Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 2026
Online bachelor’s degree programs offer flexible learning opportunities to study various majors, including business, engineering, and computer science. When choosing an online program, you’ll likely consider a school’s prestige, costs, and available degrees.
This article provides our ranking of the top 10 accredited schools offering online bachelor’s programs to help with your school selection process. Discover the importance of accreditation, types of online degrees, and the benefits of online programs.
Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree Online
- You can choose a program from anywhere within the U.S., regardless of your physical location.
- Programs may offer asynchronous courses, which provide increased flexibility.
- Accredited online degrees must provide the same level of learning as in-person programs.
- Online and in-person programs award identical degrees.
Top 5 Accredited Schools Offering Online Bachelor’s Degrees
Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Largest Selection of Online Programs
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Arizona State University Online stands out for offering nearly 200 online bachelor’s programs — the largest selection on our list. Choose from a wide range of programs in high-demand fields, including technology, data science, business, healthcare, sustainability, and education. You also have the option to supplement your program with a minor and/or an undergraduate certificate.
Online classes are condensed and accelerated, allowing ASU to offer up to six start dates per year for maximum flexibility. Most online courses are also asynchronous, and ASU offers 24/7 tech support to ensure virtual learners have everything they need to succeed. ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
What to Expect
- Take ASU’s DegreeMe quiz for personalized program matches.
- ASU's online programs follow the same curricula as their in-person counterparts.
- You can browse “transfer-friendly” programs that accept more transfer credits than others.
How to Enroll
First-year applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Be in the top 25% of your high school graduating class
- Have a 3.0 GPA in competency courses
- Have an ACT score of 22 for Arizona residents (or 24 for nonresidents)
- Have an SAT reasoning score of 1120 for Arizona residents (or 1180 for nonresidents)
98%
$11,308
74%
$13,512
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 66,062
- Institution Type
- Public
Charter Oak State College — Most Accessible Admissions
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Charter Oak State College has the most accessible admissions on our list. Its open admission policy means that the school is nonselective and admits all applicants who meet basic requirements. You can apply at your convenience, as there are six start dates per academic year (two in the spring, summer, and fall).
Choose from approximately 16 online bachelor’s programs, including business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, nursing, and software development. Charter Oak is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
What to Expect
- Attend part time or full time — you set your own pace.
- In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate.
- Learn 100% online.
How to Enroll
To apply, you must demonstrate English proficiency, be at least 16 years old, and hold a high school diploma or a GED certificate. A high school diploma or GED certificate is not required if you have earned at least nine college credits.
N/A
$7,896
100%
$7,896
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 1,766
- Institution Type
- Public
Southern New Hampshire University — Largest Online Student Population
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Southern New Hampshire University boasts the largest online student population on our list, with over 160,000 undergraduate students. Ninety-seven percent of these students are enrolled exclusively in online courses, which speaks to SNHU’s strength in the online education space.
SNHU offers over 100 online bachelor’s programs, including popular choices like business administration, criminal justice, computer science, and psychology. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
What to Expect
- Attend your classes asynchronously.
- Complete your studies on a full- or part-time basis.
- Graduate once you’ve earned 120 credits. (Transfer up to 90 credits.)
How to Enroll
SNHU has no test score or minimum GPA requirements for admission. The school also doesn't charge an application fee. Simply attest that you have completed high school or earned your GED diploma, then submit any transcripts you have from previous schools.
97%
$15,450
60%
$15,450
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Students Enrolled
- 184,099
- Institution Type
- Private
Trine University Online — Lowest Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- Angola, IN
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Trine University's online division features the lowest student-to-faculty ratio on our list. For every instructor at TU, there are only eight students. A low student-to-faculty ratio typically indicates more intimate and personalized instruction, as well as a high level of student support.
TrineOnline offers approximately 15 online bachelor’s programs, including popular majors like criminal justice, cybersecurity, healthcare administration, management, finance, marketing, and psychology. Trine University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
What to Expect
- Complete 120 credits to graduate.
- Your program culminates in a capstone course or field internship, depending on your major.
- Attend classes asynchronously; there are no set class times.
How to Enroll
To apply to a TrineOnline bachelor’s program, submit your application online with your official high school transcript or GED score, plus any transcripts from previous college experience. You can transfer up to 90 credit hours from prior college courses, exams, military coursework, or experiential learning.
96%
$9,576
100%
$9,576
- Acceptance Rate
- 22%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,230
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Florida Online — Highest Student Retention Rates
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
University of Florida Online stands out on our list for its exceptionally high student retention rate. Ninety-four percent of full-time, first-time bachelor's students in fall 2022 returned to complete their studies in fall 2023, while 90% of part-time students returned during the same period. A high student retention rate generally indicates high student satisfaction and faculty support.
UF Online offers 27 online bachelor’s programs in familiar topics like business administration, nursing, sociology, and computer science — as well as specialized majors like entomology and nematology, persuasive messaging, fire and emergency services, and sports management. UF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
What to Expect
- UF Online instructors also teach and conduct research on campus.
- Some programs offer specialized tracks to help you tailor your degree to your interests.
- Take classes on your schedule, with flexible course loads and asynchronous access.
How to Enroll
UF Online offers a range of applications tailored to different types of students. If you have 11 or fewer transfer credits or have earned your high school diploma, you are considered a first-year applicant. There are separate applications for lower-division transfer students, upper-division transfer students, and students seeking a second bachelor’s degree.
N/A
$ 3,358
94%
$15,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,462
- Institution Type
- Public
Why Accreditation Matters for Bachelor’s Programs
Colleges and universities get evaluated by independent reviewers to ensure quality. This process, called accreditation, checks if they meet set standards. Degrees from unaccredited schools may not be widely accepted, and you might not be eligible for federal financial aid.
There are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation evaluates the entire institution, while programmatic accreditation focuses on specific degree programs or departments, like business or nursing.
Types of Online Bachelor’s Degrees
You can pursue multiple types of bachelor’s degrees, depending upon your major and focus. Each type of bachelor’s degree has similar timelines, graduation criteria, and academic rigor requirements. This list below highlights the differences among common types of bachelor’s degrees.
- Bachelor of Arts: BA degrees focus on the humanities, arts, and social science fields and may include a foreign language requirement. BA programs may have more elective courses than bachelor of science degrees, which can help with double majors, minors, or studying abroad.
- Bachelor of Science: BS degrees focus on science and quantitative fields, which require logic, math, or analytical skills. These degrees may have structured curriculums with less flexible pathways.
- Bachelor of Business Administration: A BBA degree focuses on business and management skills, including communication, leadership, and problem-solving. BBA programs may provide specialization options or mandatory practical experiences. Graduates can pursue various business roles or follow an entrepreneurial route.
Search Online Bachelor’s Programs by Major
Is an Online Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
$63,721
Average starting salary for bachelor’s graduates
2.5%
Unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree-holders
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, for the class of 2023, bachelor’s degree-holders earned an average starting salary of $63,721, while associate degree-holders earned an average starting salary of $51,108. The difference in salaries represents an average wage increase of 25% for bachelor’s program graduates compared to associate program graduates.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students in 2023-2024 was $6,944 at public schools and $27,978 at private ones. Prospective enrollees must consider the price of a four-year education against their potential increase in salary.
Q&A With Real Online Students and Grads
Q: Why did you choose an online bachelor’s degree?
“I had no idea at 18 what I wanted to do, so I took a few college classes and worked to figure out my career path. I was an unconventional student at 25 and needed an unconventional solution to achieving my degree.”
“I chose an online bachelor’s program because of the flexibility it offered me. Additionally, the online option offered me program options that wouldn’t have been possible due to substantial commute times.”
“I decided to go back to school for nursing but due to my location there were no options. … [The] program also allowed me to test out of certain subject areas, such as maternal health, pediatrics, and psychiatric. This saved me money and time.”
Q: What’s the best part of earning your degree online?
“The flexibility of the schedule! It gave me the availability to study at night while working during the day.”
“Completing my coursework online allowed me to do it on my own time and in the best setting. So if I needed to get up and move around I could do so. I could complete assignments in the middle of the night. It allowed me to work full time as well.”
“The best part of earning my degree online was that it allowed me to earn a degree while working full time and caring for my family. I was able to attend evening extracurriculars for my children and do coursework after they were in bed.”
Q: What advice would you give students considering an online degree?
“It’s very easy to put off deadlines and not complete assignments until the last minute. Time management is essential. Learning how to study is also key. Most instructors have ‘virtual office hours,’ and depending on the degree, it’s essential to take advantage of that.”
“Focus on time management and strategies to help keep you on track. Mark a calendar with all important dates and deadlines to ensure you don’t miss any. Celebrate the wins of a good test or the end of the semester!”
“Make a schedule for your school and stick to it to ensure you aren’t cramming in all your assignments in one night to meet the deadlines. Your degree is as valuable as earning it in person and is indistinguishable [from the degree of] someone who attended classes in person. Do not ever allow someone to make you believe your degree is worth less because you attended classes virtually.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, online bachelor’s degrees are legitimate — as long as they’re from an accredited school. All accredited colleges must pass a rigorous examination of their academic standards and student learning outcomes.
By choosing an accredited online college, you can rest assured that your degree is credible.
