Top Online College Degrees

Key Takeaways

Online degrees in fields like information technology, business administration, and engineering offer high earning potential, with median annual salaries ranging from $62,810-$91,250.
Accredited online programs provide flexible learning pathways at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, supporting many types of educational and career goals.
To enroll in an online college, students should research accredited programs, choose a degree aligned with their career objectives, complete the application process, apply for financial aid through the FAFSA, and register for classes.

Enrolling Into Online Colleges

In 2018, nearly seven million college students took online classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This number continues to grow amid the pandemic. But why do so many students choose an online college degree? Online programs offer key benefits, including flexibility and convenience. Online students can enroll in top-ranked programs without needing to relocate or quit their job. Many online programs design their format for working students.

This guide introduces some of the best online college degrees, including how to enroll in online college. It also discusses what to expect during an online program and the earning potential with different degrees.

Starting Your Online Degree

Beginning your college degree online is easier than ever before. Learners can explore more options for online degrees than at any time in the past. Online enrollees can earn degrees in various fields, including business, healthcare, information technology, and education.

Before enrolling in a program, students should research the earning potential for prospective careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers data on median pay and projected job growth.

What Online Degrees Pay Most?

The highest-paying online college degrees include accounting, information technology, business administration, and engineering. The following table includes a small sample of the projected earning potential with different degrees.

Subjects	2020 Annual Median Pay
Accounting	$73,560
Biology	$69,760
Business Administration	$87,660
Engineering	$83,160
Information Technology	$91,250
Public Relations	$62,810

Source: BLS

What Online Degrees Are Available?

How Do I Enroll in Online College?

Online colleges often use the same enrollment procedures as brick-and-mortar schools. This section details the enrollment process.

Online College Basics

Earning Credits Online

Online Degree Costs and Financial Aid

College Cost Calculator: Tuition and Fees

How much can you afford to spend on a college degree? Use the ACO college cost calculator to calculate your budget for tuition and fees. The affordability calculator uses your monthly income, monthly expenses, and anticipated financial aid to determine an annual budget for college costs.