Education & Career
By Team Education | 12 Apr. 2023

Best & Most Popular Online Degrees: Higher Salaries, New Careers & More

Want to earn a higher salary? Looking for online degree programs in subject areas employers are looking for? See our breakdown below of the best and most popular online degree programs.

Online degrees are becoming more popular every year. While online degrees may have been looked upon negatively in the past, today they are acknowledged with the same respect as degrees earned at traditional brick and mortar colleges. Here is a list of the five most popular online degrees as well as what type of online class the student can expect.

1. Online Business Administration Degree

Business administration continues to be the most popular of the online mostly because business administration is such a growing field. Students can choose from associate, bachelor and master degree, although the bachelor is the most popular.

Currently the Pennsylvania State University is ranked as the best online college for its Bachelor in Business Administration program. The program offers several majors and includes online college courses like:

  • Business logistics
  • Marketing
  • Economics
  • Business law
  • Finance
  • Accounting

2. Online Criminal Justice Degree

Criminal justice offers many areas of specialization for students from working as dispatchers or wardens to careers in forensic analogy. Most criminal justice programs require internships or attendance at a policy academy in addition to the online college degree courses.

Online degrees in criminal justice are offered at the associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degree levels. Although it varies by school and degree level, students can expect to take the following courses.

  • Intro to criminal justice
  • Criminology
  • Corrections
  • Criminal procedures
  • Crisis intervention
  • Community policing

3. Online Psychology Degree

The most common online psychology degree level is the bachelor degree. As with all online programs, finding the top online college involves finding one with accreditation and online degree courses that meet your career goals. Online courses in a psychology program may include the following.

  • Psychology
  • Mathematics
  • Cognitive systems
  • Law psychology
  • Sensation and perception
  • Personality theory and research

In addition to the online courses, students often complete internships in their area of specialization. Psychology degrees can lead to careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, counseling and public administration.

4. Online Nursing Degree

Nursing continues to be a growing field and one that’s offered online. Online nursing programs are typically hybrid programs because internships or clinical rotations are required as a vital part of the programs.

Registered nurses who are advancing their education may find online nursing programs. Online nursing programs are typically offered at all the degree levels, but the master degree is the top online college degree level. Here are some of the online college courses a nursing student might take.

  • Human growth and development
  • Clinical pain problems
  • Nursing fundamentals
  • Medical terminology

5. Online Education Degree

Online degrees in education are available at more than 500 accredited colleges. Things to consider when choosing the best online college for education include accreditation, licensing requirements and degree levels offered.

The best online college for education will be accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Online education degrees are offered at the associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degree. Students are typically required to have at least a bachelor degree to work as licensed teachers. Online education degrees are often chosen by licensed teacher pursuing a master degree or completing a required online college class for certification.

When choosing an online degree program or an online college class, it’s important to choose a reputable accredited college. This will not only make your degree more respected but will improve your career opportunities and prepare you for advancing your education in the future.