Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree Online?

Key takeaways

Earning your bachelor’s degree online is a flexible way to complete your undergraduate degree while navigating other responsibilities that might make it more challenging to attend an in-person program.

• It's possible to earn a bachelor's degree in many popular and in-demand majors from leading accredited institutions. Doing so can often be a more flexible and affordable way to complete your bachelor's degree.

• There are different formats for online bachelor's degrees, including asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid.

• The best online bachelor's degree for you will allow you to pursue your career aspirations.

Learn what it takes to complete an online bachelor's degree, including the benefits, and how you can determine whether it’s the best degree option for you. Afterward, consider completing your bachelor's degree on Coursera through one of our esteemed university partners.

Can you earn a bachelor's degree online?

Yes, you can earn a bachelor's degree online from accredited colleges and universities. Many established in-person institutions offer a set number of degrees online, and there are also online-only institutions that offer a robust number of majors.

Online degree programs tend to be more affordable than attending in person, make it possible to earn a degree from a school in another part of the country, and take classes that fit your schedule so you can navigate other responsibilities, such as a job, caregiving, or family life. In fact, more than half of the students attending an online college in 2023 considered the school's reputation, tuition, degree options, and time requirements when selecting an online school [1].

Verifying accreditation for your online degree

An online bachelor's degree is as legitimate as an in-person bachelor's degree as long as you've earned it from an accredited institution. Accreditation is the gold standard that ensures educational quality and credibility. To become accredited, institutions must demonstrate:

• Quality curriculum and instruction: Programs meet industry and academic standards.

• Qualified faculty: Professors and instructors have appropriate credentials and expertise.

• Adequate resources: Libraries, technology, and student support services.

• Financial stability: The institution can sustain operations and fulfill commitments to students.

• Student outcomes: Graduation rates, employment statistics, and learning achievements.

What kinds of bachelor's programs are available online?

While not every single college major will be available as online bachelor's degree, the vast majority are. You can earn your Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and even Bachelor of Fine Arts online. In fact, some of the most popular majors are available online, including business, computer science, health care, and education. Learn more about some of the highest paying bachelor's degrees.

The key to selecting the right online bachelor's program is understanding which degrees lead to your desired career path. Start by researching job requirements in your target field and working backward to identify the most relevant degree options. The right online bachelor's degree should serve as a launching pad for your specific career aspirations. By thoroughly researching both degree options and career requirements, you'll make an informed decision that sets you up for long-term professional success.

How long does an online bachelor's degree take?

When you embark on an online bachelor’s program without any prior credit, it will take around four or five years to finish your degree when you attend full-time. When you attend part-time, your timeline will depend on how many courses you can take each semester.

The flexibility of an online bachelor's program is one of its greatest strengths, allowing you to earn a legitimate degree while maintaining your current lifestyle. Whether you choose an accelerated three-year track or a leisurely eight-year journey, the key is selecting a pace that aligns with your personal circumstances and long-term goals. Most successful online students find that consistent, dedicated study time leads to steady progress and eventual graduation.

Accelerated bachelor’s degree online 

You may be able to speed up the time it takes to earn your online bachelor’s degree. Any college credits you’ve previously earned may be eligible for transfer, which can reduce the time it takes to reach the minimum number of credits to graduate (generally around 120 hours). 

Online bachelor's degree formats

There are three primary formats in which online bachelor's degrees are offered. And the format you should choose will depend on your scheduling needs.

• Asynchronous learning: Most online programs offer asynchronous courses, meaning there's no set class time to attend. Instead, you'll access lectures and materials at your own convenience, though you may still be required to complete readings and assignments by certain deadlines. This style is meant to accommodate different time zones, so students learning in different parts of the country or the world can complete coursework.

• Synchronous learning: Some online bachelor's programs include real-time elements, such as weekly virtual meetings, live discussion sessions, or group project meetings. Your faculty may also offer virtual office hours. Essentially, while you will be completing your degree online, you'll be expected to make time to attend these components virtually.

• Hybrid learning: Lastly, some online bachelor's programs combine in-person structure with online flexibility for a hybrid approach. This can include weekly rather than daily due dates, brief on-campus or virtual residency requirements, and rolling admissions where courses start multiple times throughout the year

What are the admissions requirements for an online bachelor's?

Applying and being admitted to an online bachelor's degree is often quite similar to the college application process. You'll need to prepare and submit a formal application, and may be asked to supply additional materials, such as test scores, your high school GPA, and even a college essay. As you review potential online bachelor's programs, make sure to visit the "admissions" section to understand what you'll need to gather before applying.

Getting your online bachelor's degree often follows a similar process to getting an in-person bachelor's degree. You'll need to complete course credits, earn a minimum GPA to qualify for graduation, and finish all coursework within a given time period.

How much does an online bachelor’s degree cost?

The cost of an online bachelor's degree will depend on a few different factors, including whether you attend as an in-state student and whether you choose a public or private university. According to US News, an online bachelor’s degree costs between $40,536 for in-state students at a public university and $63,185 for students at a private university, according to US News [2].

Compare that to one year of tuition and fees at an in-state public school for the 2024 to 2025 school year, which costs $11,610 and doesn’t account for housing, transportation, or books [3]. In fact, because you can access your courses from home—or anywhere there’s internet access—with an online degree program, you shouldn’t have several traditional college expenses, such as commuting, which can often balloon yearly costs.  

How to pay for your online bachelor’s degree 

How you plan to pay for your degree, whether online or in person, is an important question. As you research the potential cost of your education, here are a few options to consider paying for your online bachelor’s degree. 

1. Apply for federal student aid.

Many online colleges in the United States, and a growing number of approved international schools, qualify for federal student aid. You can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you intend to work toward your degree, which can help you qualify for grants, scholarships, and student loans. 

Your online college needs to be accredited to qualify for federal student aid. Each school’s website should clarify its accreditation status, or you can check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

2. Apply for school scholarships.

Many online colleges offer institutional aid or privately funded scholarships to help lower the overall cost of attendance. Visit your school’s student financial services page to learn more about what it takes to apply for school-specific financial assistance. At the program level, you may also find departmental scholarships or other funding sources worth exploring.   

3. Work part-time or full-time.

While many students work part-time while earning their in-person bachelor's, the added scheduling flexibility and self-paced nature of online learning can make it easier to work full-time while going to school. With either part-time or full-time work, you can allocate some of your income toward your education expenses and offset the overall cost of your degree.  

4. Take out student loans. 

Student loans can be helpful to cover any gaps you face in paying for your education, but they are generally considered a last resort. It’s better to explore all other options before you look into taking out student loans. Before exploring private student loan options, submit your FAFSA to qualify for federal student loans because they tend to offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans.  

Benefits of earning your bachelor’s degree online 

Graduating with your bachelor’s degree is often worth it because it can lead to higher salaries, more career opportunity, and a larger sense of accomplishment. If you choose to enroll in an online bachelor’s degree program, you may find a few extra benefits as well. 

• Flexibility: Online courses tend to occur asynchronously, potentially making it easier to earn your education around your other responsibilities. 

• Work while going to school: Thanks to that flexibility, you may find it easier to continue working part-time or full-time while earning your degree rather than taking time off to focus solely on your education. 

• Develop valuable workplace skills: Earning your bachelor’s online requires self-discipline and time management, thanks to the self-paced and flexible nature of learning. Both are important workplace skills.  

• Network with your classmates: In response to online students’ demand for socialization, many online bachelor’s programs offer opportunities to interact with classmates through discussion forums and other virtual tools. 

Which online bachelor’s degree is best for your goals?

Everyone’s needs are different. Understanding your motivations for beginning a degree program, the resources you have to work with, and the way you best learn can help you get closer to the best decision for you. Let’s review six other factors to keep in mind as you explore online bachelor’s degree programs.

1. Major

You have a lot of majors to choose from online, but you may find that not every major is available—or available from the online college you’d most like to attend. When you know what you’d like to study, do some initial research to ensure it’s available.  

2. Flexibility

Online degrees are often designed to provide greater flexibility, but what that looks like depends on the program you enroll in. Take time to learn how your courses will be taught (asynchronously or synchronously), how self-paced your semesters will be, any requirements around assignment deadlines, and other factors that could impact your schedule.  

3. Accreditation

You do not have to attend an accredited online college, but doing so can offer some assurance that you’re receiving a quality education and help you qualify for federal student aid. It’s worth noting that many brick-and-mortar colleges and universities now offer online degree options, which means you may get the same caliber of education online as you would in person.  

4. Credit transfer 

If you’ve previously earned some amount of college credit, you may be able to transfer a portion (or all) of those credits to your new online degree program. That can help accelerate the time it takes to finish your degree. 

5. Learning technology

The way you learn online will depend on the technology your online college uses. As you identify potential programs, take time to speak with an advisor about the type of learning management system (LMS) your school uses and any other digital tools you’ll use to take your courses.   

6. Student services

Depending on your online bachelor’s degree program, you may have access to a range of student services, like advising, career support, and financial aid. If having more hands-on help throughout your program and in the lead-up to graduation is important, then inquire about what kinds of resources your program offers. 

With a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from the University of North Texas, you can transfer up to 90 credits toward the 120 required to graduate.

Explore online bachelor’s degree programs on Coursera

Learn more about online bachelor’s degrees on Coursera, including the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Information Technology or Georgetown University’s Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Completion Program. These degrees are designed to be flexible and self-paced so that you can learn on your own time.