2024 Best Online Degrees That Are Worth It
By Dr. Brianna Anderson
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on September 24, 2024
Going to college takes time and money, but there are many online degrees that are worth it.
The most useful degrees typically teach students concepts and skills that they can apply in fulfilling and high-paying careers. Many students also consider majors worthwhile if they fit their personal interests and goals.
This guide explores the best online degrees, the pros and cons of studying online, and other factors to consider when choosing a major.
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Colleges and universities offer dozens of degrees you can get online, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing a major. But, you can narrow down your options by considering your career goals and passions. The online degrees that are worth it for you will likely be ones that pique your interest and pave the way to in-demand jobs.
Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
Exploring your options may help you determine which academic path is right for you.
You can learn how to help individuals and organizations maintain fiscal health and comply with regulations by earning an accounting degree. This major teaches useful skills like auditing, creating financial records, and preparing taxes.
Many graduates use this degree to become accountants and auditors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these occupations have a median salary of $78,000 and will likely grow by 4% over the next decade.
An aviation management degree can help prepare you for administrative and leadership positions in the aerospace industry. This degree covers topics like airport design, human resource management, and project management.
Current professionals often work as air traffic controllers. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the median salary for these professionals is $132,250, and there will be around 2,000 job openings each year over the next decade. Other potential careers include airport manager and operations manager.
A business administration degree teaches you the ins and outs of managing operations, people, and resources. You can study foundational business disciplines, such as accounting, human resources, and marketing.
This versatile major can unlock numerous business careers, such as budget analyst, human resource specialist, and financial advisor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business and finance occupations have a median salary of $76,850. This job category is also expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade.
You might consider a computer science degree if you’re interested in using computers and other technology to solve problems. This major lets you study exciting subjects like artificial intelligence, computing systems, and programming.
Graduates frequently pursue high-paying careers in information technology, such as computer network architect and software developer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that computer and IT occupations pay a median of $100,530 and will likely grow much faster than average over the next ten years.
As a cybersecurity major, you can learn how to safeguard computer systems and sensitive data from hackers and other threats. This degree teaches in-demand technical skills like coding, penetration testing, and systems engineering.
Many graduates use this degree to pursue careers as information security analysts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for this job is $112,000, and job openings will likely increase by 32% this decade, which is much faster than average.
If you want to expand your knowledge of the natural world, you can major in environmental science. You’ll study timely topics like climate change, ecology, and sustainability.
Current professionals can apply their analytical and scientific skills as conservationists, policy analysts, and sustainability consultants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that environmental scientists and specialists earn a median of $76,480 yearly, and demand for these jobs will likely increase by 6% over the next ten years.
A finance degree helps prepare you to make strategic business decisions and maximize financial performance. You can learn in-demand skills like data analytics, financial modeling, and forecasting.
Finance majors often secure lucrative jobs at banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. For example, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that financial analysts earn a median salary of $96,220, while personal financial advisors make a median of $95,390.
A healthcare administration degree teaches you how to coordinate and oversee medical services. You’ll study topics like human resources and operational strategies.
Graduates can use this degree to pursue administrative and management jobs in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , medical and health services managers have a median salary of $104,830. Additionally, this career will likely grow by 28% this decade, which is much faster than average.
If you want to learn how to recruit and inspire employees, you might consider a human resources management degree. You can learn how to develop company policies, resolve conflicts, and train employees.
Organizations in all industries need human resources professionals, which means graduates can secure positions in many areas. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for human resources specialists is $64,240, while the median for human resources managers is $130,000.
An information technology (IT) degree allows you to study and develop intricate computing systems and other technology. You can gain valuable skills like coding, database management, and systems analysis.
Graduates frequently use their IT degrees to become cybersecurity specialists, computer programmers, and web developers. These careers often have lucrative wages. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for database administrators and architects is $112,120.
If you want to help people find products and services, you might be interested in a marketing degree. You can study consumer behavior, marketing strategies, search engine optimization, and other essential skills.
Many graduates become market research analysts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career pays a median salary of $68,230 and will likely grow by 13% over the next ten years. Marketing majors can also pursue careers as public relations specialists and survey researchers.
A project management degree teaches you how to coordinate and execute complex projects. You can strengthen desirable interpersonal skills, such as communication, organization, and time management.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that project management specialists earn a median salary of $95,370, and this job will likely grow 6% over the next ten years. Also, some graduates become operation research analysts. The median salary for these professionals is $85,720.
Even the best online degrees that are worth it have pros and cons.
| Pros of Online Degrees | Cons of Online Degrees |
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It can help to weigh the potential pros and cons before committing to an online degree program.
Most employers regard online degrees and in-person degrees as equally valuable. Online learners typically study the same topics and develop identical skills as traditional students. As a result, they’re just as prepared to succeed in the workplace.
You can increase the likelihood that employers will respect your degree by choosing an accredited online program. Accredited colleges must meet strict quality standards, so they’re widely regarded as more reputable than unaccredited institutions.
Selecting an accredited school can also help you avoid unscrupulous for-profit programs, which often provide a lower quality of education.
There are numerous online degrees that pay well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are five high-paying careers, their median salaries, and related majors that can help you prepare for these roles.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries | Related Online Degrees |
| Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers | $138,730 | Advertising, Communications, and Marketing |
| Information Security Analysts | $112,000 | Computer Science and Information Technology |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,830 | Health Administration and Business |
| Data Scientists | $103,500 | Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $95,390 | Business and Finance |
While no degree can guarantee a specific career or salary, choosing one of these majors could help you increase your earning potential and professional qualifications.
Yes, some of the best online degrees pay students to attend. These arrangements from online colleges that pay you to attend take several forms, depending on the college and program. For example, some colleges offer work-study programs for online students. Learners can work part-time for the school in exchange for a full tuition waiver and other benefits.
Other programs connect students with paid internships at companies, which they can use to pay for their degrees. Also, some programs provide full tuition scholarships for online students. This type of financial assistance doesn’t require learners to work.
Distance learners can choose from a broad range of fast online degrees that are worth it, ranging from architecture to zoology.
Many bachelor degrees can open the door to high-paying and in-demand careers. The best majors also teach transferable skills you can apply in many positions, such as communication and data analytics. These abilities can help you adapt as the job market evolves.
Now that you know of some of the best degrees to get online, you can take the next step by exploring accredited universities to find your ideal program.
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