Let’s compare some of the best online administration courses and see what one would be best for you.
Check how we rank these online colleges. Using a few key categories we’ll give each college an overall ranking. For the schools that offer in person classes and online courses we will only be taking their online offerings in to account.
We rank all our schools on a scale of 1-5 in five key categories so we can give you a good idea of what to expect from that school. Those 5 key components are:
Tuition, Length, Credential, Flexibility, Quality
Each different institution will get an overall rating based on how they score in each of those 5 categories. You can use the buttons below to quickly find a specific schools rating. Each of these ranking are for the schools online offerings specifically.
$11,405.00 CAD
1 Years
Certificate
Online
Tuition Cost – 2/5 – As far as university certificates go this one is moderately priced with AU’s pay per course tuition. This makes it more affordable than doing a diploma or degree program but expensive compared to other short certificate programs.
Length of Program – 4/5 – The program can be completed in as little as 1 year, but students can take longer with no deadline.
This flexibility in pacing gives it a major advantage over fixed-schedule programs.
Credentials – 5/5 – As a university-issued certificate, it carries strong credibility and can ladder into a degree.
While not as strong as a full degree, it still holds more weight than most private college certificates.
Flexibility – 5/5 – AU takes another 5/5 in the flexibility category. Their courses are designed to be as flexible as possible and make your schooling work around a schedule that works for you.
Program Material Quality – 4/5 – The curriculum is broad and academically strong, covering policy, finance, law, and governance.
It provides solid theoretical and practical knowledge, though less depth than some diploma or degree programs may offer.
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
From a reviewer standpoint, this program is best described as a high-quality, flexible, and practical pathway into marketing, particularly suited for non-traditional students. Its biggest strengths are accessibility and adaptability, while its main trade-offs are reduced networking opportunities and slightly lower institutional prestige compared to top universities.
$ 8,750.00 CAD
25 Weeks
Certificate
Online, in class, blended.
Tuition Cost – 2/5 – Brighton College is moderately expensive considering the program is less than a year long and doesn’t include a practicum.
Length of Program – 4/5 – At approximately 25 weeks or 6 months, the program offers a good balance between speed and content coverage.
It is fast enough for quick workforce entry while still allowing more depth than very short programs.
Credentials – 4/5 – The credential is supported by PTIB and BC EQA accreditation, ensuring legitimacy.
However, as a private college certificate, it carries moderate recognition compared to public institutions or degrees.
Flexibility – 3.5/5 – This course has multiple intakes making it accessible to begin but is still structured not allowing for maximum flexibility.
Program Material Quality – 4/5 – The curriculum provides a solid foundation in core business topics and focuses on practical skills for entry-level roles.
It is effective for job readiness, though less in-depth than longer diploma or degree programs.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
A flexible and practical certificate program with solid accessibility and foundational training, balanced by moderate cost and credential recognition.
Not listed on website. Inquire for more info.
26 Weeks
Certificate
Online
Tuition Cost – 2.5/5 – The program gets a medium rating because the information is not accessible without inquiring with the college. But CanScribe is known for providing affordable tuition for quality career training.
Length of Course – 5/5 – The program typically takes up to 26 weeks to complete but can be completed in a few months, making it extremely fast. This allows students to quickly gain skills and start working, earning a top score for speed and efficiency.
Pedigree/Credential – 4/5 – The credential is suitable for entry-level roles, but carries less weight than diplomas or degrees from public institutions because it is a private college. But this course has been reviewed by the Canadian Association of Virtual Assistants (CAVA) giving it a boost in credibility.
Flexibility – 5/5 – Flexibility is a major strength, with self-paced learning and multiple delivery options. This allows students to tailor their schedule around work or other commitments, making it highly accessible and deserving of a top score.
Quality of Program Material – 4.5/5 – The curriculum is practical and focused on real-world virtual assistant skills, including admin tasks, tools, and client management. It prepares students well for freelance work, though it is not as in-depth as longer programs.
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
A fast, affordable, and flexible program designed for quick entry into virtual assistant or freelance work, with its main limitation being the lower weight of the credential.
$ 9,990.00 CAD
25 Weeks
Certificate
Online
Tuition Cost – 1.5/5 – The program costs around $9,990 CAD, which is high for a short certificate program.
While financial aid and career services add some value, the price is closer to diploma-level programs, resulting in a moderate score.
Length of Course – 4/5 – At 25 weeks or 6 months, the program offers a strong balance between speed and depth. It is still considered accelerated, allowing relatively quick entry into the workforce, but is slightly longer than the fastest certificate options, which prevents a perfect score.
Pedigree/Credential – 3.5/5 – The credential benefits from provincial regulatory approval (PTIRU), which adds legitimacy and trust. However, as a private college credential, it carries moderate recognition and less long-term weight than degrees or public college diplomas.
Flexibility – 5/5 – Flexibility is a key strength, with online, self-paced learning and frequent start dates. This makes the program highly accessible for students balancing work or other commitments, justifying a top score.
Quality of Program Material – 3.5/5 – The curriculum is practical and job-focused, covering Microsoft Office, HR basics, communication, and office procedures. It prepares students well for entry-level roles, though it lacks the depth of longer diploma or degree programs.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
This program stands out for its strong curriculum and flexibility, but its higher tuition cost and certificate-level credential slightly limit its overall value compared to some competitors.
$ 9,995.00 CAD
25 Weeks
Diploma
Online or on campus
Tuition Cost – 1.5/5 – The program costs approximately $9,995 CAD, which is high for a short program. While it is a diploma program this is a high cost for a program that only takes around 6 months.
Length of Program – 4/5 – At around 25 weeks, the program is fast and efficient. It allows relatively quick entry into the workforce while still covering core administrative skills, though not as fast as shorter programs.
Pedigree/Credential – 3.5/5 – The credential is licensed under provincial legislation, ensuring legitimacy. However, as a private college certificate, it carries moderate recognition compared to public institutions or university programs.
Flexibility – 5/5 – The program offers online and on-campus options, with the ability to study on your own schedule while still accessing instructor support.
This provides strong flexibility.
Quality of Program Material – 4/5 –The curriculum is comprehensive and practical, covering office procedures, communication, Microsoft Office, and includes a practicum component. This ensures strong job readiness, with only slightly less depth than longer diploma programs.
Overall Rating: 3.6/5
A fast, practical, and career-focused program with strong hands-on training and flexibility, balanced by higher tuition and moderate credential recognition.
$15,397.20 CAD
2 Years
Diploma
Online or in person
Tuition – 4.5/5 – The program is reasonably priced for a public institution, with total tuition around $7,700 CAD for domestic students. This makes it more affordable than many private colleges while offering stronger institutional credibility, though still more expensive than very short certificates.
Length of Program – 4/5 – SAIT gets a good score here as for a highly respected public college getting a diploma in 2 years is very standard and comes with the pedigree that accompanies a well known public college.
Pedigree/Credential – 4.5/5 – As a credential from a well-recognized public polytechnic, it carries strong credibility. The only reason it is losing a half point is because some university program would have slightly more pedigree than SAIT.
Flexibility – 3.5/5 – The program offers online, in-person, and blended delivery options, along with up to five years to complete the program. However, it is still somewhat structured, which limits full self-paced flexibility.
Quality of Program Material – 4.5/5 – The curriculum is comprehensive and industry-focused, covering leadership, operations, marketing, finance, and organizational management. SAIT’s applied-learning approach and strong industry connections help make the material highly relevant and practical.
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
A high-quality and respected business diploma program that offers strong career preparation, employer recognition, and practical management training, making it a solid option for students seeking long-term business career growth.