ACCREDITED ONLINE BACHELOR’S DEGREES

Best Schools for an Online Bachelor’s Degree: 2017

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It is often the case that attending class in-person simply isn’t an option, as many of life’s obligations are time-consuming and demand more immediate attention. However, students who may be working around these scheduling constraints may be pleased to hear they can complete the entirety of their bachelor’s degree online. Online learning allows students to make the necessary time to earn a college degree, without disrupting their already busy schedules. To help students find the best learning options for them, we’ve ranked schools across the country based on factors such as class size, program count, and institutional financial aid opportunities. Explore the top schools with online bachelor’s programs below.

Rank	School Title	Net Price	Financial Aid	Total Programs	Student-Teacher ratio	Ranking Score	School Description	Additional Benefits:	Placement Services	Counseling Services	Credit for Experience
1	National University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 1%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 78	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 23%	Ranking SCORE 99.81	Read more National University is headquartered in San Diego, California. The university offers dozens of bachelor's degrees in the arts, business, sciences, technology, law, media and languages. Traditional degree programs are taught at campuses located in cities like Berkeley, Bakersfield, Glendale, Sacramento and Los Angeles. Several of the school's bachelor's degrees have an online option. Through digital platforms, students can participate in classroom discussions, complete written course assignments and interact with their instructors early in the morning, during the midday or in the evening after work. Presentations, lectures, campus email and streamed videos are used to deliver course material in real time to online students.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
2	Siena Heights University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 99%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 40	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 43%	Ranking SCORE 99.57	Read more Siena Heights University is comprised of nine campuses. It's main campus is located in Adrian, Michigan. About 300 adults are enrolled in the school's online degree and nondegree programs. In-person and online majors and minors that lead to bachelor's degrees are in subjects like business administration, nursing, marketing and information technology management. Siena Heights University's first year program uses experiences like Welcome Week to help freshmen get acclimated to college life. Bachelor degree related job experiences can be gained through the school's work study program. There are also opportunities to study abroad in Costa Rica and England.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
3	Southern New Hampshire University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 71%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 73	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 59%	Ranking SCORE 98.89	Read more Southern New Hampshire University is a private school. Adults seeking a bachelor's degree can choose between campus majors and online degrees. Study areas for the school's bachelor's degrees include information technology, accounting, business administration, business studies, marketing and sports management. There are several concentrations in majors like business studies, communication and criminal justice. Opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in less than four years is available by enrolling on the accelerated track. To visit the campus, students need to schedule a visit with the admissions office. Campus housing is offered.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
4	Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 98%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 26	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 62%	Ranking SCORE 97.91	Read more More than 1,500 students are enrolled at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Online applications are accepted at the school. New students must submit their applications by deadline. After they decide to continue their education, adults with prior postsecondary learning, could transfer credits into the college's bachelor's degree programs. Environmental science, graphic design, human services, theater and political science are types of fields that the college confers bachelor's degrees in. Post graduating with a bachelor's degree, students who major in art therapy, healthcare administration, leadership development or music therapy could go on to earn a master's degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
5	Davenport University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 89%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 45	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 40%	Ranking SCORE 97.30	Read more Davenport University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission The university celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016. Bachelor's degrees are administered through five colleges which include the college of business, technology, health professions, arts and sciences and urban education. Davenport University also teaches bachelor's degree programs through its global campus. Among the school's online degree opportunities are a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management and Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Before new students enroll in classes, they are encouraged to schedule a campus visit. Total population at the university tops 8,000 students.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
6	Prescott College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 90%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 43	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 45%	Ranking SCORE 97.21	Read more Prescott College is a liberal arts, social justice and environmentally focused school located in Prescott, Arizona. Credits for prior learning, opportunities to study abroad and limited residency programs are available. Bachelor's degrees with limited residency opportunities include the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts and Letters. Other bachelor's degrees are in areas like psychology, human development and adventure education. Although the college offers a range of distance education bachelor's degree options, a good portion of the college's classes rely on experiential experiences. Virtual and on campus tours are provided. It takes between four and five years to earn a bachelor's degree from Prescott College.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
7	Tiffin University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 92%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 44	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 33%	Ranking SCORE 96.99	Read more Tiffin University has been educating adults in Tiffin, Ohio and beyond since 1888. Adults who enroll in classes that lead to a bachelor's degree at the school's 130-acre campus should check with the university's admissions office to see if they can transfer or earn credits for prior learning. Four year undergraduate degrees at Tiffin are in areas like arts administration, psychology, history, exercise science, digital forensics and computer and information systems. Online degrees are taught in some of the bachelor's degree programs. In addition to freshmen and transfer students, the university accepts international students.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
8	Liberty University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 78%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 51	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 46%	Ranking SCORE 96.41	Read more Liberty University is a Christian school that offers on campus and online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its main campus is in Lynchburg, Virginia. Accreditation to confer degrees, including bachelor's degrees, come from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Bachelor's degrees are conferred in study areas like studio and digital arts, business administration, education, criminal justice, psychology and religion. A more narrowly defined education can be obtained in fields like business administration and psychology by declaring a specialization. Students who seek an online education have more than 250 programs to choose from.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
9	Granite State College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % N/A	TOTAL PROGRAMS 39	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 50%	Ranking SCORE 96.26	Read more Granite State College is a public school that encourages adults to engage in lifelong learning. Bachelor's degree programs at Granite are regionally and nationally accredited. Nine of the college's bachelor's degrees can be completed online. Among these degrees are the Bachelor of Science in Public Service Management, the Bachelor of Science in Service and Hospitality Management and the Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Leadership. More than a dozen bachelor's degrees make up the college's on campus offerings. Education majors can earn a post bachelor's degree teacher certification at Granite. Undergraduate and graduate applications are accepted online.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
10	Northern Arizona University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 66%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 41	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 49%	Ranking SCORE 96.24	Read more Northern Arizona University is located in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona. More than 150 degrees are awarded at the school. These degrees fall under several categories, including engineering, hospitality, social sciences, languages and humanities and arts. Classes are taught in person at more than two dozen locations. A Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education are among the four year degrees that the university awards. Learning outcomes related to specific knowledge and skills are linked to each bachelor's major.	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
11	Nova Southeastern University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 94%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 55	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 42%	Ranking SCORE 96.05	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
12	Judson College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 95%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 15	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 37%	Ranking SCORE 95.95	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
13	Saint Leo University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 99%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 35	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 43%	Ranking SCORE 95.90	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
14	Champlain College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 94%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 41	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 64%	Ranking SCORE 95.74	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
15	Western Kentucky University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 37%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 44	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 50%	Ranking SCORE 95.64	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
16	Regis University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 95%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 39	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 59%	Ranking SCORE 95.59	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
17	Colorado Christian University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 97%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 25	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 40%	Ranking SCORE 95.32	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
18	Gardner-Webb University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 96%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 34	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 45%	Ranking SCORE 95.24	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
19	Southwestern College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 95%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 27	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 51%	Ranking SCORE 95.10	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
20	Indiana Wesleyan University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 50%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 42	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 70%	Ranking SCORE 95.09	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
21	Baker College Center for Graduate Studies	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 72%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 29	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 25%	Ranking SCORE 95.07	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
22	Dickinson State University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 63%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 21	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 35%	Ranking SCORE 95.04	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
23	Buena Vista University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 100%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 13	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 51%	Ranking SCORE 94.96	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
24	Saint Joseph's College of Maine	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 97%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 25	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 51%	Ranking SCORE 94.95	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
25	Bellevue University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 51%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 46	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 31%	Ranking SCORE 94.94	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
26	Drexel University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 93%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 34	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 65%	Ranking SCORE 94.94	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
27	Fort Hays State University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 72%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 26	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 41%	Ranking SCORE 94.80	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
28	University of Memphis	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 40%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 27	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 40%	Ranking SCORE 94.71	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
29	Bay Path University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 100%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 15	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 50%	Ranking SCORE 94.61	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
30	East Carolina University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 50%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 37	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 58%	Ranking SCORE 94.57	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
31	Mercy College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 88%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 25	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 34%	Ranking SCORE 94.48	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
32	University of Louisiana at Monroe	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 56%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 30	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 37%	Ranking SCORE 94.32	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceNo
33	LeTourneau University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 97%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 16	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 61%	Ranking SCORE 94.31	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
34	Indiana State University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 75%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 29	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 43%	Ranking SCORE 94.18	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
35	Penn State World Campus	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 37%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 39	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 86%	Ranking SCORE 94.18	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
36	University of Maryland-University College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 7%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 54	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 4%	Ranking SCORE 94.16	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
37	University of the Incarnate Word	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 99%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 17	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 48%	Ranking SCORE 94.08	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
38	Southwestern Assemblies of God University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 73%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 26	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 38%	Ranking SCORE 94.05	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
39	Concordia University-Saint Paul	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 85%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 24	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 47%	Ranking SCORE 93.97	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
40	Columbia College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 24%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 29	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 42%	Ranking SCORE 93.87	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
41	University of Illinois at Springfield	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 93%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 14	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 47%	Ranking SCORE 93.83	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
42	Brenau University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 98%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 16	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 45%	Ranking SCORE 93.82	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
43	Belhaven University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 98%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 17	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 49%	Ranking SCORE 93.82	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
44	Wayland Baptist University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 33%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 27	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 36%	Ranking SCORE 93.82	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
45	Franklin University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % N/A	TOTAL PROGRAMS 41	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 13%	Ranking SCORE 93.81	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesNo	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
46	Goodwin College	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 91%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 18	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE N/A	Ranking SCORE 93.77	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
47	Chaminade University of Honolulu	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 100%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 12	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 36%	Ranking SCORE 93.76	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
48	Concordia University-Wisconsin	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 98%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 20	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 59%	Ranking SCORE 93.72	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
49	Viterbo University	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 100%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 9	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 53%	Ranking SCORE 93.70	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes
50	The University of Alabama	Net Price	FINANCIAL AID % 53%	TOTAL PROGRAMS 19	STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO	GRAD RATE 67%	Ranking SCORE 93.66	Read more	Additional Benefits:	Placement ServicesYes	Counseling ServicesYes	Credit for ExperienceYes

Bachelor’s degree programs offered by campus-based and online schools, colleges and universities provide students with a comprehensive arts and sciences education as well as concentrated studies in their major field. The bachelor’s degree is widely considered to be the most-common post-secondary degree sought by high school graduates who are preparing for lifelong careers. Applicants submit their high school transcripts (or records of completed college courses) and test scores prior to acceptance and enrollment. The first two years of the bachelor’s degree program focus on general education courses across the curriculum, along with introductory studies in the student’s major. The second two years focus on major and minor courses at the intermediate and advanced levels. Online learning presents an accredited college option for students who cannot afford tuition, who cannot leave their work or families to move to college or commute, and for those who are seeking accelerated self-paced studies that shorten the time to graduation.

A bachelor’s degree can lead to greater earnings, increased job security, and more employee benefits that those for workers who are hired without a college degree. But what is the best degree program for you? That’s what this guide is about. There’s a breakdown of the kinds of bachelor’s degrees, the curriculum that satisfies graduation requirements, and a clear explanation about the value of college accreditation.

Does a Bachelor’s Degree Pay?

A completed bachelor’s degree arms graduates with more earning power over their working lifetimes than for those who haven’t completed college. In 2013, bachelor’s degree holders took home median weekly wages of $1,199 — more than $450 per week over pay made to workers with only a high school diploma (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS). In addition to increased earning potential, bachelor’s degrees provide graduates with job security in tough economic times. A 2013 study conducted by the PEW Charitable Trusts found that while 21–24-year-olds suffered wage and job cuts during the severe downturn in the economy, 2009-2009, those with bachelor’s degrees fared exceptionally better than workers without a post-secondary degree. Wages for four-year graduates shrank by less than half the amount of the pay cuts suffered by workers with only a high school diploma. Similar disparities were found in job cuts; jobs of bachelor’s graduates dropped two percent during the economic downturn, while positions for workers with only high school diplomas fell by twice as many (four percent).

Bachelor’s Degrees: The Basics

There are two major types of bachelor’s degrees offered by campus and online colleges and universities:

• Bachelor’s of Arts (B.A.) A four-year degree program with major concentrations in arts, fine arts, social sciences, and humanities.
• Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) A four-year degree with concentrated major studies in mathematics, physical and life sciences.

Courses of study are commonly divided into lower- and upper-division segments. During the first two years, students complete lower-division classes across the liberal arts and sciences curriculum that comprise a general education core. They are also introduced to their major and minor fields of study. The second-two years are comprised of upper-division courses providing intermediate and advanced studies in major fields. Matriculation is maintained through a modular system by which students take progressive courses after satisfying pre-requisites. During their final semester, students may undertake internships or complete senior projects. The table below shows a range of courses that make up a typical bachelor’s degree curriculum, ranging from lower-division general education studies to advanced classes in a college major:

When a Bachelor’s Degree Makes Sense

A bachelor’s degree program is a common way for students to complete a well-rounded education that can prepare them for careers beyond entry-level service occupations. Many employers require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree with a major and skills that match their job requirements. For some students, the bachelor’s degree serves as an educational bridge to an advanced degree program. Most states require public school teachers to complete a bachelor’s degree as a minimum entry requirement for classroom work. Campus and online bachelor’s degree programs offer great opportunities for students who have only taken a few college-level classes or have completed an associate degree that want to transfer and complete their four-year degrees. Major and minor subject fields offer broad class selections across the entire range of bachelor’s degree programs. Students who have completed an associate degree may change directions entirely to pursue a four-year degree in another major field.

Graduates from bachelor’s degree programs work across the career spectrum, taking jobs as:

• Auditors
• Architects
• Financial analysts
• Sales managers
• Insurance underwriters
• Cost estimators
• Credit counselors
• Teachers and trainers
• Tax collectors
• Police, fire, and EMT responders
• Budget analysts
• Personal financial advisers
• Registered nurses
• Multimedia specialists
• Software developers
• Actuaries
• Graphic designers
• Writers and journalists
• Interior designers
• Public relations representatives
• Civil engineers
• Environmental engineers and consultants
• Cartographers
• Surveyors
• Social workers
• Counselors
• Clinical and laboratory technicians
• Economists
• Mediators
• Airline pilots
• Foresters and conservation scientists

Transferring to a Four-Year College or University

Students transferring from an associate degree program to bachelor’s studies, or students changing four-year colleges, must take special care to ensure they receive credit for previous classwork. Academic advisers and degree counselors are go-to resources in considering a change. Many four-year schools have transfer arrangements with community colleges in their states or communities. Not all courses are treated equally by academic transfer committees. Community college students intending to transfer should start from the first semester to determine which course of study will best-meet core and general education requirements required by their four-year school. Students changing bachelor’s degree institutions may risk losing previous credits for studies outside standardized general education courses.

Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Often students are disappointed to discover that they cannot afford to relocate to attend college or live too far away to commute. They may be saddled with employment or family responsibilities that make attending full-time, on-campus programs impossible. For them and others, online bachelor’s degree programs are convenient alternatives, with their flexible class hours and 24/7 remote access from any device connected to the internet. Because they are self-paced, many online bachelor’s degree programs may be completed in less than four years. Students will find an extensive selection of online colleges, universities and for-profit schools that confer bachelor’s degrees.

Online educational technology is advancing as quickly as innovations can be built into college interfaces. Students enroll, register, receive academic counseling, attend classes, complete assignments and tests, and hold conferences with their professors without leaving their home, office or nearby café. Classes are presented through multi-media presentations, live and recorded lectures, instructor blogs, email and threaded communications, video and voice conferencing software. Students have round-the-clock access to online libraries and resources for conducting research.

Online Learning Q&A

Bachelor’s Degree College Accreditation

Colleges, university and online schools that offer bachelor’s degree programs stake their reputations on voluntary accreditation. The process involves a college self-assessment followed by a campus visit by an independent accreditation agency. Agencies are approved by the U.S. Department of Education. A formal accreditation evaluates how the college performs in areas of academic quality as defined by national standards organizations. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) currently identifies more than 20,000 accredited academic programs across the United States.

Accreditation can be granted for an entire school or college, or individual college programs can receive specialized accreditation. College departments may seek accreditation from professional associations if they are delivering career-focused coursework. Campus-based programs typically seek regional accreditation of their degree programs from one of six agencies. Online colleges and traditional colleges offering online classes often obtain a regional accreditation as well as a specialized online accreditation from agencies such as the United States Distance Learning Association or Distance Learning Council.

Students requiring financial aid should investigate accreditations at their prospective colleges and universities. The U. S. Department of Education requires schools that offer federal financial aid (grants, loans, fellowships) to hold current accreditations.