21 Fastest Bachelor’s Degree Online in 2024

Today online education is becoming more mainstream and much more valued. More institutions for higher learning have developed high-quality online programs that have earned full accreditation and can provide complete degrees entirely through an online delivery method. Finding the fastest bachelor’s degree online is more widely available and provides many benefits to the student. A traditional, four-year, on-campus bachelor degree mold doesn’t work for everyone. Some prospective students need to work full-time or have family obligations, but that shouldn’t prevent them from earning their degrees. A bachelor’s degree is an essential requirement for most careers that offer a good salary with benefits and stability. As a result, more Americans are seeking alternatives to a traditional brick and mortar educational experience, hence the fastest online bachelor’s degree. 

A traditional bachelor’s degree can take a minimum of four years to complete, that is a lot of time and money. The cost and time continue to increase each time a student needs to enroll in another semester to work towards their bachelor’s degree. With many online bachelor’s degrees, there are fast-track options or accelerated options that help students not only earn degree faster but also cheaper. This is the most affordable bachelor’s degree option. Here’s how: Look for an online college program that allows for maximum transfer credits, learns if you can “test out” of certain courses, ask if credits can be granted for work/life experience. Students that have attended some college or earned an associate degree can easily transfer those credits towards a BA degree. Adults that have no college experience can still complete a degree on an accelerated path as well though work/life competency credits and opportunities to test out of courses.   

One of the greatest benefits of online programs is hands-down the flexibility they provide. Students can continue working while earning their degree. Flexibility also works for students raising young families that desire to earn a degree. Many of the fastest online bachelor’s degrees take significantly less time to earn than their traditional four-year brick and mortar college counterpart. Continue reading to learn more about institutions that offer the fastest bachelor’s degree online.    

The Fastest Bachelor’s Degrees Online

For anyone seeking to earn a fast bachelor degree online, these schools offer some of the best and more affordable programs in the nation. Each school and its online programs are accredited and recognized across the country. Online degrees are ideal for working adults, those with family obligations, or anyone who needs a flexible schedule while earning their degree. Many of these programs have various options to accelerate them with or without previous college experience. Find a program that fits your educational and career goals and apply today!

Colleges offering accelerated online bachelor’s degrees have been ranked using a matrix of cost, number of online bachelor programs, and student support services.

Online college is gaining in popularity. Even people who enrolled in traditional colleges are studying online to complete their associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or even master’s degree, letting adults achieve many of their ambitions without giving up on their lives. If you’ve completed an associate’s degree and aren’t ready for a master’s just yet, don’t worry. There are a lot of online learning options for people who want to complete a bachelor’s.

You can be carrying out a business or taking care of your family alongside studying for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or working a full-time job while pursuing an online program for an undergraduate degree in psychology to help you garner a successful career in the future. Online degrees help you create a flexible schedule for yourself and also help you learn self-discipline and other organizational skills.

Online bachelor’s degrees are convenient and give undergraduates a realistic opportunity to change their lives all from their homes with a lower tuition rate than a regular bachelor’s program. So, if you are looking for an accelerated online bachelor’s degree that you can study without giving up on your side hustles, then you have come to the right place.

In this article, we will dive headfirst into all the details about the fastest bachelor degrees online. We will discuss what online bachelor degrees provide, the different types of online education, their advantages, the cost drivers, FAQs, and, of course, some of the best fastest bachelor’s degrees online.

Types of Online Bachelor Degrees

If you think online bachelor’s degrees only come in one variation, then you are wrong! Different degrees have different requirements, and these requirements distinguish the type and model of online education that different fields use.

There are two major categories in which we can differentiate online degree programs which are as follows:

1. 100 percent online degree completion program

Some programs are entirely based on online education. You get all of the lectures, tests, discussions, instructions via the internet. You will only contact your teachers via a specified online communication platform, and that is how your entire degree will go.

In this type of online degree program, you have control over when and where you want to attend your lectures to complete your college degree. You may also choose an accelerated program to complete your degree and reach graduation in a much shorter time.

This model is ideal for people who have a time-consuming job or have to take care of their families. You can easily tailor your studies according to your liking, and if you already have an associate degree, you might have a head start. In this case, it is worth looking into an accelerated bachelor program.

Some of the degrees that might fall into this category of accelerated degree are a psychology degree, and accounting degree, criminal justice, and business administration undergraduate degree.

2. The hybrid model of online education

The hybrid model of online education is one where you study through online classes and face-to-face classrooms. You will get virtual video lectures, online tests, and discussions, but you will also have to come to the university to do practicals or use labs.

These types of college degree courses are known as correspondence courses or hybrid courses. Most engineering degrees or technical degrees have acquired a hybrid model of education as they offer the best of both worlds, though you may find them with other bachelors degree programs as well.

However, hybrid education usually makes it mandatory to attend a specific number of classes in physical classrooms while completing a bachelor degree through an online degree program. So, this is not for people who want to customize their coursework according to their routine.

Choosing an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Before talking about the various accelerated online bachelor degrees that you can find in the market, let’s go over the different advantages that online degree completion has over traditional degrees.

1. Self-Discipline

One of the things that you learn if you opt for a degree online is discipline. From the moment you get accepted into a program, you are responsible for making a place for yourself in the class, studying even when you have every reason to mute the teacher and scroll through Instagram, and learn the different concepts. You are accountable for your education, which comes in handy later if you decide to pursue a higher level accelerated degree

2. Improve time management and organizational skills

Since you will be held accountable for reading all of the assigned material for your online courses for your undergraduate degree, doing homework on time, taking time out for studying, and preparing for tests, you will be able to manage your time more efficiently and learn how to organize and prioritize different tasks throughout the day.

3. Knowledge of different communication platforms

One thing that you will exceed while opting for an online degree is your proficiency in using different social media platforms to collaborate with your classmates and professors.

4. Flexibility

One of the major advantages that an online degree completion program has is flexibility. You can easily attend classes whenever you find time for them. You can complete your homework whenever and wherever you are. Many working men and women as well as people with families that require 24/7 care choose online degrees because of the laid-back, easy-to-follow course schedule.

5. Ease of accessibility to faculty

In face-to-face classes, you have a specific time during which you can ask your professor questions. In this time, the professor also has to listen to every student and address their concerns. So, sometimes, you might not get a chance to communicate with your teacher.

In online settings, it is easier to set up a time where you can have one-on-one communication with your teacher and have them answer all your queries.

Furthermore, you can easily send them a text and ask them your questions whether it’s during class or later on. In face-to-face classes, you can only go to your professor’s office during visiting hours.

6. No Transportation

Since you will be doing everything online, there is absolutely no reason to commute between university and home.

If you opt for a more practical degree that requires different credit hours for labs, you might have to visit the university once or twice during your semester. But other than that, you can roll out of bed, open your laptop and take your classes whenever you deem appropriate during the class.

7. Affordable Alternative

Online education is becoming the new norm anyway. If you are thinking of enrolling in an online bachelor’s degree, you will most probably be acquiring fewer expenses than if you were going for an on-campus degree.

Though there are costs associated specifically with online education like technology costs, and program amenities, it still is much less expensive than traditional means.

8. Personalized Learning Environment

As discussed above, online classes give you the freedom to do coursework whenever possible. They also allow students to take classes or cover as much coursework as possible whenever they want.

Whereas, in brick-and-mortar universities, you have to take certain classes on certain days, and you must sit through the entire class and pay attention. Most online classes are recorded, and you can also go back to them if you do not understand anything.

9. Reach Graduation Faster

As mentioned in the above point, you can cover a lot of coursework in a much shorter time as compared to traditional face-to-face classes. This suggests that you can also reach your graduation much faster.

However, this solely depends upon the type of program you have chosen and its requirements.

10. Diversification and Globalization

Online education does not limit you to teachers and students that belong to a certain geographical location. And have a definite type of culture and ideas. You will be exposed to people from all around the globe. This will help you gain a global perspective and understand different cultures, traditions, communication skills, ideas, ethics, and backgrounds.

Typical Cost of an Online Bachelor’s Degree

Though online education is considered an inexpensive alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar Universities. It does have a few cost drivers that you should pay attention to, and it’s a good idea to look into federal student aid.

In this section, we explore the various factors that most probably will affect the expenses you incur when you apply for an online degree and during the entire course. The following are the changes that the majority of online students have to bear throughout their degree.

1. Tuition Fees

This is the biggest and the primary cost driver that makes you decide if you even want to opt for college, period. When it comes to an online degree, the university gives you many options to make the payment. Some universities offer monthly tuition payments with no interest whereas others require you to pay the entire semester fee in one go.

If you are an employer who is going to attend college via employer-sponsored programs you might have a direct billing choice that can be delayed as late as the middle of the semester. However, these conditions severely depend upon the university you chose.

Different universities offer different types of tuition charges and options to pay them. So, before you choose a program, make sure to thoroughly go over the tuition structure and payment methods.

2. Course Material

Most of the professors give you all of the material that you might need to get through the quizzes and assignments. All of the case studies you might be reading and solving will have a cost and these are mostly included in the tuition fee.

However, sometimes, you might have to buy a book or two to better understand a course. You might also need to spend money a bit on stationary to jot your notes down and work on your assignments. Though these costs might be minor, they can tip the scale and cause disarray in your financial plans.

3. Credit Transferring Costs

Whether you are studying in a face-to-face university or online. If you change your major or shift from one university to another, you will have to transfer your credit hours and this might have additional costs.

Though the credit transfer is not a simple process in online education. It can be smoothly carried out to most degrees.

4. Technological Expenses

An online education solely relies on your laptop and internet connection. So these are some of the costs that you will incur during your entire degree. When it comes to a laptop, you might need one that can perform efficiently no matter how heavy the load is and also, the type that can easily download a few software.

When it comes to the internet, you will need an excellent internet connection that will let you take your classes without any disruption or distortion.

In some cases, you might also have a technology fee based on a per-credit-hour or per-term/semester basis. This fee covers all the charges linked with technology improvements, the learning management system, and tech support.

5. Official Transcript Costs

Though you might need not worry about this when you start your degree, you are charged additional fees for an official transcript or graduation as well.

6. Transportation Costs

As discussed above, there are two modes of online education; 100 percent online education and hybrid online education. While you might not need to worry if your entire degree is online, there are a few transportation costs that you will have to add to your books.

It is always wise to check the requirements of your major to find out if it requires you to travel to the university or an office in case internships are mandatory. For example, if you are applying for business, while you might not be required to attend on-campus classes, you will be required to do one or more internships before graduation.

On the other hand, if you are enrolling in a program that requires certain credit hours in the labs, then you will undeniably incur these charges so it is better to pay heed to these before enrollment.

Checking these requirements will help you plan better as well as manage your financials more easily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to complete an online bachelor’s degree?

Different majors require different numbers of credit hours and thus they have different completion times. While one bachelor’s degree might take you only 15 months, another one might last for as long as two years (24 months). So, there is no exact standard period that requires to complete an online bachelor’s degree.

Although if you are looking for rough estimates then let us discuss it as well. Bachelor’s degrees usually last for 36 to 48 months (three to four years). However, most professionals estimate that an online degree can be completed within 15 to 24 months (1.3 years to two years) since you can accelerate your studies and study for longer hours.

Why should your online college be accredited?

Let us first grasp the concept of accreditation. Accreditation or an accredited college/university means that the institute is officially approved and authorized to carry out its operations. It is the process in which agencies outside of the institute evaluate the performance of the programs that the school is providing.

In America, the Department of Education, CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation). Or both of these organizations grant accreditation to various universities across the country.

In the United Kingdom, the system is different. The quality checking agency for higher education is QAA. And these external examiners are responsible for assuring the quality of education given in these universities. Though there is no accreditation system, the government has control over the power of awarding the degree. And also, which institutes follow the criteria of being a university.

Whether you opt for a degree with an American or a UK institute. It is important to check the accreditation and quality assurance. This will help you assess if the program is worth investing in. And if the school is meeting the standards of quality education which are set by the esteemed agencies we mentioned above.

So, yes, it is important to know if your online college is accredited (or quality assured). Accreditation not only ensures that you get the best type of online education, but it also increases your chances of securing a well-paying job after graduation.

What can you do with an online bachelor’s degree?

Everything! You can do everything with an online bachelor’s degree that you would expect from a traditional degree. An online version of every imaginable degree is present, and you can go for anyone you like. You will get the same job opportunities, internships, and quality of education as students who go to a brick-and-mortar university. 

As long as you make sure that you opt for an accredited university, all is well. On the contrary, you might be missing a few things, such as a chance to participate in on-campus events, join societies, and get to know your colleagues on a more personal level. 

Other than that, there are hardly any disadvantages to an online bachelor’s degree and plenty of online class tips to help you get the most out of your education. Besides, with the blessing of top-notch technology and the ability to connect with anyone at any time, you can interact with your classmates and professors without any problem. 

Why are online bachelor’s degrees perfect for adult students?

Online bachelor’s degrees are perfect for adult students as they give every person with commitments to get an education that will help them start up their career. There are various conditions for why people do not go to college. Sometimes, it has to do with finances, but other times we are faced with different circumstances that force us to drop out.

Irrespective of the struggles, online education gives not only adults but everyone to get quality education from anywhere around the world. Whether you are a part-time employee, a committed parent, or someone who cannot go on the campus for any reason. An online bachelor’s degree will give you the opportunity that your circumstances stole from you.

These degrees are comparatively more affordable, self-paced, and give you the same experience that an on-campus degree would have provided.

What is the employment outlook for graduates of online bachelor’s degree programs?

The employment outlook for graduates of online bachelor’s degree programs is very favorable. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), almost 42 percent of employers will consider a graduate with an online bachelor’s degree.

Furthermore, according to a study, 61 percent of the Human Resource Leaders believe that online education is just as remarkable, if not more, than face-to-face education. Seventy-one percent of the firms will readily hire a candidate that graduated from an online program within the last year.

Conclusion

Online Bachelor’s degrees are in the mainstream now, like online certificate programs before them. Many people have started to drop out of their traditional on-campus programs and shifted to online programs because it is a more convenient and flexible option. If you are also thinking about enrolling in an online bachelor’s degree, check out the above-mentioned accelerated degrees.

All of them have unique aspects that make them stand. One thing to consider while choosing an online bachelor’s degree is the different costs associated with online education.

As we discussed, there are two basic types of education in the online world: 100 percent online and hybrid. Both of these modes have their own set of cost drivers, which you need to pay heed to before enrolling in a program.

Lastly, one last piece of advice for everyone applying for online degrees is that you should always follow your passion, whether it’s business, media, architecture, computer science, or whatever interests you. Research your choices, and choose a program that you sincerely like.

Choose a program and a degree that you are positive you will adore, or put it more appropriately, that you will be happy to put in the effort to complete.