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Online Bachelor's Degrees and Programs

Pursuing an accredited online bachelor's degree can help you take the next step in your career - without leaving your home. Through your program, you'll attend online lectures, study from home, manage a busy schedule and interact virtually with professors and classmates.

An online college degree may appeal to those who want more flexibility in completing their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, or who want to take classes while working full time or parenting. Choosing where to enroll online will likely be challenging, but below you'll find tools, advice and other resources to make your search easier.

Best Online Bachelor's Programs

U.S. News evaluated several factors to rank the best online bachelor's degree programs, including graduation rates, faculty credentials and support services available remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best accredited online program is one that fits your needs, budget and career goals.

You may choose a certain degree online to help secure your dream job after graduation. If you’re planning to work and take online classes, look for degree options that can elevate your career or set you up for graduate or doctoral degrees.

A 2022 survey called Voice of the Online Learner by Wiley University Services found that 40% of online students surveyed said their desire to improve their job prospects was the most influential factor in their decision to pursue a degree, followed by career advancement or promotion within their current profession, at 38%.

Step 1: Connect your field of study to an industry.

Think about your desired area of study and how it can set you up to enter different industries.

Step 2: Ensure the program offers your ideal learning environment.

An online program’s coursework can be delivered to students in different ways. Self-paced learning with weekly deadlines is called asynchronous . Live class sessions over videoconferencing is called synchronous learning, and remote work with a few in-person meetings is referred to as hybrid. When selecting a degree online, think about the learning environment that will set you up for success , and research the different modes offered by your programs of interest.

Step 3: Understand the full financial picture and resources available to you.

Review admission requirements and application fees and compare the availability of financial aid . Look into details about the school, like what fees you have to pay on top of your tuition – including book, course material and online delivery fees – and information about student services and the faculty. The availability of support services for online learners can show how much a school values the student experience. Students who are switching from in-person learning to an online format may need technical support, for example.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost?

Tuition for an online bachelor’s degree costs between $40,000 and $62,000 on average, depending on the school, program, learning environment and other variables. This range does not factor in the full cost of earning a degree , which includes room and board, books, and other expenses.

One factor that affects price is whether the school is public or private. Attending a public school in your state could save you tens of thousands of dollars. Tuition rates may differ for in-state and out-of-state online students at public schools. Among the 183 ranked public colleges that reported to U.S. News, the average tuition for in-state, in-district students for an online bachelor's degree was $333 per credit for the 2021-2022 academic year. The average per-credit price for online programs at the 198 private colleges that reported to U.S. News for the same year was $513.

To calculate your program’s tuition cost, multiply the cost per credit by the number of credits needed to graduate. Typically, a bachelor’s degree requires around 120 credits to complete.

Many students pay less than full price for their online degree by earning scholarships . Other ways to save money include transferring earned college credits from an associate degree, taking an accelerated program or enrolling in a competency-based program, which allows you to pay a set price per billing period and progress faster through familiar material.

In addition, working students may be eligible for employer tuition reimbursement – where employers pay for some or all of the tuition. The Wiley survey found that one-third of online learners have access to tuition reimbursement benefits, though almost half don't want to use them.

How to Apply to an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Step 1: pay attention to deadlines..

Prospective students should note deadlines for things like the school’s admissions application, financial aid and test score submission, as online program academic calendars and deadlines may differ from on-campus offerings.

Step 2: Fill out the FAFSA.

You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for federal loans, grants and work-study jobs. Nearly all students who apply for financial aid qualify for some form of it. Because of the complex nature of the FAFSA and financial aid, many schools have advisers to guide prospective students through the process.

Step 3: Complete the Common App.

Online students likely need to fill out the Common Application , which is accepted by nearly 900 schools, including some colleges located outside the U.S. Applicants typically have to submit an essay or statement of some kind. Prospective students with work experience should emphasize their professional skills in their application. Admissions officials look for essays that showcase an applicant’s personality, and a good way to do that is by including a powerful anecdote.

Step 4: Collect letters of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation are often required from undergraduate online students. These may come not only from teachers and school counselors but also current or previous employers who can speak to a student’s work ethic.

Step 5: Submit test scores and other academic records.

Students may need to submit SAT or ACT scores, their high school transcript, and, depending on the program’s requirements, the student’s prior work experience and previously earned credit hours. If a student has earned a certificate through a course outside of school, they can include it to further showcase their skills and interests.

Students coming in with college credits may be able to forgo taking the SAT or ACT if enough credits transfer.

How to Fund Your Online Bachelor’s Degree

Step 1: fill out the fafsa..

To receive financial aid, you must fill out the FAFSA , which is available online on Oct. 1 each year. Prospective students should check school and state grant deadlines and apply early for their best chance at getting financial aid .

Students may need to meet specific credit-hour requirements to receive certain types of aid. Therefore, a student’s enrollment status can affect their ability to qualify for aid.

The FAFSA requires information such as the student's contact information, Social Security number, and their latest federal income tax returns and bank statements. Undergraduates who are younger than 24 – and not married, veterans or active-duty military members – should file as a dependent and provide their parents’ financial information. Undergraduates filing without their parents are classified as independent students. Check with your school’s financial aid office if you’re unsure how to file.

Step 2: Search for scholarships and other forms of aid.

Next, fill out other financial aid forms, and apply for scholarships. Many colleges offer their own source of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and federal work-study jobs. Though, some online degree programs may not offer work-study opportunities , as many online students are already working full time.

Good places to search online for scholarships include organizations tied to a discipline. Online learners may be eligible for the same scholarships available to on-campus students, and there may even be additional scholarships for online or adult learners.

Step 3: Review FAFSA information and compare aid packages.

Applicants will receive a Student Aid Report from the Federal Student Aid office after submitting the FAFSA online. It’s an opportunity for applicants to review or correct any information on the FAFSA, including adding or removing colleges.

Each school calculates an applicant’s financial need, which determines financial aid eligibility. Students then receive an award letter stating what financial aid the school is offering. They can compare their award packages based on the aid they are eligible to receive, the school’s tuition and other costs.

To continue receiving financial aid, applicants need to fill out the FAFSA until they graduate.

Search for the Best Online Bachelor's Programs for You

Find the right online bachelor's degree for you and your schedule, and see how education can fit into your life.

Online Bachelor's Degree Overview

Colleges offer online degrees in a range of fields and popular majors. Click on a degree program to explore what courses you'd take, how long the program takes to complete, career options and median salary. For example, to earn an online health science bachelor's degree, you would take courses in public health, health communications and epidemiology.

Art and Design

• Graphic Design
• Graphic Design (Associate)
• Interior Design
• Accounting (Associate)
• Business Administration (Associate)
• Business Administration and Management
• Business Analytics
• Business Management
• Business Tech Management
• Business With a Focus on Retail Management
• Communication
• Entertainment Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship (Associate)
• Human Resources
• International Business
• Internet Marketing
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing (Associate)
• Organizational Leadership
• Organizational Psychology
• Project Management
• Public Relations
• Real Estate
• Sports Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Criminal Justice
• Corrections
• Court Reporting (Associate)
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Criminal Justice (Associate)
• Emergency Management
• Forensic Psychology
• Forensic Science
• Homeland Security
• Homeland Security (Associate)
• Law Enforcement Administration
• Legal Studies
• Paralegal Studies
• Paralegal Studies (Associate)
• Public Safety Administration
• Child Development
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Education (Associate)
• Education (Associate)
• Elementary Education
• English Language Learning
• Special Education
• Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Applied Psychology
• Family and Human Development
• Health Care Administration (Associate)
• Health Care Administration and Management
• Health Care Management (Associate)
• Health Education
• Health Informatics
• Health Information Technology (Associate)
• Health Science
• Health Services Management
• Human Services
• Human Services (Associate)
• Medical Assisting (Associate)
• Medical Billing and Coding (Associate)
• Medical Office Administration (Associate)
• Medical Office Administration (Diploma)
• Pharmacy Technician (Associate)
• Psychology (Associate)
• Social Work
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Information Technology
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Information Systems (Associate)
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Computer Systems and Network Administration
• Cybersecurity
• Game Design
• Information Systems Security
• Network Security
• Software Engineering
• Web Design and Development

Liberal Arts and Science

• Environmental Sciences
• General Studies
• Liberal Studies
• Liberal Studies (Associate)
• Military History
• Ministry (Associate)
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Social Science

Online Colleges by State

All 50 states have online degree programs ranked by U.S. News. When choosing the right program, you are not limited by your in-state options. In fact, students might find more affordable online bachelor's degree programs outside of their own state . Consider exploring what programs in other states have to offer.

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

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