An online degree program is a flexible way to get back into education to pursue a more lucrative career. Certain programs are guided and others are self-paced. But, what the best accredited online college degrees have in common is that they are valued by potential employers. So, it is important to understand the college degrees that offer the best route into well-paid careers.
Do I Need an Online Degree?
The short answer is maybe. A traditional degree is a valuable addition to any resume, but there’s a significant 4-6 year time commitment and the financial burden is considerable.
It can be a real challenge to balance studies with even a part-time job and pre-existing commitment can take a backseat. There are training programs, professional certifications and associate degrees that may offer a faster route to a better career. But, those that want an accredited college degree that offers more flexibility at a lower education cost may find that an online degree is a better fit for their lives.
Let’s take a look at four reasons why a student may choose an online program.
The Fast Track
An online associate degree program can be completed in a couple of years. This is less than half the time needed for a traditional bachelor’s degree. And yet, these faster degree programs still offer a route into a high-paying career.
Lower Education Costs
Education costs have risen significantly in recent years and 47.9 million students incur an average loan debt of $35,453 each. The tuition and fees for certification programs and associate degrees are lower.
An online learning program has built-in resources, there’s no need to commute to a campus in-person and you can continue to work.
Excellent Career Prospects
By 2031, around 42% of careers will require at least bachelor’s degree, which makes a “quick” degree an enticing prospect. They can lead to lucrative jobs, but for those that want a bachelor’s degree they can finish the coursework faster with a flexible online learning program.
An Accredited Degree
Many students that would have considered an online learning program in the past were deterred because they lacked credibility. This is no longer the case, these programs have become more popular and accepted by potential employers. They offer a faster, cheaper and flexible alternative for those that need to balance their career goals with their existing commitments.
14 in-Demand College Degrees
These fourteen online college degrees can be the route to a high-paying career.
14. Business Administration
These college programs offer an in-depth education in various aspects of business management. The core courses include management, finance, marketing, operations and accounting. The course will also cover key topics, such as: entrepreneurship, business ethics, organizational behavior and more.
The graduate is prepared to take a leadership position in a wide variety of industries. There are many popular career paths, including marketing manager, financial analyst, business manager and many more. The business administration degree gives the graduate a solid foundation to understand modern business complexity and the essential decision-making and leadership skills to thrive in that environment.
13. Computer Science
This degree digs into the practical applications and foundational principles of computing. The student will learn about algorithms, programming languages, software design, data structures and more. This will offer a solid grounding in how computers work and how to use them to solve problems.
The students then go on to explore other relevant topics, such as: artificial intelligence, computer networks, cybersecurity and more. This improves their analytical thinking skills to gain problem-solving expertise.
The computer science degree blends theory and hands-on projects together to prepare graduates for their future careers in research, software development and more.
12. Economics
The economics program will explore how decisions are made to allocate resources at the individual, societal and business levels. The coursework can broadly be two fields of study: microeconomics and macroeconomics.
The former covers individual and firm behavior and the latter delves into aggregate economic phenomena. The degree will help the student to understand economics across a variety of sectors.
The graduate can then pursue a career in banking, consulting, academia, finance, government and more. The analytical and critical thinking skills they’ve developed can contribute to informed decision-making to solve complex economic challenges.
The best accredited online college economics degrees offer a solid foundation to go on and explore further specialization in fields, such as business administration, public policy, economic research and others.
11. Accounting
This degree gives the student a full understanding of auditing, taxation, managerial accounting, accounting information systems and the ethical concerns of this profession. The student will learn how to conduct an audit, analyze costs, navigate the principles of taxation and prepare financial statements.
A successful graduate can become an accountant, tax professional and auditor in a wide range of sectors, including: government agencies, corporate finance departments, public accounting firms and more.
This is an excellent degree to gain a solid foundation for those that want to earn a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and enter the accounting profession.
10. Nursing
This undergraduate program prepares the student for various nursing career paths. The common areas within the curriculum, includes: anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, mental health nursing, maternal and child health, nursing research and nursing fundamentals.
There is a nursing shortage, this has led to higher acceptance rates for these programs. In response to this demand, the admission process has been streamlined and the BSN program capacities have been increased. This is the ideal entry-level qualification for any person interested in a fulfilling nursing career.
9. Psychology
This is the study of emotions, thoughts, human behaviour, research methodology and psychological theories. The student will learn how to analyze and understand mental health disorders, group dynamics, societal factors and individual dynamics that can affect human well-being.
Successful graduates can pursue a career in research, counseling, clinical psychology and related fields. In these roles the graduate can understand and address mental and emotional processes. A psychology degree holder can go on to specialize with postgraduate studies or enter a professional practice in a variety of settings.
8. Social Work
The social work degree is based around the understanding and addressing of important societal problems. The focus is on the empowerment and well-being of people and their communities. The coursework includes sociology, social policy, psychology, intervention strategies and how to navigate social systems.
The graduate will have advocacy and counseling skills and practical fieldwork experience in schools, healthcare or social service. This is a foundation for those that want to advocate for positive micro and macro levels of societal change for vulnerable people.
7. Counseling
This degree prepares the graduate for a career to help people deal with psychological, interpersonal and emotional challenges. The student will learn therapeutic techniques, theoretical frameworks and ethics to provide guidance and support.
The graduate will have the skills to work in a variety of settings, including: private practices, mental health clinics and educational facilities. The emphasis is on the development of communication skills, cultural competence and empathy to promote a positive relationship for therapy.
6. Management
This academic program gives the student a comprehensive understanding of organization and business management. The key areas include strategic management, business ethics and organizational behavior.
Graduates will have the skill required to fill leadership roles in a wide variety of sectors. They will be prepared to manage personnel, processes and resources within an organization. They will make key strategic decisions to contribute to the success and sustainability of the entity. This degree can lead to a number of career paths, including project, operations and business management.
5. Cybersecurity
This degree encompasses the studying of protection for computer systems, data and networks from unauthorized access leading to attacks and damage. The key areas of study include: network security, ethical hacking and cryptography to parse and counter cyberthreats.
The graduate will have the skills to analyze potential vulnerabilities, develop strategies and implement security to protect digital assets. As you can imagine this degree has become increasingly important in various industries. A cybersecurity graduate can access roles, such as: ethical hacker, information security consultant and cybersecurity analyst.
4. Healthcare Administration
This degree will equip a graduate with the skills and knowledge required for a leadership and managerial role in the healthcare sector. The key areas are: healthcare policy and ethics, health information systems, healthcare management and leadership and human resources management.
This will prepare the graduate for a number of careers, including: administrator, manager and executive in clinics, hospitals and healthcare organizations. The responsibilities include: establishing efficient operations, maintaining healthcare policies, adhering to regulations and finance management.
3. MBA in Marketing
This graduate-level marketing degree covers a wide range of topics, such as: advertising, market research, branding, consumer behavior and digital marketing. The focus is on the development of marketing and strategic business skills.
The student will learn how to get insights, analyze trends, create promotions and understand consumer needs to drive business growth. A graduate can formulate business plans, make key business decisions and lead a marketing team.
2. Special Education
This will prepare the student to teach and support students that may have diverse learning needs. The common topics include: educational assessment, inclusive education and behavioural management.
Successful graduates can seek roles in high-paying careers, such as behavior analyst, educational consultant, special education director and more.
The specific salary will vary depending on experience, education level and geographic location. Earning an advanced degree like a master’s or doctorate in special education can further advance the career prospects.
1. Management Information Systems
This MIS program combines business and technology to teach how to use information in organizational management. The curriculum includes a number of key areas, such as database management. IT security, risk management and information system management.
A graduate will learn skills to align an information system with the organizational goals to leverage the technology to make strategic decisions and analyze processes. The career paths are varied, they include: business analysts, database administration, IT consultants and more. This is an in-demand degree in an increasingly technology-driven business world and that demand is set to grow.
How Do I Choose an Online College Degree Program?
At first glance, it may seem like an online degree is a no-brainer, but it’s important to take some time to evaluate the quality of the program before you enroll. Ensure that accreditation is a priority and this can be evaluated with the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and other profession-specific organizations.
When a learning program is accredited, this is a sure sign that it meets rigorous education quality standards. More importantly, this means that the degree will be recognized by potential employers.
Next, check the curriculum to ensure that it’s covering all the topics that mesh with your career goals. Then look at the statistical evidence for the quality of the program, such as: job placement, student satisfaction and employer satisfaction rates. This will help you to evaluate how a successful graduate from that program will fare in the competitive job market.
How Can I Improve My Career Prospects after Graduation?
When you’ve graduated with an online degree in your chosen field, there will be some additional effort required to secure a job. To stand out in the job market, make sure you take advantage of the career services offered by your educational institution. They may have cover letter writing workshops, job boards, mock interviews and resume advice that you are qualified to use.
When you write your resume, highlight the skills, knowledge and relevant work experience that you can bring to the role. Use data and metrics and quantify your achievements when possible to help you stand out from the crowd.
Acquiring technical skills is only part of the equation and you need to include transferable skills that you can bring to the role.
Some common online learning program examples include: time management, self-motivation and excellent communication skills. If the employer is a little negative, have some research about the company, the industry practices and relevant questions to ask and ensure that they understand that you have an accredited college degree. During your studies, make sure that you take advantage of forums, industry events, conferences, collaboration and other opportunities to build your professional network.
FAQs
What are the Admission Requirements?
The admission requirement will vary depending on the specific institution and learning program. But, for a quick degree that offers a route into a well paying position a General Education Development (GED) certificate should suffice.
Certain programs may require official transcripts from previous learning institutions. It is less common, but some learning programs may ask for standardized SAT or ACT test scores. This is more likely if the applicant doesn’t have a lot of relevant academic experience.
A program may need a personal statement or an application essay that outlines the applicant’s educational and career goals. Certain leaning programs will have specific prerequisite skills or courses that must be provided before the prospective student enrolls.
How Fast Can I Earn an Online College Degree?
The fastest online degree is the associate degree which can be earned in a couple of years. There are shorter accelerated learning programs that last 15-18 months. These have a narrower field than a bachelor’s degree, but they provide an entry-level route into a specific field to move along a specific career path.
A certificate program is designed to develop focused skills and they can be completed in 3-7 months. These are a great fit for high school graduates and professionals that want to make a career pivot or a fast promotion.
What are the Quick Online Degree Challenges?
These types of learning programs offer limited in-person networking and mentoring opportunities that may limit professional growth. The faster pace of studying can place significant demands on the student which could inhibit deeper understanding of the subject. The best way to offset this limitation is to develop self-discipline and good time management skills which are transferable in the job market.
Certain employers may prefer a traditional education path and it is important to understand industry-specific expectations. The best way to mitigate this issue is to thoroughly research every program on the reputation and outcome. All accredited online degrees are reviewed for their relevancy and legitimacy.
Will a Potential Employer Recognize an Online Degree?
According to a 2023 Intelligent.com survey, more than 60% of companies now view an apprenticeship and online degrees as valuable. Most employers are now open to the idea of hiring a candidate with credentials that have been acquired online.
The key consideration is that the online learning program is accredited and provided by a reputable educational institution. Certain fields are more open to online degrees than others and these tend to be those that don’t have a mandatory in-person requirement.
The tech sector is more focused on skill and experience development over traditional in-person learning programs. Some creative industries, such as writing, marketing, graphic design and others place more value on a portfolio and demonstrable skills.
As you might imagine, potential employers in the medicine and engineering sectors will have strict and specific training and educational requirements. The alternative may be a hybrid program that combines online and face-to-face classes, training labs and internships.
