Most Affordable Online Colleges for Bachelor’s Degrees

The cost of college is a major factor to consider when it comes to earning your bachelor’s degree.

About 43 million Americans have college debt, according to the Office of Federal Student Aid. While graduating from college with some debt may be unavoidable in most cases, there are more affordable paths available.

Earning a cheap online bachelor’s degree can save you money and still provide the same quality education as an expensive degree. Affordability and flexibility are crucial factors if you’re working while going to school or have a family and can’t move or enroll in a traditional, on-campus program.

A bachelor’s degree can help you obtain new careers and higher salaries. In fields like business, nursing, and computer science, a bachelor’s degree can lead to median salaries ranging from about $79,000-$104,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

BLS data from April 2024 also shows that if you have a bachelor’s degree, you earn 66% more annually than those with a high school diploma and about 42% more than those with an associate degree.

An online bachelor’s degree program is about $5,000 cheaper on average than a traditional, on-campus degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average annual tuition and fees for an online bachelor’s degree costs $11,698, while a traditional degree costs $16,929.

You have several options when it comes to paying for an online degree. By choosing an accredited college, you can apply for federal student aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal programs include the Pell Grant and student loan options.

States, colleges, and private organizations also use the FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility. You can also apply for scholarships and grants to cover your costs. And many online students work while in school to help pay for college. If you’re currently working, determine whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement to employees.

Earning an online bachelor’s degree can open doors to new careers. College graduates can qualify for higher-paying jobs. And you’ll need a bachelor’s degree if you want to go to graduate school. But how can you find the right program for your unique needs?

First, make sure to choose an accredited institution. Accredited degrees meet high standards for academic quality, and many employers prefer to hire graduates from accredited schools.

Next, consider your interests, strengths, and career goals. Explore popular online bachelor’s degrees and their average salary, according to the BLS.

An online bachelor’s degree in accounting prepares you to work as an accountant. These professionals earn a median annual salary exceeding $79,000.

Other careers you can pursue with a bachelor’s in accounting include cost estimator, financial analyst, and financial manager.

Computer programmers with a computer science degree earn a median salary of $99,700. Other well-paying computer science careers include information security analyst and computer systems analyst.

Examples of classes in a computer science degree include information systems, software engineering, and calculus.

You need a bachelor’s in education and a teaching license to work as a public elementary or secondary school teacher. High school teachers earn a median salary of $65,220. You may earn more working for a public school than for a private school.

The cheapest online bachelor’s degrees in education may also qualify you for other education careers, such as library technician and preschool teacher.

An online bachelor’s degree in finance may require you to take classes focusing on the principles of accounting, investing, and financial management. High-paying finance careers include actuary, financial manager, and personal financial advisor. The median salary for actuaries is $120,000 per year.

Some top-paying finance jobs may require a master’s degree. We recommend using your college’s career center to learn more about what you’ll need to find your ideal career.

An online bachelor’s degree in information technology may allow you to specialize in mobile devices, cybersecurity, or cloud-based networking.

You can qualify for various IT careers after graduating, such as hardware engineer, database administrator, and information systems manager. Computer hardware engineers earn a median annual salary of around $138,000.

You can explore many careers with a bachelor’s in marketing, such as market research analyst and marketing specialist. These professionals earn a median salary of $74,680. Other marketing career opportunities include copywriters, advertising managers, and public relations specialists.

Marketing degree programs typically consist of various classes that equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the marketing field. Common classes include consumer behavior, applied marketing management, and market research.

An online bachelor’s in nursing can help you start or advance your career as a registered nurse (RN). RNs make a median annual salary of $86,070. Your RN job may pay more if you work for a government agency.

An online bachelor’s in nursing requires in-person clinical rotations and other hands-on requirements, which provide crucial insight and training into what it’s like to be an RN.

An online bachelor’s program in psychology includes classes in addiction theories, the psychology of social media, and criminal psychology and behavior. You can use your degree to pursue a doctorate, which is a requirement to become a licensed psychologist.

Some psychology-related careers, such as human resources managers, require only a bachelor’s degree. These professionals earn a median salary of $136,350.

An online program in social work may require coursework in diversity, human behavior, and social work research. You’ll also have to complete in-person practicums in different social work settings.

Health education specialist is one possible social work career for bachelor’s degree graduates. These workers earn a median annual salary of $62,860. Employers may require a certification in health education.