Online Degree Guide: Types, Costs, Benefits, and How to Choose

Key takeaways

Online degree programs available at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels include virtual classes or asynchronous learning opportunities.

• Earning an undergraduate or graduate online degree spans majors, with programs available in liberal arts and sciences, humanities, business, engineering, and more. 

• Online degree programs offer many benefits, including flexibility, affordability, and the ability to develop time management and self-discipline skills. 

• You can network with your peers in a virtual environment, through discussion forums and email, during your online degree program.

Learn more about what types of degrees you can earn online, the benefits of earning a degree virtually, and how you can find the best online degree program for you. 

What is an online degree?

An online degree is any type of undergraduate or graduate degree (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, or professional) that you earn online. Rather than relocate to attend an in-person program, you'll work through your coursework online, either by attending virtual classes or completing asynchronous classes on your own time.

Online degrees can either come from prestigious colleges or universities that offer specific online programs, usually in college majors conducive to being learned virtually, or entirely online colleges that do not offer an in-person experience.

What degree can you earn online?

You can earn every level of degree online: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and professional. But for the purposes of this article, we'll focus on the three most common online degrees below.

Online associate degree

Earn your associate degree online in a number of subjects that are more typically geared toward helping you move into a specific career path, such as computer science or business administration. You can expect to complete a minimum of 60 credits, with a portion of those (usually a minimum of 12 credits) going toward your focus or major.

• Degrees: Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

• Popular majors: Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, humanities, health professions, business, homeland security, law enforcement, and computer and information sciences 

• Average time: Two years when you attend full-time 

• Requirements: High school diploma or GED

When you earn either your AA or AS, you can transfer into a four-year bachelor’s program. The AAS, on the other hand, tends to provide more practical training, so you can use your degree to begin a career as a paralegal, welder, or dental assistant. 

Read more: 10 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get with an Associate Degree

Online bachelor’s degree 

Earn your bachelor’s degree online, choosing from a number of majors that either prepare you for many career options or for a particular career or industry. You can expect to complete a minimum of 120 credits, which include both general education, major, and elective courses.

• Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) 

• Popular majors: Business, health professions, social sciences and history, psychology, biomedical sciences, and engineering 

• Average time: Four or five years when you attend full-time

• Requirements: High school diploma or GED

Online master’s degree

Earn your master’s degree online to either deepen the subject knowledge of your bachelor’s degree or move in a new direction. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a theoretical or practical subject, there are an array of programs available. The number of credits you’ll need to earn will depend on your program, as requirements can range between 30 and 72.

• Degree types: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Civil Engineering (MCE), Master of Social Work (MSW) 

• Popular programs: Business, education, health professions, engineering, public administration/social services

• Average time: 18 months to two years when you attend full-time 

• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree 

Online degree costs 

The cost of attending college in person tends to encompass additional factors beyond tuition and fees. The annual total cost of attendance in the US is $17,439 for a two-year public college, $27,146 for a four-year public college or university, and $56,628 for a private non-profit institution [1]. For a master’s degree, the average total cost is $62,820 [2]. 

Online degree programs tend to be less expensive because they don’t have the same overhead as many in-person programs. The average total tuition for an online bachelor's degree can span between $40,536 and $63,185 [3]. 

Looking for an affordable, efficient option to advance your education? You can earn a Master of Science in Management from the University of Illinois in as little as one year for $13,644.

Is an online degree worth it? 5 benefits of earning your degree online 

Many colleges and universities offer the same quality of education online as they do in person, including having the same faculty members teach courses. But when you learn online, you may find that there are added benefits involved: 

1. Greater flexibility 

Because of the way online degree programs are designed and offered, they tend to provide more flexible scheduling. Many courses take place asynchronously, so you can learn around your other responsibilities rather than fitting those obligations around your degree.

2. Full-time or part-time work opportunities

Many online college students continue working either part-time or full-time while earning their degree, thanks in part to the flexible scheduling we mentioned above. The average age of fully online learners is 31.5, making an online degree program a strong option for nontraditional students [4]. 

3. Affordability

Depending on what you study and where, some online degrees may cost less than in-person degrees. Online colleges don’t have the same overhead as brick-and-mortar schools, meaning they can charge less. More than that, you likely won’t have additional expenses, like transportation and on-campus housing, to factor into your budget.

4. Unique skill development 

With online learning, you get the chance to practice and refine self-discipline and time management. Both of those skills are important given the flexible, often self-paced nature of online learning, and both are valuable workplace skills that are particularly important as more of the global workforce becomes remote. 

5. Peer networking

Many students opt to learn in person because they want the full college experience or the opportunity to socialize and network. However, many online degree programs offer opportunities to interact with other students. Those exchanges may start off via discussion forums or emails at first, but there’s an array of virtual resources to foster long-distance connections if you’re willing to make the time. 

How to find the best online degree program for you

Enrolling in an online degree program has many advantages, as we discussed above, but it’s important that you find the right online program for you. Because of the self-discipline and time management that learning online requires, when you learn is up to you. That makes it especially important to make sure you’re set up for success. 

Below, we’ve outlined a few components that you should keep in mind as you research different online degree programs and go about determining the ones you’d like to apply to.

Look for accreditation.

Finding an online degree from an accredited college or university is one way to ensure that you’re receiving a quality education that has been vetted by an approved outside agency. But the type of accreditation can become especially important if you want to transfer previously earned credits to a new institution or apply for federal financial aid. Note how each program is accredited, regionally or nationally, and speak with an advisor if you have additional questions. 

Consider the course format.

The way your online program is structured will depend on the college or university you attend. Some programs are fully online, meaning you will not be expected to attend any classes on campus. However, others employ a hybrid model, meaning you will be expected to take some classes in person. Learn how each program is structured, and think about the best approach for your learning style and schedule. 

Determine how much flexibility you need.

Speaking of how you’ll learn, online programs tend to structure courses asynchronously (in which you learn on your own time) or synchronously (in which you attend a scheduled class virtually). Depending on your schedule and your needs, figure out which option best suits you, and narrow your program choices down based on how they offer courses. 

Pay attention to what you can learn.

Not every major or program is available online at every degree level. Once you know what you want to study and the kind of degree you want to earn, begin researching which colleges and universities offer that track. Pay close attention to the coursework required to graduate, and make sure it aligns with what you hope to gain by earning your degree. 

Research the cost.

Each online degree program charges a different amount for tuition and fees, including, in some cases, whether you’re in-state or out-of-state. As you identify different programs that interest you, make a note about tuition costs so you can make a decision that best suits your resources. You can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year, which may help you qualify for grants, scholarships, and federal student loans. 

Review faculty credentials.

As much as possible, you should find out about the faculty who will teach your courses, whether those are led asynchronously or synchronously. Online programs should provide those details, and knowing more about your faculty’s experience and credentials can help reassure you that you’re learning from subject experts.

Find free resources for college and beyond

Check out our Career Resource Hub, where you can take a quiz, assess your skills, and explore career tracks. With the help of these free resources, you’ll have the chance to learn more about online learning and potential careers: 

• Read our Career Chat issue: How to Fit Learning into Your Life: 3 Tips from an Online Learner 

• Learn from an insider: Meet the 18-Year-Old Getting His Master’s Degree in Data Science

• Watch on YouTube: 10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning

Discover flexible online degree programs available through Coursera’s esteemed college and university partners.