Most Affordable Online Colleges for Bachelor’s Degrees of 2025

Are college costs top of mind when it comes to getting your degree? You’re not alone. Getting a college degree online can be a smart, affordable move. Typically, online degree programs cost less than on-campus programs. Many online programs also match the quality of on-campus programs.

By opting for the cheapest online bachelor’s degree, you can minimize student debt and prepare for a career or graduate school.

An online bachelor’s degree can put you on the path to new careers and higher salaries. In fields like accounting, nursing, and information technology, a bachelor’s degree can lead to median annual salaries ranging from $79,880-$138,080, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

BLS data from 2023 also shows that people with a bachelor’s degree earn 66% more annually than those with a high school diploma and around 42% more than those with an associate degree.

In general, the cost of college varies significantly among schools. NCES data shows online degrees cost around $5,000 less, on average, than traditional in-person programs.

The cost of college also varies by school type. Typically, private colleges are more expensive than public ones.

According to the NCES, for the 2022-2023 school year, full-time undergraduate students paid an average of $58,600 at four-year private nonprofit colleges and $27,100 at public colleges. These costs include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses.

A college degree program can be a big investment, but there are ways to make it more affordable, including federal student aid, scholarships, and grants.

Earning an online bachelor’s degree can open the door to a new career. College graduates qualify for higher-paying jobs than people without degrees. 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 median annual salaries, per BLS data from May 2023, below.

An online bachelor’s degree in accounting prepares you to work as an accountant. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $79,880.

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 annual salary of $99,700. Other well-paying computer science careers include information security analyst and computer systems analyst.

Courses in a computer science degree program include information systems, software engineering, and calculus.

You need a bachelor’s degree in education and a teaching license to work as a public elementary or secondary school teacher. High school teachers earn a median annual salary of $65,220. You may earn more working for a public school than 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 on the principles of accounting, investing, and financial management. High-paying finance careers include actuary, financial manager, and personal financial advisor. The median annual 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 pursue various IT careers after graduating, such as hardware engineer, database administrator, and information systems manager. Computer hardware engineers earn a median annual salary of $138,080.

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

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

An online bachelor’s degree in nursing can help you start or advance your career as a registered nurse (RN). RNs earn 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 training and insight into what it’s like to be an RN.

An online bachelor’s degree 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 required to become a licensed psychologist.

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

An online bachelor’s degree program in social work requires 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-holders. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $62,860. Employers may require a certification in health education.