2024 List of Accredited Online Degree Programs

About Online Degrees

There has been a significant shift in higher education over the last decade as more adult students look for convenient and affordable ways to advance their careers. The growing demand for accessible education means more of today's colleges and universities are offering online degrees to remain competitive. 

Online programs are available from traditional universities, research institutions, specialty schools such as religious colleges, and fully online colleges. Because they are designed to meet the needs of students and the workforce, most schools offer online programs in high-demand fields. Some of the most popular online programs are:

• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Engineering
• Graphic Design
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Substance Abuse Counseling

Many students choose online degrees because they are working adults, have children or family responsibilities, or don't have access to the type of program they need in their area. Online programs are developed to meet students where they are at rather than forcing them to change their life to fit higher education in.

Earning a Degree Online

Online degrees are available at every level, from certificates to PhDs, and are offered through a variety of different delivery methods to meet the unique needs of online learners. The curriculum and coursework for these degrees are typically the same as they are on campus, and the courses are often taught by the same instructors.

Online degree programs usually offer classes either synchronously, meaning students meet with their class virtually at a scheduled time, or asynchronously, meaning students can review lectures and complete classwork when it's convenient for them. Students can also choose programs that are fully online or hybrid, with some in-person requirements such as lab work.

There are a few majors — such as nursing and social work — that require experiential learning activities, such as clinical hours, a practicum, or an internship. In these instances, online students are usually able to complete this requirement at an approved facility near their home.

In rare instances, a school may require online students to come to campus for brief periods of two to 10 days for orientation, lab work, or other types of in-person learning events. This requirement is usually stated on the program pages of school websites.

Fully Online Bachelor’s Programs

While some online degrees are hybrid programs, more than half of online bachelor's degrees are offered fully online, according to a 2020 report on online education. Today's students have a range of online bachelor's degree programs to choose from at many different price points.

Just like earning an on-campus degree, the first years of your online bachelor's program will provide you with a broad education in a number of essential subjects, such as math, social sciences, language arts, and natural sciences. You'll also take several introductory courses in your major.

During the last years of your four-year degree program, you'll take upper-level courses and electives related to your major and possibly a minor. Throughout it all, you'll have ample opportunities to interact with your instructors and network with peers via the school's online learning management system (LMS).

Fully Online Master's Programs

With relatively few exceptions, there is an online master's degree program for nearly any subject you might want to study. According to The Changing Landscape of Online Education 2020 report, close to 75% of online master's degree programs are fully online, rather than hybrid. In addition, many colleges are planning to add between three and six new online master's programs each year.

The same report notes that about 40% of students enrolled in master's programs are earning their degrees entirely online. The self-paced classes and flexible schedules of online programs appeal to many master's students, who are often working adults with full-time jobs and other commitments.

Types of Colleges

There are various types of schools where you can pursue an online or in-person degree, including the following:

How Online Learning Works

Online programs use a digital learning management system to give students course materials and lectures, let them submit homework assignments, and facilitate class discussions. Some of the most common are Blackboard, Canvas, D2L Brightspace, and Moodle.

Learning activities such as readings, lecture videos, homework, and other assignments are posted on the site, which is only accessible for enrolled students. Students can engage in class discussion through online discussion boards and typically complete assignments by a set deadline. Some programs also offer learning activities, such as virtual reality labs, to give students the hands-on experience they would normally get in the classroom.

Students can choose from two different types of classes: asynchronous or synchronous. In asynchronous classes, students can work entirely on their own schedules and don't need to sign in or attend class virtually at a certain time. Some students, however, prefer synchronous classes, where they log on at an established time and meet with their class through their learning management system, over Zoom, or on another platform. Most schools offer both types of classes. Students can also opt for hybrid classes or programs, where the majority of the work is done online but there are some in-person requirements.

Online Degree Level Overviews

Selecting an online degree can seem overwhelming at first, but basically, there are five college degree levels to choose from:

Popular Areas of Online Study

There are many areas of study that an online student might focus on, and deciding which subject to study in college can be a challenge. Students may select a major based on future career goals, interests, skills, or expected salary in a given field. Below are some of the most popular online degree programs:

Choosing an Online Program

There are several important factors to consider when deciding which online degree will best meet your needs. When choosing a college and program, students should consider the reputation of the school for teaching that subject, any options for adding a concentration or area of emphasis, and whether you can customize your degree program through your choice of electives. 

As you conduct your school search, you might also want to investigate the school's online learning environment before making your final choice. Here are some other things to consider:

• Does the school offer synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid classes?
• Does the program have any in-person requirements, and can you attend campus for required events?
• Can you meet the expected demands of the courses in addition to your other commitments? If not, can you attend part time?
• Will you have access to financial aid and student support services if enrolled online?

Students can get more information about these aspects of the program by setting up time to talk with advisors or program representatives from the schools they're interested in.

Applying to an Online Program

Once you've settled on one or more programs, you're ready to start applying to college. Most online colleges will ask for your transcripts from high school and any college classes, as well as some other basic contact information. Some programs will ask for application essays, SAT or ACT scores, and information about your extracurricular activities, like volunteer work or awards you've received. However, these are less commonly required for online programs. Applicants to a graduate certificate, master's degree, or doctoral program will need to have a bachelor's degree. Some graduate programs also require GRE scores.

Application deadlines for college programs usually happen between November and February of the year before you want to start. Students should generally start thinking about applying about a year ahead and make sure they're aware of any deadlines. However, it's not uncommon for online programs to have more flexible deadlines and accept applications until much closer to the start date.

The Importance of Accreditation

One of the most important factors in choosing an online degree program is ensuring it has been accredited by an approved, independent agency. Accreditation means that the college or university has undergone a thorough evaluation and is regularly reviewed to ensure it meets academic standards. In this process, coursework, faculty, and student resources have been determined to meet high standards for quality and value.

All of the schools listed on our website have been accredited. View our accreditation page to learn more about specific types of accreditation and how they impact transfer credits and financial assistance.

Cost of Online Degrees

At each college degree level, programs are available at a wide range of prices. The most expensive component of any online college degree is tuition. When checking school websites for these data points, be sure to locate the correct tuition rate for the level of degree you're pursuing. Some schools charge different rates for on-campus and online students or different rates for in-state and out-of-state residents. Notably, however, many online schools charge out-of-state students the same rate as in-state students, which can cut down the cost when compared to on-campus programs.

However, all prospective students need to factor in a number of other expenses when calculating the potential cost of an online degree. Some items to consider include books and supplies, annual and one-time-only fees charged by the school, interest on student loans, childcare costs, and transportation costs related to on-site learning activities.

Financial Aid Considerations and Resources

At most schools, online students are eligible for financial aid packages, just like their on-campus counterparts. The best types of financial aid are grants, scholarships, fellowships, and work-study programs, generally provided by the federal or state government or by the schools themselves. Students do not have to repay these types of financial aid.

Some students may also be eligible for other types of financial assistance. For instance, active duty military and veterans, along with their dependents, are often entitled to tuition discounts. Some schools also have partnerships with organizations, and members or employees of these organizations may gain access to tuition assistance.

Federal and private loans are another useful option, although students will need to pay back the loans with interest. For the vast majority of financial aid programs, the application process begins by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Perhaps the one circumstance in which online students will face a different financial situation than traditional students is at the doctoral level. Many on-campus PhD candidates secure "fully funded" degrees. Essentially, they receive a tuition-free education and possibly even a stipend in exchange for teaching and contributing to research projects at the university's research facilities. Because these fully funded programs require the recipients to be on campus to perform the work, online PhD candidates are generally not eligible for these programs.

Jobs You Can Get with an Online Degree

Some students are concerned that an online degree won't be as valuable in the workforce as one earned on campus. However, today's employers often see online degrees as equally valuable to in-person ones, and many schools offer online degrees in high-demand fields to help fill skills gaps in industries such as IT or healthcare.

When looking at the healthcare industry, for example, some high-growth occupations only require a bachelor's degree which can be earned online, such as health services managers. However, if you're interested in a more specialized, clinical occupation, they require a master's degree. These jobs include roles that work directly with patients such as a nurse practitioner and speech pathologist.

FAQs About Online Degrees Programs