Online bachelor's degree programs offer flexible learning opportunities to study various majors, including business, engineering, and computer science. When choosing an online program, you'll likely consider a school's prestige, costs, and available degrees.
This article provides our ranking of the top five accredited schools offering online bachelor's programs to help with your school-selection process. Discover the importance of accreditation, types of online degrees, and the benefits of online programs.
Why Earn Your Bachelor's Degree Online?
- You can choose a program from anywhere within the U.S., regardless of your physical location.
- Programs may offer asynchronous courses, which provide increased flexibility.
- Accredited online degrees must provide the same level of learning as in-person programs.
- Online and in-person programs award identical degrees.
Top 5 Accredited Schools Offering Online Bachelor's Degrees
Why Accreditation Matters for Bachelor's Programs
Colleges and universities get evaluated by independent reviewers to ensure quality. This process, called accreditation, checks if they meet set standards. Degrees from unaccredited schools may not be widely accepted, and you might not be eligible for federal financial aid.
There are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation evaluates the entire institution, while programmatic accreditation focuses on specific degree programs or departments, like business or nursing.
Types of Online Bachelor's Degrees
You can pursue multiple types of bachelor's degrees, depending upon your major and focus. Each type of bachelor's degree has similar timelines, graduation criteria, and academic rigor requirements. This list below highlights the differences among common types of bachelor's degrees.
- Bachelor of Arts: BA degrees focus on the humanities, arts, and social science fields and may include a foreign language requirement. BA programs may have more elective courses than bachelor of science degrees, which can help with double majors, minors, or studying abroad.
- Bachelor of Science: BS degrees focus on science and quantitative fields, which require logic, math, or analytical skills. These degrees may have structured curriculums with less flexible pathways.
- Bachelor of Business Administration: A BBA degree focuses on business and management skills, including communication, leadership, and problem-solving. BBA programs may provide specialization options or mandatory practical experiences. Graduates can pursue various business roles or follow an entrepreneurial route.
Search Online Bachelor's Programs by Major
Is an Online Bachelor's Degree Worth It?
$66,505
Average starting salary for bachelor's graduates
2.5%
Unemployment rate for bachelor's degree-holders
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, for the class of 2024, bachelor's degree-holders earned an average starting salary of $66,505, while associate degree-holders earned an average starting salary of $42,852. The difference in salaries suggests a 55% wage increase for associate program graduates who continue on to earn bachelor's degrees. That said, actual earning potential varies greatly depending on field of study.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students in 2024-2025 was $7,135 at public schools and $28,951 at private ones. Prospective enrollees must consider the price of a four-year education against their potential increase in salary.
Q&A With Real Online Students and Grads
Q: Why did you choose an online bachelor's degree?
"I had no idea at 18 what I wanted to do, so I took a few college classes and worked to figure out my career path. I was an unconventional student at 25 and needed an unconventional solution to achieving my degree."
"I chose an online bachelor's program because of the flexibility it offered me. Additionally, the online option offered me program options that wouldn't have been possible due to substantial commute times."
"I decided to go back to school for nursing but due to my location there were no options. … [The] program also allowed me to test out of certain subject areas, such as maternal health, pediatrics, and psychiatric. This saved me money and time."
Q: What's the best part of earning your degree online?
"The flexibility of the schedule! It gave me the availability to study at night while working during the day."
"Completing my coursework online allowed me to do it on my own time and in the best setting. So if I needed to get up and move around I could do so. I could complete assignments in the middle of the night. It allowed me to work full time as well."
"The best part of earning my degree online was that it allowed me to earn a degree while working full time and caring for my family. I was able to attend evening extracurriculars for my children and do coursework after they were in bed."
Q: What advice would you give students considering an online degree?
"It's very easy to put off deadlines and not complete assignments until the last minute. Time management is essential. Learning how to study is also key. Most instructors have 'virtual office hours,' and depending on the degree, it's essential to take advantage of that."
"Focus on time management and strategies to help keep you on track. Mark a calendar with all important dates and deadlines to ensure you don't miss any. Celebrate the wins of a good test or the end of the semester!"
"Make a schedule for your school and stick to it to ensure you aren't cramming in all your assignments in one night to meet the deadlines. Your degree is as valuable as earning it in person and is indistinguishable [from the degree of] someone who attended classes in person. Do not ever allow someone to make you believe your degree is worth less because you attended classes virtually."