If completing an online bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible is important to you, check out our list of the fastest online bachelor’s degree programs here.
Key Takeaways
- While most online bachelor’s degree programs are four-year degree programs, your public university or private institution may offer access to accelerated degrees online.
- The bachelor’s degree programs ranked here have a minimum 65% graduation rate.
- Both traditionally paced and accelerated bachelor’s degrees can prepare students for a wide range of entry level opportunities in the workforce.
Online bachelor’s degree programs are a great option for students looking to minimize their time to complete an undergraduate education.
Most online schools require the completion of both general
education courses and core courses in your chosen discipline. Earning an online bachelor’s degree can prepare you to immediately enter the workforce in a wide range of industries.
Many students will also continue into master’s degree programs after graduation. Many schools also offer accelerated online bachelor’s programs for students pursuing professional training and practical skills.
You may be able to complete your online education in as little as 2 to 3 years.
It may also be possible to bundle your undergraduate degree program with a graduate degree in a related area. Some online schools make it possible to complete both degrees in as little as five years.
Interested in finding the most affordable online bachelor degree programs? Check out our ranking of the online bachelor’s degrees with affordable tuition.
What You Should Know About Online Programs for Getting a Bachelor’s Degree
The bachelor’s degree is the basic threshold for a wide range of careers in high-growth areas like project management, software engineering, computer programming, corporate finance, health sciences, and much more. Most of these popular majors are available to both distance learners and on campus students.
For many prospective students, online colleges represent an opportunity to take accelerated courses. However, before you jump into online learning, there are a few important things you should know first:
- The minimum requirement for entry into an online bachelor’s degree is typically a high school diploma or GED. Transfer students who earn their associate degree first may also be able to take accelerated online bachelor’s programs or bachelor’s degree completion programs.
- It is essential to choose from online programs with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. The best online bachelor’s programs will have regional accreditation.
- Not only that, but you will only be eligible for federal financial aid when you pursue a bachelor’s degree through an accredited school with recognition from a Department of Education-recognized colleges and schools commission.
- Online students typically have access to the same curriculum, content, and college credits as traditional bachelor’s degree candidates.
- Most bachelor degree programs require the completion of 120 college credits. Full time students can usually complete these college credit requirements in about four years. However, many schools offer accelerated classes, which can allow you to complete your bachelor’s degree program is as little as two to three years.
What Kinds of Online Programs are There for Bachelor’s Degrees?
Bachelor’s degrees come in numerous forms including bachelor’s of arts, sciences, and applied sciences.
The bachelor of arts includes a wide range of general education classes where students learn valuable 21st Century skills like critical thinking and comparative analysis.
If you’re interested in liberal arts subjects like history, political science, and philosophy, you would likely earn a bachelor of arts degree.
Students who take science and applied science bachelor’s degrees will study emerging technologies, research methods, data science, and more.
If you’re interested in subjects like web development, web design, or management information systems, you would likely pursue a bachelor of science.
The applied science degree may be a technology degree or a practical program centered on providing technical skills. The bachelor of applied sciences can prepare you for practical work in areas like supply chain management, network architecture, software development, and more.
The right online program for you will depend on your educational and career goals.
How We Ranked the Fastest Online Bachelor Degree Programs
We ranked for the completion of fast online degree programs by first identifying fully online bachelor’s degree programs that rank for Influence—a metric which scores colleges and universities based on the real-world impact of students, alumni, and professors.
After distilling the best online bachelor’s degrees based on influence and rating of fully-online undergraduate enrollment, we measured for 6-year graduation rate as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The online bachelor’s degree programs ranked here include only bachelor programs with a 65% graduation rate or better.
The majority of online bachelor’s degree programs ranked here demonstrate a better than 70% graduation rate. This denotes that each online bachelor degree program listed here excels at delivering students to a timely graduation.
How to Find An Accelerated Online Program
You can find an online degree program with an accelerated format by reaching out directly to an academic advisor from one of the online bachelor’s degree programs ranked below.
Each online school here excels in delivering students to graduation in their respective bachelor’s degree programs. All of these institutions also offer online courses in an extremely wide spectrum of disciplines.
While NCES data does not provide comprehensive data on online accelerated degree programs, it does rank graduation rate statistics for bachelor’s degree programs.
Those that achieve the highest graduation rate also typically rank high for average time to complete. One reason for this, especially at the bachelor’s degree level, is the availability of accelerated classes.
While the typical bachelor’s degree program will take roughly four years to complete, accelerated bachelor’s degree programs can often be completed in as little as 2 to 3 years.
Accelerated online degree programs are available through four-year college, professional college, and fully online college programs.
This makes the accelerated online program an especially good fit for working adults who are interested in career advancement.
The accelerated online format makes it possible to quickly earn a bachelor’s degree online without disrupting your work and personal responsibilities.
Take a look at our Accelerated Online Degrees Guide for even more tips on getting that bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible.
The 25 Fastest Online Bachelors Degree Programs
Each bachelor’s degree program ranked below boasts a high graduation rate and a top Influence score. The bachelor’s degree programs listed here below include a full array of disciplines.
Students can take online classes in highly specialized areas like human resources, strategic management, systems analysis, web design, business analytics, forensic psychology, computer information technology, health promotion, and much more.
The best online schools provide access not only to a wide spectrum of degrees and programs, but most also offer online learners the opportunity to complete these programs at a faster than average pace.
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BS in Undergrad Completion Program
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Boston University’s Online Degrees
BS in Undergrad Completion Program
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BS in Integrated Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
Washington University in St. Louis’s Online Degrees
BS in Integrated Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BPS in Creative Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
BPS in Knowledge Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
BPS in Cybersecurity Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
Syracuse University’s Online Degrees
BPS in Creative Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BPS in Knowledge Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BPS in Cybersecurity Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BSN in RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion time: 4.5-5.5 years
- Format: Online
University of Rochester’s Online Degrees
BSN in RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BS in Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 48 months
- Format: Online
University of Georgia’s Online Degrees
BS in Education
Degree Concentrations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BA in Film And Media Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Bachelor Of Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Hospitality And Tourism Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Arts Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 1 year
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Bachelor Of Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Sustainable Food And Farming
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Online Degrees
BA in Film And Media Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Bachelor Of Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Hospitality And Tourism Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Arts Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Bachelor Of Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BA in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Safety and Security
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Social Science
- Required Credits: 43
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Florida State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Safety and Security
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 32
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
Texas A&M University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 32
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BA in Applied Studies
- Creative Writing
- Human Relations
- Justice Studies
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Enterprise Leadership
- Required Credits: 120-136
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Expression in Writing and Arts
- Global Studies
- Family
- Community
- and Social Support
- Health and Human Studies
- Justice and Ethics
- Organizational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 32
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Radiation Sciences
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Work
- Required Credits: 121-132
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Sport and Recreation Management
- Business Studies
- Coaching and Sport Instruction
- Communications Public Relations/Journalism
- Entrepreneurship
- Event Management
- Interscholastic Athletic/Activities Administration
- Sport and Diversity
- Student-Designed
- Required Credits: 123-129
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
University of Iowa’s Online Degrees
BA in Applied Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Creative Writing
- Human Relations
- Justice Studies
- Political Science
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Enterprise Leadership
- Required Credits: 120-136
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Expression in Writing and Arts
- Global Studies
- Family
- Community
- and Social Support
- Health and Human Studies
- Justice and Ethics
- Organizational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 32
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Radiation Sciences
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Work
- Required Credits: 121-132
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BA in Leadership In The Public Sector
- Required Credits: 12
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
North Carolina State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Leadership In The Public Sector
- Required Credits: 12
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Online Degrees
BS in Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
Pepperdine University’s Online Degrees
BS in Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BA in Africana Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Administration of Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Care, Health and Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
University of Arizona’s Online Degrees
BA in Africana Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Administration of Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Care, Health and Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
University of Delaware’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
University at Buffalo’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BS in Fire Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Leadership Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Professional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Social Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Theology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BA in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
Providence College’s Online Degrees
BS in Fire Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Leadership Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Professional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Theology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education In A Mobile Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: `
- Format: Online
BES in Educational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BGS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Radiography
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Respiratory Therapy
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Health Science
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Fitness Programming And Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
University of Missouri’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education In A Mobile Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BES in Educational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BGS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Radiography
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Respiratory Therapy
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BHS in Health Science
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Fitness Programming And Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 1 year
- Format: Online
James Madison University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BSN in to DNP
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
Texas Christian University’s Online Degrees
BSN in to DNP
Degree Concentrations
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Online Degrees
BA in Management Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
Marist College’s Online Degrees
BA in Management Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
-
Other Rankings
Online Degrees
BS in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Clemson University’s Online Degrees
BS in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Pros of Online Bachelor Degrees
Fast-track degrees online are becoming increasingly popular. These programs provide several advantages, such as the following:
Time-Saving
Fast-track online degrees’ greatest benefit is that they save a lot of time. Most online courses provide accelerated options, enabling students to finish their curriculum more quickly than in conventional on-campus programs.
Flexibility
Online courses are frequently more flexible than traditional ones because they allow students to study from any location at any time. Students with full-time jobs or other obligations will especially benefit from this.
Cost-Effective
Online schooling can be more affordable than on-campus programs since they frequently offer cheaper tuition costs and don’t need students to commute or move.
Customizable
Students can tailor their degrees to their interests and career goals by choosing electives from various courses offered by an online degree.
Cons of Online Undergraduate Degrees
While fast-track online degrees have numerous advantages, they also have some disadvantages. These are the cons of online first degrees:
Lack Of Interaction
Online schooling does not give the same level of in-person connection as traditional programs. As a result, developing relationships between students and their teachers and peers may become more challenging.
Self-Motivation
Online courses demand a lot of self-discipline and motivation. Without a typical classroom structure, students must be able to manage their time and keep up with their coursework properly.
Perception
Even though online courses are becoming increasingly popular, many people still believe they are inferior to traditional programs in terms of quality. This perception may affect graduates’ chances of finding employment and moving up the corporate ladder.
Related Questions
Are fast-track online degrees less reputable than traditional degrees?
There is a widespread misperception that degrees online are of poorer quality than traditional ones. This is not usually the case, though. Many reputable schools and universities provide more challenging online courses than their on-campus equivalents.
Will I miss out on the college experience if I pursue a fast-track online degree?
Degrees online do not provide the same on-campus experience as traditional degrees, but they can present special opportunities for networking and community building. There are virtual forums and discussion boards in many online courses where students can interact with their lecturers and fellow students.
How do I stay motivated and focused in a fast-track online degree program?
Accelerated programs demand a lot of self-discipline and motivation. Making a schedule and establishing your goals will help you stay on track. Many online schools provide tools like virtual tutoring services and academic counselors to assist students in keeping on top of their studies.
