Online Bachelor's Degree - Best 2023 BA, BS Bachelor Degrees

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Choosing a career is one thing; finding out which academic path will get you there is another. It doesn’t have to be difficult though; there are many resources available to help you out, including your school’s career advisor and this guide.

High school students considering completing a four-year bachelor’s degree program after earning your high school diploma, whether you are looking for a 100% on-campus program or if you want online bachelor's programs for flexible learning or a 100% distance learning, online degree program, this article can help you determine which type is right for you. You will find loads of information in this guide to help you learn about the types of bachelor degree programs available to undergraduate students, how much they cost, the fields of study (arts and sciences) in these bachelor's degrees, what kind of jobs you can get with each major, the number of years to complete a program, how to decide between popular colleges and universities, federal student aid options, programs for on-campus students and many online programs and online degrees, degree completion programs, and more. You will also be able to find the top 100 online bs degrees offered by colleges and universities across the country.

Compare Popular Online Bachelor's Programs

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What are the Best Online Bachelor's Programs?

University of Florida

Tuition
- In-State: $6,381
- Out-of-State: $28,659
Net Price: $9,809
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 91%

Total Enrollment: 55,781
Undergrad Students: 34,876
Graduate Students: 20,905
Diplomas Awarded: 9,464
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tuition
- In-State: $10,720
- Out-of-State: $38,608
Net Price: $13,484
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 95%
Graduation Rate: 89%

Total Enrollment: 47,016
Undergrad Students: 34,561
Graduate Students: 12,455
Diplomas Awarded: 7,751
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Purdue University

Tuition
- In-State: $9,992
- Out-of-State: $28,794
Net Price: $14,619
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 83%

Total Enrollment: 50,344
Undergrad Students: 37,806
Graduate Students: 12,538
Diplomas Awarded: 8,130
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Northeastern University

Tuition
- In-State: $57,592
- Out-of-State: $57,592
Net Price: $38,927
Acceptance Rate: 18%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 91%

Total Enrollment: 28,167
Undergrad Students: 15,747
Graduate Students: 12,420
Diplomas Awarded: 4,312
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

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University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Tuition
- In-State: $16,439
- Out-of-State: $36,964
Net Price: $17,291
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 84%

Total Enrollment: 32,045
Undergrad Students: 24,231
Graduate Students: 7,814
Diplomas Awarded: 6,274
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Ohio State University

Tuition
- In-State: $11,936
- Out-of-State: $35,019
Net Price: $19,474
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 94%
Graduation Rate: 88%

Total Enrollment: 61,677
Undergrad Students: 47,106
Graduate Students: 14,571
Diplomas Awarded: 11,529
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

George Washington University

Tuition
- In-State: $59,870
- Out-of-State: $59,870
Net Price: $31,240
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 84%

Total Enrollment: 26,457
Undergrad Students: 11,502
Graduate Students: 14,955
Diplomas Awarded: 3,020
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Indiana University

Tuition
- In-State: $11,333
- Out-of-State: $38,352
Net Price: $13,386
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 81%

Total Enrollment: 45,328
Undergrad Students: 34,253
Graduate Students: 11,075
Diplomas Awarded: 7,738
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Thomas Jefferson University

Tuition
- In-State: $43,116
- Out-of-State: $43,116
Net Price: $24,227
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 71%

Total Enrollment: 8,270
Undergrad Students: 3,754
Graduate Students: 4,516
Diplomas Awarded: 1,163
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Drexel University

Tuition
- In-State: $57,136
- Out-of-State: $57,136
Net Price: $26,076
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 78%

Total Enrollment: 23,216
Undergrad Students: 14,413
Graduate Students: 8,803
Diplomas Awarded: 3,150
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

University of South Florida

Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $11,419
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 75%

Total Enrollment: 49,708
Undergrad Students: 38,011
Graduate Students: 11,697
Diplomas Awarded: 10,225
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Auburn University

Tuition
- In-State: $11,826
- Out-of-State: $31,986
Net Price: $23,873
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 81%

Total Enrollment: 31,526
Undergrad Students: 24,931
Graduate Students: 6,595
Diplomas Awarded: 5,730
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

University of Utah

Tuition
- In-State: $8,893
- Out-of-State: $28,345
Net Price: $12,972
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 67%

Total Enrollment: 34,464
Undergrad Students: 25,826
Graduate Students: 8,638
Diplomas Awarded: 5,437
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

George Mason University

Tuition
- In-State: $13,119
- Out-of-State: $36,579
Net Price: $18,841
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 70%

Total Enrollment: 38,628
Undergrad Students: 26,882
Graduate Students: 11,746
Diplomas Awarded: 6,277
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Tuition
- In-State: $12,570
- Out-of-State: $35,826
Net Price: $19,473
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 73%

Total Enrollment: 3,693
Undergrad Students: 2,718
Graduate Students: 975
Diplomas Awarded: 702
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Tuition
- In-State: $8,548
- Out-of-State: $19,308
Net Price: $10,245
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 65%

Total Enrollment: 2,850
Undergrad Students: 2,037
Graduate Students: 813
Diplomas Awarded: 585
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Iowa

Tuition
- In-State: $9,942
- Out-of-State: $31,905
Net Price: $17,599
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 88%
Graduation Rate: 74%

Total Enrollment: 29,909
Undergrad Students: 21,608
Graduate Students: 8,301
Diplomas Awarded: 5,423
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

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Regis University

Tuition
- In-State: $39,610
- Out-of-State: $39,610
Net Price: $27,735
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 62%

Total Enrollment: 5,566
Undergrad Students: 2,745
Graduate Students: 2,821
Diplomas Awarded: 5,423
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

LeTourneau University

Tuition
- In-State: $33,490
- Out-of-State: $33,490
Net Price: $25,932
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 64%

Total Enrollment: 3,209
Undergrad Students: 2,991
Graduate Students: 218
Diplomas Awarded: 349
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Miami University-Oxford

Tuition
- In-State: $16,704
- Out-of-State: $37,379
Net Price: $24,616
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 83%

Total Enrollment: 19,264
Undergrad Students: 17,003
Graduate Students: 2,261
Diplomas Awarded: 4,115
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of Illinois Chicago

Tuition
- In-State: $14,126
- Out-of-State: $28,476
Net Price: $10,725
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 62%

Total Enrollment: 34,199
Undergrad Students: 22,279
Graduate Students: 11,920
Diplomas Awarded: 5,052
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Mercer University

Tuition
- In-State: $38,746
- Out-of-State: $38,746
Net Price: $21,164
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 74%

Total Enrollment: 9,009
Undergrad Students: 4,941
Graduate Students: 4,068
Diplomas Awarded: 1,193
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Penn State World Campus

Tuition
- In-State: $14,338
- Out-of-State: $14,338
Net Price: $24,012
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 72%

Total Enrollment: 88,914
Undergrad Students: 73,476
Graduate Students: 15,438
Diplomas Awarded: 16,675
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Saint Louis University

Tuition
- In-State: $48,824
- Out-of-State: $48,824
Net Price: $30,096
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 80%

Total Enrollment: 13,474
Undergrad Students: 8,745
Graduate Students: 4,729
Diplomas Awarded: 1,650
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Spelman College

Tuition
- In-State: $28,181
- Out-of-State: $28,181
Net Price: $28,527
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 76%

Total Enrollment: 2,417
Undergrad Students: 2,417
Graduate Students: 0
Diplomas Awarded: 485
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

University of La Verne

Tuition
- In-State: $45,850
- Out-of-State: $45,850
Net Price: $22,538
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 69%

Total Enrollment: 6,201
Undergrad Students: 3,691
Graduate Students: 2,510
Diplomas Awarded: 1,220
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

California State University-Chico

Tuition
- In-State: $7,864
- Out-of-State: $19,744
Net Price: $13,749
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 65%

Total Enrollment: 15,702
Undergrad Students: 14,462
Graduate Students: 1,240
Diplomas Awarded: 4,124
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Washington State University

Tuition
- In-State: $12,417
- Out-of-State: $27,733
Net Price: $11,877
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 60%

Total Enrollment: 29,843
Undergrad Students: 24,278
Graduate Students: 5,565
Diplomas Awarded: 6,226
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of Arizona

Tuition
- In-State: $12,736
- Out-of-State: $37,258
Net Price: $17,242
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 64%

Total Enrollment: 48,274
Undergrad Students: 37,434
Graduate Students: 10,840
Diplomas Awarded: 7,543
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Arizona State University

Tuition
- In-State: $11,348
- Out-of-State: $29,438
Net Price: $14,934
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 66%

Total Enrollment: 77,881
Undergrad Students: 64,716
Graduate Students: 13,165
Diplomas Awarded: 14,794
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Simmons University

Tuition
- In-State: $43,062
- Out-of-State: $43,062
Net Price: $19,026
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 71%

Total Enrollment: 5,984
Undergrad Students: 1,748
Graduate Students: 4,236
Diplomas Awarded: 436
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Find Colleges Offering an Online Bachelor's Program

North Carolina A&T State University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,733
- Out-of-State: $20,243
Net Price: $9,145
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 53%

Total Enrollment: 13,322
Undergrad Students: 11,596
Graduate Students: 1,726
Diplomas Awarded: 2,107
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

University of Missouri-Columbia

Tuition
- In-State: $11,475
- Out-of-State: $30,450
Net Price: $18,249
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 88%
Graduation Rate: 73%

Total Enrollment: 31,401
Undergrad Students: 23,696
Graduate Students: 7,705
Diplomas Awarded: 5,114
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Oregon State University

Tuition
- In-State: $12,188
- Out-of-State: $31,579
Net Price: $20,318
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 68%

Total Enrollment: 33,193
Undergrad Students: 27,564
Graduate Students: 5,629
Diplomas Awarded: 6,143
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Florida Institute of Technology

Tuition
- In-State: $43,246
- Out-of-State: $43,246
Net Price: $32,314
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 66%

Total Enrollment: 7,830
Undergrad Students: 3,491
Graduate Students: 4,339
Diplomas Awarded: 740
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Oklahoma State University

Tuition
- In-State: $9,244
- Out-of-State: $24,764
Net Price: $14,603
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 66%

Total Enrollment: 24,577
Undergrad Students: 20,216
Graduate Students: 4,361
Diplomas Awarded: 4,913
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Tuition
- In-State: $27,166
- Out-of-State: $27,166
Net Price: $24,733
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 73%

Total Enrollment: 10,596
Undergrad Students: 5,685
Graduate Students: 4,911
Diplomas Awarded: 868
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Florida International University

Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,398
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 67%

Total Enrollment: 56,664
Undergrad Students: 46,415
Graduate Students: 10,249
Diplomas Awarded: 12,680
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Fresno Pacific University

Tuition
- In-State: $33,452
- Out-of-State: $33,452
Net Price: $15,350
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 68%

Total Enrollment: 3,524
Undergrad Students: 2,686
Graduate Students: 838
Diplomas Awarded: 1,175
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

St. Joseph's University-New York

Tuition
- In-State: $46,050
- Out-of-State: $46,050
Net Price: $26,655
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 68%

Total Enrollment: 19,658
Undergrad Students: 15,452
Graduate Students: 4,206
Diplomas Awarded: 953
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

University of Arkansas

Tuition
- In-State: $9,574
- Out-of-State: $26,390
Net Price: $15,218
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 70%

Total Enrollment: 29,068
Undergrad Students: 24,265
Graduate Students: 4,803
Diplomas Awarded: 5,289
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Colorado State University

Tuition
- In-State: $12,331
- Out-of-State: $31,613
Net Price: $18,320
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 69%

Total Enrollment: 32,586
Undergrad Students: 24,954
Graduate Students: 7,632
Diplomas Awarded: 5,195
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Syracuse University

Tuition
- In-State: $57,591
- Out-of-State: $57,591
Net Price: $43,545
Acceptance Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 82%

Total Enrollment: 21,772
Undergrad Students: 14,778
Graduate Students: 6,994
Diplomas Awarded: 3,364
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Tuition
- In-State: $7,188
- Out-of-State: $20,622
Net Price: $15,682
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 66%

Total Enrollment: 30,448
Undergrad Students: 24,116
Graduate Students: 6,332
Diplomas Awarded: 6,133
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

St. Catherine University

Tuition
- In-State: $46,494
- Out-of-State: $46,494
Net Price: $19,252
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 59%

Total Enrollment: 3,904
Undergrad Students: 2,585
Graduate Students: 1,319
Diplomas Awarded: 566
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Find Your Online School

University of Mary

Tuition
- In-State: $20,290
- Out-of-State: $20,290
Net Price: $19,474
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 64%

Total Enrollment: 3,794
Undergrad Students: 2,579
Graduate Students: 1,215
Diplomas Awarded: 550
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Lewis University

Tuition
- In-State: $35,472
- Out-of-State: $35,472
Net Price: $18,312
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 60%

Total Enrollment: 6,183
Undergrad Students: 3,907
Graduate Students: 2,276
Diplomas Awarded: 1,119
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Bethel University-Saint Paul

Tuition
- In-State: $40,080
- Out-of-State: $40,080
Net Price: $28,840
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 74%

Total Enrollment: 3,731
Undergrad Students: 2,653
Graduate Students: 1,078
Diplomas Awarded: 677
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Tuition
- In-State: $11,214
- Out-of-State: $28,532
Net Price: $10,525
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 58%

Total Enrollment: 15,189
Undergrad Students: 12,347
Graduate Students: 2,842
Diplomas Awarded: 1,889
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Texas Tech University

Tuition
- In-State: $11,852
- Out-of-State: $24,122
Net Price: $17,057
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 63%

Total Enrollment: 40,542
Undergrad Students: 33,132
Graduate Students: 7,410
Diplomas Awarded: 6,670
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

What is a Bachelor's Degree?

A bachelor’s degree, also known as baccalaureate degree, is an undergraduate degree earned by completing a three-to-seven year course of study at a college or university, which you can either attend online, on campus, or a combination of both (a.k.a. hybrid programs). Undergraduate degree online students enrolled in bachelor's programs and bachelor's degree holders have some of the best opportunities when it comes time to look for an internship or job.

In addition, online bachelor's programs are a step above an associate degree, which takes two years to complete, and is a stepping stone to even higher-level graduate degree such as a professional degree, master’s degree, or doctorate. A traditional bachelor's degree can be earned at some community colleges, but will primarily be available as a four year degree at a university. Most community colleges will offer associate degrees, but some offer undergraduate degrees. Some of the courses that online students will study when pursuing a bachelor’s degree are liberal arts, general education, and electives that change depending on your major or the concentration you select. Online learners will attend online lectures, participate in discussion boards, and complete the same material in their online degrees that on-campus undergraduate programs require. The accessibility to a major may shift depending where you are in the United States, as might admission standards (though online programs require the same admission items as on-campus programs) and what is expected of students while they are in school completing their online bachelor's degree programs. The number of online courses or online programs also changes from school to school. Some schools might offer undergraduate degree completion programs, while others only offer basic bachelor's programs in nursing education, elementary education, information technology, business data analytics, criminal justice, and more. Generally, financial aid offerings are the same for on-campus and online learners.

What Online Undergraduate Major Should You Choose?

The main reason for choosing bachelor’s programs is that many employers require one. However, even if an employer doesn’t require it, if there is competition for a position, most will choose an applicant holding a bachelor’s degree over one who holds an associate's, whether they earned their bachelor's degree as an online degree or not. On-campus students typically do not have significantly better outcomes than those who earn a bachelor's degree online. They must all take the same general education courses, have a high school diploma or GED, fill out the FAFSA for financial aid, and complete all other normal admission requirements for bachelor's programs. You'll find that any graduate program you take is the same way. While online university degrees may require more work ethic to make sure online students stick to their deadlines, the actual requirements are the same for all undergraduate students looking to earn associate or bachelor's degrees.

There are many careers that require bachelor’s degrees and many online programs and bachelor’s degree types that can open the doors to numerous career possibilities, as obtaining your online bachelor’s degree will arm you with the knowledge and skills to take on numerous occupations. The key to finding the best online bachelor's programs lies in the online student's interests and needs, whether this leads them to an online degree in business administration, information technology, or another science degree from an online undergraduate degree program.

Find Your Online Bachelors College

Online bachelor's degree programs are the most popular of all online degree types, by far. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) calculates that between 2015 and 2016, around 1.9 million students earned a bachelor's degree, which is a 32% increase from 2005. Finding the right online bachelor's degree programs can help online learners save a ton on their bachelor's degree cost, even if financial aid can't provide as much help as you'd like.

There are several different types of online degrees to choose from in various industries that can help to make you an expert in specific areas. In addition, having an online bachelor’s degree shows a lot about your character, in that you put your education first and went the extra mile to earn a rewarding degree and, if you have completed one of these programs, you'll possess valuable skills and knowledge that will appeal to many employers. Some employers don’t care what your degree is in, they just need intelligent people willing to do the work and go the extra mile. Having an online bachelor’s degree will appeal to all employers. But the best online bachelor's degree programs to earn is the one that will help you get into the career you want, whether that's a degree in criminal justice or a science degree.

What are the Most Common Bachelor's Degrees?

There are multiple types of bachelor's degrees that students can earn to qualify for a wide array of jobs. The following are some of the online degrees types that are available:

Bachelor of Arts (BA or BA Degree)
Bachelor of Science (BS or BS Degree)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
What is a better degree BA or BS?

Why Get a Bachelor’s Degree vs an Associate’s Degree?

There are many good reasons why getting an online bachelor’s degree is better than obtaining an online associate degree; here are five of the reasons to strive for a four year degree:

An employer will almost always choose an applicant who holds an online bachelor’s degree over one that holds an online associate degree when there is competition for a position.
During your studies, you will gain much more knowledge and skills with an online bachelor’s degree course than with an associate’s.
With an online bachelor’s you can get right into a master’s, with an associate’s, you are years away.
Those who hold an online bachelor’s degree hold more respect.
Online Bachelor’s degree holders are more likely to earn higher wages.

Typical Online Degree Requirements

To earn an online bachelor’s degree, colleges and universities may require from 120 to 180 college credits or semester hours, but the majority only require 120 credits, which you can earn by completing around 40 college classes. Therefore, it should take full-time students around four years to earn an online bachelor’s degree. However, if you already received your online associate degree, most colleges will allow you to transfer those 60 credits towards earning your undergraduate program online, leaving you with only 60 more hours of study to go that should take around two years.

Please note, in order to obtain a four-year online bachelor’s degree, most colleges require that you study with them for at least half the time, or two years.

There are also accelerated online undergraduate degree programs available that compress the same traditional course into shorter sessions, meaning you would have to work much faster to complete the program but you would earn your degree quicker than in the average college program.

What are the Most Popular Online Bachelor Majors?

According to the NCES, Over half of the 1.9 million bachelor's degrees awarded in 2015 to 2016, were concentrated in the following six areas:

Business - 372,000 degrees
Health Professions (Nursing) - 229,000 degrees
Social Sciences & History - 161,000 degrees
Psychology - 117,000 degrees
Biology & Biomedical Sciences - 114,000 degrees
Engineering - 107,000 degrees

The following online bachelor's degree programs fields of study accounted for the next highest level of percentages with 5% each:

Visual & Performing Arts - 93,000 degrees
Journalism, Communication, and Related - 92,600 degrees
Education - 87,200 degrees

Thus, overall, 18% of the bachelor's degrees were awarded in STEM fields that totaled 355,000.

How to Choose an Online Bachelor’s Program?

Choosing an undergraduate program is not only the most important decision of your career but can also be the hardest one as well. This is mainly due to the fact that this decision will likely affect the rest of your career. Those who are fortunate enough to know what they want early in life don’t have this burden. However, you’re not alone if you’re feeling the pressure. Nearly 50% of students who are undecided also feel stressed about the decision when choosing an academic degree. Still, even those who choose a college degree major early may be part of the estimated 75% who change their major before graduating. Don’t let this scare you out of a rewarding career. It is ok to change your mind later if you feel you made the wrong choice.

The key is choosing an occupation that you will enjoy, despite any apparent lack in salary at the outset. Rather than basing your selection just on potential earnings, filling someone’s shoes, or taking on a challenge just to prove that you can do it, you should decide based on your own future happiness and satisfaction with the work you will spend so much time on. Making the right undergraduate programs choice can mean the difference between staring at the clock anxiously waiting to go home every day or maintaining a healthy life/work balance that will help you enjoy both more.

Find Online BS Programs

What is a Bachelor of Arts Degree?

An online Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is an undergraduate program that can be completed in a number of sciences, liberal arts, or both.

What is the average cost for a Bachelor of Arts degree? - $10,000 to $35,000
Time to Complete a Bachelor of Arts program - 4 years (Timeframes are trending toward a 5-6 year completion.)

What is a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree?

An Online Bachelor of Science (BS) degree focuses on science, mathematics, or technology degrees such as engineering, information technology, health sciences, and more.

What is the average cost for a Bachelor of Science degree? - $10,000 to $35,000
Time to complete a Bachelor of Science program - 4 to 5 years

What is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree?

A Online Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is a professional education in performing or visual arts. These degrees tend to avoid the hard sciences all together except for general education courses and instead focus on music, art, and literature.

What is the average cost for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree? - $40,000
Time to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts program - 4 to 5 years

What is a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree?

The Online Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree contains advanced technical training such as military training, in sciences and liberal arts. It was specifically designed for those who have accumulated college credits but never used them.

What is the average cost for a Bachelor of Applied Science degree - $52,000
Time to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science program - 4 to 5 years

What is a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree?

Originating in England, the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is the degree you will have to earn in order to become an attorney.

What is the average cost for a Bachelor of Laws degree? - $65,400
Time to complete a Bachelor of Laws program - 3 or 4 years

How Many Different Bachelor Degrees are there? What are the Different Types and Abbreviations?

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes over 80 types of bachelor's degrees.

(B.A.) - Bachelor of Arts
(B.A.A.) - Bachelor of Applied Arts
(B.A.B.A.) - Bach of Arts of Business Administration
(B.A.Com.) - Bachelor of Arts in Communication
(B.Acy. or B.Acc.) - Bachelor of Accountancy
(B.A.E.) - Bachelor of Arts in Education
(B.A(Econ) - Bachelor of Arts in Economics
(B.A.J. or B.J.) - Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
(B.A.M or B.A.Mus.) - Bachelor of Arts in Music
(B.A.O.M.) - Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management
(B.A.P.S.Y.) - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
(B.A.S.) - Bachelor of Administrative Studies (or Applied Studies)
(B.A.Sc.) - Bachelor of Applied Science
(B.A.S.W.) - Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
(B.A.T.) - Bachelor of Arts for Teaching
(B.Ag) - Bachelor of Agriculture
(B.App.Sc(IT) - Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology
(B.Arch.) - Bachelor of Architecture
(B.Avn.) - Bachelor of Aviation
(B.B.A.) - Bachelor of Business Administration
(B.B.I.S.) - Bachelor of Business Information Systems
(B.Bus.) - Bachelor of Business
(B.Bus.Sc.) - Bachelor of Business Science
(B.Ch.E.) - Bachelor of Chemical Engineering
(B.Com. or B.Comm.) - Bachelor of Commerce
(B.Comp.) - Bachelor of Computing
(B.Comp.Sc.) - Bachelor of Computer Science
(B.Crim. Bachelor of Criminology
(B.C.A.) - Bachelor of Computer Applications
(B.C.E.) - Bachelor of Civil Engineering
(B.C.J.) - Bachelor of Criminal Justice
(B.Des.) - Bachelor of Design
(B.E.) - Bachelor of Education (or Engineering)
(B.Ec. or B.Econ.) - Bachelor of Economics
(B.E.E.) - Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
(B.Eng.) - Bachelor of Engineering
(B.E.Sc.) - Bachelor of Engineering Science
(B.F.A.) - Bachelor of Fine Arts
(B.F&TV.) - Bachelor of Film and Television
(B.G.S. or B.S.G.S.) - Bachelor of General Studies
(B.H.S. or B.H.Sc.) - Bachelor of Health Science
(B.I.B.E.) - Bachelor of International Business Economics
(B.In.Dsn.) - Bachelor of Industrial Design
(B.I.S.) - Bachelor of Integrated Studies
(B.Kin.) - Bachelor of Kinesiology
(B.Sc.Kin.) - Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
(B.L.A. or A.L.B.) - Bachelor of Liberal Arts
(B.L.Arch.) - Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
(B.L.S.) - Bachelor of Liberal Studies
(B.L.I.S.) - Bachelor of Library and Information Science
(B.Lib. or B.L.S.) - Bachelor of Library Science
(B.M. or B.Mus.) - Bachelor of Music
(B.M.E or B.M.Ed.) - Bachelor of Music Education
(B.M.O.S.) - Bachelor of of Management and Organizational Studies
(B.M.S.) - Bachelor of Management Studies (or Mortuary Studies)
(B.Math) - Bachelor of Mathematics
(B.Math.Sc.) - Bachelor of Mathematical Science
(B.P.A.P.M.) - Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management
(B.P.S.) - Bachelor of Professional Studies
(B.Phil. or Ph.B.) - Bachelor of Philosophy
(B.S.) - Bachelor of Science
(B.S.A.E. or B.A.E.) - Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
(B.S.B.A.) - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
(B.S.C.S.) - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
(B.S.Chem.) - Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
(B.S.E. or B.S.Eng.) - Bachelor of Science in Engineering
(B.S.Ed. or B.S.E.) - Bachelor of Science in Education
(B.S.E.T.) - Bachelor of Science of Engineering Technology
(B.S.F.) - Bachelor of Science in Forestry
(B.S.M.E.) - Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
(B.S.Micr.) - Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
(B.S.P.H.) - Bachelor of Science in Public Health
(B.S.S.W.) - Bachelor of Science in Social Work
(B.Sc.) - Intercalculated Bachelor of Science
(B.Sc(Econ) - Bachelor of Science in Economics
(B.Sc(IT) - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
(B.Sc(Psych) - Bachelor of Science in Psychology
(B.Soc.Sc.) - Bachelor of Social Science
(B.T.S.) - Bachelor of Tourist Studies
(B.Tech.) - Bachelor of Technology

What Can I Do with a Bachelors Diploma?

An online bachelor’s degree is one of the most flexible educational options available to anyone looking to gain a foundation for a career. While there are options for online certificates and trade schools, many of these won’t give you access to future education or many of the huge variety of industries or areas of interest that are available to those with bachelor’s degrees.

An online bachelor’s degree will let you get into the work force right away, get you an internship at your dream job, or prepare you to earn a master’s or PhD. The options you can choose between for your major are practically endless. You could choose business, management, architecture, dance, fine art, marketing, marine or human biology, journalism or communication, psychology or social sciences, or many, many others.

An online bachelor’s degree is a four-year education that sets you on your future path. You can earn an online associate's first if you want to save some money, as this can also be a very expensive option. However, with bachelor’s becoming more important and more expensive, the options to lower your educational costs have also increased. Federal, state, and school-specific scholarships and loans are available, as well as those meant for students who plan to go into specific careers. Associations and institutions also provide scholarships to minorities and the under-represented to try to improve their work force. No matter what degree you’re looking to achieve, you’ll have access to some financial aid help.

Find Your Program

Most Popular Jobs and Careers for Online Students/Graduates

As a bachelor's degree holder you will quickly learn some of the top attributes employers are looking for whether you have an associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate degree or even a doctoral degree. The most common attributes that employers look for from bachelor's degree students are: communication skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills, self-management skills, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and computer skills. Most bachelor's degree programs will teach you some or all of these skills, but how you utilize and apply them is what will set you apart from other candidates and help you land one of the following careers.

HR Executive: $85,000

Customer Care Executive: $67,800

Public Relations Executive: $65,000

Paralegal: $48,800

Technical Writer: $60,600

Editor: $53,100

Journalist: $40,700

Staffing Coordinator: $40,400
Risk Manager: $87,600

Software Engineer: $86,400

Service Consultant: $73,100

Teacher: $49,400

Business Manager: - $64,900

Marketing Executive: $59,100

Financial Analyst: $61,300

Accountant: $51,500

Underwriter: $59,700

Project Manager: $74,500
Legal Secretary: $55,300

Attorney/Lawyer: $85,700

Detective: $62,100

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete a bachelor's degree?

Earning a bachelor’s degree online or on campus will require 120 college credits. If you have already received your associate’s degree, you can most likely transfer those 60 credits, leaving you with a balance of 60 credit hours. Full-time degree programs will usually mean taking 15 credit-hours per semester, meaning it should take you 4 years altogether to complete your degree. However, if you take less than 15 credits or attend part-time you may find yourself in school for a fifth year. Or you can complete an online program with the same courses but at a faster pace. How fast you earn your degree will depend on how much time you are willing to commit to your studies. This is one of the major advantages of attending college online: you can often complete the coursework as fast or as slow as you want to.

How will a bachelor’s degree help me?

A bachelor’s degree can help you in a myriad of ways. For one, no matter what you earn your degree in, it will make it easier for you to find a job. Even if it’s only a temp job, employers look for employees with degrees, no matter what the degree covers. It will also help you earn more in the work force. Those same employers who are looking for college graduates are willing to pay those graduates more in order to maintain an educated workforce.

Can I complete this degree 100% online?

This depends on the bachelor’s degree you choose. While there are some degrees that you cannot complete entirely online such as nursing education, which requires in-person clinical hours, and teacher education, which requires that you teach a class in person for a semester, there are plenty of degrees that you can complete entirely online. For example, most computer science learning happens in a virtual environment, so it is particularly easy to transfer to an online learning format. The same can be said for most humanities and liberal arts learning such as social sciences, English and literature, history, and more.

Is an online degree just as good as an in-person degree?

No matter what you’ve heard, an online degree is nearly always considered just as good as an in-person degree. In fact, student outcomes from both degree types are nearly equal. The only thing you really need to look out for is degree mills, which don’t offer a quality learning experience. You can steer clear of these by paying attention to accreditation. Any school worth attending will be accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by CHEA and might have programmatic accreditation for some of it’s degree programs as well.

Does the School Help You With Career Placement?

The Pathways program,provided by the United States Government.
The U.S. State Department ‘Careers Representing America’ provides a “one-year career development program” for students who recently graduated.

How much do bachelor’s degree holders make?

According to Payscale.com, bachelor’s degree holders make an average of around $65,000/year. Of course, this is an average, so you should take that into account. How much you make with this degree will depend on the career you enter, how much experience you have, other skills and certifications, and more. A graphic designer earns between $34k and $70k, while a software engineer can earn between $64k and $131k. But, if you consider that an associate degree earns graduates around $56,000/year on average, a bachelor’s definitely ups the ante.

Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees for 2023