Earning a Bachelor’s Degree Online

In today’s competitive marketplace, employers demand that their workers have a college education. Today, distance learning makes getting an online bachelor degree possible without having to enroll in a college campus program.

Why Get a Bachelor Degree Online?

Advances in technology allow you to get the same quality of education from distance learning as you would from a campus program.

Here are some additional advantages of earning a bachelor degree online:

  • Work full-time while completing an online bachelor degree
  • Learn organization, research, and time management for today’s fast-paced industries
  • Become proficient in internet technologies and web-based research
  • Communicate and collaborate with peers and professors around the world
  • No travel or commuting expenses

Earning Potential

There’s no doubt that having a bachelor degree will help you earn more in your profession. On average, people with a bachelor degree earn between $10,000 to $20,000 more a year than people who have had some college education. A person with a bachelor’s degree will earn almost twice as much over their lifetime as someone with only a high school education ($2.1 million compared to $1.2 million).

Types of Bachelor Degrees

There are two types of bachelor degrees available from online degree programs. The bachelor degree in the arts (B.A.) is designed to provide a broad liberal arts and science background. The bachelor degree in science (B.S.) covers the same areas of study for a B.A., but is geared towards education for a particular profession.

The most common bachelor degree programs include:

  • Business Management
  • Criminal Justice Administration
  • Information Technology Management
  • RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • International Business Administration
  • Human Resource Management
  • Safety Engineering
  • Computer Network Management
  • Visual Communications
  • Marketing

Top Careers for Bachelor Degree Earners

With the median wage increasing for workers with higher education degrees, the advantage of having a bachelor degree is obvious. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the following occupations, which require bachelor degrees, will grow faster through 2016 than other occupations requiring the same education:

  • Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst
  • Computer Applications Software Engineer
  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Forensic Science Technician
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Computer Systems Software Engineer
  • Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Choosing an Online Bachelor Degree Program

There are many factors that go into choosing the right online bachelor degree program. First you need to decide what degree you want to pursue. If you are changing careers or just trying to increase your marketability in your current profession, find out which degree will serve you best.

Next, search for distance learning programs which are fully accredited. A degree from a school which is not accredited may not be recognized or accepted by your employers. You will also be unable to transfer credits to other schools if your degree comes for an online school which is unaccredited.

Finally, research the admission requirements and expenses for the online school to which you are applying. You will need to get your finances in order, apply for financial aid, and make sure that you meet all of the prerequisites for admission