Reviewed By: Melissa Anderson, MS.Ed. / First covered: January 2016
Key Takeaways:
- Fast online degrees offer accelerated programs for students seeking to earn degrees in less time.
- University of Arizona and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are the top two schools in the ranking.
- These programs cater to working professionals and those with busy schedules, providing flexibility and valuable education opportunities.
In this article, we profile the top 10 best value fast degrees online.
Cutting how long it takes to earn a bachelors degree, or other kinds of degrees, can be valuable. Not everyone has four years to spend in the classroom earning a bachelor’s degree. Online options from accredited and top-ranked colleges and universities are available. Fast-track programs allow students to earn a degree, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, in less than the customary time. Online programs that move at an accelerated pace cater to working professionals and busy students balancing outside obligations like jobs and family.
We’ve listed some of the best fast degrees online available from top-ranked and accredited institutions below to assist with your search.
Featured Programs
Top 10 Best Value Fast Degrees Online Methodology
A point system was developed as follows:
Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition/Fees
Under $25,000—1 point each
Under $20,000—2 points each
Under $15,000—3 points each
Under $10,000—4 points each
Under $5,000—5 points each
US News & World Report’s Institution Rankings
Top 100—1 point
Top 50—2 points
Top 25—3 points
Top 10—4 points
US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s or Master’s Program Rankings
Top 100—1 point
Top 50—2 points
Top 25—3 points
Top 10—4 points
Accelerated Program Options
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Programs—1 point
Less Than Two Year Graduate Programs—2 points
One Year or Less Graduate Programs—3 points
Wow Factor
1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us
Below is our list of top 10 best value fast degrees online.
#1 – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
Points: 12
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,538
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,002
Many fast-paced online degrees from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley are accelerated master’s degree programs that can be completed in as little as one year. Online graduate degree programs are available in bilingual education, bioethics, mathematics, reading and literacy, and Spanish translation. Partially online bachelor’s degrees are also available in disciplines like addiction studies, hospitality and tourism management, and multidisciplinary studies. UT Rio Grande Valley is fully accredited and ranks among the top schools in the country. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #2227 in best national universities and #123 in top public schools. Also, many online bachelor’s programs and online graduate programs have received top rankings.
Pros:
- Hybrid options
- Diverse faculty
Cons:
- Lower graduation rate
- Less selective
#2 – University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Points: 12
Undergraduate Tuition: $13,275
Graduate Tuition: $12,348
Whether you’re an undergraduate student or pursuing an advanced degree, you can take advantage of the accelerated degree programs from The University of Arizona. The school offers two fast-track options:
- Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and ESociety
- Master of Science in Cybersecurity
These programs cover the same coursework as a traditional degree, but in more intensive courses, so students complete the programs sooner. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Arizona #115 in National Universities and #58 in Top Public Schools. Many of the university’s online programs have been ranked in the top 10.
Pros:
- More diverse
- Top-ranked online programs
- Robust tech support
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
#3 – Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
Points: 11
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,844
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,008
The Eastern Kentucky University’s fast-track online degrees range from associate’s to doctoral programs. Courses run eight weeks in length, giving way to an accelerated completion time. Students have a wide range of subjects to choose from, including accounting, business administration, finance, marketing, occupational safety, police studies, RN to BSN, sport management, and many more. EKU’s fast online degrees are consistently ranked among the top distance education offerings in the country. Programs are affordable and fully accredited. Online bachelor’s programs rank #74 and several online master’s programs rank among the top 50.
Pros:
- Top-ranked online programs
- Certified course developers
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
- Lower graduation rates
#4 – Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, New Jersey
Points: 11
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,372
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,150
Thomas Edison State University is a fully accredited institution that offers a variety of degree and certificate programs that can be completed entirely online. From associate’s degrees to doctorates, Thomas Edison State offers an array of distance-learning programs. Popular, fast-paced online bachelor’s programs include business, communications, computer science, electrical technology, homeland security and emergency management, and nursing. Graduate programs include educational leadership, healthcare management, information technology, management, and nursing. Two doctoral degrees are also offered in business administration (DBA) and nursing (DNP). Thomas Edison is highly affordable and ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report.
Pros:
- Expansive options for online graduate students
- Credit for prior learning opportunities
Cons:
- Less reputable institution
#5 – West Texas A&M University
Canyon, Texas
Points: 10
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,101
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,088
If you are looking for fast online degrees from accredited colleges, West Texas A&M University has options. Undergraduate degrees are available in majors like applied arts and sciences, communication studies, criminal justice, economics, finance, management, marketing, and nursing. Online graduate programs are available in areas like accounting, business, education, nursing, and sports and exercise sciences. Some undergraduate programs are designed to finish in less than four years, while some graduate programs take under two years. In addition to being fully accredited, West Texas A&M ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. These rankings include #56 in best regional universities in the West and #30 in best online bachelor’s programs. Also, several online graduate programs have earned top rankings.
Pros:
- Top-ranked online programs
- Taught by on-campus faculty
Cons:
- No live course options
- Limited tech support
#6 – Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota
Points: 10
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,508
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,352
At Minot State University, students may earn a best value degree online in various areas of study and at undergraduate and graduate degree levels. Popular undergraduate majors include criminal justice, early childhood education, international business, marketing, and nursing. Graduate programs cover areas of study like education, information systems, special education, and sports management. Many online programs allow students to work at an accelerated pace and finish their degree earlier than one would in a traditional program. Minot State is fully accredited and ranked with U.S. News and World Report as the 120th best regional university in the Midwest and 43rd top public school.
Pros:
- Low student-to-faculty ratio
Cons:
- Lower graduation rate
- Asynchronous instruction only
#7 – Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama
Points: 9
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,000
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,800
Amridge University offers distance-learning degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Online bachelor’s degree programs are available in business administration, criminal justice, human development, information systems management, management, and ministry. These programs move at a fast pace and can be completed in less than the traditional four years it typically takes to finish a bachelor’s degree. Graduate programs are also available and are structured as accelerated degrees. Amridge also offers affordable tuition for both graduate and undergraduate degrees.
Pros:
- Numerous online offerings
- Affordability
Cons:
- Distance learning only
#8 – Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska
Points: 8
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,834
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $4,650
Chadron State College offers accelerated degrees online in areas like business, education, family and consumer sciences, interdisciplinary studies, and psychological sciences. Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees may be completed online. In fact, four master’s degree programs include the MAE (master’s in education), the M.Ed., MBA, and MSOM (master’s in organizational management.) Chadron’s convenient eight-week sessions provide a quick-paced learning path toward each degree. Chadron State ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 132nd best regional universities in the Midwest, 58th top performer on social mobility, and 46th top public school.
Pros:
- Stand-out options for graduate students
- Affordability
Cons:
- Low graduation rate
- Less diverse
#9 – Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Points: 7
Undergraduate Tuition: $10,440
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,636
There are 100+ programs available online at Ball State University. In fact, Ball State offers one of the most extensive lists of online accelerated degrees. With competitive prices and both part- and full-time programs, Ball State earns a top spot on our list of fast degrees online. The school offers 30 approved majors to earn a bachelor’s degree in just three years. These accelerated programs include disciplines like accounting, business economics, criminal justice, finance, and nursing. Ball State ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. These rankings include #216 in best national universities and #144 in top public schools. In addition to school rankings, several online graduate programs have earned top 10, 20, and 30 rankings. Also, the online bachelor’s programs rank #25 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.
Pros:
- Top-ranked online programs
- Flexible scheduling options
- No application essay required
Cons:
- Larger class sizes
- Less diversity on campus
#10 – Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Points: 5
Undergraduate Tuition: $13,650
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,942
Central Michigan University offers fast online degree programs through its global campus, including 16 bachelor’s degrees. Popular undergraduate programs available at CMU include business administration, organizational leadership, nursing (BSN), psychology, and public and nonprofit administration. CMU prides itself on offering some of the best online learning resources available to facilitate success for distance education students. The institution lands a spot on our list of best value fast degrees online due to affordability, accreditation, rankings, and more. In fact, CMU’s recent rankings with U.S. News include #260 in best national universities and #141 in top public schools. Also, the online bachelor’s degree programs at CMU rank #124 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News and World Report.
Pros:
- Wide variety of online majors
- High-quality resources for distance learners
- no cost for textbooks
Cons:
- Lower graduation rate
- Less selective
CVO Staff
This concludes our list of where to get online college degrees fast in 2024.
Sources
- College Navigator
- US News & World Report: Best Colleges