Here’s The Top Online College Degree Programs

Earning a bachelor’s degree – in person or online – can open doors to employment opportunities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the employment rate among 25- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 88% in 2023. Compare that with the 74% employment rate for those with only a high school diploma.

In fall 2021, about 9.4 million students were enrolled in at least one distance education courses at degree-granting postsecondary institutions, which amounts to 61% of all undergraduate students, and 4.4 million – 28% of all undergraduate students – were enrolled exclusively in online classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Students in online programs usually earn the same degree as on-campus students. The curriculum for an online bachelor’s degree typically matches the on-campus curriculum at the same school, and the diploma usually doesn’t state whether that specific degree was earned online or in person. This can help ease fears that employers won’t accept applicants with online undergraduate degrees.

Many online bachelor’s programs require students to complete general education requirements in the arts, humanities and sciences if they haven’t already done so at another college or university. Prospective students will likely need to decide between a liberal arts major and one that is more career-focused. Many take the latter route to change career fields or advance professionally. Still, experts say it may make sense for some online students to major in a liberal arts discipline if it’s a subject they are truly passionate about. Academic advisers can offer guidance on which route is best for you.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees

Pros

Students can take classes virtually, allowing them to learn anywhere.
Students can pursue the best program for their field of study, even if the school is far from home.
Students can plan around busy schedules to complete their coursework.

Cons

Students need greater self-motivation, time management skills and discipline to complete coursework.
There’s no face-to-face interaction with an instructor.
Networking with classmates may be difficult.

An online degree can be a great choice for students who want to continue their education and have either an associate degree or no postsecondary education.

A variety of online bachelor’s programs exist, so prospective students should explore all options before enrolling. Those who want to earn their online degree as quickly as possible may wish to pursue a competency-based program or one with an accelerated schedule. The majority of incoming online undergraduates have previously earned some college credits. Individuals in this group should check early in the process whether the prospective online program will accept those credits.

Students with an undergraduate degree also can earn a master’s degree completely online. This path is a great choice for working professionals who want to advance in their career or change fields completely. You can find out more through U.S. News’ best online master’s degrees rankings and resources.

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Here’s The Top Online College Degree Programs