25 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs [2024 Guide]

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Explore online bachelor's degree programs for 2023. Check out careers, salaries, job growth, and colleges.

Are you considering an online bachelor’s degree program? Here you can explore online bachelor’s degree programs for 2024 and check out potential careers, salaries, job growth, and colleges.

Online Bachelor's Degree Programs

For many students, there’s never been a better time to earn an online bachelor’s degree than right now.

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There are numerous financial aid options available, and because more universities are taking their degree programs online, tuition rates are both competitive and affordable. There are also more programs available online now than ever before.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees

The following degrees can be earned 100% online. Click on the field of study that most interests you to jump to that section.

There is a wide range of online bachelor’s programs available.

Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

accountant working in his office

An online bachelor’s degree in accounting often appeals to people who enjoy working with money and numbers. If you enjoy computation, working on budgets or taxes, balancing books, or working with any other financial documentation, this may be the degree for you.

In this degree program, you’ll likely take a lot of accounting, taxation, economics, and finance classes. In fact, you may decide to find a program that combines finance and accounting into one degree—a Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Finance.

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Either way, the field is often a fairly lucrative one. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for accountants and auditors, who often have a B.S. in Accounting or B.S. in Accounting & Finance, is $73,560. Financial analysts have an average annual salary of  $83,660.

Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration

business administrator working in her office

Earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) can potentially lead to a lucrative career. The median annual wage for business and financial careers is $72,250, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

BBA programs often appeal to those with effective communication and leadership skills. If you find yourself being drawn to lead group projects, you might do well in business administration.

Courses for this particular degree field often encompass fields such as accounting, economics, finance, business administration, management, and organizational leadership.

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Most business administration courses are geared towards teaching how to budget and manage company finances effectively. Additionally, courses for this degree can help improve your leadership and communication skills.

Other than mid- and upper-level management jobs, potential jobs in this field include positions in human resources management, financial analysis, accounting, operations, marketing, data analysis, and corporate buying.

Online Bachelor’s in Communications

anchorperson in news room

There are a variety of different concentrations for communication degrees, including visual communications, communications engineering, marketing communications, and mass communications. If you’re an extroverted person who enjoys public speaking, storytelling, and chasing down a good story, communications might be the perfect degree for you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for those working in the field of media and communications is about $61,310.

Depending on which particular communications major you pursue, this degree may lead you into a career as a marketing manager or director, public media specialist, public relations specialist or manager, or communications manager. Many news anchors, reporters, writers, and editors have communication degrees also.

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Classes will vary depending on the specific type of communications you study and the program you take. Some topics you are likely to study for any communications degree are composition, communications, marketing, sociology, business, journalism, public speaking, mass media, and networking.

Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science

software engineers working in data center

If tech, computers, and the internet are your interests, you might want to consider a degree in computer science. Just as education is moving online, so is practically everything else. This means that there are many potential jobs available for computer science majors.

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The field usually pays well. The average annual salary for people with careers in the computer and information technology sector is about $91,250 (Bureau of Labor Statistics}, which is well over the national average.

A bachelor’s in computer science is considered one of the highest paying bachelor degrees because of its potential to lead to lucrative careers.

Careers in this field include a variety of computer- and software-related jobs. Some career possibilities, listed with their annual average salaries, are:

  • Software publishers – $124,050
  • Computer network architects – $116,780
  • Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers – $110,140
  • Information security analysts – $103,590
  • Database administrators – $98,860
  • Computer systems analysts – $93,730
  • Computer programmers – $89,190
  • Network and computer systems administrators – $84,810

These are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential computer science jobs.

Online Bachelor’s in Counseling

counselor listening to patient during counseling session

If you have a propensity for wanting to help people, the ability to listen without judgment, a natural curiosity about the behavior and attitudes of other people, and empathy, an online bachelor’s degree in counseling might be a great choice for you. It’s typically a fairly steady career choice because people of all ages need counseling.

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In a bachelor’s in counseling program, you’ll likely study addictions, substance abuse, human sexuality, marriage and family therapy, aging and the fear of it, group counseling theory, professional ethics, and social and cultural diversity.

A degree in counseling can help pave the way to a variety of rewarding careers. You could potentially become a substance abuse counselor, general mental health counselor, couples and family counselor, school counselor, eating disorders and body image counselor, or something else in the field.

Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

homicide detective investigating the crime scene

If you’ve ever considered becoming a police officer, homicide detective, criminal prosecutor, or criminal psychologist, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can help you get there. This degree often appeals to people interested in upholding the law and seeking justice and those interested in what makes criminals do the things they do.

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You’ll probably focus on criminal justice and law for the majority of your courses when studying for this degree. You’ll likely be required to learn about crime in America, crime statistics, and crime prevention. Courses on investigation and gathering and examining evidence are common courses as well.

Potential bachelor’s degree-level jobs in this field include security managers, paralegals, case managers, associate attorneys, sheriffs, police officers, and probation officers.

Online Bachelor’s in Education

High Schhol teacher assisting his students

A bachelor’s degree in education, particularly secondary education, can help equip you with the skills needed to teach at the junior high and high school levels of public and private schools.

This degree often appeals to people who enjoy working with pre-teen and teenage students, have excellent self-control, and can stay patient under pressure.

If you hope to teach a specific subject, you’ll likely be required to take many general education classes, some classes specific to education, and then many specific classes in the subject you’re hoping to teach. For example, if you hope to teach high school English, you’ll likely take many literature and writing courses.

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Additionally, you’ll probably take teaching-specific courses, such as the following:

  • Instructional Planning
  • Introduction to Special Education
  • Classroom Management
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Strategic Instruction

You’ll probably also be required to pass a licensing exam to become fully certified.

Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education teacher helping her students in reading

The degree path for early childhood education often appeals to people who love working with younger children, particularly those age five and younger. A degree in early childhood education can help prepare you for a job in a daycare, a nursery, or a preschool classroom.

If you’re interested in becoming a live-in nanny or household assistant, this degree path can also be beneficial because many parents want live-in help that can help educate their young children.

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Courses for this degree commonly cover subjects such as child health and safety, beginning literacy, language development, and math and science for young children.

According to the Burea of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for preschool teachers is $31,930.

Online Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

elementary education teacher helping his students during computer class

A bachelor’s in elementary education is another degree that might appeal to you if you love working with children. This degree can help you develop the skills needed to teach kindergarten through sixth grade in public and private schools.

Many of the courses commonly taken for this degree are very similar or the same as those taken for other education degrees.

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Classes that are common in elementary education bachelor’s degree programs are:

  • Courses in core subjects, such as math, English, history, and science
  • Art and music courses
  • Courses that teach the foundations of language and literacy
  • Courses on different types of learners and teaching in diverse settings

In addition to readying you for a career as an elementary school teacher, this degree could also help you pursue a job as a reading interventionist, public school administrator, or personal tutor.

Online Bachelor’s in English

marketing manager sharing ideas with her staff during a meeting

If you love reading and writing or if you want to pursue a career that will involve heavy research and writing, an English degree may be great for you. If you wish to go on to graduate school a bachelor’s in English can be beneficial as well because it can help you develop the foundation needed to research and write well.

In addition to taking many literature and composition classes, other likely topics of study for a B.A. in English include literary and critical theory, multidisciplinary studies, and history of the English language.

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This degree can help you pursue a job as a writer, copywriter, editor, proofreader, technical writer, communications specialist, content writer, marketing manager, or paralegal, to name a few. The average annual salary for careers in the media and communication field, a career field that can be pursued with a B.A. in English, is $61,310, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Online Bachelor’s in Finance

financial analysts working together in an office

As we mentioned earlier, finance degrees and accounting degrees are very similar. They’re so similar, in fact, that sometimes they’re combined together in one degree. This means that the same type of person who may be drawn to an accounting degree may also be drawn to a finance degree.

Furthermore, the same skills and characteristics that could benefit you in an accounting program could also benefit you in a finance program.

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Even the courses required to earn a finance degree are often similar to the courses required to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Some examples of common core finance classes are various “principles of” classes, such as principles of marketing, financial modeling, accounting, and professional development in finance.

If you do receive your bachelor’s in finance, you could potentially make good money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for personal financial advisors is $89,330.

Online Bachelor’s in General Studies

business professionals working in an office

A bachelor’s degree in general studies can help prepare you for a variety of career paths. Whether you choose to go on to grad school or straight into the workforce after earning this degree, you have options.

In fact, many employers seek out people with general studies degrees because they have such a well-rounded and wide array of knowledge.

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With a general studies degree, you can design your own curriculum to a certain extent, so it’s hard to provide you with a list of potential classes. It’s safe to assume, though, that you’ll take many general education courses in math, English, science, public speaking, and history.

You’ll likely pull most of your other classes out of humanities or business fields. The average salaries for those with general studies degrees vary because the topics studied and careers pursued vary so much. One potential career path is becoming a community or social service specialist, which has an average annual salary of  $46,770, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Online Bachelor’s in Health Services

doctor showing medical results of her patient

Careers in the health services field are generally safe and stable careers. We’ll probably always need doctors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals. This degree field often appeals to those who already have experience in health services or anyone who hopes to work in a hospital, doctor’s office, or another healthcare administration field.

Courses in health services can help you improve your communication skills and learn critically important healthcare skills, such as how to act in a crisis situation and how to assess and interview patients and family members. You likely take courses on quantitative and qualitative research methods and community health in this degree program.

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Earning a bachelor’s in health service can help you qualify for most administrative and management positions in healthcare, which almost always require at least a bachelor’s degree to be considered. This can also be a beneficial degree if you hope to continue on to med school.

Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management

hospital administrator greeting doctors in hospital

Degree programs for healthcare management are often very similar to degree plans for health services. The two degrees often appeal to the same types of people, and even the courses are often incredibly similar. Many of the potential job opportunities are the same for both degrees as well.

If the two are so much alike, why are they two separate degrees? That’s actually a great question. Some people in the field argue that they should be combined, but for now, they remain two separate degrees. There’s a small difference in potential job responsibilities for the two different types of degree holders.

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Though both types of degree holders often work in hospital management and supervisor jobs, people in healthcare management typically have less direct contact with patients and staff. People who work in health service fields typically work with their staff. People who work in management typically oversee employees and departments.

Online Bachelor’s in History

Diplomats being interviewed by reporters

If you love studying the history of America, Europe, any other country, or even the world as a whole, a degree in history may be a no-brainer. Most people who major in history minor in secondary education so that they can teach history to middle and high school students. The average annual salary for a middle school teacher is $60,810, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This isn’t the only option for a bachelor’s in history, though.

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In addition to teaching history at the secondary or post-secondary education levels, a degree in history can also lend itself nicely to one of the following careers:

  • Historian
  • Researcher
  • Journalist
  • Historical consultant
  • Archivist
  • Diplomat
  • Museum curator

You may also want to use your history degree to go on to law school, as many history majors do.

Online Bachelor’s in Human Resources2

human resource manager interviewing a job applicant

If you’re interested in working in a human resources department, a bachelor’s degree in human resources can certainly help your chances. We’ve all likely dealt or will one day deal with a human resources person at some point in our lives, even if it is just during our recruitment/new hire orientation process.

Human resources specialists often deal with conflict in the workplace, recruit, hire, and sometimes fire people, and assist employees with their tax and benefit information. They are sometimes required to keep up with timesheets and budgets as well.

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Common topics of study in a human resources program are financial accounting, employee training, organizational ethics, legal issues, tax law, and business law.

The average annual salary for HR specialists is about $63,490 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology

IT specialist checking the data center

Earning a degree in information technology (IT) can often lead to a very lucrative career. The IT business is booming right now. This degree field often appeals to people who are interested in computer science, technology, gadgets, and fixing things.

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Courses in an online information technology degree program often include:

  • Fundamentals and Intermediate Computer Networks
  • Fundamentals and Intermediate Computer-Based Systems
  • Fundamentals and Intermediate Project Management in IT
  • Foundations of Database Management
  • Programming Languages

These are only a few of the courses you might be required to take for this degree.

After earning this degree, you could potentially start a new career as a systems administrator or analyst, database administrator, or cybersecurity specialist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary is about $91,250 for computer and information technology occupations.

Online Bachelor’s in Management

management consultants meeting in conference room

No matter what field you work in, chances are you have a manager or management team on-site. Management teams are needed in almost every field.

You might be well-suited to management if you’re good at communicating and directing others, solving problems, and thinking critically and creatively about new solutions to old problems. Being hardworking and driven to succeed are beneficial traits for managers as well. Courses in management degree programs typically center around helping you cultivate and improve these skills.

You’ll likely be required to take classes in public speaking, communications, best leadership practices, organizational behavior, research skills, business strategy, and HR. These courses can help you become a great leader and win promotions into higher-level supervisory and managerial positions.

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Management degree holders often become executives, management consultants, and policy analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for management occupations is $109,760.

Online Bachelor’s in Marketing

marketing team sharing their ideas during a meeting

If you have all the skills listed in the communications section and are also creative, innovative, and love to sell things, you might go far in a marketing career. Just as almost every field needs managers, so too does almost every field need someone able to market their products. Marketing has become as essential to businesses as production or sales.

The ultimate goal of most marketing degree programs is to teach students how to sell products and services to reluctant buyers. This requires an understanding of how to promote products, who to promote them to, how not to oversell, and how to price products competitively.

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Classes will likely cover topics such as public speaking, foundations of e-commerce, sales and marketing, global marketing, graphic design, internet and social media marketing, types of media, business writing, and finance management. The most popular jobs are normally in design, advertising, and sales.

Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership

business professionals in a meeting

Getting a degree in organizational leadership involves a blend of many of the same studies that are obtained in project management and business administration degree programs. This degree might be right for you if you’re interested in moving up in your current field or if you hope to change careers into a supervisory or leadership position within a specific field.

If you enjoy working with and guiding large teams of people, have good leadership and communication skills, and generally work well with others, a curriculum in organizational leadership may be a good fit for you.

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Earning a degree in organizational leadership can help you develop your skills as a team leader while also learning core business concepts, such as budgeting, cost control, and risk assessment. This degree can help you pursue jobs in many different fields, particularly those where people have to work together to succeed.

Online Bachelor’s in Nursing (RN to BSN)

nurse preparing for duty in a hospital

Earning an online bachelor’s degree in nursing is a rewarding decision for many people that can lead to potentially lucrative careers. The nursing field typically allows students to start working relatively early on and then earn money while continuing their education.

Furthermore, many colleges are now offering flex nursing programs known as RN to BSN programs. These programs can help you advance in your nursing career by allowing you to use the knowledge you’ve already gained as an RN towards moving up the nursing ladder.

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These programs typically consist of online courses that can be taken at your own pace. This can allow you to move swiftly or slowly into higher nursing positions without ever having to step foot on a college campus.

This system usually focuses on nursing competency, not grades and assignments.

Online Bachelor’s in Project Management

project manager briefing his colleagues about a project

Degree programs in project management are often incredibly similar to degree programs in organizational leadership. Many of the same courses and attributes apply to this program as to the organizational leadership program. This degree typically involves a little more overseeing and a little less hands-on work, though.

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Some courses you’ll likely be required to take to earn your bachelor’s degree in project management are:

  • Stakeholder Management
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Managing People and Promoting Collaboration
  • Budgeting
  • Operations Management
  • Effective Project Scheduling
  • Risk Assessment and Management
  • Sustainability

Classes in leadership, accounting, and economics are typically required as well.

A degree in project management can help you pursue a variety of different and potentially lucrative careers. One possible job you could pursue is project management specialist, which has an annual average salary of $77,420, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Online Bachelor’s in Psychology

psychologist shaking hands with a parent

Degree programs in psychology are often very similar to degree programs in counseling. Psychology tends to put a little more emphasis on research and critical theory. The main goal of counseling is to listen to people and try to help them.

Psychology attempts to help people as well, but psychologists put more emphasis on finding the root causes of people’s behavior, not just finding a solution.

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If you’re interested in the human mind, human behavior—particularly aberrant behavior—and why people do the things they do, a degree in psychology might be the way for you to go. You can also pick a specialization, such as child psychology or criminal psychology.

No matter which specialization you choose, you’ll likely have courses in educational psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, and aberrant behavior.

Online Bachelor’s in Social Work

social worker assisting an elderly woman

If you have a large, empathetic heart that can’t stand to see people suffering or in pain and want to do something about it, a bachelor’s degree in social work may provide you with a life full of purpose. Social work is all about helping people within their own particular set of circumstances.

Often, this means working with people in very poor neighborhoods and may require you to reach out to them in their environments as opposed to yours. It’s not unusual for social workers to work inside people’s homes, where they work, or the schools their children attend.

Social workers also connect people to social service organizations that can help improve their stations in life.

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We often hear about social workers working with abused and neglected children through departments like the Department of Human Resources (DHR), but there are other potential jobs for social workers. Social workers often become nonprofit employees, supervisors or managers, mental health therapists, hospice workers, nursing home administrators, and veteran outreach specialists.

Online Bachelor’s in Sports Management

sports manager talking to football players

If you have all the qualities needed to be a good leader or manager and also have an intense love of sports, a career in sports management may be right for you. The main goal of most sports management degree programs is to provide students with what they need to know about marketing, management, and finance to succeed in the sports world.

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Potential courses include:

  • Principles of Management and Finance
  • Accounting
  • Public Speaking
  • Principles of Intermediate and Advanced Sports Management
  • Sports and Society
  • Ethical Issues in Sports
  • Sports Facility Design and Management

These are just some courses you may take. Classes will vary depending on the program you take.

A degree in sports management can help you pursue a number of sports-related careers, such as becoming a business manager for athletes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for athletic business managers is $75,420.

Accreditation for an Online Bachelor’s Degree

Accreditation for an Online Bachelor’s Degree

There are three main types of accreditation: regional, national, and programmatic. However, if you want to ensure your online bachelor’s degree program is legit and respected across the United States, you’ll want to make sure your school is regionally accredited for the program you’re taking.

Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted form of accreditation. If your school has regional accreditation, then your credits are more likely to transfer and employers are more likely to recognize your degree.

Financial Aid for an Online Bachelors Degree

Financial Aid for an Online Bachelors Degree

When thinking of financial aid for college, many automatically think of student loans. Student loans are one route you can take, but they aren’t the only type of financial aid available. Loans can be helpful if you need them, especially if they’re federally subsidized loans, which typically have better repayment options, but grants and scholarships are usually better.

Scholarships can often be found on a college’s website under the financial aid tab. There are merit-based scholarships, which are usually awarded based on excellent academics, and talent-based scholarships, which are awarded based on a person’s talents aside from academics, such as singing, dancing, painting, or playing sports.

Scholarships can also be found online on sites such as Fastweb.com. Scholarships are particularly helpful because they usually don’t have to be repaid as long as they are used responsibly.

Grants are another type of financial aid that doesn’t usually have to be repaid. A grant that many students find helpful at the undergraduate level is the Pell Grant, which is awarded by the federal government to students who fall within a specific income bracket. You can apply for the Pell Grant and federally-funded loans by filling out the FAFSA.

How Do I Get My Bachelor’s Degree?

Bachelor's degree student studying on her laptop

The requirements for earning a bachelor’s degree vary depending on the topic being studied and the program attended. Generally speaking, most bachelor’s degrees can be earned by obtaining approximately 120 credits at a regionally accredited college or university, either online, on campus, or a hybrid of the two.

The specific courses you’ll be required to take will depend largely on your chosen major.

Most bachelor’s programs can be completed in four years, but many students earn their degrees faster or slower. Depending on how many classes you take each semester and whether or not you’re taking any accelerated courses, you can change the time it takes to earn your degree.

Can I Earn a Bachelor’s Degree Online?

Every semester, more and more of the best online colleges are adding online and hybrid degree programs. This means that depending on what program of study you want to pursue, there is a really good chance you can earn your bachelor’s degree online.

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There are a few programs that aren’t yet available online, but they’re very few indeed. As previously mentioned, it is important to ensure your online degree program is regionally accredited before you enroll in it.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree Online?

How long it takes to earn an online bachelor’s degree depends on a lot of different factors. First of all, whether you’re taking a full course load each semester or only taking a few classes will impact the length of time it takes you to earn your bachelor’s degree.

If you’re enrolled in accelerated courses or an online flex program, such as the one mentioned above in the nursing section, you might finish your bachelor’s degree much earlier than someone taking regular, full-time classes each semester. The goal is to reach the required number of credit hours, typically 120, and your specific course requirements, however long that takes.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get a Bachelor’s Degree Online?

Bachelor's degree student studying at home

Typically, the fastest ways to earn your bachelor’s degree are to take a flex program, like the Nursing RN to BSN program mentioned above, or accelerated courses.

Accelerated courses usually last eight weeks or less. You take one or two classes each term, and then a new term starts immediately after the first term ends. This way you can take several terms in one calendar year, potentially cutting the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree way down.

If you’re going the traditional semester route, you can help ensure you finish as quickly as possible by taking a full load of classes each semester and taking classes in the summer semesters as well.

Universities Offering Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University campus

Established in 1886, Arizona State University is a public postsecondary school that spans over five campuses and four learning centers in the state. ASU prides itself on its research innovations and learning opportunities that are available globally.

ASU has hundreds of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs to help individuals reach their full career potential. Online bachelor’s degree options include Applied Leadership, Biochemistry, Business Data Analytics, Communications, and Economics.

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University campus

Established in 1964, Charleston Southern University aims to engage students of all faiths in higher education and inspire future leaders who serve others. CSU is a private southern Baptist university that works with students globally.

Offering an array of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online programs, CSU is nationally recognized for its educational possibilities. Online bachelor’s degree options include Business, Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, and Human Resources.

Charleston Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University campus

Colorado State University is a public research educational institution that started in 1870. CSU strives to bring hands-on learning opportunities to the classroom with the use of research, technology, and community involvement.

Colorado State University has a variety of programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Online bachelor’s degree options include Agricultural Business, Computer Science, Economics, and Fire and Emergency Services Administration.

Colorado State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

DeVry University

Devry University campus

Offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in fields such as business, technology, and healthcare, DeVry University is a private postsecondary school that started in 1931. It has more than forty campuses in 18 states throughout the US and a vast distance learning program. It is also a military-friendly college.

Online bachelor’s degree options include Business, Accounting, Technology, Liberal Arts, and Media Arts.

DeVry University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Drexel University

Drexel University campus

Established in 1891, Drexel University is a private postsecondary school that offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. DU encourages hands-on learning and has an array of programs in many disciplines.

Through global networking and internships, Drexel University strives to help students build relationships and resumes that give them a leg up in the corporate world. Online bachelor’s degree options include Business, Behavioral Health Counseling, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, and Education.

Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University campus

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a world-renowned, private postsecondary school that serves students around the world. Since its rocky beginning in 1925, Embry-Riddle has worked to build the most extensive specialization options in aviation and aerospace. Its alumni include high-ranking military members, astronauts, and pilots.

ERAU offers degree programs at every level. Online bachelor’s degree options include Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Computers and Technology, and Space.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University campus

Established in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University has been offering an affordable education as a private Christian university since 1949. GCU offers hundreds of programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

It leads the way in online and hybrid classes, while still allowing for ample campuses to accommodate in-class learners. Online bachelor’s degree options include Christian Studies, Communications, Digital Design, English, Advertising, and Graphic Design.

Grand Canyon University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Liberty University

Liberty University campus

Liberty University works to bring faith-based education to students looking to blend spirituality and academics. Since 1771, Liberty University has been helping grow the next generation of innovative leaders that want to change the world positively.

It offers hundreds of programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Online bachelor’s degree options include Information Technology, Aviation, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

Located in the heart of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private Catholic research university that has been serving a diverse student population since 1870.

Offering a variety of programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, LUC reaches students across the globe. Online bachelor’s degree options include Applied Psychology, Information Technology, Management, and Strategic Digital Communication.

Loyola University Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Maryville University

Maryville University campus

Founded in 1872, Maryville University prides itself on teaching students a core curriculum that can be used in real-world career paths. This private educational facility uses hands-on learning in all ninety undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs it offers. Innovation and technology are crucial to MU’s global connections, which reach over forty countries.

Online bachelor’s degree options include Data Science, Digital Media, Financial Services, International Studies, and Mathematics.

Maryville University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University campus

Ohio State University began in 1870 and has grown into one of the nation’s largest public research universities. Students from around the globe study in their diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. OSU is considered by many to be leading the way in medicine and is home to two of the top hospitals in Ohio.

Online bachelor’s degree options include Healthcare, Nursing, Education, Engineering, and Social Sciences.

Ohio State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University campus

As a flagship public educational institution, Oregon State University started in 1868. Offering an education based on research and discovery, it now serves thousands of students all over the world.

Oregon State University has hundreds of degree programs that allow students to earn undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines. Online bachelor’s degree options include Agricultural Sciences, Botany, Business Administration, History, and Zoology.

Oregon State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University campus

As one of the most recognized public postsecondary schools in distance education, Pennsylvania State University World Campus has more than 150 academic programs that lead to associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. This military-friendly campus turns work experience into credit hours to help advance education in a faster, more affordable way.

Online bachelor’s degree options include Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Economics, and Marketing.

Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Purdue University

Purdue University campus

Purdue University started in 1869 and has risen to the top as a global leader in public education. With thousands of research projects completed every year, students use hands-on experience to gain associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in many disciplines. The school also has study abroad options that can help students find work globally.

Online bachelor’s degree options include Fire Science, Business, Criminal Justice, Health Sciences, and Information Technology.

Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University campus

Starting in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a large private school that has a diverse population. This globally reaching school offers hundreds of programs that lead to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in a variety of academic areas.

Southern New Hampshire University prides itself on providing one of the most affordable tuitions in the nation. Online bachelor’s degree options include Community Health Education, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security, and Data Analytics.

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Strayer University

Strayer University campus1

Strayer University is a private educational institution that began in 1892 as a business college. Over the years, Strayer has developed its programs to offer an array of disciplines that lead to associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

Strayer has more than seventy campus locations and an extensive distance learning program. Online bachelor’s degree options include Accounting, Business Administration, Management, Criminal Justice, and Information Technology.

Strayer is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Arizona

University of Arizona campus

The University of Arizona is a leading public research university that started in 1885. With several academic schools, including two medical schools, the University of Arizona paves the way for students to earn undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

Their academics and partnership with NASA help create a world of thinkers and leaders. Online bachelor’s degree options include Africana Studies, Business Administration, Communication, History, and Cyber Operations.

The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida campus

The University of Central Florida started in 1963 to inspire students whose interests lie in space exploration. Today, this public postsecondary school has more students than most universities in the US and offers hundreds of pathways to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

With an array of co-ops and internships, students learn using hands-on experiences. Online bachelor’s degree options include Nursing, Psychology, Anthropology, History, and Political Science.

The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Florida

University of Florida campus

The University of Florida began in 1853 and is now a world-renowned public research university that is comprised of sixteen colleges and over a hundred research facilities.

Setting high standards for students to develop creatively, academically, and socially, the University of Florida offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in a multitude of disciplines. Online bachelor’s degree options include Anthropology, Biology, Criminology, Geography, and Psychology.

The University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

University of Georgia

University of Georgia campus

Established in 1880, the University of Georgia was the first public educational facility to be chartered in the US. Today, this research university is comprised of seventeen colleges that offer a multitude of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.

The University of Georgia prides itself on its hands-on learning experiences. Online bachelor’s degree options include History, Biology, Statistics, Kinesiology, and Psychology.

The University of Georgia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Illinois—Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago campus

The University of Illinois—Chicago became incorporated in 1913, but the idea began much earlier. This public educational institution leads the way in global research.

Offering pathways to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, the University of Illinois—Chicago has many majors to choose from. Online bachelor’s degree options include Applied Health Sciences, Education, Medicine, Social Work, and Nursing.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of North Carolina—Wilmington

University of North Carolina Wilmington campus

At the University of North Carolina—Wilmington, classroom instructors integrate research and technology into everything they teach. This is an essential aspect of this public university. Making a positive impact globally through research has been a critical mission for the school since it was founded in 1947.

The University of North Carolina—Wilmington offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral education. Online bachelor’s degree options include Clinical Research, Criminology, Elementary Education, International Studies, and Nursing.

The University of North Carolina—Wilmington is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma campus

The University of Oklahoma is a public research educational facility comprised of three campuses located within the state. It reaches across the globe with its many overseas locations and study abroad programs.

Beginning in 1890, the University of Oklahoma has led the way in research, offering students hands-on programs leading to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Online bachelor’s degree options include Organizational Leadership, Integrative Studies, Lifespan Care Administration, and Criminal Justice.

The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix campus

The University of Phoenix is a private online educational institution that started in 1976. It is designed to provide innovative teaching and access to real-world applications to help students advance their careers. Offering an array of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, the University of Phoenix strives to create lifelong learners in a diverse student population.

Online bachelor’s degree options include a variety of degrees in business, education, nursing, the humanities, and the sciences.

University of Phoenix is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Walden University

Walden University campus

Offering online education to students around the world, Walden University began in 1970. Walden is a military-friendly school that gives degree credits that correlate with military and job-related experience. They often provide an affordable way to get a flexible education.

Online bachelor’s degree options include Business and Management, Education, Communication, Social Work, and Human Services.

Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

business professionals working at a cafe

Yes, a bachelor’s degree is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level jobs that require a bachelor’s degree are set to grow by 6.4% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Being able to earn your bachelor’s degree online without having to work on-campus classes into your schedule can make getting a degree more convenient than ever. With the addition of flex programs and accelerated courses, you even have the option to earn your degree faster than ever.

Earning a bachelor’s degree can help open the door to promotions and new career options. Many employers even pay employees with degrees more than those without degrees.

You can take your first steps towards your new career today by applying for financial aid and looking into programs of interest!

Ready to start your journey?
WRITTEN BY
Joy is pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Policy & Foreign Policy at Liberty University and holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from Amberton University, as well as a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Columbia College. With over 20 years of experience navigating online degrees and courses, Joy's focus is helping non-traditional students find accelerated degree options and credit for prior learning opportunities.