What Degree Can I Get Online? 8 Popular Options

When you pursue higher education to obtain a degree, it’s important to consider what type of program you’d like to enroll in and if you want to attend school in person or online. Many degrees are attainable through online programs and offer you the flexibility to complete your education and start your career goals at a pace that is fitting to you and your needs.

If online learning is something you’re interested in, you should consider finding a school that offers your major or degree program. From there, you can begin your higher education to pursue a college degree. In this article, you’ll discover the pros of an online degree, some popular majors available online, and how to choose the degree and school that suits you best.

Learn more: A Guide to Online Bachelor's Degrees

Advantages of earning a degree online

Earning a degree online has many advantages, including that it gives you the flexibility to learn on your schedule. Instead of having to attend classes in person, you have the opportunity to schedule classes at times that work best for you and complete readings and assignments at your own pace. Attending school virtually typically comes at a reduced cost than usual college tuition, which may include on-site learning expenses such as access to classrooms and materials, as well as room and board if you’re choosing to live on campus.

As an online learner, you also get the chance to prepare for remote working conditions and learn new technology that may be helpful in your career. Perhaps your online degree program will have you practice using project management tools and software that a future employer may desire as a prerequisite to earning a job.

What degree can I get online?

Many colleges and universities offer online degree programs, both bachelor’s and master’s, that may take the same, more, or less time to complete, depending on how many credit hours you take in any given semester. Below are popular majors that you may choose to study online. Additionally, if you’re interested in one of these areas of study, you can see the average annual salary for a career related to these majors.

*All annual base salary details based on data from Glassdoor as of September 2024. It reflects the average and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

1. Business Administration

As a business administration major, your potential career paths include becoming an entrepreneur, accountant, or sports operations manager. This degree program will help you gain the skills you need to make business decisions, such as how to budget business finances, market for a company, and work in human resources.

Similarly to receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration in person, you may obtain this degree online. When studying for your degree online, you’ll have the flexibility to earn your degree at your own pace while still getting all the same benefits as if you were to study the same major in person.

• Sports operations manager: $100,121

• Accountant: $68,778

• Entrepreneur: $102,437

2. Education

When you choose to get a degree in education, your career path may involve becoming a teacher or professor, school administrator, or school counselor. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for postsecondary teachers has an expected growth rate of 8 percent between 2022 and 2032 [1]. 

When choosing to pursue an education degree online, it’s important to enroll in a program from an accredited college or university. This will ensure that you’re pursuing quality higher education that will count toward your teaching licensure. You’ll also want to find a program that will eventually give you the opportunity for in-person classroom training so that you can put your teaching skills to use.

• Professor: $115,880

• Kindergarten teacher: $55,704

• Middle school teacher: $55,998

3. Nursing

You can pursue associate, bachelor’s, or master’s in nursing online. You may complete all of your classes and homework assignments through online courses and tests before eventually transitioning to in-person clinicals to practice what you’ve learned. Also, you might consider choosing a degree program that assists you in setting up your in-person clinicals.

To become a registered nurse, you must complete either an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass a licensing exam, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Choosing to earn your nursing degree online is the right option for you if you’re looking for flexibility within your program while still getting some time to learn in person through clinical work.

• Nurse associate: $68,225

• Registered nurse: $88,095

• Nurse practitioner: $120,966

4. Computer Science

As a computer science major, you can explore career options such as the role of a clinical systems analyst, software developer, and director of IT. Per the BLS, computer and information research scientist jobs have an expected growth rate of 23 percent in the decade spanning 2022 and 2032 [2]. 

Computer science degrees offered online are typically more cost-effective than in-person programs, allowing you to save money that may have otherwise been spent on commuting to and from campus. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with students virtually through group work collaboration and discussion boards, similar to if you attended campus in person to earn your degree. 

• Clinical systems analyst: $93,683

• Software developer: $105,920

• Director of IT: $138,483

5. Marketing

With a marketing degree, your career options may include becoming a marketing manager, copywriter, or account executive. According to the BLS, advertising, promotions, and marketing manager roles have a projected growth rate of 6 percent between 2022 and 2032 [3].

Since marketing is a growing field, obtaining your degree online may help you learn how to use technology to become a digital marketer and put your skills, such as how to be an effective communicator and the basics of marketing, to use.

• Marketing manager: $89,836

• Digital marketer: $60,391

• Copywriter: $69,089

6. Criminal Justice

A criminal justice degree involves studying and examining the criminal justice system, and once completed, has many potential career opportunities based on your specific area of interest. As a criminal justice major, you may choose to become an intelligence analyst, a crime laboratory analyst, a probation officer, or a private detective.

When you pursue an online degree in criminal justice, you allow yourself to complete the program at a pace that encourages a balance between your studies and personal life.

• Intelligence analyst: $108,304

• Private detective: $70,806

• Probation officer: $58,499

7. Accounting

As an accounting major, you may pursue a role as an accountant, auditor, or financial advisor. Gaining a degree in accounting will help you develop your management abilities, expand your knowledge of finance, and improve your critical thinking skills.

Online degree programs in accounting can help with your busy schedule and allow you to take classes and complete your degree in a flexible time frame.

• Financial advisor: $78,418

• Auditor: $76,815

• Accounting associate: $52,183

8. Psychology

Psychology majors typically explore career roles such as becoming a social worker, career counselor, or therapist if they graduate with a master’s degree. According to the BLS, the job outlook for professionals in this field is positive, with a 6 percent growth rate in the decade leading up to 2032 [4]. 

You can complete your psychology degree online through an accredited program that will allow you to grow your teamwork, research, and communication skills. Not only can you get your bachelor’s in psychology through virtual schooling, but you can also pursue your master’s degree in psychology online.

• Therapist: $85,465

• Social worker: $65,254

• Career counselor: $69,635

How to choose the right degree for you

Choosing the right degree for you involves outlining your personal goals and plans for the future. Before choosing a degree program, prioritize your professional wants and what a dream job looks like for you.

When it comes to picking a degree, you need to decide what your major will be and how long you want to be in school. The answers to these questions may vary based on how much schooling you can afford and if you are still deciding on what you want to study. Take your time when making these choices, and be mindful that you can always change your major and choose to pursue a different degree at a later time.

How to choose the right online school

When choosing an online school, it’s critical to select one that offers the degree program you want to pursue. Once you’ve checked that off your list, consider other factors such as tuition cost, whether the school is accredited, the services for online students, and the financial aid offered. You may also choose to connect with current students at the school or alumni to gain insight into what attending the institution will be like and if it seems like it’s a good fit for you and your future.

How to apply to an online school

To begin the college application process, you’ll need to determine which schools you want to apply to and explore what their admission requirements are. The online college application process doesn’t differ much from traditional in-person college, as both schools require you to submit the necessary documents to await admission. 

Many colleges allow you to apply online through their official websites and require that you include standardized testing scores, letters of recommendation, your high school GPA, and personal identification documents. Each college’s application process and requirements may vary, so make sure to follow the guidelines of each specific school before submitting your application.

Getting started with Coursera

If you’re ready to start your journey in pursuing higher education, think about taking classes to enhance your skills to prepare for your degree program. Consider Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects offered by Deep Teaching Solutions on Coursera. Another course that you might find helpful is Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success offered by Imperial College London, which is also available on Coursera.