Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics Programs Guide

The journey from conceptualizing a product idea to landing in the end-user’s hands is a complicated and essential part of every business. A company that gets this process right can increase revenue, streamline processes, and boost efficiency.

Earning a degree in supply chain management and logistics can help make you an integral part of a company and give you the ability to join a booming field. We have compiled an outline of degree expectations and requirements and a comprehensive list of degree programs across the country.

Why Get a Degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics?

At the beginning of the decade, the global supply chain management industry was valued at $15.85 billion. This is expected to nearly double in size to a valuation of $31 billion by 2026. Why is this relevant to your career decisions?

The industry growth is indicative of the booming potential the field has for future students. When it comes to careers, a degree in supply chain management and logistics is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after skill sets in the market.

With an ever-changing supply chain riddled with bottlenecks, outdated technology, and a lack of understanding, the demand for supply chain and logistics professionals has never been greater.

Throughout the most recent COVID-related shutdowns, most businesses realized just how critical it is to have a properly run supply chain. Having a clear understanding of planning, coordinating, and critical thinking will only increase with time.

Common Questions about Supply Chain Management and Logistics Degrees

Confused about where to start? Don’t worry. Keep reading to find out the common questions and areas of doubt surrounding obtaining a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics.

What is a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics degree?

In a standard four-year bachelor’s program, students will explore the aspects of transportation, distribution, warehousing, procurement, and manufacturing of parts and products across various business types.

Many programs are available through in-person, hybrid, or fully-remote learning.

What Types of Supply Chain and Logistics Majors Are There?

Supply chain and logistics can either be a standalone major or a minor program that will support most degrees.

The most common programs are supply chain management, supply chain planning, international supply chain and logistics, supply chain and operations, and supply chain management and analytics.

Many degrees cover both supply chain management and logistics. But are they the same? What are the differences between the two?

Logistics is always a piece of supply chain, but supply chain is not always a part of logistics.

A supply chain focuses on the product’s entire life cycle, from creation and manufacturing to delivery and (potentially) returns. Supply chain management includes monitoring a company’s relationships with its suppliers, the products they manufacture, how much of those products should be created, and where they should be shipped.

Logistics focuses solely on delivering goods to customers within a specified time window. More specifically, all the planning and execution elements of moving products from the business to the end consumer.

Both involve managing resources, planning, and strategy, but supply chain management is more about creation, and logistics is about distribution.

Which Academic Departments Usually Offer Supply Chain Management and Logistics Programs?

As the demand for more academically trained supply chain and logistics professionals grows, colleges and universities have begun to create their departments to offer these programs.

If an institution does not have a dedicated supply chain management department, these programs often fall within business schools, marketing departments, or engineering departments.

How Difficult Are These Programs? What Skills Do You Need to Succeed?

As with every academic offering, each program is unique to the institution, and program difficulty will vary from school to school. Many find supply chain management programs challenging and rewarding because you have to use both soft and hard skills (i.e., reason and logic with math and analysis).

To succeed in this field, you’ll have to excel at data analysis and research. You’ll also have to communicate effectively with people from other departments and outside the organization, like vendors and customers.

If you’re trying to decide if this is the right career path for you, consider these questions:

• Can you work well with people?
• Are you comfortable making decisions based on numbers?
• Do details matter to you?
• Do you enjoy solving problems?

If your answers are yes, then a degree in supply chain management might be right for you!

Successful students will have a natural curiosity, a desire to dig deep into a problem, possess a basic understanding of ethical business practices, and an attention to detail.

How Has COVID Impacted the Demand for Supply Chain Management and Logistics Graduates?

COVID-19 has been what most industry professionals classify as a “Black Swan Event,” an occurrence that is extremely rare yet undeniably impactful. With a labor shortage, entire sectors closed due to outbreaks and delayed delivery times from international suppliers. COVID put the whole industry on its heels.

A study conducted by McKinsey shows that 93% of senior supply chain executives are focused on making their chain “far more flexible, agile, and resilient.” Furthermore, a survey by EY shows how much this industry disruption will feed into a growing demand for SCM and logistics experts.

This has given rise to academically-trained professionals who understand how to navigate these murky waters and can develop creative solutions that are automated and more cost-effective.

Majoring in Supply Chain Management and Logistics

Are you planning to pursue a supply chain management and logistics major? Here’s what you need to know.

Typical Admissions Requirements for a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics

A completed high school diploma or GED is the first step to being accepted into most undergraduate programs in the United States. Additionally, a competitive ACT or SAT score can sometimes be required, although some programs are temporarily or permanently waiving these tests due to COVID restrictions. You will need to complete an application to the university; be prepared to pay an application fee.

Program Structure

While each program will vary from school to school, programs are typically one of two structures: supply chain management and logistics as a standalone major or a specialization within business administration, marketing, or engineering programs.

For example, Michigan State University (the current No. 1 program in the country) offers a standalone B.A. in Supply Chain Management. Students complete core supply chain management classes, general education credits, and their choice of several elective courses. Finally, students complete one capstone course focused on supply chain management and logistics topics.

In contrast, Missouri State University offers a supply chain management and logistics program within the marketing department. Students are required to take several marketing courses as the central core of the program before moving to one of two specializations – Logistics and Operations Management or Supply Chain Analytics.

Typical Coursework within Supply Chain Management and Logistics Programs

Every university has its flavor of supply chain degree programs influenced by supply chain priorities within that region. However, you’ll find a lot of similarities between degrees. Most programs include classes such as:

• Procurement
• Transportation Management
• Accounting
• Analytics
• Finance
• Business Essentials
• Warehouse Management
• International Business

Compare program curriculums to determine which offerings match your interests and career aspirations.

Tuition Prices for Supply Chain Management and Logistics Programs

Because Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics programs are undergraduate offerings, students will usually pay the standard undergraduate tuition price. Tuition rates can be drastically different from one institution to the next. For example, a reputable in-state program could cost roughly $35,000, whereas a supply chain management program at a private school could cost up to $65,000. And that’s before factoring in costs for textbooks, housing, technology fees, and computer equipment.

It’s important to consider your budget and choose a program with a reasonable price. In-state programs will almost always be more affordable than their out-of-state counterparts. Likewise, private and religious institutions are almost always more expensive than public colleges.

What about Online Supply Chain and Logistics Bachelor’s Degree Programs?

Over the past decade, many programs launched online versions of their on-campus supply chain bachelor’s degrees. These programs issue the same diplomas to online and on-campus students, making them appealing to students interested in programs outside of their area.

For example, Arizona State University offers a fully online B.S. in Supply Chain Management with 40 courses lasting seven and a half weeks each. This allows students to obtain a top-tier education while still maintaining a work and family life.

You can learn more about available online programs in our online guide to Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics programs.

Supply Chain and Logistics Centers and Clubs

In addition to classwork, many schools offer clubs or other extracurricular activities for students to deepen their knowledge, expand their network, and meet with industry leaders.

For example, Lehigh University hosts a Supply Chain Management Club where students can attend company tours and networking events or listen to guest speakers. And at the University of South Carolina, the Operations and Supply Chain Center connects its supply chain students with partner organizations. It’s an incredible networking opportunity for students nearing graduation and preparing to enter the supply chain workforce.

What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics?

A Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management and Logistics prepares students for a wide variety of positions. Popular career options include:

• Procurement Manager
• Inventory Planner
• Logistics Analyst
• Distribution Center Manager

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated the median salary for logisticians to be $76,270 while the median salary for purchasing managers is $125,940.

Students who continue their education to pursue additional degrees and certifications can also expect a higher salary range and career opportunities. Popular options include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Supply Chain Management, Masters of Supply Chain Management, and specialized Certificates in Analytics and Operations.

All Supply Chain Management and Logistics Bachelor’s Degree Programs

It’s time to start your search for in-person programs in supply chain management and logistics! We have compiled a comprehensive list of schools and different degree programs. If you are ready to take the next step in your program search, here is our list of all on-campus programs.

Note: This page only lists on-campus offerings. You can find all online bachelor’s in SCM programs here.