Overview: Online Bachelor's Degrees
Is It Possible to Get a Bachelor's Degree Online?
Online learners comprise a significant portion of total undergraduate students in the U.S., with 34% taking at least some online courses and 14% taking exclusively online courses. The COVID-19 pandemic drove many traditional campus students into distance education in 2020, an experience that may spur colleges to both increase and improve their online offerings. Online education is clearly here to stay. But what can students expect from an online bachelor's program?
Most colleges design bachelor's degrees to take four years (usually 120 semester credits), whether they're offered online or in person. The admissions requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum GPA, and possibly a minimum score on either the ACT or SAT (though not all schools require admissions tests).
Students may wonder what the online learning environment will be like. In contrast to traditional classrooms, where students and faculty gather for lectures, discussions, and exams, most online programs offer asynchronous coursework and instruction. Students view lectures and complete coursework at convenient times rather than live. Faculty are still required to hold office hours, though meetings may take place over the phone or video conference.
If you decide that the online learning environment seems like a good fit for you, there are three types of institutions where you can earn an online bachelor's degree: public, private non-profit, or private for-profit colleges.
- Public colleges receive part of their budget from state taxes and funnel the money they earn back into the school after covering operating expenses.
- Private non-profit colleges also channel earnings back into the school.
- Private for-profit colleges pay money to shareholders and are run more like businesses. They made early headway in the distance learning space, but the others are catching up.
Bachelor's Degree Quick Facts
- Average Credits: 120
- Average Duration: 4 years
Choosing an Online Program
Before deciding where to study, you may want to consider what to study, though you can usually make this decision during college or change your mind while attending. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the most popular majors are in business, assorted health disciplines (e.g., nursing and health information management), social science, psychology, and the biological sciences. We offer lists of the most affordable online bachelor's degrees in all these subjects and more.
Depending on your choice, you may pursue a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. B.A.s generally interrogate a subject through a humanities lens, asking students to think critically by examining the historical, social, and philosophical context behind a topic. B.S. degrees are more common in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, in which students conduct experiments and analyze numerical data to draw conclusions.
You can choose a major that interests you, that will help secure the kind of job you want, or that can translate to several kinds of careers. There are many factors to weigh, but you normally won't need to declare your major until your second or third year of college. Some programs have limited capacity and you'll be asked to declare during the application process. A school's website will make it clear if this is the case, and will detail any special application procedures.
Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in Two Years Online?
There are two ways to get a bachelor's degree in just two years online: attending a school with an accelerated option or transferring credits from an associate degree program.
Some schools structure online degrees to have eight-week terms instead of traditional 15-week semesters, which allows students to complete more classes per year. To finish in two years at a school with eight-week terms, the college also needs to allow students to take three courses at a time, which is more than the typical course load. It takes discipline to complete a degree on this accelerated schedule, along with the means to study full time.
If you've earned an associate degree at an accredited school, you may be able to complete online bachelor's degree requirements in two years. Some schools allow students to transfer up to 90 credits, so check the credit transfer policy for each school you're considering.
Finding an Accredited Undergraduate Program
Colleges that earn national accreditation have proven that they've periodically met quality standards set by the Department of Education. Regional accreditation is even more highly sought-after because it allows students to easily transfer credits between institutions accredited by one of the seven regional-accrediting bodies (one accrediting body for two-year colleges and six for four-year colleges in different areas of the country). Individual programs may also earn programmatic accreditation from organizations that specialize in particular subjects. For example, the #6 most affordable school, Western Carolina University, is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for its online B.S. in nursing (among several other accredited programs).
You may want to check a school's accreditation first during your research, because it's a good baseline indicator of a school's quality. Attending a nationally accredited school means you can apply for federal financial aid, and attending a regionally accredited school ensures easier credit transfer if you decide to switch schools or pursue a graduate degree. Every school on our site is nationally or regionally accredited, and you can find the accrediting bodies that certify them listed below our rankings lists.
Cost of an Online Degree
How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost?
Of the schools we researched in order to rank the most affordable online bachelor's degrees, the median annual tuition is $11,728 at public schools and $13,950 at private institutions.
In general, online tuition is lower than tuition for on-campus programs at both private and public institutions because schools can increase their enrollment without making large infrastructure upgrades. In addition, public schools sometimes charge the in-state tuition rate regardless of an online student's residency (e.g., at #2 Clayton State University).
During a school search, you can estimate the total price by calculating the tuition cost per credit hour at a given school and multiplying this by the total number of hours needed to graduate (usually 120 for bachelor's degrees). Then add any fees noted on a school's website, such as technology fees, e-books, or equipment rental — you'll often find these fees in the tution or financial aid sections of a school's site. Financial aid can help alleviate some costs.
How Can I Get My Bachelor's Degree Online for Free?
You're unlikely to find a program that's completely free, but some colleges do offer competitive merit-based scholarships or need-based grants that cover 100% of tuition and leave the student responsible only for additional fees. There are also tuition-free online colleges, but tuition is not the whole story. These schools often charge course-completion fees and other costs, which may still add up to less than the typical cost of tuition at other colleges. However, always make sure you check the accreditation of any school you're considering — some tuition-free colleges aren't accredited. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) reviews accrediting organizations to make sure they maintain high standards and features a search tool where you can check the status of schools, programs, and accrediting bodies.
What Is the Most Affordable Way to Get a Bachelor's Degree?
Online degrees usually cost less than in-person degrees, so review the colleges on our most affordable online bachelor's degrees list for any that interest you. Also review the available financial aid options, especially funding that doesn't need to be repaid, such as scholarships and grants. You can earn credits at a two-year college and transfer them toward a bachelor's degree, because community colleges tend to have relatively low tuition. Most transfer students move to four-year colleges before graduating with an associate degree, but completing the two-year program can provide a more affordable option. Make sure to attend an accredited junior college and choose a bachelor's program that accepts at least half the total credits from outside (many online programs allow up to 90 out of 120 credits).
Funding an Online Bachelor's Degree
Higher education is more expensive than ever, but most students secure at least some financial aid to ease the burden. In the 2018-2019 academic year, 86% of undergraduates accepted federal, state, institutional, or private funding to help pay for their degrees. The types of financial aid vary greatly, and the most sought-after forms are need-based grants and merit-based scholarships. These funds reduce future debt because they don't need to be paid back, so it's best to exhaust these opportunities before turning to loans that require repayment with interest. Prospective students might also choose a federal work-study program in which they work part-time for their college in order to receive a tuition grant.
Online students can pursue all of these options, though work-study may not be possible unless they live near their school. In addition, some scholarships may be specific to campus-based students (though others may be tailored to online students). Finally, state aid is usually unavailable to online students who don't live in their college's home state. Check your institution's financial aid page to learn what's available and how to apply, and call the financial aid office if you have questions that the site doesn't answer.
Careers for Online Graduates With a Bachelor's Degree
What Are the Highest Paying Online Degrees?
In general, earning a degree will set you up for a higher paying job. Professionals with bachelor's degrees earn more than those without (a median of $500 more a week than workers with a high school education).
Payscale's College Salary Report details the high salary potential of a bachelor's degree in any type of engineering, with petroleum engineering strong in both early-career and mid-career pay. Operations research and business computing graduates tend to land high-paying jobs early in their careers as well.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also breaks down the highest paying occupations by the level of education required for entry. This might be a helpful resource, but the data on the bachelor's degree chart requires some nuance. BLS lists chief executives and several types of business managers among the highest earning jobs requiring a bachelor's degree for entry, but people in these positions often earn master's degrees and work for years before reaching the highest levels of pay.
Are Online Bachelor's Degrees Worth It?
Bachelor's degrees lead to higher wages and reduced unemployment over the course of a career, and the stigma around online education is decreasing as more schools create accredited online-only programs. The COVID-19 crisis could accelerate this process, but HR managers were warming to online degrees even before the pandemic forced college students into remote learning: a 2019 survey reported that 61% viewed online and in-person degrees equally. Still, most colleges understand the lingering perception of low-quality online degrees, so many of them use identical transcripts and diplomas for online and traditional students (e.g., Southern Utah University).
Any degree requires a significant upfront investment in money and time, even if the salary and employment security benefits pay off in the end. If you do decide to earn a degree, your learning style may not be conducive to remote education or you may be admitted to an on-campus program that you feel is a better fit. Undergraduate degrees can confer many benefits, but you have a wealth of choice in where and how you study — only you can decide whether an online program is worth it for you.
FAQs
Where is the cheapest online degree? ›
- Thomas Edison State University.
- University of Alabama.
- The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
- West Texas A&M University.
- Columbia College.
- Eastern New Mexico University.
- American Public University.
- Grantham University.
- Business. Online business degrees prepare learners for diverse careers. ...
- Liberal Arts. Liberal arts programs hone critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. ...
- Education. ...
- English. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Agriculture Science.
- Psychology.
- Criminal Justice.
- English.
- Education.
- Religious Studies.
- Social Work.
- Sociology.
- Communications.
- Business Management Degree. ...
- Construction Technology Associate Degree. ...
- Graphic Design Associate Degree. ...
- Engineering Technology Associate Degree. ...
- Human Resources Management Associate Degree. ...
- Manufacturing Associate Degree. ...
- Computer Information Systems Associate Degree.
- Business Administration. Career Fields. Average Salaries: Bachelor's Degree. ...
- Aviation. Career Field. Average Salary with a bachelor's degree. ...
- Computer Science. Computer Science Careers. Average Salary with a Bachelor's Degree. ...
- Engineering Management. Career Fields.
- Business Administration. Business administration is one major that is usually considered “easy.” Some programs will also only take 3 years to finish! ...
- English. ...
- Human Resources. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Marketing. ...
- Supply Chain Management. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Communication.
- Real Estate Agent. Selling real estate has limitless potential, and you can get started quickly. ...
- Commercial Truck Driver. ...
- Phlebotomy Tech. ...
- HVAC Tech. ...
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) ...
- Personal Trainer. ...
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Choose a college with alternative credit options.
- Take accelerated classes online (6 week or 8 week)
- Get college credit for your experience.
- Get up to 1 year of credit with CLEP exams.
In our study of the different programs available to students, we've found that some of the easiest online bachelor's degree programs to complete: Computer science, business administration, nursing, education, accounting, criminal justice, and early childhood education.
What is the most useful degree? ›- Biomedical engineering. ...
- Computer science. ...
- Marine engineering. ...
- Pharmaceutical sciences. ...
- Computer engineering. ...
- Electrical engineering. ...
- Finance. ...
- Software engineering.
What should I major in if I don't like anything? ›
- Psychology. If you're interested in the human mind and human behavior, you may want to major in psychology. ...
- Liberal Arts/Interdisciplinary Studies. ...
- Communications. ...
- Business. ...
- English. ...
- Biology. ...
- Computer Science.
Popular majors include business, early childhood education, elementary education, nursing, liberal arts, and humanities. With the lowest tuition on our list, Great Basin College is the cheapest online college for 2022.
Are online colleges worth it? ›The opportunity cost of your degree is less because you can continue to earn income while pursuing your degree (plus tuition and fees can be lower than on-campus programs). You experience the incremental worth of a degree, as you can apply the skills you learn to your day-to-day job from day one.
Are online college classes harder? ›Online classes can be as hard as traditional college courses, sometimes even more so. Aside from the hardware and software requirements and learning how to use them simply to attend the course, there is the added factor of self-discipline to get the work completed.
What is the quickest career to get? ›...
High-Paying Jobs With Little Schooling Required
- Police Officer. ...
- Aircraft Mechanic. ...
- Mechanical Engineering Technician. ...
- Radiologic (X-Ray) Technologist. ...
- Welder. ...
- Diesel Mechanic.
- Engineering. ...
- Business. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Hospitality. ...
- Education. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Pharmaceutical Sciences.
...
5 Careers That Require Less Than 2 Years of Training
- Civil Engineering. ...
- Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse. ...
- Radiology Technician. ...
- Massage Therapist. ...
- Paramedic / EMT.
- Air Traffic Control. Median Annual Salary: $130,420. ...
- Software Development. Median Annual Salary: $110,140. ...
- Electrical Engineering Technology. Median Annual Salary: $100,830. ...
- Construction Project Management. ...
- Computer Programming. ...
- Radiation Therapy. ...
- Nuclear Science Technology. ...
- Web Development.
Online colleges are becoming more popular, but prospective students may still worry about their credibility. We're here to set the record straight: An online degree holds just as much weight as a traditional degree. In fact, data shows that most employers don't even differentiate between the two types of degrees.
What online courses will get you a job? ›- Programming and computer science.
- Web development.
- AI and data science.
- Design.
- Digital marketing.
- Communication.
- Languages.
- Healthcare and medicine.
What is the happiest job to have? ›
...
31 of the happiest jobs
- Teaching assistant. ...
- Early childhood education teacher. ...
- Sound engineering technician. ...
- Event planner. ...
- Heavy equipment operator. ...
- Contractor. ...
- Recruiter.
- Air Traffic Controller. Median salary: $129,750.
- Elevator Installer and Repairer. ...
- Nuclear Technician. ...
- Web Developer. ...
- Dental Hygienist. ...
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers/Cardiovascular Technologists. ...
- Aerospace Technician. ...
- Police Officers and Detectives. ...
- Petroleum Engineering. Early career salary: $93,200. ...
- Operations Research. Early career salary: $83,500. ...
- Marine Engineering. Early career salary: $79,900. ...
- Computer Engineering. Early career salary: $79,000. ...
- Systems Engineering. ...
- Chemical Engineering. ...
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Computer Science.
- Cloud Computing Bootcamp. ...
- Digital Marketing Job Guarantee Program. ...
- Master's Program: AWS Cloud Architect. ...
- PMP Certification Training Course. ...
- Salesforce Administrator & Developer Certification. ...
- Professional Certificate Program in Data Science.
Answer to the above question is: Yes. Graduation in One Year program, pursued under lateral entry or credit transfer scheme, is absolutely valid. It is approved by UGC, AICTE, AIU & DEB.
What certifications pay the most without a degree? ›- Emergency Medical Technician.
- Railroad Jobs.
- Medical Coder.
- Information Technology Technician.
- Criminal Investigator.
- Brick Mason.
- Postal Service Worker.
- Pharmacy Technician.
Finishing a bachelor's degree in two years with online accelerated degree programs, transfer credits, and degree completion methods is possible. Many students would choose to fast-track graduation to save money and time and explore careers.
What degree gets the most jobs? ›- Pharmacology. For a lucrative career helping people, pharmacology is at the top of the list for in-demand degrees. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Health Science. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Finance. ...
- Human Resources.
What is 2-year college degree? The 2-year degree courses are generally Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate programmes. These concentrate on a particular skill and enable students to master them. A 2-year degree program can be pursued at community, technical, and vocational colleges.
What is the easiest degree to study? ›- Women's Studies. ...
- Religious Studies. ...
- Foreign Language. ...
- Education. ...
- English Literature. ...
- Anthropology. ...
- Sports Management. Sports management has a lot of similarities and overlapping coursework with business administration. ...
- Art. Your creativity could land you a college degree!
What is the easiest degree to get that pays the most? ›
So, what are the best choices for easy associate degrees? Top picks include business, accounting, and criminal justice. These are all stable, growing fields that pay well, and studies show that most students who choose these majors are successful.
What Bachelor Degree requires the least amount of math? ›- Anthropology.
- Communications.
- Criminal Justice.
- Culinary Arts.
- Education.
- English.
- Foreign Language.
- Graphic Design.
- Business Administration. Business administration is one major that is usually considered “easy.” Some programs will also only take 3 years to finish! ...
- English. ...
- Human Resources. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Marketing. ...
- Supply Chain Management. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Communication.
People regret their study choice
According to data from the Federal Reserve Survey 1 Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences graduates report the highest level of regret. Almost half, or 50%, of all graduates in the Humanities or Arts, regret their choice.
- Biomedical engineering. ...
- Computer science. ...
- Marine engineering. ...
- Pharmaceutical sciences. ...
- Computer engineering. ...
- Electrical engineering. ...
- Finance. ...
- Software engineering.
...
High-Paying Jobs With Little Schooling Required
- Police Officer. ...
- Aircraft Mechanic. ...
- Mechanical Engineering Technician. ...
- Radiologic (X-Ray) Technologist. ...
- Welder. ...
- Diesel Mechanic.
Share this Article. Students should consider their interests and employment prospects when selecting a major. Students can choose in-demand college majors in healthcare, like nursing. Computer science, engineering, and IT are some of the most in-demand majors in STEM.
What should I major in if I don't like anything? ›- Psychology. If you're interested in the human mind and human behavior, you may want to major in psychology. ...
- Liberal Arts/Interdisciplinary Studies. ...
- Communications. ...
- Business. ...
- English. ...
- Biology. ...
- Computer Science.
If you don't know what you want to study in college, a liberal arts degree is one of your most flexible options. There are many avenues to explore in liberal arts, and this interdisciplinary degree can pave the way for various career paths.
What are high-paying jobs without math? ›- Compliance manager.
- Marketing manager.
- Music teacher.
- Historian.
- Recruitment manager.
- Art director.
- Web developer.
- Documentation manager.
What major has no math? ›
Political science, fine arts, elementary education, even a culinary arts degree – there are lots of options for those of us who hate math!
What major does not require math classes? ›Liberal Arts
It nurtures a broad knowledge rather than focusing on a single subject matter. There are many courses under the Liberal Arts studies degree program, such as History, Humanities, Foreign Languages, and Physical and Life Sciences. A Liberal Arts focus doesn't require advanced math subjects.
- Emergency Medical Technician.
- Funeral director.
- Brick Mason.
- Personal trainer.
- Medical coder.
- Firefighter.
- Air traffic controller.
- Automobile service station manager.
- Pharmacology. For a lucrative career helping people, pharmacology is at the top of the list for in-demand degrees. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Health Science. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Finance. ...
- Human Resources.
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Aeronautics. ...
- MRI Technology. ...
- Radiology Technology. ...
- Respiratory Therapy. ...
- Occupational Therapy. ...
- Mechanical Engineering. ...
- Network Engineering. Network engineers design, administer, and maintain local and wide area network systems.