Which are the easiest online degrees to earn in the US? We explore easy online degree programs from top-ranked accredited colleges and universities.
The popularity of online education is growing every year. Statistics indicate that when students learn online, they retain 25% to 60% more information than in a classroom. The truth is that the flexibility of online programs can’t be matched. They spell flexibility and convenience for students with busy schedules.
The online education market has become more competitive as its demand has grown, with many providers competing for students’ attention. Massive open online courses (MOOC) alone reached 220 million learners between 2011 and 2021.
During the 2020 pandemic, there was a significant increase in distance learners as the option for in-person study was not available to the majority of students. After students were allowed back on campus, 81.8 percent of students choose to continue with some form/extent of distance education.
This surge in student interest has led to the consolidation of online degree programs around a few dominant players. There is evidence that students are becoming more knowledgeable and insistent that they get a solid return on their educational dollar, causing demand and quality standards of online programs to rise.
Prospective online students, particularly those who hope to enter high-paying fields like IT and computer science, may place a greater emphasis on gaining those sought-after skills rather than on the name of the college or university.
Nevertheless, many experts report and conclude that online education will continue to grow in popularity. A 20 percent drop in college enrollment from the pre-pandemic fall of 2019 led to the monumental shift to online college in the fall of 2021. To avoid losing more students, administrators quickly pivoted to accommodate the change, making online colleges more accessible.
While the move allowed students to progress toward graduation, it also raised questions about maintaining quality instruction for associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degree, and advanced degree programs like master’s degree and doctoral degree programs. And now that the health crisis is waning, many college students still want an in-person campus experience.
Having said that, there is a significant increase in demand for online degree programs. However, on-campus programs still dominate for those who want a traditional learning model. Hybrid programs have also emerged, which is the best of both worlds, combining classes online and traditional in person classes.
Bottom Line: Online degrees are here to stay. Since the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of college students interested in pursuing an online college degree. Colleges have hit their stride and are delivering an education that is comparable to traditional on-campus degree programs.
Online degrees offers college students numerous advantages, and when colleges focus on these advantages, they develop more efficient strategies for delivering content, ensuring an uninterrupted learning experience for students. Benefits of an online college degree include:
Online learning can be cheaper than traditional on-campus programs. The factors rely heavily on the transportation and other costs you accumulate as you attend classes in person. Distance learners also save transportation and parking costs.
Because most online learning utilizes an asynchronous format, where students are able to watch lectures and complete their coursework at any time, it is possible to earn a degree and continue to work. This makes it possible for students to avoid at least some portion of student loan debt.
You’ll have more free time when you don’t have to commute to and from class. This is a huge plus for online learners. Study and life balance is possible when pursuing an online degree. While online classes do require a lot of study time, they do allow flexibility in scheduling, allowing more time for family and work commitments and other extra-curricular activities.
Another huge benefit of online degrees is that you can replay instructors’ lectures, decreasing the chances of missing important points and lessons. Unlike in-person classes, you’ll have countless chances to replay their speeches online until you understand the lesson completely.
Rewatching lectures and reviewing materials at your own pace makes learning complex material easier for many students. Online courses often include extra study guides and supplemental reading materials to help students stay engaged. All these attributes end up with high-quality learning outcomes.
Online college degree programs also allow you to form global relationships, which may not be true when you study in person. You may encounter classmates from all over the world when you attend an online school.
You’ll be constantly exposed to learning alongside people from all walks of life allowing you to start forming professional relationships and grow your network during college. These connections will help you when you start searching for a career.
Bottom Line: A high quality, regionally accredited online degree program offers a number of benefits over a traditional on-campus degree program. The right online program gives students flexibility in scheduling, allowing time savings and the ability to maintain a work/life/school balance.
While a degree in organic chemistry may be considered by some to be much more difficult than a general degree in science, we do not mean that the following degree programs at the accredited schools mentioned below are “easy.” Easy is a very subjective term.
Instead, we mean that these degrees are easy to complete online. Nearly all of the degrees can be completed 100% online, although there are a limited number that do require a small amount of work to be done on campus.
Back to TopTuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
21%
Student body
4K
Baker College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Baker Online offers an online campus for Baker College System students. With Baker Online, you don’t have to step foot on their physical campus. All you need is an internet connection. Baker Online students benefit from the perspectives of faculty and students worldwide.
Natural sciences education is critical in today’s rapidly changing world. A general science degree is one easiest degrees to pursue online degree.
The school offers a BS or Bachelor of Science in General Science degree program. This degree allows students to explore life sciences, physical sciences, and health-related fields depending on your interests and career goals.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
46K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/23
Brigham Young University–Idaho’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
In addition to being an affordable and flexible option for both traditional and adult learners alike, BYU-Idaho offers certificate, associate’s, and online bachelor’s degrees. They also have online learning formats, with easy and convenient degrees for busy students. In the PathwayConnect program, students with no college experience or low grades in high school can earn college credits transferable to BYU-I’s online program.
One of the most popular online degrees is the online Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Business Management. The program prepares students for management roles in a variety of business settings by imparting analytical, marketing, finance, and operations skills.
It is possible to find a job in multiple industries with a business management degree. Managing people and resources, preparing budgets and evaluating finances, building and leading teams, implementing strategy, and running sales and marketing campaigns require analytical and personal skills.
Rutgers University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Constant and continuous learning online is made possible at Rutgers University. Continuing education programs are available in over 70 subject areas.
Rutgers recognizes the value of online education, and fully supports the advantages it offers to students. A total of 5,000 programs are offered for professional and personal development. And the good news is that they come in online formats.
Real-world skills are the focus of all of their online degrees. The academic rigor and faculty standards are the same as those found on campus.
The field of nursing is growing and enjoys a higher than average median pay. Registered nurses contribute to the health and well-being of their patients, so it is also a fulfilling career.
Rutgers offers one of the easiest degrees to complete online; the RN to BSN program. This 100% online degree is highly in-demand because completing it positions graduates for salary increases and career advancement. The accelerated RN-to-BSN program is designed exclusively for registered nurses already working in the field.
NCLEX certification and completion of an accredited nursing program are prerequisites for potential students. Before passing the NCLEX, prospective students may begin the program, but may not enroll in more than two courses before passing.
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
73%
Student body
9K
Maryville University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Maryville University offers more than 90 degree programs, including 30 online programs. Online learning has been a success at Maryville for many years. Thanks to their effective online formats, nearly all of their graduates report positive career outcomes within six months of graduating.
The fully online Bachelor of Arts in English degree prepares students to enroll in online master’s degree programs as early as possible. Students study creative writing, rhetorical situations, research and argument writing, and multicultural perspectives in American literature.
Students gain valuable skills to develop as a writer, researcher, and critical thinker in both traditional and digital contexts at Maryville University. An online BA in English can lead to a wide range of career opportunities or become a stepping stone to continue education in a master’s degree program.
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Liberty University’s approach to education emphasizes the right balance between academic theory, research, and hands-on training so you will be prepared to achieve anything you set your mind to. Liberty has online degrees that are easy and convenient for busy professionals. Become an essential contributor in your field and a leader who inspires others by developing critical thinking, research, data analysis, and communication skills.
It is possible to earn a criminal justice degree fully online at Liberty University. Because it is entirely online, law enforcement officers can continue to serve their communities while earning a degree.
Another degree that is one of the easiest to complete online is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Multiple specializations are available in this degree program, allowing students to develop fundamental criminal justice expertise while focusing on an area of interest.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
36%
Graduation
75%
Student body
63K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
University of Central Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Over the past 25 years, the University of Central Florida has been offering online degrees, positioning the school as a pioneer in education technology. Students from around the world can access any of their 100 online programs.
Whether your goal is to get promoted, shift careers, or pursue that dream job, UCF puts you on the path to success. Flexible programs and affordable course materials are just some of the benefits of their online programs, and an online advisor will be there to help you every step of the way.
UCF offers a fully online Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science that does not require any on-campus attendance, making it one of the easiest degrees to complete online.
It emphasizes analytical and critical thinking skills and foundational political science principles knowledge. This bachelor’s degree online allows students to pick from three possible concentrations including Pre-Law, American Politics and Policy, or International Relations-Comparative Politics.
Whether you want to pursue advanced studies or a career in the private sector, foreign or domestic public service or politics, an online political science degree from UCF Online will prepare you.
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
39%
Student body
102K
Southern New Hampshire University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Southern New Hampshire University is a nonprofit and private university that offers flexible online college degree programs with a focus on advancing careers. In order to ensure student success, they offer some of the most competitive online tuition rates on the market. SNHU believes that helping students succeed is their number one priority.
Among the easiest online degrees to complete is an online Master’s in Digital Marketing. A key component of the program is the development of audience engagement and brand management. Areas of specialization include social media marketing or new media.
Prospective students must have already completed a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for this program, but the degree does not have to be in marketing.
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
25%
Student body
5K
Franklin University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Franklin University offers convenient and affordable online college degrees that provide students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on learning needed for success in the workplace. Adult learners have been able to complete their degrees faster at Franklin University for more than a century.
Franklin University offers an online BS in Human Resources Management. The school allows students to transfer up to 76% of college credits that they have earned previously, making this degree not only one of the easiest to complete online, but also potentially one that could save more on your tuition.
This online degree will instruct students in how to perform key HR functions, understand compensation models, learn candidate analysis techniques, determine appropriate staffing levels, resolve conflicts, and other skills vital to the field of human resources. An HR degree online at Franklin University prepares graduates for careers in areas such as recruitment, employee relations, and labor relations.
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/25
Regent University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Regent University’s mission is to transform the world. In fact, the motto of the school is “Christian Leadership to Change the World.” As Regent prepares Christian leaders for lives of significant service, it consistently delivers excellent graduate and undergraduate programs online. Regent University’s goal as a center of excellence is to encourage its administration to reach a higher level of academic excellence and global influence.
If you’re looking for one of the easiest online liberal arts degrees to complete, Regent offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing program. All students in the program must take Christianity courses alongside their other general education requirements in order to ground their writing in a biblical worldview.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
66%
Student body
73K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/24
Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
At Arizona State University, online programs are widely available. The professors who teach on campus develop and teach the courses. The school offers online associate’s, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degrees.
Similar to the online degree offered at Regent University, one of the easiest online programs at ASU is liberal arts. ASU Online offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts program, which covers more than two dozen subjects.
As a student in this program, you will explore a variety of disciplines for your major while pursuing your bachelor’s degree. Expect the courses to run for 7.5 weeks. Students learn using an asynchronous schedule.
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
60%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/24
Lewis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Lewis University offers courses and degree programs in a wide range of subjects that can be completed online.
If you’re browsing through the easiest online degrees to complete that are related to business, you probably would want to enroll in Lewis’ BS in Business Administration. Students graduate with knowledge of global business leadership through this online degree program.
The course covers fundamental business law, people management, resource management, and process management. Decision-making skills and team-building abilities are strengthened to prepare students for diverse career paths. An online Lewis business administration degree program emphasizes practical, hands-on skills that will help graduates make better business decisions for public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
73%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/26
University of Missouri’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of Missouri Online is a popular and world-renowned online degree program. Mizzou’s online programs are on par with the university’s mission to provide high-quality research-based education that is both rewarding and challenging for all their learners.
The online Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies is not only one of the most popular online degrees at the school, but it is also among the easiest to complete online. Students in this program gain valuable skills for working with learners in many different settings.
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
23%
Student body
9K
Bellevue University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
At Bellevue University, a nonprofit university offering affordable degrees both on-campus and online, earning a degree online is just as rigorous and challenging as earning one in person. The school offer associate’s, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degrees online.
For instance, one of BU’s most popular online degrees is their online Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. Credits from a graphic design associate degree can be fully transferred to the university. Students may also be able to transfer military training and experience to the program. These two factors make it one of the easiest degrees to complete online.
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
38%
Student body
<1K
Manor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Manor College provides 50 major degree and certificate programs. The school offers numerous distance learning opportunities that may match your career goals.
One of their easiest online degrees to complete is the Associate in Healthcare Administration online. This degree can be completed in just two years, making it a very popular choice.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
39%
Student body
5K
University of West Alabama’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The University of West Alabama Online makes education affordable for you. At the University of West Alabama Online, students receive an affordable and personalized education.
The University of West Alabama’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education enables teachers to become certified in collaborative teaching or special education for grades K-6 and/or grades K-12.
While the internship and field experience must be completed in an Alabama-approved school, most of the program is completed fully online, and the curriculum has been designed specifically for working teachers. So this degree program is one of the easiest online programs for teachers to complete.
UWA’s special education program will prepare students to teach within Alabama schools or in other states that have reciprocity agreements. As part of the degree, students are connected with a mentor through a mentor collective program to develop your professional skills and build your network.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Graduation
24%
Student body
7K
Park University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Park University transforms lives by providing quality higher education that is accessible, student-centered, and affordable. Park University began offering online classes in English in 1996.
Online education was an immediate success for the first class, and very quickly it found its own niche for adult learners. Over 500 courses are now offered online at Park University and multiple sections are offered every term. Flexibility, adaptability, and convenience are features of the online learning environment provided by Park University.
At Park University, one of the easiest online degrees to complete is the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of fields, including research, counseling, business, marketing, education, research and development, criminal justice, and healthcare, among others.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
62%
Student body
1K
Northwest Iowa Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Northwest Iowa Community College boasts that graduates are nearly 100% employed. In addition to its main campus in Sheldon, the college also has an online division. A variety of online and hybrid undergraduate programs are available, with nearly 1000 online courses offered. Even better, NICC offers the same tuition to all online learners, no matter where they live.
For those who are pursuing an agriculture career, you can enroll in an online Associate in Agriculture, one of the easiest associate degree programs to complete online. Students can customize their program by selecting agriculture electives from a variety of options.
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
43%
Student body
<1K
Calvary University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The online degrees at Calvary University are very popular. Students can access course lectures online and at their convenience after onsite classes are recorded.
Calvary University offers accredited online undergraduate and graduate degrees, assuring students they are getting the highest quality education when earning their degree online. In their online degree programs, Calvary equips students with the tools they need to live and serve Christ and the world according to a biblical worldview.
One of the school’s easiest degree programs to complete online is the Associate of Ministry Studies. The program includes core classes on teaching the Bible, Bible studies, and evangelism.
Ministry Studies Department programs and concentrations provide students with academic, interpersonal, and practical skills that prepare them for service in local churches and parachurch organizations.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
91%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
University of Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Florida Online offers an unparalleled education for individuals who are determined to succeed. If you are interested in distance learning, this is the right school to pursue your dream and goals in life.
Among the easiest online degrees to complete at UF Online is the Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology. Students who enroll online can choose between full-time and part-time study options, and previous coursework can be transferred for credit.
An anthropology major may specialize in archeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, or biological anthropology. A capstone requirement culminates the BA program in anthropology.
Pennsylvania State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
It’s no secret that Penn State World Campus offers more than 150 online degrees and certificates and is the second-largest campus within The Pennsylvania State University system. With more than 175 accredited graduate, undergraduate, and certificate degrees, Penn State World Campus offers something for everyone.
Online students receive the same degree or certificate as on-campus students. Not to mention, they are also taught by the same faculty.
One of the easiest degrees to complete online at the school is the Bachelor of Art History. The BA in Art History covers art, architecture, cultures, languages, travel, museums, and history, along with general education courses.