With hybrid and remote work here to stay, the traditional four-year, on-campus Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree is no longer the only credible path to a successful career.
For many high school students, working professionals, and career-changers, online business degrees like the one offered at the University of Fredericton provide something increasingly valuable: flexibility without sacrificing academic rigour. But beyond the strengths of the program itself, prospective students also want reassurance that their degree will open doors for post-grad employment. The question is: Is an online BBA worth it in today’s job market?
How Employers View Online vs. On-Campus BBA Programs
The adoption of online business programs accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as large, well-established universities pivoted to online learning, normalizing the practice, says Brittany DeCoffe, Head of Strategic Enrollment at the University of Fredericton. The uptake of online degrees has led to more employers trusting—and hiring—online graduates, DeCoffe says.
Once thought to be less credible, the perception of online programs has further shifted as more of the workforce has transitioned to remote work and asynchronous schedules. Today, online learning is an integral part of the education landscape.
A 2025 survey from the Canada Digital Learning Research Association (CDLRA) found 63 percent of respondents expected more programs and courses to be offered fully online in 2025, compared to just 45 percent predicting growth in in-person formats.
“Surveys conducted between 2022 and 2025 show well over a 100 percent increase in acceptance of online degrees among employers and the general public,” DeCoffe explains. “Today, sectors such as business, technology, government, and IT often prefer online learning because it allows professionals to continue contributing to their organizations without pausing their careers.”
Canadian hiring leaders are actively benefiting from employing graduates of online programs.
At Clio, a legal technology company with a distributed workforce, for example, having an online BBA degree is a distinct advantage for a potential entry-level hire.
“We have had positive experiences with online graduates,” says Susan Ferguson, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Clio. “What stands out most is their self-management, as online learning inherently requires students to structure their time and remain self-motivated.”
She adds that online graduates often arrive job-ready as digital environments have made them accustomed to using virtual tools and engaging in online team discussions. “They tend to lead with a solution-focused mindset, being skilled at independently seeking out necessary resources.”
What Skills Employers Are Looking For Among Recent BBA Grads
With delivery format mattering less than it once did, employers are more focused on the skills and qualities they value in early-career hires.
“For recent BBA graduates, we prioritize a learning mindset, curiosity, and coachability above all else,” Ferguson says. “While we can teach specific tactical skills, we look for candidates with the drive to apply feedback quickly.”
According to Ferguson, online learners often demonstrate strengths that align well with modern workplaces. “Online learners often stand out here because they tend to demonstrate exceptional self-direction and proficiency in virtual collaboration. These are essential assets for Clio’s distributed, multi-time-zone team.”
When evaluating resumes, Clio also looks beyond classroom learning. Specifically, the company evaluates whether candidates have past experience working in environments with shifting priorities and expectations.
“Strong signals include managing multiple projects at once, supporting cross-functional work, or contributing to teams during periods of growth or transition,” Ferguson says. “We also pay attention to examples from previous roles, internships, or project-based work that show adaptability, problem solving in real time, and comfort operating with some level of ambiguity.”
How UFred’s Online BBA Program Equips Students for Success
In today’s online-first world, employers want tech-savvy applicants who are fast learners and computer-proficient. To increase students’ technical literacy, UFred’s online BBA program uses a dedicated learning management system, virtual collaboration tools, and digital course materials, DeCoffe says.
“Students receive hands-on support from inquiry to graduation, including academic advising, technical and administrative assistance, and ongoing faculty oversight,” DeCoffe explains. She adds that UFred’s online BBA faculty is composed of industry professionals and academics with graduate-level degrees.
At UFred, the online BBA program maintains the same academic standards as traditional, on-campus programs due to its robust accreditation and quality-assurance processes, says DeCoffe. Courses are structured and delivered through weekly modules that include assessments, group projects, and discussion forums—all of which promote teamwork and collaboration in a digital environment.
Tuition fees for online programs tend to be lower than those of traditional on-campus programs, too, she adds. This equips students for success by making high-quality education available to more individuals.
The Benefits of Online BBA Programs for Working Professionals
For mid-career professionals, the advantages of pursuing an online BBA are significant.
UFred’s flexible, self-paced, and structured program eliminates the need to commute to a classroom and allows students to study any time, anywhere, DeCoffe says.
Gilbert George, an online student pursuing a combined Bachelor of Business and Occupational Health and Safety degree at UFred, says the university’s program was exactly what he needed. He didn’t have the capacity to study on campus due to his previous full-time job.
He says the flexibility of the UFred program was a core factor when deciding whether to pursue the degree. Through the university’s online BBA program, George is able to log on to the online campus any time, get all his assignments in, and speak to professors whenever he needs.
“Students and employers benefit when learning can be applied immediately on the job,” says DeCoffe. “With UFred, students can maintain their income and build career experience instead of waiting four years to enter the workforce.”
Is an Online BBA Worth It?
According to CourseCompare’s Return on Education Index, there’s a 15-per-cent higher return-on-education for BBA graduates compared to the average Canadian student, with an average post-graduation salary of $65,188.
For students deciding between an online vs. on-campus BBA, programs completed virtually offer flexible, collaborative, and rigorous academic teachings.
“When you consider that an online BBA can be completed more quickly while students continue to gain real-world experience, the potential for earning a higher salary much sooner becomes even stronger,” DeCoffe says.
For George, UFred’s online curriculum was absolutely worth pursuing.
“You get the same level of education as everyone sitting in the classroom, and you get the same attention from your professors,” George says. “They give us the best quality of education.”
Contributing Writer