Online Bachelor’s Degrees

An online bachelor's degree can open up job opportunities and increase your earning potential. Explore our extensive list of online degrees.
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Online bachelor's degrees are undergraduate programs offered by colleges and universities that can be completed entirely online. They provide the same education and qualifications as on-campus degrees but offer greater flexibility and convenience.

When pursuing higher education, choosing the right online bachelor's degree is crucial to your academic and career success.

Learn more about the various online bachelor's degrees available and get tips on how to choose a program that best aligns with your interests and career goals.

Featured Online Bachelor's Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Business

Business is one of the most in-demand bachelor's degrees. This degree gives you a well-rounded understanding of business and the skills necessary to succeed in many jobs. Graduates can work entry-level roles in various business and entrepreneurial settings.

According to the BLS, business and financial professionals earned a median annual salary of $76,850 in 2022. High-paying positions with a median annual salary above $90,000 include financial analyst, personal financial advisor, project management specialist, and management analyst.

Human resources, finance, marketing, and business administration are sought-after business degrees. Majoring in one of these fields can lead to roles such as budget analyst, HR specialist, and logistician.

Computer Science & Technology

Computer science programs teach you how to design and develop software programs. You can apply this knowledge to become a programmer, software engineer, or web developer.

Information technology (IT) involves the practical application of technology. In most businesses, IT professionals manage the company's infrastructure and assets.

Earning a computer science or technology degree offers a variety of career options, with median annual salaries ranging from around $60,000 to over $130,000, according to the BLS.

Criminal justice and legal degrees cover the law enforcement and legal systems fields.

Criminal justice bachelor's programs teach you how to maintain law and order, whereas criminology programs involve the study of crime patterns and what causes crime. Cybercrime programs, meanwhile, focus on preventing and investigating digital crimes.

If you're passionate about public safety, consider a career in protective services. Popular criminal justice jobs include police officer, detective, firefighter, fire inspector, and correctional officer. According to the BLS, the median annual salary range for these careers is around $50,000-$69,000.

Education & Teaching

A bachelor's in education is a great first step toward a career in teaching. Aspiring teachers can earn degrees in fields such as child development, elementary education, special education, early childhood education, and English as a second language.

To become a teacher, you'll also need to fulfill your state's teaching certification and licensure requirements.

According to 2022 BLS data, elementary school, middle school, and high school teachers earn a median salary of around $62,000.

Engineering, Math, & Science

Engineering, math, and science degrees form the foundation of many highly technical, in-demand fields. These roles also tend to offer above-average salaries: According to the BLS, people working in math and engineering roles earned a median salary of over $80,000 in 2022.

In terms of what you'll learn, engineering involves the design and development of systems, machines, products, and buildings. Engineers can specialize in fields like civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering. Science focuses on the natural and physical world, including the relationships between living organisms and their ecosystems.

In practice, math professionals use math to solve problems, analyze and interpret data, and perform calculations. Well-paying math jobs include operations research analyst, actuary, and data scientist.

English & Humanities

Part of the liberal arts field, humanities degrees provide you with a well-rounded learning experience. In these programs, you'll receive a comprehensive education in language, literature, writing, and critical analysis. Popular humanities majors include English, journalism, general studies, communication, foreign languages, religious studies, history, and writing.

In a humanities program, you'll gain strong analytical, verbal, and writing skills. Religious studies students specifically explore spirituality, religious beliefs, rituals, and historical contexts.

With a humanities degree, you can become an editor, public relations specialist, news reporter, religious worker, or technical writer. According to the BLS, technical writers earned a median salary of $79,960 in 2022.

Healthcare

With a healthcare bachelor's degree, you can work to improve the well-being of individuals and the community. You can choose from among many health degrees, such as healthcare administration, nutrition, health informatics, environmental health and safety, exercise science, and gerontology.

According to the BLS, healthcare professionals earn an annual median salary of $77,760. Health majors often work at doctor offices, hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, fitness centers, and senior care facilities.

Depending on your major, you could pursue careers such as dietitian, medical and health services manager, clinical lab technician, and exercise physiologist.

Nursing

Nursing bachelor's degrees equip you with essential skills and knowledge to start a nursing career. Nurses can work in hospitals, clinics, and schools. They can also specialize in areas like critical care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and surgery.

As of 2022, the median salary for registered nurses, or RNs, was $81,220, according to the BLS.

RN-to-BSN programs help current RNs with an associate degree or diploma advance their careers by earning a bachelor of science in nursing. Aside from a bachelor's degree, a nursing license is required to practice.

Psychology & Counseling

Psychology and counseling bachelor's degrees teach you about human behavior, mental health, and counseling techniques. According to the BLS, psychologists earned a median salary of $85,330 in 2022, whereas counselors specializing in substance use disorders, behavioral disorders, and mental health earned $49,710.

If you want to work with children, you can specialize in child and adolescent psychology. If you're passionate about helping people overcome addictions, you can specialize in addiction counseling.

A bachelor's in psychology can lead to a career as a case manager, community health worker, or social worker. To become a psychologist, you'll need at least a master's degree.

Social Sciences

Social sciences degrees explore human behavior within society. These courses cover a breadth of topics, including the economy, human behavior, social institutions, and politics.

Political science majors, for example, can work in politics, policy, law, international affairs, or media, while an economics degree can lead to jobs focusing on market analysis and the consumption of goods and services.

Many of these careers require an advanced degree, especially if you want to work as a sociologist or anthropologist. According to the BLS, sociologists earned a median salary of $98,590 in 2022.

Social Work

Social work bachelor's degrees are ideal for people passionate about making a difference in their communities.

This degree can lead to careers in social welfare, policy, advocacy, or education. Human services professionals hold positions such as health educator, probation officer, and emergency management specialist.

Social work graduates can find employment in hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private practices. To become a clinical social worker, you'll need a master's degree in social work. According to the BLS, social workers earned a median salary of $55,350 in 2022.

Visual & Performing Arts

Visual and performing arts degrees are creative degrees focusing on visible forms of artwork and art disciplines performed for an audience, such as theater and music. Art and design professionals earned a median annual salary of $51,150 in 2022, according to the BLS.

With an art degree, you could become an artist or designer with expertise in areas like floral, animation, filmmaking, graphics, fashion, fine arts, and interiors.

Fashion degrees involve designing and producing clothing and accessories, while film degrees entail storytelling through visual media and film production. Graphic design programs teach you how to create visual content for marketing, advertising, and branding purposes.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees by State

Learn more about the best online bachelor's degrees you can get in each state.

Is an Online Bachelor's Degree Worth It?

Many jobs, including careers in business, education, science, and healthcare, require a bachelor's degree or higher to enter the workforce. A bachelor's degree can lead to more career opportunities, a higher median salary, and greater lifetime earnings.

According to a 2021 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, adults with a bachelor's degree earn about $2.8 million over the course of their careers. In contrast, workers who hold only a high school diploma earn about $1.6 million. This means a bachelor's degree could increase your lifetime earnings by 75% — or more.

The overall cost of a degree and the educational requirements needed to enter an industry are important considerations when deciding whether to pursue a bachelor's degree.

How to Choose Your Online Bachelor's Degree: 4 Tips

With so many online bachelor's degree options available today, choosing a major can feel overwhelming. Evaluate each school's cost, reputation, and academic quality while you explore your online college options.

1. Determine Your Priorities

Everyone pursues higher education for different reasons.

Determine your priorities by identifying your "why" when choosing a major. Are you seeking a degree to learn a new skill, start a new career, or increase your earning potential? Identifying your motivations can bring clarity and help you make the right choice.

2. Consider Your Interests

Considering your interests before committing to a major can help you home in on the right major. Aligning your interests with a college major may not always be feasible, but exploring fields related to your interests remains crucial.

Choosing a major you're passionate about can lead to a more enjoyable college experience and a far more fulfilling career in the long run.

3. Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses

An awareness of your top skills and abilities is vital when choosing a major. College is an excellent time to acquire new skills, but if you hate math, you might want to avoid a major with a heavy focus on this coursework.

Leveraging your strengths can lead to better learning experiences, better grades, and increased confidence.

4. Research Career Opportunities

Research careers before deciding on a major to learn about salary potential and job demand. You can get info on industries that are growing — or shrinking — to position yourself for greater stability and financial security.

You can also learn about careers that require advanced degrees to plan your academic journey accordingly.

Why Accreditation Matters for Online Bachelor's Degrees

Accreditation matters when selecting a school or program — and it holds equal significance for online colleges as it does for brick-and-mortar schools.

The credibility of an online degree depends on factors like school reputation and program quality. Choosing an accredited online college ensures you receive a high-quality education, which can ultimately increase your chances of success after earning your degree.

Attending a school without accreditation can impact your eligibility for financial aid, credit transfers, and job prospects. Although more employers recognize online degrees, most only accept online degrees from accredited institutions.

You can check whether a school or program is accredited by visiting the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites.

The accreditation process ensures colleges and universities meet high-quality education standards. Although geographic regions have their own accrediting bodies, legitimate accreditors will always be recognized by CHEA and/or the ED.

What Are the Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees?

According to Payscale's 2023 College Salary Report, engineering, computer science, actuarial math, and applied economics make up some of the highest-paying bachelor's degrees.

While physician assistant studies majors earn the highest median entry-level salaries at $109,600, petroleum engineers earn the highest median mid-career salaries at over $210,000.

The table below shows the five highest-paying bachelor's degrees, according to Payscale.

Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees 2023
Degree Median Early-Career Salary Median Mid-Career Salary
Petroleum Engineering $97,500 $212,500
Operations Research and Industrial Engineering $98,300 $191,800
Interaction Design $74,700 $173,600
Applied Economics and Management $76,500 $164,400
Building Science $69,000 $163,100

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor's Degrees

How much does an online bachelor's degree cost?

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According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students pursuing a bachelor's degree at a public four-year school paid an average in-state tuition of $9,596 in 2021-2022. Out-of-state students paid around $27,500, while students at private colleges paid an average of $34,041.

The total cost of college varies by institution, so it's important to speak with schools' financial aid offices to determine the cost of your online bachelor's degree.

The true cost of an online bachelor's degree will depend on factors such as whether you:

How long does it take to earn a bachelor's degree online?

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While the time required to complete a bachelor's degree can vary, the standard curriculum consists of 120 credits and four years of full-time study. Accelerated programs can be completed in less time.

You can also graduate more quickly by enrolling in courses during the summer semester or taking more than 15 credits per semester. Additionally, you can get credit for high scores on AP tests, taking college courses in high school, or work experience.

If you're enrolled part time, expect your bachelor's degree to take five years or longer.

What is the easiest bachelor's degree?

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The easiest bachelor's degree will depend on your strengths and career goals. For example, if you love writing, you may find degrees related to that subject easier. Business degrees are often viewed as easier degrees since they entail fewer math and science classes, which are often considered the most challenging.

Within most fields of study, there are specializations that require more or less math, writing, or research. Pursuing a BA or BS can also help you play to your academic strengths.

How do you get an online bachelor's degree fast?

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A typical bachelor's degree requires 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study; however, accelerated programs reduce the total time required to earn a degree. Accelerated bachelor's degrees may combine a larger course load, condensed courses, and summer terms to cover the same material faster.

In addition to accelerated degree programs, many colleges award credit for AP courses or work experience. Accelerated degree programs and previously earned credits can reduce degree costs and put you on the fast track to graduation.

If you have previous college experience, consider enrolling in a degree-completion program to finish your bachelor's degree. Some degree-completion programs allow you to transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor's degree, enabling you to earn your degree in one year.

Is an online degree respected?

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Yes, an online degree from an accredited college is respected. Employers and other colleges accept online degrees. Accredited online degree programs adhere to the same rigorous academic requirements as on-campus programs. In many cases, they have the same professors and classes as traditional programs.

Online options offer greater flexibility, meaning you can earn a degree while working or fulfilling other personal commitments. You can also save on housing and transportation costs.


Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed August 10, 2023.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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