Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees 2025
The best online bachelor’s degrees open doors to many career opportunities, helping you develop skills with growing labor market relevance. According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, 71% of U.S. jobs will require postsecondary education by 2031.
Online formats deliver valuable flexibility while making higher education more accessible and affordable. Explore high-growth career paths poised for strong future demand and connect with top programs using the ranked list below.
Top Bachelor’s Programs 2025
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
At the University of Florida, you can choose from 26 online bachelor's degrees. The classes run asynchronously, and you can build a courseload that suits your schedule. As an online learner, you can save up to 40% on study costs compared to in-person students by taking advantage of low tuition and optional fee packages to access on-campus services.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $129
Out of State | $553
Why Students Choose UF:
- Avoid Loans: UF reports that only 12% of students take out loans to pay for college — the lowest borrowing rate on our list.
- Online Community: The UF Online Plaza gives you 24-7 access to an online campus for networking and support.
- Experiential Learning: Online students can pursue internships, research projects, and other initiatives to gain hands-on experience.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Higher Out-of-State Tuition: If you're not a Florida resident, you'll pay a significantly higher tuition rate.
- Application Deadlines: UF offers three start dates, with application deadlines falling around three months before classes start.
- Standardized Tests: If you have no transfer credits and graduated high school within the past five years, you'll need to submit standardized test scores.
57%
$ 4,477
97%
$25,694
- Acceptance Rate
- 24%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,814
- Institution Type
- Public
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
San Diego State University Global Campus features six online and hybrid degree completion programs at the bachelor's level. Most of your classes run asynchronously, though more interactive synchronous studies may be available. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate, but costs vary by program.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $431-$531
Out of State | $431-$531
Why Students Choose SDSU:
- Popular Majors: You can major in business administration, economics, communication, criminal justice, or other popular fields.
- Financial Aid: Most of the online bachelor's degree completion programs qualify for the same financial aid opportunities as the school's on-campus programs.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Bachelor's Degree Completion: SDSU's online bachelor's programs are degree completion options, so you'll need 60 or more transfer credits to apply.
- Delivery Format: SDSU Global Campus offers both online and hybrid programs, so check the delivery format.
- Course Fees: The tuition rate varies by program; the BA in communication is $431 per credit, while the BS in civil engineering costs $531 per credit.
56%
$ 5,742
90%
$17,622
- Acceptance Rate
- 34%
- Students Enrolled
- 37,539
- Institution Type
- Public
Georgia Highlands College
- Rome, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
You can choose from seven online bachelor's degree programs at Georgia Highlands College, including one of the country's only programs in building information modeling management. For its core general education courses, the school offers eight- and 16-week sessions and free online textbooks. In addition to its affordable tuition rate, GHC does not have any distance education fees.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $101
Out of State | $391
Why Students Choose GHC:
- Support Services: Online learners benefit from advising, counseling, tutoring, and financial aid support.
- Multiple Two-Year Degrees: You can get a head start on your bachelor's degree program in an affordable format by pursuing an online associate degree.
- Transfer Credits: You can earn transfer credits for prior learning and transfer earned credits to any school in the University System of Georgia.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Limited Majors: Because GHC primarily focuses on associate degrees, you'll have fewer options for a bachelor's degree.
- High Fees: While the GHC tuition rate is low, students also pay technology fees, student support fees, and other costs that can add up.
74%
$2,280
58%
$8,632
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 4,768
- Institution Type
- Public
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
- Las Cruces, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
Access over 70 online degree and certificate programs at New Mexico State University Global Campus, including 18 at the bachelor's level. The fully online programs feature no campus requirements and run in asynchronous or synchronous formats. All online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of where they live, but New Mexico residents may be eligible to receive a scholarship covering up to 100% of their tuition.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $395
Out of State | $395
Why Students Choose NMSU:
- Generous Transfer Credit Policy: Students can transfer up to 90 credits toward a 120-credit bachelor's degree to save money.
- Academic Resources: Distance learners benefit from tutoring services, a writing center, and an office of experiential learning.
- Support Services: You can access career support, health and wellness resources, and on-demand workshops.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Tuition Discounts: Active-duty military and law enforcement personnel qualify for a discounted tuition rate of $250 per credit.
- No SAT or ACT Requirement: You can apply without SAT or ACT scores, though NMSU says submitting these scores can increase your financial aid opportunities.
70%
$ 6,728
75%
$25,055
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Students Enrolled
- 14,779
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Maine at Presque Isle
- Presque Isle, ME
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
The University of Maine at Presque Island offers more than 15 online bachelor's degrees as part of its YourPace program, which allows you to pursue a degree at the speed you want. UMPI offers its courses in six sessions per year and offers flat-rate tuition for each session, allowing you to take as few or as many courses per session as you want. You can save money if you can handle a heavier course load.
Cost per Session:
In State | $1,700
Out of State | $1,700
Why Students Choose UMPI:
- Accelerated Schedule: With six sessions per year, you can start courses without waiting for a fall start date.
- Degree Options: You can earn a BA, BS, bachelor of liberal studies, or bachelor of business administration.
Know Before You Enroll:
- No Weekly Deadlines: The YourPace program gives you flexibility, but the lack of structured deadlines could be difficult for some learners.
- Age Limits: You have to be at least 20 years old to apply to the YourPace program.
67%
$ 7,350
58%
$12,120
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,847
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
Tucson's University of Arizona offers more than 55 online bachelor's degree programs, including majors in business, technology, healthcare, and education. The school accommodates students from across the country with no residency requirements and no out-of-state tuition, plus asynchronous classes for all and tuition assistance for military students.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $525
Out of State | $525
Why Students Choose Arizona:
- Individual Course: You can see if online learning is a good fit by taking a class or two as a non-degree student; you can then apply up to 15 credits toward a bachelor's degree.
- Transfer Scholarships: If you're transferring from an Arizona community college, you may qualify for a $500 scholarship each semester.
- Unique Majors: You can choose from unique options like Africana studies, applied humanities, and bioinformatics.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Application Fee: You'll pay a $65 application fee.
- Multiple Start Dates: Courses start every seven and a half weeks, so you can start whenever works best for you.
60%
$11,210
88%
$35,628
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Students Enrolled
- 53,187
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
- Kapolei, HI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
The youngest university in the University of Hawai'i system, the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu offers 23 bachelor's degree completion programs that feature asynchronous and synchronous delivery formats. In addition to its affordable in-state tuition, the school offers reduced rates to out-of-state students from Western Undergraduate Exchange member states.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $3,672
Out of State | $10,152
Why Students Choose UH West O'ahu:
- Business Concentrations: With the BA in business administration, you can concentrate in accounting, finance, management, marketing, or hospitality and tourism.
- Hawai'i-Focused: The school offers majors in Hawaiian-Pacific studies and Hawaiian and Indigenous health and healing.
- Student Support: Distance learners benefit from academic advising, tutoring, and financial aid support.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Degree Completion: The bachelor's programs require two years of transfer credits.
- Additional Fees: All students, including online learners, pay mandatory student and facility fees.
96%
$ 7,344
69%
$20,304
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,913
- Institution Type
- Public
Arizona State University
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
Enrolling more than 96,000 online students, Arizona State University is one of the largest online schools in the country. ASU gives you a choice of more than 180 online bachelor's programs, each featuring seven-and-a-half-week classes delivered in an asynchronous format. Since ASU has no out-of-state tuition, you'll pay the same rate wherever you live, but tuition varies by program.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $663-$744
Out of State | $663-$744
Why Students Choose ASU:
- Accelerated Courses: ASU offers two sessions each semester for its online classes, allowing students to earn credits faster.
- Flexible Schedule: Most online courses use an asynchronous schedule, meaning you will have no required meeting times.
- Diverse Majors: With more than 180 bachelor's programs sortable by career demand, popularity, and transfer-friendliness, you can find the right fit for you.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Application Fee: You'll pay a $70 application fee with limited options for fee waivers.
- Transfer Credits: ASU caps transfer credits for bachelor's degrees at 64.
98%
$10,978
74%
$13,248
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 62,551
- Institution Type
- Public
Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
Northern Kentucky University offers 18 bachelor's programs for online students. Most programs have multiple start dates annually and feature accelerated seven-week classes that run in an asynchronous format for ultimate flexibility. At NKU, first-time online students may qualify for discounted tuition rates with the Path to Success Scholarship.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $485
Out of State | $485
Why Students Choose NKU:
- Positive Reviews: A strong 94% of seniors say they would recommend NKU.
- Transfer Credits: Transfer up to 90 credits toward a 120-credit bachelor's degree to save time and money.
Know Before You Enroll:
- RN-to-BSN Program: The RN-to-BSN program does not qualify for the Path to Success Scholarship but has a lower tuition rate of $315 per credit.
- State Authorization: NKU's online degree programs are not authorized in every state.
74%
$10,512
78%
$21,096
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Students Enrolled
- 14,964
- Institution Type
- Public
University of North Alabama
- Florence, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
What Sets It Apart:
At the University of North Alabama, you can pursue one of more than 15 online bachelor's degrees. Online classes offer flexible schedules and an intimate 18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. UNA offers cost advantages for online students, including a complimentary first-course tuition scholarship and a flat tuition rate for full-time learners.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $5,100
Out of State | $5,100
Why Students Choose UNA:
- Scholarship Opportunities: New students in online bachelor's programs automatically receive a scholarship.
- Low Tuition: For part-time enrollment, you can pay $340 per credit or a flat rate if you're taking 12-18 credits.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Number of Majors: With about 15 online bachelor's programs as of 2025, UNA has fewer options than other online colleges.
- Admissions Requirements: First-time students need a 2.5 GPA for unconditional admission, which is higher than some schools.
69%
$10,200
78%
$20,400
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 10,529
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
As an online student, you can save on major college expenses like room and board. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), these costs averaged $12,369-$14,406 per year in 2022-23.
Job and Salary Trends for Online Bachelor’s Degrees
The following table highlights some fast-growing, high-demand, and/or well-paid roles for which you can qualify with a fully online bachelor’s degree. Most of the featured positions are in business, finance, and STEM fields.
Also, note that some healthcare occupations in fields such as nursing also have high projected growth rates. However, they were not included in the table because many such roles require extensive in-person clinical training and/or advanced degrees and therefore do not fit with the focus on online undergraduate education.
| Job | Projected Growth, (2024-2034) | Median Annual Salary, May 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | +5% | $81,680 |
| Actuaries | +22% | $125,770 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | +9% | $103,790 |
| Data Scientists | +34% | $112,590 |
| Financial Examiners | 19% | $90,400 |
| Information Security Analysts | +29% | $124,910 |
| Mechanical Engineers | +9% | $102,320 |
| Operations Research Analysts | +21% | $91,290 |
| Project Management Specialists | +6% | $100,750 |
Majors to Consider to Prepare for Post-Grad Success
The following majors are particularly relevant to the careers profiled in the table above. If any of those career paths interest you, consider seeking an online program in one of these fields:
Accounting
The accounting profession is experiencing a major talent shortage, as noted in professional publications like the CPA Journal. Many states have changed the requirements for a certified public accountant (CPA) license to make the well-paid CPA profession more accessible.Business
Business is a highly transferable major with strong relevance in virtually all economic and labor market conditions. It supports entry to career paths like operations research and project management.Computer Science
While artificial intelligence has disrupted the computer science field, many technology roles remain positioned for very high growth rates over the coming decade.Data Science
Of the specific roles profiled in the table above, data scientists have the highest projected 2024-34 growth rate. You can specifically major in data science or in a related field like mathematics, statistics, or computer science.Finance
This business specialization focuses specifically on money management. It supports entry to a diversity of financial occupations, including the fast-growing financial examiner path.
How to Choose the Right Bachelor’s Degree for You
The best online bachelor’s degrees can deliver strong long-term value, but you must choose a school, program, and major with care. Evaluate each study opportunity you are considering according to how well it aligns with each of these value-driving factors:
Your Long-Term Goals
If you have specific long-term personal or career goals, assess how relevant the degree is to your objectives. For example, accounting is an ideal major if you aspire to become a CPA, but it might not make the best match if you want to work in business operations research.
Program Format & Flexibility
Synchronous online courses involve scheduled meetings and live lectures. They offer less flexibility than asynchronous courses, which feature pre-recorded instructional sessions and do not meet at set times.
Also, note that some online programs have campus-based components. Research these requirements and plan to meet them — especially if you do not live near your online school.
Prerequisites & Transfer Credit
Some majors have specific subject prerequisites, which you must have to secure an offer of admission. Depending on the school, you may have the opportunity to complete any missing prerequisites before proceeding into the program with full standing.
Also, consider transferring any college credits you have already earned from accredited schools. Transfer credits can significantly reduce both your costs and graduation timeline.
Type of Degree
Some majors offer more than one degree designation. For example, psychology programs often lead to either a BA or a BS. Compare your options carefully, as they could impact your future education and career options.
Accreditation
Always ensure your online school holds a valid, current accreditation from a recognized agency. Also, note that some licensed career paths also require specialized accreditation from a field-specific organization. Research these requirements to determine whether they apply to your career plans, and to identify relevant accreditors.
Career or Academic Focus
Many fields have sub-disciplines or specializations, which you can pursue through concentration or career-specific tracks. If you have a very specific career goal, choosing a concentrated program may help you reach it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Bachelor’s Degrees
Some online schools promote graduation timelines as short as one year. Standard bachelor’s programs require about four years of full-time study, but you can graduate faster by overloading a full-time schedule, enrolling in an accelerated program, studying during the summer, and transferring in existing credits.
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