Reviewed by: Melissa Anderson / Reading Level: Grade 9 / First covered: October 2021
Updates: 5
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 15 million children in the United States are raised by single mothers. That number represents 20% of families across the country and a whole lot of moms who are taking on parenthood alone. While single moms and stay-at-home moms who are struggling in the trenches may feel as if their options are limited, higher education shines a beacon of hope on their path to making a comfortable life for themselves and their children.
Today, single mothers have access to programs and resources that put higher education within reach despite the demands of raising kids. Not only has online education made it possible for stay-at-home moms to study from home, but an increasing number of colleges and universities are focusing their efforts on facilitating academic success for single parents.
This article identifies 10 of the best online colleges and best online degrees for working adults who are also single moms.
Rating and Ranking the 10 Top Online Colleges for Moms
Single and stay-at-home moms have unique needs and preferences when choosing online programs. With this in mind took a different approach to rating and ranking schools for this article. We chose our initial pool of colleges and universities based on their efforts to support their enrolled single parents. We then filtered these schools by cost, eliminating schools with expenses of over $30,000 per year.
Finally, we ranked the schools based on the number of online programs they offered at the undergraduate level. In cases of a tie, the more affordable school received the higher ranking. Tuition costs were taken from the NCES College Navigator.
#1—Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,844
Number of Online Study Options: 31
Eastern Kentucky University is home to an impressive number of online degrees for moms. It includes both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs. Standout options for continuing education include:
- Applied Associate of Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies
- Associate of Science (AS) in Paramedicine
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Management
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Services Administration
In addition to some of the best degrees for moms, EKU also houses the Center for Student Parents. It offers single parents academic, career, and personal support. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits EKU.
Pros:
- EKU accepts dual and AP credits
- A wide range of academic programming
Cons:
- Graduation rate is 25% lower than the national average
- Some issues with faculty support in the nursing department have been reported
#2—Front Range Community College
Westminster, Colorado
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $4,126
Number of Online Offerings: 27
Front Range Community College has a robust suite of single-parent resources and initiatives. This makes it a great college for single moms interested in continuing education. Students enrolled in the school’s Single Parent Program will enjoy:
- Personalized academic and career support
- Advocacy
- Educational workshops
- Social networking opportunities
In addition, the school offers more than two dozen of the best degrees for stay-at-home moms as well as single moms, including:
- Online Associate of Arts (AA) in Early Childhood Education
- Online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Computer Information Systems
- Online AAS in Accounting
- Online AA in Business
Front Range Community College holds its institutional accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission.
Pros:
- Faculty is very attentive
- Online programming is highly rated
Cons:
- Lack of faculty communication has been reported
- Some issues with admissions/financial aid have been reported
#3—Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, Nebraska
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $3,285
Number of Online Options: 20
Metropolitan Community College is home to some of the best online degree programs. It offers resources for single mothers through its Single Parent Homemaker Services program. Students enrolled in this program will be granted access to resources such as:
- Tutoring
- Financial aid support
- Educational workshops
- Career resources
Working moms may choose from a wide range of online associate degree programs. They include:
- Associate of Science (AS) in Management Information Systems
- Associate of AAS in Business Administration
- Associate’s in Medical Office Management
- Associate’s in Database Management and Data Analysis
Many career certificates are also accessible entirely online. The Higher Learning Commission has accredited MCC.
Pros:
- A wide variety of programming
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- Students have reported a lack of challenging online academic programming
- Some issues with advising have been reported
#4—SUNY-Broome Community College
Binghamton, New York
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,704
Number of Online Program Options: 19
SUNY Broome Community College is regarded as one of the top colleges for adults in the SUNY system. It is also one of the best sources of online degrees for single parents. This is thanks, in part, to its Family Empowerment Program. This program allows single parents to access things like:
- Academic support
- Wellness resources
- A social network of like-minded students
The program may even pay for childcare for qualified students. Moreover, the school also offers some of the leading online degrees for stay-at-home moms, including:
- Online Associate Degree of Science (AS) in Business Information Management
- Online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Computer Security & Forensics
- Online AS in Health Studies
- Online AAS in Hospitality Management
SUNY-Broome is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Ed to confer these online credentials to busy moms.
Pros:
- 100% Acceptance rate
- Good student support network
Cons:
- Issues with the financial aid office have been reported
- Issues with student advising have been reported
#5—Texas Woman’s University
Denton, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,311
Number of Online Program Offerings: 17
Single moms going back to school for a degree should consider Texas Woman’s College. TWC offers a “best online college” experience. The Campus Alliance for Resource Education Office has a host of resources.
Besides family housing options for on-campus students, the school has a variety of resources for its distance learners. Here, students can access services like:
- Childcare
- Social networking opportunities
- Personal support
TWU also offers online bachelor’s degree programs for single parents, such as:
- Associate’s in Business Management
- Associate’s in Health Information Management
- Associate’s in Information Technology: Web Development
- Associate’s in Small Business Entrepreneurship
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited Texas Woman’s University.
Pros:
- Great variety of available programming
- Strong reputation for healthcare related programs
Cons:
- Lack of diversity
- For on-campus students, the location can be a problem
#6—Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $4,766
Number of Online Program Options: 16
Gateway Technical College offers support and resources through its Step Up program. Single parents and stay-at-home moms have access to many good majors. This “best online program” is designed for single parents and adults. As such, it provides:
- Instructional workshops
- Career development tools
- Job placement
- A single-parent peer support group
Once enrolled, students can choose among 16 of the best degrees for parents. It includes associate degree programs like:
- Associate’s in Business Management
- Associate’s in Health Information Management
- Associate’s in Information Technology: Web Development
- Associate’s in Small Business Entrepreneurship
The Higher Learning Commission accredits GTC. This is a testament to its quality education offerings.
Pros:
- Supportive community
- Program/faculty flexibility
Cons:
- Some degree programs can be difficult to get into
- Can be a lack of student resources
#7—Kent State University
Kent, Ohio
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $12,464
Number of Online Program Options: 16
In addition to offering some of the best academic options for working moms. Kent State has a Literacy and Independence for Family Education program. It supports busy moms and single parents. Together with the Center for Adult and Veteran Services, LIFE helps single moms find housing and childcare.
It enables them to attend classes and study. The program also sponsors a scholarship initiative for single parents. Students also have access to educational workshops and resources for parenting. Single moms will find a host of convenient online degree programs at Kent State.
Kent state offers bachelor’s degree programs such as:
- Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Applied Technology
- Bachelor of Business Administration: General Business
- Bachelor of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Technology
- BS in Public Health
Kent State’s accreditation status with The Higher Learning Commission makes these online programs possible.
Pros:
- Great networking opportunities
- Supportive faculty and staff
Cons:
- Inconsistency in education
- Limited course offerings
#8—University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $12,520
Number of Online Program Offerings: 15
The University of Louisville supports enrolled single parents and working moms. They have a dedicated scholarship and the Student-Parent Association (SPA). It is offered through the university’s Women’s Center.
They provide social and emotional support for single moms navigating college alongside parenthood. The school also offers a host of online bachelor’s degree programs, including:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Organizational Leadership and Learning
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
- BA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
UL is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Pros:
- High number of academic programming
- Offers credit for life experience
Cons:
- Graduation rate is lower than national average
- TAs teach a lot of the classes
#9—Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, California
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $1,234
Number of Online Program Options: 12
Santa Barbara City College has some of the leading online degrees for stay-at-home and single mothers. They offer convenience and affordability. Parents can choose from among a dozen different online associate’s degree programs, including:
- Associate of Science (AS) in Computer Information Systems
- Associate of Arts (AA) in International Business
- Online AA in Film and Media Studies
- Online AS in Cancer Information Management
The school also offers a summer bridge program. It is designed to help prepare single parents for the rigors of college academics. The Single Parents Arriving Ready to College program (SPARC) provides students with:
- Childcare
- Food vouchers
- School supplies
- Grants
Santa Barbara City College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Pro:
- A diverse learning environment
Con:
- A high student-to-faculty ratio
#10—Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $4,059
Number of Online Program Options: 12
OCCC offers its single-parent students through its Single Parent Academic Resources Collaborative. It is funded by the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma. The program encourages and supports students. They can pursue their degree programs while parenting their children. Students will have access to resources such as:
- Counseling
- Child care
- Financial assistance
- Housing
They’ll also be able to choose from a dozen of the best credentials for busy moms, including associate degree programs like:
- Associate in Science (AS): Business
- Online AAS: Child Development
- Online AAS: Speech Language Pathology Assistant
- Online AAS: Clinical Research Coordinator
The Higher Learning Commission accredits Oklahoma City Community College.
Pros:
- Supportive faculty
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- Financial aid can be difficult to navigate
- Some issues with administrative communication
Advantages of Education for Single Moms
According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, single mothers are less likely than others their age to complete a degree program. With their child-rearing responsibilities and providing for their families, it’s no wonder.
Even so, studies have shown that there are incredible benefits for single mothers who can invest in their education. In this section, we’ll discuss some of the biggest reasons single moms (and stay-at-home moms, too!) should consider returning to school for a degree.
More Lucrative Careers
It’s a vicious cycle that many single moms and stay-at-home moms find themselves in. With just a high school diploma, they lack the skills and education for high-paying jobs and career paths. They have to keep working for low wages in order to put food on the table for their children.
Higher ed is perhaps the only thing that can break the cycle. It allows hard-working single parents a chance to improve their lives with higher-paying jobs. By returning to school, single moms increase their earning potential significantly. They’re also more likely to:
- Remain gainfully employed
- Access jobs that pay good money with benefits
- Enjoy greater overall health and wellness
Increased Opportunity for Advancement
Single and stay-at-home moms with a career can still benefit from returning to school. Individuals with educational goals are more likely to receive raises and promotions. These career opportunities can result in significant wage increases throughout a career.
It stands to reason that single and stay-at-home moms with more knowledge will experience more job satisfaction. Online programs enable them to manage work responsibilities while also pursuing a degree.
Self-Actualization
If you’re a single mom, you may have moments when you wonder who you are anymore. Becoming a parent is a huge transition, and it’s easy to lose yourself in motherhood, no matter your level of education or family situation. This loss of identity may be even more debilitating for single mothers.
Raising children is a noble pursuit and can be fulfilling in its own right. It can consume young mothers, especially single ones. They may feel they spend every waking moment working a low-wage job or changing diapers.
Higher education allows single and stay-at-home moms to rediscover their intellectual potential. For many of these mothers, a college degree was once a dream that had to be put aside for the sake of having kids.
For educational goals to reawaken is often a defining event for parents-turned-college students. It can breathe life into their entire families. Many single moms feel they’re better parents to their children after being in a degree program.
Generational Impact
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research reports that when single moms get a degree, they increase the likelihood that their kids will do the same. This is great news for those who feel guilty for taking time away from their children to get their degree.
Knowing their efforts and sacrifice will likely affect their kids may motivate them to keep working hard. What’s more, attending college as a single mom also has more immediate effects on children. This includes increased performance in academic areas like reading and math. Returning to school creates a win-win scenario for single mothers and their children!
The Greater Good
A common concern for single mothers returning to school is thinking that it’s selfish. Not only is this “mom guilt” detrimental to one’s mental health but it’s also rooted in a lie. In reality, the opposite is true. Single moms considering a degree should know that the benefits they reap will impact their families and society in general.
There are many reasons for this phenomenon. Single mothers with a college degree will likely earn higher wages. Therefore, they will pay more taxes than those with just a high school diploma. This tax money goes towards improving their communities.
Moreover, the US is currently facing a labor shortage. Many of these jobs require a college degree
Benefits of Online Schools and Degree Programs for Single Moms
Higher ed in any format has the power to transform a single mom’s life and livelihood. There are particular benefits of online college for single, stay-at-home moms.
Flexible Schedules
One of the hallmark advantages of online programs is their extreme flexibility. Being able to work online toward a degree provides perks for all types of students. Single moms may enjoy the most significant benefit. Time. For single parents, time is perhaps their most precious commodity.
Young children require 24/7 care. so every moment of their day seems to be accounted for even before they have time to make plans for themselves. Because they are their children’s sole and primary caregivers, any time spent alone must be paid for as childcare expenses. For this reason, many single moms have given up on the idea of attending college classes.
Enter online learning. Advancements in distance education have been a game-changer for single parents who want a college education. Finally, single mothers can make their own course schedules through online programs.
Avoiding the need to adapt their daily routines to accommodate traditional college classes. Many online courses can be completed anytime and anywhere. All students need is Internet access to work virtually. That means you can study while the baby naps or watch an online lecture while waiting in the car line to pick up your school-aged child.
Online college programs can turn the dream of earning a degree into reality for single moms.
Online Student Support
If you’re a single mom interested in online programs, you might think all this hullabaloo about education sounds too good to be true. Ok, so you can access course content online, but what happens when you have a question about an assignment or have to go to the library and can’t find a sitter? These are valid concerns. They’re the same concerns that online colleges have considered when designing their programs.
Most providers also offer a robust suite of online student support services. This can assist their busy and working students as they pursue their degrees. Some of these resources may include instant online access to things like:
- Professors and academic advisors
- Online library resources
- Virtual tutoring
- Mental health and wellness support
These support services can be accessed from the comfort of your home or anywhere there’s Wifi.
No Commute
Imagine getting stuck in traffic and missing your class. You then must turn around and pick up your child from daycare. Daycare that you paid dearly for but turns out you didn’t need, after all. Single parents pursuing on-campus degrees experience this type of frustration regularly.
Online programs eliminate the commute thus erasing many of the daily hassles and expenses associated with a car or bus ride to campus.
With online school, you can wake up in the morning, grab your coffee, and start studying before the kids even begin to rouse. Likewise, you can spend all day with them and leave your studies for after they’re in bed for the night. No commute is required.
Greater School Selection
Another advantage to online education for single moms is the ability to choose from a larger pool of colleges and universities. Because learning happens online, you can access schools and degree programs from around the country. You are not limited to a certain radius surrounding your location.
These increased options can mean higher quality, more affordable degree programs. In fact, some of the leading online schools for single moms offer discounted tuition rates for their distance learners. Many charge the same tuition rate as they do for in-state students
Top Online Degree Programs and Classes for Single Mothers
As long as you choose a reputable, accredited online college, you almost can’t go wrong when pursuing a degree. Still, some programs are more beneficial than others to single parents. This section discusses some popular and advantageous online degree programs for moms.
Asynchronous Programs
A little-known fact about distance ed is that not all online degrees and courses offer the same levels of convenience and flexibility. In fact, synchronous online programs are often quite stringent about required school hours. These programs follow schedules like those of traditional degree programs. They do give students access to course materials and online meetings.
Students in a synchronous online course have to log in to their virtual classroom at a specific time to log school hours. For instance, keeping track of how many times per week students are required to contribute to discussion forums can be tedious. Lectures are often live-streamed making your virtual attendance mandatory.
Asynchronous online classes and degree programs are much more flexible. It makes them the better choice for single moms. These options afford students much more freedom regarding when they access course content. There may still be deadlines, but there aren’t specific meeting times or live attendance requirements.
If you’re a single mother and are given a choice the two programs, be sure to choose the latter. This decision will free up a lot of extra time for you to attend to your children and family responsibilities as necessary. Clearly, the best online degrees for parents are the asynchronous ones.
Part-Time Programs
Single mothers contemplating higher ed options may think it’s an “all or nothing” decision. This couldn’t be further from the truth, especially with online programs. These flexible options are designed for students who are short on time.
Working mothers or single parents definitely fall into this category! Therefore, they don’t often require full-time enrollment. Instead, they allow students to take as many or as few courses at a time as they wish. This is not often the case for traditional, in-person programs.
Many of them require a full course load of classes. Even those that admit part-time students may require a minimum number of credit hours per semester. This can make it difficult for single moms with significant childcare obligations. It’s not hard to see why most of the top online degrees for stay-at-home moms allow for part-time enrollment.
Fully Online Degree Programs and Courses
When we think of distance ed, we tend to call to mind fully online programs and classes. But be warned, this isn’t the only type of offering you’ll find under the umbrella of distance learning. Hybrid programs also exist. They combine online and in-person meetings for a blended learning experience.
While there are advantages, they’re rarely ideal for single parents because of their on-campus requirements. If your schedule won’t allow for trips to campus, be sure to opt for fully online classes and programs. That way, you can eliminate the commute entirely and spend more time with your children.
Free Online Courses for Stay-at-Home Moms
Higher ed can be an intimidating prospect, children or no children. For single moms who are unsure about committing to a completely online degree program, we recommend they try free online courses. They are sometimes referred to as Massive Open Online Courses or MOOC. These options allow students to experience college-level education without the cost or commitment.
Moreover, top U.S. colleges and universities offer many of these free online courses. It gives students a realistic idea of what an online college class is like. These individual options are available in virtually every academic discipline imaginable. They’re usually not part of a degree program but can sometimes be transferred to a college or university for credit. You can’t go wrong with free online courses!
Types of Best Online Degrees for Single Moms
Single moms with a high school diploma or GED usually have two options when it comes to an onlint degree:
- an online associate’s degree program
- an online bachelor’s degree program
Online Associates Degrees
If you consider higher education a ladder, an associate’s degree would be the first rung. As such, it is often among the best credentials for moms returning to school. Typically, these online programs require two years of study. The degree can lead to a good-paying job in a career/technical field. It can also lay the foundation for future study in a bachelor’s degree program.
An online associate’s degree usually requires about 60 credit hours of coursework. The payoff is usually worth it for single moms who can invest in an online associate’s degree program. Those with an associate’s degree make about $150 more per week on average than those with a high school diploma. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Of course, the wage gap is much more significant in some fields. For many single moms, this increase in earnings could be put to good use towards rent, groceries, childcare, and more.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Bachelor’s degree programs represent another very popular option for single mothers.. These four-year programs require roughly 120 credit hours of study. They can often be completed entirely online. Online bachelor’s degrees require about twice the investment of time and tuition. It’s not surprising that the rewards are often greater than with just an associate’s degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a bachelor’s credential made $1,305 per week in 2020. Associate degree holders made $938 per week.
Best Fields of Study for Single Moms/Stay-At-Home Moms
Many single moms eager to return to the classroom still struggle to choose a field of study that’s right for them. They may experience some anxiety over whether to pursue their passions (think liberal arts). Or should they select a safe degree path associated with career opportunities like high job security and wages.
Ideally, these single mothers can find a high-demand academic discipline that satisfies their interests and salary requirements. Below, we’ll discuss some of the fields that our higher ed experts have deemed particularly advantageous for single moms.
Business and Financial Studies
If you’ve ever had dreams of inhabiting a corporate office, then your goal may be a bachelor’s in business or finance. Business is a field that is considered one of the good majors for stay-at-home moms and single moms alike.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the business field is growing steadily. More than 700,000 new job opportunities are expected to be available in business by the year 2030. These aren’t minimum-wage jobs, either.
On average, professionals working in business and finance make over $72,000 per year. That’s much higher than the median for all occupations.
An associate’s degree in business can get you a foot in the door of this growing occupational field. But most jobs in business require a minimum of a bachelor’s-level business degree. Below, you will find some examples of career opportunities in business: