30 Easiest Online College Programs for Undergrads

With the rising costs of traditional colleges, more students are looking to online institutions for affordable and flexible education. Choosing the wrong one can lead to a poor education and wasted time and money. We’re listing options for the easiest online college to achieve your academic goals.

Our Easiest Online College Recommendations

Penn State University, Baker College, Bismarck State College, University of Wisconsin, and Thomas Edison State College are considered some of the easiest colleges online to get into. They have high acceptance rates, few admission requirements, and offer affordable tuition rates. 

These schools provide flexible programs completed online, allowing working adults and non-traditional students to earn a degree at their own pace.

Related:

• Top Accredited Online Colleges with Low Tuition
• Most Affordable Online Business Bachelor’s Degrees
• Best Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
• Top Accredited Schools Offering Online Bachelor Degrees

Accredited Online College uses the most recent data from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. We consider several factors:

• Affordability
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Number of programs offered on-campus and online

To learn more about easy online colleges, visit our methodology page.

1. Penn State University

Pennsylvania State University World Campus makes it easy to earn a diploma. It’s one of the most revered public universities in the country, ranking eight on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. On average, it takes eight to 12 hours of study time per course each week.

Penn State uses Canvas as its learning management system. You can choose from over 35 fully online undergraduate degrees. There are options in:

• Economics
• Cybersecurity
• Marketing
• Political Science

2. Baker College

Baker College is a private institution with more than ten campuses across the state. Its online coursework and library resources are available 24/7.

You can finish your general education requirements and concentrations in two subjects. Popular options include:

• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Game Software Development
• Automation Engineering Technology

3. Bismarck State College

Most Bismarck State College students take at least one online course, while almost 44% of its students are fully online learners.

Its online programs focus on providing critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis skills for workforce safety, government regulations, and energy economics. Bismarck offers a range of easy online degree programs:

• Applied Science in Energy Management
• Cybersecurity and Information Technology
• Operations Management
• Webpage Development and Design

4. University of Wisconsin

At the University of Wisconsin, you can finish the easiest bachelor’s degrees in just 12 months. This competency-based program gives you the tools to work through your college degree. The program’s length is up to you because it’s completely self-paced.

Jerome L. Rekart, Ph.D., who has over 15 years of experience in educational research, believes that the

“University of Wisconsin Flex Program is incredibly easy to understand and, for the most motivated students, can actually be incredibly fast as well. Because it is a competency-based program, students can move at their own pace, which can make life easier for students who easily get bored or who have acquired much of the background knowledge and just want to move on to the things that they don’t already know.”

Through the UW Flexible Option, your past knowledge helps you complete assignments and prove your understanding to move on to a new topic quickly. Currently, UW offers four quick and easy online degrees.

• Business Administration
• Biomedical Sciences
• Information Science and Technology
• Nursing 

5. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University proves there is no age limit on advancing your education, as 35 is the average age of this public university. You can easily customize your academic experience to your learning style. You’ll never need to visit campus as you work through each 12-week course.

Today, you can pursue more than 30 bachelor’s degrees online. Choose from popular college majors such as:

• Accounting
• Cybersecurity
• Psychology
• Energy Systems Technology

6. East Carolina University

East Carolina University provides a customizable hub for quickly accessing the services you use most. With in-state tuition rates of around $166 per semester hour, you don’t need to waste your treasure on an expensive degree.

These programs build on an associate’s degree, allowing you to finish your bachelor’s degree quickly.

• Business
• Communication
• Education
• Industrial Technology

7. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College offers a private college experience at a public school’s low tuition rates. LCSC boasts a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, compared to many public universities with a 16:1 ratio.

Any of the degrees here could be one of the easiest online degrees because of the college’s engaging, interactive, and supportive educational resources. LCSC’s online undergraduate programs cover:

• Business
• Nursing
• Sports Administration
• General Studies

8. Academy of Art University

The Academy of Art University has always existed on the vanguard of innovation and creativity. Created by artists for artists, this is a top art school in the heart of San Francisco.

Instructors use methods like narrated slideshows, interviews with industry leaders, and recorded lectures. You’ll receive resources specific to artists. You can get an online bachelor’s degree in several creative fields:

• Architecture
• Advertising
• Game Development
• Music Production

9. Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a Catholic liberal arts college with a mission to make faith-based education affordable. There’s a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, guaranteeing no student feels lost in the crowd.

Online programs are self-paced, letting you choose how many classes you take at one time. There’s a fast track for all bachelor’s degrees, enabling you to graduate in approximately 31 months.

• Theology
• Liberal Arts
• Philosophy
• Sacred Art 

10. Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College is one of the largest schools in the country, with approximately 92,000 students. Classes are asynchronous, so you can easily schedule your studies.

These are also fast-track programs where you take two eight-week courses at a time. Via MDC Online, you can turn your associate’s degree into a bachelor’s. MDC offers fully online programs in:

• Information Systems Technology
• Nursing
• Public Safety Management
• Supervision and Management

11. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Nicknamed the “academic heart of West Texas,” the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is the University of Texas System’s smallest liberal arts university. This university provides a smaller learning environment with academic opportunities that stretch as wide as the Texas sky.

UTPB offers the easiest college majors. You can get an online bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in either Management or Marketing. Other options include:

• Political Science
• Communication
• Psychology
• Sociology

12. Wilmington University

There are several opportunities to finish an easy college degree at Wilmington University. The school’s PLA Accelerator also grants students transfer credits for prior work or life experiences. Its cooperative education programs allow undergrads to gain credits while learning on the job.

WilmU’s online courses are available 24/7, including online video conferencing that helps virtual students form real relationships with their classmates. You can choose from more than 40 online undergraduate programs, including:

• Animation and 3D
• Environmental Science and Policy
• Government and Public Policy
• Global Management

13. Franklin University

Franklin University helps students avoid saddling themselves with student debt. This private university’s tuition is 66% lower than the national average for four-year colleges. Moreover, Franklin awards its students $13 million in tuition assistance every year.

About 90% of Franklin’s students transfer from other schools. All of its academic and student support services cater to working adults. Franklin offers 35 online bachelor’s degrees, including popular programs like:

• Health Sciences
• Business
• Public Administration
• Emergency Management and Homeland Security

14. City University of Seattle

City University of Seattle makes earning the easiest bachelor’s degree convenient. What’s more, qualified students can enjoy financial aid.

Here, you can earn an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This allows you to develop expertise in cutting-edge business practices like data analysis and artificial intelligence. The school also offers online bachelor’s programs in different areas:

• Applied Computing, Information Systems, or Information Technology
• Applied Psychology
• Project Management
• Business and Data Analytics

15. Cameron University

Cameron University is a respected public university with almost 50 degree programs. Unique to CU is “The Cameron University Guarantee”. You can take additional classes free of charge if your employer determines you need core knowledge in your major field of study. 

Cameron offers three fully online options for undergraduate students. You can pursue:

• Organizational Leadership
• Family and Child Studies
• Sports and Exercise Science
• Criminal Justice

16. Indian River State College

Indian River State College’s Virtual Campus courses are nationally certified by Quality Matters, an organization dedicated to improving the online learning experience.

It aims to provide the easiest college majors using free online tutoring, IRSC libraries, and the Blackboard mobile app. Its Virtual College offers ten fully online bachelor’s programs. You can study:

• Business administration
• Criminal Justice
• Public Administration
• Digital Media

17. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement allows you to transfer to ODU from a school in the Virginia Community College System. ODU holds virtual office hours, letting you chat one-on-one with professors using web conferencing.

ODU Online programs require 60 credit hours of upper-division courses. There are 18 fully online programs, including:

• Fashion Merchandising
• Geography
• Real Estate
• Industrial Technology

18. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus has made it easy for U.S. service members to advance their education since 1947. You can earn a second degree with just 30 credit hours if you already have a bachelor’s degree yet want to change careers.

UMGC prioritizes hiring scholar-practitioners so you learn from experts with academic and professional experience. Your eight-week classes incorporate free digital materials. UMGC offers more than 30 online programs, including:

• Biotechnology
• Digital Media and Web Technology
• Investigative Forensics
• Gerontology and Aging Services

19. Metro State University

Metro State University offers the easiest online degree in Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies that lets you customize a course of study that fits your interests.

Online students like you can access more than 6,500 courses through Minnesota Online. This Twin Cities-based public university also offers other bachelor’s programs, such as:

• Human Resource Management
• Law Enforcement
• Health System Studies
• Marketing

20. Snow College

About 85% of Snow College‘s students graduate or transfer to a four-year program in six years or less. This completion rate is much higher than the national average, which hovers around 42.2% for all community college students.

Snow College’s online courses are self-paced. You can take your time on complex topics and move quickly through easier material. You can finish these online degree programs in as few as 18 months.

• Software Engineering
• Agribusiness
• Communication and Rhetoric
• Visual and Performing Arts

Bonus Easy Colleges

University of Baltimore

The University of Baltimore maintains its founding mission to help working students continue their education. UB’s online Bachelor’s in Business is also a great option for earning master’s degrees.

In the school’s fast track bachelor’s-to-master’s degree, you’ll take nine graduate-level courses. These will “double count” toward both degrees, saving you up to $9,000! You can start by considering getting college credits from these courses:

• Business Administration
• Accounting and General Business
• Criminal Justice
• Policy, Politics, and International Affairs

Boise State University

More than 3,000 students pursue degrees online through Boise State University. Aside from online tutoring, you’ll get access to digital libraries, success centers, and remote proctoring.

Boise State offers eight fully online bachelor’s degrees. Each incorporates interactive online courses specially designed by on-campus faculty and instructional designers.

• Multidisciplinary Studies
• Nursing and Healthcare Administration
• Arts, Digital Innovation, and Design
• Integrated Strategic Communications

South Florida State College

South Florida State College offers an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. About 40% of SFSC’s students are first-generation college students. SFSC uses D2L Brightspace for its online learning so students can communicate with instructors and discuss course materials with classmates.

All courses in its Associate in Arts degree program are online, with one exception. There is an on-campus oral communications requirement. You can choose from areas like:

• Healthcare Administration and Services
• Hospitality
• Business and Human Resources
• Supervision and Management

The University of Texas at El Paso

About 81% of the University of Texas at El Paso’s student body is Hispanic, reflecting this unique geographic location. As a UTEP online student, you’ll also have a success advisor who can answer questions and connect you with campus-wide resources.

Unique among UTEP’s online options is a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano studies. This degree focuses on the study of Mexican Americans. UTEP Connect also offers other online programs.

• Security Studies
• Media Advertising
• Multidisciplinary Studies
• Organizational and Corporate Communication

Pensacola State College

Pensacola State College is a public community college offering only one fully online bachelor’s program – a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This two-year program is for registered nurses. It builds on an associate’s degree, helping you earn the required 120 credit hours for your undergraduate diploma.

Meanwhile, online certificate programs focus on valuable skills like management or entrepreneurship. PSC also delivers associate’s degrees online:

• Criminal Justice Technology
• Accounting Technology
• Computer Information Systems
• Environmental Science

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is one of the country’s most well-respected public universities. It ranks No. 44 among U.S. News & World Report’s Top Public Schools.

As a South Carolina student, you’ll have frequent online discussions and group projects. You’ll also receive recorded introductions to each week’s material from your professors as you study any of these college majors:

• Nursing
• Integrated Information Technology
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Services Management
• Applied Computer Science

Fayetteville State University

Based in North Carolina, Fayetteville State University is a Historically Black University. Its BS in Professional Studies program allows you to choose a concentration based on your interests and goals. Your concentration might combine existing majors, or it could center on a theme that covers various academic areas.

These completion programs let you move your studies online once you’ve entered the upper-division courses for your major. Sample programs include:

• Sociology
• Accounting
• Fire and Emergency Services Administration
• English Language and Literature

Weber State University

Weber State University makes it easy for aspiring health professionals to earn undergraduate degrees online. As a school that caters to working students, about 79% of WSU’s students have jobs.

You can reduce the cost of your studies at Weber State by applying for various financial aid programs. WSU offers online bachelor’s and associate degrees. You can focus on:

• Creative Writing
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Early Childhood Education
• Communication and Civic Advocacy

Why Should I Earn My Bachelor’s Degree Online?

Enroll in one of our online college programs for undergrads, and you can start your bachelor’s degree without even leaving the couch!

Online learners are no longer outliers in higher education. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 36.3% of undergraduates enrolled in distance education courses in fall 2019.  What’s more, 14.8% of all undergrads studied exclusively from a distance. 

How Will a Bachelor’s Degree Help My Career?

A bachelor’s degree opens doors to new career opportunities. A bachelor’s can help you keep a job, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that unemployment decreases as the degree level increases.

For example, the unemployment rate among bachelor’s degree holders was 5.5% in 2020. The rate for those with only a high school diploma was 9%. 

Moreover, the BLS found that as the education level rises, earnings do, too. On average, the weekly paychecks for employees with undergraduate degrees were 40% bigger than those for workers with a high school diploma.

See Also: Top 30 Accredited Online Accounting College Degree Programs 

What Will Be the Best Jobs in the Future?

The best future careers will be in revitalized industries like leisure and healthcare as well as innovative new technology occupations. As the leisure and hospitality industry recovers post-pandemic, jobs in restaurants, bars, travel, and hotels will be in high demand. Healthcare jobs will also grow significantly to serve the needs of an aging population, along with new roles in environmental care.

The most in-demand careers in the future also involve technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics, online video collaboration platforms, and computer-related fields like statistics, data science, and information security analysis. 

See Also: 10 Accredited Online Colleges For Game Design

Can I Earn the Same Degree Online as I Can on Campus?

Yes, online schools set the same expectations as on-campus schools. The diploma you’ll receive is the same too. When you enroll in an online degree program, you can expect to master new skills.

You’ll also expand your understanding of complex topics. What makes an online program easier is the flexibility it provides. This lets you do schoolwork when it’s most convenient. 

See Also: 30 Top Nationally Accredited Online Colleges For Nursing

What Are the Easiest Online Degree Programs?

When it comes to degrees being “easy,” Dr. Jerome Rekart makes a clear distinction:

“[Students] shouldn’t think that it is “easy” just because it is touted as such. Remember, that a degree needs to stand for a particular amount of work, and institutions want them to have value. To this end, it should be important to know that “easy” often means that there are few barriers in your way as you move towards your degree, but it doesn’t mean that the material will necessarily be any easier.”

Identifying the most accessible and easiest online degrees streamlines the path to earning a college education by minimizing barriers to enrollment and course completion.

General Studies

A general studies associate degree allows students to take foundational general education courses that provide transferable skills before committing to a specific major for advanced degrees. This flexible path develops educational leadership, critical thinking, and communication abilities valued in the workplace.

Liberal Arts

As a liberal arts major, you’ll study subjects like history, literature, language, and philosophy, developing well-rounded skills in communication, research, and management. Liberal arts programs lead to careers in intelligence analysis, project management, business development, customer service, or advanced degrees in law or business.

Computer Science

Online computer science degrees are popular and easy to complete from home, fitting for a field focused on computer and online technologies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% growth in computer and IT jobs from 2016-2026, adding over half a million positions.

Business Administration

Business administration degrees prepare for careers in upper management, human resources, health services, marketing, and more. Pay can exceed $70,000 or even reach six figures for management roles, especially as a management analyst.

English

Online English degrees provide transferable skills in composition, literature, communication, and technical writing. Graduates are in demand for growing fields like technical writing, public relations, and teaching high school, with new graduates earning around $40,000 and mid-career salaries averaging $71,000.

Nursing

While not typically considered easy, online nursing degrees are accessible since lecture courses are delivered remotely and clinical rotations can be completed at local healthcare facilities, eliminating campus visits. This flexibility makes nursing a surprisingly attainable online degree option for students living near hospitals or nursing homes.

Communications

Online communications degrees build public speaking, writing, digital media, and ethics skills with specialized concentrations in marketing, journalism, film, or public relations. Students graduate with the necessary skills to work in fast-growing, high-paying fields like advertising and marketing management.

Political Science

Online political science degrees provide foundational knowledge of government, politics, policy, law, and history. Entry-level positions can have possible concentrations in pre-law, international studies, or public administration.

Psychology

Psychology is one of the most popular online degrees because it provides flexibility through remote coursework in philosophy, statistics, human development, and social psychology, building critical thinking skills without hands-on requirements. Accelerated programs allow completion in under four years, making online psychology degrees a smart choice for busy students.

Marketing

Online marketing programs cultivate creativity through engaging courses, leading to high-paying, in-demand careers like marketing management. Top roles, like sales management and market research analysis, also see significant growth in jobs and salaries.

Accounting

Online accounting programs require strong math and organization skills for 150 credit hours of finance-focused coursework, prepared for CPA licensure exams. Accounting utilizes online technology extensively for classes and careers, making it a practical online degree choice for diligent, numerically-minded students seeking jobs in the financial sector.

Childcare and Education

Childcare and education associate’s degrees prepare students for careers as teacher’s assistants, preschool teachers, and childcare workers. Graduates average $25,944 annually and gain skills to begin working with children or continue studies in education.

See Also: Best Accredited Online Colleges for Social Work in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does Accreditation Matter?

Enrolling in an accredited college or university ensures the value of your degree. For a school to earn accreditation, it must uphold certain educational standards. Accreditation helps back up a school’s claims by making a fair assessment of a university’s academic offerings, faculty members, and achievements.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree?

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that, on average, undergraduate students took 52 months, or 4.3 years, to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 2017. In general, bachelor’s programs are designed as four-year programs. You might be able to reduce the time it takes to graduate by enrolling in a fast-track online completion program.

Which Is Better for College Students: Asynchronous or Synchronous Coursework?

Asynchronous coursework would be better for college students who like to study at any time. Meanwhile, synchronous courses will suit students who prefer to log on at specific times and participate in natural conversations.

What Undergraduate Majors Earn the Most?

According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, the highest-paying majors are in STEM, health, and business. Engineering is one of U.S. News & World Report’s top picks for the best starting salaries.

What Student Resources Are Available to Online Learners?

Most universities provide online learners with access to all on-campus resources. For example, you can take advantage of your school’s career center to get free resume and job search advice. Schools often have free online tutoring and writing support.

See Also: Financial Aid Tips for Online College

Conclusion

Identifying and enrolling in one of the easiest online colleges can save you time, money, and frustration. You’ll be able to apply, get accepted, and begin your classes without jumping through hoops. Graduating from an accredited and reputable easy online college will help you reach your career goals efficiently and cost-effectively.