On Line College Degrees

The 2011 Survey of Online Learning by the Babson Survey Research Group shows that more than six million students take at least one course online. Close to one-third of students in higher education are taking at least one online course.

Even more striking than the sheer number of students in online education is its rate of growth. According to Elaine Allen, Co-Director of Babson, “The rate of growth in online enrollment is ten times that of the rate in all higher education.” At this rate, ALL education will soon be online education.

Students all over the world are taking online degree programs in an array of fields including business, information technology, engineering, healthcare, criminal justice, political science, and more.

If you’re thinking about getting an online degree to enter a new career or to advance at your workplace, which online degree program should you choose?

For some people it’s not an easy decision. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 25 best online degree programs. The list includes a variety of degree programs leading to rewarding careers.

We based our selections on many different factors, including salary, employer demand for the degree, employment growth in fields relevant to the degree, interesting subject matter, and job satisfaction for jobs associated with the degree. We’ve included online master’s and bachelor’s degree programs and a couple of associate’s degree programs.

The following 25 best online degrees are organized by category.

BUSINESS

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration

2010 beginning median salary: $43, 879 (National Association of Colleges and Employers [NACE]).

A bachelor’s degree in business administration prepares graduates for a variety of responsible management positions, domestically and internationally, in an array of industries. Bachelor’s degree programs in business administration provide a broad-based business education. The programs review all business areas, as well as behavioral factors common to all organizational structures. They also cover the quantitative aspects of decision-making. Some online bachelor’s degree programs in business administration can be completed in 36 months.

Typically, students have the opportunity to select a concentration in a field such as human resources, finance, management, information systems, marketing, operations, or supply chain management.

A bachelor’s degree in business administration prepares students for a variety of careers in business and industry, including finance, banking, product development, human resources, manufacturing, and business analysis.

Online Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

2012 beginning median salary: $90, 000; many industries report significantly higher beginning salaries (U.S. News & World Report).