In this article, we profile the top 10 best value fast degrees online.
Cutting the time it takes to earn a degree 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 value fast degrees online available from top-ranked and accredited institutions below to assist with your search for a high quality, fast-track program.
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.
Places to Get Online College Degrees Fast
#10 – Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Points: 5
Undergraduate Tuition: $12,960
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,150
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 #249 in best national universities and #121 in top public schools. Also, the online bachelor’s degree programs at CMU rank #113 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News and World Report.
#9 – Removed by editor.
#8 – Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Points: 7
Undergraduate Tuition: $10,020
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,512
There are 100+ programs available online at Ball State University. In fact, Ball State offers one of the most extensive lists of online and accelerated degrees. With competitive prices and both part- and full-time programs, Ball State earns a top spot on our list of best value 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 #284 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 #29 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.
#7 – Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska
Points: 8
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,556
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,352
Chadron State College offers accelerated and fast 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 119th-156th best regional universities in the Midwest, 65th top performer on social mobility, and 39th-51st top public school.
#6 – Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama
Points: 9
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,950
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,000
Amridge University offers top-ranked 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. The school is accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the online bachelor’s programs rank #260-#345 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#5 – Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota
Points: 10
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,592
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,553
At Minot State University, students may earn a best value fast 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 110th best regional university in the Midwest and 34th top public school.
#4 – West Texas A & M University
Canyon, Texas
Points: 10
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,135
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,882
If you are looking for affordable 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 #83 in best regional universities in the West and #16 in best online bachelor’s programs. Also, several online graduate programs have earned top rankings.
#3 – Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, New Jersey
Points: 11
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,926
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,024
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.
#2 – Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
Points: 11
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,876
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,450
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. Also, EKU ranks #51 in best regional universities in the South and #36 in best value schools, according to U.S. News and World Report. Online bachelor’s programs rank #58 and several online master’s programs rank among the top 50.
#1 – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
Points: 12
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,132
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,128
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 #284 in best national universities and #144 in top public schools. Also, many online bachelor’s programs and online graduate programs have received top rankings.
We hope this ranking has been helpful in providing information about fast online degrees from accredited colleges. There are many accelerated online degree programs available, and we encourage you to do a broad search to find the program that’s best for you.
CVO Staff
This concludes our list of where to get online college degrees fast in 2021.
Sources:
College Navigator
Additional Resources: