional team skills by working with engineering students in the Integrated Product Development program. Graduates typically work in purchasing and supply management, transportation and logistics, operations management, inventory management and control, or demand and supply chain planning.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona. In 1971, the school also became one of the first to offer distance learning. Embry-Riddle Online and the school’s Worldwide campus feature state-of-the-art technology delivering flexible learning opportunities. The private, not-for-profit institution is recognized as one of the nation’s best colleges by U.S. News and World Report. It offers a BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Embry-Riddle Logistics and Supply Chain Management graduates are in high demand. The program prepares students to distinguish themselves as leaders in the field or to pursue graduate studies. To complete the program, students must take a comprehensive exam in Strategic Management.
Michigan State is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the prototype for land-grant universities. MSU is a nationally ranked university and a Best Value college. In addition, it’s known as one of the world’s top research universities. Twenty-five of the school’s degree programs are ranked in the top 20 nationally by U.S. News and World Report. MSU offers over 200 academic programs, including a BA in Supply Chain Management.
Students may select concentration such as physical distribution system design and administration, purchasing techniques and strategies, computer integrated manufacturing, and manufacturing strategies. In addition to supply chain management coursework, students take a variety of courses from the MSU business core.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public research university in Champaign County, Illinois. The school was founded as a land-grant institution in 1867. It is ranked as the number 13 public university in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The university offers programs in more than 150 fields of study. The Gies College of Business provides a major in Supply Chain Management.
Students are required to complete a summer internship before graduating. Students must fill out an application and interview with faculty to ensure that Supply Chain Management is the right fit. This selective program has been very successful in training and placing undergraduate students. Graduates work for consulting, manufacturing, and logistics companies as analysts and project managers.
A private university in Bellevue, Nebraska, Bellevue University is a non-profit institution founded in 1966. BU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It’s routinely recognized as one of the nation’s top military-friendly universities. The university offers flexible, rigorous majors and degree programs both online and on campus. Programs receive input from area businesses to ensure students develop the skills employers seek. BU offers a BS in Supply Chain and Logistics Management.
To help students build a well-rounded skill set, the Supply Chain and Logistics Management degree program incorporates foundational knowledge in several related disciplines, including accounting, economics, finance, information systems, and management.
Recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the nation’s most innovative school, Arizona State boasts over 40 programs ranked in the top 20 in the United States. The public university is based in Tempe, Arizona. It has four campuses across the Phoenix metropolitan area and four regional learning centers throughout the state. ASU is nationally ranked for its affordability and for producing some of the country’s best-qualified graduates. The university offers a business degree in Supply Chain Management.
The Supply Chain Management degree is one of the top-ranked programs at ASU. Students have plentiful opportunities to apply and diversify their degree through undergraduate research, internships, targeted career programs, and organizations like the Supply Chain Management Association.
Founded in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. It’s ranked one of the top 20 public universities in the country by U.S. News and World Report. More than 15 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs are ranked in the top 10 nationally. Home to 51,000 students, UT Austin is one of the biggest and best research universities in the United States. Its many programs include a BBA in Supply Chain Management.
Students work closely with the faculty adviser in the Department of Information, Risk, and Operations Management. They are prepared for careers including buyer, materials manager, risk management analyst, logistics planner, and staff consultant.
North Carolina State University is a leading public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s ranked by both Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report as one of the top five Best Value universities in the country. NC State also boasts some of the nation’s best undergraduate teaching and a variety of top-ranked programs. The university’s mission is to solve problems and provide leadership that transforms lives. It offers a BS in Supply Chain Management.
Students are required to complete a practicum, a semester-long experiential learning project. The project pairs student teams with an industry partner to solve a specific supply chain problem the company is experiencing. Students gain both valuable work experience and professional contacts.
Kennesaw State is a public university with primary campuses in Kennesaw, Georgia and Marietta, Georgia. The university offers more than 150 degrees to over 35,000 students. KSU is a member of the university system of Georgia and is the third largest university in the state. Its business, engineering, and information technology programs are nationally ranked. Kennesaw State offers a BAS in Supply Chain Logistics.
The requirements for this degree may be completed online. Online participants can attend class “virtually”, meaning the student can attend class at a designated time/day via the Internet. Optionally, students can choose not to attend virtually and catch up through video lectures, recorded archives, and/or discussion groups The program is designed to be completed within two years.
The only public four-year university in Dallas, the University of North Texas at Dallas is growing rapidly. The university’s first residence hall is now in place, and a $63 million student center is under construction. Established in 2010, UNT Dallas currently serves over 3,500 students. The university offers over 40 academic programs, including a BS in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
The curriculum was developed with input from an advisory board of 20 senior logistics executives, the North Texas Commission’s Logistics Development and Marketing Committee, and the Dallas/Fort Worth Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. This ensures that students stay up-to-date on current industry trends. Gartner Research recently ranked the program sixth among all logistics and supply chain management programs in the nation.
Northern Arizona University is a public university with its main campus in Flagstaff, Arizona. The university has additional campuses throughout the state, as well as NAU Online. For nearly 120 years, NAU has delivered a student-centered experience. Rigorous courses are taught by world-renowned professors and researchers. The school offers over 120 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. This includes a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Students who are unable to complete an internship due to work/life circumstances may do an intensive guided study project on a specific industry and region under the guidance of a faculty member. A proposal for the project must be approved in advance by a B.B.A. full-time faculty member. This program is available on six NAU campuses and online.
Based in Potsdam, New York, Clarkson University is a private research university with five New York campuses in total. Founded in 1896, Clarkson has grown into a leader in research and technological education. Clarkson has more than 380 industry and government partners, giving students direct access to internships and careers after graduation. The university offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. This includes a major in Global Supply Chain Management.
During the first and second year, students will complete core business courses that provide a foundation in accounting, economics, marketing, and business innovation. In the past, students have interned with Lockheed Martin, Amazon, General Electric, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and other major corporations.
With a total of eight campuses, Miami Dade College is the largest institution of higher learning in the country. The college began operations in 1960 with 1,400 students. Today, over 165,000 students are enrolled in the school. Miami Dade is committed to changing lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. MDC offers more than 300 educational pathways, including a BAS in Supply Chain Management.
This program focuses on the applied knowledge necessary to immediately enter into successful employment. Graduates are employed as quality control systems managers, supply chain managers, logistics engineers, logistics analysts, and more. Some graduates also opt to attend MBA programs.
East Carolina University is a public university in Greenville, North Carolina. Founded in 1907 as a teacher training school, ECU is now the third largest university in the state. The school prepares students to live, work, and compete in the 21st century global knowledge-based economy. ECU is home to 12 colleges and schools offering over 250 degrees and certificates. One option is a BS in Industrial Distribution and Logistics.
ECU faculty networks with industry partners to help graduates leave with a career in addition to a degree. They guide and assist students through the recruiting process for careers in manufacturing, wholesale distribution, fulfillment center operations, transportation, and business to business sales. Students also complete an internship experience in distribution and logistics.
Located in Murray, Kentucky, Murray State is a public university. It has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s top regional universities for 28 years in a row. The school enrolls over 10,000 students. It aims to engage students in collaborative scholarship, creative activity, and research. Murray State offers 126 academic programs across six colleges and schools. This includes a Logistics and Supply Chain Management program.
Graduates are employed as supply chain managers, purchasing managers, transportation managers, operations managers, logistics analysts, logistics managers, and more. Students are not required to complete an internship, but hands-on learning is delivered through real-world projects.
The University of Rhode Island is the flagship public research university of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in Kingstown, but URI has three additional campuses. 18,000 students attend the university, and faculty has grown by 40 percent in the last several years. The university offers 170 degree and certificate programs. One of these programs is a BS in Supply Chain Management.
This program is recognized as one of the top 25 Supply Chain Management programs in the country. Students take core business classes in economics, accounting, managerial decisions, and business communications before narrowing the focus to supply chain management. During junior year, students take a one-credit Junior Career Passport Program to prepare for a successful transition to the working world.
Rider University is a private university in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Founded in 1865, Rider is committed to student growth, transformation, and leadership. Graduates are prepared to thrive professionally and make meaningful contributions to the changing world in which they live and work. U.S. News and World Report ranks RU in the top tier of northern regional universities. RU offers 126 academic programs, including a BS in Global Supply Chain Management.
Rider’s Global Supply Chain Management curriculum is ranked in the top 20 by global research firm Gartner, Inc. All students complete one or more internships or co-ops at companies including L’Oreal, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Estee Lauder. Over 95 percent of program graduates have landed jobs in supply chain management within just three months after graduating. Many receive and accept offers well before graduating.
Founded in 1927, the University of Houston is the third-largest university in Texas with an enrollment of over 45,000 students. The university empowers students in their pursuit of learning, discovery, leadership and engagement. It’s ranked as a Tier One university by U.S. News and World Report. UH offers over 250 degrees, including a BS in Supply Chain and Logistics Technology.
Students are required to complete a practicum in Supply Chain and Logistics Technology. They also take courses in economics, business communications, computer applications, business law, and logistics technology.
The University of Texas at Dallas is a public research university in the University of Texas System. UT Dallas has cutting-edge programs and strong ties with business and industry. The university is ranked as one of the top 100 tuition values in the nation by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. It offers over 142 degree programs, including a BS in Supply Chain Management.
A practicum experience in Management or Supply Chain Management is required, along with a community engagement experience. The student has the option for zero or three semester credit hours, depending on the experience and preference for additional electives.
A public university in Moorhead, Minnesota, Minnesota State University has an enrollment of approximately 6,600 students. The school’s purpose is to transform the world by transforming lives. Core values include grit, humility, and heart. The university also focuses on student achievement and students’ return on their investment. MSU Moorhead has 247 academic programs, including a BS in Global Supply Chain Management.
Students must complete either an internship or Dragon Consulting. In Dragon Consulting, students work on project teams to apply their academic knowledge to real life business problems in real time. Students provide consulting services for businesses through the Center for Innovative Business Solutions.