List of Accredited Online Degree Programs

Overview of Online College Degrees

Online education, also referred to as distance or virtual learning, is the process of taking educational courses remotely via the internet. Many students are attracted to the online format because of its convenience and self-directed nature, and in some cases, because of its lower cost when all factors are taken into consideration.

Over the past decade or so, there has been a rising popularity in online learning, with enrollment in virtual learning programs increasing, even as enrollment in college programs overall has declined. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 75% of students — which equates to nearly 12 million — were enrolled in at least one distance learning class in the fall of 2020. What's more is that the number of students exclusively enrolled in online learning courses jumped up 186% between 2019 and 2020. This was primarily a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, however it does show a willingness from students to participate in degrees online.

Types of Colleges

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

The Experience of Online Learning

As mentioned above, online programs utilize some form of a digital LMS, to deliver course materials, submit homework assignments, and facilitate interaction among students and instructors. Some of the most common are Blackboard, Canvas, D2L Brightspace, and Moodle. Learning activities are posted on the site, which is accessible only to enrolled students, and these may include readings, lectures, homework, and other assignments. Students also are able to engage in class discussion through online discussion boards and typically complete assignments when it's convenient for them but by a set deadline.

When online college courses are structured in a way that enables students to work entirely on their own schedules, independent of one another and the instructor, it is called an asynchronous course. In some cases, however, there may be a need for students to work with each other or the instructor in real time, which makes it a synchronous course. Some schools have also created hybrid programs, in which students conduct most of their education online but are required to come to campus for short periods to engage in live learning activities.

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:

Business

Related Degrees: Finance is another popular specialty for those seeking an online business degree. An online finance degree can potentially lead to a career in financial management, budget analysis, and financial advising. Students hoping to pursue business careers related to business management or administration might be interested in learning more about online human resources or management degrees.

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Criminal Justice

Related Degrees: Those who'd like to learn about crime from a social perspective may be interested in an online criminology degree. There are multiple degree levels available, even an online doctorate. Those interested in detective work might try exploring online options for undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in forensic psychology or forensic science.

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Art Design

Related Degrees: Graphic design and web design degrees are popular routes for online students who are interested in the digital marketing aspects of art design. Conversely, art history degrees are widely available for traditional art enthusiasts. Finally, musicians may be interested in pursuing a degree in music, where they can take an in-depth look at production, composition, and theory.

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Education

Related Degrees: The breadth of available online degrees in education can lead to a variety of specializations, including elementary education, early childhood education, educational leadership, and special education. Additionally, health education degrees offer a deep understanding of teaching healthy habits through community engagement, while speech pathology looks at communication through behavioral and psychological factors.

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Liberal Studies

Related Degrees: The field of liberal studies includes a wide array of online courses, from English to anthropology, physics to mathematics, and psychology to music. Since career paths for graduates of online liberal studies degrees vary widely depending on the program of study, looking over our more specific subject pages will help prospective students learn more about the many available options.

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Engineering

Related Degrees: Interested students should also research what engineering specializations appeal to them, as online programs are available in areas such as electrical engineering, civil engineering, software engineering, and mechanical engineering, to name a few specific areas. Graduates of an online engineering degree program may find work at research labs, governmental agencies, large corporations, construction sites, or small companies.

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Health Care Administration

Related Degrees: Some people assume that degrees related to health care can't be earned online because they often require hands-on, experiential learning modules via practicums, fieldwork, or internships. However, many accredited colleges and universities have overcome this barrier and are now offering online degrees in a wide range of health-related subjects: nursing, pharmacy, nutrition, personal training, public health, respiratory therapy, and medical or dental assistance.

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Computer Science

Related Degrees: A specialization in cybersecurity means students will investigate, analyze, and solve complex issues related to network and system safety. Computer programming, on the other hand, involves writing code and developing software that allows computers to operate in the first place.

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English

Related Degrees: Some English students focus their degree on creative writing. This specialization involves developing storytelling techniques through scriptwriting, poetry, and other writing mediums. There are also those who prefer to focus on journalism instead because they want to write for news organizations about current issues.

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Information Technology

Related Degrees: IT degrees can fall into many categories, depending on a student's personal interests. There's software engineering, which works on program development for computer systems; computer science, which involves highly technical and analytical computer design and development; as well as geographic information systems, which looks at the earth's surface through technological tools and techniques.

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Public Health

Related Degrees: Health science programs are interdisciplinary as they look at health care management through policy, patient-support and health care data. Health care informatics follows a more direct route through information by offering students an understanding of medical terminology, health care IT, and systems administration. Then, there's health care administration, which involves the daily management of an organization's health care systems.

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Choosing and Applying to an Online Program

Once you've determined the subject you would like to pursue, you'll need to decide which online degree programs to enroll in. There are several important factors to consider when selecting the specific program that will best meet your needs: 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. Below are some useful questions to ask a school advisor:

Once you've settled on one or more programs, you're ready to apply. Prospective students use the same process to apply for online programs as they do for traditional programs, and they must meet the same admissions standards for schools online.

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. 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 for Online Students

At most schools, online students are eligible for financial aid packages, just like their on-campus counterparts. The most desirable forms 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 the aid that comes from these sources.

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

People who have earned their degrees online are often equally eligible for jobs requiring a college education as those who've attended college in person.

When looking at the health care industry, for example, some high-growth occupations only require a bachelor's degree which can be earned online. This includes health services manager and mental health counselor. 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, physician assistant, and speech pathologist.