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Online bachelor’s degrees provide you with the knowledge and skills to work across industries. Whether you aspire to a career in business, information technology, education, or any comparable field, earning a bachelor’s degree is an ideal place to start.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bachelor’s degree-level occupations are projected to grow by 10% by 2026, faster than projections for all occupations.
Many students find online bachelor’s degrees more flexible and convenient than in-person options. These degrees may even be more affordable. We’ve factored in everything from cost to graduate success (and more!) to bring you the best online bachelor’s degrees of 2022.
Top 5 overall schools for online bachelor’s degrees: Quick facts
|
College |
Degree stats |
How much? |
|
Ohio State University |
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Per credit hour: Varies Application fee: Varies |
|
Gainesville, FL |
|
Per credit hour tuition: $715.80 nonresident Application fee: $30 |
|
Orlando, FL |
|
Per credit hour tuition: $212.71 nonresident Application fee: $30 |
|
Florida International University Miami, FL |
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Per credit hour tuition: $263.58 nonresident Application fee: $30 |
|
Salt Lake City, UT |
|
Avg. per credit hour tuition: $248.40 Application fee: $65 |
The 10 best online bachelor’s degrees
ZDNet’s ranking methodology factors in federally reported data alongside programmatic and professional outcomes when assessing online bachelor’s degrees. We also incorporate expert insights and maintain impartiality to give you an objective assessment of your options.
Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
1. Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
About the school: Alongside campuses and research centers throughout Ohio, OSU offers over 40 online programs. OSU’s provides online bachelor’s degrees in radiologic sciences, health sciences, dental hygiene, and nursing, among others.
- Acceptance rate: 68%
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Avg. annual net price: $16,845
- Time to completion: Two to four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1250-1460 (SAT not required)
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
2. University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, Florida
About the school: With online bachelor’s degrees in 25 disciplines, UF Online enrolls over 4,400 online students annually. All learners have access to UF Online’s exclusive career services.
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- Graduation rate: Not publicly available
- Avg. annual net price: $9,024
- Time to completion: Two to four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1170-1330
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
3. University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
About the school: UCF offers over 100 online programs, 26 of which are degree-completion bachelor’s degrees. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UCF has agreements with 10 partner schools to facilitate enrollment for transfer students.
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Avg. annual net price: $11,575
- Time to completion: Two to four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1170-1340
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
4. Florida International University
Miami, Florida
About the school: FIU provides 39 online bachelor’s degrees including two combined undergraduate and graduate programs. Learners can earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in criminal justice or hospitality management in five years. FIU is a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
- Acceptance rate: 58%
- Graduation rate: 65%
- Avg. annual net price: $5,298
- Time to completion: Two to five years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1110-1280
- Minimum GPA: Varies
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
5. Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
About the school: Established by 19 U.S. governors, WGU offers online bachelor’s degrees in business, information technology, and health and nursing. Additional online degrees are provided through WGU’s Teachers College.
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Graduation rate: 54%
- Avg. annual net price: $9,969
- Time to completion: 2.5-4 years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not required for admission
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Enrollment periods per year: 12
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
6. University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
About the school: With online bachelor’s degrees in 47 areas of study, Mizzou’s online programs are provided in conjunction with three other institutions within the University of Missouri System.
- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Graduation rate: 68%
- Avg. annual net price: $16,559
- Time to completion: Two to four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1120-1340
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
7. The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
About the school: Established in 1963, UWF houses five academic colleges. UWF’s 15 online bachelor’s degrees include accelerated nursing and criminal justice degrees. In 2021, the school announced a new fully online bachelor’s in public health degree.
- Acceptance rate: 58%
- Graduation rate: 52%
- Avg. annual net price: $7,089
- Time to completion: Two to five years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1080-1260
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Six
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
8. University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
About the school: Online offerings at UArizona include over 40 bachelor’s degrees. UArizona awards transfer credit through a community college alliance program, for previous college coursework and associate degrees, and for military service.
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Graduation rate: 64%
- Avg. annual net price: $13,358
- Time to completion: Two to four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1110-1360
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Enrollment periods per year: Six
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
9. University of Colorado Denver
Denver, Colorado
About the school: CU Denver began offering online courses in 1996. CU Denver now provides 15 online bachelor’s degrees in conjunction with its campuses in Colorado Springs and Boulder.
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- Graduation rate: 50%
- Avg. annual net price: $14,470
- Time to completion: Four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1000-1220
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
About the school: FAU’s eight online bachelor’s degrees accommodate first-year, transfer, active military and veteran, and international students alike. Options include a BS in computer science, BA in criminal justice, and more.
- Acceptance rate: 63%
- Graduation rate: 61%
- Avg. annual net price: $14,470
- Time to completion: Four years
- Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1080-1240
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Enrollment periods per year: Three
- Course delivery method: Asynchronous
What should I expect in an online bachelor’s degree program?
No two online bachelor’s degrees are identical, but some commonalities exist across programs. Coursework blends lecture content with assignments and assessments to build your foundational understanding of the discipline. Depending on the type of degree, you may have more projects and presentations than essays.
Most bachelor’s degrees culminate in a capstone or thesis requirement.
As with any college experience, you need to fully engage with the content, your classmates, and your instructors. Active participation benefits you and the rest of the class.
Some online bachelor’s degrees may provide you with the option to take heavier course loads and complete the program in fewer than four years. Others have part-time options that accommodate busy schedules and let you take classes as you have the time and resources to do so.
Enrolling in an online bachelor’s degree requires dedication, self-motivation, and ambition. Time management is key when taking online classes. Here are some resources about what to expect from online bachelor’s degrees:
