Choosing the right online college degree program may be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
But how should you decide which program is right for you? Knowing which are the most popular online college degrees is a good place to begin.
In this article we review the most popular online degrees—those degrees being pursued by the largest number of online students.
Why is this important? Because there’s wisdom in numbers. If many people are doing something, there’s probably a good reason for it. And, when it comes to online education, there is.
The most popular degrees are also the ones that lead to higher salaries, better job satisfaction, and increased job-growth opportunities.
This article examines the most popular online college degrees and the types of job opportunities each degree provides and the salaries related to the degree.
Based on the 1,601,000 bachelor’s degrees conferred in 2008–2009, the largest number were in the fields of:
- Business (348,000)
- Social sciences and history (169,000)
- Health Sciences (120,000)
- Education (102,000)
The largest number of master’s degrees conferred were in the fields of:
- Education (179,000)
- Business (168,000)
- Health professions and related clinical sciences (63,000)
- Public Administration and social services (34,000)
The 20 most popular online degrees are grouped alphabetically by field.
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ONLINE BUSINESS DEGREES
According to Eduventures (see citation at the end of this article), business degrees of all types are the most popular online degrees of all.
1. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online bachelor’s degree in accounting is the #15 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: Public accountant, tax examiner, internal auditor, forensic accountant, and government accountant.
Salary information: 2012 salaries for those with a bachelor’s degree in accounting: Staff accountant: $32,395 to $51,962; accountant: $30,655 to $75,742; senior accountant: $44,384 to $74,910. (PayScale)
2. Online Associate’s Degree in Business Administration
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online associate’s degree in business administration is the #19 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: In retail stores, small businesses, nonprofits, and corporations. Those with an associate’s degree in business administration can apply for jobs such as insurance policy processing clerk, human resources clerk, bank teller, assistant manager, and retail manager.
Salary informaton: Ranges in 2012 for employees with an associate’s degree in business administration: Administrative/office manager: $26,826 to $52,370; retail store manager: $25,639 to 64,111; general manager restaurant: $32,578 to $62,865; and office manager: $25,089 to $60,217. (PayScale)
3. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA)
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online bachelor’s degree in business administration is the #4 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: In banking, finance, manufacturing, product development, business analysis, and human resources.
Salary information: 2010 median beginning salary for BBA’s: $43,879. (National Association of Colleges and Employers [NACE])
4. Online Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online master’s degree in business administration is the #14 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: Marketing manager, sales manager, management analyst, financial analyst, financial advisor, database administrator, and chief executive officer.
Salary information: 2012 median beginning salary for MBA’s: $90,000; many industries report significantly higher beginning salaries. (U.S News & World Report)
5. Online Communications Degrees
Eduventures reports that a degree in communications is the #7 most popular online degree.
People with a bachelor’s degree in communications work in customer support and public relations. They write speeches and press releases, and build communities through social-networking websites.
Government agencies and large companies have a team working in their communications department, whereas a small company might just have one communications professional.
Salary information: Median salary in 2012 for employees with a bachelor’s degree in communications: Marketing coordinator: $32,438; and marketing manager: $43,288 to $89,396. (PayScale)
6. Online Computer and Information Technology Degrees
Eduventures reports that a degree in IT ranked the #2 most popular online degree. Princeton Review lists computer and information sciences as one of the top 10 most popular majors.
Job possibilities: Cyber security professional, information systems manager, application developer, systems administrator, computer systems manager, database administrator, software developer, computer systems analyst, computer programmer, computer information systems specialist, network administrator, data analyst, IT developer, systems architect, and network administration professional.
Salary information: 2011 information systems managers median annual wage: $118,080; 2011 median wage for software developers: $95,600; and $78,770 for computer systems analyst (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS])
2012 salaries for those with a bachelor’s degree in management of information systems: Information technology manager: $48,528 to 112,396; systems administrator: $37,634 to $74,227. (PayScale)
7. Online Criminal Justice Degrees
Eduventures reports that a degree in criminal justice is the #3 most popular online degree. According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online associate’s degree in criminal justice is the #20 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: In areas such as law enforcement and security; job titles include probation officer, county sheriff’s deputy, court administrator, corrections officer, corrections case manager, and criminal investigator.
Salary information: In 2012, employees with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice: Security manager: $36,002 to $88,590; and probation officer and correctional treatment specialist: $25,225 to $54,975. (PayScale)
ONLINE EDUCATION DEGREES
Eduventures reports a degree in education is the #5 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: Teach children in public and private schools, ranging from kindergarten to high school.
Salary information: In 2012, teachers with a master’s degree in education: High school teacher: $33,084 to $68,156; elementary school teacher: $30,947 to $76,088; middle school teacher: $32,117 to $64,104; assistant principal $45,615 to $96,733; and elementary school principal: $42,574 to $104,274. (PayScale)
8. Online Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
Job opportunities: Instructional coordinators; since most students in a master’s degree program in curriculum and instruction are already educators, graduates may seek advanced positions in academia, such as mentor, curriculum specialist, peer coach, and staff developer.
Salary information: In 2012, teachers with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction: High school teacher: $48,834 to $71,472; and middle school teacher: $51,097 to $65,111. (PayScale)
9. Online Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online associate’s degree in early childhood education is the #6 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: At preschools, daycare facilities, and home-based childcare facilities.
Salary information: In 2012, preschool teachers with an associate’s degree in early childhood education: $7.82 to $14.05 per hour. (PayScale)
10. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is the #8 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: In elementary schools, daycare centers, national Head Start educational programs, and recreational centers. Job titles include Head Start teacher, pre-school teacher, kindergarten teacher, daycare center specialist, and educational assistant.
Salary information: In 2012, teachers with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education: Elementary school teacher: $25,685 to $51,197; director of child care: $29,146 to $47,947; and director of preschool: $17,754 to $62,577. (PayScale)
11. Online Master’s Degree in Special Education
The 2011 eLearners Index shows that an online master’s degree in special education is the #7 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Preschool and elementary special education, middle school special education, secondary school special education, and special education administrator.
Salary information: In 2012, teachers with a master’s degree in special education: $33,972 to $63,715. (PayScale)
ONLINE HEALTHCARE DEGREES
According to Eduventures, a healthcare degree is the #6 most popular online degree.
12. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online bachelor’s degree in health administration is the #13 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Entry-level positions in small healthcare facilities and departments, and opportunities to assist department heads in large hospitals. Job opportunities include health information manager, assistant administrator, assistant department head, and nursing home administrator.
Salary information: In 2012, employees with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration: Practice manager: $38,783 to $64,554; licensed nursing home administrator: $27,821 to $100,334; office manager at a medical office: $35,231 to $57,618; practice administrator: $39,262 to $112,242; hospital administrator: $79,354 to $121,513; and healthcare administrator: $40,337 to $73,250. (PayScale)
13. Online Master’s Degree in Health Administration
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online master’s degree in health administration is the #10 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Opportunities in the healthcare sector for someone with a master’s degree in health administration include policy expert, leader, consultant, decision-maker, and manager.
Job titles include hospital administrator, health policy analyst, health services research analyst, managed-care administrator, clinic operations director, and department head.
14. Online Nursing Degrees
Eduventures reports that a nursing degree is the #4 most popular online degree. The 2011 eLearners Index shows that an online master’s degree in nursing is the #5 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: Registered nurse, nursing education, nursing management, and health care informatics.
Salary information: In 2012, nurses with a master’s degree: Clinical nurse manager: $60,406; and clinical nurse specialist: $64,132 to $108,836. (PayScale)
ONLINE PSYCHOLOGY DEGREES
According to Eduventures, a degree in psychology is the #8 most popular online degree.
15. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online bachelor’s degree in psychology is the #1 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Psychology degrees provide a broad foundation for a variety of careers; some people with a degree in psychology work in the fields of social services, community relations, and human services; others go into sales or business positions.
Salary information: In 2012, people with a bachelor’s degree in psychology: Human resources manager: $38,880 to $85,678; human resources generalist: $35,759 to $62,986. (PayScale)
16. Online Master’s Degree in Psychology
The 2011 eLearners Index shows that an online master’s degree in psychology is the #3 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Therapy, marriage and family therapists, and industrial-organizational psychologists; those with a master’s degree in psychology may qualify for government jobs, such as self-reliance specialist, drug and alcohol specialist, development specialist, parole officer, rehabilitation counselor, and social services manager; jobs in healthcare and mental health services include health project coordinator, group home coordinator, family services worker, child care supervisor, and child protection worker.
Salary information: In 2012, people with a master’s degree in psychology: Mental health counselor: $29,270 to $58,308; school psychologist: $32,000 to $85,000; and marriage/family therapist: $29,865 to $81,094. (PayScale)
17. Online Doctorate in Psychology
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online doctorate in psychology is the #16 most popular online degree.
Job possibilities: Clinical psychologist, experimental-research psychologist, psychological consultant, clinical administrator, school psychologist, forensic psychologist, psychotherapist, organizational-industrial psychologist, and educator.
Salary information: 2012 salaries for those with a doctorate in psychology: Clinical psychologist: $49,005 to $103,218; and psychologist: $59,065. (PayScale)
ONLINE RELIGION DEGREES
18. Online Associate’s Degree in Religion
The 2011 eLearners Index shows that an online associate’s degree in religion is the #9 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Missionary work or work for religious organizations, churches, or nonprofits; however, most often graduates of with an associate’s degree in religion go on to acquire a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree.
19. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Religion
The 2011 eLearners Index shows that an online bachelor’s degree in religion is the #17 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: Although some positions require a graduate degree, those with a bachelor’s degree in religion have opportunities to work for religious organizations, churches, foreign missionary organizations, and nonprofits, as well as to teach or take a community organizer job, or a social worker position in the healthcare industry.
20. Online Master’s Degree in Religion
According to the 2011 eLearners Index, an online master’s degree in religion is the #18 most popular online degree.
Job opportunities: The majority of religious communities require that a spiritual leader have a master’s or a doctoral degree in religion. A doctorate is preferred for most postsecondary teaching positions in religious studies. Those with as master’s degree may qualify for teaching jobs at some private secondary institutions.
Salary information: In 2012, employees with a master’s degree in religion: Senior pastor: $41,437 to $61,042; and associate pastor: $40,500 to $49,920. (PayScale)
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Sources for Most Popular Online Degree Programs
Eduventures, a principal source for this article, is a higher-education research, consulting, and advisory firm. The eLearners Index, also a source, is an annual proprietary report that evaluates prospective student interest and demand for online education. (Broad education categories displaying specific degrees are not counted among the 20 best online degrees.)
